WO2018066428A1

WO2018066428A1 - Coin sorting mechanism and coin processing device

Info

Publication number: WO2018066428A1
Application number: PCT/JP2017/034936
Authority: WO
Inventors: 教宏保井
Original assignee: グローリー株式会社
Priority date: 2016-10-04
Filing date: 2017-09-27
Publication date: 2018-04-12
Also published as: JP2018060318A; JP6694363B2

Abstract

Provided is a coin sorting mechanism, comprising: a sorting part (for example, a denomination-specific branching part (22)), which is disposed upon a conveyance part (for example, a deposit conveyance part (16)), and which further comprises a fluctuating member (for example, a gate member (22a)) which is capable of fluctuating centered about an axle (for example, an axle (22b)); and sensing parts (for example, prisms (23c) of a pass-through sensor (23)) for sensing a coin which is being conveyed by the conveyance part. The sensing parts are disposed further on the upstream side in the direction of the conveyance of the coins which is performed by the conveyance part than is the axle of the sorting part.

Description

Coin sorting mechanism and coin processing device

The present invention relates to a coin sorting mechanism for sorting coins carried by a carrying unit from the carrying unit, and a coin processing apparatus equipped with such a coin sorting mechanism.

In a store of a commercial facility such as a supermarket or a convenience store, a money change machine is installed with a POS register at the checkout area in the front area where the product shelves are installed, and in the backyard area where customers cannot enter Etc. Depositing and dispensing machines such as are now installed. Here, the money change machine installed at the checkout counter in the front area can perform the deposit process of money handed over from the customer to the store clerk in exchange for the product, and the withdrawal process of money as change. It has become.

Such a coin change machine includes a coin change machine that performs deposit processing of coins as sales and a withdrawal process of coins as change, and a deposit process of banknotes as sales and of banknotes as change. And a bill change machine for performing a withdrawal process. Here, when the coin change processing is performed in the coin change machine, the coins inserted into the housing are normal coins after the denomination is identified by the identification unit. Are identified for each denomination by the coin sorting mechanism, and the selected coins are stored in the storage unit for each denomination.

As a coin sorting mechanism for sorting coins transported by a transport unit from the transport unit, one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-172478 (JP2007-172478A) has been conventionally known. ing. The coin sorting mechanism disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-172478 has a gate that swings around an axis, and when sorting coins transported by the transport unit from the transport unit, the tip portion of the gate When the gate rotates about the axis so that the coin protrudes upward from the coin transfer surface, the coin is pressed against the back surface of the gate so that the coin enters the sorting hole.

In recent years, it has been required to reduce the size of the coin change machine in order to reduce the installation space of the money change machine at the checkout counter in the front area. In order to reduce the size of the coin change machine, it is necessary to reduce the length of each coin sorting mechanism that sorts the coins transported by the transport unit from the transport unit to the storage and feeding units. Here, in order to shorten the length of the coin sorting mechanism, a method of shortening the length of the gate in the coin transport direction can be considered, but if the gate length is shortened, the coin is separated from the gate when sorting the coin. There is a problem that the rear end of the coin is lifted when it hits the back surface, and the transport belt in the transport unit is pushed up by the rear end of the raised coin. Here, when the conveyor belt is pushed up by the rear end of the coin, a large load is applied to the conveyor belt, and the push pin attached to the conveyor belt is detached from the conveyor belt, or the push pin is There is a risk that poor conveyance of coins may occur due to tilting. Also, if the gate length is shortened, the back surface of the gate may be greatly worn when the coin hits the back surface of the gate when sorting the coins.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and the overall length in the coin transport direction can be increased without imposing a large load on the swinging member of the transport unit and the sorting unit by the selected coins. An object of the present invention is to provide a coin sorting mechanism and a coin processing device that can be shortened.

The coin sorting mechanism according to the present invention is a coin sorting mechanism for sorting coins carried by a carrying unit from the carrying unit, and is provided in the carrying unit and is swingable around an axis. A sorting unit having a moving member; and a detecting unit for detecting coins conveyed by the conveying unit, wherein the detecting unit is more than the axis of the sorting unit in the coin conveying direction by the conveying unit. It is provided in the upstream.

In the coin sorting mechanism of the present invention, the detection unit may be provided between the shaft of the sorting unit and the swinging member in the coin transport direction by the transport unit.

In this case, an opening through which the detection unit passes may be provided in the swing member of the selection unit.

Moreover, the length of the opening in the coin transport direction by the transport unit may be smaller than the diameter of the largest coin to be transported by the transport unit.

In the coin sorting mechanism of the present invention, the detection unit includes a light emitting element that emits light and a light receiving element that receives light transmitted from the light emitting element, and the detection unit is emitted from the light emitting element. A coin is detected when light is blocked by a coin and cannot be received by the light receiving element, and at least one of the light emitting element and the light receiving element in the detection unit is a coin by the transport unit. It may be provided on the upstream side of the shaft of the sorting unit in the transport direction.

Alternatively, the detection unit includes a light emitting element that emits light, a light receiving element that receives light transmitted from the light emitting element, and a light guide member that guides light emitted from the light emitting element to the light receiving element, The detection unit detects a coin when light emitted from the light emitting element is blocked by the coin and cannot be received by the light receiving element, and at least the light guide member in the detection unit is transported It may be provided on the upstream side of the shaft of the sorting unit in the coin conveyance direction by the unit.

The coin processing apparatus of the present invention includes a transport unit that transports coins, the above-described coin sorting mechanism, and a storage unit that stores coins sorted by the coin sorting mechanism, and is transported by the transport unit. Coins are sorted from the transport unit by the coin sorting mechanism.

In the coin processing apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of the coin sorting mechanisms may be provided so as to line up along the coin transport direction by the transport unit.

In this case, a state in which a plurality of drive units that swing the swinging member in the sorting unit of each of the coin sorting mechanisms overlaps with a predetermined size area provided on the side of the transport unit. May be arranged.

In the coin processing apparatus of the present invention, the transport unit includes a linear member in which a plurality of pushing members are provided at equal intervals, and when the linear member moves, The coin may be conveyed by being pushed.

It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the money processor provided with the coin processing apparatus by embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows a structure when the inside of the coin processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is seen toward the perpendicular direction downward from upper direction. It is a side view which shows the structure of the rejection part and coin storage part in the coin processing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the coin storage part and coin payout part in the coin processing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a top view which shows the structure of the money classification branch part and passage detection sensor in the coin processing apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a side view of the denomination branch portion and the passage detection sensor shown in FIG. 5. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the money classification branch part shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows a structure when the money classification branch part shown in FIG. 7 is seen from the back side. (A) and (b) are the block diagrams which show the various structures of the passage detection sensor shown in FIG. It is a side view which shows a state when a coin is branched from a deposit conveyance part by the right money type branch part among the two money type branch parts shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a side view showing a state when coins are branched from the deposit conveyance unit by the right-side denomination branching unit of the two denomination branching units shown in FIG. 5, continued from the state shown in FIG. 10. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the control system in the coin processing apparatus shown in FIG. (A) is a side view which shows the state when branching a coin from a deposit conveyance part by the money type branch part in the conventional coin processing apparatus, (b) is a coin processing apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows a state when branching a coin from a money_receiving | payment conveyance part by the money classification branch part. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the money processing system provided with the coin processing apparatus of the other structure by embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the coin processing apparatus in the money processing system shown in FIG. It is a top view of the coin conveyance part in the coin processing apparatus shown in FIG. It is an enlarged top view of the storage branch part and coin storage mechanism in the coin conveyance part shown in FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the storage branch part and coin storage mechanism in the coin conveyance part shown in FIG. It is a top view which shows the internal structure of the coin processing apparatus of another structure. It is a top view of the coin conveyance part in the coin processing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the circulation belt and push pin in the coin conveyance part shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 thru | or FIG. 13 is a figure which shows the coin processing apparatus provided with the coin processing apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment, and such a coin processing apparatus. Among these, FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a money handling machine provided with a coin handling device according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows the inside of the coin handling device shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows a structure when it looks toward. 3 is a side view showing the configuration of the reject unit and the coin storage unit in the coin processing device shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the coin storage unit and the coin dispensing unit in the coin processing device shown in FIG. FIG. FIGS. 5 and 6 are a top view and a side view, respectively, showing configurations of the denomination branching unit and the passage detection sensor in the coin processing device shown in FIG. 7 and 8 are perspective views showing the configuration of the denomination branching unit shown in FIG. 5, and FIGS. 9A and 9B show various configurations of the passage detection sensor shown in FIG. FIG. 10 and 11 are side views showing states when coins are branched from the deposit transport unit by the right-side denomination branching unit of the two denomination branching units shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a control system in the coin processing device shown in FIG. Moreover, Fig.13 (a) is a side view which shows the state when branching a coin from a deposit conveyance part by the money type branch part in the conventional coin processing apparatus, FIG.13 (b) is implementation of this invention. It is a side view which shows a state when branching a coin from a money_receiving | payment conveyance part by the money type branch part in the coin processing apparatus of a form. In FIG. 3, FIG. 5, FIG. 10, FIG. 11, FIG. 13, etc., the coin processed by the coin processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is indicated by the reference symbol C.

In a store of a commercial facility such as a convenience store or a supermarket, a shelf where various products are displayed is installed in the front area where customers can enter, and the checkout in this front area is shown in FIG. Such a money handling machine 1 (money change machine) and a POS register are installed. When a customer performs a checkout process at such a checkout office, the store clerk deposits money as a price for the goods received from the customer into the money handling machine 1 as a money changer, or processes money as change. Withdraw money from the machine 1 and return it to the customer. The POS register manages information related to products purchased by customers, information related to money stored in the money handling machine 1, and the like. In addition, in a backyard area (specifically, for example, a deposit room) where customers are not allowed to enter such stores, a cashier or the like that deposits money as sales collected from the money handling machine 1 A money deposit and withdrawal machine is installed. In addition, when there is a shortage of money as change in the money handling machine 1, money as a change supplement is withdrawn from the money depositing and dispensing machine, and money as a change supplement withdrawn from the money depositing and dispensing machine. Can be replenished to the money handling machine 1. Details of the money handling machine 1 and the coin handling device 2 constituting the money handling machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

As shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the money handling machine 1 according to the present embodiment is arranged so as to be arranged side by side with a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer casing 1a and can be pulled out from the outer casing 1a to the front side. The coin processing device 2 and the banknote processing device 3 are provided, and a POS register (not shown) is placed above the coin processing device 2 and the banknote processing device 3. The coin processing device 2 and the banknote processing device 3 perform a deposit process and a withdrawal process for coins and banknotes, respectively. Hereinafter, the details of the configuration of the coin processing device 2 will be described. The details of the banknote handling apparatus 3 are not described here.

As shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the coin processing device 2 is provided on the substantially rectangular parallelepiped inner housing 10 and the front surface side of the inner housing 10, and coins are inserted by an operator when performing coin deposit processing. A coin receiving unit 12, a coin dispensing unit 32 that is provided on the front surface side of the inner housing 10, and that dispenses coins when performing a coin dispensing process, and for each denomination within the inner housing 10. A plurality of coin storage units 30a to 30f are provided. Here, the plurality of coin storage portions 30a to 30f are arranged in parallel along the width direction of the inner housing 10 (that is, the left-right direction in FIG. 2). A 50 yen coin, a 5 yen coin, a 500 yen coin, a 100 yen coin, a 10 yen coin and a 1 yen coin are stored in this order.

