CHIONNA, Davide (Via Donizetti 18, Fara Gera D'Adda, I-24045, IT)
| CLAIMS 1. Coin dispensing device (1) for change-giving machines comprising: at least a recognition unit (2) destined to identify different types of coins inserted in a change-giving machine, at least a sorting unit (3) operatively associated to said recognition unit (2) for delivering each identified coin of a different type into a respective conveyor channel, at least a storing unit (4) operatively connected to said sorting unit (3) for collecting coins of the same type, said storing unit (4) comprising a plurality of coin hoppers (5) each arranged at a respective conveyor channel of said sorting unit (3) for receiving from said magazines the respective coins to be grouped, at least a dispensing unit (6) operatively associated to said storing unit (4) for selecting and delivering at least one of said coins received in said coin hoppers (5), said dispensing unit (6) comprising: a plurality of extracting elements (7) each operatively associated to a respective coin hopper (5) of said storing unit (4) and movable between a rest position, wherein they do not act on coins of the respective coin hoppers (5), and an operative position, wherein they are operative on at least a coin of the respective coin hoppers (5) for directing the coin to a respective delivery area located in the change-giving machine; at least one common command member (8) which is mobile with respect to the coin hoppers (5); driving means (9) operative on the common command member (8) such as to moving the common command member (8); characterized by the fact that it further comprises: selective engagement means operatively associated to said extracting elements (7) for moving each extracting element (8) between a releasing position, wherein it is disengaged from said common command member (8), and a retaining position, wherein it is engaged and mobile with said common command member (8), said common command member (8) movement causing the displacement of the respective extracting element (7) into said retaining position, between the rest position and the operative position; selecting means operatively associated to said selective engagement means for command the displacement of one or more extracting elements (7) between the releasing position and the retaining position depending on the kind of coin to be supplied forming the change to be given. 2. Device according to claim 1 , wherein said common command member (8) comprises at least a command plate (11) exhibiting, for each extracting element (7), a respective engagement groove (12), said command plate ( 1) being movable along a lie plane thereof, between a first position and a second position such as to move each engagement groove (12) between a position in which it is distanced from the respective extracting element (7) and a position in which it is aligned with the respective extracting element (7), wherein each engagement groove (12) is arranged at least partially at the respective extracting element (7). 3. Device according to claim 2, wherein each extracting element (7) is rotatably movable around a respective transversal axis (X) preferably perpendicular to said command plate (11), between the rest position and the operative position, each extracting element (7) having at least one moving projection destined to engage the corresponding engagement groove (12) of said command plate (11) when the respective extracting element (7) is located in the retaining position. 4. Device according to claim 3, wherein each extracting element (7) is operatively arranged above said command plate (11) and each engagement groove (12) is afforded at a surface (11a) facing said extracting elements (7), each extracting element (7) being transversally translatable preferably perpendicularly to said command plate (1 1), between the releasing position and the retaining position. 5. Device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein each extracting element (7) exhibits, on an opposite side with respect to said command plate (11), at least a locking projection (7a) destined to engage a respective locking seating (13) made in a respective fixed structure (14) of said device (1), the locking projection (7a) of each extracting element (7) and the respective blocking seating (13) of the fixed structure (14) maintaining said extracting element (7) in the rest position when said extracting element (7) is located in the releasing position. 6. Device according to claim 5, wherein said extracting elements (7) are arranged along respective rows extending adjacent to a respective dispensing opening (15) afforded in said fixed structure (14) of said device (1) below said command plate (11), said command plate (1 ) having at least a passage opening (11 b) such as to maintain said dispensing opening (15) unobstructed, at least when said command member (8) is in an operative state. 7. Device according to claim 6, wherein said dispensing opening is interposed between said rows of extracting elements (7) such that the movement of each extracting element (7) between the rest position and the operative position corresponds to a rotation of the extracting element (7) towards said dispensing opening (15) and towards the opposite row of said extracting elements (7), said command plate ( 1) being substantially U-shaped and being provided with respective lateral portions (11c) on which said engagement grooves (12) are made, the lateral portions (1 1c) of said command plate (11) delimiting said passage opening (11 b), which is arranged at said dispensing opening (15). 