WO1992018950A1

WO1992018950A1 - Feeding device for coin-sorting machine

Info

Publication number: WO1992018950A1
Application number: PCT/FI1992/000118
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jouko Ruuttu
Original assignee: Jouko Ruuttu
Priority date: 1991-04-22
Filing date: 1992-04-22
Publication date: 1992-10-29
Also published as: AU1645592A; WO1992018952A1; AU1670292A; FI911955A0

Abstract

The object of the invention is a feeding device for a coin-sorting machine, comprising a coin-distribution disc by means of which the coins are transferred to a rolling track. The distribution disc (50) of the feeding device comprises at least one outer (1) and/or inner (2) rotary lifting disc, which forms one or more distribution frames (51) one on top of the other, a centre piece (5) located in the centre of the distribution disc (50) and around the horizontal or slightly inclined rotation axis line (4), and a fixed trough (20) for the coins, surrounding them at least partly on the distribution disc (50) side, whereupon the lifting discs (1, 2) move through the mass of coins in the trough (20), thus lifting them onto their distribution frames (51).

Description

I

FEEDING DEVICE FOR COIN-SORTING MACHINE

The object of the invention is a feeding device for a coin- sorting machine, comprising a coin-distribution disc by means of which the coins are transferred to a rolling track.

The coin-sorting machines used in modern banking are generally of the type by means of which different sizes and types of coins are separated and sorted into their own compartments. After separation, sorting and counting, the coins are usually repacked into tubes which are then redistributed for use on the money market.

The functioning principle of the generally used sorting machines is based on separation by the principle of centrifugal force. In these machines, coins deposited on a disc revolving at high speed are drawn towards the edges of the disc by centrifugal force, and on the way, coins of different sizes are caught by moving elements fixed on the disc, the said moving elements transferring the coins further on to more accurate sorting.

The differences in rates of acceleration due to weight differences between the coins result in the coins coming too close to each other as they move in succession from the feeding device to the rolling track. The usual disadvantage of coin-sorting machines are blockages caused by different sizes of coins when they are being separated on the rolling track. This leads to insufficient separation capacity and slowness of the coin-sorting machines. In addition, the sorting machine has to be continuously supervised, which thus ties up personnel capacity.

The aim of the invention is to achieve a new type of distribution disc for coin-sorting machines, by means of which the sorting of coins is speeded up and the blockages caused by different sizes of coins in the rolling channel are prevented, eliminating at the same time some of the other disadvantages mentioned above.

It is characteristic of the invention that the distribution disc of the feeding device comprises at least one outer and/or inner rotary lifting disc, which forms one or more distribution frames one on top of the other, a centre piece located in the centre of the distribution disc and around the horizontal or slightly inclined rotation axis line, and a fixed trough for the coins, surrounding them at least partly on the distribution disc side, whereupon the lifting discs move through the mass of coins in the trough, thus lifting them onto their distribution frames.

By means of the invention a device is achieved which handles coins quickly and separates them accurately, and in addition damages and wears the coins less than known devices.

The invention is illustrated with examples in the following, with reference to the appended drawings in which

Figure 1 shows the device relating to the invention as seen from the side and as a partial cross section.

Figure 2 shows the device of figure 1 as seen from above. Figures 3A and 3B show the operation of the passage closing element as seen from the side and as a partial cross section. Figures 4A and 4B show the lifting bits of the lifting disc as seen from above. Figure 5 shows a cross section of a lifting bit of the lifting disc along the line A - A of figure 4A, as seen from the side. Figure 6 shows the movement of the coin in the radial channel.

Figures 1 and 2 show the distribution disc 50 of the coin- feeding device 40 relating to the invention. The distribution disc 50 of the feeding device comprises at least one outer 1 and/or inner 2 rotary lifting disc which forms one or more distribution frames 51 one of top of the other, a centre piece 5 located in the centre of the distribution disc 50 and around the horizontal or slightly inclined rotation axis line 4, and a fixed trough 20 for the coins 40, surrounding them at least partly on the distribution disc 50 side, whereupon the lifting discs 1, 2 move through the mass of coins in the trough 20, thus lifting them onto their distribution frames 51.

