JP2003242547A - Coin processor and its method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a coin processor and its method capable of automatically resolving coin jamming. <P>SOLUTION: A proximity sensor is provided for detecting a position of a pay-out slide dispensing coins. When coin jamming occurs, a change slide is slid to prevent dropping of coins, the pay-out slide is temporarily slid in an opposite direction, and whether it is possible to retry dispensing action again is determined from the position of the pay-out slide detected by the proximity sensor. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coin processing device and a method thereof, and more particularly to a coin processing device and a method thereof capable of automatically eliminating a jam of coins.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, automatic vending machines, ticket vending machines and the like are provided with a coin processing device for discriminating the authenticity of inserted coins and for paying out coins if necessary.

Coin processing devices are roughly classified, and a sorting unit that discriminates and discriminates the authenticity of coins, a storing unit that stores coins that are determined to be genuine coins, and a coin that is paid from the storing unit according to the amount to be paid out. It is composed of a payout unit to issue.

As shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b), the accommodating portion is provided with a plurality of coin tubes 1 for accommodating coins that are stacked according to denomination.

As shown in FIG. 8, the payout unit is
By rotating the payout cam 5, the payout slide 2 is slid to draw out the coins 2 one by one from the lower end of the coin tube 1 to drop and pay out the coins.

At this time, the payout coin selection solenoid 6 corresponding to the coin tube 1 in which coins to be paid out are raised, and the change slide 4 is slid together with the payout slide 3 to pay out only a specific denomination. By further raising a plurality of solenoids 6 and sliding the change slide 4,
Multiple coins are dropped and paid out with a single payout operation.

Such coin payout operation is repeated until the required number of coins are paid out.

By the way, when paying out coins, for example, as shown in FIG. 9 (a) or 9 (b), a coin jam may occur such that the coin is caught and does not drop.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the occurrence of the coin jam is caused by the carrier sensor 7 provided on the payout cam 5.
Is detected by detecting the stop of the payout cam 5.

In some cases, the clogging of coins can be cleared by sliding the change slide to prevent coins from being dispensed, sliding the payout slide in the opposite direction, and then performing the dispensing operation again (retry). Many.

[0011]

However, the size of the coin differs depending on the denomination, and as shown in FIG.
When a large-diameter coin 2-1 such as a yen coin is jammed, a small-diameter coin 2-2 such as a 50-yen coin may already be paid out as shown in FIG. 10B.

For this reason, there is a risk that the coins will be dispensed in excess of the required amount, such as two coins with a small diameter will be dispensed by retrying.

In addition, in the carrier sensor, the payout cam is stopped (OFF) or is operating (ON).
Therefore, it is difficult to grasp the fine position of the payout slide when a coin jam occurs.

Therefore, when a coin jam occurs while paying out a plurality of coins, the coin processing device does not retry and the serviceman or the like stops until the coin jam is cleared.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a coin processing device and method capable of eliminating a jam of coins even when a plurality of coins are dispensed.

[0016]

In a coin processing device according to the present invention, a plurality of coin tubes for accumulating coins, a payout slide for pulling out coins from each coin tube one by one, and a payout slide for controlling coin types are provided. A coin payout means for simultaneously paying out a plurality of different coins, and a retry means for controlling a retry for paying out coins again after sliding the payout slide in a direction opposite to the sliding direction of the payout slide when a coin jam occurs. And a proximity sensor that is arranged corresponding to the payout slide and outputs a signal corresponding to the position of the payout slide, and a coin jam occurs based on the signal output from the proximity sensor. The position of the payout slide at the time point is determined, and the retry hand is determined based on the determination result. Further comprising a determining means for judging whether performing a retry by.

In this configuration, since the proximity sensor outputs a signal according to the position of the payout slide, it is possible to determine whether to retry from a fine position of the payout slide.

Further, the proximity sensor outputs a signal in which the level continuously changes corresponding to the position of the payout slide, so that whether or not the payout slide is once withdrawn by the time the coin jam occurs. Since it is possible to detect the operation of the payout slide until the coin jam occurs, it is possible to more accurately determine whether or not the retry can be performed.

