JPH03123990A - Coin processor for automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate the feed-in of a coin and the take-out of a returned coin by interposing a coin carrying means between a coin feed-in slot and a coin mechanism, and arranging a coin return port at the vicinity of a height level where the coin throw-in slot is installed. CONSTITUTION:The coin fed in from the coin feed-in slot 5 is lifted and carried to the upper end part of the coin mechanism 6 installed at an upper part by the action of the carrying means 30, and is introduced to the inside of the mechanism 6 from a coin introducing part 6a. Besides, the returned coin such as change is discharged to the coin return port 7 arranged at the end part side of the mechanism 6 and opened toward a customer service face side. On the other hand, as for the taking out operation of the returned coin, since the return port 7 is positioned relatively at the upper part arranged with the mechanism 6 and is positioned at upper part of the feed-in slot on the basis of the installing height level of the feed-in slot 5 by arranging the means 30, and while it is positioned at the lower end side of the mechanism 6, it is installed at an upper position close to the vicinity of the proper height level of the customer service face where the feed-in slot 5 is installed, the taking out operation never forces an unnatural posture.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Purpose of the invention] (Industrial application field) The present invention is directed to a built-in coin mechanism.

This relates to a coin processing device of a vending machine that has a coin insertion slot and a coin return slot on the customer service side, and is particularly concerned with the position f of the coin return slot on the customer service side.

(Prior Art) In general, in a vending machine, as shown in FIG. 5, a front door 2 on the customer service side of the main body 1 includes a sales product selection button 3 and a sales outlet 4 through which the selected sales product is dispensed. is provided with a coin slot 5.

A coin return opening 1 for receiving returned coins such as change dispensed from the coin mechanism is provided in communication with the inside. The coin mechanism 6 is provided on the back side of the front door 2, and inputs the coins inserted from the coin slot 5 through the slot chute, etc., outputs a sales signal, and uses the coins to select the coins as described above. In addition to dispensing the product specified by button 3 to sales outlet 4, if there is change etc. for the input amount, a sales fya process such as dispensing change to the coin return lower is performed. It has become. r
For Z medium 8 to 10, a return lever, an amount display, an out-of-change display, etc. are arranged in order on the coin insertion lower, and the upper side corresponds to the selection button 3. There are exhibition rooms N and 12 where product samples are displayed.

On the other hand, the positioning of the coin slot 5 and the coin return lower is largely related to the size of the built-in coin mechanism lower and its installation position, but normally,
Since the coin slot 5 is provided at an appropriate height from the floor within a range that does not force the purchasing user to take an unnatural posture when inserting coins, the installation height of the coin slot 5 is used as the standard. , it is positioned with the coin mechanism 6, and (=f), and the coin return [11 position r
;t is also made fun of. Therefore, the coin insertion slot 5 is located near the middle of the front door 2 above the waist height of the purchasing user, while the coin return lower is located near the bottom near the floor.

(Refer to Utility Model Publication No. 53-33+30-0) (Problem to be Solved by the Invention) By the way, the above-mentioned coin mechanism 6 utilizes the gravity of the coin to receive the inserted coin, and also determines whether the coin is genuine or not. This coin mechanism 6 is arranged in the flow process in which the coins fall from the top to the bottom after a predetermined flow distance, since it also controls the operation process of dispensing the returned coins including change by discriminating the denomination and denomination. It is essential to have them established.

For this reason, the coin slot 5 is positioned at the top above the coin mechanism 6, and the coin return lower, which receives the returned coins, is positioned at the bottom below the coin mechanism 6. This coin return lower has no choice but to be located at a large distance below the installation position of the coin input slot 5.

Therefore, when the coin slot 5 is arranged at the above-mentioned suitable height position, the coin return lower is positioned at a lower position equal to at least the vertical width of the coin mechanism 6 plus alpha, and the coin return lower part is positioned at the lower side of the coin mechanism 6 at least in the vertical direction. I don't like taking out returned coins such as change from purchasing users because I can't get the height position.

This forced them into an unnatural bent-over posture, and caused them to forget to take out returned coins and leave them behind.