The coin receiving unit 12 is configured to take the coins received through the coin insertion slot one by one into the inner casing 10 in a one-layer, one-row state. The coin receiving unit 12 is provided with a residual detection sensor 13, and the coin received by the coin receiving unit 12 is detected by the residual detection sensor 13. Further, the coin receiving portion 12 is provided with a feeding portion 14 composed of a feeding belt 14 a that moves in the left direction in FIG. 2, and the coins received by the coin receiving portion 12 are detected by the residual detection sensor 13. When the feeding unit 14 is driven, coins are fed one by one into the inner housing 10 by the feeding unit 14. As shown in FIG. 2, the coin receiving unit 12 is connected to a deposit transporting unit 16 that transports the coins fed into the inner housing 10 by the feeding unit 14 in a one-layer one-row state.

As shown in FIG. 3, the deposit conveyance unit 16 has a conveyance surface 16c extending in a substantially horizontal direction, and coins are conveyed in a substantially horizontal posture on the conveyance surface 16c. Moreover, the deposit conveyance part 16 has the circulation belt 16a stretched | suspended by the some pulley 16b, and the coin withdrawn inside the inner housing | casing 10 by the supply part 14 works between the circulation belts 16a. It is conveyed inside the inner housing 10 by a frictional force. Specifically, the circulation belt 16a is spaced above the conveying surface 16c with a slight gap (specifically, a gap that is approximately the same size as the thickness of one coin) from the conveying surface 16c. Has been placed. Further, a drive motor is connected to one pulley 16b among the plurality of pulleys 16b, and the pulley 16b is rotated by the drive motor, whereby the circulation belt 16a circulates in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. It is supposed to be. A plurality of push pins 16p for pushing coins on the transport surface 16c are provided at equal intervals at the lower end of the circulation belt 16a, and the circulation belt 16a circulates in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. When moved, the coin on the transport surface 16c is pushed in the depth direction of the inner housing 10 by the push pin 16p (see FIGS. 5 and 6). In this way, the coins fed into the inner housing 10 by the feeding portion 14 have a depth in the inner housing 10 in a substantially horizontal posture on the transport surface 16 c in the right region inside the inner housing 10. It will be conveyed in the direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, an identification unit 18 is provided in the middle of the deposit conveyance unit 16 for identifying the denomination, authenticity, correctness, front / back, new / old, and conveyance status of the coin. Further, coins that are not identified as normal coins by the identification unit 18 or coins that could not be identified by the identification unit 18 are branched from the conveyance surface 16c of the deposit conveyance unit 16 and then the inner casing is formed by a reject port 26 described later. A reject part 24 for discharging the body 10 to the outside is provided. As shown in FIG. 3, the reject unit 24 has a reject chute 24 a that sends coins by its own weight in a standing position. In FIG. 3, a coin conveyed by the deposit conveyance unit 16 and a coin sent to the reject port 26 in a standing state by the reject chute 24 a are indicated by a reference symbol C. Here, the reject chute 24a is inclined obliquely downward with respect to the horizontal direction, and a reject port 26 provided on the front side of the inner housing 10 is provided at the downstream end of the reject chute 24a. ing. The reject port 26 is accessible from the front side of the inner casing 10, and the operator can receive coins (reject coins) sent from the reject chute 24 a to the reject port 26 from the front side of the inner casing 10. It can be taken out of the body 10 and re-inserted into the coin receiving unit 12. Moreover, the entrance of the coin from the deposit conveyance part 16 to the rejection chute 24a is provided in the upstream edge part of the rejection chute 24a. Further, the reject unit 24 is a gate member for branching the coins that are not identified as normal coins by the identification unit 18 or the coins that cannot be identified by the identification unit 18 from the conveyance surface 16c of the deposit conveyance unit 16. 25.

As shown in FIG. 3, the gate member 25 has a shaft 25a extending in a substantially horizontal direction, and swings about the shaft 25a. Such a shaft 25 a is disposed at an end portion on the downstream side in the coin conveyance direction by the deposit conveyance unit 16. Further, the gate member 25 has a closed position in a substantially horizontal position as shown by a solid line in FIG. 3 and a branch position protruding upward from such a closed position as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. When the gate member 25 is in the closed position, the upper surface 25b of the gate member 25 is substantially the same as the transfer surface 16c of the deposit transfer unit 16. It will be located on the plane. Thus, when the gate member 25 is located at the closed position, the coins conveyed on the conveyance surface 16c of the deposit conveyance unit 16 are not branched by the gate member 25 into the reject chute 24a of the reject unit 24. It is sent to each denomination branching portion 22 through the upper surface 25 b of the member 25. On the other hand, when the gate member 25 is located at the branch position, the coins transported on the transport surface 16c in the deposit transport unit 16 are branched from the deposit transport unit 16 to the reject chute 24a of the reject unit 24 by the gate member 25. The reject chute 24a is sent to the reject port 26.

In the coin processing device 2 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the deposit conveyance section 16 extends leftward in the width direction of the inner casing 10 from the feeding section 14, and then bends 180 ° to be inner casing 10. It extends rightward in the width direction of the inner casing 10 and then extends in the depth direction of the inner casing 10. As described above, the deposit conveyance section 16 meanders within the full length range M (see FIG. 2) of the three coin storage sections 30a to 30c in the width direction. Here, the coins that are identified as not being normal coins by the identification unit 18 and the coins that could not be identified by the identification unit 18 are reliably transferred from the transfer surface 16c of the deposit transfer unit 16 to the gate member 25 of the reject unit 24. In order to make it branch, it is necessary to make the distance from the identification part 18 to the gate member 25 of the rejection part 24 more than predetermined magnitude | size. On the other hand, as described above, by making the deposit conveyance section 16 meander, the gate member 25 is moved to the inner casing as compared with the case where the deposit conveyance section 16 extends from the feeding section 14 as it is in the depth direction of the inner casing 10. 10 can be arranged at a relatively near position in the depth direction. As a result, the coin branched by the gate member 25 as described above can be configured to be sent to the reject port 26 by its own weight in the standing position on the reject chute 24a. Can be reduced, and the amount of coins stored in each of the coin storage units 30a to 30f can be increased.

As shown in FIG. 2, on the further downstream side of the gate member 25 in the coin transport direction by the deposit transport section 16, a plurality of denomination branch sections 22 are provided so as to line up in series corresponding to the coin storage sections 30a to 30f. It has been. Specifically, when the denomination of the coin identified by the identifying unit 18 is 50 yen, the 50-yen coin is branched from the deposit transport unit 16 by the denomination branching unit 22 located on the rightmost side in FIG. It is made to be sent to the coin storage part 30a. Similarly, when the denomination of the coin identified by the identifying unit 18 is 5 yen, the 5-yen coin branches from the deposit transport unit 16 by the denomination branching unit 22 located second from the right side in FIG. It is made to be sent to the coin storage part 30b. Further, when the denomination of the coin identified by the identification unit 18 is 500 yen, the 500 yen coin is branched from the deposit transport unit 16 by the denomination branching unit 22 located third from the right side in FIG. And sent to the coin storage unit 30c. Further, when the denomination of the coin identified by the identification unit 18 is 100 yen, the 100-yen coin is branched from the deposit transport unit 16 by the denomination branching unit 22 located fourth from the right side in FIG. And sent to the coin storage part 30d. Further, when the denomination of the coin identified by the identifying unit 18 is 10 yen, the 10-yen coin is branched from the deposit transport unit 16 by the denomination branching unit 22 located fifth from the right side in FIG. And sent to the coin storage unit 30e. Further, when the denomination of the coin identified by the identification unit 18 is 1 yen, the 10-yen coin is branched from the deposit transport unit 16 by the denomination branching unit 22 located sixth from the right side in FIG. And sent to the coin storage unit 30f. Thus, the coins identified by the identification unit 18 are distributed to the respective coin storage units 30a to 30f according to denominations and stored in these coin storage units 30a to 30f.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a passage detection sensor 23 is provided on the upstream side of each money type branching section 22 in the coin transport direction by the deposit transport section 16, and the coins transported by the deposit transport section 16 are The passage detection sensor 23 detects the passage. Further, a passage detection sensor 23 is also provided in the conveyance path extending in the depth direction in the deposit conveyance section 16. As shown in FIG. 9A, the passage detection sensor 23 reflects the light emitting element 23a that emits light, the light receiving element 23b that receives the light emitted from the light emitting element 23a, and the light emitted from the light emitting element 23a. Thus, a prism 23c as a light guide member guided to the light receiving element 23b is provided. Here, the light emitting element 23a and the light receiving element 23b are provided above the region where coins (indicated by reference symbol C in FIG. 9A) are conveyed in the deposit conveyance unit 16, while the light guide member The prism 23c is provided below the conveyance surface 16c on which coins are conveyed in the deposit conveyance unit 16. The passage detection sensor 23 detects a coin when the light emitted from the light emitting element 23a is blocked by the coin and cannot be received by the light receiving element 23b. Further, the denomination branching unit 22 detects when a coin to be branched from the deposit transport unit 16 by the denomination branching unit 22 is detected by the passage detection sensor 23 located two before the denomination branching unit 22. In addition, the operation of branching the coins from the deposit transport unit 16 is started.

Details of the configuration of each denomination branch unit 22 and each passage detection sensor 23 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, each denomination branch portion 22 includes a gate member 22a, a shaft 22b, and an arm member 22c that connects the gate member 22a and the shaft 22b. The arm member 22c integrally swings about the shaft 22b. Such a shaft 22b is disposed at an end portion on the downstream side in the coin conveyance direction by the deposit conveyance unit 16. Here, in the present embodiment, such a gate member 22a and arm member 22c constitute a swing member that can swing around the shaft 22b. Further, the gate member 22a has a closed position in a substantially horizontal posture as shown in FIG. 6, and a right-type denomination branching portion 22 of the two denomination branching portions 22 in FIGS. Oscillating around the shaft 22b between the closed position and the branch position protruding upward. More specifically, in each denomination branch section 22, a shaft 22b is attached to an operation member 22e that swings about a shaft 22f, and this operation member 22e is operated by a solenoid 28. . Here, a plurality of solenoids 28 are provided corresponding to each denomination branching section 22. Each solenoid 28 has a main body portion 28a and a plunger 28b that can be moved back and forth with respect to the main body portion 28a. At the tip of the plunger 28b, the operation member 22e of the denomination branching portion 22 is provided. A pin member 28c to be inserted into an opening provided in the lower end portion is provided. In such a solenoid 28, when the plunger 28b is pulled inside the main body 28a, the operation member 22e of the denomination branching portion 22 rotates counterclockwise around the shaft 22f from the state shown in FIG. As a result, the gate member 22a and the arm member 22c rotate about the shaft 22b in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 6, so that the gate member 22a protrudes above the coin transfer surface 16c in the deposit transfer unit 16. Will come to do. Thus, in the present embodiment, the solenoid 28 provided corresponding to each denomination branching unit 22 functions as a drive unit that swings the gate member 22a in the denomination branching unit 22.

