JP2004005746A - Passage width regulator for coin handling apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To cope with processing of coins of any diameter, to allow accurate and sure setting of a passage width, and to very easily conduct changing operation for kind of the coins. <P>SOLUTION: In this passage width regulator for a coin handling apparatus, a stepless cam for passage width regulation is positioned in a rotational fixed point, by rotating a pulse motor reverse-directionally in every assignment of the kind of coin, so as to bring a cam follower into contact with a regulation part of the cam, and the pulse motor is rotated normal-directionally by a rate of a pulse corresponding to the kind of the coin assigned in this time to set the passage width, after the rotational fixed position is detected by a fixed position detecting sensor. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

The present invention generally relates to coins such as coins, medals, and tokens (in the present application, coin-shaped media, such as coins, medals, and tokens, which are used in transactions with a currency function or a currency-like function. The present invention relates to a coin handling machine such as a coin counter for counting coins, a coin wrapping machine for packing coins, etc., and in particular, a pair of passage members for setting a passage width in a radial direction of coins. A coin path is formed, and coins sent from the rotating disk are fed one by one into the coin path and conveyed, and at least one of the pair of path members is movable so as to be movable in the path width direction. The passage width is set by moving the movable passage member by rotating the passage width adjusting cam according to the diameter of coins of the type to be processed, and the coins are conveyed on the coin passage. In between, the kind of hard to be treated A coin processing machine that sorts and removes coins smaller in diameter than the class, counts the types of coins to be processed, and sends out the types of coins to be processed from the end of the coin path to the next process. About.

In the above coin processing machine, as a conventional example of a passage width adjusting device for a coin processing machine for setting a passage width of a coin passage, there is a conventional example 1 described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 53-103795.

In the coin processing machine of the conventional example 1, a coin passage is formed by a pair of passage members for setting a passage width in a radial direction of coins, and coins sent from the rotating disk are passed one by one. At least one of the pair of passage members is constituted by a movable passage member movable in the passage width direction, and the movable passage member is formed to have a passage width in accordance with the diameter of coins to be processed. The passage width is set by moving the adjusting cam by rotation, and while the coins are conveyed on the coin passage, coins having a diameter smaller than the diameter of coins to be processed are sorted out and processed. It performs processing such as counting of types of coins, and sends out the types of coins to be processed from the end of the coin path to the next step.

The passage width adjusting device is mounted on a movable passage member, a passage width adjusting cam for moving the movable passage member, and a shaft of the passage width adjusting cam. And a coin type setting handle for rotating the axis of the coin.When changing the type of coins, the coin type setting handle is manually rotated to rotate the passage width adjusting cam to process the movable path member. The width of the passage is set by moving the coin to the position corresponding to the diameter of the power type coin.

The passage width adjusting cam is formed in a stepless manner in which the distance from the center of rotation to the peripheral surface increases continuously and smoothly with rotation.

Further, as another conventional example, there is a conventional example 2 described in JP-A-63-15388.

The conventional example 2 is also a coin processing machine substantially similar to the conventional example 1, and the passage width adjusting device has a feed screw shaft whose tip is fixed to a movable passage member. The movable passage member extends in the direction of increasing the passage width.

ナ ッ ト A nut engaged with the threaded portion of the feed screw shaft is rotatably provided in the intermediate region in the extending direction of the feed screw shaft with respect to a bearing provided on a fixing member on the main body side. Since the bearing is arranged at a fixed position in the extending direction of the feed screw shaft, the nut is also at a fixed position in the extending direction of the feed screw shaft.

と 共 に Further, a first gear integrated with the nut is provided, and a second gear meshing with the first gear is provided on a shaft of the stepping motor. The rotation of this stepping motor is controlled by a controller.

通路 There are two methods of adjusting the passage width of the passage width adjusting device by changing the type of coins.

One method is to specify the type of coins using a manual selection switch. This method uses the controller to change the forward or reverse rotation of the feed screw shaft from the previously specified coin type and the currently specified coin type. In this method, the direction and the rotation angle are calculated, and the stepping motor is rotated by a pulse corresponding thereto.

Another method is a method of operating an automatic selection switch, and this method is a process of setting a passage width of coins of the type having the largest diameter, a process of counting, and the like, and when a process of all coins of the type is completed, Next, when the passage width setting of coins of the type having the larger diameter, processing of counting, etc., and the processing of all coins of that type are completed, thereafter, in the same manner, the types of coins are selected in order of diameter, Processing such as setting the passage width and counting of coins of that type, processing of all coins of that type is performed, and the same procedure is repeated until processing of all types of coins is completed.

In this second method, the controller determines the direction of rotation of the feed screw shaft, that is, the forward rotation direction or the reverse rotation direction (in the direction of increasing the passage width) from the type of coins specified previously and the type of coins having the largest diameter. The corresponding direction is referred to as the forward rotation direction of the feed screw shaft. The same applies hereinafter) and the rotation angle thereof, and the stepping motor is rotated by the corresponding pulse, thereby making the passage width have the maximum diameter. The width of the coins is set to the width, and processing such as counting is performed. When the process is completed, the controller determines the rotation direction of the feed screw shaft, that is, the path width corresponding to the type of coins having the largest diameter and the path width corresponding to the type of coins having the second largest coin diameter. By calculating the forward rotation direction or the reverse rotation direction and the rotation angle thereof, and rotating the stepping motor by the corresponding pulse, the passage width is reduced to the passage width of coins having the second largest coin diameter. Set and perform processing such as counting. When the processing of coins of the type having the largest diameter is shifted to the processing of coins of the type having the second largest coin diameter, the path width of the coins to be set is reduced. The rotation direction of the shaft is the reverse direction. In this manner, thereafter, in the same manner, the types of coins are selected in the order of the diameter, and the processing of setting the passage width of the type of coins, counting, and the like, and processing all the types of coins are performed. The same procedure is repeated until the processing of the coins of the kind is completed.

In any of the above two methods, coins may be jammed in the coin handling machine, so that in order to cope with such an obstacle, the movable passage member and the feed screw shaft are subject to handling. The coins can be opened up to the passage width maximum opening position where the passage width is larger than the passage width corresponding to the coins having the largest diameter among the coins.

Therefore, a sensor plate is fixed to one end of the feed screw shaft in the axial direction, and the home position sensor of the light emitting / receiving type detects the sensor plate when the movable passage member and the feed screw shaft are located at the passage width maximum open position. It is supposed to.

Then, when coins are jammed, the movable passage member and the feed screw shaft are moved from the passage width setting position corresponding to the currently specified coin type to the passage width maximum open position by rotation of the stepping motor, and the jammed coins are moved. Is removed and discharged.

At this time, since the home position sensor detects the sensor plate, after the jammed coins are removed and ejected, the passage width maximum opening position of the feed screw shaft and the passage width setting position corresponding to the coin type currently designated are set. From, the rotation angle of the feed screw shaft for returning the movable passage member and the feed screw shaft to the passage width setting position corresponding to the currently specified coin type is calculated, and the stepping motor is rotated in the reverse direction by the corresponding pulse. Then, the movable passage member and the feed screw shaft are moved to the passage width setting position corresponding to the currently specified coin type, and the processing such as counting is restarted.
JP-A-53-103795 JP-A-63-15388

As described above, in the passage width adjusting device of the above-mentioned conventional example 1, when changing the type of coins to be processed, the coin type setting handle is manually rotated to rotate the passage width adjusting cam, and the type of coin to be processed is changed. The passage width adjusting cam is stopped at a position corresponding to the diameter of coins. In particular, since the passage width adjusting cam is stepless, for example, a gear is mounted on the shaft of the setting handle so as to accurately stop the passage width adjusting cam at a position corresponding to the diameter of coins to be processed. At the same time, a clip piece is provided which comes into pressure contact with the tooth surface of the gear so that the passage width adjusting cam can be stopped at an arbitrary position in the rotational direction.

However, the cam for adjusting the passage width can be stopped at an arbitrary position in the rotation direction by a gear provided on the shaft of the setting handle and a clip piece that presses and contacts the tooth surface of the gear. In order to accurately stop the passage width adjusting cam at the position corresponding to the diameter of coins to be processed, the coin type scale on the setting handle and the arrow for fixing the position are accurately aligned visually. Must.

However, it is very difficult to stop the passage width adjusting cam accurately at a predetermined position by manual operation. If misalignment occurs in the direction in which the passage width becomes narrower, coins of a type to be processed are required. May be jammed in the coin passage, and conversely, if the misalignment occurs in the direction of increasing the passage width, coins of the type to be processed are removed from the sorting groove of the coin passage. Sometimes.