On the other hand, if the appropriate height is positioned based on the coin return lower, the above-mentioned problem can be solved, but the vertical distance between the coin return lower and the coin insertion slot 5 Since the distance cannot be reduced beyond a certain distance, if the coin slot 5 is placed in the proper position within this range, the coin slot 5 will be positioned upwards away from the proper position, making it difficult to insert the coin. becomes difficult to do. However, even with this, it was impossible to obtain something that was easy to use and would satisfy both parties, so it was inevitable that one of them would be sacrificed.

In addition, in "Design and Manufacturing" 2, insert the above coin [ ] 5
Because the coin return slot 1 is located above and below the front door 2, there are restrictions on the structure of the front door 2.
When attempting to incorporate novelty in design, such as by simplifying the lower side of the screen, it is extremely inflexible.

Furthermore, a coin slot 5 is provided above the coin mechanism 6.
One problem with the configuration is that recently, liquids such as detergent and saline have been poured into the coin slot 5 and entered the control circuit components incorporated in the coin mechanism 11G, causing damage to products and products. Improvements are also desired, as there are frequent cases where change and merchandise are stolen by inducing malfunctions in the change dispensing mechanism.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems by locating the installation height of the coin return lower at an appropriate height that facilitates the movement of taking out the returned coins, and by positioning the installation height of the coin return lower at an appropriate height that makes it easy to remove the returned coins. By simplifying the lower side of the F, the flexibility of the design and manufacturing F has been increased, and it is also effective against detergent liquid poured from the coin slot 5, which may cause people to count change or products. An object of the present invention is to provide a novel automatic vending (^) coin processing device in which intrusion into the coin mechanism 6 is prevented.

(Structure of the Invention (Means for Solving the Problem) The invention of claim 1 provides a coin insertion slot and a coin return slot that are connected to the interior of the customer service area, such as a sales product selection button and a sales port. A vending machine with a built-in coin mechanism having a sales operation processing function that outputs a sales signal and dispenses return coins such as change to the coin return slot upon introduction of coins inserted through the coin input slot. In the coin processing device, the coin mechanism has an upper end side serving as a coin introduction part positioned at least above an installation height level at which the coin insertion slot is provided, and a return coin is dispensed. The coin is installed so that the lower end of the coin is positioned above and below the installation height level of the coin slot, and a coin conveying means is interposed between the coin mechanism and the coin slot so that the coin can be inserted from the coin slot. The coin is transferred to the introduction part of the coin mechanism and introduced into the coin mechanism, and the coin return slot is positioned below this coin mechanism, and this coin return slot is located at the height where the coin insertion slot is installed. It is arranged so that it is located near the high level.

The invention of claim 2 is the invention of claim 1.

A driving rotating body is disposed in an arcuate guide path in which at least a coin introduction path and a coin ejection path are formed, and an introduction chute is arranged extending upward and communicating with the ejection path side of the guide path. This is a coin processing device for a vending machine, in which the coins inserted from the coin slot are bounced up and transported to the upper end side of the coin mechanism by rotating the coin transporting means horizontally and rotating the driving rotary body at high speed. .

(Function) In the invention of claim 1, the coin inserted from the coin slot is received by the conveying means, and by the operation of the conveying means, the coin is lifted and conveyed to the upper end side of the coin mechanism disposed above, and the coin is removed. is introduced into the coin mechanism from the introduction section. Further, coins to be returned such as change are dispensed to a coin return slot that is opened on the customer service side at the lower end of the coin mechanism.

On the other hand, the coin return slot is
A coin mechanism is arranged with the above conveyance means.

The relative positioning of the above-mentioned coin mechanism is carried out by a distance commensurate with the height moved upward as a result of positioning the coin slot in the upper part based on the installation height level of the coin slot. Even though it is on the lower end side, it is installed at an upper position close to the appropriate height level of the customer service surface where the coin slot is installed, forcing an unnatural posture to take out the coin slot. disappears.

In the invention of claim 2, the coin inserted from the coin slot is first guided into the guide path, and the coin is subjected to an upward rolling force by the rotational force of the drive rotating body rotating at high speed. In this state, the coin is bounced upward along the arcuate surface of the guide path, and by the force of the momentum, it passes upward through the introduction chute that follows the guide path, which becomes the release path, and is guided to the introduction part of the coin mechanism.

