Coin sorting apparatus and operation method of the same

A coin sorting apparatus is provided. The coin sorting apparatus includes a coin separating unit for separating coins depending on kinds of the coins, and a coin receiving unit. The coin receiving unit continues to automatically operate until a plurality of coin receiving tubs are all full. Therefore, the number of coins that can be separated by one-time operation is increased, thereby improving a user's convenience.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a coin sorting apparatus, and more particularly, to a coin sorting apparatus and an operating method of the same, capable of conveniently separating a lot of coins depending on kinds of the coins. In more particularly, the present invention relates to a coin sorting apparatus and an operating method of the same, in which a lot of coins can be separated during one-time operation, considering that coins received in one coin receiving tube is limited to a predetermined amount.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Coins are products having relative small monetary valuation. In addition to cash, the coins are commonly used in economic markets. Specifically, the coins are made of metal and their sizes are distinguishable. Therefore, users can easily distinguish the coins. A coin sorting apparatus is a device that can easily separate the coins, considering that sizes of the coins are different from one another depending on values of the coins. Specifically, a large amount of money can be obtained at a time by separating coins collected in a child's moneybox. Therefore, the coin sorting apparatus is spread in almost every home so as to enhance a propensity to save.

Meanwhile, a general coin sorting apparatus is divided into a coin separating unit for separating coins depending on sizes of the coins, and a coin receiving unit for receiving the separated coins depending on their sizes. According to a general coin sorting apparatus, coin receiving tubes are formed depending on sizes of the coins, and the coins dropping downward are deposited in the coin receiving tubes having predetermined diameters. After the coins are full up to a predetermined height of the coin receiving tube, the user can pull out the deposited coins and evaluate the total values of the separated coins.

If one coin receiving tube is provided, the coin sorting apparatus cannot be used any more if a total amount of coins receivable in one coin receiving tube is full. Therefore, the operation of the coin sorting apparatus must be ended until a new coin receiving tube is mounted. In other words, if one of the coin receiving tubes formed depending on the kinds of the coins is full, the coin sorting apparatus cannot be operated until the full coin receiving tube is replaced.

Of course, a total amount of coins receivable in one coin receiving tube can increase by making the coin receiving tube high. However, in this case, there occurs a problem in that the size of the coin sorting apparatus also increases as much.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a coin sorting apparatus that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art. An object of the present invention is to provide a coin sorting apparatus that can automatically receive more coins in other empty coin receiving tubes after one coin receiving tube is full. Another object of the present invention is to provide a coin sorting apparatus capable of improving a user's convenience by increasing a total amount of coins that can be separated in one-time operation.

A further another object of the present invention is to provide a coin sorting apparatus that can continuously operate without removing a full coin receiving tube.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a coin sorting apparatus includes: a control unit for controlling an operation of the coin sorting apparatus; a carrier container driving unit for separating inserted coins depending on sizes of the coins; a coin sensing unit for sensing the coins separated by the carrier container driving unit and transferring a sensing signal to the control unit; and a receiving tube driving unit for moving a new coin receiving tube so as to receive coins in an empty coin receiving tube, if the control unit judges that the coins are separated as many as the number of coins that are receivable in one coin receiving tube.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a coin sorting apparatus includes: a coin separating unit for separating coins depending on kinds of the coins; at least two coin receiving tubes arranged to receive the coins separated at the coin separating unit; a receiving container for supporting the coin receiving tubes; racks contacting with one side of the receiving tubes so as to move the receiving container; and a pinion for applying a torque to the racks.

According to a further another aspect of the present invention, a coin sorting apparatus includes: a coin separating unit for separating coins depending on kinds of the coins; various kinds of coin receiving tubes for receiving the coins separated at the coin separating unit; a plurality of receiving containers formed depending on the kinds of the coin receiving tubes, for the coin receiving tubes; a plurality of racks connected to the receiving containers; a plurality of pinions for selectively applying a torque to the plurality of racks; driving gears engaged with the pinions and connected to a motor; and gear receiving frames for allowing the pinions to be engaged with the driving gears so as to revolve the pinions with respect to the driving gears.

