JP7510191B2 - Paper handling equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a paper sheet processing device that inputs and outputs paper sheets such as banknotes.

A paper sheet processing device is, for example, a device that stores and discharges paper sheets. Paper sheets include valuable documents such as banknotes, securities, and checks, sheets of paper of a predetermined size, and resin sheets similar to paper. For example, a paper sheet processing device is a banknote processing device that processes banknotes. A banknote processing device includes a deposit port for depositing banknotes, a withdrawal port for withdrawing banknotes, a transport path for transporting banknotes, an identification unit that identifies the denomination of the banknote, a sorting unit that sorts banknotes by denomination, and a banknote storage device that stores and dispenses banknotes sorted by the sorting unit.

In this type of banknote processing device, banknotes are deposited through a deposit port and the denomination of the banknote is identified by an identification unit arranged along the transport path. The banknotes whose denominations have been identified are sorted by denomination by a sorting unit and stored in a banknote storage device by denomination. When an instruction is given to dispense banknotes, the banknote processing device feeds the requested banknotes from the banknote storage device, transports them, and dispenses them from the withdrawal port. For example, banknote processing devices are used in currency exchangers and change dispensers.

When a sheet becomes jammed in the transport path of a paper sheet processing device, the jammed sheet must be removed. For this reason, the paper sheet processing device is equipped with a mechanism for opening and closing a cover or unit to allow access to the transport path. For example, Japanese Patent No. 6438642 discloses a paper sheet processing device in which a unit including at least a part of the sheet transport section is opened and closed, and the transport path can be accessed by opening the unit.

Patent No. 6438642

Conventional paper processing devices are equipped with an operation unit and a display unit on the front, and the transport unit and storage unit can be pulled out independently. The units that make up the transport unit can be opened and closed by rotating around a rotation axis that is perpendicular to the direction in which the banknotes are transported. However, because the unit in which the transport unit is located cannot be rotated, when performing maintenance on the back side of a pulled-out transport unit, it is necessary to go around to the bottom to look inside. Also, because the transport unit and storage unit are configured to be pulled out independently, an accurate positioning mechanism was required for each unit to match the positions of the banknote passages in the transport unit and storage unit. In addition, the transport unit is equipped with many rollers that curve the banknotes while transporting them, which poses the issue that the banknotes are prone to becoming curled.

The present invention provides a paper sheet processing device that can efficiently transport paper sheets, allows easy access to the paper money transport path by opening and closing each unit of the paper sheet processing device, and is space-saving, reducing the space required when operating the inside of the paper sheet processing device, such as for maintenance work.

The paper money processing device of the present invention has a deposit port for receiving paper sheets, a withdrawal port that is arranged below the deposit port and discharges the paper sheets, a transport section that transports the paper sheets along a transport path from the deposit port to the withdrawal port, a paper sheet storage device that is arranged detachably and stores the paper sheets, a functional unit that is arranged midway through the transport section and includes a recognition unit that identifies the type of the paper sheets, and a sorting section that is arranged midway through the transport section and guides the paper sheets of the same type to the paper sheet storage device that is arranged corresponding to the type of the paper sheets based on the result of recognition by the recognition unit, and in this paper sheet processing device that receives and stores the paper sheets from the deposit port and discharges the stored paper sheets from the withdrawal port, the transport section includes an upper unit arranged below the functional unit and an upper transport path sandwiched between the functional units, and a middle unit arranged below the upper unit. and a turn-around section arranged on the side opposite the deposit port and the withdrawal port for transferring the paper sheets from the upper transport path to the lower transport path, wherein the paper sheet storage devices are arranged in a plurality of units along the transport direction of the paper sheets in a lower unit arranged below the middle unit, the middle unit has the sorting section arranged at a position corresponding to the paper sheet storage devices, the upper unit has an upper rotating body spaced apart in the width direction of the paper sheets to be transported and arranged parallel to the transport direction, the middle unit has a lower rotating body arranged at a position opposite the upper rotating body, the paper sheets are transported while being sandwiched between the upper rotating body and the lower rotating body, and a metal pressure roller that comes into contact with the paper sheets to be transported is arranged on the outside of the upper rotating body of the upper unit.

According to the present invention, paper sheets can be transported in an optimal manner. Furthermore, even if there is not enough space around the paper sheet processing device, the units constituting the paper sheet transport path can be opened and closed, allowing easy access to the paper sheet transport path. Furthermore, because the units constituting part of the transport path can be opened and closed, the transport path can be easily maintained.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a banknote processing device with the case removed. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the banknote processing device. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the banknote processing device with the case and part of the functional unit removed. FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the banknote processing device with the upper unit opened. FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the middle unit and the lower unit of the banknote processing device. FIG. 6 is a top view illustrating the state where the central unit of the banknote processing device is opened. FIG. 7 is a side view of a part of the banknote processing device illustrating the middle unit and the lower unit of the banknote processing device. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the banknote processing device, which explains the operation of storing and discharging paper sheets in the banknote processing device. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the banknote storage device. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the banknote storage device as seen obliquely from below.