(Examples & Examples) The present invention will be described below with reference to embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

Note that the same parts as in FIG. 5 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed explanation thereof will be omitted. In Fig. 1, 1 is the main body of the vending machine, and a front door 2 that can be opened and opened to serve as a customer service side is provided on the front side of the machine, and approximately in the middle of this front door 2 there is a coin slot 5 and a coin return lower door. are provided in communication with the back side of the front door 2 while being close to each other. A coin mechanism 6 is disposed on the back side of the front door 2, positioned above the installation height of the coin slot 5, and a coin mechanism 6 is disposed on the upper end side of the coin mechanism 6. Coin conveying means 30 for conveying
is interposed between the coin slot 5 and a coin introduction section 6a provided on the upper side of the coin mechanism 6.

Further, a sales port 4 is provided near the middle of the front door 1 adjacent to the coin insertion port 5 and the coin return port 1.
For purchasing users, the coin return lower and sales outlet 4, which are opened and installed in the front door 2 along with the coin input slot 5, are centrally located and placed side by side at an appropriate height position from the floor. This makes it easy to check and takes care not to force unnatural postures during removal operations, and this leaves a vacant space on the lower EQ side of the front door 2.

This is a signboard section 13 on which PR letters and pictures of the product are printed.

Next, an example of the above-mentioned coin conveying means 30 shown in FIG.
As a result, an arcuate guide path 31 is formed, with a coin introduction path provided at one end and an ejection path provided at the other end.
A gear-shaped driving rotating body 32 made of a hard rubber roller or the like is arranged on the arcuate surface of the guide path 31 with a predetermined gap maintained therebetween.

These first and second rails 348, 31b and the driving rotary body 32 are held interposed between a pair of side plates (not shown), and the first rule 31a is pivotably mounted with the bin a. A solenoid 33 is attached to one end, and a downward tension is provided to the other end.

The coil splinter 34 and the front door 2 as shown in FIG.
Is the return lever 8 installed in the unit not moving? It is also connected to one end of a connecting plate 35 that moves downward in conjunction with the connecting plate 35.

By energizing the solenoid 33, the first rule 31a is always kept in the set state shown in the drawing against the tension of the coil spring 34. Also the second
The middle part of the rail is pivotally held by a pin a, and an actuating body 3G is provided at one end of the rail so as to apply tension to the lower surface of the driving rotary body 32. Further, the drive rotary body 32 is attached to a drive shaft 37a protruding from a drive motor 37 provided on the outside of a side plate (not shown), and is held so as to rotate at high speed in the direction of the arrow. In addition, an introduction chute 38 with one end facing the other and the other end extending upward is disposed in communication with the coin introduction portion 6a of the coin mechanism 6 on the first end side of the second rail 31b. The coins inserted are guided against the coins.

In addition, an input chute 39 is provided on the back side of the coin input opening 5.
A detection switch 39a is provided on one end of the rail to detect a coin inserted from the coin slot 5 and start the drive motor 37, and a second rail is provided on the other end as a coin introduction path. 31b. Reference numeral 40 denotes a return guide plate interposed between the lower side of the other end of the rule 31a and the coin return lower, so that coins inserted into the coin slot 5 during a power outage will be returned to the coin return lower. It is installed to cope with power outages.

In addition, one end of the return rail 41 is connected to the introduction chute 3.
8, and the other end side is the driving rotary body 3.
2 is arranged to be inclined downward so as to cover the upper part of the coin, and receives coins that have failed to be raised and are returned due to not being able to rise through the introduction chute 38 for some reason. The coins are returned to the coin return slot 1 through the coin return port 1.

On the other hand, inside the vending machine main body 1, although not shown, there are provided a plurality of product columns in which sales products are stored, and a discharging machine that discharges the products stored in the product columns one by one in accordance with a sales command. However, in the case where the serpentine method is used for the product column, the product is transported using the gravity of the product, so the sales product discharged from the product column is
It is not possible to directly discharge the products to the sales port 4 provided in the middle of the front door 2 mentioned above. Therefore, in such a case, the products to be discharged from the product column as shown by the dotted line in FIG. , the product is received at the lower part of the main body 1 and lifted and conveyed to the sales outlet 3 above, for example, an elevator type arranged to move the packet up and down, or a type known as an endless belt conveyor type. This can be done using the means 50.