In view of the above, the passage width adjusting device of Conventional Example 1 is a passage width adjusting cam having a stepless cam surface in which the distance from the center of rotation to the peripheral surface continuously and smoothly increases with rotation. Nevertheless, for each type of coin having a very small diameter difference, an arc-shaped flat surface (a predetermined radius having a predetermined radius corresponding to the diameter of one type of coin) is provided in the middle of the stepless cam surface for each type of coin. Each cam surface extends over the angle α to adjust the passage width.

Even in the case where such an arc-shaped flat surface is formed, the above-mentioned problem is not solved for a stepless cam surface region in which the distance from the center of rotation to the peripheral surface continuously and smoothly increases with rotation. Still exists.

Although the above problem does not occur in the arc-shaped flat surface, the arc-shaped flat surface is formed in the passage width adjusting cam, so that a portion having a radius corresponding to each type of coins can be formed. This has the disadvantage that the room for possible areas is reduced and consequently country-specific passage width adjustment cams must be provided.

As described above, in the passage width adjusting device of the first conventional example, in the stepless cam surface region where the distance from the rotation center to the peripheral surface continuously and smoothly increases with the rotation, the passage width adjusting cam is used. There is a problem that it is very difficult to stop accurately, and it is very difficult to accurately set a passage width based on a change in the type of coins. When an arc-shaped flat surface is formed in the middle of the stepless cam surface area, the passage width setting operation of coins of the type corresponding to the cam radius included in that portion becomes easy, but it is exclusive to each country. There is a drawback that a cam for adjusting the width of the passage must be prepared, the number of components of the apparatus is increased, and replacement of the components is required.

On the other hand, the passage width adjusting device of Conventional Example 2 positions the movable passage member with the feed screw shaft and the nut. However, the nut is engaged with the screw portion, and the nut is provided on the bearing provided on the fixing member on the main body side. Because it is provided rotatably, play is required between the threaded portion and the nut and between the bearing and the nut provided on the fixed member, making it difficult to set the movable passage member at the correct passage width position. There is a problem that is.

When changing the type of coins, the controller calculates the forward or reverse rotation direction and the rotation angle of the feed screw shaft based on the type of coins specified last time and the type of coins specified this time, and performs stepping. The motor is rotated by the corresponding pulse, but as described above, the position of the movable passage member at the time of the previously specified coin type is deviated from the original position due to play on the mechanism or the like. And, the position of the movable passage member corresponding to the type of coins designated this time will also be set to the wrong position, and the set passage width will be narrower than the original passage width, and coins of the type designated this time will be The coin passage is jammed, the set passage width is wider than the original passage width, and coins of a larger diameter than the coins specified this time enter the coin passage or coins of the designated type this time Kinds are small coins Also it may be or is selected eliminated from the coin passage as well.

Further, when coins are jammed in the coin passage during coins processing, as described above, the movable passage member and the feed screw shaft are moved from the passage width setting position corresponding to the currently specified coin type to the stepping motor. Is moved to the passage width maximum open position by the rotation of the coin, so that the jammed coins are removed and ejected. At this time, when the home position sensor detects the sensor plate, the jammed coins are removed and ejected. The movable passage member and the feed screw shaft are returned to the passage width setting position corresponding to the currently specified coin type from the passage width maximum opening position of the feed screw shaft and the passage width setting position corresponding to the currently specified coin type. The rotation angle of the feed screw shaft is calculated and the stepping motor is rotated in the reverse direction by the number of corresponding pulses to move the movable passage member and the feed screw shaft to the currently specified coin type. Move the passage width setting position and resumes the processing of counting the like.

However, the above-mentioned mechanism detects a sensor plate fixed to one end in the axial direction of the feed screw shaft by the home position sensor of the light emitting and receiving type when the passage width of the feed screw shaft is maximized. There is no guarantee that the feed screw shaft will stop at the maximum width open position, and the feed screw shaft will be moved from the position where the feed screw shaft stops as the passage width maximum open position to the position corresponding to the passage width of coins of the type currently specified. In order to perform the operation of returning, the movable passage member at the time of the return often becomes an incorrect position, and the passage width becomes wider or narrower than the original passage width, and the above-described problem occurs.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can cope with the processing of coins of any diameter, and the setting of the passage width is accurate and reliable, and the passage width of a coin processing machine in which the operation of changing the type of coins is very easy is performed. It is an object to provide an adjusting device.

In order to achieve the above object, a coin width adjusting device for a coin handling machine according to a first configuration of the present invention includes:
A coin passage is formed by a pair of passage members that set a radial passage width of coins as a disk-like medium used for trading with a function of money or a function similar to money, and sent out from the rotating disk. The coins to be processed are fed one by one into the coin passage and conveyed, and at least one of the pair of passage members is constituted by a movable passage member movable in a passage width direction, and is provided with a The movable passage member is moved in accordance with the diameter of the coins by moving the cam for adjusting the passage width to set the passage width, and while the coins are conveyed on the coin passage, coins of the type to be processed are Coin processing that sorts and removes coins smaller in diameter than the class, counts the types of coins to be processed, and sends out the types of coins to be processed from the end of the coin path to the next step. On the machine,
The movable passage member which can be moved in a direction in which the passage width is enlarged by spring bias,
A cam follower that moves integrally with the movable passage member,
A spiral-shaped spiral cam portion whose distance from the rotation axis gradually increases from a minimum radius to a maximum radius in accordance with rotation in one of the rotation directions and reaches the maximum radius, and a maximum of the spiral-shaped cam portion in contact with the cam follower. A restriction portion formed at the minimum radius portion of the portion connecting the radius portion and the minimum radius portion, wherein the cam follower heading from the maximum radius portion to the minimum radius portion with rotation of the spiral cam portion; The movable passage member has a regulating portion that regulates continuous movement of a contact position with the spiral cam portion to the minimum radius portion, thereby regulating movement of the movable passage member in the direction of enlargement of the passage width; A stepless cam for passage width adjustment for steplessly adjusting the passage width of coin passages,
The stepless cam for adjusting the passage width is in a positional relationship with the cam follower moving integrally with the movable passage member so as to suppress the movement of the movable passage member in the direction in which the passage width is enlarged. A rotating shaft that integrally arranges the passage width adjusting stepless cam so as to rotate the passage width adjusting stepless cam in the positional relationship,
A fixed position detection sensor that detects a rotational position of the passage width adjusting stepless cam as a rotation fixed position when the cam follower contacts the regulating portion of the passage width adjusting stepless cam,
When rotating in the forward direction, the radius of the stepless cam for adjusting the passage width at the contact position with the cam follower gradually increases, and when rotating in the reverse direction, the radius of the stepless cam for adjusting the passage width at the contact position with the cam follower does not increase. A pulse motor for rotating the rotating shaft in the forward direction or the reverse direction so that the radius of the step cam gradually decreases;
By rotating the pulse motor in the reverse direction each time the type of coins is specified, the stepless cam for adjusting the passage width is positioned at the rotation fixed position, and the cam follower is moved to the position of the stepless cam for adjusting the passage width. After the rotation position is detected by the home position detection sensor by the home position detection sensor, the pulse motor is rotated in the forward direction by the number of pulses corresponding to the type of coins designated this time, and the width of the passage is changed. A passage width setting control unit for setting the
It is characterized by having.