When the gate member 22a is located at the closed position as shown in FIG. 6, the upper surface of the gate member 22a is located substantially on the same plane as the transfer surface 16c of the deposit transfer unit 16. Thus, when the gate member 22a is located at the closed position, coins conveyed on the conveyance surface 16c in the deposit conveyance unit 16 are transferred from the deposit conveyance unit 16 to the coin storage units 30a to 30f by the gate member 22a. It passes through the upper surface of the gate member 22a without being branched. On the other hand, when the gate member 22a is located at the branch position as in the right-side denomination branching portion 22 of the two denomination branching portions 22 in FIG. 10 and FIG. The coins transported in the step are branched from the deposit transport section 16 to the coin storage sections 30a to 30f by the gate member 22a and stored in the coin storage sections 30a to 30f.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the gate member 22a is composed of a pair of left and right gates, and a space is formed between the pair of left and right gate members 22a. When such a space is formed, the circulation belt 16a is formed between the pair of left and right gate members 22a when the gate member 22a protrudes above the coin transfer surface 16c in the deposit transfer unit 16. Thus, the gate member 22a and the circulation belt 16a can be prevented from colliding with each other. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, an inclined portion 22 g is formed on the back surface of the gate member 22 a, and when coins are branched from the deposit transport unit 16 by each denomination branch unit 22, in the deposit transport unit 16. Coins entering the back side of the gate member 22a projecting upward from the coin transport surface 16c come into contact with the inclined portion 22g and are sent to the coin storage portions 30a to 30f by the inclined portion 22g.

Moreover, in the coin processing apparatus 2 of this Embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the prism 23c of the passage detection sensor 23 is the deposit conveyance part 16 in the area | region below the conveyance surface 16c of the coin in the deposit conveyance part 16. Are provided on the upstream side of the shaft 22b of each denomination branching portion 22 in the coin conveyance direction. More specifically, the prism 23 c of the passage detection sensor 23 is provided between the gate member 22 a and the shaft 22 b of each denomination branching unit 22 in the coin transport direction by the deposit transport unit 16. In each denomination branching section 22, an opening 22d is formed between each arm member 22c between the gate member 22a and the shaft 22b, and a prism 23c is inserted into the opening 22d. For this reason, even if the gate member 22a swings about the shaft 22b between the closed position and the branch position, the gate member 22a and the arm member 22c do not collide with the prism 23c. Here, the length of the opening 22d in the coin transport direction by the deposit transport unit 16 is smaller than the diameter of the largest coin to be transported by the deposit transport unit 16. For this reason, when the gate member 22a is located at the closed position as shown in FIG. 6, the coin passing through the upper surface of the gate member 22a enters the opening 22d, and a coin clogging phenomenon occurs in the deposit conveyance section 16. Can be prevented.

In the present embodiment, the above-described denomination branching unit 22 and the passage detection sensor 23 constitute a coin sorting mechanism for sorting out the coins transported by the deposit transport unit 16 from the deposit transport unit 16. .

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each of the coin storage portions 30a to 30f has a coin storage space 31 in which a plurality of coins are stored. Further, each of the coin storage units 30a to 30f is provided with a feeding unit 40 for feeding out coins stored in the coin storage space 31 one by one from the coin storage space 31. Details of the configurations of the coin storage units 30a to 30f and the feeding unit 40 will be described later. Coins fed from the coin storage space 31 of each of the coin storage units 30a to 30f by the feeding unit 40 are sent to the coin dispensing unit 32 and accumulated in the coin dispensing unit 32. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the six coin storage units 30a to 30f are slightly obliquely downward toward the coin dispensing unit 32 on the front side of the three coin storage units 30a to 30c from the right. An inclined coin guide groove 34 is formed, and coins fed out from the coin storage space 31 of the coin storage parts 30a to 30c by the feeding part 40 enter the coin guide groove 34 in a standing state, and the coin guide groove 34 In FIG. 34, the coin moves to the left in FIG. On the other hand, the coins fed out from the coin housing space 31 of the three coin storage units 30d to 30f from the left among the six coin storage units 30a to 30f are directly sent to the coin dispensing unit 32. Further, the coin dispensing unit 32 is exposed to the outside of the inner housing 10 so that the operator can grasp the coins accumulated in the coin dispensing unit 32 by hand and take it out of the inner housing 10. It has become.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the feeding portion 40 is disposed at the bottom of the coin housing space 31, and has a belt-like feeding belt 42 stretched by a plurality of pulleys 44 and one of the plurality of pulleys 44. A slight gap (specifically, denominations to be stored in the coin storage portions 30a to 30f) between the drive motor 44a connected to the pulley 44 and rotating the pulley 44 in both forward and reverse directions and the feeding belt 42 A slight gap (specifically, the coin storage portions 30a to 30a to 30) between the reverse rotation roller 46 disposed above the feeding belt 42 and a feeding belt 42 with a gap slightly larger than the thickness of the coin. And a guide member 43 disposed above the feeding belt 42 with a gap slightly larger than the thickness of the denomination coin to be stored in 30f. Here, the coins accommodated in the coin accommodating space 31 are placed on the feeding belt 42. The feeding belt 42 is an endless (in other words, annular) flat belt, and the width of the feeding belt 42 is substantially the same as the width of the coin housing space 31. When the pulley 44 connected to the drive motor 44a is rotated in the coin feeding direction by the driving motor 44a, the feeding belt 42 circulates in the clockwise direction in FIGS. The coins placed on the belt are conveyed in the right direction in FIGS. 3 and 4 in a substantially horizontal posture, and pass through a gap formed between the reverse rotation roller 46 and the feeding belt 42, or the coin guide groove 34 or the coin dispensing unit. 32 will be sent. Here, the reverse rotation roller 46 rotates in the direction opposite to the coin feeding direction by the feeding belt 42 (that is, the clockwise direction in FIGS. 3 and 4). As a result, when the coins fed out by the feeding belt 42 pass through a gap formed between the reverse rotation roller 46 and the feeding belt 42, the coins are aligned in a one-layer one-row state. Coins are fed to the coin guide groove 34 or the coin dispensing part 32 by the feeding belt 42.

In the present embodiment, the drive motor 44a rotates the pulley 44 in the direction opposite to the coin feeding direction so that the feeding belt 42 can circulate in the direction opposite to the coin feeding direction. It has become.

Further, a guide member 43 is provided on the downstream side of the reverse rotation roller 46 in the coin feeding direction by the feeding belt 42, and between the guide member 43 and the feeding belt 42, a coin guide groove 34 or a coin payout is provided. A coin standby area 41 is formed in which a plurality (specifically, at least four) of coins before being sent to the unit 32 wait in a one-layer, one-row state. More specifically, the feeding unit 40 has a stop member (not shown) for selectively stopping coins conveyed in the feeding direction (that is, the right direction in FIG. 4) by the feeding belt 42. The coin standby area 41 described above is formed between the stop member and the reverse rotation roller 46. Further, the stop member can be moved in a substantially vertical direction in FIG. 4 between a stop position approaching the feeding belt 42 and a retracted position separating upward from the feeding belt 42. Is positioned at the stop position, the coins fed out of the coin receiving space 31 by the feeding belt 42 and passing through the gap between the reverse rotation roller 46 and the feeding belt 42 are stopped by the stop member. . As a result, a plurality of coins before being sent to the coin guide groove 34 or the coin payout portion 32 wait in a coin waiting area 41 in a one-layer one-row state. On the other hand, when the stop member is located at the retracted position, the coin that has been fed out of the coin housing space 31 by the feeding belt 42 and passed through the gap between the reverse rotation roller 46 and the feeding belt 42 passes through the region below the stopping member. It passes through and is sent to the coin guide groove 34 or the coin dispensing part 32.

Further, in the present embodiment, at least four coins can be made to wait in the coin standby area 41 as described above. Generally, the maximum amount of coins to be withdrawn from the coin processing device 2 is 999 yen, and in this case, in each coin standby area 41 corresponding to each coin storage unit 30a to 30f, At least 4 1-yen coins, 1 5-yen coin, 4 10-yen coins, 1 50-yen coin, 4 100-yen coins and 1 500-yen coin As the coins to be withdrawn, the coins to be withdrawn simply by sending the coins waiting in each coin standby area 41 to the coin guiding groove 34 or the coin dispensing unit 32 by the feeding belt 42 are performed. Are accumulated in the coin dispensing unit 32, so that the coin dispensing operation can be performed in a short time.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a stirring member 48 connected by a chain 48a is placed on the feeding belt 42 of the feeding unit 40 in the coin housing space 31 of each of the coin housing units 30a to 30f. Is attached to the ceiling of each of the coin storage portions 30a to 30f. Here, when a bridging phenomenon occurs in which a plurality of coins are piled up on the rear side of the coin storage space 31 of each of the coin storage portions 30a to 30f and the transfer belt 42 is lifted, the supply belt 42 is reversed. (I.e., by circulating the feeding belt 42 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 4), the stirring member 48 is moved to the rear side of the coin housing space 31 (that is, the left side in FIG. 4). The stirrer 48 can break the coins that are bridged while floating from the feeding belt 42 on the rear side of the coin receiving space 31.

Further, the coin processing device 2 according to the present embodiment is provided with a control unit 50 that controls each component of the coin processing device 2. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the control unit 50 includes a feeding unit 14, a residual detection sensor 13, a deposit conveyance unit 16, an identification unit 18, each solenoid 28, each passage detection sensor 23, a rejection unit 24, Each feeding portion 40 (specifically, drive motor 44a) and the like are connected to each other. Then, a signal related to the coin identification result by the identification unit 18, a signal related to the coin detection result by the residual detection sensor 13, and a signal related to the coin detection result by each passage detection sensor 23 are sent to the control unit 50 and controlled. The unit 50 controls the operation of these constituent members by sending command signals to the constituent members of the coin processing device 2.

Also, as shown in FIG. 12, an operation display unit 52, a storage unit 54, a printing unit 56, and a communication interface unit 58 are connected to the control unit 50, respectively. The operation display unit 52 includes, for example, a touch panel or the like provided on the upper surface of the inner housing 10 of the coin processing device 2. Information relating to the amount of coins stored in .about.30f is displayed on the operation display unit 52. FIG. The operator can give various commands to the control unit 50 by operating the operation display unit 52. The storage unit 54 stores information on processing history such as coin deposit and withdrawal processing in the coin processing device 2 and information on the amount of coins stored in each of the coin storage units 30a to 30f. ing. Further, the printing unit 56 prints information on processing history such as coin depositing and dispensing processing in the coin processing apparatus 2 and information on the amount of coins stored in each of the coin storage units 30a to 30f on a receipt or the like. It is like that. Further, the control unit 50 transmits a signal to an external device (specifically, for example, a POS register or the banknote processing device 3) provided separately from the coin processing device 2 according to the present embodiment via the communication interface unit 58. Sending and receiving can be performed.