Next, in the coin processing method of the present invention,
Coins are paid out from a plurality of coin tubes accumulating coins using a payout slide, and when a coin jam occurs, slide the payout slide in the opposite direction to the slide direction of the payout slide, and then pay out coins again. The position of the payout slide at the time when the coin jam occurs based on the output signal of the proximity sensor which is arranged corresponding to the payout slide and outputs the signal corresponding to the position of the payout slide in the coin processing method of performing the retry. Is determined and whether or not to retry when the coin jam occurs is determined according to the determination result.

In this configuration, since the signal corresponding to the position of the payout slide is output from the proximity sensor, it is possible to judge whether to retry from a fine position of the payout slide.

Further, the proximity sensor outputs a signal in which the level continuously changes corresponding to the position of the payout slide, so that whether or not the payout slide is once withdrawn by the time the coin jam occurs. Since it is possible to detect the operation of the payout slide until the coin jam occurs, it is possible to more accurately determine whether or not the retry can be performed.

[0022]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of a coin processing device and method according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of a coin processing apparatus according to the present invention, in particular, the structure of a storage unit for storing coins judged to be genuine coins and the structure of a payout unit for paying out coins. FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the coin processing device in the present embodiment.

In FIG. 1A, this coin processing device is provided with a plurality of coin tubes 11 for accommodating inserted coins (genuine coins) 12 by stacking them according to denominations, and arranged below the coin tubes 11. And a payout slide 13 for withdrawing the coin 12 from the lower end of the coin tube 11,
A change slide 14 for controlling drop payout of drawn coins, a payout slide 13 and a payout cam 15 for sliding the change slide 14, a payout coin selection solenoid 16 for preventing sliding of a specific change slide 14, and a payout slide. A proximity sensor 17 that detects an operation is provided.

Here, the proximity sensor 17 is a sensor for magnetically detecting the coins stored in the coin storing hole 18 of the payout slide, and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 (a) to 4 (d). In addition, the coins that move with the operation of the payout slide 13 are arranged at positions where they can be continuously detected.

Then, the magnetic intensity that changes with the movement of the coin is detected, and as shown in FIG. 5, a signal corresponding to the detected intensity (a signal corresponding to the position of the payout slide) is sent to the control unit. Output.

The positions a and a'of the payout slide in FIG. 5 correspond to the positions in FIG. 4 (a) which are the initial positions before the payout slide is pulled out, and the positions b, b ', c, and c ′ and d correspond to FIGS. 4B to 4D.

Further, from position a to d, the payout slide shows the operation of withdrawing coins from the coin tube, and from position d to a ', the payout slide shows the operation of returning to the initial position before the withdrawal of coins. The position d is the position where the payout slide is most drawn out.

The payout cam 15 rotates when the coin payout motor 22 operates in response to an instruction from the control unit 21 shown in FIG.

The payout slide 13 slides with the rotation of the payout cam 15 and draws out the coins 12 stacked in each coin tube 11 from the coin tubes 11 one by one at the same time.

Then, as shown in FIG. 1 (b), the payout coin selection solenoid 16 of the change slide 14 corresponding to the coin tube 11 on which the coins 12 to be paid out are stacked is controlled by the control unit 21 shown in FIG. A coin of a specific denomination is selectively paid out by rising in accordance with an instruction and sliding a specific change slide 14 together with the payout slide 13.

In the coin processing device according to the present embodiment,
When a coin jam occurs, as shown in FIG. 2, the position of the payout slide is detected from the signal output from the proximity sensor 24, and the determination unit 25 of the control unit 21 determines whether or not to retry, and the retry is performed. If it is determined, the control unit 21 controls the coin payout motor 22 and the payout coin selection solenoid 23 to retry.

Next, FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an operation for clearing a coin jam of the coin processing device according to the present embodiment.

First, a coin jam is detected (step 1
00), it is determined whether the payout is for one sheet only (step 101).

When it is judged that only one coin has been paid out (YES in step 101), the change slide is slid to prevent coins from being paid out, the payout slide is once slid in the opposite direction, and then again. Retry to perform the payout operation is performed (step 102).

If it is determined that only one sheet is to be paid out (NO in step 101), it is determined whether or not retry is possible based on the denomination to be paid out, the position of the payout slide, etc. (step 103). ).

If it is determined that the retry is possible (YES in step 103), the retry is performed (step 102), and it is determined that the retry is not possible (NO in step 103), for example, a coin processing device is provided. Such as turning on the lamp that notifies the abnormality of the vending machine
The occurrence of an abnormality is notified (step 104).