8. Device according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein said selective engagement means comprise, for each extracting element (7), at least one solenoid actuator provided with: at least one shaft made of a ferromagnetic material, having an end engaged with a respective extracting element (7), said shaft being movable between a first position and a second position, corresponding to the releasing and retaining positions of the corresponding extracting element (7); at least one solenoid wound about said shaft, said solenoid being switchable between a first state, wherein it is deenergized, and said shaft and respective extracting element (7) are maintained respectively in the first position and the releasing position by a spring associated thereto, and a second state, wherein said solenoid is energized so that the respective extracting element (7) is translated into a retaining position and the respective spring is compressed. 9. Device according to claim 8, comprising control means operatively associated to said extracting elements (7) for check the position of said extracting elements (7) after the delivery of a respective coin, said control means checking the return of each extracting element (7) into the rest position, said control means commanding: movement of said command plate (11) if at least one of said extracting elements (7) is not located in the rest position, the movement of said command plate (11) being performed in order to take the respective extracting element (7) into the rest position, the subsequent switching of the respective solenoid moving the respective extracting element (7) into the releasing position; deactivation of said command member (8) and switching of the respective solenoid of the extracting element (7) arranged in a position different from the rest position, the switching of the respective solenoid causing the releasing of the respective extracting element (7) from the command plate (11) for excluding and isolating the extracting element; deactivation of said device (1) if the respective extracting element (7) does not return to the rest position and does not move to the releasing position. 10. Device according to claim 9, wherein said control means comprise at least a Hall sensor housed below the command plate (11), said Hall sensor being destined to detect a position of at least one of said extracting elements (7) with respect to the corresponding rest position. 11. Device according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein each coin hopper (5) has a substantially tubular shape and is located above a respective extracting element (7), said coin hoppers (5) being extractable from said device, preferably in groups, the coin hoppers being at least 6 in number. |
The invention relates to a device for rendering coins in change-giving machines.
The object of the present invention is applicable in the sector of automatic machines for giving change, normally in use in any automatic product and/or article vending machine or in any machine in which coins are exchaged for tokens, or any automatic machine destined for payment for a service.
TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND
As is known, automatic change-giving machines are predisposed to verify a quantity of money introduced therein and render the correct change, if the sum inserted exceeds the value of the product, article, service or payment to be settled.
Change-giving machines generally comprise a dispensing device provided with a recognition unit able to identify each coin introduced in relation to the physical characteristics thereof. A sorting unit is associated to the recognition device, which sorting unit is designed to channel each coin of different type into at least a corresponding conveyor channel which terminates at a storing unit, in which the previously-sorted coins are grouped and stored in groups of identical coins.
In particular, the storing unit comprises, for each conveyor channel of the separation unit, a respective coin hopper which develops vertically such that the coins rest by force of gravity one on another, in respective vertical columns.
A dispensing unit is usually engaged to the storing unit, which has the task of selecting and dispensing the coins contained in the coin hoppers such
l as to produce the change to be paid over following the respective payment.
• The dispensing unit is provided with a plurality of extracting elements, each operatively associated with a respective coin hopper of the storage unit. The extracting elements are mobile between a rest position, in which they do not operate on the coins of the coin hoppers, and an operating position, in which they act on the coins of the coin hoppers such as to direct the coins towards a respective dispensing zone.
The dispensing device of change-giving machines further comprises a common command organ which is mobile relative to the coin hoppers and movement means acting to move it.
In more detail, in relation to an embodiment already available on the market, the common command organ comprises a cogged belt specially enmeshed with respective cogged wheels of the movement means.
The cogged belt can be moved in two advancement directions, opposite one another, according to the rotation imparted to the cogged wheels of the movement means.
The cogged belt bears a respective engaging and moving organ destined to intercept and engage a respective dispensing element when the cogged belt is activated in movement along a first advancement direction and not to act on the extracting elements when the belt is activated to move along a second advancement direction, opposite the first.