Next, the operation of the coin processing device 2 having such a configuration will be described. In addition, operation | movement of the coin processing apparatus 2 as shown below is performed when the control part 50 controls each structural member of the coin processing apparatus 2. FIG.

First, the operation when a coin deposit process is performed in the coin processing apparatus 2 will be described. When a coin depositing process is performed in the coin processing apparatus 2, the operator first inserts a coin into a coin slot provided on the front side of the upper surface of the inner housing 10. The coins inserted into the coin insertion slot are received by the coin receiving unit 12. When the coins received by the coin receiving unit 12 are detected by the residual detection sensor 13, the feeding unit 14 is driven to feed the coins one by one into the inner housing 10. . Then, the coins fed into the inner housing 10 by the feeding unit 14 are conveyed one by one by the deposit conveyance unit 16, and the denomination, authenticity, correctness, front / back, old and new, conveyance state, etc. by the identification unit 18. Is identified. Here, the coins identified as normal by the identification unit 18 are not branched from the deposit conveyance unit 16 by the gate member 25 of the reject unit 24, and are transferred to the inner region of the inner housing 10 by the deposit conveyance unit 16. Then, each denomination branching unit 22 branches from the deposit transport unit 16 for each denomination to store the coins in the coin storage units 30a to 30f. On the other hand, coins that are not recognized as normal coins by the identification unit 18 or coins that cannot be identified by the identification unit 18 are branched from the deposit transport unit 16 by the gate member 25 of the reject unit 24 as reject coins, The branched reject coin is sent to the reject port 26 by the reject chute 24a. Further, as described above, since the reject port 26 is accessible from the front side of the inner housing 10, the operator receives the reject coins sent from the reject chute 24 a to the reject port 26. It can be taken out of the inner housing 10 from the side and re-inserted into the coin receiving portion 12.

Next, an operation when a coin dispensing process is performed in the coin processing apparatus 2 will be described. In the present embodiment, a predetermined number of coins (specifically, at least four) of coins are stored in the coin standby area 41 of each of the coin storage units 30a to 30f before the coin dispensing process is performed in the coin processing device 2. Are made to wait in advance in a one-layer, one-row state. When the coin processing is performed in the coin processing device 2, information related to the processing such as the number of coins to be withdrawn by the operation display unit 52 and the total amount of coins is displayed. The information is withdrawn when an input is made or information relating to the withdrawal process such as the number of coins to be withdrawn for each denomination and the total amount is sent to the control unit 50 via the communication interface unit 58 from the external device. In the coin storage portions 30a to 30f corresponding to the coin type to be coined, the feeding belt 42 of the feeding portion 40 is circulated in the coin feeding direction and the stop member is moved from the stop position to the retracted position. As a result, the coin waiting in the coin standby area 41 passes through the stop member and is sent to the coin guide groove 34 or the coin dispensing unit 32. Moreover, the coin sent to the coin guide groove 34 is sent to the coin dispensing part 32 by moving while rolling in the standing position in the left direction in FIG. 2 in the coin guide groove 34. In this way, coins to be dispensed are accumulated in the coin dispensing unit 32. Further, as described above, since the coin dispensing unit 32 is accessible from the front side of the inner housing 10, the operator puts a coin into the coin dispensing unit 32 so that the withdrawal coin can be removed from the inner housing 10. It can be taken out of the inner housing 10 from the front side.

Next, the operation of branching the coins transported by the deposit transport unit 16 from the deposit transport unit 16 by the denomination branching unit 22 and sending them to the coin storage units 30a to 30f will be described. As described above, the coins identified as normal by the identification unit 18 are stored in the coin storage units 30a to 30f corresponding to the denominations of the coins based on the identification result by the identification unit 18. A coin is branched from the deposit conveyance unit 16 by the branch unit 22. Here, when a certain denomination branching section 22 tries to branch a coin from the deposit conveyance section 16, the coin is detected by the passage detection sensor 23 provided in front of the denomination branching section 22. Sometimes, the solenoid 28 corresponding to the denomination branching unit 22 is operated. More specifically, when a coin is detected by the passage detection sensor 23 provided two before the denomination branching portion 22, the plunger 28b is connected to the main body portion 28a in the solenoid 28 corresponding to the denomination branching portion 22. As a result, the operation member 22e of the denomination branching section 22 rotates counterclockwise around the shaft 22f from the state shown in FIG. When the operation member 22e rotates from the state shown in FIG. 6 in the counterclockwise direction around the shaft 22f, the gate member 22a and the arm member 22c rotate in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 6 around the shaft 22b. As a result, the gate member 22a protrudes above the coin transfer surface 16c in the deposit transfer unit 16 like the right type branch unit 22 of the two denomination branch units 22 shown in FIG.

Then, as shown in FIG. 11, when the coin pushed by the push pin 16p provided on the circulation belt 16a enters the back side of the gate member 22a, the coin is inclined on the back surface of the gate member 22a. The coin that comes into contact with 22g and comes into contact with the inclined portion 22g is dropped downward from the transport surface 16c. As a result, the coins branched from the deposit transport unit 16 by the denomination branching unit 22 are sent to the coin storage units 30a to 30f.

In the present embodiment, the prism 23c of the passage detection sensor 23 is provided between the gate member 22a and the shaft 22b of the denomination branching section 22 in the coin transport direction by the deposit transport section 16 so that the prism of the passage detection sensor is provided. Compared with a conventional coin processing device such that is provided downstream of the axis of the denomination branching section, the length of the conveyance path of the deposit conveyance section 16 in the width direction of the inner housing 10 can be shortened. Therefore, the width of the inner housing 10 itself can be shortened. Such technical matters will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 13A is a side view showing a state when coins are branched from the deposit transport unit 16 by the denomination branching unit 80 in the conventional coin processing apparatus, and FIG. It is a side view which shows a state when a coin is branched from the deposit conveyance part 16 by the money classification branch part 22 in the coin processing apparatus 2 of a form.

First, a denomination branching unit 80 provided in a conventional coin processing device will be described with reference to FIG. In describing the denomination branching unit 80 provided in the conventional coin processing device, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as those in the coin processing device 2 according to the present embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted. As shown in FIG. 13A, in the conventional coin processing apparatus, the denomination branching unit 80 has a gate member 80a and a shaft 80b, and the gate member 80a swings about the shaft 80b. ing. Such a shaft 80b is arranged at the downstream end portion in the coin transport direction by the deposit transport unit 16. Further, the shaft 80 b of the denomination branching unit 80 is provided on the upstream side of the prism 23 c of the passage detection sensor 23 in the coin transporting direction by the deposit transporting unit 16. That is, the gate member 80 a and the shaft 80 b of the denomination branching portion 80 are provided between the prisms 23 c of the two adjacent passage detection sensors 23. Here, in the conventional coin processing apparatus, when the width of each of the coin storage units 30a to 30f for each denomination is reduced, the coin is transferred from the deposit transport unit 16 to each of the coin storage units 30a to 30f. It is also necessary to reduce the length of each denomination branching portion 80 that branches for each species. Here, in order to shorten the length of the denomination branching portion 80, a method of shortening the length of the gate member 80a in the coin transport direction can be considered, but if the length of the gate member 80a is shortened, the deposit transporting portion 16 When the coin is branched, when the coin hits the back surface 80c of the gate member 80a, the rear end of the coin is lifted, and the rear end of the raised coin forms the circulating belt 16a in the deposit transport unit 16 as shown in FIG. There is a problem that it is pushed up as shown by a two-dot chain line. Here, when the circulation belt 16a is pushed up by the rear end of the coin, a large load is applied to the circulation belt 16a, and the push pin 16p attached to the circulation belt 16a is detached from the circulation belt 16a. If the push pin 16p is inclined obliquely, there is a risk that a poor coin conveyance will occur. Further, when the length of the gate member 80a is shortened, the back surface 80c of the gate member 80a may be greatly worn when the coin hits the back surface 80c of the gate member 80a when sorting the coins.

On the other hand, in the coin processing device 2 according to the present embodiment, the prism 23 c of the passage detection sensor 23 is provided on the upstream side of the shaft 22 b of the denomination branching unit 22 in the coin transport direction by the deposit transport unit 16. Therefore, even if the length of the gate member 22a in the coin conveying direction is shortened, the distance between the tip of the gate member 22a (the right end portion in FIG. 13B) and the shaft 22b is changed to the conventional denomination branch portion. The distance between the tip of the gate member 80a at 80 (the right end in FIG. 13A) and the shaft 80b can be made longer. That is, when the denomination branching portion 22 according to the present embodiment and the conventional denomination branching portion 80 are compared, even if the

gate members

22a and 80a have the same length, the denomination branching portion 22 according to the present embodiment. Since the distance between the tip of the gate member 22a and the shaft 22b can be made longer, the denomination branching portion 22 according to the present embodiment has a larger gate member 22a than the conventional denomination branching portion 80. Swings. Thus, in the coin processing apparatus 2 of the present embodiment, even if the length of the gate member 22a in the coin transport direction is shortened, the length of the gate member 80a is substantially shortened in the conventional denomination branching portion 80. If the length of the gate member 80a is shortened in the conventional denomination branching unit 80 as described above, the trouble is caused by the denomination according to the present embodiment. Occurrence at the branching section 22 can be suppressed.

Moreover, in the coin processing apparatus 2 of this Embodiment, since the inclination part 22g is provided in the back surface of the gate member 22a in the money classification branch part 22, when the gate member 22a is located in a branch position, a gate member When coins that have entered the back surface of 22a come into contact with the inclined portion 22g, the coins can be easily dropped into the coin storage portions 30a to 30f. Moreover, in the coin processing apparatus 2 of the present embodiment, the gate member 22a of the denomination branching portion 22 swings larger than the gate member 80a of the denomination branching portion 80, so that the coins that have entered the back surface of the gate member 22a are The degree to which the rear end of the coin is lifted when it comes into contact with the inclined portion 22g is reduced, so that the load applied to the circulation belt 16a in the deposit conveyance section 16 is reduced by the rear end of the raised coin, and therefore the circulation belt 16a Wear can be suppressed.

Moreover, in the coin processing apparatus 2 of this Embodiment, corresponding to shortening the length of the gate member 22a of each denomination branching part 22 in the coin conveyance direction, as shown in FIG. A plurality of solenoids 28 provided corresponding to the portion 22 are arranged in an inclined state and the solenoids 28 are overlapped. Here, when the length of the gate member 22a of each denomination branching portion 22 in the coin conveyance direction is shortened, the conveyance path in the width direction of the inner casing 10 in the deposit conveyance portion 16 as shown in FIG. Although the length can be shortened, in this case, it is also necessary to shorten the length of the region in which each solenoid 28 is installed in the width direction of the inner housing 10. On the other hand, when the solenoids 28 are arranged so as to be inclined and overlapped, the solenoids 28 can be installed in a region where the length in the width direction of the inner housing 10 is relatively short. .

