EP0209675A1 - Coin-sorting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

1. Coin sorting machine, with a receiving container (10) serving for the insertion of the coins (18) to be sorted, a separating device (14, 16) for separating the coins (18), a conveyor device (26) for guiding the separated coins (18) onwards along a movement path (20) downstream of the separating device (14, 16), along which movement path a number of sorting stations (34 to 34') without their own identification function are arranged one behind the other for the sorting of coins of different values, one sorting station being provided for each coin value, of which stations each one has an actuable deflection member (48, 48') for deflecting the coins (18) from their movement path (20) and a collecting container (36, 36') for the deflected coins (18), and a single identification device (32) arranged before the first sorting station (34) for identifying the coins (18) to be sorted and for distinguishing the latter from coins (18) to be rejected, which identification device (32) generates characteristic identification signals for the individual coins (18), as a result of which identification signals, in each case at the time when a coin (18) to be sorted arrives at the appropriate sorting station (34 to 34'), the deflection element (48 to 48') allocated to this sorting station (34 to 34') is actuable, characterized in that the identification device (32) is connected to the individual sorting stations (34 to 34') via delay elements which can be affected as a function of the conveyor movement of the conveyor device (26) and via which delay elements the allocated identification signals can be supplied to the sorting stations (34 to 34') in synchrony with the progressive movement of the coins (18).

Description

The invention relates to a coin sorting machine of the type mentioned in the preamble of claim 1.

Such a machine, known from DE-OS 28 00 494, has, as a separating device, a rotatably drivable conveyor disk provided with loading openings which separates the coins thrown into the collecting container and feeds the movement path, which in the known machine is an endless chain provided with carriers as Funding body is assigned. In the known machine, the device for recognizing the coins to be sorted consists of mechanically scanning elements from the diameter of the coins, by means of which deflectors or ejectors are controlled in order to convey the coin corresponding to the diameter from the movement path into the assigned collecting container.

In the known device, each sorting station is assigned two of the said scanning elements, one of which is used to identify the coins belonging to the respective currency, while the second scanning element is intended to identify coins whose diameter deviates from the desired sizes of the coins to be sorted . Such coins can be foreign currency coins or counterfeit coins. For the sake of simplicity, such coins are referred to below as foreign coins.

When recognizing foreign coins, it is now necessary in the known machine to sort them station at which they were recognized. This makes it necessary to distinguish whether a coin that is found to be good should be transported into the assigned collection container or whether a foreign coin should be transported in a separate container. For this purpose, a coin deflector is provided in the known machine in each sorting station, which can also be operated as a coin ejector. The coins found to be good are simply rejected from the path of movement and thus fall into the collecting container located immediately below. Foreign coins, on the other hand, are ejected with momentum in order to get into another container or a foreign coin collecting channel.

The known coin sorting machine described above has a relatively large number of mechanically movable elements which are subject to wear and which limit the sorting speed. Foreign coins are only reliably eliminated if they differ in diameter from the coins to be sorted. However, if a foreign coin has the same diameter as a coin to be sorted, then it is hardly possible to recognize it as a foreign coin.

Another coin sorting device with scanning and ejection elements is described for example in DE-OS 26 07 124.

The invention has for its object to provide a coin sorting machine that has as few moving parts as possible and enables a high working speed. Furthermore, a high level of reliability in the detection of foreign coins should be guaranteed.

The object is achieved according to the invention by the features specified in the characterizing part of claim 1.

The invention is based on the finding that the coins to be sorted can be identified and checked and foreign coins can be distinguished from foreign coins independently of the sorting, so that a single recognition device is sufficient for all coins. The elimination of foreign coins can be solved in different ways. If the proportion of foreign coins is very low, it is conceivable, for example, to remove them by hand when the detection device triggers a signal and temporarily stops the transmission. If there is a large proportion of foreign coins or if you want fully automatic operation, it is of course essential to automatically remove the foreign coins.

The separation of the recognition device from the sorting stations enables a higher working speed since the sorting stations do not have a recognition function and the recognition of the coins does not first have to be evaluated in the sorting stations.

In a preferred embodiment according to claim 2, the sorting takes place on the basis of a geometrical dimension by means of fixed separators assigned to each coin value, the geometrical dimension being either the thickness or the diameter of the coins. The coins can be moved along the movement path by a conveyor element or also on a guide rail having a gradient. The peculiarity of this embodiment lies in the simplicity, because for sorting the Coins no controllable items are required.

