WO1992018952A1

WO1992018952A1 - Coin sorter

Info

Publication number: WO1992018952A1
Application number: PCT/FI1992/000120
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: FI911955A0; WO1992018950A1; AU1670292A; AU1645592A

Abstract

The object of the invention is a coin-sorting machine comprising a coin-feeding device (3), a rolling track (4) along the bottom (5) of which the coins (6) roll from the beginning (7a) of the rolling track through the separation device (2) at the end (7b) of it. Along the rolling track is a coin-measuring unit (1), comprising at least an optical transmitter and receiver for measuring the size of the coin. The coin-measuring unit comprises a first optical measuring element (10) at the first angle (β) with respect to the longitudinal direction (P) of the bottom (5) of the rolling track (4), which measuring element measures the distance of the coin (6) edge (9), and at the second angle (K) an optical switching beam (8), whereupon the interaction between it and the coin (6) edge (9) triggers the distance measurement of the said coin edge (9) for the purpose of identifying the diameter (D) of the coin (6). The feeding device (3) comprises elements for feeding the coins (6) at a distance (L) from each other to the measuring unit (1).

Description

COIN SORTER -

The present invention concerns a coin-sorting machine, comprising a coin-feeding device, a rolling track along the bottom and against one side surface of which the coins roll, mainly due to the force of gravity, from the beginning of the rolling track, through a separation device at the end of it, along the said rolling track a coin- measuring unit comprising at least an optical transmitter and receiver for measuring the size of the coin and at least in the measurement area in the rolling track, a bottom shaped in cross section.

The aim of sorting the coins is to separate mixed coins of various denominations and thus also of different sizes into their own compartments for subsequent use. The particular problem in this case is the measuring of the size of the coin in such a way that it can be separated from coins of other sizes and fed into the intended channel for further use.

The publication US-3 795 252 describes a centrifugal coin sorter, in which coins of different sizes are stopped at different points on a disc rotating at high speed. This arrangement has the disadvantage that it only measures the diameter of the coins and not at all their thickness or the coin material. A further disadvantage of this machine is that it wears the coins down very quickly which means that the coins sorted with it can no longer be used, for example, in slot machines.

The publication DK-159691 describes a somewhat more sophisticated arrangement for measuring coins. The publication does not describe the feeding device used, but it discloses a rolling track for the coins, along the bottom and pressed against one side surface of which the coins roll due to the force of gravity. The said track comprises a coin-measuring unit which comprises a channel for the coins which is stepped in cross section, so that a thinner coin falls onto a lower and a thicker coin rises onto an upper track. In addition, in the area of the steps there is a CCD cell extending transversely across the track, the said cell comprising several light-sensitive components transverse to the track, and opposite the CCD cell a light source. When the coin is at the measurement point, it casts a shadow on the CCD cell, by means of which the diameter of the coin can be identified. The equipment also comprises an electromagnetic sensor - the structure of which is not explained in detail - for identifying the coin material. This solution, too, has several disadvantages. Since the light source is not directed, but instead diverging and diffused, the edge of the coin produces a half-shadow on the CCD cell, and this makes accurate determination of the coin edge impossible. Moreover, the stepped cross section of the rolling track bottom may cause a coin to become wedged at one of the steps, which results in the machine stopping. The wedged coin must be removed by hand, thus reducing the used capacity of the machine. The stepped bottom of the track also results in relatively thick coins having to rise up higher than the rest of the track bottom, which means that there is a high probability that the coin will start to bounce due to the effect of the change of direction. Therefore, accurate measurement of the diameter can hardly be spoken of. The described inductive measuring method is also extremely inaccurate because in it the measurement operates continuously, and the approaching coin, as it passes the measuring sensor, creates an indefinite signal curve, which is dependent on speed in the measuring device, and it is extremely difficult to obtain the real value from this curve. Since in all known machines the coins pass along the rolling track either so that they are in contact with each other or very close to each other, several coins affect the electromagnetic sensor simultaneously, which means that obtaining a reliable reading is in practice impossible. The aim of the invention is, therefore, to achieve a coin- sorting machine by means of which the diameters of coins can be measured much more accurately than with the known machines, and by means of which the thicknesses of coins can also be measured steplessly and essentially more accurately than with known machines. A second aim of the invention is a coin-sorting machine of this type, by means of which the coin material can be identified with extreme reliability and accuracy. A third aim of the invention is a coin-sorting machine of this type, by means of which each coin which is found to be different can be guided individually into the corresponding continuation channel on the basis of the measuring results. It is a further aim of the invention to achieve a sorting machine of this type in which the coins move in a disturbance-free manner for obtaining reliable measuring results, and the sorting speed of which is substantially higher than that of known sorting machines, while at the same time the coins are handled carefully so that they will not wear or be damaged.