The judgment as to whether or not the retry is possible, that is, the judgment as to whether or not the retry can be executed without excessively paying out coins, is made by the position of the pay slide () at which the retry is possible for each denomination. (Detection strength range) is set in advance, and if the current position of the payout slide where the coin is jammed is included in the retry range set for the denomination to be paid out, retry is possible. If it is not included in the set range, it is determined that retry is not possible.

Also, when paying out coins with a plurality of payout slides, for example, when a payout slide for paying out 500 yen coins is different from a payout slide for paying out 100 yen coins or 50 yen coins, a coin jam occurs. It is determined whether or not to retry with only the payout slides that have been set. When performing the retry, the retry is performed only with the payout slides that are determined to be retried.

Further, the proximity sensor is not limited to the magnetic sensor, and another sensor capable of detecting the movement of the payout slide may be used.
The location of the proximity sensor is not limited to the location where it is possible to detect the magnetic strength of coins that changes with the operation of the payout slide, as shown in FIG.
It can also be installed in another place where the movement of the payout slide can be detected.

In the present embodiment, the position of the payout slide is detected based on the signal output from the proximity sensor, and it is determined whether or not to retry, so that excessive payout of coins due to retry is prevented. At the same time, the device can be restored in a short time.

Further, since it is judged whether or not the retry is possible based on the accurate position of the payout slide when the coin jam occurs, the chances of retry increase,
It can be expected that the number of times that a coin jam is cleared will increase.

Furthermore, since the number of times the coin processing device is stopped due to a jam of coins can be suppressed, the number of times a service person is dispatched to perform recovery is reduced, and a vending machine or the like equipped with a coin processing device is used. It is possible to reduce the number of times it is disabled.

In addition, by changing the position of the payout slide, which is determined to be retriable, according to the coin having the largest diameter among the coins to be paid out, the retry is possible even though the retry is possible. It is possible to prevent the device from stopping without performing.

[0045]

According to the present invention, since it is possible to retry, it is possible to eliminate the jam of coins in a short time.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a coin processing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a control system of the coin processing device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the location of the proximity sensor according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing detection locations of coin storage holes by the proximity sensor according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing a detection state of coin storage holes by the proximity sensor according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the coin dispensing device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of a payout unit in a conventional coin processing device.

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of a payout unit in a conventional coin processing device.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing an example of a coin jam.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing an example of a coin jam.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 11 ... Coin tube 2, 12 ... coins 3, 13 ... Payout slide 4, 14 ... Change slide 5, 15 ... Payout Comes 6, 16, 23 ... Dispensing coin selection solenoid 7 ... Carrier sensor 17, 24 ... Proximity sensor 18 ... coin storage hole 21 ... Control unit 22 ... coin payout motor 25 ... Judgment part

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of coin tubes for accumulating coins, a payout slide for withdrawing one coin from each coin tube, and a plurality of coins of different denominations at the same time by controlling the payout slide. A coin processing device comprising coin payout means and retry means for controlling a retry for paying out coins after sliding the payout slide in a direction opposite to the slide direction of the payout slide when a coin jam occurs. A proximity sensor that is arranged corresponding to the payout slide and outputs a signal corresponding to the position of the payout slide, and the payout at the time when a coin jam occurs based on the signal output from the proximity sensor. The position of the slide is determined, and the retry means is used based on the determination result. Coin processing apparatus characterized by further comprising a determining means for judging whether performing the retry. 2. The coin processing device according to claim 1, wherein the proximity sensor outputs a signal whose level continuously changes corresponding to the position of the payout slide. 3. A coin is paid out from a plurality of coin tubes accumulating coins using a payout slide, and when the coin jam occurs, the payout slide is slid in a direction opposite to the sliding direction of the payout slide. In the coin processing method for retrying to pay out coins, a coin jam occurs based on an output signal of a proximity sensor that is provided corresponding to the payout slide and outputs a signal corresponding to the position of the payout slide. The coin processing method, wherein the position of the payout slide at the time of the determination is determined, and whether or not the retry is performed when the coin jam occurs is determined according to the determination result. 4. The coin processing method according to claim 3, wherein the proximity sensor outputs a signal whose level continuously changes corresponding to the position of the payout slide.