Patent Publication Number: US-2023147666-A1

Title: Coin handling apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a coin handling apparatus depositing and dispensing coins. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     In general, circulating money issued by the country includes coins in a plurality of denominations. As coins are different in diameter, thickness, material and design according to denominations, anyone can easily identify denominations. The coins also have different characteristics according to denominations; therefore, identification of denominations can be made by a machine. A coin handling apparatus can store coins in storage parts according to their denominations and can dispense a desired number of coins from the storage parts. 
     For example, a coin handling apparatus is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 6934678. After coins are put into a deposit port, the coins are identified by their denominations, and the coins are stored in coin hoppers according to the denominations of the coins. The coin hoppers dispense a desired number of coins one by one under the control by a controller. 
     The coin handling apparatus is provided with four coin hoppers at an upper tier and four coin hoppers at a lower tier. In the middle of conveying paths for coins with denominations identified, gates opening and closing according to denominations of coins which pass through the gates are disposed. Distribution paths connected to the coin hoppers for corresponding denominations are connected to respective gates. The coin handling apparatus is also provided with dispensing paths guiding coins from discharge ports of the coin hoppers to a dispensing port of the coin handling apparatus. The distribution paths and the dispensing paths are arranged on a discharge ports&#39; side of the coin hoppers. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Jamming of coins may occur in the dispensing paths in the coin handling apparatus, and a coin handling apparatus which is easy in maintenance of the dispensing paths has been desired. 
     In a case where the coin handling apparatus is provided with the distribution paths and the dispensing paths on one side which is a discharge side where coins are discharged from the coin hoppers, it is necessary to remove an exterior part on one side and an exterior part on the other side facing one side when performing maintenance such as elimination of jamming of coins, attachment/detachment of coin hoppers, and refilling or taking-out of coins. Accordingly, there is a problem that work areas are necessary on both sides of one side and the other side and it is difficult to install the coin handling apparatus in a narrow space. 
     A coin handling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes coin hoppers storing coins and discharging the stored coins one by one, a partition plate separating a space where the coin hoppers are housed from paths for the coins discharged from the coin hoppers, and a case housing the coin hoppers, in which the partition plate is a door provided in a side surface on one side of the case, and the coin hoppers are exposed by opening the door. 
     According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a coin handling apparatus capable of reducing a work area for maintenance of the coin handling apparatus and capable of easily performing maintenance of coin hoppers housed in the apparatus. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a coin handling apparatus; 
         FIG.  2    is a side view of a door side of the coin handling apparatus; 
         FIG.  3    is a first view for explaining a structure on the door side of the coin handling apparatus; 
         FIG.  4    is a second view for explaining a structure on the door side of the coin handling apparatus; 
         FIG.  5    is a view for explaining a discharge path for coins in the coin handling apparatus; 
         FIG.  6    is a view for explaining distribution paths for coins in the coin handling apparatus; 
         FIG.  7    is a view for explaining the back side of coin hoppers; 
         FIG.  8    is a view for explaining an example of the coin hopper; and 
         FIG.  9    is a view for explaining attachment/detachment of the coin hopper. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings of  FIG.  1    to  FIG.  9   . Respective drawings are schematically shown to a degree that the present invention can be sufficiently understood. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to shown examples. In respective drawings, same symbols are given to common components or similar components, and repeated explanation thereof is omitted. In addition, “coins” include coins having prescribed thicknesses and diameters, coins having a disc shape such as tokens, and further, coins having polygonal shapes such as an octagon. 
     First, the appearance of a coin handling apparatus  1  will be explained with reference to  FIG.  1    and  FIG.  2   .  FIG.  1    is a perspective view of the coin handling apparatus  1 .  FIG.  2    is a side view of a door side of the coin handling apparatus  1 . 
     The coin handling apparatus  1  deposits coins, identifies denominations of the deposited coins, and stores the coins in coin hoppers according to denominations on the basis of the identification result. When coins are dispensed from the coin handling apparatus  1 , coins are discharged one by one from a coin hopper of a desired denomination. The coin handling apparatus  1  is covered with an exterior case to house devices such as coin hoppers. 
     The coin handling apparatus  1  is provided with a deposit port  2  into which coins are deposited on an upper surface thereof. A dispensing port  3  from which coins are dispensed is provided at the front of the coin handling apparatus  1 . 
