JPH022194B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Background Technical Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic coin validator that electrically detects the type of coin inserted into a coin slot and outputs a genuine coin signal according to the type of coin. The present invention relates to a coin sorting device that is applied to electronic coin validators and sorts coins coming out from electronic coin validators according to the genuine coin signal.

BACKGROUND ART Vending machines for cigarettes, drinking water, railway tickets, and other products are equipped with coin sorting devices that distinguish the authenticity and type of coins inserted and sort them.
Conventional coin sorting devices distinguish and sort coins based on characteristics that can be seen from the coin's appearance, such as its outer diameter, thickness, and weight, so if the coins have the same appearance, they will detect them as legitimate coins. , erroneous judgments were often made. Therefore, electronic coin validators have been devised that determine the authenticity and type of coins based on the electrical characteristics of the coins, such as impedance. However, this electronic coin validator only determines the authenticity and type of coins, and does not have the function of sorting coins by type based on the determination results.

Summary of the Invention Purpose of the Invention The present invention is applied to the above-mentioned electronic coin validator which has high accuracy in coin discrimination and is desired to be put into practical use, and which detects coins in accordance with a genuine coin signal output from the electronic coin validator. To provide a coin sorting device that can accurately and quickly sort coins by type.

Structure, operation, and effects of the invention The present invention is applied to an electronic coin validator that electrically detects the type of coin inserted into a coin slot and outputs a genuine coin signal representing the coin type. The coins coming out through the coin validator are sorted according to the genuine coin signal. The coin sorting device according to the present invention includes a first passage for coins coming out of the electronic coin validator, a plurality of second passages branching from the first passage according to the type of coins, and a plurality of second passages that are connected to the first passage. A plurality of coin sorting passage switching members provided at respective locations branching from the passage, in response to the genuine coin signal, coins coming out of the electronic coin validator are represented by the genuine coin signal. a drive means for driving the passage switching member so that the coins are guided to a second passage corresponding to the type of coin to be stored; a plurality of passage detectors provided in each of the second passages to detect sorted coins; and the genuine coin signal. In response to
a timer that generates an output after a sufficient time has elapsed for a coin headed for a predetermined second path to pass near the branching point by driving the passage switching member; and a timer that is driven in response to the genuine coin signal. return control for controlling the driving means so that the passage switching member returns to its original state in response to a signal output at an earlier point in time of a detection signal from the passage detector or an output signal from the timer; It is characterized by having the means.

Even if the passage switching member is driven by the driving means at the time when the genuine coin signal is output, the coins coming out of the electronic coin validator are moved to the corresponding second passage from the time when the genuine coin signal is output. It may be carried out at a later point in time corresponding to the time taken to reach this point.

Therefore, the coins coming out of the electronic coin validator can be accurately sorted by type according to the genuine coin signal output from the electronic coin validator. In particular, in this invention, coin sorting passage switching members are provided at each branch point of the second passage branching from the first passage, and these passage switching members are switched according to the type of coin represented by the genuine coin signal. , control and driving for switching are relatively simple.

Further, according to the present invention, the path switching member is returned to its original position in response to a detection signal from the coin passage detector or an output signal from the timer, whichever is earlier. Therefore, even if a failure occurs in either the coin passage detector or the timing means, especially the passage detector, the passage switching member can be quickly restored and the next input coin distribution can be handled. .