According to a further another aspect of the present invention, an operating method of a coin sorting apparatus includes the steps of: counting the number of separated coins depending on kinds of the coins; if the number of the separated coins reaches the number of coins receivable in one coin receiving tube, automatically moving an empty coin receiving tube and receiving coins in the empty coin receiving tube; and if all available receiving tubes are used, ending an operation of the coin sorting apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1is a perspective view of a coin sorting apparatus according to the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 1, a coin sorting apparatus1according to the present invention includes an outer case2forming an outer appearance, a coin hopper4formed at an upper portion, a display part26formed at a front portion to display an operation state, a manipulation part27allowing a user to manipulate an operation start/stop of the coin sorting apparatus, and an operation cover5formed at a front portion and opening/closing around a hinge29.

When the user wants to manipulate the coin sorting apparatus, the coin sorting apparatus begins to operate in a state that the operation cover5is opened. When the operation cover5is in an opened state, the operation cover5collects coins that are not received in a coin receiving part, such that the coins can be again separated. Also, the coin sorting apparatus1includes a coin-receiving-tube supporter20for supporting the operation cover5against the weight of coin receiving part when the opened operation cover5is entirely filled with coins.

Referring toFIG. 2, the coin sorting apparatus includes a coin separating unit for separating coins depending on kinds of the coins, and a coin receiving unit for receiving the coins depending on the kinds of the coins separated by the coin separating unit.

The coin separating unit includes a feed controlling container7, a control cover6, a carrier container9, a receiving part19, and a dropping guide15. The feed controlling container7temporarily stores the coins inserted through the hopper4and feeds the coins by a predetermined amount. The control cover6is formed at an upper portion of the feed controlling container7so as to prevent the coins from being released from the feed controlling container7. The carrier container9contains the coins fed from the feed controlling container7by a predetermined amount and carries the coins one by one through a predetermined structure. The receiving part19receives the carrier container9. The dropping guide15accurately drops the coins, which are separated through the receiving part19depending on the kinds, one by one.

Also, the coin sorting apparatus further includes a first motor12for rotating the carrier container9and the feed controlling container7, and a gear part13for controlling a torque generated from the first motor12and transferring it.

In addition, the coin sorting apparatus further includes a feed opening8, a carrier hole10, and a separating hole11. The feed opening8separately drops a predetermined amount of coins into the carrier container9by a rotation of the feed controlling container7. The carrier hole10is formed at an outer periphery of the carrier container9. The carrier hole10receives the coins one by one and transfers them upwards by the rotation of the carrier container9. The separating hole11is formed at the receiving part19. The separating hole11drops the coins to the dropping guide15so that the coins can be separated depending on their kinds. Specifically, one or more separating holes11having different sizes depending on their kinds are formed. In this embodiment, four separating holes11are formed so that four kinds of the coins can be separated. That is, four separating holes11can be formed on lower and upper sides with reference toFIG. 2. The number of the separating holes11is not limited to four; five separating holes can be formed.

Also, an inner case3is further formed so as to fix parts such as the receiving part19to an inside of the coin sorting apparatus.

In order to count the number of the separated coins, the coin sorting apparatus includes an opening16formed at a predetermined position of the dropping guide15, and a light-emitting part17and a sensor18respectively formed at upper and lower sides of the opening16. The light-emitting part17and the sensor18perform an operation of transmitting signals mutually. If the opening16is blocked by the coins dropping along the dropping guide15, the signal transmittance between the light-emitting part17and the sensor18is interrupted such that the dropping of one coin can be determined. A total number and a total sum of the separated coins can be determined by the number of the dropping coins. Of course, the number of the opening16and related configuration may be multiple depending on the kinds of the coins.

An operation of the coin sorting apparatus will now be described with reference to the above configuration.

