Abstract:
A bill acceptor in which a bill box has a baffle pivoted to the box body thereof at one side of a bill entrance of the box body and torsional springs bilaterally coupled between the baffle and the box body to bias the baffle toward a spring-supported bill-receiving bearing board inside the bill box so that the baffle allows a inserted bill to be moved onto the bill-receiving bearing board by a bill-pressing device in a bill acceptor main unit of the bill acceptor and immediately holds the bill positively on the bill-receiving bearing board after retrieval of the bill-pressing device.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a bill acceptor and more specifically, to an improved structure of bill box for bill acceptor, which uses a torsional spring-supported baffle to hold down each received bill positively on the bill-receiving bearing board inside the bill box. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Following fast development of technology, our mode of living has been changed and different automatic vending machines are used everywhere to sell different products without serviceman. These automatic vending machines are highly invited for the advantage of saving much labor and bringing convenience to people. 
         [0005]    Further, a Q-shop has the advantages of scientific intelligence, quick service, and quick finish of payment. A Q-shop may provide automatic vending machines for vending drinks, cigarettes, tickets, ice creams, memorial coins, key rings, or even hamburgers and noodles. Nowadays, many virtual shops are established to make online shopping, allowing shoppers to shop across millions of products. 
         [0006]    Further, an automatic vending machine generally uses a bill acceptor to receive and verify the authenticity and value of the inserted bill. An advanced bill acceptor has an insertion slot for the insertion of bill and license, and recognition means to identify the age of the license holder of the inserted license so that the automatic vending machine controls selling of controlled items. 
         [0007]    Further, a bill acceptor uses a bill-pressing device to move the inserted bill away from the bill passage to the inside of the bill box, enabling received bills to be stacked on a bill-receiving bearing board inside the bill box. However, when the bill-receiving bearing board of the bill box receives a wrinkled or folded bill, the wrinkled or folded bill may drop out of the bill box after retrieval of the bill-pressing device. 
         [0008]    Therefore, it is desirable to provide a bill acceptor with an improved structure of bill box that eliminates the aforesaid problem. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is one object of the present invention to provide a bill acceptor for use in an automatic vending machine for receiving and verifying bills, which has means to hold down each received bill positively on the bill-receiving bearing board inside the bill box. 
         [0010]    To achieve this and other objects of the present invention, the bill acceptor comprises a bill acceptor main unit and a bill box fastened to the bill acceptor main unit. The bill box comprises a box body defining a bill entrance, and a bill-receiving bearing board suspended inside the box body and movable forwards/backwards relative to the bill entrance. The bill acceptor main unit comprises an insertion slot for the insertion of a bill, a passage in communication between the insertion slot and the bill entrance, and a bill-pressing device for moving each inserted bill away from the passage through the bill entrance onto the bill-receiving bearing board. The bill box further comprises a baffle pivoted to the box body and suspending in the entrance at one side. The baffle has a rib that allows each bill to be moved from the passage over the baffle toward the bill-receiving bearing board by the bill-pressing device. When a bill is moved over the baffle by the bill-pressing device and received at the bill-receiving bearing board, the rib of the baffle presses the bill on the bill-receiving bearing board, holding the bill positively in place. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is an elevational view of a bill acceptor according to the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the bill acceptor shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a sectional side view of the bill acceptor shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is in an enlarged view of a part of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the bill box used in the bill acceptor shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a sectional side view of the bill box in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a sectional elevation of a part of the bill box, showing a bill stopped at the rib of the baffle. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a sectional side view of the present invention, showing a stack of bills received in the bill box and the rib of the baffle pressed on the stack of bills. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a sectional side view of the present invention, showing a stack of bills received in the bill box and the bill-pressing device returned to its former position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0020]    Referring to  FIGS. 1˜5 , a bill box in accordance with the present invention is shown comprising a box body  1  and a baffle  2  for stopping bills  4 . 
         [0021]    The box body  1  is installed in a bill acceptor main unit  3 , having a bill entrance  11  that faces a bill-pressing device  334  of the bill acceptor main unit  3 , a bill-receiving bearing board  12  suspended on the inside and movable inwards and outwards relative to the bill entrance  11 , and spring members  13  that support the bill-receiving bearing board  12  and impart a pressure to the bill-receiving bearing board  12  toward the bill entrance  11 . The bill-receiving bearing board  12  has a size slightly greater than the bill entrance  11  so that the bill-receiving bearing board  12  can be stopped against the inner side of the bill entrance  11 . The box body  1  further has a recessed hole  111  on the outside adjacent to one side of the bill entrance  11 , and a locating block  112  mounted in the recessed hole  111 . 
