Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a compact coin denomination discriminating device which can discriminate the denominations of a plurality of coins that are received in bulk, based on the diameter, material and thickness of the coins. The present invention also relates to a coin recycling machine which holds received coins of different denominations in holders according to denomination, and dispenses a specified number of coins in response to an instruction from a related machine. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   The term “coin” used herein embraces currency coins, medallions, tokens and medals, which may be circular or polygon in shape. 
   In Japanese Patent No. 2,769,410, coins are sent one by one to a coin conveyance path when latched by a pin projecting from a turn table that turns within a hopper. Coin denomination is discriminated based on a diameter acquired by a coin diameter detecting unit during conveyance by the turn table pin. A coin pushing member is activated based on the timing detecting unit disposed before individual denomination-based coin storages in the coin conveyance path. When a coin denomination is determined, the coin is caused to drop into a corresponding coin storage location. 
   In Japanese Patent No. 3,198,288, a resin wiper is rotatably disposed between a base casing and a lid member made from plastic mold, each of the base casing and the lid member is provided with a detection coil, and a medal is pushed against a reference plane of the wiper by a guiding piece having a guiding portion which is an arc formed toward the center from the circumference of the wiper. Data concerning the material and diameter of a metallic medal is acquired by detection coils. 
   In Japanese Patent No. 2,769,410, since the denomination of a coin is discriminated only by a diameter measurement acquired from a coin diameter detector, there is a measurement problem that the accuracy in the discrimination of a specific denomination may be poor. 
   Since the discrimination of the coin relies only on the diameter, coins of the same diameter would be discriminated as real coins regardless of the material or thickness, and determined as a denomination corresponding to that diameter, so that there arises a problem that fake coins cannot be discriminated. 
   Additionally, the coin diameter detector is implemented by an optical sensor. 
   Since a metal chain is used as coin conveying means, if a magnetic sensor that is commonly used for discriminating coin denomination is used, the magnetic sensor could be influenced by the metal chain, so that accurate discrimination cannot be achieved. 
   In Japanese Patent No. 3,198,288, if the processing speed of coin discrimination is increased, a medal may leave a reference plane due to centrifugation force because the medal is elastically pushed toward the rotary center from the circumference by a wiper, which may interfere with an accurate detection. 
   In addition, when coins of different diameters are inserted, accuracy of diameter detection cab be poor because the guiding portion of medal must be arcuate. In other words, erroneous discrimination may occur when a plural denominations of coins having different diameters are attempted to be discriminated. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is a first object of the present invention to provide a coin denomination discriminating device capable of realizing a high discrimination accuracy when a plural of different denominations of coins are subjected to denomination discrimination during conveyance. 
   It is a second object of the present invention to provide a coin denomination discriminating device for realizing high discrimination accuracy and also suited for use in a miniaturized coin receiving apparatus. 
   In order to achieve the above objects, a coin denomination discriminating device can be configured as follows. A coin denomination discriminating device can be formed of a non-magnetic material and can acquire data for discriminating coin denomination while conveying coins one by one to a predetermined position. The denomination discriminating device can include a rotor having a coin receiving portion, a magnetic sensor disposed on one side of a movement path of the coin receiving portion and on a side opposite to the one side in a facing manner, and a reference guide for guiding a coin, is disposed on an outer circumference of the movement path. 
   In such a configuration, a coin is received by the coin receiving portion of the rotor, and conveyed to a predetermined position via a predetermined movement path by rotation of the rotor. A coin residing in the coin receiving portion travels through the movement path by rotation of the rotor, and passes between magnetic sensors disposed so as to face each other on one side and an opposite side of the movement path. 
   Since the magnetic sensors are disposed on one side and the other side of the coin, and a magnetic flux of the magnetic sensors transmits through the non-magnetic material forming both the slide base and the rotor and only acts on a coin that is made of metal, the detection data will be accurate. 
   Further, a coin conveyed by the rotor is guided by a reference guide which is situated on an outer circumference of the rotor, and data for discrimination is accurately acquired. 
   As a result, the coin is guided while being pushed against the reference guide by a centrifugal force. Therefore, even if the rotation speed of the rotor increases, namely the discrimination speed of coin is increased, the coin will not leave the confines of the reference guide. 
   Therefore, the positional relationship between the magnetic sensor for acquiring discrimination data of coin guided by the reference guide and a coin of specific denomination is usually kept constant, so that data obtained from the magnetic sensor is accurate and the accuracy of coin discrimination is improved. 
   The reference guide further has a linear guide part with this configuration, a coin is guided by the reference guide part while being conveyed by rotation of the rotor. Therefore, the coin can linearly move in close contact with the linear reference guide part by a centrifugal force while its circumferential face is guided. 
   Since the magnetic sensor is arranged to face the reference guide, it can be positioned adjacent a location of a linear movement of the coin, and diameters of different denominations of coins can be accurately detected. 
   The invention is characterized in that the denomination discriminating device is provided with slide base made of a non-magnetic material, and a rotor made of a non-magnetic material which rotates within a plane parallel and adjacent to the slide base. Magnetic sensors can discriminate coin denominations and are positioned above and below the movement path of coins conveyed by a reference guide situated at an outer circumference of the rotary path of the rotor with the rotor facing the reference guide. 