The foregoing disadvantages can be eliminated and the aims defined above can be achieved with the sorting machine relating to the invention, the characteristics of which are defined in the characterizing part of claim 1.

The most important advantage of the present invention is that in it, the diameter, thickness and material of each coin can be measured reliably and individually, and that the coins thus identified can be separated, each to its own destination, according to the measuring results. Another advantage of the invention is that the sorting speed of the machine is considerably high and that there are no easily damaged sections in the machine or sections into which coins could become wedged. The operation of the machine relating to the invention is thus extremely reliable.

The invention is described in detail in the following, with reference to the appended drawings. Figure 1 shows a general view of the coin-sorting machine as seen from the front, from a direction perpendicular to the plane of the coins.

Figures 2A and 2B show the measuring arrangement relating to the invention in greater detail, in a similar view as shown in figure 1.

Figures 3A and 3B show the coin thickness measuring device relating to the invention as a cross section along the line A-A of figure 2.

Figures 4A and 4B show a cross section of the coin diameter measuring device relating to the invention along the line B-B of figure 2.

Figure 5 shows the structure of the light director relating to the invention.

Figures 6A and 6B show the coin-separation device relating to the invention.

The coin-sorting machine comprises first of all a coin- feeding device 3, which brings the coins 6 to be measured to the rolling track 4, along the bottom 5 and against one side surface 20 of which the coins roll, mainly due to the force of gravity, from one end of the track to the other. This coin-feeding device 3 is arranged to be such that it feeds the coins 6 at a distance L from each other onto the rolling track 4 for measurement. This distance L between the coins is at least of the length of the projection of the longest measuring element in the direction of the rolling track, in order that only one coin at a time will be measured at each measuring stage, without the other coins disturbing the measurement. In practice this means that the free distance between the edges of the coins should be 1-2 times greater than the diameter of the largest coin handled. The distance between the coins as measured from the centre of one coin to the centre of another coin should preferably be at least about 100 mm or more, in order for the separating device 2 to have sufficient time to change position during the interval between coins, so that the coins can be guided to the desired paths. The coin-separation device 2 is located at the end 7b of the rolling track, whereas the coins 6 come to the rolling track at its beginning 7a, from the feeding device 3. According to the invention, the bottom 5 of the rolling track 4 is essentially the same in cross section along its entire length and rectilinear in the longitudinal direction P of the track. Thus, the direction of the coin is not changed at all along the entire rolling track, which means that the coin 6 moves rectilinearly without disturbances on the course. This makes possible extremely accurate measurement. Particularly the bottom 5 of the rolling track 4 is wedge-like in cross section to make possible accurate measurement of coin thickness, as explained in detail below. The longitudinal direction P of the rolling track 4 preferably forms a substantial angle with respect to the horizontal plane in order to effect rolling of the coins 6. The longitudinal direction P of the track may be very steep, as in figure 1, or gentler. The angle is not precisely defined as it suffices that it differs clearly from the vertical and the horizontal. The angle shown in figure 1, for example, is very practicable in use and facilitates the speedy operation of the machine. The rolling track 4 also forms a small angle perpendicularly to the above-mentioned inclination, in other words, in figure 1 the track is not quite vertical in the plane of the figure, but is instead slightly more forwards at the end 7b, and slightly backwards at the beginning 7a of the track. The background of the rolling track 4 consists of the side surface 20. The coin 6 thus rolls along the bottom 5 of the track and is at the same time pressed lightly against the side surface 20, which means that the rolling track of the coin stays reliably on one level. In addition to this, the rolling track 4 comprises a front surface 35 parallel with the side surface 20, the said front surface not interacting directly with the coin, but acting as a mounting base for the components of the measuring elements.