Below, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Figures 1 to 10. Each figure is merely a schematic illustration to allow a sufficient understanding of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples. In addition, in each figure, common or similar components are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations thereof will be omitted.

In the following explanation, we will explain banknotes as an example of paper sheets, and a paper money processing device that processes banknotes as an example of a paper sheet processing device. We will also explain a paper money storage device that stores paper money as an example of a paper sheet storage device that stores paper sheets used in the paper sheet processing device.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the banknote processing device. The banknote processing device 1 can receive banknotes through the deposit port 13 and discharge them from the withdrawal port 14. The banknote processing device 1 can insert multiple stacked banknotes into the deposit port 13. The stacked banknotes are separated one by one by the separation unit 10 and transported to the inside of the banknote processing device 1. The banknote processing device 1 is covered by a case 15 to prevent easy access to the inside. Access to the inside of the banknote processing device 1 is restricted by a lock 9. The lock 9 is unlocked by a key corresponding to the lock 9. When the lock 9 is unlocked, the inside of the banknote processing device 1 can be accessed.

Next, the inside of the banknote processing device 1 will be described using a diagram showing the banknote processing device with the case 15 removed. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the banknote processing device with the case removed.

The banknote processing device 1 is provided with a frame 2, on which each component is attached. The frame 2 is provided with a rail 6. The lower unit 3 is connected so as to be movable along the rail 6. The lower unit 3 and the middle unit 4 are connected by a hinge 7, and the middle unit 4 and the upper unit 5 are connected by a hinge (not shown). The hinge 7 is disposed along the longitudinal direction at the lateral end of the lower unit 3 and the middle unit 4. The lower unit 3 and the middle unit 4 can be rotated around the hinge 7 as the center of rotation.

A damper 8 is provided between the middle unit 4 and the upper unit 5. The damper 8 is preferably a damper with a stopper. The middle unit 4 and the upper unit 5 are arranged on the side facing the deposit port 13, and can be rotated around an axis (not shown) along the short side direction. The upper unit 5 is connected to the middle unit 4 so as to be freely opened and closed by a first connection part including a hinge (not shown). The upper unit 5 can be opened and closed by rotating it around the hinge axis as the center of rotation relative to the middle unit 4. The hinge 7 that connects the middle unit 4 to the lower unit 3 so as to be freely opened and closed can also be said to be a second connection part.

The lower unit 3, middle unit 4, and upper unit 5 are connected, and when the lower unit 3 is moved along the rails 6, the middle unit 4 and upper unit 5 also move. When the lower unit 3 is moved along the rails 6, the lower unit 3, middle unit 4, and upper unit 5 can be pulled out to the outside of the case 15 (see Figure 2).

When multiple stacked banknotes are inserted into the deposit slot 13, the separation unit 10 separates the banknotes one by one and sends them to the transport section. The banknotes are passed through the recognition unit 11 and the sterilization unit 12 in order, and are folded back downward at the rear end. The recognition unit 11 and the sterilization unit 12 are functional units that perform predetermined actions on the banknotes. The recognition unit 11 identifies the authenticity and denomination of the banknote. The denomination can also be said to be the type of banknote. The sterilization unit 12 sterilizes the banknotes being transported. Sterilizing bacteria and viruses attached to the banknotes helps prevent infectious diseases. The functional units are units that perform predetermined functions, such as a unit that straightens out folds in banknotes and a unit that corrects the position of banknotes, and these are placed on the transport path and used according to their purpose.

The separation unit 10 is downstream in the direction of transport of the banknotes and can open and close the deposit port 13 side around a hinge shaft (not shown) arranged along the short side of the banknote. By opening the separation unit 10, the transport path of the banknotes can be exposed. The identification unit 11 is downstream in the direction of transport of the banknotes and can open and close the deposit port 13 side around a hinge shaft (not shown) arranged along the short side of the banknote. By opening the identification unit 11, the transport path of the banknotes can be exposed. The sterilization unit 12 is downstream in the direction of transport of the banknotes and can open and close the deposit port 13 side around a hinge shaft (not shown) arranged along the short side of the banknote. By opening the sterilization unit 12, the transport path of the banknotes can be exposed. An upper transport path is formed between each functional unit and the upper unit, and banknotes are transported between each functional unit and the upper unit. In addition, each functional unit can be opened and closed, allowing maintenance of the transport path and each functional unit to be performed by opening them.