In this way, the electronic coin validator, which is more accurate than the conventional coin sorting device that distinguishes and sorts coins based on external characteristics such as outer diameter, thickness, and weight, can be fully utilized. becomes possible.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the electronic coin validator 1 is
A known device can be used to determine the authenticity and type of a coin based on the electrical characteristics of the coin such as impedance. For example, a proximity switch including an oscillation circuit whose oscillation state (load impedance, frequency, etc.) changes depending on the approach of a coin is used as the detection sensor. Then, by determining the change in the oscillation state of the oscillation circuit for different types of regular coins in advance, and comparing the change in the oscillation state for the coin to be discriminated with the change in the oscillation state determined in advance, It is possible to determine the authenticity and type of coins. Of course, a plurality of proximity switches are provided. Coins inserted into the electronic coin validator 1 from the coin input port 2 pass through the electronic coin validator 1 and are ejected from the coin outlet 3. During this time, the authenticity and type of coins inserted are determined. In this example, when a regular 10 yen coin is inserted, the 10 yen coin signal KJ is output, and when a regular 50 yen coin is inserted, the 50 yen coin signal KG is output when the regular 100 yen coin is inserted. When the 100 yen coin is inserted, the genuine coin signal KH
are output from electronic coin validator 1, respectively, 10 yen and 50 yen.
If a coin other than yen or 100 yen is inserted, or if a fake coin is inserted, a genuine coin signal will not be output. A buffer member is provided at an appropriate location within the electronic coin validator 1 to absorb the horizontal kinetic energy of the coin, and the coin coming out of the outlet 3 is moved vertically by its own weight in the first passage 10, which will be described later. fall downwards.

A first passage 10 for coins and second passages 11, 12, 13 branching from the first passage 10 according to the type of coin are provided below the electronic coin validator 1. The first passage 10 has a rectangular cross section and extends vertically downward from the outlet 3 of the electronic coin validator 1. Second
The passages 11 to 13 also have a rectangular cross section, and are inclined diagonally downward from the point where they diverge from the first passage 10, bent midway, and directed vertically downward. The lower ends of the second passages 11 to 13 are respectively connected to separate coin temporary storage devices (not shown). The second passages 11, 12 and 13 are for 10 yen, 50 yen and 100 yen coins, respectively. In Figure 1, the second passage 1
1 outer wall 5, a partition wall 6 between the second passages 11 to 13,
7 and a partition wall 8 between the second passage 13 and the first passage 10
It is shown. Coin sorting shutters 21, 22, and 23 are provided at locations where the second passages 11 to 13 branch from the first passage 10, respectively. As is clear from FIG. 1, the shutters 21-23 are arranged in an inclined position on the extension of the inclined portions of the partition walls 6-8. An entrance/exit 20 for shutters 21 to 23 is opened in the side wall of the first passage 10. Shutters 21-23 are solenoid 26-
28, and is normally held at a position outside the first passage 10 by a return spring (not shown) as shown in FIG. 2, and a genuine currency signal is output as described later. When the solenoids 26 to 28 are energized, the corresponding shutters protrude into the first passage 10 and block the first passage 10. 1st aisle 10
The portion below the shutter 23 forms a return path 14 and is connected to a coin return tray (not shown). Further, in each of the second passages 11 to 13, coin passage detectors 16, 17, 1 are located near the branch point from the first passage 10 and the return passage 14.
8 and 19 are provided, respectively. As these passage detectors 16 to 19, photoelectric detectors, proximity switches, micro switches, etc. are used.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a circuit for driving and controlling the opening and closing of the shutter shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a time chart of the main signals of the circuit shown in FIG.

Referring to these figures, 10 yen, 50 yen and 100 yen
Yen coin specie signals KJ, KG, KH are timers 31 and 3
2 and 33. Also coin passing detector 1
The detection signals 6 to 19 are sent to the OR circuit 34,
The output of the OR circuit 34 is input to the reset terminals of the timers 31-33. The outputs of timers 31-33 are sent to drive circuits 36-38, respectively.

A predetermined set time TA is set in advance in the timers 31 to 33. This setting time TA is
The time is set from the time when the genuine coin signal is output to the time when the coin dropped from the outlet 3 of the electronic coin validator 1 will sufficiently reach the second path corresponding to the genuine coin signal. In the sorting device shown in FIG. 1, since the distances from the exit 3 to the entrances of the second passages 11 to 13 are different, it is preferable that the set times TA of the timers 31 to 33 are also different accordingly. .

The timers 31 to 33 start timing operation from the time when the genuine coin signal is input, and at the same time, their outputs rise to the H level. Timer output is set time TA
It returns to the L level at the earliest point in time, or when the timers 31 to 33 are reset by the signal given from the OR circuit 34.