   In this configuration, a coin is held in a receiving portion of the rotor, and slides on the slide base made of a non-magnetic material. The rotor is also made of a non-magnetic material. Further, magnetic sensors are arranged above and below the movement path of the coin sliding on the slide base. 
   Detection by these magnetic sensors will not be influenced by the slide base and the rotor since they are made of non-magnetic materials. In addition, since the magnetic sensors are arranged above and below the movement path of the coin, a magnetic flux of the magnetic sensors is able to form a loop, so that metal characteristics of a coin can be efficiently obtained. Therefore, this configuration provides an advantage in that the denomination of coins can be accurately discriminated. 
   The magnetic sensor includes a diameter sensor, a material sensor and a thickness sensor in the coin denomination discriminating device. to detect diameter, material and thickness of the coins individually. 
   Therefore, real/fake determination and a denomination of a coin is discriminated based on stored discrimination data regarding diameter, material and thickness compared with the results obtained from the respective sensors, so that the accuracy of discrimination improves. Furthermore, a financial advantage is provided because these magnetic sensor may be made up of ferrite core and a coil. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view showing a coin recycling machine in which a coin denomination discriminating device embodying the present invention is used. 
       FIG. 2  is a front elevated view of a coin path in a coin receiving part of a coin recycling machine in which a coin denomination discriminating device embodying the present invention is used. 
       FIG. 3  is a front elevated view of a coin path without a cover, in a coin receiving part of a coin recycling machine in which a coin denomination discriminating device embodying the present invention is used. 
       FIG. 4  is a front view of a driving mechanism of a coin receiving part of a coin recycling machine embodying the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is an enlarged front view of a coin denomination discriminating device embodying the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a section view along the line A-A in  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 7  is a timing chart for illustrating an operation of an embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the invention which set forth the best modes contemplated to carry out the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present invention. 
   In a coin denomination discriminating device which is formed of a non-magnetic material and which acquires data for discriminating coin denominations while conveying coins one by one to a predetermined position, the denomination discriminating device includes a rotor having a coin receiving portion; a magnetic sensor disposed on one side of a movement path of the coin receiving portion and on a side opposite to the one side in a facing manner; and a reference guide for guiding a coin, is disposed on an outer circumference of the movement path. The reference guide has a linear guide part and the denomination discriminating device is provided with slide base made of a non-magnetic material. A rotor made of a non-magnetic material is positioned adjacent the slide base and rotates within a plane parallel with the slide base. A magnetic sensor for discriminating coin denominations is disposed above and below the movement path of coins conveyed by the reference guide and is situated at an outer circumference of the rotary path of the rotor. The magnetic sensor includes a diameter sensor, a material sensor and a thickness sensor. 
   The present embodiment of the invention is used as a coin denomination discriminating device in a coin recycling apparatus that can receive eight denominations of coins, namely, 2-euro, 1-euro, 50-cent, 20-cent, 10-cent, 5-cent, 2-cent and 1 cent coins which are the current currency of the European Union (EU), hold them by coin denomination, and dispenses a specified denomination of coins based on an inputted coin dispense instruction. 
   However, it may also be used for a coin receiving machine that receives a plurality of denominations of coins and holds them by denomination. 
   A coin recycling apparatus  100  will be discussed with reference to  FIG. 1 . The coin recycling apparatus  100  includes a coin receiving amount restricting device  102 , a separating and sending device  104 , a coin denomination discriminating device  106 , a conveying device  108 , a separator  110 , a holder  112  and a dispensing device  114 . 
   First, the receiving amount restricting device  102  will be explained. 
   The receiving amount restricting device  102  has a function of translating a plural denominations of coins that are slotted in bulk through a slot  120 , to the subsequent separating and sending device  104  in such an amount that the coins do not exceed a predetermined amount per unit of time. 
   Specifically, restricting device  102  includes a money reception endless flat belt  122 , a coin flattening roller  124 , and an electric motor  126  for driving the money reception flat belt  122 . The money reception flat belt  122  has a width of about twice the diameter of the largest coin, to be processed and is stretched across a pair of rollers in a slightly upwardly inclined condition. 
   The money reception flat belt  122  is movable in both a forward rotary direction for conveying a coin forwardly and in a reverse rotary direction for retracting a coin by a reversible electric motor  126 . The flattening roller  124  is disposed in a position above a middle part of the money reception flat belt  122  to leave a clearance space of about three times the thickness of the thinnest coin with respect to the flat belt  122 . 
   This flattening roller  124  is so designed that when the money reception flat belt  122  moves in a conveying direction, the bottom face of the flattening roller  124  rotates in an opposite direction of the moving direction to the money reception flat belt  122 , and when the money reception flat belt  122  moves in a returning direction, it stands still. However, the flattening roller  124  may be rotated in such a manner that the bottom face of the flattening roller  124  returns in the same direction when the money reception flat belt  122  moves in the returning direction. 
   Accordingly, when three or more thinnest coins reach the flattening roller  124  while piling up on the money reception flat belt  122 , the uppermost coin is moved and dropped in the reverse direction by the flattening roller  124 , whereby a large amount of coins are prevented from entering into the separating and sending device  104  at one time. 
