JP7610315B2 - Paper sheet transport device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a paper sheet transport device that transports paper sheets such as banknotes in amusement arcades and the like.

Inside an amusement machine island, which houses multiple sets of gaming machines such as pachinko machines and gaming ball dispensing machines that accept inserted banknotes and dispense gaming balls (such as pachinko balls) to players, a transport device is installed along the length of the amusement machine island to transport the banknotes inserted into each gaming ball dispensing machine to a safe installed at the end of the gaming machine island. In addition, a transport device has also appeared that collects banknotes from each safe of multiple gaming machine islands installed in an amusement facility and transports them to the main safe in the amusement facility's office.

Conventionally, belt conveying was the mainstream method of conveying used in such conveying devices, but in recent years, methods have become more diverse, such as using air currents generated within the conveying tube. For example, the following Patent Document 1 discloses a conveying device that uses a cylindrical conveying auxiliary body 101 inserted into a conveying tube 100 as shown in Figure 28, which is moved by the action of an air current generated within the conveying tube, and the moving conveying auxiliary body 101 pushes the paper sheets in the tube from behind to convey them.

In a conveying device that uses a conveying auxiliary, a collection device is provided at the end of the conveying tube to separate the conveying auxiliary from the paper sheets conveyed by the conveying auxiliary and collect the paper sheets. Figure 29 shows how the paper sheets are collected by the collection device 110.

In this recovery device 110, the transport auxiliary body 101 that pushes the paper sheets from behind is received and recovered by a separation section 112 equipped with a slit (passage opening) (Fig. 1B), and the paper sheets are separated from the transport auxiliary body by passing only the paper sheets through the slit and proceeding to a downstream passage section 114.

The passage section 114 is an area for temporarily stopping or slowing down (e.g., 10 cm/sec) paper sheets moving through the conveying pipe at high speed (e.g., 2 m/sec) and storing them. Paper sheets that enter the passage section 114 are discharged to the outside from the end of the passage section 114 by a conveying mechanism 116 using conveying rollers and conveying belts (Fig. 1c).

The paper sheets discharged from the collection device 110 are sent to the office's main safe or the like for storage. The transport auxiliary body 101 is detached from the separation section 112 when the separation section 112 rotates from the front of the passage section 114 to the side, and is collected (Fig. 3c).

JP 2020-15578 A

When paper sheets are transported by the transport auxiliary, the trailing end of the paper sheet is usually pushed and moved by the transport auxiliary with the trailing end of the paper sheet in contact with the transport auxiliary. Also, when the transport auxiliary transports multiple paper sheets at once, the multiple paper sheets are usually in a bundle and the trailing end of the bundle is pushed and moved with the bundle in contact with the transport auxiliary. However, such a transport state is not always maintained, and due to some influence (for example, the influence of gravity acting on the paper sheets in the direction of travel at the downward point of the transport path, the influence of air resistance, the influence of the joints of the transport pipe, etc.), the paper sheets may move while being somewhat away from the transport auxiliary, or when the transport auxiliary transports multiple banknotes at once, the bundle may collapse and the multiple paper sheets may be transported in a state where they are scattered in front and behind (for example, the first group and the second group behind it) (see Figure 30).

When multiple sheets of paper arrive at the collection device in a state where they are scattered back and forth, as shown in FIG. 31(a), the first group of sheets that arrive first are stored in the passage 114 of the collection device 110 and stop and decelerate. After that, the leading edge of the second group of sheets may hit the trailing edge of the first group of sheets that arrived first and are stopped and decelerating in the passage 114. If this happens, the delayed second group of sheets will not enter the passage 114 but will be crushed by the transport auxiliary arriving from behind, causing a jam (FIG. 31(b)).

This problem is not limited to cases where the transport auxiliary body is moved by the action of airflow, but can occur in any method in which the transport auxiliary body pushes and transports the paper sheets. For example, it can occur even if the transport auxiliary body is self-propelled. The phenomenon in which the paper sheets move at a certain distance forward from the transport auxiliary body is not limited to downward-direction parts of the transport path, but can also occur in other places, for example, where the transport path is horizontal.

The present invention seeks to solve the above problems by providing a paper sheet transport device that can properly collect multiple paper sheets that are pushed from behind by the transport auxiliary body and transported, even if the sheets arrive at the collection device in a scattered state in the front and back.

The gist of the present invention to achieve this objective is as follows:

[1] A paper sheet transport device that pushes and transports paper sheets with a transport auxiliary body that moves along a transport path,
a storage unit that is provided at a destination of the conveyance, and that does not receive the conveyance auxiliary body, but receives and stores the paper sheets, and then discharges them to the outside;
a temporary stop section provided at a predetermined distance in front of the storage section, the temporary stop section being capable of being set to a contact position where the paper sheets can pass through and where the paper sheets are brought into contact with the auxiliary transport body to be temporarily stopped, and a release position where the paper sheets are not brought into contact with the auxiliary transport body ;
having
When the paper sheet that has passed through the temporary stop unit set at the abutting position is received by the storage unit and the paper sheet is discharged from the storage unit, the temporary stop unit is set at the release position.
A paper sheet transport device characterized by the above.

