JP7305166B2 - Paper sheet conveying device and paper sheet conveying method - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a paper sheet conveying device for conveying banknotes and other sheet-like papers in a duct by an air flow generated in the duct, a paper sheet conveying method, and a control program for the paper sheet conveying device. .

An example of such a paper sheet conveying device is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 5926415 (Patent Document 1).
22 to 27 show the paper sheet conveying device described in the same patent publication.
This paper sheet conveying apparatus comprises a carrier 10 for conveying the paper sheet by pushing the front surface of the paper sheet, and a duct 11 having an outer shape similar to that of the carrier 10 and having an internal space in which the carrier 10 can travel. , a pair of first and second blowers 12a and 12b for bidirectionally running the carrier 10 in the duct 11, and stoppers 13a and 13b for stopping the carrier 10 at a predetermined position in the duct 11.
FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing an environment in which the paper sheet conveying device is used.
As shown in FIG. 22, a plurality of pachinko machines 20 and other amusement machines are arranged in a row in the horizontal direction of FIG. 22 (only one pachinko machine 20 is shown in FIG. 22). A bill inserting device 21 for inserting bills is installed beside the table 20 .

On the back side of the pachinko machine 20, a duct 11, which is one component of the paper sheet conveying device, is installed so as to extend in parallel with the direction in which the pachinko machine 20 is arranged.
FIG. 23 is a partial perspective view (including a partially exploded view) of the duct 11. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 23, the duct 11 has a hollow structure extending linearly, and its vertical cross section is shaped like a vertically elongated rectangle with the center portion in the vertical direction protruding inward. That is, the central portion in the vertical direction constitutes a projecting portion 11a projecting inward of the duct 11 in a rectangular shape.
Furthermore, a slit 11b is formed in the side wall of the duct 11 so as to correspond to the position of the bill inserting device 21. As shown in FIG. As will be described later, bills inserted into each bill inserting device 21 are fed into the duct 11 through the slit 11b.
FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the carrier 10. FIG.
The carrier 10 has a vertically extending central axis 10a, four first wings 10b arranged on one side of the central axis 10a, and four second wings arranged on the other side of the central axis 10a. 10c.

The first wings 10b are arranged so that a pair of the first wings 10b form a V shape with the upper end and the lower end of the central axis 10a as starting points. Similarly, the second wings 10c are arranged so that a set of two second wings 10c form a V shape with the upper and lower ends of the central axis 10a as starting points. As will be described later, bills fed into the duct 11 are transported with their outer edges pushed by the four first wings 10b.
25 is a perspective view showing a state in which the carrier 10 is housed inside the duct 11. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 25, the projecting portion 11a of the duct 11 extends into the space 10d formed between the upper and lower first wings 10b and the space 10d (see FIG. 24) formed between the upper and lower second wings 10c. Get stuck.
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 22, at one end (right end in FIG. 22) of the duct 11, a banknote storage chamber 14 is arranged to store banknotes that have been inserted from the banknote insertion device 21 and conveyed by the carrier 10.
A first blower 12 a and a second blower 12 b for blowing air into the duct 11 are arranged at both ends of the duct 11 .

Either one of the first blower 12a and the second blower 12b operates, or both do not operate. Both do not work at the same time. When the first blower 12a is activated, the second wing 10c of the carrier 10 accommodated inside the duct 11 receives wind pressure, and the carrier 10 travels in the direction (direction X1) toward the banknote accommodation chamber 14. On the other hand, when the second blower 12b operates, the first wing 10b of the carrier 10 accommodated inside the duct 11 receives wind pressure, and the carrier 10 travels in the direction away from the banknote accommodation chamber 14 (direction X2).
Since the banknote storage chamber 14 is arranged continuously at one end (the right end in FIG. 22) of the duct 11, the second blower 12b is arranged adjacent to the banknote storage chamber 14, and the bypass passage 12c is provided. It is connected with the duct 11 via.
FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the banknote insertion device 21. As shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 26 , the banknote insertion device 21 includes a roller unit 21b and a transport path 21c extending obliquely with respect to the duct 11 .

A banknote inserted from a banknote insertion port 21a of the banknote insertion device 21 is conveyed by a roller unit 21b and is thrown into the duct 11 via a conveying path 21c.
FIG. 27 shows stoppers 13a and 13b that stop the carrier 10 at predetermined positions within the duct 11 (specifically, near both ends of the duct 11).
The stoppers 13 a and 13 b are hook-shaped members extending inside the duct 11 . The first wing 10b of the carrier 10 is caught by the stopper 13a, so that the carrier 10 stops before the bill storage chamber 14.例文帳に追加Further, the second wing 10c of the carrier 10 is caught by the stopper 13b, so that the carrier 10 stops before the first blower 12a.

The paper sheet conveying device having the structure described above operates as follows.
When a customer of the pachinko machine 20 inserts bills into the bill insertion slot 21a of the bill inserting device 21, the bills are conveyed by the roller unit 21b and thrown into the duct 11 from the slit 11b of the duct 11 via the conveying path 21c. be.
The banknote insertion device 21 is provided with a banknote detection sensor (not shown). When a banknote is inserted into the duct 11, the banknote detection sensor sends a banknote insertion signal to the central control unit (not shown). (not included).
The central controller that receives the banknote insertion signal operates the first blower 12a. When the first blower 12a starts operating, an air flow (wind) is generated inside the duct 11 in the direction (direction X1) toward the banknote storage chamber 14 . The carrier 10 travels in the direction (direction X1) toward the banknote storage chamber 14 by the second wing 10c receiving wind pressure from this air flow. The carrier 10 captures bills inserted into the duct 11 with the first wing 10b before reaching the bill storage chamber 14.例文帳に追加Since the carrier 10 is traveling in the direction (direction X1) toward the banknote storage chamber 14, the carrier 10 that has captured the banknote continues to move while pushing the captured banknote, and is then stopped by the stopper 13a. be done. When the carrier 10 stops, the banknotes are separated from the carrier 10 by the action of inertia and are accommodated in the banknote storage chamber 14 .

The banknotes are conveyed by the carrier 10 while maintaining a posture in which the paper surface is parallel to the running direction of the carrier 10 (longitudinal direction of the duct 11) and the short side is parallel to the central axis 10a of the carrier 10. be.
A sensor (not shown) for detecting the carrier 10 is arranged near the stopper 13a. When the carrier 10 is stopped by the stopper 13a, the sensor outputs a carrier stop signal indicating that the carrier 10 is stopped by the stopper 13a. Send to central controller.
Upon receiving the carrier stop signal, the central control unit stops the operation of the first blower 12a and waits a predetermined time after the carrier 10 is stopped by the stopper 13a (the time required for bills to be stored in the bill storage chamber 14). ) has passed, the second blower 12b is operated.

When the second blower 12b starts to operate, an air flow (wind) is generated inside the duct 11 in a direction (direction X2) away from the banknote storage chamber 14 . The carrier 10 travels in the direction (direction X2) away from the banknote storage chamber 14 by the first wing 10b receiving wind pressure from this air flow.
After that, the carrier 10 is caught by the stopper 13b and stopped. That is, the carrier 10 returns to its original position.
The above operation is one cycle operation from when the bill is inserted into the bill inserting device 21 until it is stored in the bill storage chamber 14 .
In the paper sheet conveying device, it is preferable that the traveling speed of the carrier 10 is constant in order to improve the stability of the operation of the paper sheet conveying device and to improve the certainty of capturing bills by the carrier 10. 22 to 27, it has been difficult or impossible to keep the running speed of the carrier 10 constant for the following reasons.