In more detail, when the belt is activated to move along the first advancement direction, the engaging pin interferes with a respective dispensing element, drawing the element in movement from the rest position to the operating position, in which it pushes a coin in the direction of the delivery opening in order to produce the change.
Naturally, the selection of the coins is determined by the position of the pin with respect to the coin hopper of the storage unit and by the movement direction of the cogged belt.
Although the known change-dispensing devices produce a correct dispensing of the change, the Applicant has found that they are however not free of drawbacks and are improvable under various aspects, mainly in relation to the simplicity of the dispensing devices, as well as the maintenance costs required for correct functioning of the dispensing unit. In more detail, it has been found that the selection and movement system of the extracting elements by means of the respective cogged belt incurs high production and assembly costs in relation to the number of parts the device contains. It is further evident that the type of movement and the elements involved require high tolerances and considerable precision, which might also undermine the correct functioning of the dispensing unit, the reliability of which is essential for the functioning of the dispensing device and the respective change-giving machine.
SUMMARY
The main aim of the present invention is to provide a coin-dispensing device for change-giving machines which obviates the problems encountered in the prior art.
An aim of the present invention is therefore to provide a dispensing device which is reliable and guarantees correct dispensing of the change to be produced.
An objective of the invention is also to make available an alternative dispensing system to those of the prior art. A further aim of the present invention is to design a dispensing device which does not require frequent maintenance operations.
A still further aim of the present invention is to reduce production, assembly and maintenance costs of the dispensing unit of the dispensing device.
The specified aims and more besides are substantially attained by a coin- dispensing device for change-giving machines, according to what is set out in the appended claims.
In accordance with a first independent aspect, a coin dispensing device is provided for change-giving machine, comprising:
at least one recognition unit adapted to identify different types of coins inserted in a respective change-giving machine,
at least a sorting unit operatively associated to the recognition unit for delivering each identified coin of a different type into a respective conveyor channel,
at least a storing unit operatively connected to the sorting unit for collecting coins of the same type, the storing unit comprising a plurality of coin hoppers each arranged at a respective conveyor channel of the sorting unit for receiving from the magazines the respective coins to be grouped, at least a dispensing unit operatively associated to the storing unit for selecting and delivering at least one of the coins received in the coin hoppers, the dispensing unit comprising:
a plurality of extracting elements each operatively associated to a respective coin hopper of the storing unit and movable between a rest position, wherein they do not act on coins of the respective coin hopper, and an operative position, wherein they are operative on at least one coin of the respective coin hopper for directing this coin to a respective dispensing area located in the corresponding change-giving machine; at least a common command member movable with respect to the coin hoppers;
moving means operative on the common command member for moving it; characterized by the fact that it further comprises:
selective engagement means operatively associated to the extracting elements for moving each extracting element between a releasing position, wherein it is disengaged from the common command member, and a retaining position, wherein it is engaged and movable with the common command member, the common command member movement causing the displacement of the respective extracting element to the retaining position, between the rest position and the operative position;
selecting means operatively associated to the selective engagement means for displacing one or more extracting elements between the release position and the retaining position depending on the kind of coin to be supplied for the change to be given.
In a second aspect, a device is provided in accordance with the first aspect, in which the common command member comprises at least one command plate exhibiting, for each extracting element, a respective engagement groove, the command plate being mobile along a respective lying plane, between a first and a second position for displacing each engagement groove between a position in which it is distanced from the respective extracting element and a position in which it is aligned with the respective extracting element, wherein each engagement groove is arranged at least partially at the respective extracting element.
In a third aspect a device is provided according to the second aspect in which each extracting element is rotatably mobile about a respective transversal axis preferably perpendicular to the command plate, between the rest position and the operative position, each extracting element having at least one moving projection destined to engage the corresponding engagement groove of the command plate when the respective extracting element is located in the retaining position.
In a fourth aspect, a device is provided according to the third aspect in which each extracting element is operatively arranged above the command plate and each engagement groove is afforded at a surface facing the extracting elements, each extracting element being transversally mobile preferably perpendicular to the command plate, between the releasing position and the retaining position.