According to the coin sorting mechanism of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration and the coin processing device 2 including such a coin sorting mechanism, as a detection unit for detecting coins conveyed by the deposit conveyance unit 16. The passage detection sensor 23 (specifically, the prism 23 c) is provided on the upstream side of the shaft 22 b of the denomination branching unit 22 (selecting unit) in the coin transporting direction by the deposit transporting unit 16. In this way, the passage detection sensor 23 as a detection unit that detects the coins conveyed by the deposit conveyance unit 16 is made to be more than the shaft 22b of the denomination branching unit 22 as a selection unit in the coin conveyance direction by the deposit conveyance unit 16. By arranging on the upstream side, the overall length in the coin conveyance direction can be shortened without applying a large load to the circulation belt 16a and the gate member 22a of the deposit conveyance unit 16 by the selected coins. Become.

Further, in the coin sorting mechanism of the present embodiment, as described above, the passage detection sensor 23 (specifically, the prism 23c) serving as the detection unit is divided into denominations in the coin conveyance direction by the deposit conveyance unit 16. It is provided between the shaft 22b of the portion 22 (sorting portion) and the gate member 22a (swing member). Thereby, even if the length of the gate member 22a in the coin conveyance direction is shortened, the distance between the tip of the gate member 22a and the shaft 22b is the same as the gate member 22a in the conventional denomination branching portion 80. The distance between the tip of the gate member 80a and the shaft 80b can be made longer.

Further, in the coin sorting mechanism of the present embodiment, as described above, the passage detection sensor 23 (specifically, the prism 23c) as the detection unit is provided on the swing member of the denomination branching unit 22 (sorting unit). Is provided with an opening 22d. This prevents the gate member 22a and the arm member 22c from colliding with the prism 23c even if the swing member of the denomination branching portion 22 swings about the shaft 22b. Further, the length of the opening 22d in the coin conveyance direction by the deposit conveyance unit 16 is smaller than the diameter of the maximum diameter coin to be conveyed by the deposit conveyance unit 16. This prevents the coin passing through the upper surface of the gate member 22a from entering the opening 22d when the gate member 22a is in the closed position, and causing a coin clogging phenomenon in the deposit conveyance section 16. be able to.

Further, in the coin processing device 2 of the present embodiment, as described above, a plurality of coin sorting mechanisms are provided so as to be arranged along the coin transport direction by the deposit transport unit 16. In this case, the deposit conveyance section 16 is shortened by shortening the length of the swing member (specifically, the gate member 22a) in the sorting section (specifically, the denomination branching section 22) in the coin sorting mechanism. It is possible to shorten the coin conveyance path in the apparatus, and thus it is possible to reduce the size of the coin processing device 2.

Further, in the coin processing device 2 of the present embodiment, as described above, a plurality of drive units (specifically, solenoids 28) that swing the swinging member in the sorting unit of each coin sorting mechanism include: It is arranged in a state where it overlaps within a region of a predetermined size provided on the side of the deposit conveyance section 16. Thereby, even if the coin conveyance path in the deposit conveyance unit 16 is shortened, a plurality of solenoids 28 as drive units can be arranged so as to correspond to the sorting units of the respective coin sorting mechanisms. Here, as described above, when the length of the swing member of the sorting unit (specifically, the gate member 22a of the denomination branching unit 22) in the coin transport direction is shortened, the deposit transport unit 16 Although the length of the conveyance path in the width direction of the inner housing 10 can be shortened, in this case, it is necessary to shorten the length of the region in which each solenoid 28 is installed in the width direction of the inner housing 10. On the other hand, when the solenoids 28 are arranged so as to be inclined and overlapped, the solenoids 28 can be installed in a region where the length in the width direction of the inner housing 10 is relatively short. .

Moreover, in the coin processing apparatus 2 of this Embodiment, as above-mentioned, as for the money_receiving | payment conveyance part 16, the line by which the several pushing member (specifically pushing pin 16p) is provided at equal intervals. And has a belt-like member (specifically, a circulation belt 16a). When the circulation belt 16a as a linear member moves, the coin is pushed by each push pin 16p so that the coin is conveyed. It has become.

It should be noted that the coin sorting mechanism according to the present embodiment and the coin processing apparatus including such a coin sorting mechanism are not limited to the above-described modes, and various changes can be made.

For example, the passage detection sensor 23 in the coin sorting mechanism or coin processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is limited to a light-emitting element 23a, a light-receiving element 23b, and a prism 23c as a light guide member as shown in FIG. It will never be done. As a passage detection sensor 23p of another configuration example in the coin sorting mechanism and the coin processing device according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9B, a light emitting element 23a that emits light, and light emitted from the light emitting element 23a. The light receiving element 23b is provided above the area where coins are conveyed in the deposit conveyance section 16, while the light receiving element 23b is an area where coins are conveyed in the deposit conveyance section 16. What is provided below may be used. In such a passage detection sensor 23p, a region where coins are conveyed in the deposit conveyance unit 16 is sandwiched between the light emitting element 23a and the light receiving element 23b. The passage detection sensor 23p detects the coin when the light emitted from the light emitting element 23a is blocked by the coin and cannot be received by the light receiving element 23b.

When the passage detection sensor 23p having such a configuration is used, the light receiving element 23b of the passage detection sensor 23p is disposed on the coin transporting portion 16 in the region below the coin transport surface 16c in the deposit transporting portion 16. It is provided on the upstream side of the shaft 22b of each denomination branching portion 22 in the transport direction. More specifically, the light receiving element 23b of the passage detection sensor 23p is provided between the gate member 22a and the shaft 22b of each denomination branching section 22 in the coin transport direction by the deposit transport section 16. In this case, the light receiving element 23b in the passage detection sensor 23p as a detection unit for detecting coins conveyed by the deposit conveyance unit 16 is used as a denomination branching unit 22 as a selection unit in the coin conveyance direction by the deposit conveyance unit 16. By arranging them on the upstream side of the shaft 22b, the circulating belt 16a and the gate member of the deposit conveyance unit 16 are selected by the selected coins, as in the case of using the passage detection sensor 23 as shown in FIG. The overall length in the coin transport direction can be shortened without imposing a large load on 22a.

Further, as another passage detection sensor, the light-emitting element 23a that emits light and the light-receiving element 23b that receives the light emitted from the light-emitting element 23a are provided. The light receiving element 23b may be provided above the region where coins are conveyed in the deposit conveyance unit 16 while being provided below the region where the coins are conveyed. When the passage detection sensor having such a configuration is used, the light emitting element 23a of the passage detection sensor 23p is transported of coins by the deposit transport unit 16 in a region below the coin transport surface 16c of the deposit transport unit 16. It comes to be provided on the upstream side of the shaft 22b of each denomination branch portion 22 in the direction. More specifically, the light emitting element 23a of the passage detection sensor 23p is provided between the gate member 22a and the shaft 22b of each denomination branching section 22 in the coin transport direction by the deposit transport section 16. In this case, the light-emitting element 23a in the passage detection sensor 23p as a detection unit for detecting coins conveyed by the deposit conveyance unit 16 is used as the denomination branching unit 22 as a selection unit in the coin conveyance direction by the deposit conveyance unit 16. By arranging them on the upstream side of the shaft 22b, the circulating belt 16a and the gate member of the deposit conveyance unit 16 are selected by the selected coins, as in the case of using the passage detection sensor 23 as shown in FIG. The overall length in the coin transport direction can be shortened without imposing a large load on 22a.

Further, as the coin processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, one having a configuration as shown in FIGS. 14 to 18 may be used. Here, FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a money handling system provided with a coin handling device of another configuration according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 15 is a diagram of the coin handling device in the money handling system shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows an internal structure. 16 is a top view of a coin transport unit in the coin processing apparatus shown in FIG. 15, and FIG. 17 is an enlarged top view of a storage branching unit and a coin storage mechanism in the coin transport unit shown in FIG. 18 is a longitudinal sectional view of the storage branching unit and the coin storage mechanism in the coin transport unit shown in FIG. 16. In FIG. 18, a coin stored in the coin storage portion of the coin storage mechanism is indicated by reference symbol C. 15 is the front side of the coin processing device, and the right direction in FIG. 15 is the depth direction of the coin processing device.

First, the overall configuration of the money handling system 100 including the coin handling device 200 having another configuration according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 14, the money handling system 100 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 102, and in the money handling system 100, the banknote handling device 110 and the coin handling device 200 are arranged in parallel. More specifically, the banknote handling apparatus 110 is arranged on the left side when the money handling system 100 is viewed from the front side, and the coin handling apparatus 200 is arranged on the right side. Here, the banknote processing apparatus 110 is a banknote depositing / withdrawing apparatus that performs banknote depositing / withdrawing processing, and the coin processing apparatus 200 is a coin depositing / withdrawing apparatus that performs coin depositing / dispensing processing.

As shown in FIG. 14, a coin depositing port 202 is provided in the upper front portion of the coin processing apparatus 200, and a coin dispensing box 236 is disposed in the middle stage on the front surface of the coin processing apparatus 200. Is detachably installed. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, a coin feeding belt 204 and a reverse roller 205 are provided at the lower part of the coin depositing port 202, and the coins inserted into the coin depositing port 202 by the operator are stored in the coin feeding belt. 204, the coins are fed to the back of the coin processing device 200. At this time, the coins conveyed by the coin feeding belt 204 are separated one by one by passing through the gap between the coin feeding belt 204 and the reverse rotation roller 205. It becomes like this. Inside the machine body of the coin processing device 200, a coin transport unit 220 is provided at the back of the coin feed belt 204, and coins are transferred one by one from the coin feed belt 204 to the coin transport unit 220, and this coin transport unit 220. Due to this, the coins are further conveyed.

The coin transport unit 220 is configured to transport coins one by one so as to pass through a transport path 214 extending along the depth direction of the coin processing apparatus 200. More specifically, the coin transport unit 220 includes an endless transport belt 221 that circulates, and the transport belt 221 has a shaft that can rotate in the horizontal direction at the front end and the rear end of the transport path 214. The pulley 222 is stretched by the supported pulley 222 (in FIG. 16, only the pulley 222 provided at the front end of the transport passage 214 is illustrated, and the pulley 222 provided at the rear end of the transport passage 214 is illustrated. Is omitted). A timing belt having teeth on the inner peripheral side is used for the conveyance belt 221, and a timing pulley having teeth on the outer periphery is also used for the pulley 222. In addition, a groove is provided on the inner peripheral side of the conveyor belt 221, and a protrusion that engages with the groove of the conveyor belt 221 is provided on the outer periphery of the pulley 222. The pulley 222 causes the conveyor belt 221 to move in the height direction. The position is restricted, and the distance between the conveyance belt 221 and the conveyance surface 216 (see FIG. 18) of the conveyance path 214 is kept slightly larger than the thickness of the maximum thickness coin among the coins to be processed.

A plurality of push pins 223 (see FIGS. 17 and 18) that protrude downward from the lower surface of the transport belt 221 and push the coins in the transport passage 214 one by one are provided on the transport belt 221. Are provided at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction. The interval between the plurality of push pins 223 is such that a coin can be received and conveyed one by one between the push pins 223 before and after the carrying direction. Between the push pin 223 and the conveyance surface 216 of the conveyance path 214, a gap having a dimension smaller than the thickness of the minimum thickness coin among the coins to be processed is provided.