In order to achieve the above object, a passage width adjusting device for a coin handling machine according to a second configuration of the present invention includes:
A coin passage is formed by a pair of passage members that set a radial passage width of coins as a disk-like medium used for trading with a function of money or a function similar to money, and sent out from the rotating disk. The coins to be processed are fed one by one into the coin passage and conveyed, and at least one of the pair of passage members is constituted by a movable passage member movable in a passage width direction, and is provided with a The movable passage member is moved in accordance with the diameter of the coins by moving the cam for adjusting the passage width to set the passage width, and while the coins are conveyed on the coin passage, coins of the type to be processed are Coin processing that sorts and removes coins smaller in diameter than the class, counts the types of coins to be processed, and sends out the types of coins to be processed from the end of the coin path to the next step. On the machine,
The movable passage member which can be moved in a direction in which the passage width is enlarged by spring bias,
A cam follower that moves integrally with the movable passage member,
A spiral-shaped spiral cam portion whose distance from the rotation axis gradually increases from a minimum radius to a maximum radius in accordance with rotation in one of the rotation directions and reaches the maximum radius, and a maximum of the spiral-shaped cam portion in contact with the cam follower. A restriction portion formed at the minimum radius portion of the portion connecting the radius portion and the minimum radius portion, wherein the cam follower heading from the maximum radius portion to the minimum radius portion with rotation of the spiral cam portion; The movable passage member has a regulating portion that regulates continuous movement of a contact position with the spiral cam portion to the minimum radius portion, thereby regulating movement of the movable passage member in the direction of enlargement of the passage width; A stepless cam for passage width adjustment for steplessly adjusting the passage width of coin passages,
The stepless cam for adjusting the passage width is in a positional relationship with the cam follower moving integrally with the movable passage member so as to suppress the movement of the movable passage member in the direction in which the passage width is enlarged. A rotating shaft that integrally arranges the passage width adjusting stepless cam so as to rotate the passage width adjusting stepless cam in the positional relationship,
A fixed position detection sensor that detects a rotational position of the passage width adjusting stepless cam as a rotation fixed position when the cam follower contacts the regulating portion of the passage width adjusting stepless cam,
When rotating in the forward direction, the radius of the stepless cam for adjusting the passage width at the contact position with the cam follower gradually increases, and when rotating in the reverse direction, the radius of the stepless cam for adjusting the passage width at the contact position with the cam follower does not increase. A pulse motor for rotating the rotating shaft in the forward direction or the reverse direction so that the radius of the step cam gradually decreases;
Coin type designation means for designating the type of coins;
A storage unit that stores coin type passage width information corresponding to the type of coins for each type of coins;
Each time the type of coins is designated by the coin type designation means, the pulse motor is rotated in the reverse direction to position the stepless cam for adjusting the passage width at the rotation fixed position, thereby setting the cam follower to A coin corresponding to the type of coin specified in the coin path width information for each type of coin stored in the storage unit, in contact with the regulation unit of the stepless cam for adjusting passage width. After reading the class passage width information and detecting the rotation fixed position by the fixed position detection sensor, based on the read coin class passage width information, the pulse motor is controlled by a pulse corresponding to the type of coin designated this time. A passage width setting control unit configured to set the passage width by rotating in the forward rotation direction;
It is characterized by having.

According to the passage width adjusting device for a coin handling machine according to the first configuration of the present invention, the pulse motor is rotated in the reverse direction each time the type of coin is designated, so that the passage width adjusting device is not used. A step cam is located at the rotation fixed position, the cam follower is brought into contact with the restricting portion of the passage width adjusting stepless cam, and after detecting the rotation fixed position by the fixed position detection sensor, the coins designated this time. The width of the passage is set by rotating the pulse motor in the forward rotation direction by the number of pulses corresponding to the type.

Further, according to the passage width adjusting device for a coin handling machine according to the second configuration of the present invention, the pulse motor is rotated in the reverse direction each time coin type is designated by the coin type designation means. By rotating the stepless cam for passage width adjustment, the cam follower is brought into contact with the regulating portion of the stepless cam for passage width adjustment, and stored in the storage section. The coin path width information corresponding to the specified coin type is read out of the coin path width information for each type of coin, and after the rotation fixed position is detected by the fixed position detection sensor, the read coin is read. Based on the class passage width information, the pulse motor is rotated in the forward direction by the number of pulses corresponding to the type of coins designated this time to set the passage width.

In any of the above-described passage width adjusting devices for coin processing machines according to the first and second configurations of the present invention, coins of any diameter can be obtained by using the stepless cam for adjusting the passage width rotated by the pulse motor. The width of the passage can also be set arbitrarily for the type of coins, and the passage width is automatically set to a value that matches the diameter of the type of coins by specifying the type of coins to be processed. The operation of changing the type of coins to be processed becomes extremely easy.

Also, when the fixed position detection sensor detects the rotation fixed position of the stepless cam for adjusting the width of the passage, the cam follower is in contact with the regulating portion of the stepless cam for adjusting the width of the passage. The continuous movement of the contact position between the cam follower and the spiral cam portion toward the part is restricted to the minimum radius part, and the movement of the movable passage member in the direction in which the passage width is increased is also restricted.

The rotation constant position of the passage width adjusting stepless cam is a position where further movement of the passage width adjusting stepless cam with respect to the cam follower is prevented and regulated, and thus the passage width adjusting stepless cam by the fixed position detection sensor is used. At the time of detection of the fixed rotation position of the cam, it is guaranteed that the stepless cam for adjusting the passage width is surely at the fixed rotation position, and the subsequent operation of setting the passage width is performed using the fixed rotation position as the reference position. Therefore, the contact position between the cam follower and the spiral cam portion corresponding to the type of the specified coins is also set to the correct stop position, and the movable passage member is also set to move to the correct position.

In short, no matter what kind of coins are specified, the stepless cam for adjusting the passage width always starts the setting operation of the passage width from a fixed rotation fixed position, that is, the position of the maximum passage width, and rotates by a predetermined pulse. Since the passage width is set in this way, an accurate passage width can be reliably set without any error. Also, at the time of setting the passage width, the passage width is temporarily moved to the position of the maximum passage width, and then the passage width is reduced to the position of the set passage width, so that coins are left in a state of being pinched between the coin passages. Even if the coin width is once moved to the maximum position, the coins can be removed from the coin passage.

Note that the stepless cam for adjusting the width of the passage can be used commonly for coins of various countries, so that costs can be reduced in designing, manufacturing, and capital investment of equipment.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings. The present embodiment shows an example in which coins of coins are targeted. In addition, a coin wrapping machine is shown as an example among coin processing machines.

First, a coin wrapping machine according to the present embodiment will be described.
As shown schematically in FIG. 1, the coin wrapping machine 1 includes a rotating disk 4 for supplying and receiving coins inside a coin hopper 3 opened at an upper portion of a body 2, and a rotating disk 4. A rotary disk 5 receiving coin supply from 4 is rotatably provided, and a coin passage 6 for performing processing such as sorting and counting of coins is provided substantially tangentially to the rotary disk 5, and at a terminal end thereof. A coin accumulating unit 7 for accumulating a fixed number of coins is provided with a wrapping unit 10 having three wrapping rollers 9, 9, 9 at the lower part thereof for receiving the accumulated coins accumulated by the accumulating unit 7 and wrapping them with wrapping paper 8. Here, the wrapped coins (coins) are discharged from the outlet 11 at the lower part of the body 2. In the figure, 12 is a wrapping paper feed roller, 13 is a cutter for cutting the wrapping paper 8 to a required length, and 14 and 14 are for folding and crimping the upper and lower ends of the wrapping paper wound around the stacked coins. It is a hook. The wrapping paper feed roller 12, the cutter 13, and the hooks 14, 14 also function as a part of the wrapping unit 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, the coin passage 6 has a passage entrance bottom plate 15 located substantially in the same plane as the disk 5 at the entrance thereof, and a sorting groove provided following the entrance bottom plate 15 and corresponding to the coin diameter. It has a fixed passage member 16 and a movable passage member 17 whose width L (FIG. 1) is determined, and a passage outlet bottom plate 18 provided downstream of each of the passage members 16 and 17. A small-diameter coin exclusion hole 19 is formed between the outlet bottom plate 18.

Further, a loading mechanism 147 for loading a memory card into a later-described coin information input / output unit 135 (see FIG. 13) is provided on the front surface of the coin wrapping machine 1.

Next, the configuration of the coin passage including the coin passage width adjusting unit 141 as the coin passage width adjusting device will be described.
FIG. 2 shows a coin passage in a maximum passage width state, and FIG. 3 shows a coin passage in a minimum passage width state.

The movable passage member 17 has an extension 20 extending in the horizontal direction behind a straight edge portion 17b having a step 17a for forming the coin passage 6, and the extension portion 20 is provided with respect to the edge portion 17b. Guide rollers 22 mounted on the body 2 side are fitted into elongated holes 21, 21 formed in a direction orthogonal to each other, so that the movable passage member 17 can move linearly in a direction in which the movable passage member 17 is separated from and brought into contact with the fixed passage member 16. And a stepless cam 25 (referred to as "passage width" in the present invention), which is rotatably mounted on a side of the fuselage 2 on a shaft 24 as a rotating shaft. The spring 26 (which corresponds to “spring bias” in the present invention) is always in contact with the peripheral surface of the adjusting stepless cam.

The radius of the stepless cam 25 gradually increases from its minimum radius portion 25a (corresponding to "minimum radius portion" in the present invention) to its maximum radius portion 25b (corresponding to "maximum radius portion" in the present invention). It has a spiral shape (corresponding to the "spiral-shaped cam portion" of the present invention), and the minimum radius portion 25a of the portion connecting the maximum radius portion 25b and the minimum radius portion 25a of the spiral cam portion has a regulating portion. When the cam follower 23 is fitted in the concave portion 25c, the movable passage member 17 is set at the maximum open position, and this is set as the fixed position. S ₁ is the position sensor for detecting the maximum open position. The stepless cam 25 is rotated for a predetermined angle by the pulse motor M _1.