In a fifth aspect, a device is provided according to the third or fourth aspect in which each extracting element has, on an opposite side with respect to the command plate, at least a blocking projection destined to engage a respective blocking seating made in a respective fixed structure of the device, the blocking projection of each extracting element and respective blocking seating of the fixed structure maintaining the extracting element in the rest position when the extracting element is located in the releasing position. In a sixth aspect, a device is provided according to the fifth aspect in which the extracting elements are arranged along respective rows extending adjacent to a dispensing opening made in the fixed structure of the device below the command plate, the command plate having at least one passage opening for maintaining the dispensing opening unobstructed, at least when the command member is in an operative state.
In a seventh aspect a device is provided according to the sixth aspect in which the dispensing opening is interposed between the rows of extracting elements such that the movement of each extracting element between the rest position and the operative position corresponds to a rotation of the extracting element towards the dispensing opening and towards the opposite row of the extracting elements, the command plate being substantially U-shaped and being provided with respective side portions on which the engagement grooves are made, lateral portions of the command plate defining the passage opening, which is arranged at the dispensing opening.
In an eighth aspect a device is provided according to any one of the preceding aspects in which the selective engagement means comprise, for each extracting element, at least one solenoid actuator provided with: at least one shaft made of ferromagnetic material, having an end engaged with a respective extracting element, the shaft being mobile between a first and a second position, corresponding to the releasing and retaining positions respectively of the corresponding extracting element;
at least one solenoid wound around the shaft, the solenoid being switchable between a first state, wherein it is de-energized, and the shaft and respective extracting element are kept respectively in the first position and the releasing position by a respective spring associated thereto, and a second state, wherein the solenoid is energized so that the respective extracting element is moved to a retaining position and the respective spring is compressed.
In a ninth aspect a device is provided according to the eighth aspect comprising control means operatively associated to the extracting elements for checking the position of the extracting elements after delivery of a coin, the control means checking the return of each extracting element to the rest position, the control means command:
the movement of the command plate if at least one of the extracting elements is not located in the rest position, the command plate movement being performed for taking the respective extracting element in the rest position, the successive switching of the respective solenoid moving the respective extracting element in the releasing position;
the deactivation of the command member and switching of the respective solenoid of the extracting element arranged in a different position to the rest position, the switching of the respective solenoid causing the releasing of the respective extracting element from the command plate for excluding and isolating the extracting element;
the deactivation of the device if the respective extracting element does not return to the rest position and does not move to the releasing position. In a tenth aspect a device is provided according to the ninth aspect, in which the control means comprise at least a Hall sensor housed below the command plate, the Hall sensor being destined to detect the position of at least one of the extracting elements with respect to the corresponding rest position.
In an eleventh aspect, a device is provided according to any of the preceding aspects in which each coin hopper has a substantially tubular shape and is located above a respective extracting element, the coin hoppers being extractable from the device, preferably on a group-by-group basis, there being at least six of the hoppers.
There now follows, by way of example, a description of a preferred though not exclusive embodiment of a dispensing device for coins for change- giving machines, in accordance with the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The description will now be made with reference to the accompanying figures of the drawings, provided purely by way of non-limiting description, in which:
figure 1 is a perspective representation of a change-giving machine of a coin-dispensing device, according to the present invention;
figure 2 is a perspective illustration of a coin-dispensing device which is part of the change-giving machine of figure 1 , shown in an operating condition;
figure 3 is an enlarged view of the device of figure 2;
figure 4 is a partial perspective illustration of the device of the preceding figures, shown in an operating condition;
figure 5 is a perspective view of the device of the preceding figures, shown in a further operating condition.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION With reference to the accompanying figures of the drawings, 1 denotes in its entirety a dispensing device of coins for change-giving machines, in accordance with the present invention.
As can be seen in figure 1 , the dispensing device 1 comprises at least a recognition unit 2 destined to identify different types of coins introduced into the change-giving machine associated thereto.
In particular, the recognition unit 2 is able to recognise, according to a known system which is based on recognition of the physical characteristics of coins introduced into the machine, a type of coin inserted and therefore its value.