         [0022]    The baffle  2  has two pivot pins  21  respectively pivoted to a respective pivot hole  1121  on the locating block  112  (see  FIG. 5 ). Two torsional springs  22  are respectively mounted on the pivot pins  21 , each having two opposite ends  221  respectively fastened to the bottom side of the locating block  112  and the baffle  2 . The baffle  2  further has a rib  23  projecting into the inside of the box body  1 . The torsional springs  22  impart a pressure to the baffle  2 , forcing the rib  23  against the surface of the bill-receiving bearing board  12 . 
         [0023]    When in use, the box body  1  is fastened to the bill acceptor main unit  3  at one side relative to the bill-pressing device  334 . The bill acceptor main unit  3  comprises a bill insertion slot  31 , a bill passage  32  extending from the bill insertion slot  31 , a bill transfer mechanism unit  33  arranged at two sides relative to the bill passage  32  and adapted for transferring each inserted bill  4  from the bill insertion slot  31  through the bill passage  32  to the rear end of the bill passage  32 . The bill transfer mechanism unit  33  comprises a motor  331 , a set of bill-transfer rollers  332 , a bill-transfer belt  333 , and the aforesaid bill-pressing device  334 . 
         [0024]    An encoder wheel  3311  and an optical sensor  3312  are arranged in the bill acceptor main unit  3  and adapted for counting the number of turns of the bill-transfer rollers  332  that is indicative of the revolving speed of the bill-transfer rollers  332 . Subject to the number of turns counted, the moving distance of the inserted bill  4  is known. 
         [0025]    The bill acceptor main unit  3  further comprises a detection unit  34  disposed around the front side of the bill passage  32 , and a recognition unit  35  disposed at top and bottom sides relative to the bill passage  32  (see  FIG. 4 ). The detection unit  34  comprises a plurality of sensor switches  341 , a light-shielding gate  342  and an anti-theft hook  343 . The recognition unit  35  comprises an optical recognition module  351 . The optical recognition module  351  comprises a plurality of light emitting devices  3511 , a plurality of optical sensors  3512  respectively axially aimed at the light emitting devices  3511 , and lenses  3513  respectively set between the light emitting devices  3511  and the optical sensors  3512  near the bill passage  32 . 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIGS. 3˜5  again, the bill acceptor main unit  3  and the bill box that is formed of the aforesaid the box body  1  and the baffle  2  are fastened together, forming a bill acceptor for use in an automatic vending machine. 
         [0027]    When a bill  4  is inserted into the bill insertion slot  31  of the bill acceptor main unit  3  into the bill passage  32 , the inserted bill  4  shields the sensor switches  341 , causing the sensor switches  341  to open the light-shielding gate  342  and to switch on the bill transfer mechanism unit  33  and the recognition unit  35 . When the light-shielding gate  342  is opened, the bill  4  can then be inserted into the bill passage  32 . At this time, the motor  331  drives the bill-transfer rollers  332  and the bill-transfer belts  333  to transfer the inserted bill  4  forwards. When the bill  4  passed over the light-shielding gate  342 , on of the sensor switches  341  at a back side relative to the light-shielding gate  342  immediately close the light-shielding gate  342 , avoiding external light from interfering with the recognition functioning of the recognition unit  35 . 
         [0028]    When the inserted bill  4  is recognized by the recognition unit  35  to be a real bill, the bill transfer mechanism unit  33  is driven to transfer the bill  4  to the rear end of the bill passage  32  between the bill-pressing device  334  and the box body  1  (see  FIGS. 6 and 7 ). When the bill  4  reached the rear end of the bill passage  32  between the bill-pressing device  334  and the box body  1 , the bill-pressing device  334  is moved to push the bill  4  away from the bill passage  32  toward the bill entrance  11  of the box body  1  and press the bill  4  against the bill-receiving bearing board  12  in direction toward the inside of the box body  1 . Because the size of the bill-pressing device  334  is slightly smaller than the bill entrance  11 , the bill-pressing device  334  can be moved into the inside of the box body  1 . At this time, the top edge of the bill  4  is forced against the rib  23  of the baffle  2 , thereby biasing the baffle  2 , and therefore the bill  4  is moved over the baffle  2  to the inside of the box body  1 . 