One end of an auxiliary passage member 27 having an L shape when viewed from a plane is connected to a downstream end of the movable passage member 17 by a pin 28, and the other end of the auxiliary passage member 27 is connected to a guide 29 fixed to the body 2 by a spring. When the movable passage member 17 moves, the position of the passage surface 27a of the auxiliary passage member 27 changes, and when the passage width is expanded, the edge portion of the movable passage member 17 as shown in FIG. 17b, it is displaced linearly with respect to the edge portion 17b of the movable passage member 17 as the passage width is narrowed, and the end of the coin passage 6 remains at the coin accumulation portion even if the passage width is changed. 7, the end of the passage surface 27a of the auxiliary passage member 27 becomes closer to the coin accumulation portion 7 as the end of the passage surface 27a becomes smaller.

The end of the passage outlet bottom plate 18 on the side of the movable passage member 17 is rotatably supported on the body 2 side by a shaft 31, and a pin 32 projecting from the lower surface of the outlet bottom plate 18 is provided with a movable passage member 17. Of the portion 33 extending toward the coin passage 6 side, the outlet bottom plate 18 is moved about the shaft 31 through the long hole 34 and the pin 32 by the movement of the movable passage member 17 in the direction of narrowing the passage width. It is gradually rotated clockwise in the figure.

On the free end side of the outlet bottom plate 18, there is an auxiliary passage member 35 provided on the extension of the edge 16b with the step 16a of the fixed passage member 16, and a count sensor S ₂ downstream of the auxiliary passage member 35 for counting the number of coin passages. operation, the coin is provided a check sensor S ₃ for checking whether or not passed, after the coins pass through a predetermined number of sheets between the sensors S _2, S _3, by a solenoid (not shown) in order to stop the subsequent coin A stopper 36 is provided so as to be able to advance on the passage trajectory of coins. On the free end side of the outlet bottom plate 18, a bottom plate supporting roller 38 is supported via an arm 37. The roller 38 is placed on a flat plate 39 on the side of the body 2, and the free end side of the outlet bottom plate 18 is Supporting. Further, rollers 40, 40, 40 for guiding the lower surface of the coin are mounted on the exit end of the exit bottom plate 18. The auxiliary passage member 35 and the sensors S ₂ and S ₃ are arranged such that a virtual line connecting them is always parallel to or close to the passage surface 27 a of the auxiliary passage member 27 on the movable passage member 17 side. . S ₄ in FIG. 2 shows a level sensor for detecting the presence and level of the coin on the rotary disk 5, 41 is between the upper surface of the disk 5 for preventing the coin to the coin passage 6 enters in 2 ply 2 shows a thickness regulating member facing a gap larger than the thickness of one coin being handled and smaller than the thickness of two coins. Reference numeral 42 denotes a guide plate which is attached to the movable passage member 17 and is placed on the rotating disk 5 to guide coins moving on the disk 5 to the downstream side in the rotation direction of the disk 5 to eliminate the accumulation of coins. Is shown.

Next, the coin passage height adjusting unit 142 as coin passage height adjusting means will be described. This adjusting section is realized by adjusting the height of the thickness regulating member 41 and the conveyor belt 43 which contacts the upper surface of the coin fed into the coin passage 6 and conveys the coin in the downstream direction.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the support mechanism of the transport belt 43, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views when the height of the transport belt 43 is the highest position and the lowest position. One end of each of the front and rear two blocks 46, 46 is pivotally supported by shafts 47, 47 on bearing portions 45, 45 on the front and rear of a fixing plate 44 fixedly provided on the body 2 side, and opposite to the blocks 46, 46. At the ends, bearings 49, 49 on the upper part of a movable frame 48 are pivotally supported by shafts 50, 50. Further, the bearings 51, 51 on the lower ends of the blocks 46, 46 are connected by a link 52, and are parallel to each other. It constitutes a four-bar linkage.

A pulley 53 on the inlet side of the conveyor belt 43 is attached to a side surface of the movable frame 48 by a shaft 54, and pulleys 55 and 56 on the downstream side are mounted on a rocking plate 57. The intermediate portion is pivotally supported on the side surface of the movable frame 48 by a shaft 58, and the other end abuts a stopper 61 attached to the movable frame 48 to restrict the pulleys 55 and 56 from descending. A tension spring 60 is hung between a rocking plate 57 and a member 59 pivotally supported by a shaft 58 and having a pressing roller 43a at the tip, and a predetermined force or more is applied regardless of the height position where the movable frame 48 is placed. When a pushing force is applied, that is, when a thick coin enters, the swinging plate 57 can escape upward. A tension spring 62 is stretched between the movable frame 48 and the fixed plate 44 to constantly urge the movable frame 48 upward.

At the downstream end of the movable frame 48, the base of a detection plate 63 is pivotally supported by a shaft 64. In the vicinity of the shaft 64, a contact portion 65 that faces the upper part of the coin stacking portion 7 and detects the stacking height of coins is provided. Is provided. That the detection unit 64 of the tip is related to the sensor S ₅ provided on the movable frame 48 (photosensor), the detection unit 64 is exhausted headspace of the coin stacking section 7 when operated sensor S ₅ It is made to detect.

A motor M ₂ (DC motor) is provided on the lower surface of the fixed plate 44. A fixed position detecting plate 66, a stepless cam 67, a slit plate 68 for detecting a rotation angle are provided on a shaft rotated by the motor M _2. A fixed position detection sensor S ₆ is provided around the fixed position detection plate 66, and a rotation angle detection sensor S ₇ is provided around the slit plate 68.

The stepless cam 67 is in contact with a cam follower 69 axle mounted at the center of the movable frame 48, and the rotation of the cam 67 causes the movable frame 48 to move up and down via the cam follower 69. The position where the cam follower 69 abuts on the minimum radius position of the cam 67 is defined as the home position. The thickness regulating member 41 is fixed to the entrance end of the movable frame 48, and the height of the thickness regulating member 41 is adjusted according to the thickness of the coin to be handled in accordance with the elevation of the movable frame 48. In the drawing, reference numeral 70 denotes a pulley that receives a rotational force from a drive motor of the transport belt 43.

Next, a description will be given of a configuration including the stacking section inner diameter adjusting section 143 as the inner diameter adjusting means of the coin stacking section.

As shown in a perspective view in FIG. 7 and plan views in FIGS. 8 and 9, left and right belts are attached to pulleys 73, 74 and 75, 76 paired with the upper and lower portions of left and right blocks 71, 72. The belts 77 and 78 are wound, and coins are stacked between the opposing surfaces of the belts 77 and 78. Coin protruding portions 79, 79, 80, and 80 are formed on the outer surfaces of the belts 77 and 78. Are provided at symmetrical positions of the left and right belts 77, 78. In the example shown in the figure, two belts 77, 78 are provided at equal intervals so as to carry out two times of lamination. The left and right blocks 71 and 72 are urged by a tension spring 81 in a direction to be attracted to each other.

The positions of the blocks 71 and 72 are adjusted by a parallel link mechanism in a direction in which they come and go steplessly. The link mechanism includes a first link 83 having an intermediate portion rotatably supported on a base 82 by a shaft 83a in a horizontal plane and one end of which is connected to one end of a block 71 by a shaft 71a. A second link 86 rotatably supported in a horizontal plane by 84 and having one end connected to a block 72 on the other side by a shaft 85, and one end connected to the block 71 by the shaft 71a and the other end to the second link 86 A third link 88 connected to the other end by a pin 87, and a fourth and fifth link 89, 90 having one end connected to the opposite surface of the blocks 71 and 72 and the other end pivotally supported by the base 82 side. And a cam follower 91 pivotally attached to the other end of the first link 83 is brought into contact with a peripheral surface of a stepless cam 92 rotated by a pulse motor M ₃ provided on a base 82, and a belt 77. , 78 minimum spacing , I.e. the position the minimum radial position of the stepless cam 92 as a constant position is adapted to be detected by the position detection sensor S _8.

An intermediate portion of a lever 94 having a closing member 93 at a tip end for closing an opening surface on the coin entry side between the belts 77 and 78 is pivotally supported on a base 82 by the shaft 84, and another end of the first link 83 is provided. The pin 97 at the other end of the lever 94 is loosely connected to the long hole 96 of the other end of the link 95 connected to the lever 95, and the lever 94 is always separated from the coin accumulation unit 7 by the tension spring 98. Biased in the direction. Guide members 99 and 100 are fixed to the blocks 71 and 72 to prevent the coins from deviating when the coins are accumulated.