1 is a diagram showing an example of the layout of an amusement park in which a paper sheet collection and transport system to which a paper sheet transport device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied is installed. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a paper sheet collection and transport system to which a paper sheet transport device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied; 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a transport auxiliary body pushes a banknote in a transport tube from the rear end side. FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a straight portion of the conveying pipe. A cross-sectional view perpendicular to the extension direction of the straight portion of the conveying pipe. 1A and 1B are plan and front views of a transport aid; 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the conveying pipe and the conveying auxiliary body in a state where the conveying auxiliary body is inserted into the conveying pipe. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the inside of the transport pipes entering and leaving the collective safe of the paper sheet collection and transport system shown in FIG. 2 , and the collective safe. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an amusement machine island. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an island banknote transport device. 2 is a perspective view showing the collection device disassembled into an outer case and an inner unit. FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an inner unit of the recovery device. 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which a passage portion of the inner unit is disassembled into a main body portion side and an opposing wall portion side. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the main body of the passage portion as viewed from the inner wall surface side. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section and operation of the recovery device. FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a temporary stop unit. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a stopper drive unit of the temporary stop unit. FIG. 4 is a side view showing a connecting pipe portion of the temporary suspension unit. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the temporary stop unit taken along line AA in FIG. 18 (the abutting member is in the abutting position). 18A-A cross-sectional view of the temporary stop unit (contact member in release position) 13 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between a contact member at a contact position and a transport auxiliary body that is temporarily stopped in contact with the contact member; FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state in which a head of the abutment member at a contact position is connected to an inner wall surface of the connecting pipe portion. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the temporary stopping unit and the collection device (when a plurality of banknotes are transported in a dispersed manner). FIG. FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing the continuation of FIG. 23. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the temporary stopping unit and the collection device (when a plurality of banknotes are transported in a bundle); FIG. FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram showing the continuation of FIG. 25. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the temporary stopping unit and the collection device (another example in which a plurality of banknotes are transported in a bundle); FIG. 13 is a diagram showing how the auxiliary transport body pushes and transports the paper sheets in the tube from behind. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which paper sheets are collected by a collection device in a conventional conveying device. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state in which a plurality of paper sheets are conveyed while being distributed forward and backward; 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a problem that occurs in a recovery device of a conventional transport device.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 shows an example of the layout of an amusement parlor 2 in which a paper sheet collection and transport system 1 that uses a paper sheet transport device according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed. Figure 2 shows a schematic configuration of the paper sheet collection and transport system 1. Inside the amusement parlor 2, multiple gaming machine islands 3 are arranged across an aisle. Each gaming machine island 3 houses multiple pairs of gaming ball dispensers 4 that receive inserted banknotes and dispense gaming balls (pachinko balls) to players, and gaming machines 5 such as pachinko machines, back to back on the front and back sides.

The paper sheet collection and transport system 1 includes an island banknote transport device 7 that is installed inside the gaming machine island 3 and takes in banknotes discharged from the back of each gaming ball dispenser 4 and transports them to a safe in a relay box 6 at the end of the gaming machine island 3, a main transport device 10 that travels above each gaming machine island 3 (for example, above the ceiling or near the ceiling) to collect banknotes stored in the safe of each gaming machine island 3 and transport them to a collective safe 9 installed in the office of the gaming facility 2, and an relay transport device 8 that pays out banknotes from the safe of each gaming machine island 3 and relays and transports the banknotes to the transport path 11 of the main transport device 10 that passes above the safe.

The relay box 6 provided at the edge of each gaming machine island 3 houses a safe, as well as the drive and control units of the intra-island banknote transport device 7 and relay transport device 8. The collective safe 9 houses the safe, as well as the drive and control units of the main transport device 10.

The transport path 11 of the main transport device 10 is installed so that it leaves the collective safe 9 in the office, passes above the installation location of the relay box 6 of each game machine island 3, and returns to the collective safe 9. In the example of FIG. 2, the transport path 11 of the main transport device 10 is extended upward after leaving the collective safe 9, enters the ceiling space, then turns horizontally, travels along the ceiling space directly above the installation location of the relay box 6 of each game machine island 3, and then descends and returns to the collective safe 9. A temporary stop unit 80 is installed in the middle of the transport path 11 just before returning to the collective safe 9, which allows banknotes P to pass but temporarily stops the transport auxiliary body 16 for a predetermined time and then opens it toward the collective safe 9. In the embodiment, the main transport device 10 equipped with the temporary stop unit 80 corresponds to the paper sheet transport device according to the present invention.

The conveying path 11 of the main conveying device 10 of the paper sheet collection and conveying system 1 is a cylindrical conveying tube 12. The main conveying device 10 generates an air flow in the conveying tube 12, and a conveying auxiliary body 16 (see Figures 3 to 7) that receives the air flow and moves within the conveying tube 12 pushes the banknotes P in the conveying tube 12 from behind and conveys them downstream (conveying direction FW). In the paper sheet collection and conveying system 1, the banknotes P are conveyed within the conveying tube 12 in a landscape orientation with the paper surface vertical.

The transport path 11 of the main transport device 10 is composed of multiple transport pipes 12 connected together. A transport pipe and the adjacent transport pipe are connected via a connector 15, an intake device 14, etc. The transport pipes 12 include a straight transport pipe 12a, a horizontally curved pipe 12b for changing the path by 90 degrees to the left or right, and a vertically curved pipe 12c for changing the path from horizontal to vertical or from vertical to horizontal (see Figures 2 and 8). By connecting these together, the transport path can be freely set.