The first blower 12a and the second blower 12b are operated at constant output. Therefore, the closer to the end of the duct 11 in the traveling direction X1 or X2 of the carrier 10, the lower the wind speed of the airflow (wind) sent out from the first blower 12a or the second blower 12b, and accordingly, the carrier 10 travels. The speed must inevitably decrease as well.
It is possible to prevent the traveling speed of the carrier 10 from falling below a certain speed by increasing the amount of air discharged when the first blower 12a and the second blower 12b start operating. becomes extremely large, it may damage the banknotes when the carrier 10 comes into contact with the banknotes.
For example, Japanese Patent No. 6163228 (Patent Document 2) proposes air volume control of a blower to solve these problems.
Specifically, when the carrier 10 does not reach a predetermined position on the end side of the duct 11 even after a predetermined time has passed since the carrier 10 started traveling, the amount of air sent to the inside of the duct 11 is reduced to the air amount up to that point. The operation of the blower is controlled to be greater than .

Japanese Patent No. 5926415 (JP 2016-160038) Patent No. 6163228 (JP 2016-147759)

However, the method described in Patent Document 2 is performed only after a predetermined time has elapsed since the carrier 10 started traveling. is not guaranteed.
Furthermore, even if the air volume of the blower is increased after the predetermined time has elapsed, it merely increases the running speed of the carrier 10, which has been reduced until then. That is, even if the air volume of the blower is increased, it is not necessarily guaranteed that the carrier 10 travels at a constant speed.
Factors that may hinder the realization of a constant traveling speed of the carrier 10 include variations in the output of the blower and air leakage from the duct 11 (for example, air leakage from the slit 11b). The method described in Patent Document 2 cannot deal with these factors.

In a paper sheet conveying apparatus using airflow, banknotes are thrown into the duct 11 one by one. In order to increase the transport speed, it is necessary to increase the speed of the carrier 10, but if the speed of the carrier 10 is increased too much, the banknotes may be damaged. If the speed of the carrier 10 is lowered more than necessary in order to avoid damage to the banknotes, the carrying process takes too long, and the next banknote is delayed in the banknote inserting device 21, thus lowering the carrying efficiency.
For this reason, in order to carry out bill transport processing most efficiently, when transporting bills, the maximum constant speed of the carrier 10 is realized within a range that does not damage the bills, and only the carrier 10 is moved. , it is necessary to achieve a maximum constant velocity of the carrier 10 within a range that does not damage the carrier 10 .
The present invention has been made in view of the problems in the conventional paper sheet conveying apparatus as described above. An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, a paper sheet conveying method, and a control program for the paper sheet conveying apparatus.

In order to achieve this object, the present invention provides a duct, a carrier running in the duct, air blowing means for generating airflow in both directions in the duct, and a control device for controlling the air blowing output of the air blowing means. and wherein the carrier is caused to travel in the duct by an air flow generated in the duct, and the paper sheet is transported in the duct via the carrier, wherein the control device provides a paper sheet conveying apparatus characterized by performing control to increase the blowing output of said blowing means by a predetermined rate every time a predetermined time elapses from the start of blowing by said blowing means. do.
The "predetermined ratio" includes not only a fixed ratio but also an unfixed ratio.

The present invention further comprises a step of generating an air flow in one direction and a direction opposite to the one direction in the duct by an air blowing means, and a step of generating the air flow in the duct while maintaining the and feeding the paper sheet into the duct, and conveying the paper sheet in the duct by the air flow, while maintaining the state in which the air flow is generated in the duct. 2. A method for conveying paper sheets, further comprising the step of increasing the air blowing output of said air blowing means by a predetermined rate every time a predetermined time elapses from the start of air blowing by said air blowing means. do.
The present invention further comprises a duct, blowing means for generating bidirectional airflow in the duct, and a control device for controlling the blowing output of the blowing means, wherein the airflow generated in the duct is A paper sheet conveying device for conveying paper sheets in the duct by means of a program incorporated in the control device, wherein a predetermined time elapses from the start of air blowing by the air blowing means in the control device A program is provided for executing processing for increasing the air blowing output of the air blowing means by a predetermined ratio each time the air blowing means is used.

The present invention further comprises a duct, a carrier running in the duct, air blowing means for generating airflow in both directions in the duct, a control device for controlling air blowing output of the air blowing means, and the duct. and a plurality of carrier sensors disposed along the duct for detecting passage or stoppage of the carrier. In a paper sheet conveying apparatus for conveying paper sheets in a duct, each of the carrier sensors transmits a carrier passing signal to the control device when the carrier passes through the carrier sensor, and receives the carrier passing signal. The control device calculates the travel speed of the carrier from the time when the carrier passes each of two adjacent carrier sensors and the distance between the two carrier sensors, and the control device calculates the traveling speed of the carrier. Control is performed to increase the blowing output of the blowing means by a predetermined ratio every time a predetermined time elapses from the time when the blowing means starts blowing so that the speed converges to a predetermined target running speed. To provide a paper sheet conveying device characterized by performing
The air blowing means includes a single blower and a switching means for controlling the direction in which the airflow output from the blower flows in the duct to be either one direction or the opposite direction in the duct. , is preferably provided.

The air blowing means is composed of, for example, a first blower that generates an air flow in one direction within the duct, and a second blower that generates an air flow in the duct in a direction opposite to the one direction. and the control device preferably controls the output of at least one of the first blower and the second blower.
The control device controls the output of at least one of the first blower and the second blower each time a predetermined time elapses from the start of operation of at least one of the first blower and the second blower. is increased by a predetermined ratio to converge the travel speed of the carrier to the predetermined travel speed.
The predetermined time can be set as a fixed time, for example. Alternatively, it is possible to set the time to be indefinite.

In the paper sheet conveying apparatus according to the present invention, a non-ferrous metal sheet is attached to at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the carrier, and each of the carrier sensors detects the non-ferrous metal sheet, It is preferable to detect passage or stop of the carrier.
As the non-ferrous metal sheet, for example, an aluminum foil can be selected.
Preferably, each of said carrier sensors is attached to said duct via a sensor attachment device, said sensor attachment device being slidable along said duct.

The control device controls the air blowing means according to at least one of the total length of the duct, the number of paper sheet inserting devices that feed the paper sheets into the duct, and the interval between the paper sheet inserting devices. is preferably controlled.
The present invention further comprises a step of generating airflow in one direction and in a direction opposite to the one direction in a duct by an air blowing means, causing the carrier to run in the duct, and generating the airflow in the duct. sending a paper sheet into the duct while maintaining the state where the a first step in which each of a plurality of carrier sensors arranged along a duct and detecting passage of the carrier transmits a carrier passage signal to a control device when the carrier passes through the carrier sensor; a second step in which the device calculates the travel speed of the carrier from the time at which the carrier passed through each of two adjacent carrier sensors and the distance between the two carrier sensors, based on the carrier passing signal; and the control device sets a predetermined speed from the start of air blowing by the air blowing means so that the running speed of the carrier converges to a predetermined running speed while maintaining the state of generating the air flow in the duct. and a third step of performing control to increase the air blowing output of the air blowing means by a predetermined rate each time a predetermined time elapses .

The present invention further comprises a duct, a carrier running in the duct, air blowing means for generating airflow in both directions in the duct, a control device for controlling air blowing output of the air blowing means, and the duct. and a plurality of carrier sensors disposed along the duct for detecting passage or stoppage of the carrier. In a paper sheet conveying apparatus for conveying paper sheets in a duct, a program embedded in the control device, the program being transmitted to the control device by each of the carrier sensors when the carrier passes through the carrier sensor. a first process of calculating the running speed of the carrier from the time when the carrier passed through each of two adjacent carrier sensors and the distance between the two carrier sensors based on the carrier passing signal; control to increase the air blowing output of the air blowing means by a predetermined rate every time a predetermined time elapses from the start of air blowing by the air blowing means so that the running speed of the air converges to a predetermined running speed. and providing a program for executing a second process for performing

According to the paper sheet conveying apparatus of the present invention, the control device controls the output of the first blower or the second blower, and by this output control, the running speed of the carrier in the duct is shortened after the start of running. A constant speed is maintained over almost the entire section in the duct, except for time periods. As a result, it is possible to stabilize the operation performance of the paper sheet conveying device, improve the certainty of catching the paper sheets by the carrier, and perform the bill conveying process most efficiently. becomes possible. Specifically, when conveying banknotes via a carrier, the carrier is run at a maximum constant speed within a range that does not damage the banknotes. can run at a maximum constant speed.
A similar effect can be obtained by the paper sheet conveying method or program according to the present invention.