Still with reference to figure 1 , the device 1 further comprises at least a sorting unit 3 operatively associated to the recognition unit 2 in order to send each previously-identified coin of different type into at least a corresponding conveyor channel (not visible in the figures).
As illustrated in figure 1 , the device 1 further comprises at least a storing unit 4 operatively associated to the sorting unit 3 such as to collect the coins of the same type, i.e. the same value.
In detail, the storing unit 4 comprises a plurality of coin hoppers 5 each arranged at a respective conveyor channel of the sorting unit 3 such as to receive therefrom the respective coins, of a same value, to be grouped together.
With reference to the figures of the drawings, the device 1 comprises at least a dispensing unit 6 operatively associated to the storing unit 4 such as to select and dispense at least one of the coins contained in the coin hoppers 5 (in particular such as to dispense the coins required to make up the change at least one at a time). As is visible in figures from 2 to 5, the dispensing unit 6 comprises a plurality of extracting elements 7, each operatively associated to a respective coin hopper 5 of the storing unit 4. The extracting elements 7 are mobile between a rest position (figures from 2 to 4), in which they do not operate on the coins of the respective coin hopper 5, and an operating position (figure 5), in which they are active on at least a coin of the respective coin hopper 5 in order to direct the coin towards a respective dispensing zone predisposed in the respective change-giving machine. The dispensing unit 6 further comprises at least a common command member 8 which is mobile in relation to the coin hoppers 5 of the storing unit 4.
The common command member 8 is activatable to move by means of special command members 9, preferably an electric motor 10 provided with special gear-reducing mechanism (not visible in the figures) able to transmit the motion.
In more detail, the common command member 8 comprises at least a plate-shaped body such as, for example, a command plate 11. For each extracting element 7 the command plate 11 exhibits a respective engagement groove 12 (visible in figure 5).
Alternatively, and as will be more fully explained herein below, the plate body might equivalently comprise a respective movement projection or projections which couples or couple with corresponding engagement grooves of extracting elements 7.
The command plate 11 is translatable along a respective lie plane between a first (figure 5) and a second position (figures from 2 to 4) such as to move each engagement groove 12 between a distanced position from the respective extracting element 7 and an aligned position to the respective extracting element 7, in which each engagement groove 12 is at least partly arranged at the respective extracting element 7.
In other terms, the command plate 11 moves to and fro, in particular parallel to the larger side of the dispensing unit.
As can be seen in figures from 2 to 5, each extracting element 7 is operatively arranged superiorly to the command plate 11 and each engagement groove 12 is afforded at a surface 11 a facing the extracting elements 7, i.e. upwards.
Still with reference with figures from 2 to 5, each extracting element 7 is mobile in rotation about a respective transversal axis Z, preferably perpendicular, to the command plate 1 1 , between the rest position and the operating position.
The device 1 is advantageously provided with selective engaging means (not illustrated) which are operatively associated to the extracting elements 7 such as to move each extracting element 7 between a release position (figures 2 and 3), in which it is disengaged from the common command member 8, and a restrained position (figures 4 and 5), in which it is engaged to and mobile with the common command member 8.
In detail, each extracting element 7 is transversally translatable, preferably perpendicularly, along the respective axis X, to the command plate 1 1 , between the release position (figures 2 and 3) and the restrained position (figures 4 and 5).
In this configuration, when the respective extracting element 7 is in the restrained position (figures 4 and 5), the movement of the common command member 8 causes displacement thereof between the rest position (figure 4) and the operative position (figure 5).
With the aim of enabling piloted movement of each extracting element 7 by the common command member 8, each extracting element 7 exhibits at least a movement projection (not visible) destined to engage the respective engagement groove 12 of the command plate 11 when the respective extracting element 7 is in the restrained position (figures 4 and 5). In this way, the translation of the command plate 11 draws the respective extracting element 7, in the restrained position (figures 4 and 5), in movement and therefore in rotation between the rest position (figure 4) and the operative position (figure 5), by means of the cooperation of the respective engagement channel 12 and the respective movement projection, which is in the restrained position (figures 4 and 5).
