JP7313622B2 - Storage box, paper sheet processing device, and storage amount detection method - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a container , a paper sheet processing apparatus , and a storage amount detection method .

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200001 discloses a technique related to a paper sheet processing apparatus that detects the number of small bundles of paper sheets stored in a small bundle storage using an optical sensor and calculates the number of bundles.

JP 2006-96484 A

As described in Patent Document 1, when the number of bundles of paper sheets stored in a storage is detected by an optical sensor, the light emission level and the light reception level may change due to contamination and aged deterioration of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit, making it difficult to accurately calculate the number of bundles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a container , a paper sheet processing apparatus , and a storage amount detection method that solve the above-described problems.

The present invention is a storage for stacking paper sheets in a stacking direction, comprising: a housing forming a storage space for storing the paper sheets;The electrostatic capacity sensor is installed on the wall surface of the housing at a position facing a banding that binds the paper sheets when the paper sheets are stored in the housing, and the electrostatic capacity sensor is provided over a length that is the same as or longer than the length of the storage space along the stacking direction of the paper sheets in the storage space.It was configured.

According to the present invention, in a storage box for storing paper sheets, since the casing for storing paper sheets has a capacitance sensor, the number of bundles of paper sheets can be detected without being affected by deterioration in the accuracy of detecting the number of bundles due to dirt or aging.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure explaining the paper sheet processing apparatus concerning embodiment. It is an example of the schematic diagram of the storage concerning embodiment. 4 is a flowchart showing operations according to the embodiment; It is an example of the schematic diagram of the storage concerning embodiment. It is an example of the schematic diagram of the storage concerning embodiment. It is an example of the schematic diagram of the storage concerning embodiment. It is an example of the schematic diagram of the storage concerning embodiment.

<First embodiment>
Hereinafter, storages according to embodiments of the present invention will be described. In the embodiment, this storage box is mounted on the paper sheet processing apparatus 11 .

<<Structure of Paper Sheet Handling Apparatus>>
The paper sheet processing apparatus 11 according to the embodiment will be described below.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a paper sheet processing apparatus 11 according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the paper sheet processing apparatus 11 includes a small bundle receiving/dispensing unit 12, a small bundle conveying unit 13, a small bundle identifying unit 14, four small bundle storage boxes 15 (bundled banknote storage boxes) that store a plurality of small bundles classified by denomination, one small bundle cassette 16, and a control device 20 that controls the entire paper sheet processing apparatus 11.

A small bundle refers to a small bundle of paper sheets, and refers to a bundle of paper sheets bundled with a bandage or the like. Examples of paper sheets include bills, bills and gift certificates.
In this embodiment, the paper sheet processing apparatus 11 related to small bundles of paper sheets is taken as an example, but the paper sheet processing apparatus 11 may process paper sheets that are not in a small bundle state.

The small bundle deposit/withdrawal unit 12 is provided at the upper front end of the paper sheet processing apparatus 11 so as to face the outside, and the small bundle W is loaded from the outside. A small bundle W is obtained by stacking 100 loose banknotes (hereinafter referred to as banknotes) S of the same denomination so that the front faces face the same side in the thickness direction, and binding them with a band T. The banding T binds a position near one end of the banknote S in the long side direction when the banknote S is viewed from the thickness direction (the thickness direction of the banknote S is also referred to as the planar direction).

Small bundles W are loaded into the small bundle deposit/withdrawal unit 12 with the short sides of the banknotes S along the front-rear direction and the long sides along the left and right. Here, the small bundles W are arranged near one end in the preset long side direction in a plan view, and are arranged so that the upper surface of the small bundles W stacked in the thickness direction becomes one of the preset surfaces in the thickness direction. Specifically, it is a rule that all the small bundles W are loaded into the small bundle deposit/withdrawal unit 12 with the band wrap T arranged on the left side in the long side direction and the upper surface facing the front side of the banknotes S in plan view. The same applies when the small bundle W is loaded into the small bundle cassette 16 from the outside.

When a plurality of small bundles W are loaded in the small bundle deposit/withdrawal unit 12, the small bundles W are stacked in the thickness direction (vertical direction). The small bundle deposit/withdrawal unit 12 has a deposit/withdrawal pusher 21 on which a small bundle W loaded from the outside is placed. The deposit/withdrawal pusher 21 can move up and down, and the small bundle deposit/withdrawal part 12 can feed out the small bundles W on the deposit/withdrawal pusher 21 backward one by one from the uppermost one.