When a genuine coin signal representing a certain type of coin is input and the output signal of the corresponding one of the timers 31 to 33 goes to H level, the corresponding one of the drive circuits 36 to 38 operates and the solenoid 26 to
Corresponding ones of the shutters 28 are energized, and corresponding ones of the shutters 21 to 23 protrude into the first passage 10.

For example, 10 yen coin specie signal from electronic coin validator 1
When KJ is output, the output of the timer 31 rises to the H level, so the solenoid 26 is energized by the drive circuit 36, and the shutter 21 projects into the first passage 10 to shut off the first passage 10. Therefore, it fell from exit 3 of electronic coin validator 1.
The 10 yen coin is received by the shutter 21 and goes to the second passage 11.
guided by. And this 10 yen coin is in the second aisle 1
1 and is detected by the detector 16,
The timer 31 is reset by the detection signal.

The timer 31 is reset and the timer output returns to L level, or the timer 31
After the set time TA has elapsed, the output of timer 31 becomes L.
The energization to the solenoid 26 is stopped at the earliest of the time when the level returns. As a result, the shutter 21 is returned to its original position by the return spring. Second
The 10 yen coin in the passage 11 is sent to the coin temporary holding device through this passage 11.

Electronic coin validator 1 to 50 yen coin specie signal KG and
Similarly, when the 100 yen coin signal KH is output, the shutters 22 and 23 protrude into the first passage 10, and the 50 yen and 100 yen coins falling in the first passage 10 are It is easy to understand that the two passages 12 and 13 lead to each other. Further, shutters 22, 2 protruding into the first passage 10
3 returns to its original position at the earliest of the elapse of the set time TA of the timers 32 and 33 or the output of the coin detection signal from the detectors 17 and 18.

In this way, the shutters 21 to 23 return to their original states when the set time TA elapses or the coin reaches the second passages 11 to 13, whichever comes first, so the coin passage detectors 16 to 19 Even if a failure occurs and the coin detection signal is not output, the shutters 21 to 23 can be returned to their original states.

When a 5 yen coin or a fake coin is inserted into the slot 2, the electronic coin validator 1 does not output a genuine coin signal. Therefore, all the shutters 21-23 are outside the first passage 10. Exit 3 of electronic coin validator 1
The 5 yen coins and counterfeit coins that fall from the box are discharged into the return tray through the first path 10 and the return path 14. Even if for some reason the timing at which the shutters 21 to 23 protrude is delayed and genuine coins end up in the return path 14 without being sorted,
This coin is detected by the detector 19 and the corresponding timer is reset, or the output of the corresponding timer becomes L level after the set time TA has elapsed, so that the protruding shutter returns to its original position.

5 and 6 show other embodiments. In these figures, instead of using a timer, the output rises to the H level when a predetermined set time TB has elapsed after outputting the specie signal, and then a predetermined set time TC.
or coin passing detectors 16 to 19
Delay circuits 41, 42, 43 whose output returns to L level when reset by the detection signal of
is used. The set time TB is set to the time from when the genuine coin signal is output to the time when the coin dropped from the exit 3 of the electronic coin validator 1 reaches the corresponding shutter, or a slightly shorter time. Ru. In addition, the set time TC is set from the time when the set time TB elapses to the second corresponding coin.
It is set to the time up to the point of entering the passage or a slightly longer time. These setting times TB,
The TC is also determined based on the distance from the exit 3 of the electronic coin validator 1 to the shutters 21 to 23 to be operated.
It is preferable that the delay circuits 41 to 43 have different values. Shatter 21-2
3 projects into the first path 10 and blocks the first path 10 only while the outputs of the delay circuits 41 to 43 are at H level. Therefore, the coins falling from the outlet 3 of the electronic coin validator 1 are guided to the second path corresponding to the genuine coin signal.

The time point when the delayed output returns to L level due to the elapse of the set time TC, or the detectors 16 to 19
Based on the delay circuits 41 to 43 being reset by the detection signal of
returns to its original position. As a result, in this embodiment as well, it is possible to quickly process coins that are continuously inserted, as in the above embodiment.