With the aim of ensuring stable positioning in the rest position of each extracting element 7 when in the release position (figures 2 and 3), each extracting element 7 exhibits, on the opposite side with respect to the command plate 11 , at least a blocking projection 7a (figures 4 and 5) destined to engage a respective blocking seating 13 afforded in a corresponding fixed structure 14 of the device 1.
In an advantageous aspect of the present invention, the extracting elements 7 are arranged along respective lines which extend adjacent to a respective dispensing opening 15 afforded in the fixed structure 14 of the device 1 inferiorly of the command plate 11 such as to push the coins to be dispensed towards the command plate 11.
The dispensing opening 15 can advantageously possibly be provided with a conveyor slide 16 which facilitates the dropping of the coins pushed by the extracting elements 7 towards the dispensing opening. With the aim of enabling exit of the coins pushed by the extracting elements 7, the command plate 11 exhibits at least a passage opening 11 b able to maintain the dispensing opening 15 substantially free both in the first and in the second positions.
In more detail, the dispensing opening 15 is interposed between the lines of the extracting elements 7 such that to the movement of each extracting element 7 between the rest position (figures from 2 to 4) and the operative position (figure 5) there corresponds a rotation of the extracting element 7 towards the dispensing opening 15 and towards the opposite line of the extracting elements 7.
In this configuration, the command plate 11 exhibits, in particular, a substantially U-shaped conformation.
In detail, the command plate 11 is provided with two lateral portions 11c on which the above-mentioned engagement grooves 12 are fashioned. The lateral portions 11c of the command plate 11 centrally delimit the passage opening 11 b which is arranged at, and preferably superposes, the dispensing opening 15 of the fixed structure 14 of the device 1.
The device 1 is advantageously further provided with appropriate selecting means (not illustrated) which are operatively associated to the selective engagement means such as to command the displacement of one or more extracting elements 7 between the release position (figures 2 and 3) and the restrained position (figures 4 and 5) in relation to the type of the coins to be dispensed such as to make up the change to be paid over.
The selective engagement means preferably comprise, for each extracting element, at least a solenoid actuator (not visible). Each solenoid actuator is provided with at least a shaft (not illustrated) made of a ferromagnetic material which exhibits an end that is engaged with a respective extracting element 7. The shaft is translatable between a first and a second position, corresponding respectively to the release position (figures 2 and 3) and the restrained position (figures 4 and 5) of the respective extracting element 7. Each solenoid actuator further comprises at least a solenoid (not illustrated) wound about the respective shaft. The solenoid is switchable between a first condition in which it is not energised, and the respective shaft and extracting element 7 are maintained respectively in the first position and the release position (figures 2 and 3) by a respective spring (not illustrated) associated thereto, and a second condition, in which the solenoid is energised such that the respective extracting element 7 is translated into the restrained position (figures 4 and 5) and the respective spring is compressed.
In a further advantageous aspect of the present invention, the device 1 comprises control means (not illustrated) operatively associated to the extracting elements 7 such as to verify the position thereof after dispensing of a coin.
In particular, the control means are able to verify the return of each extracting element 7 into the rest position after dispensing of a coin from a respective coin hopper 5.
The control means comprise a verification system able to command movement of the command plate 11 at the moment in which at least one of the extracting elements 7 is not arranged in the rest position.
In detail, when one or more extracting elements become jammed between the rest position and the operative position, the movement of the command plate 11 is reiterated several times between the first and the second position in order to seek to return the respective extracting element 7 into the rest position at which it the respective solenoid can be switched such as to transfer the extracting element 7 into the release position.
When the extracting element 7 arranged in a faulty position does not return into the rest position, the control means command deactivation of the command member and the subsequent switching of the respective solenoid of the extracting element 7. In this way the extracting element 7 is moved into the release position such that it is excluded and isolated from the whole system.
In the eventuality that the fault in the extracting element 7 survives notwithstanding the above-described attempt to free it, the control means command deactivation of the device 1 and the emission of a warning signal of the presence of a malfunction in the change-giving machine. The functioning of the coin dispensing device for change-giving machines as described structurally in the foregoing is as follows.