     A second door  4  and a first door  7  are provided on a side surface on one side of the coin handling apparatus  1 . The first door  7  has the second door  4 . An upper part of the second door  4  is connected to the first door  7  by second hinges  5 . The second door  4  opens and closes so as to pivot about the second hinges  5 . The second door  4  can be opened and closed by a second handle  6 . 
     An upper part of the first door  7  is connected to a body of the coin handling apparatus  1  by first hinges  8 . The first door  7  opens and closes so as to pivot about the first hinges  8 . The first door  7  can be opened and closed by a first handle  9 . 
     Engaging parts  10  protrude from the surface of the second door  4 . Recessed parts are arranged on the back side of the engaging parts  10  of the second door  4 . The protrusions arranged on the first door  7  are fitted to the recessed parts on the back side of the engaging parts  10 . When the second door  4  is closed, paths for coins are formed between the first door  7  and the second door  4  by the first door  7  and the second door  4 . 
     Next, a case where the second door  4  is opened will be explained.  FIG.  3    is a first view for explaining a structure on the door side of the coin handling apparatus. Actually, a lower part of the second door  4  is opened so as to pivot about the second hinges  5 .  FIG.  3    is a view showing a state where the second door  4  is removed for making the explanation easy. 
     The first door  7  is provided with later-described through holes. The through holes are arranged in the first door  7  so as to correspond to respective coin hoppers of the coin handling apparatus  1 . A coin to be discharged from the coin hopper passes through the through hole of the first door  7  and is dropped on a belt arranged at a lower part. The through holes of the first door  7  correspond to a first discharge port  20 , a second discharge port  21 , a third discharge port  22 , and a fourth discharge port  23  aligned at the upper part of the first door  7 , and a fifth discharge port  24 , a sixth discharge port  25 , a seventh discharge port  26 , and an eighth discharge port  27  aligned at the lower part of the first door  7 . A row of discharge ports arranged at the upper part of the first door  7  and a row of discharge ports arranged at the lower part thereof are arranged so as to be shifted in a horizontal direction. 
     A first slope part  28  is arranged below the first discharge port  20  of the first door  7 . The first slope part  28  receives coins fed from the first discharge port  20  and slides the coins along the slope. Similarly, a second slope part  29  is provided below the second discharge port  21  of the first door  7 , a third slope part  30  is provided below the third discharge port  22 , a fourth slope part  31  is provided below the fourth discharge port  23 , a fifth slope part  32  is provided below the fifth discharge port  24 , a sixth slope part  33  is provided below the sixth discharge port  25 , a seventh slope part  34  is provided below the seventh discharge port  26 , and an eighth slope part  35  is provided below the eighth discharge port  27 , respectively. A reject slope part  36  is a path for returning a coin the denomination of which is difficult to be identified. 
     The first slope part  28  to the eighth slope part  35 , and the reject slope part  36  are protrusions standing from the surface of the first door  7 . When the second door  4  is closed, tip sides of the protrusions are fitted to recessed parts arranged on the back side of the second door  4 . 
     The first door  7  also functions as a partition plate forming part of the paths for coins discharged from the coin hoppers and separating a space for housing the coin hoppers inside the coin handling apparatus  1  from the paths for coins. 
     The reject slope part  36  is arranged above the fifth discharge port  24 . Similarly, the second slope part  29  is arranged above the sixth discharge port  25 , the third slope part  30  is arranged above the seventh discharge port  26 , and the fourth slope part  31  is arranged above the eighth discharge port  27 . Upper parts of the fifth to eighth discharge ports  24 ,  25 ,  26 , and  27  arranged at the lower part of the first door  7  are covered with the slope parts so that coins discharged from the upper part do not pass the front of discharge ports. The respective discharge ports are arranged on a vertical direction side of the slope parts. According to this structure, it is possible to prevent discharge of coins from the discharge ports at the lower part from being interrupted by coins dropping from above. 