1 is a schematic diagram showing an environment in which a paper sheet conveying device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is used; FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a carrier that forms one component of the paper sheet conveying apparatus shown in FIG. 1; 3(A) is a front view of the carrier shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3(B) is a plan view of the carrier as viewed from above, FIG. 3(C) is a bottom view of the carrier, and FIG. Fig. 10 is a side view of the carrier; 3 is a perspective view of a first carrier member that is a component of the carrier shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second carrier member that is a component of the carrier shown in FIG. 2; FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a duct forming one component of the paper sheet conveying apparatus shown in FIG. 1; 1 is a block diagram showing part of the structure of a paper sheet conveying device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the output control which the control apparatus of the paper sheet conveying apparatus which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention performs with respect to a 1st air blower. It is a figure which shows the comparison of the traveling speed of the carrier in the conventional paper sheet conveying apparatus and the paper sheet conveying apparatus which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the modification of the paper sheet conveying apparatus which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a partial schematic diagram of the paper sheet conveying apparatus which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the carrier used in the paper sheet conveying apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, viewed from below; It is a flowchart which shows the operation|movement of the paper sheet conveying apparatus which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a process chart of the output control which the control apparatus of the paper sheet conveying apparatus which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention performs with respect to a 1st air blower. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a sensor attachment device used in the paper sheet conveying device according to the third embodiment; FIG. 16 is a front view showing a state in which the sensor mounting device shown in FIG. 15 is fitted into the duct shown in FIG. 6; It is an example of air blowing output control of the first fan and the second fan carried out in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of air blowing output control of the first fan and the second fan carried out in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of the ventilation output control of the first fan and the second fan implemented in the fifth embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of air blowing output control of the first fan and the second fan carried out in the sixth embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of air blowing output control of the first fan and the second fan carried out in the sixth embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram showing an environment in which a conventional paper sheet conveying device is used. FIG. 23 is a partial perspective view (including a partially exploded view) of a duct that is one component of the conventional paper sheet conveying apparatus shown in FIG. 22; FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a carrier that is one component of the conventional paper sheet conveying apparatus shown in FIG. 22; 25 is a perspective view showing a state in which the carrier shown in FIG. 24 is accommodated inside the duct shown in FIG. 23; FIG. FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of a banknote insertion device, which is one component of the conventional paper sheet conveying device shown in FIG. 22 ; FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view showing a stopper, which is one component of the conventional paper sheet conveying apparatus shown in FIG. 22;

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an environment in which a paper sheet conveying apparatus 300 according to the first embodiment of the invention is used.
The paper sheet conveying apparatus 300 includes a carrier 310 that conveys bills by pushing them with their front surfaces, a duct 320 that has an outer shape similar to that of the carrier 310 and has an internal space in which the carrier 310 can travel, and a and a pair of stoppers (not shown) for stopping the carrier 310 at a predetermined position in the duct 320. there is
As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of pachinko machines 400 and other amusement machines are arranged in a line in the horizontal direction of FIG. 1 (however, only one pachinko machine 400 is shown in FIG. 1). A game medium lending machine 401 is installed next to each pachinko machine 400. - 特許庁When bills are inserted, the game medium lending machine 401 dispenses a number of game media corresponding to the amount of the bills.

A duct 320, which is one component of the paper sheet conveying device 300, is installed on the back side of the pachinko machine 400 so as to extend parallel to the arrangement direction of the pachinko machine 400 (horizontal direction in FIG. 1).
2 is a perspective view of the carrier 310, FIG. 3A is a front view of the carrier 310, FIG. 3B is a plan view of the carrier 310 viewed from above, and FIG. A bottom view and FIG. 3(D) are side views of the carrier 310 .
Carrier 310 comprises a first carrier member 311 and a second carrier member 312 .
4 is a perspective view of the first carrier member 311, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the second carrier member 312. FIG.

Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 2, the direction in which the short side of the first carrier member 311 extends (horizontal direction in FIG. 2) is the first direction D1, and the direction orthogonal to the first direction D1 is the first carrier member 311 The direction in which the long side of (vertical direction in FIG. 2) extends is defined as a second direction D2, and the direction orthogonal to both the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 is defined as a third direction D3.
As shown in FIG. 4, the first carrier member 311 is made of a frame-like plate material, and has a substantially rectangular cross section when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the plate material. The width of the plate member forming the first carrier member 311 is constant.
At the four corners of the inner wall of the first carrier member 311, as shown in FIG. 3(D), arc-shaped reinforcing members 313 are provided over two adjacent sides.
As shown in FIG. 5, the second carrier member 312 is made of a frame-shaped plate material, and has a substantially rectangular cross section when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the plate material. The width of the plate member forming the second carrier member 312 is constant.

The second carrier member 312 is formed with recesses 314 extending from the outside to the inside of the second carrier member 312 on a pair of mutually opposing sides (sides corresponding to the short sides of the rectangle).
Each of the recesses 314 includes a pair of first members 314A that extend parallel to each other from the outside to the inside of the second carrier member 312, and one end of each of the pair of first members 314A (the second carrier member 312). and a pair of third members 314C extending from the other end of each of the pair of first members 314A so as to approach each other. there is
As shown in FIG. 2 , the second carrier member 312 is fitted into the first carrier member 311 from the inside of the first carrier member 311 through the recess 314 . At this time, the first carrier member 311 is fitted between the second member 314B of the recess 314 and the pair of third members 314C. That is, since the first carrier member 311 is sandwiched between the second member 314B and the pair of third members 314C of the recess 314 on the front side and the back side, respectively, the first carrier member 311 and the second carrier member 312 are strongly connected to each other, and the first carrier member 311 is not easily detached from the second carrier member 312 .

All or some of the corners of the first carrier member 311 and the second carrier member 312 are chamfered or curved.
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3(D), of the portions constituting the second carrier member 312, both side edges (upper and lower side edges in FIG. 3(D)) of a portion 312A extending in the first direction D1 are curved. A tapered portion 312B is formed. The taper 312B is formed over a certain length from both ends of the portion 312A (both ends in the left-right direction in FIG. 3D), and the width of the portion 312A (the length in the second direction D2) extends from both ends of the portion 312A. It is set so that the closer it is, the smaller it becomes.

By forming a taper 312B on the portion 312A of the second carrier member 312, the resistance against the upper and lower inner walls of the second space 322 (see FIG. 6) of the duct 320 when the carrier 310 travels through the duct 320 is reduced. Therefore, the traveling of the carrier 310 can be stabilized.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the duct 320. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, the duct 320 has an outer shape similar to that of the carrier 310 and has an inner space with the smallest cross-sectional area within the range in which the carrier 310 can travel.
Specifically, the internal space of the duct 320 includes a first space 321 having a rectangular cross-section with long sides extending in the second direction D2, and a third direction outward from the center of the first space 321 in the second direction D2. and a pair of second spaces 322 extending to D3. Each of the second spaces 322 has a rectangular cross-section, and lengths of each of the second spaces 322 in the third direction D3 are equal to each other.