When one or more coins are introduced into the change-giving machine to which the device 1 is associated, the recognition unit 2 tells the value of the coins on the basis of some physical characteristics thereof, such as for example mass and/or dimensions and/or material.
Thereafter, the sorting unit 3 sorts the coins according to their value and sends the coins of a same value into a respective conveyor channel which terminates at a respective coin hopper of the storing unit 4. Each coin hopper 5 thus collects the coins of the same value in order to enable the device 1 to produce any change that has to be dispensed.
Once the coin has been introduced into the respective change-giving machine and the amount of the change to be given has been calculated, the common command member 8 is activated to move by the moving means 9.
In particular, the command plate 11 is activated to translate by the electric motor 10 between the first (figure 5) and the second positions (figures from 2 to 4), at which the engagement grooves 12 are in an aligned position with the respective extracting elements 7 which are below them.
Thereafter, the selecting means command the selective engagement means such as to determine displacement of one or more extracting elements 7 between the release position (figures 2 and 3) and the restrained position (figures 4 and 5).
In particular, the movement of the extracting elements 7 required for producing the change to be paid over is preferably performed singly on each extracting element 7 such that the dispensing of the coins is done one after another. It is noteworthy that the displacement of the extracting elements in the restrained position can also be performed simultaneously such as to determine a subsequent simultaneous dispensing of the coins that will make up the change.
The displacement of the respective extracting element 7 from the release position (figures 2 and 3) and the restrained position (figures 4 and 5) is realised by means of a switching of the respective solenoid in the de- energised position into the energised condition. The switching of the solenoid determines the displacement of the respective shaft which compresses the respective spring and brings the respective extracting element 7 into the restrained position.
When the extracting element 7 translates along the respective axis X from the release position (figures 2 and 3) into the restrained position (figures 4 and 5), the respective blocking projection 7a disengages from the respective blocking seating 13 and leaves the extracting element 7 free to move on a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the respective axis X.
When the extracting element 7 in movement reaches the restrained position (figures 3 and 4), the respective blocking projection engages the corresponding engagement groove 12 of the command plate 1 1.
At this point, command plate 11 is newly displaced towards the first position (figure 5) such as to draw, using the respective engagement groove 12 and the blocking projection of the respective extracting element 7, the extraction element 7 from the rest position into the operative position.
As the extracting element 7 is pivoted about the respective axis X, the extracting element 7 drawn in movement rotates from the rest position to the operative position. During this rotation, the extracting element 7 intercepts at least a coin contained in the overlying storage magazine 5 and pushes it towards the passage opening 11 b of the command plate 11. The coin then falls by gravity through the passage opening 11 b and reaches the dispensing opening 15 of the device 1 so that it can be gathered by the user.
Once the money has been delivered, the command plate 11 is further displaced from the first (figure 5) to the second position (figures from 2 to 4) in order to bring the respective extracting element 7 into the rest position.
At this point, the solenoid is switched from the energised condition into the de-energised condition and the respective spring is able to return the extracting element 7 from the restrained position (figures 4 and 5) to the release position (figures 2 and 3) in which the blocking projection 7a engages the blocking seating 13 and immobilises the respective extracting element 7 in the rest position.
Naturally the above-described movement of the command plate 11 and the extracting elements 7 is reiterated, thus varying the selection of the extraction elements 7 according to the coins to be dispensed, up to when the total amount of the change has been delivered.
The coin delivery device as described above obviates the problems encountered in the prior art and offers important advantages.
First and foremost, the above-described device is reliable and guarantees optimal dispensing of the coins vis-a-vis the change to be produced.
Further, the command plate/solenoid actuators configuration enables a significant reduction to be obtained in the number of maintenance operations, as well as a considerable reduction of costs connected with such operations.
A further consideration is that the command plate/solenoid actuators configuration enables greater use of the space and internal volumes of the device, and significantly increases both the number of extracting elements and the coin hoppers (which can be up to six).
In addition, the freeing-up of the internal spaces of the device also enables greater-capacity coin hoppers to be installed, which can thus contain a greater number of coins with respect to the storage magazines of traditional devices.
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