The sorting machine relating to the invention preferably comprises both a first optical measuring element 10, which measures the diameter of the coin, and a second optical measuring element 30, which measures the thickness of the coin, and an electromagnetic measuring element 27 for identifying the material of the coin 6. The coin-thickness measuring element 30 operates according to the invention when the coin is at the said measuring element, but the diameter measuring element 10 operates due to the effect of the switching beam 8 in the manner described below. Electromagnetic measurement by means of the sensor 27 is also triggered optically, and in particular preferably by means of the same switching beam 8 as the measurement of coin diameter, but usually at a time interval from it. Measurement can obviously also be carried out at the same moment of time, but the structure of the device will then become more complex. Figure 1 shows in general the preferable locations of the first optical measuring element 10, the second optical measuring element 30, and of the electromagnetic sensor 27, and their preferred positions with respect to each other.

The coin-measuring unit 1 comprises a first optical measuring element 10, at the first angle β with respect to the longitudinal direction P of the bottom 5 of the rolling track 4. This measuring element measures the distance of the coin 6 edge 9 in the direction of that side 11 of the angle β which deviates from the longitudinal direction P of the rolling track bottom.

The said optical measuring element 10 consists of a transmitter comprising a light source 13, and of a sandwich collimator 14 between itself and the rolling track, by means of which a beam of light rays perpendicular to the side surface 20 of the track is achieved, the direction of which is shown by reference number 24. At this light source of the rolling track 4 and the sandwich collimator 14, on its other side, is situated a receiver, consisting of a CCD cell 16, which is elongated in shape in the direction 11 of distance measurement. The light source 13 with its sandwich collimator 14, and the CCD cell 16, are shaped, or alternatively limited with a slot element, to form a measurement area 15 which is narrow and elongated in the direction of the side 11 of the angle. Since the measurement light coming through the sandwich collimator 14 is directed, the edge of the coin does not create a half- shadow, but instead an extremely sharp shadow, which means that the edge 9 of the coin can be accurately detected on the CCD cell. In addition, the coin-measuring unit comprises a switching beam 8, which forms a second angle K with respect to the longitudinal direction P of the rolling track bottom 5. This switching beam 8 is parallel with the direction of the side surface 20 of the track and thus with the direction of the coin plane, and it is generated by means of a light source 17, which is outside the second edge 19 of the track, and a light receiver 18 directed to it. When the radiation and measurement angles of both the light source 17 and the light receiver 18 are sufficiently small, an extremely accurately limited measurement beam 8 is obtained. The second angle K formed by this measurement beam 8 is substantially greater than the first angle β formed by the first measuring element 10, and the direction 11 of this first angle preferably forms a bisector to the angle K formed by the switching beam 8. Thus the angle β, formed by the measuring direction 11 with respect to the rolling track bottom 5, is as great as the angle α between this measuring direction 11 and the switching beam 8, and at the same time these directions 8 and 11 intersect the bottom of the rolling track 4 at the same point 12. It is obvious that the distance measuring direction 11 does not have to be exactly the bisector of the angle K of the switching beam 8, but may deviate slightly from it, which means that the distance measuring direction forms an intersectional point 12a with the bottom of the rolling track, the said point differing somewhat from the intersectional point 12b formed by the switching beam 8 and the bottom 5.

The arrangement presented above functions in such a way that, as the coin 6 proceeds in the direction of movement M, the edge 9 of the coin cuts at some stage the switching beam 8, at which moment the location of the coin edge 9 is measured by means of the first optical measuring element 10. By means of this arrangement, the size of the coin can seemingly be magnified, as can be seen on the basis of figure 2A. In the figure, three coins with different diameters are shown, which are all precisely at the point where they are about to cut the measurement beam 8. As the figure shows, the distances of the coins from the tip of the measuring sector formed by the switching beam 8 and the bottom of the rolling track, are significantly greater than the simple differences Dl, D2 and D3 between the diameters. By means of this arrangement relating to the invention, that is, by means of opto-mechanical magnification, accuracy improves fourfold in comparison to the prior art. When the directing of light as described above is added to this, the accuracy improves to tenfold in comparison to the prior art. In the described embodiment, the angles open in the direction of entry of the coin 6, but they may equally well open in the opposite direction, or be otherwise arranged. It should be noted that in the case of figure 2, the diameter of the smallest coin is measured at the points 21b of the rear edge, whereas the diameter of the largest coin is measured from the front edge 21a of the coin. It is obvious that the distance of the coin edges can also be measured by using different types of optical sensors, for example, by using laser.