On the rear side of the small bundle deposit/withdrawal unit 12, a small bundle conveying unit 13 for reciprocatingly conveying the small bundle W in the front-rear direction is provided. The small bundle conveying unit 13 arranges the small bundles W in series in the conveying direction and conveys them. The small bundle conveying unit 13 receives the small bundles W delivered one by one from the small bundle depositing/dispensing unit 12 and conveys them backward.

The small bundle deposit/withdrawal unit 12 stacks and places the small bundles W transported by the small bundle transport unit 13 on the deposit/withdrawal pusher 21 . In the small bundle deposit/withdrawal unit 12, the small bundle W on the deposit/withdrawal pusher 21 can be taken out to the outside by raising the deposit/withdrawal pusher 21.例文帳に追加

A small bundle cassette 16 is provided on the front side under the small bundle conveying section 13 , and a small bundle identification section 14 is provided on the rear side of the small bundle cassette 16 . A plurality of small bundle storages 15 are provided for each denomination below the small bundle conveying unit 13 and behind the small bundle identifying unit 14 . In the embodiment, four small bundle storages 15 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction. The small bundle cassette 16 is detachable from the processing device housing 25 of the paper sheet processing device 11 , and the small bundle storage box 15 for each denomination is provided in a fixed position to the processing device housing 25 so as not to be detachable.

The small bundle cassette 16 stores the small bundle W in a state in which the short side direction of the banknote S is along the front-rear direction and the long side direction is along the left and right direction. When a plurality of small bundles W are stored in the small bundle cassette 16, the small bundles W are stored while being stacked in the thickness direction (vertical direction). The small bundle cassette 16 has a cassette body 41 which has a rectangular tubular shape extending in the vertical direction and stores the small bundle W, a cassette pusher 42 on which the small bundle W stored in the cassette body 41 is placed, and an openable and closable cassette flapper 43 provided at the upper end of the cassette body 41.

The small bundle cassette 16 places the small bundle W conveyed by the small bundle conveying part 13 on the cassette pusher 42 or on the small bundle W already stacked on the cassette pusher 42 with the cassette flapper 43 opened. The cassette pusher 42 can move up and down. The small bundle cassette 16 accommodates the small bundle W between the cassette pusher 42 and the cassette flapper 43 in the cassette body 41 .

The small bundle cassette 16 transfers the small bundle W to the small bundle conveying unit 13 from the uppermost small bundle W placed on the cassette pusher 42 by raising the cassette pusher 42 with the cassette flapper 43 open. With the cassette flapper 43 of the small bundle cassette 16 closed, the small bundle conveying unit 13 moves the small bundle W back and forth on the cassette flapper 43 of the small bundle cassette 16 without storing the small bundle W in the small bundle cassette 16 .

The small bundle storage boxes 15 for each denomination store small bundles W in a vertically arranged state, that is, in a stacked state, and all have the same structure. The small bundle storage box 15 stores small bundles W in a state in which the short side direction of the banknote S is along the front-rear direction and the long side direction is along the left and right direction. When a plurality of small bundles W are stored in the small bundle storage 15, the small bundles W are stored in a vertically stacked state. The small bundle storage 15 has a storage housing 51 having a vertically extending rectangular tube shape for storing the small bundle W, a storage pusher 52 for placing the small bundle W stored in the storage housing 51, and an openable and closable storage flapper 53 provided at the upper end of the storage housing 51.

The small bundle storage 15 places the small bundle W conveyed by the small bundle conveying part 13 on the storage pusher 52 or on the small bundle W already stacked on the storage pusher 52 with the storage flapper 53 opened. The storage pusher 52 can be moved up and down. The small bundle storage 15 stores the small bundle W between the storage pusher 52 and the storage flapper 53 in the storage housing 51 .

The small bundle storage 15 delivers the small bundle W to the small bundle conveying part 13 from the uppermost small bundle W placed on the storage pusher 52 by raising the storage pusher 52 with the storage flapper 53 open. With the storage flapper 53 of the small bundle storage 15 closed, the small bundle conveying part 13 moves the small bundle W back and forth on the storage flapper 53 of the small bundle storage 15 without storing it in the small bundle storage 15. - 特許庁

The small bundle identification unit 14 identifies the image of the small bundle W conveyed by the small bundle conveying unit 13 between the small bundle cassette 16 and the small bundle storage 15 adjacent to each other to determine the denomination and the like.