In such a coin transport unit 220, one pulley 222 among the plurality of pulleys 222 is driven to rotate forward and backward by a drive motor (not shown). Then, by driving the pulley 222 by such a drive motor, the conveyance belt 221 on the conveyance path 214 is moved in the deposit conveyance direction F1 from the front side to the rear side of the conveyance path 214, and from the rear side to the front side of the conveyance path 214. Are circulated and moved in the dispensing transport direction F2 in the direction. Further, a detection sensor for detecting the rotational position of the pulley 222 is provided on the shaft of the pulley 222. Based on the detection of the detection sensor, the position of the transport belt 221 on the transport path 214 and each push pin 223. The position of can be detected.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the coin transport unit 220 identifies the denomination, true / false, correct / incorrect, front / back, new / old, and transport state of the coins transported through the transport passage 214. An identification unit 225 is provided.

In addition, in the depth direction of the coin processing apparatus 200, the money type is stored behind the identification unit 225 in the conveyance path 214 of the coin conveyance unit 220 based on the identification result by the identification unit 225. A branch portion 241 is disposed. Furthermore, a coin storage mechanism 242 that stores coins according to denomination corresponding to each storage branch 241 is disposed on one side of the transport passage 214.

The storage branch 241 has a sorting gate 245 that can protrude upward from the transport surface 216 (see FIG. 18) of the transport passage 214. This sorting gate 245 is deposited and transported by driving means such as a solenoid. The upstream side in the deposit conveyance direction F1 moves up and down around a horizontal axis 245b (described later) on the downstream side in the direction F1, so that it can protrude upward from the conveyance surface 216 of the conveyance path 214. Yes. Here, the sorting gate 245 is normally retracted below the transport surface 216 of the transport path 214 so that coins pass through the sorting gate 245 but are transported by the transport belt 221. Among the coins, at a predetermined timing when the coins identified as the corresponding denomination by the identification unit 225 are transported, the upstream side of the sorting gate 245 in the deposit transport direction F1 protrudes upward from the transport surface 216 of the transport passage 214, The sorting gate 245 guides the coin of the corresponding denomination toward the coin storage mechanism 242 corresponding to the sorting gate 245. Also, when coins are fed out from the coin storage mechanism 242 to the transport passage 214, the coins fed out from the coin storage mechanism 242 are transferred with the sorting gate 245 protruding upward from the transport surface 216 of the transport passage 214. It will guide in 214. As shown in FIG. 17, a guide member 246 is provided instead of the sorting gate 245 at the end of the transfer passage 214 at the innermost side in the depth direction of the coin processing apparatus 200. Coins are guided by this guide member 246 to the storage cylinder 248 of the coin storage mechanism 242 on the back side.

As shown in FIG. 17, the sorting gate 245 includes a gate member 245a, a shaft 245b provided at the base end portion of the gate member 245a (specifically, the right end portion in FIG. 17), the gate member 245a and the shaft. The gate member 245a and the arm member swing about the shaft 245b. Further, the gate member 245a swings about a shaft 245b between a closing position where the gate member 245a is in a substantially horizontal posture and a branch position protruding upward from the transport surface 216 of the transport passage 214. A plurality of solenoids 244 for swinging the gate member 245a about the shaft 245b are provided corresponding to each sorting gate 245. Such a solenoid 244 causes the gate member 245a of the sorting gate 245 corresponding to the solenoid 244 to swing between the closed position and the branch position about the shaft 245b. Here, when the gate member 245a is located at the closed position, the upper surface of the gate member 245a is located substantially on the same plane as the conveyance surface 216 of the conveyance path 214. Thus, when the gate member 245a is located at the closed position, the coins transported on the transport surface 216 of the transport passage 214 in the coin transport unit 220 are transferred from the coin transport unit 220 to the respective coin storage mechanisms by the gate member 245a. It passes through the upper surface of the gate member 245a without branching to 242. On the other hand, when the gate member 245a is located at the branch position, the coin pushed by the push pin 223 of the conveyor belt 221 contacts the guide surface of the gate member 245a, and the coin is conveyed along this guide surface. It moves toward the guide passage 250 on the side of the passage 214.

The coin storage mechanism 242 receives and stores coins from the transport passage 214 and feeds the stored coins to the transport passage 214. The coin storage mechanism 242 extends across both the storage cylinder 248 constituting the coin storage portion 247 that stores coins in a stacked state with the up-down direction (vertical direction) as the stacking direction, and both the transport passage 214 and the storage cylinder 248. And a pushing member 249 disposed above them (see FIG. 18). The upper end of the storage cylinder 248 is opened, and coins are stored and fed out from the upper end opening.

As shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, six coin storage mechanisms 242 are provided along the depth direction of the coin processing apparatus 200, and these six coin storage mechanisms 242 are provided from the front side of the coin processing apparatus 200. One yen coin, five yen coin, ten yen coin, 50 yen coin, 100 yen coin, and 500 yen coin are stored in order (that is, in order from the left side in FIG. 15).

As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the upper end of the storage tube 248 is disposed on one side of the transport passage 214, and the transport passage 214 and the storage tube 248 are placed between the transport passage 214 and the upper end of the storage tube 248. A guide passage 250 for guiding coins is formed between the upper end of the cylinder 248. As shown in FIG. 17, the guide passage 250 has a shape curved from the transport passage 214 toward the upper end of the storage cylinder 248. Further, a part of the pushing member 249 is disposed above the guide passage 250.

The pushing member 249 has a rotating plate 256 that rotates in the horizontal direction around a rotating shaft 255 parallel to the stacking direction of the storage cylinder 248. Three protrusions 257 are provided on the periphery of the lower surface of the rotating plate 256 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The upper end of the rotating shaft 255 of the rotating plate 256 is connected to a drive motor 258 (see FIG. 15), and the rotating plate 256 is rotatably supported by the drive motor 258.

A gap larger than the thickness of one coin and smaller than the thickness of two coins is provided between the lower surface of the rotating plate 256 and the transport surface 216 of the transport passage 214, and the lower surface of the protrusion 257 and the transport passage 214 A gap smaller than the thickness of one coin is provided between the transfer surface 216 and the transfer surface 216. Therefore, only one coin enters the lower side of the rotating plate 256, and the protrusion 257 comes into contact with the side surface of the coin and can be pushed. In this way, when the rotating plate 256 rotates by 120 °, an operation of storing one coin into the storage cylinder 248 or an operation of feeding out one coin from the storage cylinder 248 is performed.

The pressing member 249 is provided with a detection unit (not shown) that detects the rotational position of the rotating plate 256. Specifically, three openings 262 are formed on the periphery of the rotating plate 256 corresponding to the positions of the three protrusions 257. The detection unit that detects the rotational position of the rotary plate 256 is a detection plate attached to the rotary plate 256 or the rotary shaft 255 and a photo interrupter that is arranged to face the periphery of the detection plate from above and below. The sensor has a position detection sensor, and the opening 262 is opposed to the fixed position detection sensor from the state in which the peripheral edge of the detection plate is opposed, and the fixed position detection sensor is switched from the light shielding state to the light transmitting state. Thus, the fixed position of the rotating plate 256 is detected. As shown in FIG. 17, the fixed position of the rotating plate 256 is the rotating position of the rotating plate 256 in which any of the protrusions 257 is located outside the conveyance path 214. At such a fixed position of the rotating plate 256, one protrusion 257 is located at the center of the entrance / exit of the guide passage 250, and prevents coins from entering the guide passage 250 from the transport passage 214.

The rotary plate 256 is rotated by the drive motor 258 in the clockwise rotation direction of FIG. 17 when the coin is stored (pushing operation), and is pressed and rotated when the coin is fed out (extrusion operation). It is rotationally driven in the direction of extrusion rotation in the counterclockwise direction of FIG. 17 which is opposite to the direction. Further, the rotation of the rotating plate 256 in each direction by the drive motor 258 is synchronized with the coin transport by the coin transport unit 220. That is, as described above, a detection sensor that detects the rotational position of the pulley 222 is provided, and based on the detection of this detection sensor, the position of the transport belt 221 and the position of each push pin 223 on the transport path 214 are determined. Since it can be detected, at the time of depositing, it is rotated by the drive motor 258 so as to branch the coin of the corresponding denomination based on the detection position of the push pin 223 and the identification result in the identification unit 225. The plate 256 is rotated, and at the time of withdrawal, the rotary plate 256 is rotated by the drive motor 258 so as to deliver the coin to the corresponding push pin 223 based on the position of the push pin 223.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 17, a passage detection sensor 270 that detects the passage of coins is provided on the conveyance path 214 in the vicinity of the rotating plate 256 of each pushing member 249 corresponding to each storage branch 241. ing. The coins transported by the coin transport unit 220 are detected by the passage detection sensor 270. Similar to the passage detection sensor 23 shown in FIG. 9A, the passage detection sensor 270 reflects a light emitting element that emits light, a light receiving element that receives light emitted from the light emitting element, and light emitted from the light emitting element. And a prism as a light guide member that leads to the light receiving element. Here, the light emitting element and the light receiving element are provided above a region where coins are conveyed in the coin conveyance unit 220, while the prism as the light guide member conveys coins in the coin conveyance unit 220. It is provided below the transport surface 216. The passage detection sensor 270 detects the coin when the light emitted from the light emitting element is blocked by the coin and cannot be received by the light receiving element. Further, when a coin is branched from the coin transport unit 220 by a certain storage branch unit 241 and sent to the storage cylinder 248 of the coin storage mechanism 242, the coin passes two positions before the storage branch unit 241. When detected by the detection sensor 270, the storage branching unit 241 starts an operation of branching a coin from the coin transporting unit 220.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, reject coins that are identified as unidentifiable or inappropriate by the identifying unit 225 are recognized between the identifying unit 225 in the depth direction of the coin processing apparatus 200 and each coin storage mechanism 242. A reject branch portion 227 that branches from the transport path 214 of the transport unit 220 is provided. The reject branch portion 227 has a branch port formed on the bottom surface of the transport passage 214 and a branch gate that opens and closes the branch port to selectively branch only reject coins. The branch gate moves up and down in the deposit conveyance direction F1 with a horizontal axis downstream in the deposit conveyance direction F1 as a fulcrum by driving means such as a solenoid, and opens and closes the branch port. And when the coin identified by the identification part 225 is accommodated in each coin storage mechanism 242, a coin passes on a branch gate in the state which obstruct | occludes a branch port by a branch gate. Further, when a coin conveyed in the deposit conveyance direction F1 is identified as a reject coin by the identification unit 225, the upstream side in the deposit conveyance direction F1 of the branch gate moves upward to open the branch port, and at the branch gate Drop the reject coin into the branch and branch it.

As shown in FIG. 15, a reject chute 231 that guides a reject coin branched by the branch port to a coin dispensing box 236 provided on the front surface of the coin processing device 200, below the branch port of the reject branch unit 227. Is provided.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, a withdrawal branch for branching coins from the transport passage 214 of the coin transport unit 220 between the coin feeding belt 204 and the identification unit 225 in the depth direction of the coin processing device 200. A portion 233 is provided. The withdrawal branch portion 233 has a branch port and a branch gate similarly to the reject branch portion 227. The branch gate is a horizontal shaft on the downstream side in the withdrawal conveyance direction F2 by driving means such as a solenoid. As a fulcrum, the upstream side in the dispensing conveyance direction F2 moves up and down to open and close the branch port. In the dispensing branching unit 233, when no coin is dispensed, the coin passes over the branch gate in a state where the branch port is closed by the branch gate. In addition, in the withdrawal process, return process, recovery process, etc., the upstream side of the branch gate in the withdrawal transport direction F2 moves upward to open the branch port, and the coins transported in the withdrawal transport direction F2 are transferred to the branch gate. It is designed to branch into the branch port.

