Multi-unit coin ejection apparatus

A multi-unit coin ejection apparatus, comprising:

• a base having a mounting surface;
• coin ejection units mounted on the mounting surface;
• a first motor commonly used for the coin ejection units;
• a driving mechanism, provided below the mounting surface, that is configured to drive the coin ejection units by transmitting a driving force of the first motor using gears;
• and
• a switching unit, provided below the mounting surface, that is configured to switch a destination of the driving force of the first motor, thereby selectively driving the coin ejection units;
• wherein the switching unit comprises (i) first coupling gears which are respectively provided for the coin ejection units, (ii) second coupling gears which are engageable with the corresponding first coupling gears and which are provided for the driving mechanism, and (iii) a coupling gear displacement mechanism that is configured to displace the second coupling gears between a predetermined connection position and a predetermined non-connection position,
• wherein the coupling gear displacement mechanism comprises:
• a camshaft rotationally driven by a second motor, wherein the camshaft has cams which are assigned to respective coin ejection units, and
• cam followers which are respectively engaged with the second coupling gears and which are displaceable by corresponding cams;
• wherein the second coupling gears are displaced between the connection position and the non-connection position according to displacements of the cam followers due to rotations of the corresponding cams;
• the coupling gear displacement mechanism is operated in response to an instruction in such a way that a designated one of the second coupling gears is disposed at the connection position and that a remainder of the second coupling gears is/are disposed at the non-connection position in accordance with the instruction;
• and
• when a designated one of the second coupling gears is disposed at the connection position by the coupling gear displacement mechanism in response to an instruction, the driving force of the first motor is selectively transmitted to a corresponding one of the coin ejection units to the designated one of the second coupling gears.