First, coins are put in the hopper4. The coins are primarily contained in the feed controlling container7. Only when the feed opening8is placed downward due to the rotation of the feed controlling container7, the coins drop downward through the feed controlling container7. Therefore, a predetermined amount of coins is intermittently dropped to the carrier container9through the feed controlling container7. The feed controlling container7properly feeds the coins, such that the coins are separated without an accumulation in the carrier container9during the operation of the carrier container9. Also, a total amount of the coins fed by the feed controlling container7can be controlled by adjusting a size of the feed opening8.

The coins fed properly by the feed controlling container7are transferred upward in a state that the coins are received in the carrier holes10one by one. Since the carrier holes10are formed spaced apart from one another at the outer periphery of the carrier container9, the coins put on the carrier holes10are transferred upward along the carrier holes10. The carrier holes10may be formed by cutting or depressing the carrier container9of a predetermined thickness.

The coins transferred upward along the carrier holes10may be dropped to the dropping guide15in a state that the separating hole11and the carrier hole10are arranged in a row. In other words, various sizes of coins transferred along the carrier hole10are dropped downward through the separating holes11when a size of the coin coincides with that of the separating hole11. If the separating hole11is small, a small coin is dropped downward, and if the separating hole11is large, a large coin is dropped downward. Of course, in order to separate the coins in turn, it is preferable that the separating holes11are sequentially formed depending on the sizes. For example, a small-sized separating hole11is formed at a position which is first arranged with the carrier hole11, and a large-sized separating hole11is formed at a position which is later arranged with the carrier hole10. In this manner, the small-sized coin can be first separated.

Also, in a state that the coins are guided by the dropping guide15, the coins dropped through the separating holes11are dropped downward and received in the coin receiving part.

Meanwhile, the opening16is blocked one time by the coins that are dropped through the dropping guide15. At this time, a transmitting state of light between the light-emitting part17and the sensor18is changed, so that the separation of the coins can be checked by the sensor18. The separation of the coins sensed by the sensor18can be controlled by a controller and displayed on the display part26. Of course, another control operation of the coin sorting apparatus can be guided.

The coin receiving unit will now be described in detail.

According to the present invention, a plurality of coin receiving tubes are arranged in a row in order to smoothly separate a large amount of coins. After one coin receiving tube is full of coins, a next coin receiving tube formed at a lower portion of the dropping guide15receives coins.

In more detail, the coin receiving unit includes a plurality of coin receiving tubes201,202,203and204for sequentially receiving the same kind of coins, receiving containers241,242,243and244for freely loading or unloading the coin receiving tubes, handgrips39formed at a right end portion of the receiving containers so that the user can move the receiving containers, a guide rail37formed at a lower side of the receiving container, and a receiving container guide part36formed at a lower side of the receiving containers241,242,243and244. At least one portion of the receiving container guide part36guides is guided to the guide rail37, so that the back-and-forth operation of the receiving container can be conveniently performed.

Also, in order to allow the receiving containers241,242,243and244to selectively operate back and forth, racks411,412,413and414are formed at left sides of the receiving containers with reference to the drawing, and pinions35are engaged with the racks. Also, driving gears33are engaged with the pinions35so as to provide a torque to the pinions35. Gear receiving frames34fix the driving gears33and the pinions35to a predetermined position. A second motor31provides a torque to the driving gears33. A gear central shaft32is inserted into a center of the driving gear33in a state that it is connected to a driving shaft of the second motor31. A gear support bracket30supports the pinions35and fixes the second motor31.

In detail, the gear receiving frames34and the driving gears are coupled in such a manner that one end of the gear receiving frame34is inserted in a groove101formed at a side of the driving gear33. Also, the groove101has a circular shape about the center of the driving gear33.

Therefore, the one end of the gear receiving frame34inserted into the driving gear33is slidably supported by the friction of the groove101. The other end portion of the gear receiving frame34is inserted in a supported state by a predetermined frictional force in a state that it is slidable toward the center of the pinion35. Due to this structure, when the driving gear33rotates, the gear receiving frame34can entirely rotate and the pinion35can also rotate in a state that it is engaged with the driving gear33.