A dispensing chute 235 that guides the coin branched by the branch port to a coin dispensing box 236 provided on the front surface of the coin processing device 200 is provided below the branch port of the dispensing branch unit 233. Further, a recovery chute 238 for guiding coins to a coin recovery cassette 237 that is detachably disposed in the body of the coin processing device 200 is connected to an intermediate portion of the withdrawal chute 235. In addition, a switching lever 239 that distributes coins branched from the branch port to the dispensing chute 235 or the collecting chute 238 is disposed at the connection portion between the dispensing chute 235 and the collecting chute 238.

As shown in FIG. 15, in the storage cylinder 248 of each coin storage mechanism 242, a stage 264 for supporting coins stacked in the vertical direction in the storage cylinder 248 from below is disposed so as to be movable in the vertical direction. . Further, as shown in FIG. 15, a stage motor 267 for moving the stage 264 in the storage cylinder 248 in the vertical direction is provided at the lower part of each storage cylinder 248. More specifically, in each coin storage mechanism 242, a spiral shaft (not shown) is disposed in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the storage cylinder 248, and this spiral shaft is rotated by the stage motor 267. ing. The support portion that supports the stage 264 is screwed to the spiral shaft through a groove formed in the vertical direction in a part of the storage cylinder 248, and the spiral shaft is rotated by driving the stage motor 267. Thus, the stage 264 moves up and down.

Next, various processing contents of coins in the coin processing apparatus 200 having such a configuration will be described.

First, the coin counting process in the coin processing apparatus 200 will be described. After an instruction to start the coin deposit counting process is given to the coin processing apparatus 200, when an operator inserts a coin into the coin deposit slot 202, the coin inserted into the coin deposit slot 202 is coined by the coin feeding belt 204. The coins fed out by the coin feeding belt 204 are separated one by one by being fed to the back of the processing device 200 and passing through a gap between the coin feeding belt 204 and the reverse rotation roller 205 at this time. Thereafter, coins are transferred one by one from the coin feeding belt 204 to the coin transport unit 220, and the coins are further transported by the coin transport unit 220. Specifically, a coin is pushed along a conveyance path 214 by a push pin 223 protruding downward from the lower surface of the conveyance belt 221, and the coin is conveyed toward the back of the coin processing apparatus 200. It becomes like this. The coins conveyed by the conveyor belt 221 are identified by the identification unit 225.

When a reject coin that is not a normal coin is identified as a result of identification by the identification unit 225, the branch gate of the reject branching unit 227 is opened, and the reject coin branches from the transport passage 214 and passes through the reject chute 231. It will be sent to the withdrawal box 236. Further, as a result of identification in the identification unit 225, the coins identified as normal coins pass through the reject branching unit 227, and are branched from the transport passage 214 by the corresponding denomination storage branching unit 241. Is stored in the storage cylinder 248 of the coin storage mechanism 242 of the denomination.

Then, when the identification unit 225 does not identify the coin for a predetermined time, the deposit counting process for the coin inserted into the coin deposit port 202 is completed.

Next, a coin dispensing process in the coin processing apparatus 200 will be described. When a coin withdrawal processing start command is given to the coin processing apparatus 200, a coin storage mechanism for a withdrawal corresponding denomination based on withdrawal data such as a withdrawal amount and a withdrawal type input by an operator or the like. Withdraw coins stored in 242 one by one in order. Specifically, the stage 264 is raised so that the uppermost coin among the one or more coins accumulated on the stage 264 in the storage cylinder 248 is pressed against the lower surface of the rotating plate 256. As a result, the coin on the uppermost layer is positioned above the bottom surface of the guide passage 250.

Then, when the conveyor belt 221 of the coin conveyor 220 is circulated and moved in the dispensing conveyance direction F2, the conveyor belt is configured to feed out coins between the push pin 223 and the push pin 223 of the conveyor belt 221. The rotating plate 256 of the pressing member 249 is rotated from the fixed position in the pushing rotation direction (counterclockwise direction in FIGS. 16 and 17) in synchronism with the circulation movement of 221. In this way, one protrusion 257 of the rotating rotating plate 256 abuts on the coin on the uppermost layer and pushes this coin into the guide passage 250. At this time, the second coin from the uppermost layer contacts the inner wall of the storage cylinder 248 and is not taken out together with the uppermost coin, but only one coin is pushed out into the guide passage 250. Then, the coins are pushed out into the transport passage 214 while being moved along the guide passage 250 by the pushing operation by the protrusion 257. Coins pushed out into the transport path 214 enter between the push pins 223 and the push pins 223 of the transport belt 221.

Then, the rotation of the rotating plate 256 stops at a fixed position where the protrusion 257 that has been pushed in contact with the coin is positioned at the entrance / exit of the guide passage 250. The coin moves into the transport path 214 due to the inertia pushed by the protrusion 257. Then, the push pin 223 of the transport belt 221 comes into contact with the coin moved into the transport path 214, and the coin is transported in the dispensing transport direction F2. Thereafter, the coins conveyed by the conveyor belt 221 are identified by the identification unit 225 and branched by the withdrawal branching unit 233. More specifically, the branch gate of the dispensing branching portion 233 is opened, and coins are branched from the transport passage 214 to the dispensing chute 235, and the coins are sent to the coin dispensing box 236 by the dispensing chute 235. Rejected coins that are identified as not being normal coins by the identifying unit 225 are once sent to the coin depositing port 202, and after the coin dispensing process is completed, the coin transporting unit 220 again performs the coin processing from the coin depositing port 202. By being conveyed in the depth direction of the apparatus 200, after being identified by the identification unit 225, it is stored in each coin storage mechanism 242.

In the storage cylinder 248 of the denomination coin storage mechanism 242 where the withdrawal has been completed, the stage 264 is lowered. In this way, the coin processing device 200 returns to the standby state.

After the withdrawal coin is sent to the coin withdrawal box 236, the operator can take out the withdrawal coin by pulling out the coin withdrawal box 236 from the housing 102 of the money handling system 100.

Further, in the coin processing apparatus 200 shown in FIGS. 14 to 18, as shown in FIG. 17, the prism of the passage detection sensor 270 is the above-described coin in the region below the coin transport surface 216 in the coin transport unit 220. Are provided on the upstream side of the shaft 245b of each sorting gate 245 in the coin transport direction (that is, the right direction in FIG. 17) by the coin transport unit 220 when the deposit counting process is performed. More specifically, the prism of the passage detection sensor 270 is provided between the gate member 245a and the shaft 245b of each sorting gate 245 in the coin conveyance direction by the coin conveyance unit 220 when the above-described coin counting process is performed. Is provided. In each sorting gate 245, a space is formed between the gate member 245a and the shaft 245b, and a prism is inserted into this space. For this reason, even if the gate member 245a swings about the shaft 245b between the closed position and the branch position, the gate member 245a and the arm member do not collide with the prism. Here, the length of the opening in the coin transport direction by the coin transport unit 220 is smaller than the diameter of the largest coin to be transported by the coin transport unit 220. For this reason, when the gate member 245a is located at the closed position, it is possible to prevent a coin passing through the upper surface of the gate member 245a from entering the opening and causing a coin clogging phenomenon in the coin transport unit 220. it can.

According to the coin processing apparatus 200 having such a configuration, by providing the prism of the passage detection sensor 270 between the gate member 245a and the shaft 245b of the sorting gate 245 in the coin transport direction by the coin transport unit 220, Compared to a conventional coin processing device in which the prism of the passage detection sensor is provided downstream of the axis of the sorting gate, the length of the transport path of the coin transport unit 220 in the depth direction of the housing 102 is reduced. Accordingly, the length of the housing 102 in the depth direction itself can be shortened.

Moreover, in the coin processing apparatus 200 shown in FIGS. 14 to 18, the passage detection sensor 270 is composed of a light emitting element and a light receiving element that are provided so as to sandwich from above and below a region through which a coin transported by the coin transport unit 220 passes. It may be. In this case, the light emitting element or the light receiving element of the passage detection sensor 270 is provided between the gate member 245a and the shaft 245b of the sorting gate 245 in the coin transport direction by the coin transport unit 220. Also in this case, compared with the conventional coin processing device in which the light emitting element and the light receiving element of the passage detection sensor are provided on the downstream side of the axis of the sorting gate, the transport belt 221 and the The length of the conveyance path of the coin conveyance unit 220 in the depth direction of the casing 102 can be shortened without applying a large load to the back surface of the gate member 245a, and thus the length of the casing 102 in the depth direction itself is also shortened. Will be able to.

Next, another configuration of the coin processing apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 19 is a top view showing an internal configuration of a coin processing apparatus of still another configuration, and FIG. 20 is a top view of a coin transport unit in the coin processing apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 21 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of the transport belt and the push pin in the coin transport section shown in FIG. Note that the coin processing device shown in FIGS. 19 to 21 is used as a coin depositing machine for depositing coins. Further, in FIGS. 19 and 20, a coin to be processed by a coin processing device having still another configuration is indicated by a reference symbol C.

As shown in FIG. 19, a coin processing device 400 having still another configuration includes a coin feeding unit 402 that accepts coins inserted into the housing through a coin slot and feeds the accepted coins one by one, A coin transport unit 410 that transports the coins fed by the feed unit 402 one by one in the right direction in FIG. 19, and a plurality of coins that are transported by the coin transport unit 410 are selected, for example, by denomination And a coin sorting unit 424. A plurality of coin storage units (not shown) for storing coins for each denomination are arranged below the coin transport unit 410 so as to be arranged in parallel corresponding to each coin sorting unit 424. The coins sorted from the coin transport unit 410 by the sorting unit 424 are sent to a coin storage unit corresponding to the coin sorting unit 424 and stored in this coin storage unit.

The coin feeding portion 402 has a rotating disk 404 on which coins inserted into the housing through the coin insertion slot are accumulated, and a plurality of protrusions 406 provided at equal intervals on the peripheral edge of the rotating disk 404. The rotating disk 404 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. In addition, as shown in FIG. 19, in the vicinity of the outlet of the coin feeding unit 402, the outer periphery guide 408 that guides the coin to the coin transport unit 410 and the thickness of the coin that is fed from the coin feeding unit 402 to the coin transport unit 410 are regulated. And a thickness regulating portion 414 to be provided. Here, when the rotating disk 404 rotates, the coins accumulated on the rotating disk 404 are pushed out by the protrusions 406 and guided along the outer peripheral guide 408, thereby being fed out one by one to the coin transport unit 410. It is like that. Further, the thickness regulating portion 414 is separated from the surface of the rotary disk 404 by a predetermined size (specifically, a thickness slightly larger than the maximum thickness of coins to be stored in each coin storage portion). The coins that are provided and are pushed by the protrusions 406 and guided along the outer circumferential guide 408 pass through the gap between the thickness restricting portion 414 and the surface of the rotating disk 404 to the coin conveying portion 410. It has become. As a result, it is possible to prevent the two or more coins from being fed from the coin feeding unit 402 to the coin transport unit 410 in a state where they overlap.