When dispensing small bundles W, the paper sheet processing apparatus 11 transfers the small bundles W of designated denominations one by one from the small bundle storage box 15 by denomination to the small bundle conveying unit 13, and the small bundle conveying unit 13 conveys them toward the small bundle receiving/dispensing unit 12.例文帳に追加That is, a small bundle storage 15 for dispensing small bundles W opens a storage flapper 53, raises a storage pusher 52, delivers small bundles W on the storage pusher 52 to the small bundle conveying part 13 in order, and conveys the small bundles W received by the small bundle conveying part 13 toward the small bundle receiving/dispensing part 12.例文帳に追加

When the small bundle W conveyed by the small bundle conveying unit 13 passes over the small bundle identifying unit 14, the small bundle identifying unit 14 identifies the image and determines the denomination. When the discrimination result of the small bundle W by the small bundle identification unit 14 is the specified denomination, the small bundle W is further conveyed toward the small bundle receiving/dispensing unit 12 by the small bundle conveying unit 13 and pushed out to the small bundle receiving/discharging unit 12 . The small bundle deposit/withdrawal unit 12 places the small bundle W pushed out from the small bundle transport unit 13 in this way on the deposit/withdrawal pusher 21 or on the small bundle W already placed on the deposit/withdrawal pusher 21 .

On the other hand, if the discrimination result of the small bundle identification unit 14 is different from the designated denomination or if the denomination cannot be determined, the small bundle W is conveyed and stored in the small bundle cassette 16 or an error stop is made. When conveying and storing in the small bundle cassette 16, the small bundle cassette 16 opens the cassette flapper 43 and raises the cassette pusher 42, so that the small bundle W from the small bundle conveying part 13 is placed on the cassette pusher 42 or on the small bundle W already placed on the cassette pusher 42.

Then, when the small bundle deposit/withdrawal part 12 receives a predetermined number of small bundles W, the deposit/withdrawal pusher 21 is raised to make it possible to take out the small bundle W on the deposit/withdrawal pusher 21 to the outside, and the operator takes out the small bundle W on the deposit/withdrawal pusher 21.例文帳に追加

When depositing a small bundle W from the small bundle deposit/withdrawal unit 12 , the operator first sets the small bundle W in the small bundle deposit/withdrawal unit 12 . At this time, the small bundles W are set on the money receiving/dispensing pusher 21 of the small bundle receiving/dispensing part 12 by aligning the longitudinal direction and the width direction (horizontal direction) of the paper sheet processing device 11, and when there are a plurality of small bundles W, stacked vertically. Then, the cash receiving/dispensing pusher 21 is lowered, and the small bundle receiving/dispensing part 12 pushes out the set small bundles W one by one from the uppermost one toward the small bundle conveying part 13, and the small bundle conveying part 13 conveys them toward the small bundle storage 15.例文帳に追加That is, the small bundle deposit/withdrawal unit 12 delivers the small bundle W on the deposit/withdrawal pusher 21 to the small bundle conveying unit 13 in order, and the small bundle conveying unit 13 conveys the received small bundle W toward the small bundle storage 15 .

When the small bundle W conveyed by the small bundle conveying unit 13 passes over the small bundle identifying unit 14, the small bundle identifying unit 14 identifies the image and determines the denomination, the direction of the band T, and the front and back of the bill S. When the denomination of this small bundle W can be discriminated from the determination result, the bundle T is present on the left side which is a preset predetermined side, and the lower surface during transportation is the back surface which is the surface of the predetermined banknotes S, the small bundle W is stored in a small bundle storage box 15 storing the denomination.

In the small bundle storage 15 , the small bundle W from the small bundle conveying section 13 is placed on the storage pusher 52 or on the small bundle W already placed on the storage pusher 52 by opening the storage flapper 53 . Therefore, the small bundle W stored in the small bundle storage box 15 from the small bundle deposit/withdrawal part 12 is stored in such a direction that the band wrapping T is on the left side, which is the predetermined side, and the lower surface is the back surface, which is the surface of the predetermined banknote S.

On the other hand, when the small bundle W does not have the banding T on the left side or the lower surface of the bills during transportation is not the reverse side surface of the banknote, the small bundle W is returned to the small bundle receiving/dispensing unit 12 by the small bundle conveying unit 13 from the determination result of the small bundle identification unit 14.例文帳に追加Further, when the denomination cannot be determined, the small bundle W is returned to the small bundle receiving/dispensing unit 12 by the small bundle conveying unit 13, or an error stop is made.