   A photoelectric sensor  128  which can be a money reception detecting device is provided so that its optical axis transverses slightly above the money reception flat belt  122  while being situated below the slot  120 . When an optical axis of the photoelectric sensor  128  is blocked, it is determined that a coin has entered through the slot, and the motor  126  is driven to move the money reception flat belt  122  in a money receiving direction. 
   When a full amount sensor of the coin separating and sending device  104  detects a full state, the motor  126  is stopped. 
   Therefore, the separating and sending device  104  is able to stably separate and send coins one by one without receiving coins that would exceed a full amount from the receiving money restricting device  102 . The money reception detecting device may also carry out detection by a magnetic sensor placed under the money reception flat belt  122 . 
   Next, the separating and sending device  104  will be explained. The separating and sending device  104  has a function of sending plural denominations of coins received in bulk from the receiving money restricting device  102  to a subsequent process while separating the coins one by one. The separating and sending device  104  is disposed under the receiving money restricting device  102  and includes a rotary plate  130 , a holding bowl  132 , a receiver  134  and a full sensor  136 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 . 
   The rotary plate  130  has a receiving portion  138  that receives coins one by one, and is inclined at a predetermined angle and rotated at a predetermined speed. As to the receiving portion  138 , a Y-shaped plate  146  formed with evenly spaced three recesses  142  is concentrically attached to a top face of a rotary disc  140 . When the diameter of the disc  140  is larger, the number of receiving portions  138  may be 4 or more, and when the diameter of the disc  140  is smaller, the number of the receiving portions  138  may be 2 or less. 
   However, an increase in the diameter of the disc  140  is undesirable because it leads to an increase in the size of the coin recycling apparatus  100 . Meanwhile, when the number of the receiving portions  138  is less than 3, the number of sending coins per unit time decreases so that a longer time period is required for the coin receiving process. Therefore, a preferred number of receiving portions  138  is 3. 
   On one side of the recess  142  is provided a pushing member  148  that moves pivotally. In other words, a generally semicircular receiving portion  138  is formed by the pushing member  148  and a recess  142 . 
   The receiving portion  138 , shown in  FIG. 5 , is sized so that it does not receive the two largest-diametric coins in a row but is able to receive a single smallest-diametric coin. The pushing member  148  is usually situated at a position nearer to one side of the recess  142  so as to form the receiving portion  138  in a stationary state, and it circumferentially sends a held coin when it pivotally moves to a predetermined position. This movement of the pushing member  148  is preferably achieved by a grooved cam using a rotary movement of the disc  140 . 
   The receiving portion  138  of the rotary plate  130  receives coins held in bulk, one by one, in a lower part located opposite to the holding bowl  132 , and the pushing member  148  pushes a coin within the receiving portion  138  in a circumferential direction at a predetermined position higher than the rotation center, and delivers it to the knife-shaped receiver  134 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , the rotary plate  130  is rotated at a predetermined speed via a driven gear  158  formed on a lower circumferential face of the disc  140  by a gear  154  that is rotated via a reducer gear unit  152  by an electric motor  150  disposed beside the disc  140 . 
   The full amount sensor  136  has a function of outputting a full signal when the amount of coins in the holding bowl  132  exceeds a predetermined amount, and is realized by, for example, a transmissive photoelectric sensor. This is intended for eliminating the drawback that the efficiency of receiving coins into the receiving portion  138  is deteriorated due to deterioration in efficiency of stirring coins by the Y-shaped plate  146  and the pushing member  148  when the amount of coins in the holding bowl  132  exceeds a predetermined amount. 
   When the full sensor outputs a full signal, the electric motor  126  is stopped, and the coin supply from the receiving money restricting device  102  is stopped. 
   When the full amount sensor  136  no longer outputs a full signal, the electric motor  126  is restarted, and any coin on the money reception flat belt  122  is supplied to the holding bowl  132 . 
   Next, the denomination discriminating device  106  will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The denomination discriminating coin device  106  has a function of discriminating between real/fake and the denomination of coins sent one by one from the separating and sending device  104  based on detection data acquired from a magnetic sensor  160  such as a coin material sensor  162 , a thickness sensor  164  and a diameter sensor  166 . The denomination discriminating device  106  discriminates real/fake and the denomination of coins using signals from the coin material sensor  162 , the thickness sensor  164  and the diameter sensor  166  each formed of a coil and a ferrite core of a predetermined shape. 
   The denomination discriminating device  106  includes the magnetic sensor  160 , a slide base  170  disposed in flush arrangement with the top face of the disc  140 , a rotor  172  for feeding a coin, and a reference guide  174 . 
   First, the slide base  170  will be explained. The slide base  170  is arranged aslant in a top face of a base  178 , and has a function of guiding one face of a coin pushed by the rotor  172 . The slide base  170  forms a bottom face of a circular hole  180  which is formed in the top face of the flat base  178  made of a non-magnetic material such as resin, and has a flat surface. The slide base  170  may be formed with a protruding strip extending in the moving direction of the coin to reduce any sliding resistance of the coin. 