     The first door  7  is provided with the discharge ports for coins corresponding to respective coin hoppers and slope parts where discharged coins are slid. The slope parts suppress dropping speed of coins and guide coins to a particular dropping position. The first door  7  also separates the space where the coin hoppers are housed from the paths for coins on the dispensing side. Since the coin hoppers store coins, it is necessary to make the coin hoppers not easily touched. As the space where the coin hoppers are housed is partitioned from the paths for the coins on the dispensing side, maintenance work only targeted at the paths for coins can be executed without touching the coin hoppers when a problem occurs at the path for coins. 
     The engaging parts  10  of the second door  4  are disposed at positions corresponding to respective slope parts of the first door  7 . When the second door  4  is closed, cylindrical paths for coins are formed by the first door  7  and the second door  4 . In addition, it is preferable that the second door  4  is made of transparent resin. When the second door  4  is made to be transparent, it is possible to visually recognize the inside of paths in a state where the second door  4  is closed. 
     Next, a case where the first door  7  is opened will be explained.  FIG.  4    is a second view for explaining a structure on the door side of the coin handling apparatus. Actually, a lower part of the first door  7  is opened so as to pivot about the first hinges  8 .  FIG.  4    is a view showing a state where the first door  7  is removed for making the explanation easy. 
     A first hopper  40 , a second hopper  41 , a third hopper  42 , and a fourth hopper  43  are coin hoppers aligned in an upper tier. A fifth hopper  44 , a sixth hopper  45 , a seventh hopper  46 , and an eighth hopper  47  are coin hoppers aligned at a lower tier. The coin hoppers are arranged so as to be separated into two tiers which are the upper tier and the lower tier. As the coin handling apparatus  1  is provided with eight coin hoppers, eight dominations of coins can be dealt with. An overflow container  48  stores coins when the coin hoppers are full and are not capable of storing coins. The respective coin hoppers are placed on a base. Each coin hopper is provided with a gripping part  49 . The gripping part  49  is provided with a later-described engaging mechanism. The engaging mechanism engages the coin hopper with the base. 
     Each coin hopper is provided with discharging parts  37  for discharging coins. In a state where respective coin hoppers are attached to the base, the discharging parts  37  correspond to respective discharge ports of the first door  7 . A width of the overflow container  48  is approximately half of a width of the coin hopper. As the overflow container  48  is provided at the lower tier, positions in the horizontal direction of the coin hoppers in the row of the lower tire differ from positions of the coin hoppers in the row of the upper tire by the width of the overflow container  48 . 
     When the first door  7  is opened, all coin hoppers housed inside are exposed and can be inserted/extracted. A discharge side of coins in the coin hoppers is exposed and the gripping parts  49  can be operated. The coin hoppers are placed and fixed on the bases disposed in the coin handling apparatus  1 . The engaging mechanisms of the coin hoppers are unlocked by operating the gripping parts  49 , and the coin hoppers can be moved in the horizontal direction. The coin hoppers can be pulled out while being slid in the horizontal direction. When attaching the coin hopper, an end of the coin hopper is placed in the base and pushed in the horizontal direction. A connector is joined and the engaging mechanism is operated to thereby fix the coin hopper to the base. The coin hoppers can be attached and detached easily at a place where the first door  7  can be opened/closed. 
     Next, a moving route of discharged coins will be explained.  FIG.  5    is a view for explaining a discharge path for the coins in the coin handling apparatus.  FIG.  5    is a view showing a state where the second door  4  is removed and part of the exterior part on the side surface of the coin handling apparatus  1  is removed for making the explanation easy. 
     The coin is discharged from any of the first discharge port  20  to the eighth discharge port  27 . The discharged coin slides down each slope part and is placed on a first belt  50 . The first belt  50  is hung around a first drive pulley  52  and a first driven pulley  53 , rotating by driving the first drive pulley  52 . The coin placed on the first belt  50  is conveyed in a direction of a second belt  51 . The coin placed on the first belt  50  is dropped on the second belt  51  from an end of the first belt  50 . The first drive pulley  52  is driven by a not-shown motor. The first belt  50  is inclined downward toward the direction of the second belt  51 . 
     The second belt  51  is hung around a second drive pulley  54  and a second driven pulley  55 , rotating by driving the second drive pulley  54 . The coin placed on the second belt  51  is conveyed in a direction of the dispensing port  3 . The second drive pulley  54  is driven by a not-shown motor. 
     A coin  60  conveyed from the first belt  50  and a coin  60  sliding down from the reject slope part  36  are supplied onto the second belt  51 . 