The first carrier member 311 of the carrier 310 runs inside the first space 321, and the part of the second carrier member 312 of the carrier 310 protruding outward from the first carrier member 311 runs inside each second space 222. run. Bills inserted into the duct 320 are pushed by the first carrier member 311 of the carrier 310 and run inside the first space 321 .
Duct 320 is, for example, made of transparent plastic.
As shown in FIG. 1, at one end (right end in FIG. 1) of the duct 320, a banknote take-in device (not shown. A device corresponding to the banknote insertion device 21 shown in FIG. 26.) is connected from the game medium lending machine 401. A banknote storage chamber 340 is arranged to store banknotes that have been inserted into the duct 320 via the carrier 310 and transported by the carrier 310 .
A first blower 330 a and a second blower 330 b for sending airflow into the duct 320 are arranged at both ends of the duct 320 .

Either one of the first blower 330a and the second blower 330b operates, or both do not operate. Both do not work at the same time. When the first blower 330a is activated, the carrier 310 accommodated inside the duct 320 receives wind pressure and travels in the direction (direction X1) toward the banknote accommodation chamber 340. As shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the second blower 330b is activated, the carrier 310 accommodated inside the duct 320 receives wind pressure and travels away from the banknote accommodation chamber 340 (direction X2).
Note that the first blower 330a is connected to one end of the duct 320 (the left end in FIG. 1), but the other end of the duct 320 (the right end in FIG. 1) is connected to the bill storage chamber 340. is arranged, the second blower 330b is arranged adjacent to the bill storage chamber 340 and is connected to the duct 320 via the bypass passage 330c.

The paper sheet conveying device 300 having the structure described above operates as follows.
When a customer of the pachinko machine 400 inserts banknotes into the game medium lending machine 401, the game medium lending machine 401 pays out a number of game media corresponding to the amount of the banknotes. Bills inserted into the game medium lending machine 401 are ejected from the back surface of the game medium lending machine 401, taken into the bill take-in device, and then put into the duct 320 from the bill take-in device.
The game medium lending machine 401 is provided with a banknote detection sensor (not shown). When a banknote is inserted into the duct 320, the banknote detection sensor sends a banknote insertion signal indicating that the banknote has been inserted to the central controller (see FIG. not shown).
The central controller that receives the banknote insertion signal operates the first blower 330a. When the first blower 330a starts to operate, an air flow is sent inside the duct 320 in a direction (direction X1) toward the bill storage chamber 340. As shown in FIG. Carrier 310 starts running in the direction (direction X1) toward banknote storage chamber 340 by receiving wind pressure from this air flow.

The carrier 310 catches the banknotes inserted into the duct 320 via the banknote take-in device on the front surface of the first carrier member 311 before reaching the banknote storage chamber 340 . The carrier 310 that has captured the bills continues to travel in the direction (direction X1) toward the bill storage chamber 340 while maintaining the state of pushing the captured bills, and then is stopped by a stopper (not shown). By stopping the carrier 310 , the banknotes are separated from the carrier 310 by the action of inertia and are accommodated in the banknote storage chamber 340 .
A sensor (not shown) that detects the carrier 310 is arranged near the stopper, and when the carrier 310 is stopped by the stopper, the sensor sends a carrier stop signal indicating that the carrier 310 has stopped to the central controller.
Upon receiving the carrier stop signal, the central controller stops the operation of the first blower 330a, and waits a predetermined time after the carrier 310 is stopped by the stopper (the time required for bills to be stored in the bill storage chamber 340). has passed, the second blower 330b is operated.

When the second blower 330b starts to operate, an air flow is sent inside the duct 320 in a direction (direction X2) away from the banknote storage chamber 340. As shown in FIG. Carrier 310 starts running in the direction (direction X2) away from bill storage chamber 340 by receiving wind pressure from this air flow.
After that, the carrier 310 is caught by a stopper (not shown) installed near the first blower 330a and stopped. That is, the carrier 310 returns to its original position. After that, the operation of the second blower 330b is stopped in the same manner as the first blower 330a.
The operation described above is one cycle of operation from when a bill is inserted into the game medium lending machine 401 to when it is stored in the bill storage chamber 340 .

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing part of the structure of the paper sheet conveying device 300 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the paper sheet conveying apparatus 300 according to this embodiment includes a control device 500 that controls each output (that is, air volume) of the first blower 330a and the second blower 330b.
As shown in FIG. 7, the control device 500 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 501, a first memory 502 consisting of ROM, a second memory 503 consisting of RAM, keyboard and mouse and other input means (not shown). ) for transferring various commands and data to the central processing unit 501, an output interface 505 for outputting the result of processing executed by the central processing unit 501, and the passage of time and a timer 506 that transmits an elapsed signal to the central processing unit 501 at regular intervals, and the central processing unit 501, the first memory 502, the second memory 503, the input interface 504, the output interface 505, and the timer 506. , and a bus 507 connecting the .

The first memory 502 stores various control programs executed by the central processing unit 501 and other non-rewritable data.
The second memory 503 stores various data and parameters and provides an operating area for the central processing unit 501. It stores the data that is
Central processing unit 501 reads a program from first memory 502 and executes the program. That is, the central processing unit 501 operates according to programs stored in the first memory 502 .
In the paper sheet conveying apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment, the first memory 502 stores a program for causing the central processing unit 501 to execute output control (air volume control) of the first blower 330a and the second blower 330b. The central processing unit 501 executes output control of the first fan 330a and the second fan 330b according to this program, as will be described later.

Specifically, control device 500 performs control to increase the output of first fan 330a by a predetermined rate every time a predetermined time elapses from the start of operation of first fan 330a.
The control device 500 performs the same output control, that is, air volume control, on the second blower 330b as for the first blower 330a.
FIG. 8 shows an example of output control performed by the control device 500 on the first blower 330a (or the second blower 330b).
As shown in FIG. 8, the control device 500 sets the output of the first fan 330a to a value that is 40% of the maximum output when the first fan 330a starts operating (elapsed time=0 seconds). .
Next, upon receiving an elapsed signal from the timer 506 indicating that one second has elapsed since the start of operation of the first blower 330a, the controller 500 increases the output of the first blower 330a from 40% to 50%.

After that, every time one second elapses, the control device 500 increases the output of the first blower 330a by a constant rate, specifically by 5%. That is, the output of the first blower 330a is sequentially increased to 55%, 60% and 65% after 2 seconds, 3 seconds and 4 seconds from the start of operation of the first blower 330a. When the output of first fan 330a reaches 65%, control device 500 terminates the output control of first fan 330a. That is, after the output of first fan 330a reaches 65%, carrier 310 reaches the end of duct 320 while the output of first fan 330a is maintained at 65%. It is also possible to stop the output of the first blower 330a at an appropriate position before the carrier 310 reaches the end of the duct 320. FIG. In this case, after the output of the first blower 330a is stopped, the carrier 310 continues to travel to the end of the duct 320 due to the action of inertial force.

Thus, in the output control of the first blower 330a by the control device 500, every time a predetermined time elapses from the start of operation of the first blower 330a, that is, the distance between the first blower 330a and the carrier 310 increases. Each time, the output (air volume) of the first blower 330a is increased stepwise. Therefore, the carrier 310 can travel at a substantially constant speed from when it starts traveling until it reaches the terminal end of the duct 320 .
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a comparison of the traveling speed of the carrier 310 in the conventional paper sheet conveying device and the paper sheet conveying device 300 according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 9A shows the output (ratio to the maximum output) 511 of the first blower 12a, the wind speed 512 inside the duct 11, and the running speed 513 of the carrier 10 inside the duct 11 in the conventional paper sheet conveying apparatus. The left end of FIG. 9A shows the starting end of the duct 11 (the end on the side where the first blower 12a is located), and the right end shows the end of the duct 11 (the end on the side where the second blower 12b is located). ing.