Each functional unit can rotate up and down on the deposit port 13 side. The upper part of the transport path of the upper unit 5 can be opened in multiple parts, so even if the space above the banknote processing device 1 is narrow, the functional unit parts and the transport path inside the device can be accessed.

Maintenance work on the banknote processing device 1 is performed with the upper unit 5, middle unit 4, and lower unit 3 pulled out from the case 15 (see Figure 2) along the rails 6.

Next, the banknote transport path of the upper unit 5 will be described. Figure 3 is an oblique view illustrating the state in which the case of the banknote processing device and part of the functional unit have been removed. This shows the state in which the separation unit 10, the recognition unit 11, and the sterilization unit 12 have been removed from the banknote processing device 1 of Figure 1. Figure 3 shows the lower part of the upper banknote transport path.

In the upper unit 5 that forms the transport path for the banknotes, two transport belts 21 are arranged in parallel. In addition, a number of pinching rollers, which will be described later, are arranged in a position facing the transport belts 21. The pinching rollers are arranged in the functional unit described above. The pinching rollers are urged in the direction of the transport belts 21. The transport belt 21 is pressed by the pinching rollers, and is slightly bent and deformed. Since the transport belt 21 pinches the banknotes together with the pinching rollers, it is preferable that the transport belt 21 has a certain degree of gripping force, and is preferably made of resin. The banknotes are transported in a state where they are pinched between the transport belt 21 and the pinching rollers. The transport belt 21 is driven by a motor, which will be described later, and the pinching rollers rotate along with the transport belt 21. The banknotes are transported while being pinched between a rotating body, such as the transport belt 21 and the pinching rollers. The rotating body is preferably composed of a belt or a roller. The banknotes are transported by a transport section that includes a rotating body.

Banknotes inserted through the deposit slot 13 are advanced to the back of the banknote processing device 1 by the transport rollers 20. The UV irradiation unit 22 is an irradiation unit that irradiates the back side of the transported banknote with ultraviolet light. The sterilization unit 12 (see FIG. 1) is provided with a UV irradiation unit that irradiates the front side of the transported banknote with ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet light irradiated to the banknotes is preferably in the UV-C wavelength range. Ultraviolet light in this range is suitable for sterilizing bacteria and viruses. In addition, because strong light is irradiated to the banknotes, the banknotes may become electrically charged. Static electricity charged to the banknotes is removed by a pressure roller, which will be described later.

The folding section 23 bends the transported banknote downward and folds it back. Banknotes transported in a substantially straight line from the deposit port 13 have their denominations identified by the identification unit 11 (see FIG. 1), are sterilized by the sterilization unit 12 (see FIG. 1), and are then folded back. The folded banknotes are sent between the upper unit 5 and the middle unit 4. The upper unit 5 and the middle unit 4 form a lower transport path between them for transporting banknotes. A lower transport path is disposed below the upper transport path, and the upper and lower transport paths are connected by the folding section 23. A grounded curved metal part may also be disposed in the folding section 23 to neutralize the transported banknotes.

Next, the state when the upper unit 5 is open will be described. Figure 4 is an oblique view illustrating the state when the upper unit of the banknote processing device is open. The upper unit 5 can open and close the deposit port 13 side by rotating the end portion facing the deposit port 13 as the center. When the upper unit 5 is opened, the back side of the upper unit 5 and the upper side of the middle unit 4 are exposed. In other words, when the upper unit 5 is opened, the lower transport path is exposed.

Two conveyor belts 21 are arranged in parallel on the back side of the upper unit 5. In addition, multiple pressing rollers 24 are arranged on the back side of the upper unit 5. The pressing rollers 24 press the banknotes being conveyed and correct any bends or wrinkles. The pressing rollers 24 are made of metal such as stainless steel. The pressing rollers 24 are grounded. The pressing rollers 24 come into contact with the banknotes to remove static electricity from the banknotes. The pressing rollers 24 are preferably made of iron alloys, aluminum alloys, copper alloys, etc. The pressing rollers 24 correct curls in the banknotes and remove static electricity. The pressing rollers 24 also assist in the conveyance of the banknotes. In a top view of the banknote processing device 1, the pressing rollers 24 sandwich the conveyor belt 21 in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the banknotes, and the paired pressing rollers 24 are arranged on the outside of the conveyor belt 21. For example, two pressure rollers 24 arranged at a distance from each other are rotatably connected to an axis arranged along a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the banknotes. The banknotes are pressed at the same timing to prevent the conveyed banknotes from meandering. The banknotes sandwiched between the conveying belt 21 and the pinching rollers 25 are pressed toward the upper unit 5 by the pinching rollers 25, and toward the middle unit 4 by the pressing rollers 24. The banknotes are conveyed while being pressed alternately in opposite directions at four points in the width direction. The banknotes are de-electrified and their curls are corrected. The pressing rollers 24 are auxiliary rollers, and the main conveying parts that convey the banknotes without meandering are the conveying belt 21 and the pinching rollers 25. The pinching rollers 25 are arranged in greater numbers than the pressing rollers 24. The pressing rollers 24 are arranged so as to protrude from the upper unit 5 toward the middle unit 4. The conveying belt 21 is arranged so as to protrude from the upper unit 5 toward the middle unit 4. The pressure roller 24 protrudes farther in the direction of the middle unit 4 than the conveyor belt 21. The clamping roller 25 can be a metal roller. By grounding the clamping roller, the static electricity charged on the banknote can be removed. The banknote can be effectively de-electrified by the grounded pressure roller 24 and the grounded clamping roller 25.