Further, a receiving tube sensing part38is formed to sense a movement of the receiving container. The receiving tube sensing part38is formed corresponding to the light-emitting part (40, inFIG. 3). In more detail, if light emitted from the light-emitting part40is sensed by the receiving tube sensing part38, it is a normal state, that is, a state that the receiving tube is placed at an appropriate position. If not, it is a state that the receiving tube is not placed at a normal position. That is, the receiving tube needs to move. For this purpose, predetermined gap parts are formed at the coin receiving tubes and the receiving tubes so as to transmit the light.

In more detail, a plurality of coin receiving tubes201,202,203and204are formed depending on sizes of the coins. For example, if there are four kinds of the coins to be separated, four kinds of the coin receiving tubes are formed. If the kinds of the coins are more than four, more than four kinds of the coin receiving tubes have to be formed. Although the four coin receiving tubes having the same size are formed, other kinds of the coin receiving tubes may be further formed. The receiving containers241,242,243and244are individually formed depending on the kinds of the coin receiving tubes and thus can be selectively moved.

An operation of the coin receiving unit according to the present invention will now be described.

First, the coins guided and dropped by the dropping guide15are received in the first coin receiving tube201. As a predetermined time elapses, the coins exceeds the capacity of the first coin receiving tube201, and thus the new coin receiving tube must be placed down the dropping guide15. At this time, the receiving containers241,242,243and244are pushed by the racks411,412,413and414. Therefore, the first receiving tube201is pushed in a front direction and the second receiving tube202is placed down the dropping guide15to receive new coins.

Of course, the rack is operated due to the torque transferred through the second motor31, the driving gear33and the pinion35. This power transfer order will be described later. The new coin receiving tube, which is placed after one coin receiving tube is full, is automatically moved down the dropping guide15. Therefore, the coin sorting apparatus can continuously operate without stopping until one kind of coin receiving tube is full.

Meanwhile, in a state that one coin receiving tube is full, when a total amount of the dropping coins is sensed, the total amount of the sensed coins is compared with the total number of the coins that can be received in one coin receiving tube. Only when the total amount is identical to the total number of the coins, it is determined that the coin receiving tube is full.

Also, the receiving container's movement due to the rack can be accurately performed by the receiving tube sensing part38. In more detail, a state that the light emitted from the light-emitting part40is transmitted through the receiving tube and sensed by the receiving tube sensing part38disposed at the opposite side represents a state that the coin receiving tube is placed at a correct position. An operation of the second motor31is stopped to make the coin receiving tube placed at a correct position. A state that the light of the light-emitting part40is not sensed represents a state that the coin receiving tube is not placed at a correct position. That is, the coin receiving tube must be moved further.

FIG. 3is a plan view of the coin receiving unit according to the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 3, the coin receiving unit includes the coin receiving tubes201,202,203and204and the receiving containers241,242,243and244, the handgrips39of the receiving containers, the light-emitting part40for accurately sensing the movement position of the coin receiving tubes, and the receiving tube sensing part38for sensing the light of the light-emitting part40. Four coin receiving tubes201,202,203and204are formed at every receiving containers241,242,243and244. That is, a total of sixteen coin receiving tubes are formed. Of course, the number of the coin receiving tubes may be less than or more than four.

Also, the coin receiving unit includes the racks411,412,413and414for individually pushing the receiving containers241,242,243and244, and the driving gears33and the pinions35for operating a specific rack. One driving gear33and one pinion35are formed at every one pair of the receiving containers.

Meanwhile, another light-emitting part41and another receiving container sensing part42are formed adjacent to the light-emitting part40and the receiving tube sensing part38, respectively. The light-emitting part41and the receiving container sensing part42detect whether either of the receiving containers241,242,243and244are completely separated. The light emitted from the light-emitting part41is selectively sensed by the receiving container sensing part42. For this purpose, it is preferable that the light-emitting part41is arranged with the receiving container sensing part42.