The second optical measuring element 30, which measures the thickness T of the coin 6, is situated either at the first measuring element 10 or at a distance from it in the longitudinal direction P of the rolling track 4, as shown in the embodiment in the figures. This second optical measuring element 30 also consists of a transmitter comprising a light source 13, and between itself and the rolling track a wedge-like sandwich collimator 31 extending across the bottom 5, and of a receiver parallel with the side surface 20, consisting of a CCD cell 16. The light source 13 with its sandwich collimator 31, or the CCD cell, is shaped or limited by means of a slot element to measure transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction P of the track, in an elongated area 36, the width of which is small in the longitudinal direction P of the track, as can be seen in figures 2A and 2B. In addition, that side of the sandwich collimator which is opposite the coin and against the side surface 20, is formed into a wedge surface 32, which forms a sharp angle V against the bottom of the rolling track, in the vertical plane, as shown in figures 3A and 3B. The effect of this wedge surface 32 is as follows. As figure 3A shows, a thin coin 6 falls relatively low down between the side surface 20 and the wedge surface 32 of the sandwich collimator 31, whereupon the CCD cell 16 detects this relatively small measure 33, or similarly the larger measure shaded by the coin. A thicker coin 6, on the other hand, remains higher up in this wedge-like slot as appers from figure 3B, which means that the measure 33 from the bottom of the wedge slot is greater, or alternatively, the measure shaded by the coin is smaller. Especially the direction of measurement 34 of this second measuring element 30, as defined above, in other words the longitudinal direction of the measurement slot, is preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal direction P of the track 4. Since the bottom of the rolling track 4 is preferably wedge-like in this manner along its entire length, the movement of the coin 6 remains linear.

Both of the optical measuring elements 10, 30 described above are thus in principle of the same type, only their design and position differ from each other. In the measuring unit 10, the transmitting direction 24 is the same for both sandwich collimators 14, 31 and thus corresponds to the direction of the emitted light and is perpendicular to the side surface 20 of the rolling track. The sandwich collimators 14, 31 relating to the invention are formed of thin strips, some of which are transparent strips 25 which allow light to pass through, and others are opaque strips 26 that do not allow light to pass through. In the collimators, these strips are stacked alternately into a tight pack, as shown in figure 5. The plane of these strips 25, 26 is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction P of the rolling track, and preferably perpendicular to the direction of measurement 11, and correspondingly 34, of the optical measuring elements 10 and 30. These strips 25, 26 may be of plastic or glass, and the opaque strips may also be of metal foil. The thickness of the strips 25, 26 is preferably less than about 0.2 mm, and is typically of the order of 0.09 mm. It is possible also to locate receiving sandwich collimators 22, 23 between the side surface 20 of the rolling track and the CCD cell 16, the transmitting directions 24 of the said directors being the same as those of the corresponding transmitter sandwich collimators 14, 31. This helps to reduce the disturbing effect of possible diffused light. The light source is preferably a neon discharge tube, the diameter of which may be, for example, about 2 mm, in which case the width of the measurement area 15, 36, which is transverse with respect to the direction of measurement 11, 13, is of the same order of magnitude or smaller. The said CCD cell preferably has something in the order of 50-200 pixels/cm, in order to achieve sufficient accuracy of measurement. When the coin is measured, either the number of illuminated pixels or the number of dark pixels is calculated, on the basis of which the diameter D of the coin, or the thickness T of the coin can be calculated from the geometrical factors described by means of mathematical methods known as such, which are, therefore not described here in detail.

The measuring arrangement is not sensitive to the angles described, but the said second angle K should preferably be selected from within the range 15-45°, and is preferably of the order of 30°. The said wedge angle V of the second optical measuring element should preferably be selected from within the range 15-45°, and is preferably of the order of 30°. With these angle values a sufficient intended effect is achieved without the slight effect of large angles on the accuracy of measurement and without an increase in the size of the device, as caused by small angles.