The driving means for the belts 77 and 78 of the coin stacking unit 7 is provided by pulleys 74 and 76 below the belts 77 and 78 as shown in FIG. 10 when small coins are stacked and FIG. 11 when large coins are stacked. Gears 103 and 104 fixed to the shafts 101 and 102, arms 105 and 106 rotatably fitted and supported on the shafts 101 and 102, and gears 107 and 108 mounted on tips of the arms 105 and 106. When, this axis 109 and 110 of the gear 107 and 108 is composed of a vertically movable member 112 along the longitudinal direction of the guide rod 111 is supported by the pulse motor M ₄ to the gear 103 on the shaft of one pulley 74 The rotating drive gear 113 is meshed, and the gears 103, 107, 108, 104 are always meshed. Therefore, even if the interval between the belts 77 and 78 changes, the rotation of the driving gear 113 is always transmitted to the left and right pulleys 74 and 76.

Because the coin wrapping section 10 can cope with any kind of coins by the conventional configuration, the same configuration as the conventional configuration may be adopted, and the description thereof will be omitted.

Next, a description will be given of the operation and display panel unit 114 provided on the inclined portion on the upper front side of the coin wrapping machine 1. The panel unit 114 has a key unit 115 having a numeric keypad on one side as shown in an example of the layout in FIG. 12, and a button for designating the number of batches in the counting mode and the number of batches in the packaging mode. 116, a mode switching button 117 for packaging and counting is included. By operating the key portion 115, a denomination, a diameter, a thickness, and the number of package units of the coin to be processed can be input. The other side of the panel unit 114 is a display unit 118. The display unit 118 has a position display unit 119 indicating the location where a trouble has occurred, a content display unit 120 indicating the content thereof, and a mode display 121 such as the number of counts and batch. , The number / quantity display 122, a storage denomination display (entry type) 123 for recording what kind of coin information is stored, a denomination display 124 showing the current designated denomination, the current packaging A packaging number display 125 indicating the unit number is arranged. Separately, the display contents displayed on the number / number switching button 126, the clear button 127, the start button 128, the stop button 129, the denomination display 124, and the packaging unit number display 125 are displayed in the order of storage contents, that is, the storage denomination. A down button 130 and an up button 131 are sequentially displayed in the order recorded on the display 123, and a denomination of a coin to be processed is provided.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an example of the control system. The control unit 132 is a control unit that controls the entire packaging machine (corresponding to the “passage width setting control unit” of the present invention), and sends and receives signals to and from the following units. The operation unit 133 includes a start button 128, a stop button 129, a clear button 127, a number / number switching button 126, a mode switching button 117, a designation button 116, and the like. The denomination designation section 134 (corresponding to “coin type designation means” of the present invention) includes a denomination display 124, a packaging unit number display 125, a down button 130, and an up button 131. It corresponds to the kind designation means.

The coin information input / output unit 135 includes the key unit 115 of the panel unit 114 and the memory card driver 146. As will be described later (see FIG. 14), the memory card driver 146 is used to read coin information stored in a memory card such as a ROM card or an IC card, and to write operation information into the memory card. Is done. The input of the coin information can also be performed manually using the key unit 115. Also, the coin information read from the memory card can be modified by the key unit 115, and the memory card driver 146 is used to input the modified coin information by the key unit 115 and to wind the coin information into the card.

The display unit 136 includes a position display unit 119, a content display unit 120, a mode display 121, a number / number display 122, a storage denomination display 123, and the like.

The storage unit 137 stores the coin information input by the coin information input / output unit 135 in association with the denomination. The storage unit uses, for example, an EEPROM so that the stored contents are not erased even when the power is turned off.

Hereinafter, the coin counting section 138 includes a count sensor S ₂ and a check sensor S ₃ , the coin stopping section 139 includes a stopper 36 and a solenoid (not shown), and the coin supply section 140 drives the rotating disks 4 and 5 and drives them. The coin passage width adjusting section 141 is composed of a mechanism having a pulse motor M ₁ , a fixed position detection sensor S _1, and a stepless cam 25. The coin passage height adjusting unit 142 includes a DC motor M ₂ , a rotation position detection sensor including a fixed position detection sensor S ₆ and a rotation angle detection sensor S ₇ , and a mechanism having a stepless cam 67. The inner diameter adjusting section 143 is constituted by a mechanism having a pulse motor M ₃ , a fixed position detection sensor S ₈ and a stepless cam 92.

Coin stacking portion 144 is formed of a pulse motor M _4, etc. for rotating the pair of belts 77, 78 and the belt, the coin wrapping section 145, three wrapping rollers 9,9,9 and their drives rotation It comprises a motor or the like (not shown).

FIG. 14 schematically shows the internal configuration of the memory card driver 146 provided in the coin information input / output unit 135 (see FIG. 13).

As shown in the figure, a loading mechanism 147 for loading a memory card, an information read / write unit 148 for reading and writing information to and from the memory card loaded in the loading mechanism 147, And a RAM (random access memory) 150 for temporarily storing the written information and the information to be written to the memory card.

The RAM 150 has a coin information storage area 150a, a coin count information storage area 150b, and a failure information storage area 150c.

In the coin information storage area 150a, for example, a coin diameter D (1), a coin thickness T (1), a wrapped coin unit number M (1), and the like as coin information are stored for each denomination. Among these coin information, the diameter D (1) and the thickness T (1) of the coin are stored to the second decimal place in millimeters. It should be noted that the data may be stored in another unit such as inches or the unit may be selected. In the coin information storage area 150a, coin information read from the memory card by the information reading / writing unit 148 can be stored, and coin information manually input by the key unit 115 of the panel unit 114 is stored. You can also. Further, the coin information read from the memory card can be manually input by the key unit 115 and corrected.

結果 The coin count information storage area 150b stores the results of the processing performed on that day and day according to the processing mode, the classification of the denomination, and the like. For example, as the coin counting information for each processing mode, the control unit 132 writes the number of wrapped coins (coins) subjected to the wrapping process in the wrapping mode, the number of coins subjected to the counting process in the counting mode, and the like. It is.

{Circle around (4)} The control unit 132 writes the content and time of a fault that has occurred on a single day in the fault occurrence information storage area 150c. For example, a coin jam in a coin passage, a feeding failure of a wrapping paper, a wrapping paper breakage, or the like.

As described above, the contents of the coin information, the coin count information, and the failure occurrence information stored in the RAM 150 can be read by the information read / write unit 148 and written to the memory card. In addition, coin information stored in the memory card can be read by the information read / write unit 148 and written into the RAM 150.

Here, when the storage contents of the respective storage areas 150a to 150c in the RAM 150 are stored in one memory card 151, as shown conceptually in FIG. The coin information storage area 151a, the coin count information storage area 151b, and the failure information storage area 151c may be provided, and the information read / write unit 148 may read or write information. As a result, each piece of information for one coin wrapping machine can be stored in one memory card, so that convenience in use can be achieved.

{Circle around (1)} As shown in FIG. 15 (b), one memory card may store information relating to a plurality of coin wrapping machines. That is, the storage area of one memory card 152 is divided into storage areas 152A, 152B, 152C,... Corresponding to a plurality of coin wrapping machines A, B,. If the coin information storage area 152a, the coin count information storage area 152b, and the failure occurrence information storage area 152c are divided, one memory card can cope with a plurality of coin wrapping machines. In this case, information indicating the types A, B, and C of the coin wrapping machines is also stored in the storage areas 150a to 150c on the coin wrapping machines A, B, and C sides, and the coin wrapping machines on the memory card 152 side. Information can be exchanged with each of the storage areas 152a to 152c corresponding to A, B, and C. In this case, if the coin information used in each of the coin wrapping machines A, B,... Is the same, the coin information storage area 152a is unified, and the coin count information storage area 152b and the fault occurrence information storage Only the region 152c may be provided for each coin wrapping machine. As a result, the storage area of the memory card 152 can be effectively used, and the number of coin wrapping machines that can be handled by one memory card 152 can be increased.

Hereinafter, a case where one memory card is used for one coin wrapping machine as shown in FIG. 15A will be described as an example.
FIG. 16 is a block diagram conceptually showing the storage contents of the storage unit 137. Hereinafter, a description will be given of the storage contents of the denomination block 1 as an example.

The first storage area 160 stores the date of update of the denomination block. The update date is given by a clock provided in the control unit 132, and the setting is automatically changed each time an input is performed in a normal input mode described later.

(4) The storage area 161 stores the coin diameter D (1), and the storage area 162 stores the coin thickness T (1). These pieces of information D (1) and T (1) are input from the RAM 150 of the memory card driver 146 (see FIG. 4).

The storage area 163, the coin passage width information P ₁ is stored. This P ₁ is the number of pulses input to the pulse motor of the coin passage width adjusting unit 141 for driving the movable passage member 17 (see FIG. 2) to set the sorting groove width L (see FIG. 1) to a predetermined value. The control unit 132 calculates according to the diameter D (1) of the coin, or is directly input and stored in a special input mode described later.