In the top view of the banknote processing device 1, the clamping rollers 25 are arranged in pairs perpendicular to the direction of transport of the banknotes. A plurality of pairs of clamping rollers 25 are arranged in the direction of transport of the banknotes. By clamping and transporting the banknotes at the same timing, the meandering of the transported banknotes is prevented. In addition, the pressing rollers 24 are arranged outside the two conveying belts 21. In the top view of the banknote processing device 1, the pressing rollers 24 are arranged on both outsides of the pair of clamping rollers 25. In the top view of the banknote processing device 1, each pressing roller 24 is arranged on a line connecting the pair of clamping rollers 25. The conveying belt 21 arranged in the upper unit 5 can be said to be an upper rotating body, and the clamping roller 25 arranged in the middle unit 4 can be said to be a lower rotating body. The pressing rollers 24 are arranged between the upper rotating body and the end of the width direction of the banknotes transported while being sandwiched between the upper rotating body and the lower rotating body, and the upper rotating body, and the paper curl of the banknotes is corrected.

In addition, when viewed from above the banknote processing device 1, the pressing roller 24 may be arranged at a position offset in the direction of conveyance of the banknote from the line connecting the pair of clamping rollers 25. By arranging multiple pressing rollers 24, the curl of the banknote can be suitably straightened and easily eliminated.

The middle unit 4 is provided with multiple clamping rollers 25 at a position facing the conveyor belt 21. Banknotes are conveyed while being sandwiched between the conveyor belt 21 and the clamping rollers 25. At this time, the tip of the pressure roller 24 protrudes toward the middle unit 4 beyond the conveyor belt 21 and the conveyed banknotes. The banknotes are conveyed while being pressed toward the middle unit 4 by the pressure rollers 24 and toward the upper unit 5 by the clamping rollers 25. The banknotes are conveyed while their curls are appropriately straightened.

At the final stage of the transport path, push-out rollers 26 and push-out blades 27 are arranged. The push-out rollers 26 send the banknotes to the dispensing tray 28. The push-out blades 27 send the banknotes to the front of the dispensing tray 28. When multiple banknotes are discharged, the banknotes are stacked on the dispensing tray 28.

The upper unit 5 can be opened at an angle between 30 and 60 degrees from the closed state. Opening the upper unit 5 to this extent allows access to the innermost part of the transport path and allows for the clearing of jammed banknotes. For example, it is not necessary to open the upper unit 5 beyond 90 degrees. Depending on the angle at which the upper unit 5 is opened, a large amount of space is required above it.

Next, the transport path of the middle unit 4 will be described. Figure 5 is a perspective view illustrating the middle unit and the lower unit of the banknote processing device.

When the upper unit 5 is closed, a transport path for transporting banknotes is formed between the upper unit 5 and the middle unit 4. The transport path on the middle unit 4 side is equipped with multiple clamping rollers 25. For example, 18 clamping rollers 25 are arranged. When transporting one banknote, at least four clamping rollers 25 come into contact with the banknote.

In the lower unit 3, one banknote storage 44 and three banknote storage devices 40 are fixed to the frame 2. The banknote storage 44 stores and does not discharge banknotes. The banknote storage device 40 can store and discharge banknotes. The driving force of the motor 38 is connected to the conveyor belt 21 via a transmission device (not shown) to drive the conveyor belt 21. The folding section 23 (see FIG. 3) includes a folding plate 37, and the banknote is folded along the curved surface of the folding plate 37 and passes the banknote to the conveyor path between the upper unit 5 and the middle unit 4. The banknotes conveyed in the conveyor path are conveyed in a stretched state in the upper conveyor path, in a curved state in the folding section 23, and in a stretched state in the lower conveyor path. In addition, the banknotes are curved when they are sent from the lower conveyor path to the banknote storage device 40 and when they are sent from the banknote storage device 40 to the lower conveyor path. Banknotes may bend along the transport path, causing them to become curled.