Claim 3 describes an advantageous development of the embodiment claimed in claim 2. In an embodiment according to claims 2 and 3, the sorting stations have no movable elements. Such an embodiment is also suitable, for example, for a trajectory which has a gradient and for which no conveyor element is required to move the coins.

Claim 4 describes a variant of the embodiment according to claims 2 and 3. In this variant, ejectors or deflectors controllable by the detection device are used instead of the fixed deflectors. When functioning as an ejector, these elements are moved forward at the point in time when the coin in front of them is in front of them in order to eject them into the assigned collecting container. In the case of the function as a deflector which can be moved forwards or retracted, the coin which is moved past them is rejected from the movement path in order to fall into the assigned collecting container. Since a time passes between the recognition process and the sorting process for the forwarding of the coin, delay elements are required.

In a preferred embodiment according to claim 5 foreign coins are excreted immediately after the detection device at the beginning of the movement path, so that for the subsequent sorting process it is ensured that there are no foreign coins under the coins to be sorted.

An embodiment according to claim 6 corresponds to claims 2 and 3 and to claim 4 one another variant. In this variant, the deflectors are arranged as in an embodiment according to claim 3, but not as a fixed, but as a retractable deflector in order to clear the way to the end of the movement path for a foreign coin. Compared to an embodiment according to claim 4, the control of the deflectors is easier.

Claim 7 describes a possibility to influence the delay elements synchronously with the movement of the coins in order to ensure precise control of the ejectors or deflectors. In principle, such a synchronization would also be possible by means of light barriers which detect the movement of the coins on the movement path.

In one embodiment according to claim 8, the foreign coins moved to the end of the movement path are rejected or expelled. In the case of a fixed foreign coin deflector, an actuating element can be dispensed with.

Claim 9 describes a preferred embodiment with a recognition device in which at least two criteria are used to recognize or check the coins. As one of these criteria, for example, the inductance of the coins can be checked according to GB patent application 2 135 492. For the present invention, the advantage of such an embodiment is in particular that such a check is carried out independently of the sorting, in order to be able to detect foreign coins with certainty. This ensures the authenticity of the coins to be sorted.

In a preferred embodiment according to claim 10, the coins are counted centrally so that the sorting stations are relieved of them.

• Fig. 1 eine schematische Darstellung einer Münz­sortiermaschine mit feststehenden Münzab­weisern,
• Fig. 2 eine schematische Darstellung einer Münzsor­tiermaschine mit nach vorn bewegbaren Münz­auswerfern,
• Fig. 3 eine schematische Darstellung einer Münz­sortiermaschine mit nach Münzgrösse abge­stuften zurückziehbaren Münzabweisern,
• Fig. 4 eine Anordnung mit einem feststehenden Münz­abweiser nach der Fig. 1, in Frontansicht,
• ine Draufsicht nach der Fig. 4,
• Fig. 6 eine Anordnung mit einem nach vorn bewegbaren Münzauswerfer nach der Fig. 2, in Frontan­sicht,
• Fig. 7 eine Draufsicht nach der Fig. 6 und
• Fig. 8 ein Blockschaltbild.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. It shows:

• 1 is a schematic representation of a coin sorting machine with fixed coin deflectors,
• 2 shows a schematic illustration of a coin sorting machine with coin ejectors which can be moved forwards,
• 3 shows a schematic illustration of a coin sorting machine with retractable coin deflectors graded according to coin size,
• 4 shows an arrangement with a fixed coin deflector according to FIG. 1, in a front view,
• a plan view according to FIG. 4,
• 6 shows an arrangement with a coin ejector movable according to FIG. 2, in a front view,
• Fig. 7 is a plan view of FIGS. 6 and
• Fig. 8 is a block diagram.

The coin sorting machine shown schematically in FIG. 1 has a collecting container 10 for inserting the coins to be sorted. A conveyor disk 16, which is driven in rotation in the direction of rotation 12 and is provided with loading openings 14, engages in the collecting container 10 as a separating device in order to convey coins 18 removed from the collecting container 10 into a movement path 20. In the present exemplary embodiment, the movement path 20 consists of a horizontally arranged rail 22, which is a Inclined inlet piece 24 in the region of the conveyor disc 16. The coins 18 are conveyed upright on the rail 22 by drivers 28 arranged on an endless conveyor chain 26 in the direction of the arrow 30.