This arithmetic expression is used when the diameter of the coin is large (α ₁ ≧ D (1)> α ₂ ), medium (α ₂ ≧ D (1)> α ₃ ), and small (α ₃ ≧ D (1)> α ₃ ). ≧ D (1)) and different ones are used. Α _{1 to} α ₃ have different values depending on the design values of the movable passage member 17 and the like.
When α ₁ ≧ D (1)> α ₂ , P ₁ is
_{P 1 = (C 1 -D (} 1)) / C 2
Given by Here, the values of C ₁ and C ₂ are different depending on the design values of the movable passage member 17 and the like.
Likewise, when the _{α 2 ≧ D (1)>} α 3 P 1 = (C 1 + 0.06-D (1)) / C 2
When α ₃ ≧ D (1), P ₁ = (C ₁ + 0.1−D (1)) / C ₂
It becomes.

The storage area 164, coin passage height information P ₂ is stored. The P ₂ shows a DC motor M ₂ rotates thickness regulating member 41 (both see FIG. 4) for the a predetermined height, the number of output pulses of the rotation angle detection sensor S _7. That is, when the number of output pulses of the DC rotation from the rotation drive of the motor M ₂ is starting angle detection sensor S ₇ reaches P _2, to stop the DC motor M _2.

The P ₂ are either the control unit 132 is calculated using the thickness T (1) of the coin, or stored directly input by later-described special input mode. Such an arithmetic expression is
_{P 2 = (C 3 -T (} 1)) / C 4
Given by Note that C ₃ and C ₄ adopt different values depending on the design value of the thickness regulating member 41 and the like.

The storage area 165, the coin stacking portion inner diameter information P ₃ is stored. The P ₃ is a belt 77 and 78 indicates the number of input pulses to the pulse motor of the integrated inner diameter adjusting unit 143 for setting changed according to the diameter D (1) of the coin spacing (see FIG. 7) This is calculated by the control unit 132 or directly input and stored in a special input mode described later.
Different formulas are used depending on the diameter of the coin,
β ₁ <D (1) ≦ β ₂ and P ₃ = (C ₅ × D (1) −C ₆ ) +6
β ₃ <D (1) ≦ β ₃ and P ₃ = (C ₅ × D (1) −C ₆ ) +5
β ₃ <D (1) ≦ β ₄ and P ₃ = (C ₅ × D (1) −C ₆ ) +5
・ ・
・ ・
・ ・
It becomes. That is, the _{(C 5 × D (1)} -C 6), by adding the various integers depending on the diameter D (1), the results and P _3. The values of C ₅ and C ₆ and β ₁ , β ₂ ,... Differ depending on the design values of the belts 77 and 78, respectively.

The storage area 166 stores a coin supporter descending pattern. The coin supporting portion descending pattern is information for determining a driving pattern of the belts 77 and 78, that is, a descending pattern of the coin supporting portions 79 and 80 provided on the belts 77 and 78. The coin supporting portions 79 and 80 are lowered every time one coin is stacked, but the amount of lowering at this time is not always constant but changes according to a fixed pattern. The coin supporting portion descending pattern is information indicating a changing pattern of the descending amount at this time, and is determined according to the thickness T (1) of the coin. The details are disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-17704. Same as The storage unit 137 has a table of a coin supporter descending pattern predetermined according to the thickness T (1) of the coin, and reads out a pattern corresponding to the input coin thickness T (1). In the storage area 167.

(4) The denomination symbol K (1) is stored in the storage area 167, and the denomination value H (1) is stored in the storage area 168. For example, if the denomination block 1 is a block for storing information relating to a dollar coin, control information for digitally displaying a dollar symbol on the display unit is stored as the denomination symbol K (1), and “1.00” is stored as the seed value H (1).

The storage area 169 stores the number of packaging units M (1). This indicates the number of coins to be made into one coin.

Note that the denomination block 1 has been described as an example here, but the same applies to the other denomination blocks 2, 3,.

Next, an information recorder according to the present embodiment will be described. For example, a personal computer or the like can be used as the information collector.

As shown in FIG. 17, the information recorder 170 includes a memory card driver 171 and a control unit 172. The memory card driver 171 includes a loading mechanism 173 for loading the memory card 151, and an information reading / writing unit 174 for reading / writing information stored in the memory card 151 loaded in the loading mechanism 173. I have.

The loading mechanism 173 is loaded with the memory card 151 in which the operation information (coin counting information and fault occurrence information) has been written by the coin information input / output unit 135 (see FIG. 14) of the coin wrapping machine 1. Then, operation information is read from the loaded memory card 151. The read operation information is stored in the control unit 172, and is used, for example, for managing the number of wrapped coins produced one day and the number of coins subjected to the counting process. Further, it can be used in a case where statistics of a failure occurrence status are obtained.

Further, according to the information recorder 170, the coin information set by using the control unit 172 is written into the memory card 151 loaded in the loading mechanism 173, or the coin information is read from one memory card 151 to read the coin information. This coin information can also be copied by temporarily storing it in the memory 172 and then writing it to another memory card 151.

Next, the operation when the above-described coin wrapping machine is actually used will be described.
First, at the time of shipment of a coin wrapping machine, a memory card storing coin information (a denomination, a diameter, a thickness, a unit number of wrapping, etc.) of a circulating coin of a shipping destination (export destination) is transferred to the coin through the coin information input / output unit 135. Set it on the packaging machine. Thereby, as described above, coin information is input from this memory card into the RAM 150 of the coin information input / output unit 135 (coin information storage area 150a). This coin information is transferred to the storage unit 137 and stored. In addition, when there is a change or addition of coin information, such as when a new coin is issued, a new memory card can be prepared by the manufacturer and the coin information of the coin wrapping machine can be changed at the shipping destination. On the other hand, if it is desired to partially change the coin information at the shipping destination or to add coin information of a newly issued denomination, the key unit 115 can be used to input the information. Further, when the coin information is changed in this manner, the changed coin information may be written into a memory card again, and the changed coin information may be input to another coin wrapping machine using the memory card. Good. It is needless to say that all coin information may be input by operating the key unit 115.

When the coin wrapping machine is used, first, by operating the up / down buttons 130 and 131 as the denomination specifying unit 134, the denomination of the coin stored in the storage unit 137 is displayed on the denomination display 124. Are sequentially displayed, and the type of coin to be processed is designated by stopping the display while the type of coin to be processed is displayed. Also, at this time, the packaging unit number of the denomination coin is also displayed on the packaging number display 125 at the same time.

Based on the above denomination designation, the control unit 132 reads the coin information of the designated denomination from the storage unit 137, issues a home position return command to each adjustment unit, and returns each adjustment unit to the home position. Each adjustment unit is automatically adjusted by rotating the motor of each adjustment unit by the determined number of pulses and the rotation amount.

The coin passage width adjusting unit 141, stepless cam 25 is rotated according to the rotation of the pulse motor M _1, a predetermined angle rotates clockwise from the home position shown in FIG. 2, the movable passage member 17 by pressing the cam follower 23 The guide rollers 22, 22, and the elongated holes 21, 21, cause the guide rollers 22, 22 to move rightward in FIG. 2, stop at a fixed distance from the fixed passage member 16. Thereby, the width is adjusted to the passage width corresponding to the coin diameter of the set denomination. Accordingly, the cam 25 because it has a peripheral surface that changes the radius steplessly, the rotation angle by the one pulse of the pulse motor M ₁ can adjust the passage width as one pitch, it is possible to substantially continuously adjust the maximum Coins of any outer diameter can be used as long as the outer diameter is within the range between the passage width and the minimum passage width.

As the movable passage member 17 moves to the right, the pin 28 serving as the fulcrum of the auxiliary passage member 27 also moves, and the angle of the passage surface 27a with respect to the edge portion 17b of the movable passage member 17 gradually decreases accordingly. , Approaching straight. Also, the movement of the movable passage member 17 causes the outlet bottom plate 18 to rotate clockwise about the shaft 31 via the elongated hole 34 and the pin 32, and the auxiliary passage member 35 and the sensors S ₂ and S ₃ to move through the auxiliary passage. The position is parallel to the passage surface 27a of the member 27. Therefore, as the coin passage width becomes narrower, the passage formed by the auxiliary passage members 27 and 35 is displaced linearly, and its end advances to approach the coin accumulating portion 7, and the state of entry into the coin accumulating portion 7 regardless of the coin diameter. It will not change.