As shown in FIG. 9A, in the conventional paper sheet conveying apparatus, the output 511 of the first blower 12a was constant regardless of the position of the duct 11 except for a short period after the start of operation ( Therefore, output 511 is shown as a horizontal line). Therefore, the wind speed 512 in the duct 11 reaches its maximum value at the beginning of the duct 11, decreases as it moves away from the start end, and reaches its minimum value at the end. In addition, the running speed 513 of the carrier 10 in the duct 11 is accelerated by the air flow sent out from the first blower 12a in the initial stage, so it rises up to a midpoint in the duct 11, but when it passes through that point (That is, after a certain distance from the start end of the duct 11), the air volume delivered from the first blower 12a decreases, so the traveling speed 513 of the carrier 10 gradually decreases, and reaches the minimum value at the end of the duct 11. Become.

As shown in FIG. 9A, in the conventional paper sheet conveying apparatus, the output 511 of the first blower 12a is constant, so the running speed 513 of the carrier 10 in the duct 11 increases and then decreases. That is, the running speed 513 of the carrier 10 inside the duct 11 was not constant in any time zone or in any region within the duct 11 .
FIG. 9B shows the output (ratio to the maximum output) 521 of the first blower 330a in the paper sheet conveying apparatus 300 according to this embodiment, the wind speed 522 in the duct 320, and the traveling speed 523 of the carrier 310 in the duct 320. indicates
As shown in FIG. 9B, in the paper sheet conveying device 300 according to the present embodiment, the output 521 of the first blower 330a increases by a predetermined rate every predetermined time. Therefore, the wind speed 522 in the duct 320 is maintained at a constant value. That is, the carrier 310 travels while receiving a constant wind speed 522 at any position within the duct 320 . Therefore, when the running speed of the carrier 310 in the duct 320 reaches a constant speed after accelerating from the start of running, the constant speed is maintained thereafter.

As described above, in the paper sheet conveying device 300 according to the present embodiment, as a result of the control device 500 controlling the output of the first blower 330a, the traveling speed of the carrier 310 in the duct 320 is is maintained at a constant speed over almost the entire section in the duct 320 except for a short period of time (a period of time during which the carrier 310 accelerates).
As described above, according to the paper sheet conveying apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to keep the running speed of the carrier 310 constant over almost the entire section of the duct 320 . As a result, when conveying bills, the carrier 310 is run at a maximum constant speed within a range that does not damage the bills, and when only the carrier 310 is moved (when the carrier 310 returns without conveying the bills). ), it becomes possible to move the carrier 310 at a maximum constant speed within a range in which the carrier 310 is not damaged, and as a result, it becomes possible to carry out the most efficient processing of conveying banknotes.

The structure of the paper sheet conveying apparatus 300 according to this embodiment is not limited to the above structure, and various modifications are possible.
For example, in the example of the output control of the first blower 330a or the second blower 330b shown in FIG. (5% in the example shown in FIG. 8), but the output control of the first fan 330a or the second fan 330b is not limited to this example.
For example, the elapsed time for increasing the output is not limited to a fixed time. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the output is increased each time one second elapses, but it is also possible to set the elapsed time to an indefinite time. For example, it can be set to perform output control every 1 second, 1.5 seconds, 1.7 seconds, or 2.1 seconds after the first blower 330a or the second blower 330b starts operating. .

Alternatively, the rate at which the output is increased is also not limited to a constant value. In addition to output control such as uniformly increasing at a constant increase rate (%) (uniformly increasing by 5% in the example of FIG. 8), or uniformly increasing by 10% from the previous output value, It is also possible to perform output control such as changing the rate of increase (%) each time the output is changed, or changing the rate of increase (%) with respect to the previous output value each time the output is changed.
The paper sheet conveying apparatus 300 according to this embodiment is configured to include two blowers 330a and 330b, but may be configured to include a single blower instead of the two blowers 330a and 330b. It is possible.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the paper sheet conveying apparatus 300 in the case where the paper sheet conveying apparatus 300 is provided with air blowing means for generating airflow in both directions in the duct 320. As shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 10, the blowing means includes a single blower 330d, an air flow direction switching device 331 connected to the blower 330d via a blowing pipe 331a, the direction switching device 331 and one end of the duct 320 ( 10), and a second blower pipe 332b connecting the direction switching device 331 and the other end of the duct 320 (right end in FIG. 10).
Since the banknote storage chamber 340 is arranged at the other end of the duct 320, the second air pipe 332b is connected to the duct 320 so as not to interfere with the banknote storage chamber 340, like the bypass passage 330c.
The blower 330 d and the direction switching device 331 are connected to the control device 500 and controlled in operation by the control device 500 .

When sending banknotes to the banknote storage chamber 340 via the carrier 310 (that is, when operating the first blower 330a in the first embodiment), the control device 500 operates the blower 330d and , is sent only to the first air duct 332a and not to the second air duct 332b.
When moving only the carrier 310 (that is, when operating the second blower 330b in the first embodiment), the control device 500 operates the blower 330d so that the air flow from the blower 330d is transferred to the second blower. The direction switching device 331 is controlled so that air is sent only to the pipe 332b and not to the first blower pipe 332a.
In this manner, the paper sheet conveying device 300 according to this embodiment can also be operated by one air blower 330d.

The stop control of the first blower 330a, the second blower 330b, and the blower 330d can be freely determined according to the situation. For example, each blower may be stopped when the carrier 310 is stopped by the stoppers 13a, 13b, or the carrier 310 may pass through a carrier passage sensor placed at a predetermined position (for example, a position where the carrier 310 should wait). It is also possible to stop each blower when
(Second embodiment)
FIG. 11 is a partial schematic diagram of a sheet conveying device 600 according to a second embodiment of the invention.
The paper sheet conveying apparatus 600 according to the present embodiment further includes ten carrier sensors 610a-610j compared to the paper sheet conveying apparatus 300 according to the first embodiment. The paper sheet conveying apparatus 600 according to this embodiment is the same as the paper sheet conveying apparatus 300 according to the first embodiment, except that carrier sensors 610a to 610j are further provided and the structure of the carrier 310 is different. has the structure

Ten carrier sensors 610a-610j are attached to the outer peripheral surface of the bottom wall of the duct 320 at equal intervals in the length direction of the duct 320. 610j, it detects the passage of carrier 310A and transmits a carrier passing signal to controller 500. FIG.
The position of each carrier sensor 610 a - 610 j is pre-input into controller 500 and stored in first memory 502 . In addition, the distances between adjacent carrier sensors 610a-610j are also stored in first memory 502 in advance.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the carrier 310A used in the paper sheet conveying apparatus 600 according to this embodiment, viewed from below.

Carrier 310A further comprises an aluminum foil 602 compared to carrier 310 in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, aluminum foil 602 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the bottom wall of first carrier member 311 . The thickness of aluminum foil 602 is, for example, about 10 microns.
As carrier 310A passes over each carrier sensor 610a-610j, each carrier sensor 610a-610j senses aluminum foil 602 and sends a carrier passing signal to controller 500. FIG. As a result, control device 500 can grasp which point in duct 320 carrier 310A is running or which carrier sensor 610a-610j has passed.
FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the operation of the paper sheet conveying apparatus 600 according to this embodiment.
The operation of the paper sheet conveying apparatus 600 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. 13 .

It is assumed that the carrier 310A receives the airflow generated by the first blower 330a and travels in the direction toward the second blower 330b (direction from left to right in FIG. 11=direction X1 in FIG. 1).
As carrier 310A travels inside duct 320 and passes over each carrier sensor 610a-610j, or as it stops over each carrier sensor 610a-610j, each carrier sensor 610a-610j touches the aluminum foil 602 of carrier 310A. is detected, and a carrier passage signal is transmitted to the control device 500 (step S110).
The controller 500 stores the time when each carrier passing signal is received.