The banknote storage device 40 is detachable from the banknote processing device 1. The banknote storage device 40 is provided with a first connector 41. The frame 2 is provided with a second connector 42. The banknote storage device 40 is provided with a control circuit (not shown). The banknote processing device 1 is provided with a control circuit (not shown). When the first connector 41 and the second connector 42 are connected, the control circuit of the banknote storage device 40 and the control circuit of the banknote processing device 1 are connected, and the banknote processing device 1 becomes able to control the banknote storage device 40.

The central unit 4 is provided with a switching plate 29 at a position corresponding to the banknote storage device 40 and the banknote storage vault 44. The switching plate 29 switches the transport direction of the transported banknotes. The switching plate 29 is connected to a solenoid (not shown) via a connecting part (not shown). For example, the switching plate 29 switches between two positions, the switching plate first position 33 and the switching plate second position 35, by driving the solenoid. The switching plate 29 corresponding to the leftmost banknote storage device 40 shown in FIG. 5 shows two positions, the switching plate first position 33 and the switching plate second position 35. When the switching plate 29 is in the switching plate first position 33 state, the transported banknote passes above the switching plate 29 or is discharged from the banknote storage device 40 and handed over to the transport path. When the switching plate 29 is in the switching plate second position 35 state, the transported banknote is stored in the banknote storage device 40. The sorting section includes a switching plate 29 and switches the transport direction of the banknotes. The middle unit 4 is provided with a sorting section including a switching plate 29 at a position corresponding to the banknote storage device 40. The sorting section guides the banknotes to the banknote storage device 40 corresponding to each denomination. The sorting section allows banknotes of the same denomination to be stored in a predetermined banknote storage device 40.

Each switching plate 29 is provided with a plate rotation shaft 30 in a direction intersecting the banknote transport direction, for example, at a right angle. Each end of the plate rotation shaft 30 is provided with an arm portion 31. The arm portion 31 is arranged below the plate rotation shaft 30. The middle unit 4 is provided with a support shaft 32 at a position corresponding to each arm portion 31. The arm portion 31 is connected to the support shaft 32 so as to be freely rotatable. The switching plate 29 swings around the support shaft 32 as the center of rotation. A solenoid (not shown) moves the arm portion via the connection portion to change the state of the switching plate 29. When the switching plate 29 is in the switching plate first position 33, the plate rotation shaft 30 is located at the plate rotation shaft first position 34. When the switching plate 29 is in the switching plate second position 35, the plate rotation shaft 30 is located at the plate rotation shaft second position 36.

Next, a description will be given of the case where the middle unit 4 and the upper unit 5 are opened relative to the lower unit 3. FIG. 6 is a top view illustrating the state where the middle unit of the banknote processing device is opened. FIG. 6 is a view of the banknote processing device 1 as seen from above.

The middle unit 4 is connected to the lower unit 3 by a hinge 7 so that it can be opened and closed freely. The middle unit 4 can be opened and closed around the hinge 7, which is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the banknote processing device 1. Since the middle unit 4 and the upper unit 5 are connected, they open and close as a unit. If the connection part that connects the upper unit 5 and the middle unit 4 so that they can be opened and closed is the first connection part, then the hinge 7 is the second connection part that connects the lower unit 3 and the middle unit 4 so that they can be opened and closed.

The frame 2 is provided with a bottom plate 45 on which the banknote storage device 40 and the banknote storage vault 44 are attached. A second connector 42 is fixed to the frame 2. A positioning frame 47 and a protrusion 48 are provided at the position on the bottom plate 45 where the banknote storage device 40 is attached. The banknote storage device 40 is provided with guide grooves and positioning holes (described below) that correspond to the positioning frame 47 and the protrusion 48, and the banknote storage device 40 is attached to a predetermined position of the banknote processing device 1.

The top surface of the banknote storage device 40 is provided with an entrance/exit 46 for inserting and removing banknotes. The longitudinal direction of the entrance/exit 46 of the banknote storage device 40 attached to the banknote processing device 1 is arranged along a direction perpendicular to the banknote transport direction. When the central unit 4 is closed with the banknote storage device 40 attached, the notch 43 is located at a position corresponding to the arm portion 31 and the support shaft 32 (see FIG. 5). In other words, the support shaft 32 (see FIG. 5) fits into the notch 43. The switching plate 29 (see FIG. 5) rotates around this position as the center of rotation. Banknotes are inserted and removed from the banknote storage device 40 via the entrance/exit 46.