On the other hand, the coin passage height adjusting unit 142 rotates the DC motor M ₂ to rotate the stepless cam 67 by a predetermined amount to push down the cam follower 69, whereby the movable frame 48 resists the urging of the spring 62. Then, the height at which the lower surface of the conveyor belt 43 is positioned is adjusted to a position where the coin can be conveyed by being pressed against the upper surface of a denominated coin. At the same time, the thickness regulating member 41 is also adjusted to a height position at which only one coin can pass along the lower surface.

Accumulation inner diameter adjusting unit 143, stepless cam 92 in accordance with the rotation of the pulse motor M ₃ is rotated in the clockwise direction angle corresponding to the pulse number from the position of FIG. As a result, the cam follower 91 is pushed by the cam surface, gradually moves in a direction away from the center of the cam 92, and the first link 83 rotates clockwise about the shaft 82a, and the block 71 connected to one end thereof is illustrated. To the left. With this movement, the second link 86 rotates counterclockwise about the shaft 84 through the third link 88, and moves the block 72 on the other side to the right. As a result, the interval between the opposing surfaces of the left and right belts 77, 78 is enlarged, the interval is set to match the outer diameter of the coin set for the denomination, and the blocks 71, 72 are rotated by the rotation of the links 83, 86 so that the blocks 71, 72 are shown in FIG. At 8, the robot slightly moves downward, that is, in a direction away from the end of the coin passage 6, and moves away as the diameter of the coin increases, so that a position suitable for receiving coins is obtained. Further, the rotation of the first link 83 causes the lever 94 to rotate clockwise about the shaft 84 via the link 95, and the closing member 93 at the tip thereof retreats to increase the interval between the belts 77 and 78. Put in the right position. As a result, the inner diameter of the coin accumulation space formed by the belts 77 and 78, the closing member 93, the guides 99 and 100, and the like is steplessly adjusted to a size suitable for the outer diameter of coins set in denominations.

Regarding the drive system of the coin stacking unit 7, the arms 105 and 106 are connected to the member 112 by the shafts 109 and 110 as the belts 77 and 78 move in the left and right directions. displaced in the direction in which the Jo follows the widening between the belts 77 and 78, but the gear 107 and 108 is orゝmaintaining the constant engagement state, thus the driving force of the motor M ₄ is gear 113,103,107 , 108, 104, regardless of the change in the distance between the left and right belts 77, 78, to the pulleys 74, 76 of the belts 77, 78.

With the above operation, all of the passage width of the coin passage 6, the passage height of the coin passage 6, and the inner diameter of the coin stacking unit 7 are all set to values suitable for the coin diameter and coin thickness of the denomination to be processed.

Next, an operation from sending out coins to collecting them will be described.
When a denomination is set and the start button 128 is pressed, the rotating disk 4 is driven and coins inserted from the hopper 3 are supplied onto the rotating disk 5. State of existence of the coin on the rotary disk 5 at this time is monitored by the level sensor S _4, supply state is controlled.

Due to the rotation of the rotating disk 5, the coins on the rotating disk 5 enter under the lower surface of the coin thickness regulating member 41 from the periphery thereof, and the upper layer coins in a two-layered state are removed to form a single layer state and flow into the coin passage 6. Then, the transport belt 43 is pressed by the lower surface of the transport belt 43 on the inlet bottom plate 15, and is transported by the rotation of the transport belt 43 while straddling the fixed passage member 16 of the coin passage 6 and the edge portions 16 b, 17 b of the movable passage member 17. . When a small-diameter coin smaller than the interval between the edge portions enters, it is dropped from the rejection hole 19 between the edge portions and is eliminated.

The coins reaching the end of the coin passage 6 are counted by the count sensor S ₂ , the passage of the coins is confirmed by the sensor S ₃ , and guided by the rollers 40, 40.

Here, when the confirmation of the passage by the sensor S ₃ is not performed predetermined times, determines that the coin is jammed in the coin passage within 6 shows the position display unit 119 and the trouble contents indicating the trouble occurrence location content The display unit 120 (both shown in FIG. 12) is operated, and the content and time of occurrence of this trouble (failure occurrence information) are stored in the memory card driver 146 (see FIG. 14) provided in the coin information input / output unit 135. The data is written in the RAM 150 (failure occurrence information storage area 150c).

In the coin accumulating section 7, the supporting portions 79 and 80 of the left and right belts 77 and 78 are located near the upper end, and the coins are laid across these supporting portions 79 and 80, and after one coin is laid, the pulse the belt 77, 78 to rotate the motor M ₄ is in the predetermined pulses rotation corresponding to the thickness of the coin based on a signal from the sensor S _3, the support portion 79, 80 is lowered as described above.

Thus coins wrapping unit number is energized actuating solenoid (not shown) of the stopper 36 a stopper 36 advances on the coin passage 6 by the signal when it is counted by the counting sensor S _2, it stops the subsequent coin.

A predetermined number of stacked coins that have entered the coin stacking unit 7 are transferred to supporting means (not shown) by the support units 79 and 80 of the belts 77 and 78 moving outward from the lower ends, guided to the packaging unit 10, and wrapped. The paper 8 is wrapped, and the wrapped coins are discharged from the outlet 11. Each time such a packaged coin is produced once, the data is recorded in the RAM 150 (coin count information storage area 150b) in the memory card driver 146 (see FIG. 14) provided in the coin information input / output unit 135. The rewritten coin count information is rewritten.

Here, when the feeding failure of the wrapping paper 8 or the wrapping paper breakage occurs, the position display section 119 indicating the location where the trouble has occurred and the content display section 120 indicating the content of the trouble (both see FIG. 12) are activated, The contents, occurrence time, and the like are written as failure occurrence information in the RAM 150 (failure occurrence information storage area 150c) in the memory card driver 146 (see FIG. 14) provided in the coin information input / output unit 135.

The coin counting information and the failure occurrence information stored in the RAM 150 are stored in the memory card driver 146 at the stage when the operation of the coin wrapping machine on the day is finished, and the failure occurrence information of the memory card loaded in the loading mechanism 147 is stored. The data is written to the storage area 151c (see FIG. 15A).

The memory card on which the coin information and the operation information (coin counting information and fault occurrence information) are written in this manner is used for inputting information to the information collector 170 (see FIG. 17). As a result, in this embodiment, it is not necessary to manually input such information to a personal computer or the like, so that the work load for storing and managing information can be reduced.

(4) By sending the memory card in which the information is written to the manufacturer, the manufacturer can know the failure occurrence status and operation status, and can refer to the device improvement and maintenance.

Further, as described above, when the coin information is added or changed by operating the key unit 115 of the coin wrapping machine 1 for the reason of issuing new coins or the like, the coin information is sent to the manufacturer so that the coin wrapping machine at the time of shipment is sent. Coin information can be changed accordingly. This is particularly effective for a coin wrapping machine of an overseas specification.

Although the most preferred embodiments have been described with respect to the coin passage width adjusting means, the passage height adjusting means, the coin accumulating portion inner diameter adjusting means and the like in the illustrated embodiment, the specific constitution of each part does not depart from the technical idea of the present invention. Design changes within the scope are optional.

For example, in the present embodiment, when coin information is stored in the storage unit 137, the operator selects a denomination block (see FIG. 15) arbitrarily and stores coin information in that block. The control unit 132 may select a denomination block to be stored and store the selected denomination block in the block.

(4) In addition to the above-described information, the storage unit 137 may store other information such as a power supply frequency.

Furthermore, in addition to the EEPROM, the storage unit 137 may be a RAM having a battery backup or the like.

At the same time, instead of reading out the information from the EEPROM at the time of adjustment, all information may be temporarily read out from the EEPROM at the time of power-on and setting and stored in the RAM, and the information may be read out from the RAM at the time of adjustment. .

In addition, in this embodiment, as soon as coin information is input, coin passage width information P ₁ , coin passage height information P _2, and coin accumulation portion inner diameter information P ₃ are calculated and stored in the storage portion 137. The information P ₁ , P ₂ , and P ₃ may be calculated at the time of adjustment.

The present invention relates to a coin counter for counting coins as a disc-shaped medium used for trading with a function of money or a function similar to money, such as coins, medals, tokens, etc., and coins for packaging coins. The present invention can be applied to all coin processing machines such as a packaging machine.

It is a perspective view showing the outline of the coin wrapping machine to which the present invention is applied. It is a top view at the time of large-diameter coin processing of a coin passage part. It is a top view at the time of small-diameter coin processing of a coin passage part. It is an exploded perspective view of a passage height adjusting mechanism of a coin passage portion. It is sectional drawing at the time of coin processing with a thick coin passage part. It is sectional drawing at the time of coin processing with a small thickness of a coin passage part. It is a perspective view of a coin accumulation part. It is a top view at the time of small-diameter coin processing of a coin accumulation part. It is a top view at the time of large-diameter coin processing of a coin accumulation part. It is a front view which shows the state of the drive system at the time of the small diameter coin processing of a coin accumulation part. It is a front view which shows the state of the drive system at the time of the large diameter coin processing of a coin accumulation part. It is an explanatory view of an operation panel. It is a control block diagram. FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing an internal configuration of a memory card driver 146. (A), (b) is a conceptual diagram for explaining an example of information recording on a memory card. FIG. 3 is a block diagram conceptually showing storage contents of a storage unit. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of an information collector.