Both of the lifting discs 1 and 2 consist of lifting bits 3, which form the lifting disc when located in succession on the circumference of a circle. The outer lifting disc 1 is located in such a way that its lowest point is higher than the highest point of the inner lifting disc 2, that is, the outer lifting disc 1 is located higher by the height of lifting bit 3. Lifting discs 1 and 2 together with the lifting bits 3 fixed to them form distribution frames 51, and thus the coins 40 deposited in the trough 20 are divided into two layers in the feeding device. The rotary movement of the lifting discs 1 and 2 is brought about by means of an actuator 7 mounted on the centre shaf 52 in the axis line 4.

The lifting bits 3 have been designed so that, during a turn of the lifting discs 1 and 2, only one coin 40 can be caught in the bit 3, irrespective of the shape or size of the coin 40. The lifting bits 3 of the lifting discs 1 and 2 are placed on top of each other on each distribution frame 51 to partially overlap in such a way that in each space between the lifting bits, a passage 11 is formed, which is thus open forwards, in the direction of rotation of the disc circumference, and upwards, and through which the coin 40 can pass.

Below the outer lifting disc 1 is located an outer radial channel 15 and below the inner lifting disc is similarly located an inner radial channel 16. The lifting bits 3 of the lifting discs 1 and 2 are connected to each other in such a way that the coins 40 deposited in the trough 20 for sorting can move from between the lifting bits 3 fixed to lifting discs 1 and 2 into the outer 12 and inner 13 radial passages.

The channel plate located beneath the lifting discs 1, 2 forms radially outwards opening channels 15, 16 between itself and the lifting bits 3. A coin 40 follows a route from between the lifting bits 3, through the passages 12 and 13 parallel with the frame in question, into corresponding radial channels 15 and 16, when each lifting bit 3 supporting a coin 40 on the distribution disc 50 turns from its upmost position in order to move downwards while the lifting discs 1 and 2 revolve.

The lifting discs 1 and 2 also comprise a system for preventing the passage of the coin 40, by means of which the entry of the coin 40 into the passage 11 is prevented for a specific period by closing the opening into the passage 11. The system for preventing the passage of coins consists of a passage closing element 8 fixed to the device beneath the radial channels 15 and 16. The passage closing element made of a round plate is divided into sectors 24, to which closing pins 25 are fixed. A closing pin 25 is either fixed as a separate part to the passage closing element 8, or is an integral part of the passage closing elemen .

By means of the closing pins 25 of the passage closing element 8 the passage 11 is closed for the most part of the revolution of the lifting discs 1, 2, so that the passage closing element 8 is touched during the descending phase of the revolution of the distribution disc 50 by a closing element opener 13, which means that the one coin 40 situated against the closing pin 25 in the passage 11 at each time can move into either channel 15 or 16. The closing sector 24 is kept closed preferably by means of a spring-like force, because the channels 15 and 16 open when the closing element opener 13 affects the closing sector 24. The closing pin 25 forms an obstacle to the passage of the coin 40, which prevents the entry of the coin 40 into the passage 11, and further on into the outer 21 or lower 22 transfer path.

The centre piece 5 comprised in the distribution disc 50 is stationary, in other words it does not revolve together with the lifting discs 1 and 2, but is instead located in the centre of the distribution frames 51 and around the centre shaft 52. The centre piece 5 forms a partial obstacle in a part of the area it covers, that is, a limiter edge 10 for the coin 40. The centre piece 5 functions as a wall, except on one side, which is provided with a discharge bevel 6. By means of the discharge bevel 6, the coin 40 to be separated moves onto the lifting bits and, as the lifting disc turns, the limiter edge 10 prevents the coin 40 from returning into the trough 20.

As the lifting discs 1 and 2 revolve, at a certain point, when the centrifugal force is no longer sufficient to hold the coin 40 in place, the coin 40 leaning on the support pin 31 detaches from the surface of the lifting bit and falls into the passage 11, from there further on along a passage 12 or 13, running in the direction of the frame, into a radial channel 15 or 16, and from there further on into the outer 21 or lower 22 path, and along the bottom 23 of the path to sorting.