Next, control device 500 detects the difference (passing time) between the time at which a carrier passing signal is received from a certain carrier sensor (for example, carrier sensor 610a) and the time at which a carrier passing signal is received from the next carrier sensor (carrier sensor 610b). is calculated, and the distance between the two carrier sensors (carrier sensors 610a and 610b) is used to calculate the running speed of the carrier 310A between the two carrier sensors (step S120).
The travel speed of carrier 310A is calculated according to the following equation.
Running speed V=D/T
D: distance between adjacent carrier sensors 610a-610j T: transit time between adjacent carrier sensors

Next, control device 500 compares the calculated travel speed of carrier 310A with a preset target travel speed (step S130).
If the calculated travel speed of carrier 310A is substantially equal to the target travel speed (YES in step S130), or if the travel speed of carrier 310A is greater than the target travel speed, output control for first blower 330a is not performed. (Step S140).
On the other hand, when the calculated travel speed of carrier 310A is not equal to the target travel speed, specifically, when the travel speed of carrier 310A is lower than the target travel speed (NO in step S130), first blower 330a Then, output control is performed (step S150).

The output control performed on the first blower 330a is basically the same as the output control in the first embodiment.
An example of the output control performed by the control device 500 on the first blower 330a when the running speed of the carrier 310A is lower than the target running speed (NO in step S130) will be described below. In the following example, the target traveling speed of carrier 310A is assumed to be 3.5 m/sec.
Assume that the times when the carrier 310A passes the third carrier sensor 610c and the fourth carrier sensor 610d are 0.55 seconds and 1.15 seconds, respectively. The time required for passage between the two carrier sensors is 1.15-0.55=0.60 seconds. The distance between the third carrier sensor 610 c and the fourth carrier sensor 610 d is known and stored in first memory 502 . Now, assuming that this distance is set to 1.8 m, the running speed of carrier 310A between the third carrier sensor 610c and the fourth carrier sensor 610d is 1.8/0.60=3 .0 [m/sec]
As a result, the target travel speed of 3.5 m/sec has not been reached.

Next, the rate of shortage of the actual running speed with respect to the target running speed is calculated.
The shortage rate is calculated based on the following formula.
Insufficiency rate=(target travel speed−actual travel speed)/target travel speed Therefore, the shortage rate in the above example is calculated as follows.
Shortage rate = (3.5-3.0) / 3.5 = 14.3 [%]
FIG. 14 is a process chart of output control performed by the control device 500 on the first blower 330a.
For example, as described above, when the shortage rate is 14.3%, the control device 500 performs control to increase the output of the first fan 330a by 14.3%.

If the planned output of the first blower 330a at that time is 55%, the output of the first blower 330a is 55×1.143=62.9[%]
change to
For example, when the actual running speed shortage rate with respect to the target running speed is 10.5% and the planned output of the first fan 330a at that time is 60%, the output of the first fan 330a is 60×1.105. = 66.3 [%]
change to
Alternatively, if the actual running speed shortage rate with respect to the target running speed is 8.2% and the planned output of the first fan 330a at that time is 65%, the output of the first fan 330a is 65×1.082. = 70.3 [%]
change to

After the control device 500 performs the output control on the first fan 330a as described above, or even after the control device 500 does not perform the output control on the first fan 330a, from step S110 described above, The process up to step S150 is repeated. That is, the control device 500 receives carrier passage signals from the carrier sensors after the fifth carrier sensor 610e, and if necessary, controls the output of the first fan 330a (step S150).
In the above example, the rate of increase in the output of the first blower 330a was set equal to the shortage rate of the actual travel speed of the carrier 310A with respect to the target travel speed. It is also possible to set

For example, it is possible to measure in advance how much the speed increase rate is achieved when a specific increase rate is executed at a specific output time, and to perform output control based on the measurement result. be.
Alternatively, it is also possible to set the increase rate of the output of the first blower 330a to M times the shortage rate (M>1).
According to the paper sheet conveying apparatus 600 according to the present embodiment, since the actual traveling speed of the carrier 310A is measured by each of the carrier sensors 610a to 610j, it is compared with the paper sheet conveying apparatus 300 according to the first embodiment. As a result, it becomes possible to perform output control more in line with the actual situation, and it becomes possible to more accurately converge the travel speed of the carrier 310A to the target travel speed.

The structure of the paper sheet conveying device 600 according to the present embodiment is not limited to the structure described above, and various modifications are possible.
The aluminum foil 602 can be attached to the outer peripheral surface of the top wall instead of the outer peripheral surface of the bottom wall of the first carrier member 311, in which case each carrier sensor 610a-610j is positioned above the duct 320. be done.
Alternatively, the aluminum foil 602 can be attached to both the outer peripheral surface of the bottom wall and the outer peripheral surface of the top wall of the first carrier member 311 . Since the carrier 310 has a vertically symmetrical shape, it is not necessary to consider the vertical direction of the carrier 310A by attaching it to both the bottom wall and the ceiling wall. That is, each carrier sensor 610a-610j may be positioned either above or below duct 320, and it is no longer necessary to consider the vertical orientation of carrier 310 when positioning carrier 310 within duct 320. .

Any non-ferrous metal can be used as the metal foil attached to the carrier 310A. , aluminum is most preferred.
Also, the number of carrier sensors 610a to 610j is not limited to the number in this embodiment, and any number can be selected as required.
Also, it is not necessary to make the distance between each carrier sensor 610a-610j constant, and it is possible to make the distance between each carrier sensor 610a-610j random.
Furthermore, the carrier sensors that detect the passage of carrier 310A are not necessarily limited to two adjacent carrier sensors. For example, every other carrier sensor (eg, carrier sensors 610a and 610c) or every N carrier sensors (where N is an integer equal to or greater than 2) may detect the passage of carrier 310A.

(Third embodiment)
As described above, in the paper sheet conveying apparatus 600 according to the second embodiment, the distances between the carrier sensors 610a-610j are set equal, but the distances between the carrier sensors 610a-610j are set equal to each other. Randomization is also possible.
However, if each carrier sensor 610a-610j is fixedly attached to the outer peripheral surface of the bottom wall of duct 320, for example, via an adhesive, it will not be easy to change the distance between each carrier sensor 610a-610j.
In the paper sheet conveying apparatus according to the present embodiment, a sensor mounting fixture 620 is used in order to facilitate changing the position of each carrier sensor 610a-610j.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of sensor mounting fixture 620 .

As shown in FIG. 15, the sensor mounting fixture 620 includes a bottom wall 621, a pair of first side walls 622a and 622b upstanding from opposite side edges of the bottom wall 621, and outwardly from the upper edge of each of the first side walls 622a and 622b. a pair of first lateral walls 623a and 623b extending vertically, a pair of second lateral walls 624a and 624b extending vertically upward from the tips of each of the first lateral walls 623a and 623b, and an upper edge of each of the second lateral walls 624a and 624b. and a pair of second lateral walls 625a and 625b extending inward.
The bottom wall 621, the first side walls 622a and 622b, the first horizontal walls 623a and 623b, the second side walls 624a and 624b, and the second horizontal walls 625a and 625b are all plate materials having a rectangular shape and a constant thickness.
Each carrier sensor 610a-610j is fixedly attached to the inner peripheral surface of bottom wall 621 (the upper surface of bottom wall 621 in FIG. 15). Each carrier sensor 610a-610j is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the bottom wall of the first carrier member 311 by attaching each carrier sensor 610a-610j to the inner peripheral surface of the bottom wall 621 (see FIG. 12). ) can be closest.