The intake device 14 takes in the banknotes transported by the relay transport device 8 into the transport path 11 of the main transport device 10, and also connects the front and rear transport tubes 12.

Figure 8 shows the collective safe 9 with the front cover removed and the transport pipe 12 that enters and exits it. Inside the collective safe 9, an airflow generating device 21 and a bill separation/transport auxiliary circulation device 22 are provided. The bill separation/transport auxiliary circulation device 22 has the function of a transport auxiliary insertion device 23 that sends the transport auxiliary 16 into the transport pipe 12, and the function of a recovery device 50 (corresponding to the storage unit of the present invention) that separates and recovers the bills and the transport auxiliary 16 that has been pushed and transported from the rear (the transport auxiliary 16 that has returned after going around the transport path 11 of the main transport device 10), and also has the function of delivering the transport auxiliary 16 recovered by the recovery device 50 to the transport auxiliary insertion device 23 for cyclical use. The bills P recovered by the recovery device 50 are transported to the bill storage unit 25 in the collective safe 9 and stored.

The airflow generating device 21 generates an airflow by rotating the blades with a motor. The air blowing side of the airflow generating device 21 is connected to the air inlet of the transport auxiliary body insertion device 23, and the beginning of the transport pipe 12 is connected to the air outlet of the transport auxiliary body insertion device 23. The airflow generated by the airflow generating device 21 is sent to the beginning of the transport pipe 12 through the transport auxiliary body insertion device 23. The end of the transport pipe 12 that has returned after going around the playground is connected to the inlet of the recovery device 50, and the airflow outlet of the recovery device 50 is connected to the air intake port of the airflow generating device 21. The airflow that flows into the recovery device 50 from the end of the transport pipe 12 passes through the recovery device 50 and is sucked into the air intake port of the airflow generating device 21.

A temporary stop unit 80 is provided on the transport path a certain distance before the collective safe 9. As shown in FIG. 8, the temporary stop unit 80 connects the straight transport pipe 12a that descends from the ceiling and the vertical curved pipe 12c just before it reaches the collective safe 9, and functions as a connector.

In addition, an auxiliary blower (not shown) for enhancing the air flow is provided at an appropriate location along the transport path 11 of the main transport device 10. For example, the auxiliary blower is provided at a point where the transport path curves. The auxiliary blower is also provided at a connection point of the transport path. The auxiliary blower plays a role in enhancing the air flow toward the downstream to ensure that the transport auxiliary body 16 reaches the collective safe 9. The auxiliary blower may also have the function of sucking in air from the upstream side.

The control unit 27 of the paper sheet collection and transport system 1 installed inside the collective safe 9 is mainly composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The control unit 27 controls the operation of the air flow generating device 21, the banknote separation and transport auxiliary circulation device 22, and the like. In addition, a control unit that controls the operation of the island banknote transport device 7, the relay transport device 8, and the intake device 14 is provided in the relay box 6, and the control unit 27 in the collective safe 9 and the control unit in each relay box 6 are connected by communication lines and operate in cooperation. For example, when the control unit of the relay box 6 receives a discharge instruction from the control unit 27 in the collective safe 9, it controls the relay transport device 8 and the intake device 14 to send the banknotes held in the relay box into the upper transport path 11. The auxiliary blower is equipped with a control unit, and is connected to the control unit 27 in the collective safe 9 by a communication line and operates in cooperation.

The collection of banknotes by the paper sheet collection and transport system 1 is carried out as follows.

The bills inserted from each game ball dispenser 4 on the game machine island 3 are transported by the intra-island bill transport device 7 to the relay box 6 at the end of the game machine island 3 and temporarily stored in the internal safe. When collecting the bills stored in the safe in the relay box 6 of each game machine island 3 into the collective safe 9, the bills are fed out from the safe of one or more relay boxes 6 and transported by the relay transport device 8 to the upper intake device 14, which then takes the bills into the transport path 11 of the main transport device 10 and keeps them waiting.

When the banknotes have been taken into the transport path 11, the transport auxiliary insertion device 23 in the collective safe 9 sends out the transport auxiliary 16 into the transport path (transport pipe) 11 in order to transport the banknotes to the collective safe 9 for collection. The sent-out transport auxiliary 16 is affected by the air flow and moves downstream in the transport path 11 of the main transport device 10, returning to the collective safe 9 while collecting the banknotes. At that time, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the transport auxiliary 16 pushes the banknote P from behind and transports it (the transport direction FW in the figure). The transport auxiliary 16, receiving the air flow, moves in the transport pipe 12 at a high speed of about 2 m/s.

The temporary suspension unit 80, installed a predetermined distance before the collective safe 9, allows banknotes heading for the collective safe 9 to pass through as is, and temporarily suspends the transport auxiliary body 16. Here, the temporary suspension unit 80 temporarily suspends the transport auxiliary body 16 for a predetermined time (e.g., 5 seconds), and then releases the suspension. Banknotes that pass through the temporary suspension unit 80 and reach the collection device 50 during the temporary suspension are collected by the collection device 50, and banknotes that pass through the temporary suspension unit 80 but have not yet reached the collection device 50 are pushed by the transport auxiliary body 16 after the temporary suspension unit 80 is released, reach the collection device 50, and are collected.