Figures 3A and 3B show the functioning of the passage closing element 8 which is a part of the system for preventing the passage of coins. The lifting bits 3 of the lifting discs 1, 2 are placed on top of each other to partially overlap in such a way that in each space between the lifting bits a passage 11 is formed, which is open forwards and upwards, and through which the coin 40 can pass. On the lifting discs 1 and 2, the entry of the coin 40 into the passage 11 between the lifting bits 3 is prevented by closing the opening to the passage 11. Beneath the radial channels 15 and 16, on the distribution disc 50, is fixed a passage closing element 8. The passage closing element 8 made of a round plate is divided into sectors 24, to which the closing pins 25 are fixed. A closing pin 25 is either fixed as a separate part to the passage closing element 8, or is an integral part of the passage closing element. The closing sector 24 is closed preferably by means of a spring-like force, and the channels 15 and 16 open when the closing element opener 13 affects the closing sector 24. The closing pin 25 forms an obstacle to the passage of the coin 40, which prevents the entry of the coin 40 into the passage 11, and further along into the outer 21 or lower 22 path.

Figure 4A shows the lifting bit 3 of the outer lifting disc and figure 4B similarly shows the lifting bit of the inner lifting disc. Figure 5 shows correspondingly the lifting bit 3 of the outer lifting disc 1 as a side view. The lifting bit 3, which is made of a durable polymer composite, comprises essentially a support corner 30 and a bearing corner 36. In addition, the lifting bit 3 consists of the areas 32, 33, 34, 35 and 37 which are at different heights and have different slopes with respect to each other.

The support corner 30 is a protrusion which is higher than the other areas, and the wall 60 of which is almost vertical to or at a negative angle to the presumed plane of revolution of the lifting disc 1 and 2, and the support corner 30 transfers the coin 40 from the trough 20 against the support pin 31 of the lifting bit 3 and the bearing corner 36.

The support corner 30 is located in the area of the outer circumference of the lifting discs 1 and 2 and of the trailing edge, and the support pin 31 is near the trailing edge and further away from the support corner 30 than the diameter of the smallest coin 40.

The function of the support corner 30 is to ensure that when lifted from the trough 20, the coin 40 settles against the support pin 31 of the lifting bit 3. The bearing corner 36 functions as a fastening element and support for the lifting bits mounted in succession in the form of the circumference of a circle on the lifting disc.

The lifting bit 3 is moreover designed so that the lifting bit 3 is at its lowest, in the direction of the rotation axis, at the bottom of the recession 32. From the bottom of the recession, which is located after the support pin 31 in the direction of rotation, a sloping surface 33 rises obliquely upwards to the level of the ridge 34, and a ramp section 35 runs obliquely downwards from the ridge 34 towards the passage 11. The opposite surfaces 33 and 35 are thus oblique with respect to each other and their angles are opposite. The lifting bit of the outer lifting disc 1 is, in addition extended by a lower part 37, to allow the lifting bits to be distributed evenly over the circumference of the circle. The edge area 38, which is designed to be oblique, facilitates the settling and transfer of the coin 40 from the trough 20 onto the lifting bit 3.

Figure 6 shows the moving of the coin 40 in the radial channels 15 and 16. The front edge of the channels 15 and 16 consists of the channel closing element 18, which is bevelled. The feeding device comprises a path bottom 23, which begins from the descending section of the revolution of the lifting discs 1 and 2, and is parallel with the circumference of the discs 1 and 2, and then runs obliquely downwards, whereupon the distance between the coins 40 is adjusted according to the diameter of the coins falling, essentially due to the effect of the force of gravity, from channels 15, 16, at a distance from each other, between the path bottom 23 and the channel closing element 18.

It is obvious to one skilled in the art that the different embodiments of the invention may vary within the scope of the claims presented below.