When the small bundle W loaded in the small bundle cassette 16 is to be deposited from the small bundle cassette 16 from the outside, the operator first sets the small bundle cassette 16 loaded with the small bundle W to the cassette housing in the processing device housing 25.例文帳に追加Then, the small bundle cassette 16 delivers the small bundle W to the small bundle conveying section 13 and conveys the small bundle W received by the small bundle conveying section 13 toward the small bundle storage 15 . That is, the small bundle cassette 16 opens the cassette flapper 43, lifts the cassette pusher 42, transfers the small bundle W on the cassette pusher 42 to the small bundle conveying part 13 in order, and conveys the small bundle W received by the small bundle conveying part 13 toward the small bundle storage 15. - 特許庁

Then, when the small bundle W conveyed by the small bundle conveying unit 13 passes over the small bundle identifying unit 14, the small bundle identifying unit 14 identifies the image and determines the denomination, the direction of the band T, and the front and back of the bill S. When the denomination of this small bundle W can be discriminated from the determination result, the bundle T is present on the left side which is a preset predetermined side, and the lower surface during transportation is the reverse surface which is the surface of the predetermined banknotes S, the small bundle W is stored in a small bundle storage box 15 storing the denomination.

In the small bundle storage 15 , the small bundle W from the small bundle transport section 13 is placed on the storage pusher 52 or on the small bundle W already placed on the storage pusher 52 by opening the storage flapper 53 . Therefore, the small bundle W stored in the small bundle storage box 15 from the small bundle cassette 16 is stored in such a direction that the band wrapping T is on the left side which is the predetermined side and the lower surface is the reverse side which is the surface of the banknotes S which is previously set.

On the other hand, from the determination result of the small bundle identification part 14, when the small bundle W does not have the band wrapping T on the left side, when the lower surface when being conveyed is not the back surface of the banknote S, or when the denomination cannot be identified, error stop is performed.

The small bundle cassette 16 stores the small bundle W drawn out from the small bundle storage 15 and conveyed by the small bundle conveying part 13 in the case of collecting the small bundle W in the small bundle storage 15 to the outside in addition to replenishing the small bundle W loaded outside the paper sheet processing device 11 in the processing device housing 25 in a state of being set in the processing device housing 25, and is removed from the processing device housing 25 in this state.

The small bundles W stored in the small bundle storage shed 15 are the small bundles W deposited from the small bundle deposit/withdrawal part 12 and the small bundles W replenished from the small bundle cassette 16. Therefore, the small bundles W stored in the small bundle storage shed 15 are basically stored in an orientation in which the bundle T is on the left side, which is the preset predetermined side, and the lower surface is the back surface, which is the surface of the banknote S which is preset.

The paper sheet processing apparatus 11 detects the amount of the small bundles W in each small bundle storage 15 when the small bundle W is deposited or withdrawn from the small bundle storage 15 as described above. A capacitive sensor 200 provided in the small bundle storage 15 is used to detect the amount of the small bundles W. As shown in FIG.

The paper sheet processing apparatus 11 according to this embodiment detects the amount of small bundles W in the small bundle storage 15 , but the paper sheet processing apparatus 11 may detect the amount of small bundles W in the small bundle cassette 16 . In this case, the capacitance sensor 200 provided in the small bundle cassette 16 is used for detecting the amount of the small bundle W in the small bundle cassette 16 .

《Composition of small bundle storage》
FIG. 2 is an example of a schematic diagram of the small bundle storage 15 according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the small bundle storage 15 includes a storage housing 51 that stores the small bundle W, a capacitance sensor 200 provided in the storage housing 51, a sensor controller 400 that controls the capacitance sensor 200, a storage pusher 52, a storage flapper 53, and a calculation unit 300.

A storage case 51 of the small bundle storage 15 has a rectangular tube shape partitioned by two long side walls 61 facing each other, two short side walls 62 facing each other, a bottom surface 63 connecting the two long side walls 61 and the two short side walls 62 below, and a storage flapper 53. The storage case 51 stores small bundles W stacked in the thickness direction in a storage space defined by two long side walls 61 , two short side walls 62 , a bottom surface 63 and a storage flapper 53 .
The long side wall surface 61 faces the long side of the small bundle W. As shown in FIG. The short side wall surface 62 faces the short side of the bundle W. As shown in FIG. The bottom surface 63 faces the surface of the bundle W. As shown in FIG.

For example, in the small bundle storage 15 shown in FIG. 2, four small bundles W are stacked and stored. The storage pusher 52 has a square plate shape, and the surface facing the storage flapper 53 and the surface facing the bottom surface 63 are flat surfaces. The storage pusher 52 is provided in the storage space of the small bundle storage 15 so that this flat surface is parallel to the bottom surface 63 and the storage flapper 53 .
The small bundle W is stored in the small bundle storage 15 by opening and closing the storage flapper 53 . The stacking direction A of the small bundles W is the direction from the storage flapper 53 toward the storage pusher 52 (vertical direction). The small bundles W are stacked and stored in the thickness direction with the paper surface facing the stacking direction A. As shown in FIG.