   Next, the rotor  172  will be explained. The rotor  172  has a function of causing a coin received from the separating and sending device  104  to move and pass through the magnetic sensor  160  part one by one. Further, the rotor  172  delivers a coin having passed the magnetic sensor  160  part to the conveying device  108 . The rotor  172  is formed of a non-magnetic material such as a resin, and is fixed to a rotary axis  182  protruding in a center part of the circular hole  180 , and is parallel with the slide base  170 , and rotatable in an adjacent plane. 
   The rotor  172  forms a coin receiving portion  185  with evenly-spaced three pushing levers  184  which are identical in number to the receiving portions  138 , and has a somewhat Y-shape that is truncated wider as it extends radially outward from its center of rotation. Thus the coin pushing surface is inclined relative to a central radius extending outward through the middle of the lever from the center of rotation. 
   Next, the reference guide  174  will be explained. The reference guide  174  has a function of linearly guiding a coin passing in adjacent the magnetic sensor  160 , and keeping coins at certain positions with respect to the magnetic sensor  160  according to coin denomination. The reference guide  174  has an arcuate portion  186  formed sequentially to the receiver  134  and a linear guide  188  formed in success with the arcuate portion  186 , and is positioned in an outer circumference of the rotary path of the rotor  172 , and guides a coin pushed by the pushing lever  184 . 
   Preferably, the reference guide  174  is molded of polyoxymethylene which is a resin having excellent abrasion resistance for guiding a coin. The reference guide  174  may be molded integrally with the slide base  170  so as to improve the production efficiency and accuracy. 
   Next, the magnetic sensor  160  will be explained. The magnetic sensor  160  has a function of acquiring data for discriminating real/fake and coin denomination of coins guided by the reference guide  174 . The magnetic sensors  160  are provided above and below a movement path  190  of coins which are moved by the pushing lever  184  under guidance of the reference guide  174 . 
   The magnetic sensor  160  includes a diameter sensor  166 , a thickness sensor  164  and a material sensor  162 . The diameter sensor  166  has a function of acquiring data concerning the diameter of a coin moved by the rotor  172 . 
   Euro currency coins include 8 denominations, and a 2-euro coin having the largest diameter is about twice a 1-cent coin having a smallest diameter. Therefore, it is difficult to obtain accurate data only with a single diameter sensor. In the present embodiment, a plurality of diameter sensors are provided. A first diameter sensor  192 , a second diameter sensor  194  and a third diameter sensor  196  are provided. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the material sensor  162 , the thickness sensor  164  and the second diameter sensor  194  each are realized by a magnetic sensor formed by winding a coil  204  around a center cylinder  198  which comprises a core  202  of ferrite having a substantially cylindrical outer wall  200  surrounding the cylindrical center cylinder  198  and the outer circumference. 
   Since the magnetic sensor may be produced from a coil and a core and a high-frequency applicable circuit and the like, it is easily available and low in cost while offering accurate data. Therefore, the magnetic sensor is suited for a coin denomination discriminating device. 
   As shown in  FIG. 5 , the first diameter sensor  192  and the third diameter sensor  196  are formed into a substantially rectangular form having the cylindrical center cylinder  198  and an outer wall from which the part facing the linear guide part  188  in the outer wall  200  is removed. This rectangular design allows the first diameter sensor  192  and the third diameter sensor  196  to be adjacently positioned, so that data for achieving accurate discrimination can be obtained. 
   In each of the magnetic sensors  162 ,  164 ,  192 ,  194  and  196 , a hole of the center cylinder  198  is fitted with a column positioning pin  206  protruding from the base face of the slide base  170 , which are bonded by an adhesive or the like. Since the positioning pin  206  and the hole of the center cylinder  198  determine the position of the sensor, an advantage arises that the sensor is positioned readily and accurately. 
   The thickness sensor  164  and the second diameter sensor  194  are disposed very near the receiver  134 , and arranged on a first straight line L 1  which is orthogonal to the linear guide part  188 . The thickness sensor  164  is disposed near the reference guide  174 , and the end face of the center cylinder  198  faces a coin surface of every coin denomination. 
   The second diameter sensor  194  is disposed to face about one-fourth of a 2-euro coin having a largest diameter, and is disposed to face almost the entire face of a largest diametric coin that is discriminable. 
   The material sensor  162  is disposed in a position which is downstream from the straight line L 1  and on a second straight line L 2  which is substantially orthogonal to the linear guide part  188 . The first diameter sensor  192  and the third diameter sensor  196  are disposed in positions which are just downstream the second straight line L 2  and on a third straight line L 3  which is substantially orthogonal to the linear guide part  188 . 
   The extended line of the pushing part  206  for a coin on the pushing lever  184  of the rotor  172  is designed to intersect at an obtuse angle until the maximum diametric part of the coin comes into face contact with the material sensor  162 , the first diameter sensor  192  and the third diameter sensor  196 . The material sensor  162  is disposed very near the reference guide  174 , and an end face of its center cylinder  198  faces the surface of every denomination of coin. 
   The first diameter sensor  192  is disposed in such a manner that it slightly faces an upper part of a 1-cent coin having a smallest diameter guided by the linear guide  188 . The third diameter sensor  196  is disposed in such a manner that when it faces a 2-euro coin having a largest diameter, a lower half of the magnetic sensor  196  faces an upper end part of the 2-euro coin. 