Explanation of reference numerals

1. Coin wrapping machine as an example of coin processing machine 2. Airframe
3 Coin input hopper
4 rotating disk
5 Rotating disk
6 coin passage
7 Coin accumulation section
10 Packaging Department
11 Throw
15 Passage entrance bottom plate
16 Fixed passage member
17 Movable passage member
18 Passage exit bottom plate
19 Small-diameter coin exclusion hole
25 Stepless cam
27 Auxiliary passage member
29 Guide
35 Auxiliary passage member
36 Stopper
41 Thickness regulating member
43 Conveyor belt
48 movable frame
57 Rocking plate
67 Stepless cam
71 blocks
72 blocks
77 belt
78 belt
79 coin support
80 coin support
82 base
83 1st Link
86 2nd link
88 Third Link
89 4th link
90 5th Link
92 Stepless cam
93 Closure member
114 Panel
115 key part
116 Specify button
117 Mode switch button
118 Display
119 Position display section
120 Contents display section
121 mode display
122 number / number display
123 Memory denomination display
124 denomination display
125 Packaging number display
132 control unit
133 operation unit
134 Denomination designation section
135 coin information input unit
136 Display
137 Storage
138 coin counting unit
139 Coin stop
141 Passage width adjustment unit
142 Passage height adjustment unit
143 Accumulation section inner diameter adjustment section
144 coin accumulator
145 Coin wrapping department
146 Memory card driver
147 loading mechanism
148 Information read / write unit
150 RAM (random access memory)
150a coin data storage area 150b coin counting data storage area 150c failure occurrence information storage area 151 and 152 memory card 170 information acquisition unit 171 memory card driver 172 control unit 173 loading mechanism 174 information reading writing unit M ₁ coin passage width adjustment pulse motor
DC motor regulating M ₂ coin passage height
M ₃ coin stacking portion inner diameter adjustment pulse motor
M ₄ pulse motor for coin stacking of the coin stacking section
S ₁ coin passage maximum opening position detection sensor
S ₂ coin passage passed coin counting for counting sensor
S ₃ the same, check the sensor for passage detection
Level sensor S ₄ rotating disc
S ₅ coin passage maximum height detection sensor
S ₆ same, fixed position detection sensor
S ₇ rotation angle detection sensor
Position detection sensor S ₈ coin stacking section

Claims (2)

A coin passage is formed by a pair of passage members that set a radial passage width of coins as a disk-like medium used for trading with a function of money or a function similar to money, and sent out from the rotating disk. The coins to be processed are fed one by one to the coin passage and conveyed, and at least one of the pair of passage members is constituted by a movable passage member movable in a passage width direction, and is provided with a type of coin to be processed. The movable passage member is moved by rotating the passage width adjusting cam according to the diameter of the coins to set a passage width, and while the coins are conveyed on the coin passage, coins of the type to be processed are Coin processing for sorting out coins smaller than the diameter of the class, counting coins of the type to be processed, etc., and sending coins of the type to be processed to the next step from the end of the coin path. On the machine,
The movable passage member that can be moved in a direction in which the passage width is enlarged by spring bias;
A cam follower that moves integrally with the movable passage member,
A spiral-shaped cam portion in which a distance from a rotation axis gradually increases from a minimum radius to a maximum radius in accordance with rotation in one of rotation directions and reaches a maximum radius, and a maximum of the spiral-shaped cam portion in contact with the cam follower, A regulating portion formed at the minimum radius portion of the portion connecting the radius portion and the minimum radius portion, wherein the cam follower heading from the maximum radius portion to the minimum radius portion with rotation of the spiral cam portion; and Having the regulating portion for regulating the continuous movement of the contact position with the spiral cam portion to the minimum radius portion, thereby regulating the movement of the movable passage member in the expanding direction of the passage width; A stepless cam for passage width adjustment for steplessly adjusting the passage width of coin passages,
The step width cam for adjusting the passage width is in a positional relationship with the cam follower moving integrally with the movable passage member so as to suppress the movement of the movable passage member in the direction in which the passage width increases in the expanding direction. A rotation shaft that arranges the passage width adjustment stepless cam so as to integrally rotate the passage width adjustment stepless cam in the positional relationship,
A fixed position detection sensor that detects a rotation position of the passage width adjusting stepless cam as a rotation fixed position when the cam follower contacts the regulating portion of the passage width adjusting stepless cam,
When rotating in the forward direction, the radius of the passage width adjusting stepless cam at the position of contact with the cam follower gradually increases, and when rotating in the reverse direction, the radius of the stepless cam for adjusting the passage width at the position of contact with the cam follower increases. A pulse motor for rotating the rotating shaft in the forward direction or the reverse direction so that the radius of the step cam gradually decreases;
By rotating the pulse motor in the reverse direction each time the type of coins is designated, the step width cam for passage width adjustment is positioned at the rotation fixed position, and the cam follower is moved to the step width cam for passage width adjustment. After the rotation position is detected by the home position detection sensor, the pulse motor is rotated in the forward direction by the number of pulses corresponding to the type of coins designated this time, and the passage width is adjusted. A passage width setting control unit for setting the
A passage width adjusting device for a coin handling machine, comprising: A coin passage is formed by a pair of passage members that set a radial passage width of coins as a disk-like medium used for trading with a function of money or a function similar to money, and sent out from the rotating disk. The coins to be processed are fed one by one to the coin passage and conveyed, and at least one of the pair of passage members is constituted by a movable passage member movable in a passage width direction, and is provided with a type of coin to be processed. The movable passage member is moved by rotating the passage width adjusting cam according to the diameter of the coins to set a passage width, and while the coins are conveyed on the coin passage, coins of the type to be processed are Coin processing for sorting out coins smaller than the diameter of the class, counting coins of the type to be processed, etc., and sending coins of the type to be processed to the next step from the end of the coin path. On the machine,
The movable passage member that can be moved in a direction in which the passage width is enlarged by spring bias;
A cam follower that moves integrally with the movable passage member,
A spiral-shaped cam portion in which a distance from a rotation axis gradually increases from a minimum radius to a maximum radius in accordance with rotation in one of rotation directions and reaches a maximum radius, and a maximum of the spiral-shaped cam portion in contact with the cam follower, A regulating portion formed at the minimum radius portion of the portion connecting the radius portion and the minimum radius portion, wherein the cam follower heading from the maximum radius portion to the minimum radius portion with rotation of the spiral cam portion; and Having the regulating portion for regulating the continuous movement of the contact position with the spiral cam portion to the minimum radius portion, thereby regulating the movement of the movable passage member in the expanding direction of the passage width; A stepless cam for passage width adjustment for steplessly adjusting the passage width of coin passages,
The step width cam for adjusting the passage width is in a positional relationship with the cam follower moving integrally with the movable passage member so as to suppress the movement of the movable passage member in the direction in which the passage width increases in the expanding direction. A rotation shaft that arranges the passage width adjustment stepless cam so as to integrally rotate the passage width adjustment stepless cam in the positional relationship,
A fixed position detection sensor that detects a rotation position of the passage width adjusting stepless cam as a rotation fixed position when the cam follower contacts the regulating portion of the passage width adjusting stepless cam,
When rotating in the forward direction, the radius of the passage width adjusting stepless cam at the position of contact with the cam follower gradually increases, and when rotating in the reverse direction, the radius of the stepless cam for adjusting the passage width at the position of contact with the cam follower increases. A pulse motor for rotating the rotating shaft in the forward direction or the reverse direction so that the radius of the step cam gradually decreases;
Coin type designation means for designating the type of coins;
A storage unit that stores coin type passage width information corresponding to the type of coins for each type of coins;
Each time the type of coins is designated by the coin type designation means, the step follower for adjusting the passage width is positioned at the fixed rotation position by rotating the pulse motor in the reverse direction to move the cam follower. A coin corresponding to a coin type specified in the coin path width information for each coin type stored in the storage unit, in contact with the regulating portion of the stepless cam for adjusting passage width; After reading the class passage width information and detecting the rotation fixed position by the fixed position detection sensor, based on the read coin class passage width information, the pulse motor is controlled by a pulse corresponding to the type of coin designated this time. A passage width setting control unit that sets the passage width by rotating in the forward rotation direction,
A passage width adjusting device for a coin handling machine, comprising:

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