In FIGS. 3 to 6, the coin passage detector 1
In addition to resetting the timers 31-33 and delay circuits 41-44 by the detection signals 6-19, the timers 31-33 and delay circuits 41-44 are reset by the genuine coin signal of the coin inserted next to the coin being sorted. 33 and delay circuits 41-43 may be reset respectively.

In all of the above embodiments, the shutters are normally located outside the first aisle, and only the corresponding shutters protrude into the first aisle based on the specie signal, but conversely, all the shutters are normally located outside the first aisle. , and when the specie signal is output, the shutters corresponding to the specie signal are excluded, and the other shutters are
It is also possible to make the person exit outside the passage. In addition, although the first passage is provided vertically, the first passage is arranged at an angle, and the second passage branching from it is arranged almost vertically, so that the entrance of the second passage is opened at the bottom of the first passage. It is also possible to configure this inlet to be opened and closed by a shutter. Further, both the first and second passages are provided within one inclined plane,
It is also possible to switch between the first passage and the second passage by branching the second passage from the first passage in a Y-shape and providing a switching plate that rotates at a required angle at this branching point.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a coin sorting device, FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line --- in FIG. 1, and FIG. Figure 4 is a block diagram of the circuit that controls opening and closing of the shutter.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the shutter opening/closing control circuit, and FIG. 6 is a time chart of the main signals of the circuit shown in FIG. 1...electronic coin validator, 2...coin slot, 10...first
Passage, 11, 12, 13...Second passage, 16, 1
7, 18, 19... Coin passage detector, 21, 2
2, 23... Shutter (passage switching member), 26,
27, 28... Solenoid, 31, 32, 33... Timer, 34... OR circuit, 36, 37, 38... Shutter drive circuit, 41, 42, 43... Delay circuit.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Applied to an electronic coin validator that electrically detects the type of coin inserted into a coin slot and outputs a genuine coin signal representing the type of coin, and this electronic coin validator A first passage for coins coming out from the electronic coin validator, which branches out from the first passage according to the type of coin, according to the genuine coin signal. a plurality of second passages in which the coins are sorted; a plurality of passage switching members for coin sorting provided at respective locations where the second passages branch from the first passage; and the electronic coin validation in response to the genuine coin signal; a driving means for driving the passage switching member so that the coins coming out of the container are guided to a second passage corresponding to the type of coin represented by the genuine coin signal; a plurality of passage detectors for detecting coins that have passed through, in response to the genuine coin signal, driving the passage switching member for a sufficient time for the coins headed for a predetermined second passage to pass near the branching point; a timer that generates an output after the passage of time; and the path switching member driven in response to the specie signal, which is output at the earlier point in time of the detection signal of the passage detector or the output signal of the timer. A coin sorting device comprising: return control means for controlling the drive means to return to its original state in response to a signal. 2. The coin sorting device according to claim 1, wherein the driving means drives the path switching member at the time when the genuine coin signal is output. 3 The driving means is configured to move the coin that has come out of the electronic coin validator from the point in time when the genuine coin signal is output to the second coin that corresponds to
The passage switching member is driven at a time delay corresponding to the time taken to reach the passage.
A coin sorting device according to claim 1. 4 In response to the specie signal, the driving means causes a second coin corresponding to the type of coin represented by the specie signal to be selected.
The coin sorting device according to claim 1, wherein only the passage switching member provided at the branching point of the passage is driven. 5. The coin sorting device according to claim 1, wherein the coins coming out of the electronic coin validator move within the first passage and the second passage due to their own weight. 6. The passage switching member is configured to block the first passage at a point where the second passage branches from the first passage and past a connecting portion from the first passage to the second passage. Claim 1, which is a shutter that appears and appears in the first passage.
Coin sorting device as described in section. 7. The passage switching member is configured to block the first passage at a point where the second passage branches from the first passage and passes a connecting portion from the first passage to the second passage. Only the shutters that appear and appear in the first passage are provided at branch points of the second passage corresponding to the type of coin indicated by the genuine coin signal by the driving means in response to the genuine coin signal. The coin sorting device according to claim 1, wherein the coin sorting device is driven to project into the first passage.