A detection device 32 and eight sorting stations 34 to 34 'assigned to the different coin values are arranged along the movement path 20. Each of the eight sorting stations 34 has a collecting container 36 to 36 'and a fixed coin deflector 38 to 38'. The coin deflectors 38 are arranged in a stepped manner, their deflecting surfaces projecting into the movement path 20 such that their distance from a running surface 40 formed by the rail 22 is smaller than the diameter of the coin to be sorted out and larger than the diameter of the coins to be let through. It is thereby achieved that, for example, the largest coin 18 located on the movement path 20 in the embodiment shown is deflected from the movement path by the first deflector 38, so that it falls into the associated collecting container 36 which is open at the top. All smaller coins, starting with the coin 18 ', were let through by the coin deflector 38 without hindrance.

Between the detection device 32 and the first sorting station 34, a foreign money collecting point 42 with a foreign money collecting container F and a foreign coin separator 44 is arranged on the movement path 20. The foreign coin separator 44 has an actuator, not shown, for example in the form of an electromagnet, and can be controlled by the detection device 32. If a foreign coin is ascertained by the recognition device 32, an actuation takes place of the foreign coin separator 44 at the moment in which the foreign coin is guided past the foreign currency collecting point 42.

The foreign coin separation in front of the sorting stations 34 to 34 ′ ensures that only those coins are located on this part of the movement path 20 that were recognized by the recognition device 32 as coins to be sorted. The sorting is done purely mechanically, for which no moving parts are required apart from the rotating conveyor chain 26.

The collecting containers F and 36 to 36 'are usually provided with a handle on the front, open at the top, insertable container. The coin values shown in FIG. 1 on the collecting containers 36 to 36 'only serve to symbolize a gradation. In an embodiment according to FIG. 1, it is of course necessary that the gradation is not to be carried out according to the values, but according to the diameter gradation. The coins 18, 18 'are conveyed upright on the guide rail 22, but the rail is inclined upwards and backwards when viewed from the front in order to prevent the coins from falling out.

46 shows the only electrical connection that starts from the detection device 32 as a control line.

The arrangement of the coin deflectors 38 to 38 'will be explained in detail after the presentation of all exemplary embodiments with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

The coin sorting machine shown in FIG. 2 differs mechanically from the machine shown in FIG. 1 by the arrangement of actuatable coin ejectors 48 to 48 'instead of fixed coin deflectors. The ejectors 48 to 48 'are all arranged at the same distance from the running surface 40 of the rail 22 and in such a way that both the largest and the smallest coins to be sorted are detected by them. The ejectors 48 to 48 'will be described in more detail after the explanation of all the exemplary embodiments with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

The ejectors 48 to 48 'can be selectively controlled by the detection device 32 as a function of the respectively recognized coin via delay elements, not shown, in order to be actuated when the coin to be ejected is located above the collecting container assigned to this coin. Since the coins are conveyed along the movement path 20 in an arbitrary sequence, it can happen that coins are to be ejected at different sorting stations at the same time. As a result, it is necessary to store the recognition signals received by the recognition device 32 until the recognized coin has been ejected. In order to synchronize the actuation signals with the forwarding of the coins along the movement path 20, the delay elements (not shown) associated with the recognition device 32 can be influenced as a function of the forwarding of the coins. In other words, it is necessary to address the ejection signal emitted by the recognition device 32 to a specific sorting station, but only to feed it to it when the corresponding coin has reached the associated sorting station. By dashed lines Lines 50 in FIG. 2 show the control lines from the recognition device 32 to the coin ejectors 48 to 48 '. Also included in the control described above is a coin ejector 51 intended for foreign coins, which precedes the sorting stations 34 to 34 '.

The coin sorting machine shown in FIG. 3 combines features of the two coin sorting machines shown as exemplary embodiments in FIGS. 1 and 2. In this embodiment according to FIG. 3, similar to FIG. 1, coin deflectors 52 to 52 'arranged in a graduated manner according to the coin sizes are used, which, however, in contrast to the embodiment according to FIG. 1, can be withdrawn from the movement path 20 by actuators, not shown . For control purposes, the coin deflectors 52 to 52 ′ are connected to the detection device 32 via control lines 50. In this embodiment, a foreign coin collecting point 54 is arranged after the sorting stations 34 to 34 '. To control the deflectors 52 to 52 ', it is therefore necessary to withdraw them from the path of movement 20 when a foreign coin is recognized when the foreign coin moves past them. This makes it possible for foreign coins, regardless of their size, to pass all sorting stations 34 to 34 'until they are conveyed into the foreign coin collecting container F by a fixed deflector 56 at the foreign coin collecting point 54.