A storage pusher 52 is provided in the storage case 51 . The storage pusher 52 pushes the small bundle W stored in the small bundle storage 15 in the direction (upward) in which the storage flapper 53 is provided, thereby feeding the small bundle W out of the small bundle storage 15 .
In the example of FIG. 1 , the storage flapper 53 is provided on the top of the storage case 51 , but it may be provided instead of any wall surface of the storage case 51 . In this case, the storage pusher 52 is provided on the wall surface side opposite to the side where the storage flapper 53 is provided.

The capacitance sensor 200 is provided inside the long side wall surface 61 (storage space side) of the storage case 51 along the stacking direction A of the small bundles W. As shown in FIG. The capacitance sensor 200 is provided over a length equal to or longer than the length of the storage space along the stacking direction A of the small bundles W in the storage space, and the capacitance sensor 200 and at least a part of the long side of the small bundle W are arranged to face each other. When viewed from the long side wall surface 61 side, the capacitance sensor 200 is provided so as to overlap at least a portion of the small bundles W accumulated in the storage space. Since the capacitance sensor 200 is thus provided with a length equal to or longer than the length of the storage space for the small bundles W along the stacking direction A, the capacitance sensor 200 can face more small bundles W than when provided along the direction intersecting the stacking direction A, and can reliably detect the number of all the small bundles W stored in the storage space.
The capacitive sensor 200 is a non-contact sensor and is configured with at least one electrode. This electrode is formed using a copper foil material.

As described above, the length B of the capacitive sensor 200 along the stacking direction A is set to be equal to or longer than the maximum storable height C of the small bundle W. Therefore, all the small bundles W stored in the small bundle storage 15 are stored within a detectable range by the capacitance sensor 200 .
Here, the maximum storable height C means the length from the upper surface position of the storage pusher 52 when the storage pusher 52 is in contact with the bottom surface 63 side to the height position of the storage flapper 53 side of the small bundles W accumulated so as not to interfere with the movement of the flapper that moves when the storage flapper 53 is opened and closed.

Here, the capacitance inside the storage housing 51 changes according to the amount of small bundles W stored inside the storage housing 51 . The electrodes of the capacitance sensor 200 detect the amount of the small bundle W by measuring the capacitance generated inside the housing housing 51 . Examples of the quantity of small bundles W include the number of small bundles W and the number obtained by multiplying the number of small bundles W by the number of sheets per bundle.

The capacitance increases in proportion to the number of small bundles W stored inside the storage case 51 . Therefore, the capacitance sensor 200 can detect the number of small bundles W stored in the storage case 51 by detecting the capacitance inside the storage case 51 . The relationship between the number of small bundles W stored inside the storage case 51 and the value of the capacitance is stored in the storage device of the control device 20 as a data table. Further, the calculation unit 300 may have a calculation formula that defines the relationship between the number of small bundles W stored inside the storage case 51 and the value of the capacitance.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the capacitive sensor 200 is provided at a position facing the wrapping T of the bundle W. In the embodiment shown in FIG. The position of the band wrapping T in the long side direction of the small bundle W is determined in advance. Therefore, it is possible to specify in advance the position of the wall surface facing the band T of the capacitive sensor 200 .
The banknotes forming the small bundles W stacked in the small bundle storage 15 are used banknotes. Since used banknotes are folded, twisted, and wrinkled after long-term use, they spread in the stacking direction A when stacked without banding T. As shown in FIG. By bundling the banknotes with the bundling T, the spread of the banknotes in the stacking direction A is suppressed, and the width in the stacking direction A becomes constant.
By installing the capacitance sensor 200 in this way, it is possible to reduce variations in the detected capacitance due to variations in the width of the small bundles W in the stacking direction A, thereby enabling more accurate detection.

Capacitive sensor 200 is connected to sensor controller 400 .
The sensor controller 400 acquires the capacitance value of the small bundle W detected by the capacitance sensor 200 , performs A/D conversion and the like, and transmits the value to the calculation unit 300 .

The calculation unit 300 acquires the capacitance A/D-converted value detected by the capacitance sensor 200 from the sensor controller 400, and calculates the number of small bundles W using a data table representing the relationship between the number of small bundles W and the capacitance value stored in the control device 20.
For example, the calculation unit 300 refers to the data table stored in the control device 20 and calculates the number of bundles corresponding to the capacitance value obtained from the sensor controller 400 as the number of small bundles W. FIG.

The control device 20 of the paper sheet processing device 11 and the calculation unit 300 of the small bundle storage 15 have storage devices such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory).