   Each of the thickness sensor  164 , the material sensor  162 , the first diameter sensor  192 , the second diameter sensor  194  and the third diameter sensor  196  is made up of a pair of sensors disposed above and below the movement path  190  of coin. One of the pair of sensors is fixed to a back face of the slide base  170 , and the other of the sensors is fixed to an upper cover  208 . 
   Next, the upper cover  208  shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6  will be explained. The upper cover  208  is pivotably attached to an axis  210  disposed above the separating and sending device  104  and arranged beside the circular hole  180 . The upper cover  208  has substantially a table form when viewed planarly, and has a flat bottom face  212  which is partly in surface contact with the top face of the reference guide  174  for positioning. 
   In other words, the interval between the slide base  170  and the bottom face  212  is kept small and parallel by surface contact between the bottom face  212  of the upper cover  208  and the top face of the reference guide  174 . The interval between the slide base  170  and the bottom face  212  is selected depending on the largest thickness of coins to be handled while taking a margin of error into account. The upper cover  208  is fixed to a hook  214  while it is in surface contact with the top face of the reference guide  174 . 
   Therefore, in the denomination discriminating device  106 , a coin is pushed by the pushing lever  184  along the thin reduced clearance movement path  190  defined by the bottom face  212  of the slide base  170  and the reference guide  174 . The thickness of the pushing lever  184  is slightly smaller than the interval between the slide base  170  and the bottom face  212 , and slightly thicker than the thickness of a coin having a largest thickness. This improves the abrasion resistance and facilitates production. 
   To a lower end of the rotary axis  182  penetrating through the slide base  170  is fixed a gear  216  which meshes with the driven gear  158 . The gear ratio between the driven gear  158  and the gear  216  is 1:1, and a timing is set in such a manner that the pushing lever  184  pushes a received coin directly after the pushing member  148  pushes the coin outward of the receiving portion  138  to deliver it to the receiver  134 . 
   Next, a timing sensor  176  in  FIG. 5  will be explained. A signal is outputted from the timing sensor  176  at every passage of the pushing lever  184  and is used as a correlating signal for storing discrimination information to make a real/fake determination and coin denomination of a coin based on the data detected by the magnetic sensors  160 . The timing sensor  176  is fixed to the base  178 . 
   In the present embodiment, the timing sensor  176  can be a reflective photoelectric sensor, and outputs a pushing lever timing signal of “H” when it faces the pushing lever  184 , while outputting a signal “L” when it does not face the pushing lever  184 . 
   Next, the coin conveying device  108  will be explained. The conveying device  108  has a function of conveying a coin after being subjected to a discrimination of real/fake and its denomination to a separator  110 . The conveying device  108  includes a straight guide rail  226  on which an endless conveyer  220  moves in one direction in the same plane and one face of the coin is pushed by the endless conveyer  220  to slide along the guide rail  226 . The rail guide includes a coin slide plate  224  positioned in the same plane containing the slide base  170 , to receive a surface of the coin. 
   In other words, the slide plate  224  inclines at the same angle as the slide base  170  does. This angle of inclination is preferably about 45 degrees for the sake of miniaturization of the entire coin cycling apparatus  100 . 
   An endless conveyer  220  is implemented in this embodiment by a chain  232  stretched across a first sprocket  228  and a second sprocket  230  which are arranged at a predetermined interval. The chain  232  is arranged in a flat running track form, and the first sprocket  228  is disposed just beside the rotor  172  of the denomination discriminating device  106 . The chain  232  is preferably a metal chain from the view point of durability and cost, however, it may be made of resin. On the lateral face of chain  232 , pushing pins  234  are fixed at a predetermined interval. 
   Pushing pins  234  are attached to the chain  232  at intervals corresponding to the interval of the pushing levers  184 . 
   At a lower part of an axis  236 , to which the first sprocket  228  is fixed, a driven gear  238  is fixed which meshes with the gear  216  for driving the rotor  172 . The gear ratio between the gear  238  and the gear  216  is preferably 1:3 although other gear ratios can be used. In other words, the pushing lever  184  and the pushing pin  234  cooperate in a certain predetermined relationship. 
   Specifically, a coin, pushed into the conveyance path  240  of the pushing pin  234  by the pushing lever  184 , will be immediately pushed by the pushing pin  234 . 
   The guide rail  226  has a function of guiding a circumferential face of a coin in such a manner that the coin pushed by the pushing pin  234  moves along the conveyance path  240 . The guide rail  226  is disposed along and slightly below an upper chain of the running track form. The guide rail  226  slightly projects in the orthogonal direction beyond the largest thickness of handled coins from the slide plate  224 . 
   Therefore, the coin pushed by the pushing pin  234  is guided at its lower face by the slide plate  224 , and guided at its circumferential face, on the lower end by the guide rail  226 . The guide rail  226  in this embodiment also serves as a separator. 
   Next, the separator  110  will be explained. The separator  110  has a function of causing coins to drop into specific separating holes for individual coin denominations. The separator  110  has an upper separator  250  disposed along and above the guide rail  226 , and a lower separator  252  disposed along and below the guide rail  226 . 