     The second belt  51  is arranged while being inclined, conveying the coin  60  from the lower part to the upper part. The coin  60  is dropped from an upward end of the second belt  51  to a direction of the dispensing port  3 . 
     The second belt  51  is provided with belt pushing bodies  56  so that the coin  60  does not slide down. A plurality of belt pushing bodies  56  are provided on the surface of the second belt  51 . For example, a height of the belt pushing bodies  56  is set to be lower than a thickness of the coin  60  to be used. The belt pushing bodies  56  support and convey coins one by one. When two pieces of coins overlap, an upper-side coin passes over the belt pushing body  56  and slides down. 
     In the path for the coin  60 , non-return levers  57  are provided at plural places along the second belt  51 . The non-return levers  57  are supported by lever shafts  58 . The non-return levers  57  stop the coin  60  from dropping downward. For example, when a plurality of coins  60  are supplied onto the second belt  51  at a time, it is difficult to convey all coins  60  at a time by the belt pushing bodies  56 . The non-return levers  57  stop the coins  60  which are not conveyed from dropping downward. Each non-return lever  57  stops at a position with an angle approximately perpendicular to the second belt  51  and swings to the conveying direction&#39;s side of the coin  60  from that position. The non-return lever  57  is pushed up by the belt pushing body  56  moving from below and allowing the belt pushing body  56  to pass. After the belt pushing body  56  passes, the non-return lever  57  returns to the original position with the angle approximately perpendicular to the second belt  51 , and stops. 
     A tension roller  59  is pushed toward the second belt  51  to thereby make the second belt  51  in a tightened state. 
     A flap  61  is arranged in the middle of the path for the coin between an end of the second belt  51  in the conveying direction of the coin  60  and the dispensing port  3 . The flap  61  guides the coin  60  supplied from the second belt  51  to the dispensing port  3  or to a safe path  64 . The flap  61  is pivotally supported by a flap shaft  63  so as to move to a flap released position  62  shown by a dotted line by a not-shown drive means. 
     The safe path  64  is connected to a not-shown safe. When the flap  61  is driven to the flap released position  62 , the coin  60  can be stored in the safe, not being discharged from the dispensing port  3 . When the flap  61  is driven to the flap released position  62 , the dispensing port  3  can be blocked to thereby prevent illegal operation. As the second belt  51  is arranged while being inclined, the dispensing port  3  can be arranged at a higher position, and further, the safe and the safe path  64  can be arranged. 
       FIG.  6    is a view for explaining distribution paths for coins in the coin handling apparatus. 
     The coins  60  put into the deposit port  2  are separated one by one, conveyed one by one, and denominations thereof are identified. The identified coins  60  are conveyed to a distribution part  75 . The coins  60  are conveyed by pushing pins  70  in the distribution part  75 . A distribution bar  71  and a distribution flap  72  are arranged in the middle of the conveying path for the coins  60 . The distribution bar  71  and the distribution flap  72  are arranged so as to correspond to each coin hopper. 
     The distribution bar  71  controls whether the coin  60  is guided to a bar-side path  73  or not. The distribution flap  72  controls whether the coin  60  is guided to a flap-side path  74  or not. When the distribution bar  71  is closed, the conveyed coin  60  passes the bar-side path  73 . When the distribution bar  71  is opened, the conveyed coin  60  is guided to the bar-side path  73 . When the distribution flap  72  is closed, the conveyed coin  60  passes the flap-side path  74 . When the distribution flap  72  is opened, the conveyed coin  60  is guided to the flap-side path  74 . The bar-side path  73  is connected to the coin hopper arranged in the lower tier, and the flap-side path  74  is connected to the coin hopper arranged in the upper tier. The distribution bars  71  and the distribution flaps  72  corresponding to the reject slope part  36  and the overflow container  48  are also arranged. 
       FIG.  7    is a view for explaining the back side of the coin hoppers. A moving route of coins from the distribution part  75  to the coin hoppers will be explained. 
     The coin guided to each bar-side path  73  by each distribution bar  71  arranged in the distribution part  75  is guided to each coin hopper arranged in the lower tier. A first path  76  is connected to the fifth hopper  44 , a second path  77  is connected to the sixth hopper  45 , a third path  78  is connected to the seventh hopper  46 , and a fourth path  79  is connected to the eighth hopper  47 . An overflow path  80  is connected to the overflow container  48 . 