In this way, in the main transport device 10, the transport auxiliary body 16 moves in response to the action of the air flow, and the banknotes are pushed from behind by this transport auxiliary body 16 to transport them, so the banknotes themselves do not need to obtain propulsive force from the air flow. Therefore, there is no need to take measures such as folding the banknotes in order to receive the air flow. In addition, the transport auxiliary body 16 can obtain propulsive force from the air flow more efficiently than folded banknotes, etc., so banknotes can be transported efficiently, and multiple sheets at a time.

In the paper sheet collection and transport system 1, the island banknote transport device 7 and the relay transport device 8 transport banknotes in the same manner as the main transport device 10 (a method in which the transport auxiliary body 16 moving with air flow pushes the banknotes from behind). As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the island banknote transport device 7 is composed of a relay box 6 with the same configuration as the collective safe 9, which is provided at one end of the gaming machine island 3, a transport pipe 12 installed within the island so that it extends from the relay box 6 to the other end of the gaming machine island 3 and then makes a U-turn and returns to the relay box 6, and an island intake device 14b provided corresponding to each gaming ball dispensing machine 4 and takes in the banknotes discharged from the gaming ball dispensing machine 4 into the transport pipe 12. The island intake device 14b also has the function of connecting the transport pipes 12.

The relay box 6 is provided with a banknote separation and transport auxiliary circulation device 22 (transport auxiliary insertion device 23 and collection device 50), an air flow generating device 21, a banknote storage unit 25, a control unit, etc. The island banknote transport device 7 may also have a temporary stop unit 80 provided in the transport tube a predetermined distance before the collection device 50.

The relay conveying device 8 also conveys in the same manner as the main conveying device 10 (a method in which the conveying auxiliary body 16, which moves with the air flow, pushes up the banknotes from below). The relay conveying device 8 is equipped with a conveying tube that extends from the relay box 6 to the upper intake device 14, and an air flow generating device that generates an upward air flow in this conveying tube. In the relay conveying device 8, the conveying auxiliary body 16, which moves upward in the conveying tube due to the action of the air flow, pushes up the banknotes fed from the banknote storage section 25 from below and conveys them to the upper intake device 14. After the banknotes are taken in by the intake device 14, the air flow is stopped or generated in the opposite direction, causing the conveying auxiliary body 16 to return to a standby position at the bottom end of the conveying tube, and prepare for the next relay conveying.

The island banknote transport device 7 and the relay transport device 8 are not limited to the transport method described above, and may use other transport methods such as belt transport.

Next, we will explain in detail the shape of the conveying tube 12 and the conveying aid 16.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the conveying tube 12 in a straight portion, and Figure 5 is a diagram showing the cross-sectional shape of the conveying tube 12 in the same portion perpendicular to the extension direction FW (= conveying direction FW of banknotes P = air flow direction). The conveying tube 12 is made of resin with a thickness of about 1.5 mm. The conveying tube 12 is formed, for example, by extrusion molding.

The cross-sectional shape of the straight portion of the conveying tube 12 perpendicular to the extension direction FW of the conveying tube 12 is a rectangular shape with the central portion of the long side of the rectangle expanding outward. In detail, the conveying tube 12 has a wall portion 31 that forms the short side of the rectangle in cross-section, a side wall portion 32 that forms the long side of the rectangle in cross-section, and an expansion portion 33 that protrudes outward in a rectangular shape at the central portion of the side wall portion 32. Note that the short side direction of the approximately rectangular cross-section perpendicular to the extension direction (conveying direction FW) of the conveying tube 12 is the X direction, and the long side direction is the Y direction. In the X direction and Y direction, the direction toward the center of the conveying tube 12 is called the inside, and the direction from the center toward the inner wall is called the outside.

The expansion section 33 is divided into two sections by a separation wall 34 that stands upright toward the inside of the conveying pipe 12. The separation wall 34 is formed by attaching a T-shaped member to the inner wall of the expansion section 33.

The side wall portion 32 has multiple ribs 35 extending in the conveying direction and protruding toward the inside of the conveying tube 12. In this example, the ribs 35 protruding inward of the conveying tube 12 are formed along the conveying direction FW at the boundary between the side wall portion 32 and the expansion portion 33. The separation wall 34 is at the same height as the ribs 35, and the top of the separation wall 34 functions as a rib. Hereinafter, the separation wall 34 will also be referred to as the rib 34.

The side walls 32 are a pair of inner walls that face the paper surface of the transported banknote P. The banknote P is rectangular and is transported inside the transport tube 12 with its long side oriented in the transport direction FW. In other words, the paper surface P faces the side walls 32 of the transport tube 12, and the banknote P is transported with one short side facing the leading edge of the transport direction FW and the other short side facing the trailing edge.

The distance Dy between a pair of opposing wall portions 31 of the transport tube 12 is slightly longer than the short side of the banknote P. The distance Dx between a pair of opposing side wall portions 32 (portions (reference plane portions) where the ribs 35, extension portions 33, and separation walls 34 are not formed) is set to about 21 mm. The extension portions 33 provided on each side wall portion 32 extend outward from the side wall portion 32 (reference plane portion) by about 6 mm. The tops of the ribs 35 and separation walls 34 are about 2 mm high inward from the side wall portion 32 (reference plane portion). The height of the ribs 35 may be set appropriately.