   The upper separator  250  is provided with a 2-cent separating hole  254 , a 5-cent separating hole  256 , a 10-cent separating hole  258 , a 20-cent separating hole  260  and an overflow separating hole  262  in this order toward the moving direction of the conveying device  108 . The lower separator  252  is provided with a reject separating hole  264 , a 1-cent separating hole  266 , a 2-euro separating hole  268 , a 50-cent separating hole  270  and a 1-euro separating hole  272  in this order toward the moving direction of the conveying device  108 . 
   In this manner, when the upper separator  250  and the lower separator  252  of the conveying device  108  are approximately arranged, it is possible to separate coins into an upper side and a lower side at the same position of the conveying device  108 , so that a conveying distance for the coins is shortened and the coin recycling apparatus  100  can be miniaturized. 
   Each of the coin separating holes  254 ,  256 ,  258 ,  260 ,  264 ,  266 ,  268 ,  270  and  272  is provided with an electrically operated gate device (not shown). In the present embodiment, gate devices of the separating holes  264 ,  266 ,  268 ,  270  and  272  also serve as the guide rail  226 . That is, the guide rail  226  consists of a stationary guide  274  fixed between the separating holes  264 ,  266 ,  268 ,  270  and  272 , and a movable guide  276  for an electrically driven gate, and usually exhibits a linear shape. 
   When coins under conveyance are caused to drop into the separating holes  264 ,  266 ,  268 ,  270  and  272 , the movable guide  276  is shifted from the usual position to prevent the conveyed coins from being guided by the movable guide  276 , thereby causing coins to drop into predetermined separating holes. 
   Next, gate timing sensors  280 ,  282 ,  284 ,  286 ,  288  and  290  will be explained. The gate timing sensors  280 ,  282 ,  284 ,  286 ,  288  and  290  have a function of detecting a coin moved along the conveyance path  240  by the conveying device  108 . A path cover  292  facing the conveyance path  240  guided by the guide rail  226  is provided with the first timing sensor  280  just before the 2-cent separating hole  254  and the reject separating hole  264 . Also, just before the 5-cent separating hole  256 , the second timing sensor  282  for the 5-cent separating hole  256  and the 1-cent separating hole  266  is positioned. 
   Just before the 10-cent separating hole  258 , the third timing sensor  284  for the 10-cent separating hole  258  and the 2-euro separating hole  268  is disposed. 
   Just before the 20-cent separating hole  260 , the fourth timing sensor  286  for the 20-cent separating hole  260  and the 50-cent separating hole  270  is disposed. 
   Just before the 1-euro separating hole  272 , the fifth timing sensor  288  for the 1-euro separating hole  272  is disposed. Just before the overflow separating hole  262 , an overflow achievement sensor  290  is positioned. 
   The overflow separating hole  262  is formed into a size that allows the largest coin to drop through in order that the coin holder  112  stores the overflowing predetermined denomination of coins, and is not provided with a gate. 
   The gate devices corresponding to the coin separating holes  254 ,  256 ,  258 ,  260 ,  264 ,  266 ,  268 ,  270  and  272  are selectively opened/closed based on real/fake and denomination discriminated by data detected by the first timing sensor  280 , the second timing sensor  282 , the third timing sensor  284 , the fourth timing sensor  286 , the fifth timing sensor  288 , the timing sensor  176  and the magnetic sensor  160 . As a result, coins conveyed by the conveying device  108  are caused to drop into a predetermined separating hole depending on their denomination. 
   Next, the coin holder  112  will be explained. The coin holder  112  has a function of holding coins separated by denomination in the separator  110  according to their denominations. 
   In the present embodiment, the coin holder  110  includes coin hoppers  310  that dispenses coins one by one by a rotary disc (not shown), provided for each denomination in two lines so as to face the upper separator  250  and the lower separator  252  below the separator  110 . Each coin hopper is denoted by a reference numeral  310  added with a symbol for each denomination. 
   The dispensing device  114  has a function of conveying coins dispensed from a respective coin hopper for each denomination to a discharge tray  320 . In the present embodiment, the dispensing device  114  is implemented by a flat belt  330  disposed between the two lines of coin hoppers. The flat belt  330  is selectively driven by an electric motor  332  so that the top face moves toward the discharge tray  320 . Coins conveyed by the flat belt  330  are supplied into the discharge tray  320 . 
   An operation of the present embodiment will now be explained. When plural denominations of coins are inserted into the slot  120 , the slotted coins drop onto the money reception flat belt  122 . Since the slotted coins can block the optical axis of the photoelectric sensor  128 , a money reception detecting signal is outputted and the motor  126  is rotated in response to the money reception detecting signal. Accordingly, the top face of the money reception flat belt  122  moves toward the separating and sending device  104 , and the coins drop from an end part of the money reception flat belt  122  and then drop into the holding bowl  132  of the separating and sending device  104 . 
   When the coins are conveyed in piles, such piled coins are prevented from going ahead by the flattening roller  124  and caused to drop because the bottom face of the roller  124  moves oppositely to the top face of the money reception flat belt  122  due to reverse rotation of the flattening roller  124 . The dropped coins are again conveyed toward the separating and sending device  104  by running of the money reception flat belt  122  in the same manner as described above. When the money reception sensor  128  no longer detects a coin, the motor  126  is stopped, and the driving of the money reception flat belt  122  is stopped. 