In case the light emitted from the light-emitting part41is sensed by the receiving container sensing part42, it represents a state that either of the receiving containers241,242,243and244is maximally pushed out so that they are not separated any more. An additional blocking part (not shown) is formed between the light-emitting part41and the receiving container sensing part42so as to selectively block the light emitted from the light-emitting part41. An additional groove420in which the blocking part is not formed may be formed. The groove420can be formed at an innermost end of the racks411,412,413, and414. For different case, a separate groove (not shown) where the groove420is not formed may be formed. In that case, when light of the light-emitting part41is not sensed by the groove, the receiving container sensing part42can detect that the receiving container has been pushed out maximally. Of course, a groove used in an operation of the receiving tube sensing part38may be equally used. The groove may be formed at the innermost side of the receiving containers241,242,243and244. In this manner, when the receiving containers241,242,243and244are maximally pushed out, this state can be sensed by the receiving container sensing part42. Therefore, it is possible to make the receiving containers241,242,243and244not pushed any more.

This operation may occur in operating the coin sorting apparatus in a state that the user pulls out the receiving containers241,242,243and244by a predetermined length. For example, while the coins are newly deposited from the second receiving tube, the controller may judge that a certain coin receiving tube remains even when the coin receiving limit is reached, so that the coin sorting apparatus continuously operates. At this time, the motor and the gear may be damaged. In order to prevent the damage, the light-emitting part41and the receiving container sensing part42are formed.

FIGS. 4 and 5illustrate the states when the coin receiving tubes are moved according to the present invention.FIGS. 4 and 5illustrate one pair of the receiving containers that are operated by one driving gear33. Of course, another pair of the receiving containers may be formed. For the sake of convenience in explanation, only one pair of the receiving containers is depicted.

Referring toFIG. 4, a lower receiving container242needs to be moved and the first coin receiving tube201of the second receiving container242is in a full state. Of course, the state that the first coin receiving tube201is full of the coins may be sensed by the sensor18disposed adjacent to the dropping guide15, and then it may be judged by the controller. At this time, after the first motor12stops and a coin sorting operation is temporarily suspended, the driving gear33rotates in a clockwise direction and the pinion35revolves in a clockwise direction in a state that it is guided by the gear receiving frame34. The pinion35cannot revolve any more when it is engaged with the second rack412. Therefore, the pinion35rotates in a counterclockwise direction to push the second rack412in a right direction, so that the coin receiving tube is pushed.

After the receiving container242is moved by a predetermined distance, that is, a length corresponding to a width of one coin receiving tube, it is sensed that the second coin receiving tube202is placed at a normal position due to the mutual operation of the light-emitting part40and the receiving tube sensing part38. After the second coin receiving tube202is placed at the normal position in this manner, the rotation of the second motor31is stopped. Thus, in a state that the movement of the second coin receiving tube202is ended, coins are received at a new receiving container. Meanwhile, when one receiving container moves, other receiving containers have been already placed at normal positions. Therefore, only one receiving container which is moving is placed at the normal position. If a signal of the light-emitting part40is sensed by the receiving tube sensing part38, it can be judged that the receiving container is placed at the normal position.

When the number of the dropping coins reaches the maximum number of coins that can be received in the coin receiving tubes, such a moving operation of the receiving container412is repeatedly performed until there are no empty coin receiving tubes. Of course, the operation of the coin sorting apparatus is ended until there are no empty coin receiving tubes. When the coin sorting operation is constantly performed due to moving time of the receiving container, coins may not be received in the receiving containers, thus the operation of the coin sorting apparatus can be stopped for a moment until the receiving container reaches the normal position so that the empty receiving tube can reach a lower side of the dropping guide because one coin receiving tube is full.

In case there is no possibility of dropping off coins because the moving time is short, the coin sorting operation may be performed constantly.