The transport tube 12 can be installed and used with its longitudinal direction tilted vertically, horizontally, or at any other angle, and the transport aid 16 can move smoothly inside the transport tube 12 at any angle. Figure 5 shows the transport tube 12 in a vertical position, with the long side of the rectangular cross section vertical.

Figure 6 shows the top and front views of the transport auxiliary 16. The transport auxiliary 16 is a columnar shape with a circular cross section and different diameters at each part. The transport auxiliary 16 is inserted into the transport tube 12 so that the central axis of the cylinder is in the Y direction of the transport tube 12. The transport auxiliary 16 is symmetrical about its center in the longitudinal direction, and is composed of, in order from one end, a head 16a, a neck 16b with a slightly smaller diameter than the head, a large diameter part 16c with a larger diameter than the head 16a, a constricted part 16d with the same diameter as the neck 16b and located in the center in the longitudinal direction, the large diameter part 16c, the neck 16b, and the head 16a. The transport auxiliary 16 is lightweight and strong, and is formed with a hollow interior from, for example, plastic. It may be formed from polystyrene foam or extruded polystyrene foam if it is lightweight and strong.

Figure 7 shows a cross section of the conveying auxiliary 16 inserted into the conveying tube 12. This figure shows a cross section perpendicular to the extension direction FW and passing through the central axis of the conveying auxiliary 16. The diameters of each part of the conveying auxiliary 16 correspond to the inner edge shape of the conveying tube 12. In other words, the cross-sectional shape passing through the central axis of the conveying auxiliary 16 corresponds to the inner edge shape of the conveying tube 12 in a cross section perpendicular to the extension direction FW, and is shaped to almost completely block the inside of the conveying tube 12 with a specified clearance between it and the inner wall.

In this way, the transport auxiliary body 16 has a shape that corresponds to the inner edge shape of the transport pipe 12 (almost the same shape with some clearance) and blocks almost the entire cross section of the transport pipe 12, so it can move efficiently under the action of the air flow. Furthermore, the transport auxiliary body 16 prevents the air flow from upstream from reaching the downstream side of the transport auxiliary body 16, and plays a role in suppressing turbulence of the air flow on the downstream side.

When acted upon by the air flow inside the transport tube 12, the banknote P tends to stick to the side wall 32. In other words, the distance between one side of the banknote P and the opposing side wall 32 and the distance between the other side of the banknote P and the opposing side wall 32 are rarely equal, and one of the distances is narrower than the other. Because the air flow speed is faster on the narrower side than on the wider side, the air pressure on the narrower side is lower than that on the wider side, and this air pressure difference causes the banknote P to be attracted to and pressed against the side wall 32 on the narrower side. When this happens, the distance on the narrower side becomes even narrower, causing the banknote P to stick to and be attracted to the side wall 32.

If the banknotes P stick too tightly to the side wall 32, it becomes difficult for the transport aid 16 to push and transport the banknotes P. However, as described above, the transport aid 16 acts to block (reduce) the air flow downstream, so the force with which the banknotes P stick and adhere is reduced, allowing for smooth transport.

The two large diameter portions 16c of the transport auxiliary 16 engage with two expansion portions 33 separated by a separation wall 34 of the transport tube 12. In this example, the expansion portion 33 is separated into two by the separation wall 34, and these expansion portions 33 are provided toward the center of the transport tube 12 in the Y direction, so that the transport auxiliary 16 can be moved while maintaining a stable posture. In addition, because the posture of the transport auxiliary 16 is stable, the large diameter portion 16c of the transport auxiliary 16 can be appropriately abutted against the rear end of the banknote P to provide a stable transport force. In addition, the banknote P is less likely to become entangled between the transport tube 12 and the transport auxiliary 16.

In addition, by providing the large diameter portion 16c, the area of the portion of the transport auxiliary body 16 that is affected by the air flow is increased, and the force required for movement can be received efficiently. Also, since the large diameter portion 16c is provided to efficiently receive the action of the air flow, the diameter of the head portion 16a can be reduced accordingly. By reducing the diameter of the head portion, the distance (width (Dx)) between a pair of opposing side wall portions 32 inside the transport tube 12 can be narrowed, and banknotes P can be prevented from falling over.

Furthermore, the presence of multiple ribs 35 on the side wall portion 32 prevents the banknote P from sticking tightly to the side wall portion 32. In other words, the contact area between the banknote P and the side wall portion 32 is reduced, reducing friction and suppressing the generation of static electricity. Even if the banknote P sticks to the side wall portion 32, the banknote P is supported by the tip portion of the ribs 35, so a gap is secured between the side wall portion 32 and the banknote P around the ribs 35, and the sticking force is kept small. In addition, because the banknote P is supported by the separation wall 34, the banknote P is prevented from falling into the recess of the expansion portion 33.

The multiple ribs 35 protruding inward from the side wall 32 and the tops of the separation walls 34 serve to make the effective passage width W of the banknote P in the width direction (X direction) of the transport tube 12 narrower than the distance Dx between the reference flat surfaces. This makes it difficult for the banknote P to fall toward one of the side wall portions 32 inside the transport tube 12, and the posture of the banknote P is maintained along the Y direction. In particular, by providing multiple ribs 35, the banknote P is appropriately prevented from falling as described above, and the banknote P is effectively prevented from sticking to the side wall portion 32. Note that Dx can be increased by the amount of the ribs 35 provided, which increases the cross-sectional area of the transport tube 12 and makes the transport auxiliary body 16 more susceptible to the action of airflow.