The embodiment according to FIG. 3 also differs from that according to FIG. 2 in that the electrical control is simplified. When a foreign coin is ascertained, only the deflectors from 52 to 52 'must be withdrawn from the movement path in order. As long as no foreign coin is ascertained, there is no movement of the deflectors 52 to 52 ', since these fulfill their sorting function due to the graded arrangement.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a detail from FIG. 1. The coin deflector 38 has a deflecting surface 39 which is arranged at a distance 58 from the running surface 40 which is larger than the diameter of the coin 18 ′ to be let through and smaller than the diameter the coin to be rejected is 18. 5 shows how the coin 18 conveyed in the direction of the arrow 30 is deflected on the deflecting surface 39 in the direction of the arrow 60, so that it falls into the collecting container located underneath, but not shown.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a detail from FIG. 2. From FIG. 6 it can be seen that the coin ejector 48 can be withdrawn from the path of movement of the coins 18 and 18 'through an opening in the rail 22. For actuating the coin ejector 48, an actuating magnet 62 is shown in FIG. 7, which is connected via the control line 50 to the recognition device 32 according to FIG. 2. In the position shown, the ejector 48 is withdrawn from the movement path 20 by the action of a tension spring 64. The dashed representation of the ejector 48 indicates the position when the actuating magnet 62 is excited, so that the coin 18 conveyed in the movement path 20 is rejected by the rejection surface 49.

If, as in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the actuating magnet is excited before the coin 18 has reached the ejection point, then the deflecting surface 49 acts. However, if the actuating magnet 62 is in the Moment excited when the coin 18 is immediately in front of the ejector 48, then the coin 18 receives a blow from the ejector 48, by which it is thrown away. It is therefore possible to perform two different functions with the ejector 48.

7, it is also possible to explain the effect of the coin deflectors 52, which are arranged in the same height as in the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, up to 52 'according to FIG. 3. In such a case, the broken line at 49 is the rest position, while when the associated actuating magnet is excited, the deflecting surface 49 is withdrawn from the movement path 20.

8 shows an example in a block diagram of individual elements of the detection device 32. The detection device 32 has a measuring or scanning arrangement 71, 72, 73, 74 for the detection of the individual parameters, which in a manner known per se detects the passing coins 18, 18 'scans or examined for the corresponding parameters. The measuring or scanning arrangements 71, 72, 73, 74 generate actual value signals assigned to the individual coins, which are fed to a storage and comparison circuit 75. In the latter, the setpoints of the mentioned parameters assigned to the individual sorting stations are stored. The setpoint input is indicated by arrow 76.

In this storage and comparison circuit 75, a comparison takes place between the stored target values and the actual values generated by the measuring and scanning arrangements 71, 72, 73, 74. If equality is found between the stored target values and the actual values, a control signal is generated that is supplied to those control circuits 78, 79, 80, 81 that perform the sorting Stations 34 to 34 'are assigned, for which the equality between the determined actual value and the corresponding setpoint was determined. These control signals are to be supplied to the control circuits 78, 79, 80, 81 in phase with the corresponding coin 18, 18 '. A clock generator 77 is used for this purpose, which is coupled to the conveyor chain 26 for conveying the coins 18, 18 ′ or their drive.

When a coin 18, 18 'on the movement path 20 reaches the sorting station 34 corresponding to its value, a circuit symbolically represented as a switch contact 82, 83, 84, 85 is closed in the coin sorting machine shown in FIG. 2. If a control signal generated by the memory and comparison circuit 75 is also present at the associated control circuit 78, 79, 80, 81 at the time the circuit 82, 83, 84, 85 is closed, the corresponding one appears at the output 86, 87, 88, 89 Control circuit 78, 79, 80, 81 a trigger signal for the actuating magnet 62 to actuate the associated coin ejector 48.

Accordingly, in the embodiment according to FIG. 3, when a foreign coin is recognized in the recognition device 32 by the storage and comparison circuit 75, a control signal is generated which is fed to the individual sorting stations in synchronism with the passage of the foreign coin through the sorting stations 34 to 34 ' to trigger in-phase retraction of the deflectors 52 to 52 '.