   In response to a money reception detecting signal of the photoelectric sensor  128 , the motor  150  is rotated, and the gear  154  starts rotating at a predetermined speed via the reducer unit  152 . Therefore, the driven gear  158  meshing with the gear  154  is rotated, and the disc  140  is rotated in a counterclockwise direction in  FIG. 4 . Rotation of the driven gear  154  causes the gear  216  meshing therewith to simultaneously rotate in a clockwise direction. 
   In other words, the rotor  172  cooperates with the disc  140  at a transmission ratio of 1:1, and rotates in a clockwise direction in  FIG. 5 . Further, since the driven gear  238  is driven by the gear  216 , the first sprocket  228  is rotated in the counterclockwise direction in  FIG. 4  via the axis  236 . As a result, the chain  232  is circulated in the counterclockwise direction. 
   Accordingly, the coins dropped in the holding bowl  132  are stirred by the plate  146  and the pushing member  148  and coin positions thereof are changed in various ways. In the course of changing position, only one coin is received in each of the receiving portions  138 . That is, a coin resides in the receiving portion  138  while one face of the coin is in surface contact with the disc  140 , and the coin moves with rotation of the disc  140  while being pushed by one lateral side of the plate  146 . 
   Immediately after the receiving portion  138  has passed an upper most position, the pushing member  148  pivots in the counterclockwise direction, and moves in the circumferential direction of the disc  140 . As a result, the coin residing in the receiving portion  138  is pushed in the circumferential direction of the disc by the pushing member  148 . The pushed out coin will be further pushed by the pushing lever  184  of the rotor  172  rotating in cooperation with the disc  140  immediately after it is guided by the receiver  134 . 
   When the coins dropped into the holding bowl  132  exceed a predetermined number, a full signal is outputted from the full amount sensor  136 . In response to this full signal, the motor  126  is stopped even when the photoelectric sensor  128  detects a slotted coin, and thus an excess input of coins into the separating and sending device  104  is prevented. 
   When the coins in the holding bowl  132  are sent out by rotation of the rotary plate  130 , and a full signal is no longer outputted from the full amount sensor  136 , and the photoelectric sensor  128  outputs a money reception signal, the motor  126  is actuated again, and coins on the money reception flat belt  122  are supplied to the separating and sending device  104 . 
   Any coin pushed by the pushing lever  184  travels the movement path  190  while one face thereof is in contact with the slide base  170 . At this time, the coin moves while its circumferential face is pushed against the linear guide part  188  of the reference guide  174  due to its own centrifugal force and due to a circumferentially pushing force exerted thereon because the pushing part  206  makes an obtuse angle with the reference guide  174 . 
   In the course of this movement, the upper and lower faces of the coin face the thickness sensor  164 . Although small-diametric coins such as 1-cent coin will not directly face the sensor  164 , medium to large-diametric coins such as 50-cent coin and 2-euro coin face at their upper parts will interact with the upper and lower second diameter sensor  194 . 
   The coins driven by pushing will have their upper and lower surfaces interact with the upper and lower material sensor  162 , and will face the entire or one face of the upper and lower first diameter sensor  192  and the upper and lower third diameter sensor  196  after a short delay. Therefore, the output from a coil of the thickness sensor  164  varies under the influence of the thickness of the coil and outputs from the respective coils of the second diameter sensor  194 , first diameter sensor  192  and third diameter sensor  196  vary under the influence of the facing area against the coin, and the output of the material sensor  162  varies under the influence of the material of the coin. 
   A controller can receive timing signals and output signals from the magnetic sensor unit to enable a removal of fake coins and to control its opening of gates for releasing of coins of a particular denomination to a storage hopper. Therefore, by comparing outputs from the sensors  162 ,  164 ,  192 ,  194  and  196  with stored predetermined reference values, it is possible to discriminate between real/fake coins and the denomination of each coin. 
   In particular, since coins are usually guided by the linear guide part  188  of the reference guide  174 , the position where a coin faces each of the sensors is usually kept identical. In other words, since the same sampling data is obtained for the same denomination of coins, accurate discrimination is realized. 
   In addition, since the slide base  170 , the rotor  172  and the upper cover  208  are formed of non-magnetic materials, magnetic fluxes generated by coils of the sensors will not be influenced by these components, and outputs of coils will be influenced only by any metal characteristics of the coins. This also contributes to improve the quality of the sampling data and enable coin discrimination with high accuracy. 
   As shown in  FIG. 7 , immediately after the maximum diametric part of the coin faces with the first diameter sensor  192  and the third diameter sensor  196 , a discrimination circuit (not shown) outputs a first denomination signal D 1 . When coins are sequentially discriminated, a second denomination signal D 2  is outputted, and denomination signals will be outputted in a similar manner after that. 
   Immediately after the first denomination signal D 1  is outputted, the timing sensor  176  detects one pushing lever  184  and outputs a timing signal T 1  of “H”. The first denomination signal D 1  will be stored in the controller in correlation with the timing signal T 1 . 