In the case of the transport aid 16 according to this embodiment, the diameter of the large diameter portion 16c is the largest, so as shown in FIG. 3, this large diameter portion 16c comes into contact with the rear end of the banknote P and pushes it.

The transport aid 16 is not limited to the illustrated shape, and may have, for example, a shape in which the two large diameter portions 16c are integrated without the constricted portion 16d, a shape without the head portion 16a, or a rectangular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axis. It may have any suitable shape that allows it to push the banknotes from behind in a stable position.

Next, we will explain the recovery device 50.

Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of the recovery device 50, Figure 12 is a perspective view showing the inner unit 52 of the recovery device 50, Figure 13 is a perspective view of the passage section 54 of the inner unit 52 exploded into the main body section side and the opposing wall section side, Figure 14 is a perspective view showing the main body section of the passage section 54 as seen from the inner wall side, and Figure 15 is an explanatory diagram showing the cross section and operation of the recovery device 50.

The recovery device 50 is composed of a hollow outer case 51 and an inner unit 52 that is removably inserted into the outer case 51 from an opening at the rear end of the outer case 51 (see FIG. 11). The end of the transport tube 12 is tightly inserted into and connected to the front opening 51a of the outer case 51.

The inner unit 52 has a separation section 53 that separates banknotes P that are pushed and transported by the transport auxiliary body 16 by passing them downstream through a slit 53a (see FIG. 15) and capturing the transport auxiliary body 16, and a passage section 54 that receives and stores banknotes that have passed through the slit 53a of the separation section 53 through an inlet 54a (see FIG. 12 and FIG. 15(a)).

The separation section 53 is shaped like a hollow cylinder divided in two along its axis, and is structured so that the transport aid 16 received through a rectangular opening corresponding to the divided end face comes into contact with the inside of the semi-cylindrical wall and stops. The slit 53a opened in the semi-cylindrical wall of the separation section 53 is wide enough to allow a dozen or so banknotes P to pass through in a bundle.

The separation section 53 is configured to be rotatable between a standby position (see Figures 11 and 15(a)) in front of the inlet 54a of the passage section 54, where it receives the transport auxiliary body 16 arriving from the end of the transport pipe 12, and a discharge position (see Figures 12 and 15(b)) off to the side of the inlet 54a. Here, the separation section 53 rotates using power from a solenoid (not shown).

A discharge port 53b is provided on the bottom surface of the separation section 53 to allow the transport auxiliary body 16 to drop downward. In addition, a drop port 51b is provided on the bottom surface of the outer case 51 at a position corresponding to the discharge port 53b of the separation section 53 that has moved to the discharge position. When the separation section 53 holding the transport auxiliary body 16 rotates from the standby position to the discharge position, the held transport auxiliary body 16 drops downward through the discharge port 53b on the bottom surface of the separation section 53 and the drop port 51b on the bottom surface of the outer case 51, and is handed over to the transport auxiliary body insertion device 23 to be reused for the next delivery.

The passage section 54 of the inner unit 52 is an area where banknotes received from the inlet 54a are stopped and decelerated for temporary storage. The stopped and decelerated banknotes are transported by a transport mechanism provided in the passage section 54 to the outlet 54b at the end of the passage section 54 and sent out to the outside. Banknotes that leave the outlet 54b of the collection device 50 are sent to the banknote storage section 25 and stored.

A rib 55 that protrudes into the passage is provided on the upstream side of one of the inner walls of the passage 54 along the direction in which the passage extends, and a conveyor belt 56 is stretched downstream of this rib 55 to convey the bills toward the end of the passage 54. A rib 55 is also provided on the other inner wall of the passage 54, and the space between the opposing ribs 55 forms the actual passage for the bills.

A transport roller 57 is provided near the end of the passage 54 to clamp and discharge the banknotes. In the recovery device 50, an air suction port 54c is provided behind the transport belt 56, and a duct leading to the suction side of the air flow generating device 21 is connected to the part of the outer case 51 corresponding to this suction port 54c. By sucking air outward from the suction port 54c behind the transport belt 56, the banknotes are transported by sticking them to the transport belt 56.

Three conveyor belts 56 are stretched across the board in parallel with a space between them (see Figure 14), and between the conveyor belts 56 there are partition walls 54d to prevent banknotes from being sucked in between the conveyor belts 56.

In addition, the passage section 54 is provided with an auxiliary conveying mechanism 58 in case the conveying belt 56 does not convey the banknotes properly. The auxiliary conveying mechanism 58 is composed of a roller 58a provided on one inner wall side of the passage section 54, and a circular clamping belt 58b provided on the other inner wall side of the passage section 54 at a position corresponding to the roller 58a and stretched so as to rotate along the longitudinal direction of the passage section 54. The clamping belt 58b is supported so as to be displaceable between a storage position (see FIG. 15(a)) where it does not advance into the actual passage of the banknotes (inside the top of the rib 55) and a clamping position (see FIG. 15(b)) where it advances into the passage and abuts against the roller 58a. The clamping belt 58b is driven by a drive unit (not shown) to rotate in a direction to convey the banknotes downstream. It is also driven by a solenoid (not shown) to be displaced between the storage position and the clamping position.