         [0029]    The size of the bill  4  is approximately equal to the size of the bill-receiving bearing board  12 . When the bill-pressing device  334  moved the bill  4  over the baffle  2  (see  FIGS. 8 and 9 ), the bill-pressing device  334  is returned to its former position outside the box body  1 . At this time, the spring members  13  push the bill-receiving bearing board  12  toward the bill entrance  11 , and therefore the bill  4  is stopped between the bill-receiving bearing board  12  and the inner surface of the bill box  1  around the bill entrance  11 , and the rib  23  of the baffle  2  is pressed on the top edge of the bill  4 , holding down the bill  4  in place 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4  again, by means of using the encoder wheel  3311  and the optical sensor  3312  to count the number of turns of the bill-transfer rollers  332 , the motor  331  of the bill transfer mechanism unit  33  of the bill acceptor main unit  3  is accurately controlled, and therefore the bill transfer mechanism unit  33  can transfer the bill  4  to a predetermined location accurately for enabling the recognition unit  35  to verify the authenticity and value of the bill  4 . During verification, the light-emitting devices  3511  emit light through the bill  4  toward the optical sensors  3512 , and the optical sensors  3512  receive the light penetrated through the bill  4 , and therefore the transmission of the light is measured and compared with a reference value for determining the authenticity and value of the bill  4 . The light-emitting devices  3511  can emit different wavelengths of visible light (blue light, green light, red light, etc.) and invisible light (ultraviolet light). Therefore, the recognition unit  35  is practical for the recognition of the authenticity and value of different types of paper currencies issued from different countries. 
         [0031]    Further, the bill-pressing device  334  can be formed of a bill-pressing board, cross-linking mechanism or any other designs capable of pushing each inserted bill  4  away from the bill passage  32  toward the inside of the box body  1 . Because the bill-pressing device  334  can easily be achieved by means of conventional techniques, no further detailed description in this regard is necessary. 
         [0032]    The aforesaid recognition unit  35  further comprises at least one sampling module  352  arranged behind the sensor switches  341 . The sampling module  352  could be adapted for reading and identifying anti-counterfeit characteristics and character data of a license inserted into the bill acceptor. By means of using the sampling module  352  to recognize the date of birth, name of the license holder of the license and the identification number or license number of the license, the bill acceptor can be used in an automatic vending machine for selling controlled items. Further, the bill acceptor automatically records the name and date of birth of the license holder, the license or ID number, the transaction time, the commodities purchased and other transaction-related data for further filing and search. Further, the license photographing and related data recording function of the bill acceptor in every automatic vending machine can be used with street video surveillance and security cameras to constitute a perfect criminal search network, helping the police to combat crime. 
         [0033]    The aforesaid sampling module  352  comprises an image sensor adapted to fetch the image of the anti-counterfeit characteristics of the inserted license or bill. The image sensor can be a charge coupled device (CCD), complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor or any suitable type image sensor. The anti-counterfeit characteristics include watermarking, steel stamp, invisible barcode, laser label, and etc. 
         [0034]    Further, the bill insertion slot  31  and the bill passage  32  of the bill acceptor main unit  3  allow insertion of a bill  4  as well as a license. The bill transfer mechanism unit  33  of the bill acceptor main unit  3  is controllable to transfer the inserted bill  4  or license inwards toward the bill box. The bill transfer mechanism unit  33  of the bill acceptor main unit  3  is also controllable to transfer the inserted bill  4  or license in the revered direction to the bill insertion slot  31  when the inserted bill  4  or license is checked to be a counterfeit. Further, because the invention utilizes one single insertion slot, passage and transfer mechanism unit for receiving and carrying licenses and bills, the manufacturing cost of the bill acceptor is greatly lowered. 
         [0035]    By means of the exclusive single passage  32  for bill as well as license, the user must retrieve the inserted license before insertion of a bill, therefore the invention prevents the problem that the user forgets to take back the inserted license. 
         [0036]    The box body  1  is designed for use with the bill acceptor main unit  3  to form a bill acceptor. The bill acceptor main unit  3  can be configured to receive bills, coins and/or cards. 
         [0037]    As indicated above, the invention provides a bill box comprising a box body  1  and a baffle  2 . The box body  1  has a bill entrance  11  that faces a bill-pressing device  334  of a bill acceptor main unit  3 , and a bill-receiving bearing board  12  supported on spring members  13  for bearing each received bill  4 . The baffle  2  is pivotally mounted in the box body  1  at one side of the bill entrance  11 , having a rib  23  pressed on the bill-receiving bearing board  12 . After a bill  4  is moved by the bill-pressing device  334  to the bill-receiving bearing board  12 , the baffle  2  is forced by torsional springs  22  to press the rib  23  on the bill  4  against the bill-receiving bearing board  12 , holding the bill  4  positively on the bill-receiving bearing board  12 . 
         [0038]    Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.