When attaching or detaching the banknote storage device 40, a space is required above the banknote storage device 40 to insert and remove the banknote storage device 40. If the middle unit 4, like the upper unit 5, can be opened and closed around an axis arranged along the short side on the side facing the deposit port 13 as the center of rotation, at least the middle unit 4 needs to be opened vertically. When the middle unit 4 is opened, a large space above is required. In comparison, when the middle unit 4 is opened along the hinge 7, less space above is required. In order to insert and remove the banknote storage device 40, the middle unit 4 needs to be clear of anything obstructing the area above the banknote storage device 40.

Figure 7 is a side view illustrating the middle and lower units of the banknote processing device. The banknote storage device 40's banknote storage and discharge operations will be explained using a diagram showing the interior of the centrally located of the three banknote storage devices 40.

Inlet/outlet rollers 51 are arranged near the inlet/outlet 46 (see FIG. 6) of the banknote storage device 40. The banknote storage device 40 has a banknote storage section 50 that stores banknotes. The inlet/outlet rollers 51 are a roller pair in which two rollers are in contact with each other. The inlet/outlet rollers 51 are biased against each other by a spring. Banknotes transported from the outside to the inside of the banknote storage device 40 pass between the inlet/outlet rollers 51 and are transported into the inside of the banknote storage device 40. Banknotes inside the banknote storage device 40 pass between the inlet/outlet rollers 51 and are transported to the outside of the banknote storage device 40.

When the switching plate 29 is in the switching plate first position 33, the switching plate 29 forms a gap between the switching plate 29 and the conveying surface of the banknote on the downstream side of the banknote conveying direction. When the switching plate 29 is in the switching plate first position 33, the banknote is conveyed from inside to outside the banknote storage device 40, or passes above the switching plate 29. When the switching plate 29 is in the switching plate second position 35, the switching plate 29 forms a gap between the switching plate 29 and the conveying surface of the banknote on the upstream side of the banknote conveying direction. When the switching plate 29 is in the switching plate second position 35, the banknote is stored inside the banknote storage device 40.

The pivot point of the switching plate 29 is the support shaft 32. By providing an arm portion 31 between the support shaft 32 and the switching plate 29, the support shaft 32 and the switching plate 29 can be separated. When switching the transport path for banknotes, the rotation angle of the arm portion 31 about the support shaft 32 as the pivot point can be made small. In addition, a linear actuator such as a solenoid can be used to drive the switching plate 29. By arranging the support shaft 32 at a position corresponding to the entrance/exit 46 (see FIG. 6) of the banknote storage device 40, the switching plate 29 can be made to correspond to the curved surface of the guide path 53 (see FIG. 8), and the path can be switched appropriately with a small moving distance.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a banknote processing device that explains the operation of storing and discharging paper sheets in the banknote processing device. Here, the operation of storing banknotes in the banknote storage device 40 and the operation of discharging stored banknotes are explained. The banknote storage device 40 shown on the right side of Figure 8 is shown in a state in which banknotes are being discharged, and the banknote storage device 40 shown in the center is shown in a state in which banknotes are being stored.

The banknote storage device 40 is provided with two reels 56 that wind or unwind only the tape 52. The banknote storage device 40 is provided with a drum 55 that winds or unwinds the stacked tape 52. The two tapes 52 can sandwich a banknote between them. When a banknote is inserted through the guide path 53 and the inlet/outlet 46 when the two tapes 52 are wound around the drum 55, the banknote storage device 40 stores the banknote. When the two tapes 52 with a banknote sandwiched between them are unwound from the drum 55, the banknote storage device 40 discharges the banknote from the guide path 53 and the inlet/outlet 46. Since the banknote is wound around the drum 55, the banknote is prone to develop a curved paper curl. It is necessary to eliminate the paper curl of the banknote.

The two tapes 52 are wound around the inlet/outlet rollers 51 from opposite sides and sandwiched between the inlet/outlet rollers 51. The two tapes 52 are wound around the drum 55 in an overlapping state. A motor 54 for driving the drum 55 and the reel 56 is provided inside the drum 55. The bill storage device 40 can be made smaller by disposing the motor 54 inside the drum 55. The bill storage device 40 also has a transmission mechanism (not shown) for transmitting a driving force from the motor 54 to the drum 55 or the reel 56. Since the bill storage device 40 has a drive mechanism for the drum 55 and the reel 56 inside, the bill processing device 1 does not need to have a drive mechanism for transmitting a driving force to the bill storage device 40. The bill processing device 1 can control the bill storage device 40 only by an electrical connection between a control signal and a power source.