The recovery device 50 is equipped with a sensor that detects whether the transport auxiliary body 16 has arrived at the separation section 53 at the standby position, a sensor that detects whether a banknote is present in the passage section 54, and a sensor that detects whether a banknote has been discharged from the passage section 54.

Next, the operation of the recovery device 50 will be explained.

When the airflow generating device 21 generates an airflow, the airflow travels around the transport path 11, flows into the collection device 50 through the front opening 51a of the outer case 51 of the collection device 50, and then enters the passage 54 through the inlet 54a of the inner unit 52. The air in the passage 54 is sucked into the airflow generating device 21 through the suction port 54c and the duct.

When the banknote reaches the collection device 50 from the end of the conveying tube 12 while the airflow is flowing as described above, the banknote passes through the slit 53a of the separation unit 53 and enters the passage 54. The banknote that enters the passage 54 stops or slows down as it sticks to the conveying belt 56 due to the suction described above. Then, the conveying belt 56 conveys the banknote to the downstream side of the passage 54 at a low speed (for example, 10 cm/sec), and is further sandwiched between the conveying rollers 57 and discharged to the outside from the payout port 54b. Here, when the collection device 50 detects that the banknote has entered the passage 54, it starts driving the conveying belt 56 and the conveying rollers 57, and stops driving them when the banknote is discharged. Regardless of whether the banknote has arrived in the passage 54 of the collection device 50, the collection device 50 may be driven constantly during the conveying operation of the main conveying device 10 (from the start to the end of the conveying operation by the conveying auxiliary body).

The transport auxiliary 16 that reaches the recovery device 50 from the end of the transport tube 12 is received by the separation section 53. When it is detected that the transport auxiliary 16 has reached the separation section 53, the separation section 53 is moved to the discharge position shown in FIG. 15(b) and the transport auxiliary 16 is discharged downward through the discharge port 53b of the separation section 53 and the drop port 51b of the outer case 51. The discharged transport auxiliary 16 is taken into the waiting section of the transport auxiliary insertion device 23 and will be used for the next delivery. If an abnormality occurs in the discharge of banknotes by the transport belt 56, the auxiliary transport mechanism 58 is activated to discharge the banknotes.

The collection device may have other configurations. For example, the collection device 50 is configured to discharge stored banknotes from the rear end of the passage 54, but it may be configured to discharge them to the side or downward. The collection device may have a function to temporarily store banknotes moving at high speed, slow down or stop them, and then discharge them to the outside.

In addition, the transport auxiliary body 16 captured by the separation unit 53 is dropped downward and handed over to the transport auxiliary body insertion device 23. However, for example, after the transport auxiliary body 16 is captured by the separation unit 53, the air flow may be reversed to send the transport auxiliary body 16 back from the separation unit 53 toward the beginning of the transport tube 12, so that it can be reused for the next transport.

Next, we will explain the pause unit 80.

Figure 16 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the temporary stop unit 80. The temporary stop unit 80 is configured with a connecting pipe section 81 that connects the front and rear transport pipes, a stopper drive section 82 that is attached to the outside of the side of the connecting pipe section 81 and moves an abutment member 83, which abuts against the transport auxiliary body 16 to temporarily suspend it, in and out of the connecting pipe section 81, and a control section 89 that controls the operation of the temporary stop unit 80. In addition, the temporary stop unit 80 is provided with an error indicator and a reset switch (not shown).

Figure 17 is a perspective view showing the stopper drive unit 82, Figure 18 is a side view of the connecting pipe portion 81, and Figures 19 and 20 are cross-sectional views of the temporary stop unit 80 taken along the line A-A in Figure 18. Figure 19 shows the state in which the abutment member 83 is in the abutment position advanced into the connecting pipe portion 81, and Figure 20 shows the state in which the abutment member 83 is in the release position retreated from inside the connecting pipe portion 81. Figure 21 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the abutment member 83 in the abutment position and the transport auxiliary body 16 that has been temporarily stopped by abutting against it. Figure 22 is a diagram showing the connection state between the head of the abutment member 83 in the abutment position and the inner wall surface of the connecting pipe portion 81.

The connecting pipe section 81 is composed of an upstream end 81a, a downstream end 81b, and an intermediate pipe section 81c between them, and the upstream and downstream conveying pipes 12 are connected to the upstream end 81a and the downstream end 81b via connection adapters not shown. By connecting the conveying pipes 12 to the upstream and downstream sides of the connecting pipe section 81 via connection adapters, the shape of the inside of the pipe from the upstream conveying pipe to the downstream conveying pipe becomes the same as the conveying pipe 12 shown in Figure 5, etc., and the inner walls and ribs are connected in a stepped relationship that allows banknotes and conveying auxiliary bodies to pass smoothly without getting caught.

An opening 84 is provided on one side wall of the intermediate pipe section 81c of the connecting pipe section 81 for the abutment member 83 to enter and exit. The intermediate pipe section 81c is also provided with a sensor 85 for detecting the transport auxiliary body 16 that has come into contact with the abutment member 83 and stopped temporarily. For this sensor 85, for example, a reflective or transmissive optical sensor can be used.