As described above, in the above-described embodiment, when a coin is inserted from the coin slot 5, the detection switch 39a provided at one end of the slot chute 39 detects this and starts the drive motor 37. The drive rotating body 32 rotates at high speed. As a result, the coins guided through the input chute 39 are drawn between the drive rotary body 32 and the arc-shaped guide path 31 formed by the first and second rails 31a and 31b, and The coin, which is subjected to an upward centrifugal force by the tension applied to the second rail 31b and the rotational force and constriction force of the high-speed rotating drive rotary body 32, is bounced upward along the guide path 31. .

Further, the lifted coin uses its remaining force to pass through the subsequent introduction chute 38 at once and is introduced and conveyed into the coin mechanism 6 from the coin introduction section 6a.

Therefore, the speed at which the coin is transported by this method is comparable to the speed at which the coin is introduced into the coin mechanism 6 using only gravity.

Note that the drive motor 37 is stopped by the detection switch 39.
A detects the insertion of a coin and then uses a timer to turn off the power after a predetermined period of time has elapsed to stop the operation, but if the next coin is inserted within the above drive time, the previous time is cleared and this is used as the starting point. A battery that loses power after a predetermined period of time,
For example, a detection switch may be provided in the introduction path of the coin mechanism 6 to cut off the power when the coin reaches the coin mechanism 6.

Further, coins returned for change or defective coins are paid out from the lower end side of the coin mechanism 6 to the coin return lower provided below, but this point is the same as in the UC system. However, in the present invention, the above-mentioned Due to the fact that the coin conveying means 30 is arranged and the coin mechanism 6 is positioned above the coin slot 5, there is a possibility that the coin transport means 30 is arranged and the coin mechanism 6 is positioned above the coin slot 5. In the case where a coin is inserted from the coin insertion slot 5, the inserted coin cannot be returned to the coin return slot 1 via the coin mechanism 6 as in the conventional case. In case of such a case,
Since the solenoid 33 is disposed at one end of the first rail 31a forming the guide path 31, the solenoid 33 is maintained in the suction set state as shown in FIG. When the solenoid 33 is de-energized, the set state is released, and the other end of the second rule 31a is moved under the tension of the coil spring 34 attached to the other end of the second rule 31a, as shown in FIG. is pulled downward, so the coins inserted from the coin slot 5 as described above are immediately returned to the coin 31 storage lower via the return guide plate 40 arranged under the second rail 31a. . In addition to the above-mentioned power outage, it is also assumed that the drive rotating body 32 may not operate due to a failure of the drive motor 37, etc.
In this case, since the solenoid 33 is energized, the coins inserted from the coin slot 5 remain in the guide path 31. In such a case, operate the return lever 8 to Operate the connecting plate 35 as shown in Rule 31.
In addition to a, pull down the 6A side to return the coin to the coin return lower. The coin return lower, which receives the returned coins dispensed from the coin mechanism 6, is located near the installation height level where the coin slot 5 is arranged, so that it is easy to check the returned coins. This makes it extremely easy to handle the coins without being forced to take an unnatural posture when inserting coins or taking out the returned coins.

In addition, the sales outlet 4 as well as the coin return lower part are located in the middle part of the front door 2, simplifying the lower part. This is extremely convenient when used as a

When used as the signboard section 13 in this way, it is desirable that both the sales outlets 4 be positioned upward as described above, but if at least the coin return lower is positioned upward, even if the sales outlet 4 is positioned downward. Even if the front door 2 is positioned closer to the side, there is only one opening below the front door 2 compared to the conventional system, which reduces structural constraints and allows for the addition of novelty designs in addition to the above-mentioned signboards. Design and manufacturing is still advantageous when it comes to crowding, and it becomes possible to use this empty space to increase the ability to attract customers.

In addition, the coin mechanism 6 has a coin introduction part 6a positioned above the coin input slot 5, and the coin input conveyance channel is from the bottom to the top in the separated state. Even if detergent liquid or the like is poured into the coin slot 5 in order to malfunction a circuit member and collect merchandise or change, the coin slot 5 and the coin mechanism Although the coin conveying means 30 interposed between the first and second rails 31a and 34 will be penetrated,
Since the coins flow down to a safe place below through the gap in b, they cannot reach the second end of the coin mechanism 6, and this kind of damage, which was raised as a problem with the conventional configuration, can be prevented from occurring. Prevented.