     The coin guided to each flap-side path  74  by each distribution flap  72  arranged in the distribution part  75  is guided to each of the coin hoppers arranged in the upper tier. 
     The coins with denominations identified are guided to respective paths according to denominations and stored in the coin hoppers arranged according to denominations. 
       FIG.  7    shows a state where bases on which the coin hoppers are placed are removed so that the coin hoppers on the lower tier can be seen. Each coin hopper is provided with a first spring  81  and a connector  82  on a side facing the discharge side of the coins. 
     Next, the coin hopper will be explained with reference to  FIG.  8    and  FIG.  9   .  FIG.  8    is a view for explaining an example of the coin hopper.  FIG.  9    is a view for explaining attachment/detachment of the coin hopper. 
     A coin hopper  93  includes a hopper container  83  temporarily keeps coins and a hopper body  84  discharging coins stored in the hopper container  83  one by one. The hopper body  84  includes a discharge part  37  discharging coins one by one and a sensor  85  detecting coins discharged from the discharge part  37 . Coins to be discharged are detected by the sensor  85 , a detected result is outputted to a not-shown control circuit, and the detected result is used for various kinds of control by the control circuit. 
     The gripping part  49  is provided on the discharge part  37  side of the coin hopper  93 . On the side facing the discharge part  37  of the coin hopper  93 , the connector  82  and the first spring  81  are provided. 
     In the coin handling apparatus  1 , the coin hopper  93  can be attached/detached in a state where the first door  7  is opened. The coin hopper  93  is placed on a base  87 . The base  87  has a standing part vertically standing on the base  87 . The standing part can also be called a wall part arranged on the back side of the base  87 , which is the opposite side of the first door  7 . A body-side connector  92  is provided at the standing part of the base  87 . A hopper-side connector  91  is provided in the coin hopper  93 . The body-side connector  92  and the hopper-side connector  91  are connected. A contact between the body-side connector  92  and the hopper-side connector  91  is made to be long, thereby securing electrical connection regardless of the length of a stroke of insertion/extraction. The first spring  81  abuts on the standing part and pushes the standing part. The coin hopper  93  is biased in a discharging direction of coins by reaction force from the standing part. 
     An engaging hole  88  is formed on a surface of the base  87  on which the coin hopper  93  is placed. The engaging hole  88  is a hole or a groove provided in the base  87 . A stopper  86  is engaged with the engaging hole  88 . The stopper  86  is interlocked with the gripping part  49 . The stopper  86  can be disengaged from the engaging hole  88  by operating the gripping part  49  and lifting up the stopper  86 . The coin hopper  93  is provided with a second spring  89 . The stopper  86  is biased in a direction of the engaging hole  88  by the second spring  89 . The stopper  86  advances and retreats to and from the engaging hole  88 . 
     When the coin hopper  93  is attached to the base  87 , the coin hopper  93  is placed on the base  87  from the first door  7  side to be slid in a depth direction. As a tip end of the stopper  86  is inclined, the stopper  86  retreats upward and runs onto the base  87 . The coin hopper  93  is further slid in the depth direction until the stopper  86  is engaged with the engaging hole  88 . When the stopper  86  reaches the position of the engaging hole  88 , the stopper  86  is biased by the second spring  89  to be inserted into the engaging hole  88 . The coin hopper  93  is also pushed back by the biasing force of the first spring  81  until the stopper  86  abuts on an edge of the engaging hole  88 . The coin hopper  93  is pushed by the first spring  81  to a foremost position  90  of the coin hopper  93  shown by a broken line and fixed there. 
     For example, in a case where deformation occurs in the first door  7  and the first door  7  abuts on the coin hopper  93 , the first spring  81  is retracted to move the coin hopper  93 . Since the coin hopper  93  can be moved even when an external force is applied, damage can be prevented. 
     The maintenance work of the paths for coins on the dispensing side and the coin hoppers can be executed by opening and closing the side surface on one side of the coin handling apparatus  1 . Moreover, as the first door  7  side can be fully opened, the coin hoppers can be easily inserted/extracted, and the maintenance can be easily performed.