In deviation from the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, it is also possible to dispense with the foreign coin collecting container F and to provide a foreign coin ejector instead of the foreign coin deflector 51, which ejects the foreign coins. Any container or box that does not correspond to the usual collecting containers for the coins to be sorted can be provided to collect the same.

Instead of moving the ejectors 48 to 48 '(FIGS. 2, 6, 7) forward from the retracted rest position to the active position as described, it is also conceivable for the ejectors 48 to 48' to protrude into the movement path 20 in the rest position let and withdraw by the actuating magnet 62, provided that the passing coin does not have to be deflected at the sorting station 34 to 34 'concerned.

Claims (10)

1. Coin sorting machine, with a collecting container (10) serving to insert the coins to be sorted (18), a separating device (14, 16) and a movement path (20) for forwarding the separated coins (18, 18 '), on which devices (32, 34) are arranged for recognizing and sorting coins of different values, a sorting station (34 to 34 ') with a collecting container (36 to 36') for the sorted coins being provided for each coin value along the movement path (20), characterized by a single recognition device (32) for recognizing the coins (18, 18 ') to be sorted and for distinguishing these coins from foreign coins, which is arranged in the direction of movement (30) in front of the first sorting station (34), at least when a foreign coin is recognized give a signal. 2. Coin sorting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the sorting stations (34 to 34 ') have a fixed separator (38 to 38) arranged on the movement path (20) and adapted to the geometric dimension of the coins (18, 18') of the assigned coin value ') in order to guide the relevant coins (18, 18') from the movement path (20) into the respectively assigned collecting container (36 to 36 ') (FIG. 1). 3. Coin sorting machine according to claim 2, in which the forwarding of the coins (18, 18 ') in the movement path (20) takes place with upright coins, characterized in that the trained as a deflector Aus Cutters (38 to 38 ') have a deflecting surface (39) projecting into the movement path (20), the distance (58) from a running surface (40) of the movement path (20) is smaller than the diameter of the respectively to be sorted out (18) and larger than is the diameter of the coins (18 ') to be passed. 4. Coin sorting machine according to claim 1, wherein each sorting station (34 to 34 ') has an actuatable ejector (48 to 48') or deflector to eject or deflect the coins (18, 18 ') from the movement path (20), characterized that the ejectors (48 to 48 ') or deflectors can be controlled selectively by the detection device (32) depending on the coin recognized in each case by means of delay elements and that the delay elements are dependent on the forwarding of the coins (18, 18') along the path of movement (20) can be influenced (Fig. 2). 5. Coin sorting machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a foreign coin separator (44, 51) which can be controlled by the detection device (32) is arranged on the movement path (20) between the detection device (32) and the first sorting station (34) to separate the foreign coins from the movement path (20) into a foreign coin collecting container (F) (FIGS. 1 and 2). 6. Coin sorting machine according to claim 1, wherein each sorting station (34 to 34 ') has an actuatable deflector (52 to 52') to the coins (18, 18 ') from the path of movement (20) in the respectively assigned collection bins to reject the holder (36), characterized in that the deflectors (52 to 52 ') are arranged in a graduated manner in accordance with the diameter of the coins (18, 18') to be sorted out in relation to a running surface (40) of the movement path (20) and from the movement path ( 20) are designed to be retractable and that the deflectors (52 to 52 ') can be controlled by the recognition device (32) when foreign coins are recognized by means of delay elements for successive withdrawal, in order to guide the foreign coin through the path of movement (20) to a foreign coin collecting point ( 54) to release (Fig. 3). 7. Coin sorting machine according to one of claims 4 to 6, with a drivable endless chain (26) equipped with carriers (28) for conveying the coins (18, 18 ') along the path of movement (20), characterized in that the delay elements one Have shift register, which can be switched depending on the drive of the conveyor chain (26). 8. Coin sorting machine according to one of claims 1, 4, 6 or 7, characterized in that a fixed foreign coin deflector (56) or an ejector is arranged on the movement path (20) after the last sorting station (34). 9. Coin sorting machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detection device (32) contains at least two parameters for all coin values to be sorted and are stored as setpoints and has a device that scans the coins (18, 18 ') moving on the movement path (20) in order to compare the parameters sampled as actual values with the target values in a comparison device and then signals to be delivered to the operable coin ejectors or coin deflectors (44, 48 to 48 ', 51, 52 to 52'). 10. Coin sorting machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recognition device (32) is set up for counting the recognized coins according to coin values.

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