The driving rotary body 32 of the coin conveying means 30 described above has JK wheel-shaped rollers disposed in an arc-shaped guide path 31, and mainly uses rotational force and frictional force to bounce and convey the inserted coins upward. However, the driving rotary body 32 uses a disk-shaped rotary body having a convex portion on the side surface, and receives the inserted coin vertically from a horizontal state, and maintains the vertical state to mainly generate rotational force. It may be possible to carry the coin by flipping it up, and in this case, there is less resistance to carrying the coin, and the carrying speed is further improved. Further, the conveying means 30 is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and for example, the pair of conveyor belts 20.21 shown in FIG. There is no problem as long as the coin is conveyed to the introduction section 6a of the coin mechanism 6. In this case as well, a guide path 31 is provided below the coin input slot 5, and is provided with an arcuate rail 3+a for receiving inserted coins.
The lower end side of one of the conveyor belts 20 stretched between
The upper and lower pulleys 21a,
2+b, and the other conveyor belt 21, which is shorter in vertical length than the above-mentioned conveyor belt 20, is arranged opposite to one conveyor belt 20 in the state shown in FIG. Although not shown in the drawing, in order to operate both the conveyor belts 20 and 21 with one driving source, a gear that meshes with both pulleys 20a and 21a is attached to one side of the pulleys 20a and 21a, and the gears move up as shown by the arrows. Directional movements are also synchronized.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the invention of claim 1, a coin transport means is interposed between the coin slot provided in the front door on the customer service side and the coin mechanism built in the main body, One end of the coin mechanism is positioned above the coin slot, and a coin return slot for accepting returned coins such as change dispensed from the coin mechanism is installed near the installation height level where the coin slot is installed. Since the coin is placed in the same position, there is no need to be forced to bend down in an unnatural posture when inserting coins or taking out returned coins.It is extremely easy to check the handling of coins, and there is no need to forget to take out returned coins. It can be eliminated.

In addition, design and manufacturing constraints are eliminated and flexibility is improved by simplifying the lower part of the front door, which is the customer service side, and creating a design that increases customer attraction.

Furthermore, even if a liquid such as detergent is poured into the coin slot, it is possible to prevent damage such as change or merchandise being stolen due to this.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the coin transporting means transports the inserted coin to the coin mechanism positioned above the coin slot, which comprises an arcuate guide path and a driving rotary body disposed on the guide path. Since the inserted coin is transported by flipping up, the coin can be transported reliably and the coin transport speed can be increased.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a vending machine showing an embodiment of the present invention;
2nd [2I is a vertical cross-sectional view of the same main part, Fig. 3 is an enlarged operational view of the same,
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another embodiment. FIG. 5 shows a conventional vending machine corresponding to FIG. 1. 2. Front door for customer service, 4. Sales port, 5. Coin slot, 6. Coin mechanism, 6a. Coin introduction section, 7. Coin return port, 30. Coin transport means, 31. - Guide path, 32 - Drive rotor.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1) A coin insertion slot communicating with the interior and a coin return slot are provided on a customer service surface having a sales product selection button and a sales opening, and coins inserted from the coin insertion slot are In a coin processing device for a vending machine that has a built-in coin mechanism that outputs a sales signal and has a sales operation processing function that outputs return coins such as change to the coin return slot, the coin mechanism The upper end side which becomes the introduction part is positioned at least above the installation height level at which the coin insertion slot is provided, and the lower end side from which the returned coins are dispensed is near the installation height level of the coin insertion slot. A coin transport means is interposed between the coin mechanism and the coin slot, and the coins inserted from the coin slot are transported to the introduction part of the coin mechanism. The coin return slot is positioned below the coin mechanism, and the coin return slot is located near the height level at which the coin insertion slot is installed. A coin processing device for a vending machine featuring: 2) A driving rotor is disposed in an arc-shaped guide path in which at least a coin introduction path and a coin ejection path are formed, and an introduction chute is provided that extends upward and communicates with the ejection path side of the guide path. Claim 1 characterized in that the coin conveying means is constituted by rotating the driving rotary body at high speed so that the coins inserted from the coin insertion slot are bounced up and conveyed to the upper end side of the coin mechanism. Coin handling device for the vending machine described.