Claims

1. A feeding device for a coin-sorting machine, comprising a coin-distribution disc by means of which coins are transferred to a rolling track, characterized in that the distribution disc (50) of the feeding device comprises at least one outer (1) and/or inner (2) rotary lifting disc, which forms one or more distribution frames (51) one on top of the other, a centre piece (5) located in the centre of the distribution disc (50) and around the horizontal or slightly inclined rotation axis line (4), and a fixed trough (20) for the coins, surrounding them at least partly on the distribution disc (50) side, whereupon the lifting discs (1,2) move through the mass of coins in the trough (20), thus lifting them onto their distribution frames (51).

2. A feeding device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that both of the lifting discs (1, 2) consist of lifting bits (3) fixed in the form of the circumference of a circle, and that the lifting bits (3) of the outer lifting disc (1) are placed in such a way that the lowest point of this disc (1) is higher than the highest point of the lifting bits (3) of the inner lifting disc (2) .

3. A feeding device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lifting bits (3) of the lifting discs (1, 2) are placed on top of each other on each distribution frame to partially overlap in such a way that in each space between the lifting bits, a passage (11) is formed, which is thus open forwards, in the direction of rotation (P) of the disc circumference, so that the coin (40) can pass through.

4. A feeding device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that beneath each distribution frame (51) is located at least one channel plate which forms radially outwards opening channels (15, 16) between the lifting bits (3) and itself, in such a way that the coin (40) follows a route from between the lifting bits (3), through the passages (11, 12) parallel with the frame in question, into corresponding radial channels (15, 16), when each lifting bit (3) supporting a coin (40) on the distribution disc (50) turns from its upmost position (Y) in order to move downwards, while the discs (1, 2) revolve.

5. A feeding device as claimed in claims 2 to 4, characterized in that in the direction of the axis line (4), below the radial channels (15, 16), is located a passage closing element (8) which is divided into sectors (24),- and that to the sectors (24) are fixed controllable closing pins (25) either as separate or integral parts, the said pins being an essential part of the passage closing element (8), and extending to the passages (11, 12), so that the entry of the coin (40) into the passage can be prevented.

6. A feeding device as claimed in claims 2 to 5, characterized in that by means of the closing pins (25) of the passage closing element (8), the passage (11, 12) is closed for the most part of the revolution of the lifting disc (1, 2), that the passage closing element (8) is touched during the descending phase of the revolution of the distribution disc (50) by a closing element opener (13), whereupon the one coin (40) situated against the closing pin (25) in the passage (11, 12) at each time can move into the corresponding channel (15, 16).

7. A feeding device as claimed in claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the channel closing element (18), which forms the front edge of both channels (15, 16), is bevelled (19), and that the feeding device comprises a path bottom (23) or bottoms, which begin from the descending section of the revolution of the disc (1, 2) , and are parallel with the circumference of the disc, and then run obliquely downwards, whereupon the distance between the coins (40) is adjusted according to the diameter of the coins falling, essentially due to the force of gravity, from the channels (15, 16), at a distance from each other, between the path bottom (23) and the channel closing element (18).

8. A feeding device as claimed in any of the claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the lifting bit (3) comprises an support corner (30), the upper surface of which is higher than the other areas (32, 33, 34, 35, 36 and 37) of the lifting bit (3) in the direction of the axis line and designed so that the wall (60) of the bearing corner (30) is almost vertical to or at a negative angle to the plane of revolution of the disc (1, 2), and that the support corner (30) transfers the coin (40) from the trough (20) against the support pin (31) of the lifting bit (3) and the bearing corner (36).

9. A feeding device as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the support corner (30) is located in each distribution frame (51) in the area of the outer circumference and of the trailing edge of the lifting bit (3), and that the support pin (31) is near the trailing edge and further away from the support corner (30) than the diameter of the smallest coin (40).

10. A feeding device as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the lifting bit (3) is at its lowest, in the direction of the rotation axis, at the bottom of the recession (32), and that from the bottom of the recession, which is located after the support pin (31) in the direction of rotation, a sloping surface (33) rises obliquely upwards to the level of the ridge (34), and that a ramp section (35) runs obliquely downwards from the ridge (34) towards the next passage (11).

11. A feeding device as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the lifting bit (3) is moreover designed so that only one coin (40) at a time can be caught in the lifting bit (3), irrespective of the shape or size of the coin (40).