It is necessary to accurately position the entrance/exit 46 of the banknote storage device 40 and the guide path 53 of the banknote processing device 1. The banknote storage device 40 and the banknote processing device 1 are equipped with a positioning mechanism, and the banknote storage device 40 is attached to the banknote processing device 1 so that the guide path 53 fits accurately into the entrance/exit 46. The central unit 4 does not need to be equipped with a positioning mechanism.

When the tape 52 is rewound from the drum 55, the two tapes 52 move in different directions after passing the inlet/outlet rollers 51. The banknote separates from between the two tapes 52 after passing between the inlet/outlet rollers 51, and is pushed out in the direction of the inlet/outlet 46. The banknote then passes through the guide path 53 and is guided to the lower transport path by the switching plate 29. The banknote guided to the lower transport path is transported towards the outside of the banknote processing device 1.

Next, the banknote storage device 40 will be described. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the banknote storage device. At the top of the banknote storage device 40, a banknote inlet/outlet 46 is arranged along a direction perpendicular to the banknote transport direction. At the opening of the inlet/outlet 46, multiple guide claws that guide the inlet/outlet banknotes are arranged along the edge of the inlet/outlet 46. Cutouts 43 are arranged on the outside of both ends of the inlet/outlet 46 at the top of the banknote storage device 40. The cutouts 43 correspond to the positions of the inlet/outlet 46 when the banknote storage device 40 is viewed from the side. The knob 57 can be manually turned clockwise or counterclockwise to drive the drum 55 (see FIG. 8) or the reel 56 (see FIG. 8).

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the banknote storage device from a diagonal downward direction. The banknote storage device 40 is placed on the banknote processing device 1 (see Figure 6) and used. Therefore, a guide groove 58 is formed along the longitudinal direction at the center of the short side of the bottom plate of the banknote storage device 40. A plurality of positioning holes 59 are arranged at intervals in the guide groove 58. In order to mount the banknote storage device 40 at a predetermined position of the banknote processing device 1 (see Figure 6), the banknote storage device 40 is provided with an elongated guide groove 58 and positioning holes 59 spaced apart on the bottom plate. When the banknote storage device 40 is viewed from above, the guide groove 58 is arranged parallel to the two reels 56 (see Figure 8). The longitudinal direction of the guide groove 58 and the longitudinal direction of the inlet/outlet 46 (see Figure 9) are parallel. The straight line connecting the positioning holes 59 and the longitudinal direction of the inlet/outlet 46 (see Figure 9) are also parallel to each other. When the banknote storage device 40 is attached to the banknote processing device 1, the guide groove 58 and the positioning hole 59 fit into the positioning frame 47 (see FIG. 6) and the protrusion 48 (see FIG. 6) of the banknote processing device 1 (see FIG. 6), respectively. The banknote storage device 40 is accurately attached to a predetermined position of the banknote processing device 1 (see FIG. 6). The first connector 41 also fits into the second connector 42 (see FIG. 6). The longitudinal direction of the first connector 41 and the longitudinal direction of the guide groove 58 intersect at 90 degrees. The connectors can move a predetermined distance in both the longitudinal and lateral directions of the connectors, and will fit correctly even if there is some misalignment.

This configuration of the banknote storage device 40 makes it possible to narrow the width of the banknote storage device 40 in the short direction, allowing the banknote storage devices 40 to be arranged closely together and making it possible to miniaturize the banknote processing device.

1 Banknote processing device 2 Frame 3 Lower unit 4 Middle unit 5 Upper unit 6 Rail 7 Hinge 8 Damper 9 Lock 10 Separation unit 11 Recognition unit 12 Sterilization unit 13 Deposit port 14 Discharge port 15 Case 20 Conveyor roller 21 Conveyor belt 22 UV irradiation unit 23 Fold-back section 24 Pressing roller 25 Clamping roller 26 Push-out roller 27 Push-out blade 28 Discharge tray 29 Switching plate 30 Plate rotation shaft 31 Arm section 32 Support shaft 33 Switching plate first position 34 Plate rotation shaft first position 35 Switching plate second position 36 Plate rotation shaft second position 37 Fold-back plate 38 Motor 40 Banknote storage device 41 First connector 42 Second connector 43 Cutout section 44 Banknote storage box 45 Bottom plate 46 Inlet/outlet 47 Positioning frame 48 Protrusion 50 Banknote storage section 51 Incoming/outgoing roller 52 Tape 53 Guideway 54 Motor 55 Drum 56 Reel 57 Knob 58 Guide groove 59 Positioning hole

Claims (12)