Also, in case all the coin receiving tubes are full, the coins are separated. Then, the user pushes the receiving container using the handgrip39, such that the coin sorting apparatus again operates. In order to achieve the operation of smoothly pushing the coin sorting apparatus using the handgrip, the driving gear33is rotated in one direction one time and then in the opposite direction. By doing so, all the connection states of the rack and the pinion are released. Thus, when the user manually pushes the receiving container, the receiving container can be conveniently moved inwards.

Referring toFIG. 5, an upper receiving container241needs to be moved and the first coin receiving tube201of the second receiving container242is in a full state. Of course, the state that the first coin receiving tube201is full of the coins may be achieved sensed by the sensor18disposed adjacent to the dropping guide15. At this time, the driving gear33rotates in a counterclockwise direction and the pinion35revolves in a counterclockwise direction in a state that it is guided by the gear receiving frame34. The pinion35cannot revolve any more when it is engaged with the first rack411. Therefore, the pinion35rotates in a clockwise direction to push the first rack411in a right direction, so that the position of the coin receiving tube is changed.

Since the operation of placing the second coin receiving tube202at the normal position and the operation of receiving the coins in the second coin receiving tube202are identical to those described inFIG. 4, their description will be omitted. The description inFIGS. 4 and 5can be equally applied to all the coin receiving tubes of the coin sorting apparatus.

FIG. 6illustrates a state that coins are fully received in all the coin receiving tubes. At this time, the coin receiving tubes are entirely moved to a right direction with reference to the drawing, and all the coin receiving tubes are full of the coins. Also, the dropped coins are collected in the operation cover5. The coins received in the operation cover5can be filled, by a user, into a certain coin receiving tube that is not full.

FIG. 7is a block diagram of the coin sorting apparatus according to the present invention. The control operation of the coin sorting apparatus according to the present invention will now be described with reference toFIG. 7.

Referring toFIG. 7, the coin sorting apparatus according to the present invention includes a control unit50, a manipulating unit51, a coin sensing unit52, a receiving tube sensing unit53, a display unit54, a receiving tube driving unit55, and a carrier container driving unit56. The control unit50controls an overall operation of the coin sorting apparatus. The manipulating unit51allows the user to instruct the manipulation, such as an on/off operation of the coin sorting apparatus. The coin sensing unit52senses the number of the coin dropped through the dropping guide15and transmits it the control unit50. The receiving tube sensing unit53senses the movements of the receiving containers241,242,243and244. The display unit54senses the operation state of the coin sorting apparatus and the total amount of the separated coins. The receiving tube driving unit55moves the receiving containers241,242,243and244. The carrier container driving unit56drives the carrier container9to start the operation of the coin separating unit.

In more detail, the coin sensing unit52includes the opening16, the light-emitting part17and the sensor18and performs a series of operations by means of this configuration. The receiving tube sensing part53includes the light-emitting part40and the receiving tube sensing part38, and can further include another light-emitting part41and another receiving container sensing part42, and performs a series of operations by means of this configuration. The receiving tube driving unit55includes the second motor31, the driving gear33, the gear receiving frame34, the pinion35, and the racks411,412and413and performs a series of operations by means of this configuration. The carrier container driving unit56includes the first motor12, the gear part13, the carrier container9and the feed controlling container7and performs the operation of separating the coins by means of this configuration.

The operation of the coin sorting apparatus according to the present invention will be described in brief with reference toFIG. 7. If the coin sorting apparatus starts to be operated by the manipulating unit51, the operation of separating the coins is started by the carrier container driving unit56. During the separating operation, the coin sensing unit52senses the passage of the separated coins and the sensed passage is transmitted to the control unit50such that the total amount of the separated coins are counted. Then, the control unit50compares a total amount of coins separated through one dropping guide15with a total amount of coins that can be received in one coin receiving tube. If the coins reach the receivable amount of the coins, the carrier container driving unit56stops and the receiving tube driving unit55starts to operate.