The measurement carried out by means of the electromagnetic sensor 27 has also been arranged to be optically triggered. This magnetic sensor 27 can obviously be located in the area of the first or second optical measuring element 10, 30, but the structure then becomes relatively complex, although the temporally limited measurement relating to the invention could be realized by means of the same activation of the switching beam 8 as the measurement of the diameter. The electromagnetic sensor 27 is preferably located at or near the intersection 12 or 12b of the rolling track bottom 5 and the direction of distance measurement 11, in which case the temporally limited measurement can be arranged to be triggered when the edge of the coin 6 returns the switching beam, as shown in figures 2A and 2B. In such a case the switching beam 8 is cut subsequent to the measurement of the diameter, until the coin 6 arrives at the switching beam 8 sensor 18, whereupon the switching beam 8 returns again. This returning is preferably used to trigger the electromagnetic measurement. This temporally limited measurement by means of an electromagnetic sensor in practice takes less than 10 ms, and preferably less than about 2 ms. Even measurement lasting for 2 μs can be used.

The measurement of the coin diameter and the electromagnetic identification of the coin material, as described above, can be realized thanks to the distances L between the coins 6. Thanks to the distances L between the coins it is also possible to realize the separation device 2 relating to the invention, which guides each measured coin to its intended destination. The separation device 2 consists of a guiding frame 40, comprising several partition walls 28, which are parallel with the side surface 20 of the rolling track 4, and thus also with the plane of the coins 6, the said walls separating channels 29 between them. These channels 29 are thus situated in a transverse direction with respect to the direction of movement M of the coin. The guiding frame comprises a swivelling axle 41, perpendicular to the direction of movement M of the coin, and in the direction of the partition walls 28, the said axle 41 being swivelled by means of an actuator 43. When the guiding frame 40 is tilted around its axle 41 so that one of the channels 29 becomes an extension to the rolling track 4, the output end of the frame guides the coin that has entered this channel to the relevant destination. Figure 6 shows the frame 40 in its mid-position, in which the coins pass straight through it. If the frame 40 is turned clockwise, for example, by one channel 29, the corresponding channel guides the approaching coin to a route leading to another destination 44 below the centre line. If, on the other hand, the guiding frame 40 is turned anticlockwise, the channels 29 guide the coins to continuation channels 44 above the centre line, depending on the turning angle. In figure 6, the arrows 45 depict the turning of the guiding frame clockwise or anticlockwise. That end of the guiding frame 40 which is against the end 7b of the rolling track 4, is preferably designed to be curved so that each channel 29 fits with a small tolerance at the end of the rolling track 7b. Correspondingly, the output end of the guiding frame can be designed to fit the inputs of the routes to the destinations 44.

Claims

1. A coin-sorting machine, comprising a coin-feeding device (3), a rolling track (4) along the bottom (5) and against one side surface (20) of which the coins (6) roll mainly due to the force of gravity from the beginning (7a) of the rolling track, through the separation device (2) at the end (7b) of it, along the said rolling track a coin-measuring unit (1) comprising at least an optical transmitter and receiver for measuring the size of the coin and, at least in the measurement area in the rolling track, a bottom (5) shaped in cross section, characterized in that the coin- measuring unit comprises a first optical measuring element (10), at the first angle (β) with respect to the longitudinal direction (P) of the bottom (5) of the rolling track (4) , which measuring element measures the distance of the coin (6) edge (9) in the direction of the side (11) of this angle, and an optical switching beam (8) at the second angle (K), whereupon the interaction between it and the coin (6) edge (9) triggers the distance measurement of the said coin edge (9) for the purpose of identifying the diameter (D) of the coin (6), and that the feeding device (3) comprises elements for feeding the coins (6) at a distance (L) from each other to the measuring unit (1) and, if necessary, further on to a separation device (2).

2. A sorting machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the said second angle (K) is essentially greater than the first angle (β), the first angle is preferably about half of the second angle, that the first and second angles (β, K) open in the same direction, either in the direction of movement (M) of the coins or against it, and that the switching beam (8) and the said direction of distance measurement (11) or their extensions intersect at points close to each other or at the same point (12a, 12b; 12) on the bottom (5) of the rolling track (4).

3. A sorting machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the transmitter of the first optical measuring element (10) consists of a light source (13) and of a sandwich collimator (14) between itself and the rolling track, and the receiver consists of a CCD cell (16) which is parallel with the direction of distance measurement

(11), which means that the measurement beam runs across the rolling track, essentially perpendicularly to the side surface (20), and that the transmitter and receiver are shaped or limited with a slot element, to measure in a narrow measurement area (15), which is elongated in the direction of distance measurement and transverse to it.