The coin conveyance unit 410 is configured to convey the coins fed out from the coin feeding unit 402 in a one-layer one-row state. More specifically, the coin transport unit 410 has a pair of guide members 410d, and a coin transport path is provided between the guide members 410d. Further, as shown in FIG. 19, the coin transport unit 410 has a circulation belt 410a stretched by a plurality of pulleys 410b, and the coins fed from the coin feeding unit 402 are between the circulation belt 410a. It is conveyed in the right direction in FIG. 19 by the applied frictional force. Specifically, the circulation belt 410a is located above the conveyance surface with a slight gap (specifically, a gap that is approximately the same size as the thickness of one coin) from the coin conveyance surface. Has been placed. In addition, a drive motor is connected to one pulley 410b of the plurality of pulleys 410b, and the pulley 410b is rotated by the drive motor, whereby the circulation belt 410a circulates in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. It is supposed to be. Further, as shown in FIG. 21, the circulation belt 410a is provided with a plurality of push pins 410c for pushing coins on the conveying surface at equal intervals, and the circulation belt 410a is counterclockwise in FIG. When it circulates in the direction, the coin on the transport surface is pushed rightward in FIG. 19 by the push pin 410c. Here, as shown in FIG. 21, the push pin 410c has a wide shape such that its lower end extends along the width direction of the transport path. Thus, the coin transport unit 410 can transport coins of various diameters issued by various nations or national federations composed of a plurality of nations.

As shown in FIG. 19, an identification unit 412 for identifying the denomination, authenticity, correctness, front / back, new / old, conveyance state, etc. of a coin is provided in the middle of the coin conveyance unit 410. Further, on the downstream side of the identification unit 412 in the coin conveyance direction by the coin conveyance unit 410, a coin that is not identified as a normal coin by the identification unit 412 or a coin that cannot be identified by the identification unit 412 is recognized as a coin. A reject unit 420 that discharges by branching from the transport unit 410 is provided. Further, on the further downstream side of the reject unit 420 in the coin transport direction by the coin transport unit 410, the coin storage unit corresponding to the denomination of the coin is identified as being normal by the identification unit 412. Or the overflow part 422 which branches from the coin conveyance part 410 the coin which cannot be accommodated in this coin storage part by being a near full state is provided. In addition, a plurality of coin sorting units 424 that sort coins from the coin transport unit 410, for example, by denomination, are arranged in series downstream of the overflow unit 422 in the coin transport direction by the coin transport unit 410. .

As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the coin transport unit 410 includes a plurality of passage detection sensors 430 that detect the passage of coins, corresponding to the reject unit 420, the overflow unit 422, and each coin sorting unit 424. Is provided. The coins transported by the coin transport unit 410 are detected by the passage detection sensor 430. Similarly to the passage detection sensor 23 shown in FIG. 9A, the passage detection sensor 430 reflects a light emitting element that emits light, a light receiving element that receives light emitted from the light emitting element, and light emitted from the light emitting element. And a prism as a light guide member that leads to the light receiving element. Here, the light emitting element and the light receiving element are provided above the area where the coin is transported in the coin transport unit 410, while the prism as the light guide member transports the coin in the coin transport unit 410. It is provided below the transport surface. The passage detection sensor 430 detects a coin when the light emitted from the light emitting element is blocked by the coin and cannot be received by the light receiving element. Further, a passage detection sensor in which a coin to be branched from the coin transport unit 410 by the reject unit 420, the overflow unit 422, and each coin sorting unit 424 is located upstream of the reject unit 420, the overflow unit 422, and each coin sorting unit 424. When detected by 430, the reject unit 420, the overflow unit 422, and each coin sorting unit 424 start an operation of branching a coin from the coin transport unit 410.

As shown in FIG. 20, the reject unit 420, the overflow unit 422, and each coin sorting unit 424 are provided at the gate member 424a and the base end portion of the gate member 424a (specifically, the left end portion in FIG. 17). And a gate member 424a and an arm member (not shown) for connecting the shaft 424b. The gate member 424a and the arm member swing around the shaft 424b. The gate member 424a swings around the shaft 424b between a closed position where the gate member 424a is in a substantially horizontal posture and a branch position inclined obliquely downward from the shaft 424b with respect to the coin transport surface in the coin transport unit 410. It comes to move. A plurality of solenoids 425 for swinging the gate member 424a around the shaft 424b are provided corresponding to the reject part 420, the overflow part 422, and the coin sorting parts 424, respectively. With such a solenoid 425, the reject part 420, the overflow part 422, and the gate member 424a of each coin sorting part 424 corresponding to the solenoid 425 are swung between the closed position and the branch position about the shaft 424b. Become. Here, when the gate member 424a is located at the closed position, the upper surface of the gate member 424a is located substantially on the same plane as the coin conveyance surface in the coin conveyance unit 410. Thus, when the gate member 424a is located at the closed position, the coins conveyed on the conveyance surface in the coin conveyance unit 410 are not branched from the coin conveyance unit 410 to each coin storage unit or the like by the gate member 424a. Passes through the upper surface of the gate member 424a. On the other hand, when the gate member 424a is located at the branch position, the upper surface of the gate member 424a in which the coin pushed by the push pin 410c provided on the circulation belt 410a is inclined obliquely downward from the shaft 424b. The coin enters the opening provided on the coin transfer surface in the coin transfer unit 410 and is branched from the coin transfer unit 410.

In the coin processing device 400 shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, the prism of the passage detection sensor 430 is disposed in the coin transport unit 410 in a region below the coin transport surface in the coin transport unit 410, as shown in FIG. Are provided on the downstream side of the shaft 424b in each of the reject unit 420, the overflow unit 422, and each coin sorting unit 424 in the coin conveyance direction. More specifically, the prism of the passage detection sensor 270 is provided between the gate member 424a and the shaft 424b in each of the reject unit 420, the overflow unit 422, and each coin sorting unit 424 in the coin transport direction by the coin transport unit 410. It has been. Further, in the reject part 420, the overflow part 422, and each coin sorting part 424, a space is formed between the gate member 424a and the shaft 424b, and a prism enters the space. For this reason, even if the gate member 424a swings about the shaft 424b between the closed position and the branch position, the gate member 424a and the arm member do not collide with the prism. Here, the length of the opening in the coin transport direction by the coin transport unit 410 is smaller than the diameter of the largest coin to be transported by the coin transport unit 410. For this reason, when the gate member 424a is located at the closed position, it is possible to prevent a coin passing through the upper surface of the gate member 424a from entering the opening and causing a coin clogging phenomenon in the coin transport unit 410. it can.

According to the coin processing apparatus 400 having such a configuration, the prism of the passage detection sensor 430 is connected to the gate member 424a in each of the reject unit 420, the overflow unit 422, and each coin sorting unit 424 in the coin transport direction by the coin transport unit 410. And the shaft 424b, the circulating belt 410a is selected by the selected coin as compared with the conventional coin processing device in which the prism of the passage detection sensor is provided upstream of the shaft of the gate member. In addition, the length of the transport path of the coin transport unit 410 can be shortened without applying a large load to the surface of the gate member 424a, and thus the width of the coin processing device 400 (that is, the length in the left-right direction in FIG. 19). It will be possible to shorten itself.

Further, in the coin processing device 400 shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, the passage detection sensor 430 includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element that are provided so as to sandwich a region through which a coin transported by the coin transport unit 410 passes. It may be a thing. In this case, the light emitting element or the light receiving element of the passage detection sensor 430 includes the gate member 424a and the shaft 424b in each of the reject unit 420, the overflow unit 422, and each coin sorting unit 424 in the coin transport direction by the coin transport unit 410. It will be provided in between. Also in this case, the circulating belt 410a and the gate are selected by the selected coins as compared with the conventional coin processing device in which the light emitting element and the light receiving element of the passage detection sensor are provided on the downstream side of the axis of the gate member. The length of the conveyance path of the coin conveyance unit 410 can be shortened without applying a large load to the surface of the member 424a, and thus the width of the coin processing device 400 (that is, the length in the left-right direction in FIG. 19). It can be shortened.

Further, the coin processing device 400 shown in FIGS. 19 to 21 can be applied to a money processing machine that handles coins issued by other countries. Such a coin processing apparatus 400 can also be applied to a money processing machine that handles coins issued by a plurality of nations or regional communities (for example, the European Union (EU)). In these cases, the length of the gate member 424a in each of the coin sorting sections 424 is a length corresponding to the maximum diameter and the maximum thickness of the coins in each country to be handled.

Claims

A coin sorting mechanism for sorting coins transported by the transport unit from the transport unit,
A sorting unit provided in the transport unit and having a swinging member swingable about an axis;
A detection unit for detecting coins conveyed by the conveyance unit;
With
The said detection part is a coin selection mechanism provided in the upstream rather than the said axis | shaft of the said selection part in the conveyance direction of the coin by the said conveyance part.
2. The coin sorting mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is provided between the shaft of the sorting unit and the swinging member in a coin transport direction by the transport unit.
The coin sorting mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the swinging member of the sorting unit is provided with an opening through which the detection unit passes.
The coin sorting mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the length of the opening in the coin transport direction by the transport unit is smaller than the diameter of the largest coin to be transported by the transport unit.
The detection unit includes a light emitting element that emits light and a light receiving element that receives light transmitted from the light emitting element, and the detection unit is configured to receive the light received by the light emitted from the light emitting element being blocked by a coin. Coins are detected when they are no longer received by the element,
5. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the light emitting element and the light receiving element in the detection unit is provided on the upstream side of the shaft of the sorting unit in a coin transport direction by the transport unit. The coin sorting mechanism according to claim 1.
The detection unit includes a light emitting element that emits light, a light receiving element that receives light transmitted from the light emitting element, and a light guide member that guides light emitted from the light emitting element to the light receiving element. Is adapted to detect a coin when light emitted from the light emitting element is blocked by the coin and cannot be received by the light receiving element,
5. The coin sorting according to claim 1, wherein at least the light guide member in the detection unit is provided on the upstream side of the shaft of the sorting unit in a coin transport direction by the transport unit. mechanism.
A transport section for transporting coins;
A coin sorting mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 6;
A storage unit for storing coins sorted by the coin sorting mechanism;
With
A coin processing device in which coins transported by the transport unit are sorted from the transport unit by the coin sorting mechanism.
The coin processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a plurality of the coin sorting mechanisms are provided so as to be arranged along a coin transport direction by the transport unit.
A plurality of drive units that swing the swinging member in the sorting unit of each of the coin sorting mechanisms are arranged in a state of being overlapped in a region of a predetermined size provided on the side of the transport unit. The coin processing device according to claim 8.
The transport unit includes a linear member in which a plurality of pressing members are provided at equal intervals. When the linear member moves, the coins are pressed by the pressing members. The coin processing device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein is transferred.