Information about the number of small bundles W calculated by the calculator 300 is transmitted to the controller 20 of the paper sheet processing apparatus 11 . The control device 20 causes the display device to display the number of small bundles W based on the information about the number of small bundles W received from the calculation unit 300 . A user of the paper sheet processing apparatus 11 can confirm the number of small bundles W through a display device or the like connected to the control device 20 .

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the values are stored in the control device 20 has been described as an example, but a data table representing the relationship between the number of small bundles W and the value of the capacitance may be stored in the calculation unit 300. In this case, the calculation unit 300 refers to the data table stored in the calculation unit 300 and calculates the number of bundles corresponding to the capacitance value obtained from the sensor controller 400 as the number of small bundles W. FIG.

《Operation of small bundle storage》
FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the operation of the small bundle storage 15. As shown in FIG.

The capacitance sensor 200 detects the capacitance within the storage housing 51 (storage space) (step S1).
The sensor controller 400 acquires the capacitance value detected by the capacitance sensor 200 (step S2).
The sensor controller 400 performs A/D conversion of the value in step S2, and transmits the signal after this A/D conversion to the calculator 300 (step S3).

The calculation unit 300 calculates the number of small bundles W corresponding to the signal transmitted in step S3 based on the data table stored in the control device 20 and showing the relationship between the number of small bundles W and the value of the capacitance (step S4).

The calculator 300 transmits information about the number of small bundles W calculated in step S4 to the control device 20 (step S5).
The display device displays information about the number of small bundles W transmitted to the control device 20 (step S6).
As a result, the small bundle storage 15 can detect the amount of small bundles W stored and calculate the number of small bundles W. FIG. Also, the user of the small bundle storage 15 can check the amount of small bundles W through the display device.

<Second embodiment>
The capacitive sensor 200 according to the first embodiment is composed of one sensor, while the capacitive sensor 200 according to the second embodiment is composed of two small sensors 200. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a small bundle storage 15 according to the second embodiment.

The capacitance sensor 200 is composed of a small sensor 200A and a small sensor 200B, which are capacitance sensors. The small sensor 200A and the small sensor 200B are provided on two long side walls 61 facing each other.

When the capacitance is detected by a single sensor, variations may occur depending on the storage state of the small bundles W inside the storage case 51 . This is because the capacitance value detected by the capacitance sensor 200 described above is inversely proportional to the distance between the capacitance sensor 200 and the small bundle W. Since the cross-sectional area of the storage space seen from the stacking direction A is designed to be wider than the area of the paper surface of the small bundle W, the small bundles are not necessarily placed in the center of the storage space seen from the stacking direction A, and there is a possibility that the small bundles will be placed with one side. Therefore, the distance between the capacitance sensor 200 and the small bundle W is not always equal.

On the other hand, the small sensor 200A and the small sensor 200B according to the second embodiment are provided at positions facing each other, so that the capacitance is detected from both sides even when the small bundle W is staggered. Therefore, the small bundle storage 15 can detect the capacitance value with higher accuracy regardless of the small bundle W being shifted in the storage space.

The calculation unit 300 acquires the capacitance value of the small sensor 200A and the capacitance value of the small sensor 200B from the control device 20, calculates the harmonic average value of both values, and calculates the number of small bundles W corresponding to the harmonic average value. The calculation unit 300 may calculate using an arithmetic mean value or a geometric mean value instead of the harmonic mean value.

As a result, the small bundle storage 15 according to the second embodiment can accurately calculate the number of small bundles W regardless of whether the small bundles W are staggered or not.

<Third embodiment>
The capacitance sensor 200 according to the first embodiment is composed of one capacitance sensor 200, while the capacitance sensor 200 according to the third embodiment is composed of a plurality of small sensors 200. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a small bundle storage 15 according to the third embodiment.

In the third embodiment, multiple small sensors 200 are provided on the long side wall surface 61 . In the example of FIG. 5, four small sensors 200 are provided on the long side wall surface 61 along the direction of accumulation A. As shown in FIG.

The calculator 300 acquires the capacitance values detected by the plurality of small sensors 200 . The calculation unit 300 calculates the number of small bundles W by estimating the position of the uppermost small bundle W among the small bundles W stored using the capacitance values of the plurality of small sensors 200 . Further, the calculation unit 300 may calculate the number of small bundles W using values obtained by calculating the capacitance values of the plurality of small sensors 200 .