4. A coin-sorting machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the switching beam (8) is obtained by means of a light transmitter (17) and a light receiver (18) directed to it to obtain a narrow, identifiable beam, that either the transmitter or the receiver is under the bottom (5) of the rolling track (4), and similarly, either the receiver or the transmitter is behind the opposite edge (19) of the rolling track, whereupon the switching beam (8) runs in the plane of the track, essentially parallel with the side surface (20), and that the said interaction between the edge (9) of the coin and the switching beam consists of the cutting or returning of the beam.

5. A sorting machine as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the first optical measuring element (10) identifies at the triggered moment of distance measurement, in the direction of movement (M) of the coin, either the front edge (21a) or the rear edge (21b) of the coin (6) .

6. A sorting machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a second optical measuring element (30), which is arranged to measure the thickness (T) of the coin (6) either at the first measuring element (10) or at a distance from it in the longitudinal direction (P) of the rolling track (4).

7. A sorting machine as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the second optical measuring element (30) consists of a transmitter comprising a light source (13), and between itself and the rolling track, in the area of the bottom (5), a wedge-like sandwich collimator (31), the wedge surface (32) of which comes against the coin (6) and forms, in a perpendicular plane to the bottom (5) of the rolling track, a sharp wedge angle (V), and a receiver consisting of a CCD cell (16) parallel with the side surface (20), to identify the distance caused by the thickness (T) of the coin and transverse to the longitudinal direction of the path corresponding to the it in the direction of measurement (34).

8. A sorting machine as claimed in claim 2 or 7, characterized in that the said second angle (K) is within the range 15-45°, and preferably of the order of 30°, and that the said wedge angle (V) is within the range 15-45°, and preferably of the order of 30°.

9. A sorting machine as claimed in claim 3 or 7, characterized in that, between the rolling track (4) and each CCD cell (16), is in addition a receiving sandwich collimator (22, 23), the transmitting direction (24) of which is the same as that of the corresponding transmitter sandwich collimator (14, 31), that the sandwich collimators consist of transparent thin strips (25) and opaque strips (26), stacked alternately on top of each other, the plane of these strips (25, 26) thus being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (P) of the rolling track, and preferably perpendicular to the direction of measurement (11, 34) of each optical measuring element (10, 30).

10. A sorting machine as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the thickness of the strips (25, 26) in the sandwich collimators (14, 31, 22, 23) is preferably less than about 0.2 mm, and that the strips are of plastic or glass.

11. A sorting machine as claimed in claim 3 or 7, characterized in that the light source (13) is a neon discharge tube, and that the CCD cell preferably has something in the order of 50-200 pixels/cm.

12. A sorting machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that it moreover comprises an electromagnetic sensor (27) located in the area of either the first or second optical measuring element (10, 30), or outside these areas, for identifying the coin material, and that measurement with this sensor is carried out as temporally limited measurement which is triggered through any of the activations of the optical measuring elements.

13. A sorting machine as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the electromagnetic sensor (27) is located at or near the intersection (12, 12b) of the direction of distance measurement (11) and the rolling track bottom (5), that the measurement is arranged to be triggered when the edge (9) of the coin (6) returns the switching beam (8) to the state preceding the measurement of the diameter, and that the duration of the temporally limited measurement is less than about 10 ms, and preferably less than about 2 ms.

14. A sorting machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that it furthermore comprises the type of separation device (2) which consists of a guiding frame (40), comprising channels (29) separated by partition walls (28), the said channels being parallel with the side surface (20) of the rolling track (4), and thus also with the plane of the coins (6) in a transverse direction with respect to the direction of movement (M) of the coin, that this guiding frame is arranged to tilt around an axle (41) perpendicular to the direction of movement (M) of the coin and parallel with the partition walls, and that the actuator (43) tilting the guiding frame receives a control value on the basis of the measuring results of each coin for tilting the frame in such a way that the said coin type is guided to its corresponding, predetermined destination (44).

15. A sorting machine as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the said distance (L) between the coins is at least of the same length as the projection of the first optical measuring element (10) in the direction (P) of the rolling track, but is preferably greater than about 100 mm.

16. A sorting machine as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the bottom (5) of the rolling track (4) has essentially the same rectilinear cross section in the longitudinal direction (P) of the track along the entire length of the rolling track.