The sensor mounting device 620 is made as a single piece of resilient resin or other material. Therefore, when each component other than the bottom wall 621 is bent outward, a repulsive force directed inward, ie, a restoring force, is generated, and the sensor mounting device 620 attempts to return to its original shape.
The inner shape of the sensor mounting device 620 is set to a shape that can be fitted into the duct 320 from the outside of the duct 320 .
16 is a front view showing a state in which the sensor attachment tool 620 is fitted into the duct 320. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 16, the bottom wall 621 and the first side walls 622a and 622b form a structure that fits into the first space 321 of the duct 320. The second lateral walls 625 a and 625 b form a structure that fits into each second space 322 of the duct 320 . Since the sensor mounting device 620 is made of an elastic material, once the sensor mounting device 620 is fitted into the duct 320, a restoring force is generated in the sensor mounting device 620 to restore its original shape. Since this restoring force acts as a force to bring the sensor mounting device 620 into close contact with the duct 320 , the sensor mounting device 620 does not easily come off from the duct 320 .

Moreover, since the second lateral walls 625 a and 625 b are positioned above the wall portion forming the second space 322 of the duct 320 , at least the sensor mounting fixture 620 will not fall out of the duct 320 .
Since the sensor mounting fixture 620 is only fitted (not fixed) to the duct 320, the sensor mounting fixture 620 is slidable relative to the duct 320 along the length of the duct 320. . That is, by sliding the sensor mounting fixture 620 relative to the duct 320, the position of each carrier sensor 610a-610j can be changed.
As described above, according to the paper sheet conveying apparatus according to the present embodiment, it is possible to easily change the positions of the carrier sensors 610a to 610j with respect to the duct 320, and to control the output of the fans 330a and 330b. It allows for easy placement of each carrier sensor 610a-610j at a suitable location.

(Fourth embodiment)
When sending bills into the duct 320, the inside of the duct 320 is instantaneously ventilated with the outside. Bills are fed into the duct 320 via the bill inserting device 21 (see FIG. 22), and the bill inserting devices 21 are arranged along the duct 320 at regular intervals. Therefore, the amount of air leaking from the duct 320 to the outside increases as the distance from the first blower 330a increases. In other words, as the total length of the duct 320 increases, the number of banknote insertion devices 21 also increases, so the amount of air leaking from the inside of the duct 320 to the outside increases.
Also, when returning the carrier 310 to the initial position after the paper money is conveyed, it is necessary to shorten the time to the maximum.
The paper sheet conveying apparatus according to the fourth embodiment addresses such problems.

In the paper sheet conveying apparatus according to this embodiment, the control device 500 changes the blowing output control of the first blower 330 a and the second blower 330 b according to the total length of the duct 320 . Schematically, control device 500 performs control such that as the total length of duct 320 increases, the blowing output of first fan 330a and second fan 330b increases.
17 and 18 show an example of air blowing output control of the first blower 330a and the second blower 330b performed by the control device 500 in this embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 17, for example, the total length L of the duct 320 is divided into four stages according to lengths L ₁ , L ₂ , L ₃ and L ₄ . The control device 500 controls the blowing output of the first blower 330a and the second blower 330b according to these categories. Specifically, when the total length L of the duct 320 is ₀ < _L≤L1 , _the control device _{500 selects} the mode _A1 ; In the case of L ₃ , the output control is in mode C ₁ , and in the case of L ₃ <L≦L ₄ , the output control is in mode D ₁ .

FIG. 18 is a table showing an example of control contents in each mode.
For example, in mode _A1 , when conveying banknotes (running in the X1 direction in FIG. 22), the control device 500 first operates the first blower 330a for 1 second at 42% of the maximum output of the first blower 330a. (The unit of "time" in FIG. 18 is 100 milliseconds). Next, the first blower 330a is operated at 47% of the maximum output of the first blower 330a (“0” in “time” in FIG. 18 means “continue 47%”).
If the first blower 330a continues to operate until the carrier 310 reaches the end of the duct 320, the carrier 310 collides with the stopper at the end of the duct 320 with a relatively large impact force. In order to avoid such a situation, the control device 500 stops the operation of the first blower 330a, for example, when the carrier 310 passes the carrier passage sensor two positions before the end of the duct 320 (" This is the reason why the "stop position" is "2").

When the carrier 310 is returned to the initial position after the banknotes are conveyed (traveling in the X2 direction in FIG. 22), the control device 500 first causes the second blower 330b to operate at 47% of the maximum output of the second blower 330b for one second. to activate. The second fan 330b is then operated at 57% of the maximum output of the first fan 330a until the carrier 310 returns to its original position.
In all modes A ₁ , B ₁ , C ₁ and D ₁ , the blower output rate is higher when the carrier 310 returns to its initial position than when the carrier 310 conveys banknotes. This is because when the carrier 310 returns to its original position, no banknotes are being conveyed, so the running resistance is small and the running speed of the carrier 310 can be increased.

In mode _C1 , when conveying bills, the first blower 330a is first operated at 52% of the maximum output of the first blower 330a for one second. Next, the first blower 330a is operated at 57% of the maximum output of the first blower 330a for 1 second and at 62% for 1 second, after which the first blower 330a is operated at 65% of the maximum output of the first blower 330a. In mode _C1 , control device 500 stops the operation of first blower 330a when carrier 310 passes the carrier passing sensor four positions before the end of duct 320 (stop position=4).
Also, when returning the carrier 310 to the initial position after banknote transport, the control device 500 first operates the second blower 330b at 62% of the maximum output of the second blower 330b for 1 second, then at 67% for 1 second. Let Second fan 330b is then operated at 72% of the maximum output of first fan 330a until carrier 310 returns to its original position.

As described above, according to the paper sheet conveying apparatus according to the present embodiment, the output of each blower is controlled according to the total length of the duct 320, which is one factor of air leakage from the duct 320. FIG.
In the conventional banknote transport device, it was not possible to avoid that the running speed of the carrier 310 when approaching the end of the duct 320 decreases as the total length of the duct 320 increases. On the other hand, in the paper sheet conveying apparatus according to this embodiment, the output of each blower is controlled according to the total length of the duct 320 . Specifically, control device 500 increases the output ratio of each fan as the total length of duct 320 increases. Therefore, even if the total length of the duct 320 increases, the running speed of the carrier 310 near the terminal end of the duct 320 does not decrease, and the carrier 310 can run while maintaining a substantially constant running speed.

(Fifth embodiment)
In the fourth embodiment, control device 500 controls the output of each fan according to the total length of duct 320 . The output control of each blower is performed in accordance with the total length of the duct 320, or in addition to the total length of the duct 320, depending on the number of bill inserting devices 21 or the distance (pitch) between adjacent bill inserting devices 21. is also possible.
The pitch P (constant value) of the banknote insertion device 21 is defined by the following equation.
P=L/N
L: total length of duct 320 N: number of banknote insertion devices 21 arranged along duct 320 FIG. An example.

As shown in FIG. 19, for example, the arrangement pitch P of the banknote insertion device 21 is divided into four stages according to the lengths _P1 , _P2 , _P3 and _P4 . The control device 500 controls the blowing output of the first blower 330a according to these categories. Specifically, the controller 500 selects the mode A 1 when the arrangement pitch P of the banknote insertion device 21 is ₀ <P≦P ₁ , and the modes B ₁ and P ₂ when P ₁ <P≦P ₂ . When <P≦P ₃ , the mode C ₁ is executed, and when P ₃ <P≦P ₄ , the output control of the mode D ₁ is executed.
As described above, in the paper sheet conveying apparatus according to the present embodiment, the control device 500 controls the operation of each blower according to the total length of the duct 320 and the number of bill inserting devices 21 or the arrangement pitch of the bill inserting devices 21. Implement output control. Since the amount of air leakage from the duct 320 depends on the number of banknote insertion devices 21 per unit length of the duct 320, that is, the arrangement pitch of the banknote insertion devices 21, the pitch of the banknote insertion devices 21 is used as a factor for each blower. By performing the output control of , it is possible to perform accurate output control according to the actual state of air leakage.