In this manner, the small bundle storage 15 of the third embodiment calculates the number of small bundles W by estimating the position of the uppermost small bundle W based on the capacitance values detected by the plurality of small sensors 200 . As a result, the calculation unit 300 of the small bundle storage 15 can calculate the number of small bundles W with higher accuracy than when using one electrostatic capacitance sensor 200, even when using the small sensor 200 having the same resolution as the electrostatic capacitance sensor 200.

<Fourth embodiment>
The capacitive sensor 200 according to the first embodiment is provided on the long side wall surface 61 along the integration direction A, but the capacitive sensor 200 according to the fourth embodiment is provided on the bottom surface 63 orthogonal to the integration direction A.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a small bundle storage 15 according to the fourth embodiment.

Even if the capacitance sensor 200 of the fourth embodiment is provided on the bottom surface 63 perpendicular to the integration direction A, the capacitance can be detected in the same way as when it is provided on the long side wall surface 61 along the integration direction A.
In the capacitive sensors 200 according to the first, second, and third embodiments, the area of the capacitive sensor 200 for detecting the capacitance increases or decreases as the small bundle W increases or decreases. On the other hand, in the capacitance sensor 200 of the fourth embodiment, the area of the capacitance sensor 200 for detecting the capacitance does not increase or decrease, and the value of capacitance changes even when the small bundle W increases or decreases. The capacitance sensor 200 of the fourth embodiment can detect the number of small bundles W by using the value of the electrostatic capacitance that changes as the number of small bundles W increases or decreases.
In addition, since the area of the capacitance sensor 200 can be reduced, space saving and low cost can be achieved.

A plurality of small sensors 200 may be provided on the bottom surface 63 perpendicular to the stacking direction A, as in the third embodiment.
Also, the capacitance sensor 200 may be provided on the storage pusher 52 instead of the bottom surface 63 .

<Fifth Embodiment>
One capacitive sensor 200 according to the fourth embodiment is provided on the bottom surface 63 orthogonal to the integration direction A, but the capacitive sensor 200 according to the fifth embodiment is provided with a plurality of small sensors 200 on the bottom surface 63 orthogonal to the integration direction A.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a small bundle storage 15 according to the fifth embodiment.

A plurality of small sensors 200 according to the fifth embodiment are provided on the bottom surface 63 . The calculation unit 300 calculates the number of small bundles W using values obtained by calculating the capacitance values detected by the plurality of small sensors 200 . As a result, the small bundle storage 15 according to the fifth embodiment can detect the number of small bundles W while reducing variations in detection accuracy of paper sheets even when the small bundles W are staggered.

<Other embodiments>
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the small bundle W is accumulated and stored in the small bundle storage box 15 has been described as an example, but the small bundle W may be accumulated and stored in the horizontal direction. Depending on the structure of the small bundle storage box 15, the paper sheet processing apparatus 11 may be of a laterally elongated shape.

In the above-described embodiment, the case of detecting the number of small bundles W was exemplified, but it may be used in the case of detecting the number of coin rolls. That is, instead of the small bundle storage 15, it may be used as a coin roll storage.

Although the capacitance sensor 200 is provided inside the small bundle storage 15 in the above-described embodiment, the capacitance sensor 200 may be provided outside the small bundle storage 15 . In this case, the electrodes of the capacitance sensor 200 are installed inside the storage housing 51 so as to detect the capacitance including the capacitance inside the storage housing 51 .

In the above-described embodiment, the small bundle storage 15 that stores small bundles by denomination has been described, but the small bundle storage 15 that can store various types of small bundles may be used.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes various modifications and improvements that can be made within the technical scope of the invention.

(1) As described above, a storage for stacking paper sheets in the stacking direction,
a housing having a wall surface forming a storage space for storing paper sheets;
a capacitance sensor 200 installed on the wall surface of the housing such that at least a part of the electrode faces the paper sheet when the paper sheet is accommodated in the housing;
It is configured to have

In the past, storages equipped with optical sensors were affected by deterioration in the accuracy of bundle number detection due to contamination and aging. With the above configuration, the storage has the capacitance sensor 200 in the housing for storing paper sheets, so the number of bundles of paper sheets can be detected without being affected by deterioration in the accuracy of detecting the number of bundles due to dirt or aging.

(2) Further, the capacitive sensor 200 is configured to be installed on the wall surface of the housing along the direction of integration.

Configured like this,
The capacitance sensor 200 of the storage can face more paper sheets than when provided along the direction intersecting the stacking direction, and can reliably detect the number of all paper sheets stored in the storage space.

(3) In addition, the capacitance sensor 200 is composed of two small sensors 200,
The two small sensors 200 are configured to be installed on two opposite wall surfaces of the housing along the stacking direction.