When the receiving tube driving unit55operates, whether or not the receiving container reaches the normal position is continuously sensed by the receiving tube sensing unit53. If the receiving container reaches the normal position, the operation of the receiving tube driving unit55is stopped. Of course, if it takes the receiving container a long time to reach the normal position, the carrier container driving unit56is temporarily stopped by the receiving tube driving tube55. Thus, the operation of separating the coins is temporarily stopped until the coin receiving tube reaches the normal position, such that the coins can be prevented from being dropped and the coin sorting apparatus can normally operate for a long time. After the coin receiving tube reaches the normal position, the carrier container driving unit56continues to operate such that the operation of separating the coins can be continuously performed.

When all the coin receiving tubes are exhausted, the light-emitting part41and the receiving container sensing part42sense that all the receiving containers are exhausted, such that the operation of the receiving tube driving unit55and the carrier container driving unit56can be stopped.

Meanwhile, the display unit54displays in real time the total number of the separated coins and the total sum of the coins separated in a current state, thereby improving the user's convenience.

FIG. 8is a flowchart illustrating an operating method of the coin sorting apparatus according to the present invention.

The operating method of the coin sorting apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference toFIG. 8. First, the operation of the coin sorting apparatus starts and the coins begins to be received in the respective coin receiving tubes (ST11). During the separating operation, the amount and sum of the separated coins and the total amount of the separated coins are continuously counted (ST12). Then, while the coins are continuously separated, a total number of coins separated in one coin receiving tube is compared with a receivable limit of the corresponding coin receiving tube. If the total number of the separated coins is less than the receivable limit, the separating operation is continuously performed. If the total number of the separated coins is equal to or more than the receivable limit, the process proceeds to a next step (ST13).

Meanwhile, if the total number of the separated coins reaches the receivable limit of the coin receiving tube, the carrier container driving unit is stopped (ST14) and then the coin receiving tube is moved (ST15). When the coin receiving tube is moving, whether or not the receiving container reaches the position where the receiving tube cannot be further slid out is sensed by the receiving tube sensing unit (ST16) such that the coin sorting apparatus is not further operated but is stopped, thereby preventing the coin sorting apparatus from being fractured.

When the receiving container is not sensed by the sensing unit, the sensing unit continues to sense whether or not the receiving container reaches the normal position (ST17). By doing so, if the receiving container does not reach the normal position, the receiving container moves continuously. If the receiving container reaches the normal position, the movement of the receiving tube is stopped (ST18).

The above-described method is continuously performed until there are no empty coin receiving tubes. In this manner, the coin sorting apparatus can be continuously operated until the coin receiving tubes are entirely filled.

Also, when the receiving container moves further in a state that the coin receiving tube is full, the receiving container sensing unit42senses that the receiving container is pulled out by a predetermined length. Therefore, the coin sorting apparatus is stopped without performing any operation, thereby preventing the damage of the coin sorting apparatus. This case may occur when the coin sorting apparatus starts to operate in a state that the user pulls out somewhat the coin receiving tube. The operation of the coin sorting apparatus is stopped in a state that all the coin receiving tubes are used up, thereby preventing the damage of the coin sorting apparatus. Of course, the operation of the coin sorting apparatus can be stopped by counting the received coins. As described above, the coin sorting apparatus of the present invention sequentially receives the coins in a plurality of coin receiving tubes, so that the coin sorting apparatus can operate for a longer time.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments. That is, the coin sorting apparatus can be easily modified and other means for moving the coin receiving tubes can also be applied. Further, the empty coin receiving tubes are automatically moved and the full coin receiving tubes are replaced so that the empty coin receiving tubes are automatically moved down the dropping guide. In this manner, a plurality of coin receiving tubes can be sequentially used. Also, although four coin receiving tubes are sequentially used in the embodiments, more than four coin receiving tubes can also be used.

The present invention can increase the number of coins that can be separated during one-time operation of the coin sorting apparatus and can also lengthen a running time of the coin sorting apparatus.

Further, even when one coin receiving tube is completely full, the operation of the coin sorting apparatus can be continuously performed for a long time until all the coin receiving tubes of one kind are completely full without any manual operations for removing the full coin receiving tubes.