(Sixth embodiment)
In the fourth embodiment, the output of each blower is controlled in accordance with the overall length of the duct 320, and in the fifth embodiment, the output control of each blower is performed in accordance with the arrangement pitch of the banknote insertion device 21. It is also possible to control the output of each blower according to both the arrangement pitches of the devices 21 .
20 and 21 show an example of air blowing output control of the first blower 330a and the second blower 330b performed by the control device 500 in this embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 20, the total length L of the duct 320 is divided into four stages with lengths L ₁ , L ₂ , L ₃ and L ₄ as boundaries. It is divided into two stages with the standard pitch Pa as a boundary. The control device 500 controls the blowing output of the first blower 330a and the second blower 330b according to these two categories. For example, when the total length L of the duct 320 is 0<L≦ _L1 and the arrangement pitch P of the banknote insertion device 21 is P<Pa, the control device 500 outputs each fan according to the mode _A1. Enforce controls. Alternatively, when the total length L of the duct 320 is L ₂ <L ≤ L ₃ and the arrangement pitch P of the banknote insertion device 21 is Pa ≤ P, the control device 500 controls each blower according to mode C ₂ . Implement output control.

FIG. 21 is a table showing an example of control contents in each mode.
As described above, in the paper sheet conveying apparatus according to the present embodiment, the output control of each blower is performed according to both the total length of the duct 320 and the arrangement pitch of the banknote inserting devices 21 . Therefore, compared to the case where the output control of each blower is performed according to only one of the total length of the duct 320 and the arrangement pitch of the banknote inserting device 21, it is possible to perform output control that is more realistic. .
In the fourth to sixth embodiments, the number of divisions of the total length L of the duct 320, the number of divisions of the arrangement pitch P of the banknote insertion device 21, and the numerical values of the output ratio of each mode are only examples. Changes are possible depending on the environment in which the device is used.

In the paper sheet conveying apparatus according to the present invention, since the output of each blower is controlled so that the running speed of the carrier is constant, it is possible to realize suitable wind-power conveying of banknotes.
Note that the objects to be conveyed are not limited to banknotes. In addition to banknotes, it is possible to convey any kind of sheet-like paper such as slips, cards, tickets, and various types of bills.

300 Paper sheet conveying devices 310 and 310A according to the first embodiment of the present invention Carrier 320 Duct 330a First blower 330b Second blower 340 Banknote storage chamber 400 Pachinko machine 401 Game medium lending machine 500 Control device 600 Paper sheet conveying device 602 according to the second embodiment Aluminum foil 620 Sensor mounting device

Claims (14)

a duct;
a carrier running in the duct;
a blowing means for generating airflow in both directions in the duct;
a control device for controlling the blowing output of the blowing means;
A paper sheet conveying device for conveying paper sheets in the duct via the carrier by running the carrier in the duct by an air flow generated in the duct,
The control device is
A paper sheet conveying apparatus, characterized in that, each time a predetermined time elapses from the start of air blowing by the air blowing means, the air blowing output of the air blowing means is increased by a predetermined rate. generating an airflow in the duct in one direction and in a direction opposite to the one direction by means of a blower;
a step of feeding paper sheets into the duct while maintaining the state of generating the air flow in the duct, and conveying the paper sheets in the duct by the air flow;
In a paper sheet conveying method comprising
A process of increasing the air blowing output of the air blowing means by a predetermined ratio every time a predetermined time elapses from the start of air blowing by the air blowing means while maintaining the state of generating the air flow in the duct. A paper sheet conveying method, further comprising: a duct;
a blowing means for generating airflow in both directions in the duct;
a control device for controlling the blowing output of the blowing means;
In a paper sheet conveying device that conveys paper sheets in the duct by an air flow generated in the duct,
A program built into the control device,
to the control device,
A program for executing processing for increasing the air blowing output of the air blowing means by a predetermined rate every time a predetermined time elapses from the start of air blowing by the air blowing means. a duct;
a carrier running in the duct;
a blowing means for generating airflow in both directions in the duct;
a control device for controlling the blowing output of the blowing means;
a plurality of carrier sensors arranged along the duct for detecting passage or stoppage of the carrier;
A paper sheet conveying device for conveying paper sheets in the duct via the carrier by running the carrier in the duct by an air flow generated in the duct,
each of the carrier sensors transmitting a carrier passing signal to the controller when the carrier passes through the carrier sensor;
Upon receiving the carrier passing signal, the control device calculates the traveling speed of the carrier from the time when the carrier passes each of two adjacent carrier sensors and the distance between the two carrier sensors,
The control device pre-adjusts the air blowing output of the air blowing means every time a predetermined time elapses from the start of air blowing by the air blowing means so that the running speed of the carrier converges to a predetermined target running speed. A paper sheet conveying device characterized by performing control to increase by a predetermined ratio . A non-ferrous metal sheet is attached to at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the carrier,
5. The paper sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 4, wherein each of said carrier sensors detects passage or stoppage of said carrier by detecting said non-ferrous metal sheet. 6. A paper sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said non-ferrous metal sheet is aluminum foil. each of the carrier sensors attached to the duct via a sensor attachment device;
7. A paper sheet conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein said sensor mounting device is slidable along said duct. The air blowing means is
a single blower;
switching means for controlling the direction in which the airflow output from the blower flows in the duct to be either one direction or the opposite direction in the duct;
The paper sheet conveying device according to any one of claims 1 and 4 to 7, characterized by comprising: The air blowing means is
a first blower that generates an air flow in one direction in the duct;
a second blower that generates an air flow in the duct in a direction opposite to the one direction;
consists of
2. A paper sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control device controls the output of at least one of said first blower and said second blower. The air blowing means is
a first blower that generates an air flow in one direction in the duct;
a second blower that generates an air flow in the duct in a direction opposite to the one direction;
consists of
8. The paper sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said control device controls the output of at least one of said first blower and said second blower. 8. The paper sheet conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 and 4 to 7, wherein said predetermined time is a fixed time. The control device controls the air blowing means according to at least one of the total length of the duct, the number of paper sheet inserting devices that feed the paper sheets into the duct, and the interval between the paper sheet inserting devices. 12. The paper sheet conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 and 4 to 11 , characterized in that it controls the a step of generating airflows in one direction and in a direction opposite to the one direction in the duct by an air blowing means, and running the carrier in the duct;
a step of feeding paper sheets into the duct while maintaining the state of generating the air flow in the duct, and conveying the paper sheets through the carrier in the duct by the air flow;
In a paper sheet conveying method comprising
a first step in which each of a plurality of carrier sensors arranged along the duct for detecting passage of the carrier transmits a carrier passage signal to a controller when the carrier passes through the carrier sensor;
A second method in which the control device calculates, based on the carrier passage signal, the travel speed of the carrier from the time at which the carrier passed each of two adjacent carrier sensors and the distance between the two carrier sensors. process and
While maintaining the state of generating the air flow in the duct, the control device sets a predetermined speed from the start of air blowing by the air blowing means so that the running speed of the carrier converges to a predetermined running speed. a third step of performing control to increase the air blowing output of the air blowing means by a predetermined rate each time the time elapses;
A paper sheet conveying method comprising: a duct;
a carrier running in the duct;
a blowing means for generating airflow in both directions in the duct;
a control device for controlling the blowing output of the blowing means;
a plurality of carrier sensors arranged along the duct for detecting passage or stoppage of the carrier;
A paper sheet conveying device for conveying paper sheets in the duct via the carrier by running the carrier in the duct by an air flow generated in the duct,
A program built into the control device,
to the control device,
Based on the carrier passing signal transmitted from each of the carrier sensors when the carrier passes through the carrier sensor, the time at which the carrier passed through each of two adjacent carrier sensors and the distance between the two carrier sensors. a first process of calculating the running speed of the carrier from
The air blowing output of the air blowing means is increased by a predetermined ratio each time a predetermined time elapses from the start of air blowing by the air blowing means so that the running speed of the carrier converges to a predetermined running speed. a second process for controlling to
program to run the

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