A deposit slot for accepting paper documents;
a withdrawal port disposed below the deposit port and configured to discharge the paper sheets;
a conveying unit that conveys the paper sheets along a conveying path from the deposit port to the withdrawal port;
A paper sheet storage device that is detachably arranged and stores the paper sheets;
a functional unit including a recognition unit for identifying the type of the paper sheet, the functional unit being disposed midway through the conveying section;
a sorting unit that is disposed in the middle of the conveying unit and that guides the paper sheets of the same type to the paper sheet storage device that is disposed corresponding to the type of the paper sheets based on the result of the recognition by the recognition unit;
a paper sheet processing apparatus that receives and stores the paper sheets through the deposit port and discharges the stored paper sheets through the withdrawal port,
the transport section includes an upper transport path sandwiched between an upper unit arranged below the functional unit and the functional unit, a lower transport path sandwiched between a middle unit arranged below the upper unit and the upper unit, and a turn-back section arranged opposite the deposit port and the withdrawal port, which transfers the paper sheets from the upper transport path to the lower transport path,
The paper sheet storage device is arranged in a plurality of units along a conveying direction of the paper sheets in a lower unit arranged below the middle unit,
The middle unit has the sorting unit disposed at a position corresponding to the paper sheet storage device,
the upper unit includes an upper rotating body that is spaced apart in the width direction of the paper sheets to be transported and that is arranged parallel to the transport direction, and the middle unit includes a lower rotating body that is arranged in a position opposite to the upper rotating body, and the paper sheets are transported while being sandwiched between the upper rotating body and the lower rotating body,
a metal pressure roller that comes into contact with the paper sheets being transported and is disposed on the outer side of the upper rotating body of the upper unit; The paper sheet processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressure roller is grounded and removes static electricity from the paper sheets being transported. The lower rotating body is biased toward the upper rotating body to press the paper sheet toward the upper rotating body,
The upper rotating body is disposed so as to protrude from the upper unit,
the pressure roller is disposed so as to protrude from the upper unit toward the middle unit, and the pressure roller protrudes from the upper unit farther than the upper rotating body;
the pressure roller contacts the paper sheet being conveyed and presses the paper sheet in a direction opposite to a pressing direction of the paper sheet of the lower rotating body;
3. The paper sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the paper sheets are conveyed while their curls are corrected. The lower rotating body is spaced apart in the conveying direction,
The paper sheet processing apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the pressure roller is disposed between the lower rotating bodies adjacent to each other in the transport direction. The upper rotating body is two conveyor belts arranged in parallel,
4. The paper sheet processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the lower rotating body is a nipping roller that is disposed at a position corresponding to the conveyor belt and that nip the paper sheet between the lower rotating body and the conveyor belt. The paper sheet processing device according to claim 3, characterized in that the paper sheet storage device has a drum for winding tape, and stores the paper sheets by winding the paper sheets on the drum while sandwiched between the tape. The paper sheet storage device has an inlet/outlet for receiving and discharging the paper sheets,
The lower unit has a through hole through which the paper sheet passes,
a guide path that is disposed along an edge of the through hole and protrudes to the opposite side from the conveying path and guides the paper sheet;
The paper sheet processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a leading end of the guide path is inserted into the inlet/outlet of the paper sheet storage device when the lower unit is closed. The paper sheet processing device according to claim 6, characterized in that the pressure rollers are disposed downstream of each of the sorting sections in the conveying direction. The paper sheet processing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the functional unit includes a UV irradiation unit that irradiates the paper sheets with ultraviolet light and sterilizes the surfaces of the paper sheets, and the paper sheets being transported are irradiated with ultraviolet light from the UV irradiation unit. The paper processing device according to claim 9, characterized in that the UV irradiation unit is disposed in the upper transport path between the recognition unit and the folding unit. a first connection portion is disposed at an end portion between the upper unit and the middle unit on a side where the folded-back portion is disposed;
the upper unit is connected to the middle unit in an openable and closable manner with the first connection portion as a rotation center, the side of the upper unit where the deposit port is arranged being exposed to the lower transport path;
a second connection part is disposed between the middle unit and the lower unit, and the middle unit is connected to the lower unit so as to be openable and closable in a direction different from that of the upper unit, with the second connection part as a rotation center;
The paper sheet processing device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that when the middle unit is opened, the middle unit and the upper unit do not overlap above the paper sheet storage device attached to the lower unit, so that the paper sheet storage device stored in the lower unit can be moved in an upward and downward direction to be attached and detached. the second connection portion is an end portion on one side in a short side direction of the middle unit and the lower unit, and is arranged along a longitudinal direction of the middle unit and the lower unit,
the paper sheet storage device is disposed between the other end of the lower unit in the short side direction and the second connection portion,
The paper sheet processing apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the middle unit and the upper unit are moved to a position not above the paper sheet storage device to be installed by rotating the middle unit by more than 90 degrees relative to the lower unit.

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