   After facing the material sensor  162 , the coin will be pushed out to the conveyance path  240  of the pushing pin  234  of the conveying device  108  by the pushing lever  184 . Immediately after being pushed out to the conveyance path  240 , the coin is pushed by the pushing pin  234  that is moved by the chain  232 . As a result, the coin is conveyed along the conveyance path  240  while its circumferential face is guided by the guide rail  226  and its one face is in surface contact with the slide plate  224 . 
   As the coin is conveyed along the conveyance path  240 , based on coin denomination stored in correlation with the timing signals T 1 , T 2  and of the timing sensor  176 , and based on the timing signals from the first timing sensor  280 , the second timing sensor  282 , the third timing sensor  284 , the fourth timing sensor  286  and the fifth timing sensor  288 , a respective gate device corresponding to each separating hole is actuated, and a specified denomination of coin is dropped into a specific separating hole. 
   In the case of fake coins, the first timing sensor  280  detects a leading end of the coin and outputs a reject position signal P 1  immediately after the first timing signal T 1  is outputted as shown in  FIG. 7 . Triggered by a trailing signal of the position signal P 1 , the gate of the reject separating hole  264  is opened for a predetermined time period. As a result, any fake coin conveyed along the guide rail  226  that is not guided by the movable guide  276  will drop into the reject separating hole  264  to drop onto the flat belt  330  under guidance of a shoot (not shown), and will be returned to the discharge tray  320  by the flat belt  330  that is actuated by the money reception signal of the photoelectric sensor  128 . 
   When the discriminated denomination is a 2-cent coin, the gate of the separating hole  254  is opened for a predetermined time based on the position signal outputted from the first timing sensor  280 . Accordingly, the 2-cent coin conveyed under guidance of the guide rail  226  will be guided by a shoot (not shown) and stored in a 2-cent hopper  310 - 2 C after dropping through the separating hole  254 . 
   When the discriminated denomination is a 5-cent coin, the gate of the separating hole  256  is opened for a predetermined time based on the position signal outputted from the second timing sensor  282 . Accordingly, the 5-cent coin conveyed under guidance of the guide rail  226  will be guided by a shoot (not shown) and stored in a 5-cent hopper  310 - 5 C after dropping through the separating hole  256 . 
   When the discriminated denomination is a 1-cent coin, the gate of the separating hole  266  is opened for a predetermined time period based on the position signal outputted from the second timing sensor  282 . Accordingly, the 1-cent coin conveyed under guidance of the guide rail  226  will be guided by a shoot (not shown) and stored in a 1-cent hopper  310 - 1 C after dropping through the separating hole  266 . 
   When the discriminated denomination is a 10-cent coin, the gate of the separating hole  258  is opened for a predetermined time based on the position signal outputted from the third timing sensor  284 . Accordingly, the 10-cent coin conveyed under guidance of the guide rail  226  will be guided by a shoot (not shown) and stored in a 10-cent hopper  310 - 10 C after dropping through the separating hole  258 . 
   When the discriminated denomination is a 2-euro coin, the gate of the separating hole  268  is opened for a predetermined time based on the position signal outputted from the third timing sensor  284 . Accordingly, the 2-euro coin conveyed under guidance of the guide rail  226  will be guided by a shoot (not shown) and stored in a 2-euro hopper  310 - 2 E after dropping through the separating hole  268 . 
   When the discriminated denomination is a 20-cent coin, the gate of the separating hole  260  is opened for a predetermined time based on the position signal outputted from the fourth timing sensor  286 . Accordingly, the 20-cent coin conveyed under guidance of the guide rail  226  will be guided by a shoot (not shown) and stored in a 20-cent hopper  310 - 20 C after dropping through the separating hole  260 . 
   When the discriminated denomination is a 50-cent coin, the gate of the separating hole  270  is opened for a predetermined time based on the position signal outputted from the fourth timing sensor  286 . Accordingly, the 50-cent coin conveyed under guidance of the guide rail  226  will be guided by a shoot (not shown) and stored in a 50-cent hopper  310 - 50 C after dropping through the separating hole  270 . 
   When the discriminated denomination is a 1-euro coin, the gate of the separating hole  272  is opened for a predetermined time based on the position signal outputted from the fifth timing sensor  288 . Accordingly, the 1-euro coin conveyed under guidance of the guide rail  226  will be guided by a shoot (not shown) and stored in a 1-euro hopper  310 - 1 E after dropping through the separating hole  272 . 
   When stored amounts of coins in any of the hoppers exceeds a predetermined value, namely, in the case of an overflow condition, the gate of the corresponding separating hole will not be opened. In other words, coins will drop into the overflow separating hole  262  but not in any of the separating holes, so that they are held in an overflow hopper  310 -OF. 
   A detection signal of the overflow achievement sensor  290  is used as a signal for confirming that a coin has reached the overflow hopper  310 -OF. Therefore, coins slotted through the slot  120  will be separated by a predetermined denomination separating hole based on the coin denomination discriminated by the denomination discriminating device  106 . 
   For dispensing a specified number of coins, first, the motor  332  drives the flat belt  330  such that the top face of the belt moves toward the discharge tray  320 . Then the specified number of coins are dispensed from the hopper of the specified denomination and sent out to the discharge tray  320  by the flat belt  330 . 
   Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the amended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

Technology Category: 3