Configured like this,
The container can detect the capacitance value of the paper sheet with higher accuracy regardless of the bias of the paper sheet in the storage space of the container.

(4) Further, the capacitive sensor 200 is configured to be installed on a wall surface of the housing that is perpendicular to the direction of integration.

Configured like this,
Since the capacitance sensor 200 is provided at a position facing the paper sheets stored in the storage space regardless of the increase or decrease in the number of paper sheets, the number of bundles of paper sheets can be detected using the capacitance value that changes according to the increase or decrease in the number of paper sheets. In addition, since the area of the capacitance sensor 200 can be reduced, space saving and low cost can be achieved.

(5) In addition, the capacitance sensor 200 is composed of a plurality of small sensors 200,
The plurality of small sensors 200 are configured to be installed on the same wall surface of the housing.

Configured like this,
When the small sensor 200 is installed in the housing along the stacking direction, the storage can detect the number of bundles of paper sheets with higher accuracy than when one electrostatic capacity sensor 200 is used, even if the small sensor 200 having the same resolution as the electrostatic capacity sensor 200 is used.
Further, when the small sensor 200 is provided on the wall surface of the housing perpendicular to the stacking direction, the storage box can detect the number of bundles of paper sheets while reducing variations in detection accuracy of the paper sheets even when the paper sheets are staggered.

(6) In addition, the capacitance sensor 200 is configured to be installed on the wall surface of the housing at a position facing the banding that binds the paper sheets when the paper sheets are stored in the housing.

Configured like this,
The container can reduce variations in the detected capacitance due to variations in the width in the stacking direction, making it possible to more accurately detect the number of bundles.

(7) In addition, the storage is configured to have a calculator 300 that calculates the amount of paper sheets based on the capacitance value detected by the capacitance sensor 200 .

Configured like this,
When calculating the amount of paper sheets using the capacitance value of the paper sheets detected by the capacitance sensor 200, the storage reduces the manual work involved in the calculation.

(8) The paper sheet processing apparatus 11 has the container described in any one of (1) to (7) above.

Configured like this,
The paper sheet processing apparatus 11 can detect the number of bundles of paper sheets stored in a storage provided in the paper sheet processing apparatus 11 without being affected by deterioration in accuracy of bundle number detection due to stains and aging caused by using an optical sensor as in the conventional art.

11 Paper sheet processing device 12 Small bundle receiving/dispensing unit 13 Small bundle conveying unit 14 Small bundle identifying unit 15 Small bundle storage 16 Small bundle cassette 20 Control device 21 Cash receiving/dispensing pusher 25 Processing device housing 41 Cassette body 42 Cassette pusher 43 Cassette flapper 51 Storage housing 52 Storage pusher 53 Storage flapper 61 Long side wall surface 62 Short side wall surface 63 Bottom surface 200 Capacitive sensor 300 Calculation unit 400 Sensor controller

Claims (6)

A storage box for storing paper sheets stacked in a stacking direction,
a housing having a wall surface forming a storage space for storing the paper sheets;
a capacitance sensor installed on a wall surface of the housing along the stacking direction such that at least a part of an electrode faces the paper sheets when the paper sheets are accommodated in the housing;
has
The capacitance sensor is installed on the wall surface of the housing at a position facing a banding that binds the paper sheets when the paper sheets are stored in the housing,
A container, wherein the capacitance sensor is provided over a length equal to or longer than the length of the storage space along the stacking direction of the paper sheets in the storage space. The capacitive sensor is composed of two small sensors,
2. The storage according to claim 1, wherein said two small sensors are respectively installed on two opposing wall surfaces of said housing along said stacking direction. The capacitive sensor is composed of a plurality of small sensors,
The storage according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of small sensors are installed on the same wall surface of the housing. The storage according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a calculator that calculates the amount of the paper sheets based on the value of capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor. A paper sheet processing apparatus having the storage according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A storage box for storing paper sheets stacked in a stacking direction,
a housing having a wall surface forming a storage space for storing the paper sheets;
a capacitance sensor installed on a wall surface of the housing along the stacking direction such that at least a part of an electrode faces the paper sheets when the paper sheets are accommodated in the housing;
A storage amount detection method in a storage, comprising:
The capacitance sensor is installed on the wall surface of the housing at a position facing a banding that binds the paper sheets when the paper sheets are stored in the housing,
A storage amount detection method, wherein a calculation unit that calculates the amount of paper sheets based on the value of the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor calculates the storage amount in the storage from the capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor provided over a length that is the same as or longer than the length of the storage space along the stacking direction of the paper sheets in the storage space.

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