The stopper drive unit 82 has an abutment member 83 having a head 83b at the tip of a rod-shaped arm 83a with a rectangular cross section that abuts against the transport auxiliary body 16, a solenoid 86 connected to the base end of the arm 83a of the abutment member 83 to move the abutment member 83 forward and backward, and a mounting frame 87 that is screwed to the side of the connecting tube 81 and holds the solenoid 86 and the like. The stopper drive unit 82 also has a sensor 88 that detects whether the abutment member 83 is in the abutment position or the release position.

As shown in FIG. 21, the head 83b of the abutment member 83 is divided into two parts, which abut against the two large diameter portions 16c of the transport auxiliary body 16, respectively. In FIG. 21, a cross section of a transport pipe 12 having the same inner edge shape is superimposed for reference in order to show the inner edge shape of the intermediate pipe path portion 81c of the temporary stop unit 80. As shown in FIG. 21, the head 83b of the abutment member 83 firmly abuts against the transport auxiliary body 16 at the abutment position, but is set so as not to advance into the actual banknote passage (inside the tops of the ribs 35 and separation wall 34).

In addition, the head 83b of the abutment member 83 abuts against each of the two large diameter portions 16c of the transport auxiliary 16, preventing the transport auxiliary 16 from tilting and losing its posture when the abutments occur, and the transport auxiliary 16 can be temporarily stopped in a stable posture. This also prevents the transport auxiliary 16 from moving out of the detection range of the sensor 85 due to a loss of posture, resulting in erroneous detection.

As shown in FIG. 22(a), at the abutment position, the inner wall and ribs of the intermediate pipe section 81c are set to connect to the head 83b of the abutment member 83 with a step (a connection that allows banknotes moving downstream to pass without getting caught). This prevents the banknote from getting caught on the head 83b of the abutment member 83 even if the banknote bends and enters the expansion section 33 of the transport pipe 12 and passes through the intermediate pipe section 81c while abutting against the inner wall. If the head of the abutment member were shaped as shown in FIG. 22(b), a step would be created at the joint between the inner wall surface and the head, making the banknote more likely to get caught.

Next, we will explain the movement of the transport auxiliary body 16 and the transported banknotes from the temporary suspension unit 80 to the collection device 50.

Each of Figures 23 to 27 shows the transport path from the middle of the direct transport pipe 12a that descends from the ceiling space after passing through the most downstream intake device 14, through the temporary stop unit 80 and the vertical curved pipe 12c, to the recovery device 50 in the collective safe 9.

In the paper sheet collection and transport system 1, when the abutment member 83 of the temporary stop unit 80 is set to the abutment position, the transport auxiliary body 16 is released from the banknote separation and transport auxiliary body circulation device 22 and the banknote transport operation is started.

First, as shown in FIG. 23(a), a case will be described in which multiple bills are being transported in two separate groups, a first group and a second group that is delayed. This type of transport state is likely to occur in the portion of the direct transport pipe 12a that descends from above the ceiling. Each bill in the first and second groups passes through the temporary stop unit 80 without being impeded by the abutment member 83 (FIG. 23(a)), and the transport auxiliary body 16 abuts against the abutment member 83 and temporarily stops in the temporary stop unit 80 (FIG. 23(b)).

The first group of banknotes that arrive at the collection device 50 first are stored in the collection device 50 and stop and decelerate (move at a low speed) inside the collection device 50. The second group of banknotes that arrive at the collection device 50 later at a high speed of about 2 m/sec stop with their leading ends hitting the trailing ends of the first group of banknotes that have stopped and decelerated inside the collection device 50 (Figure 23 (b)).

While the transport auxiliary body 16 is temporarily stopped by the temporary stop unit 80, the first group of banknotes in the collection device 50 is transported to the transport belt 56, etc., and discharged to the outside (Figure 23 (c)).

A sensor 85 is used to monitor whether the transport auxiliary 16 is in contact with the contact member 83 and temporarily stopped. When the sensor 85 detects the transport auxiliary 16 (when the transport auxiliary 16 comes in contact with the contact member 83 and starts to temporarily stop), the contact member 83 is displaced to the release position and the transport auxiliary 16 is released downstream.

The predetermined time until the temporary stop is released is set to be equal to or longer than the longest time required for the banknotes that have entered the collection device 50 to be completely discharged from the collection device 50 after the temporary stop has started. The predetermined time may be set appropriately depending on the time required for the collection device 50 to discharge the banknotes, the path length from the temporary stop unit 80 to the collection device 50, etc.

The control unit 89 returns the contact member 83 to the contact position before the next transport auxiliary 16 is sent out from the transport auxiliary insertion device 23. Here, after being displaced to the release position, the contact member 83 is returned to the contact position after a certain period of time (for example, one second to a dozen seconds) has elapsed. In addition, for example, after being placed in the release position, the contact member 83 is returned to the contact position when it is confirmed that the transport auxiliary 16 is not detected by the sensor 85, or the transport auxiliary insertion device 23 sets the contact member 83 to the contact position at the same time as sending out the next transport auxiliary 16.

When the temporary stop unit 80 releases the transport auxiliary 16, as shown in Figures 24(a) and (b), the transport auxiliary 16 pushes the second group of banknotes from behind and transports them into the collection device 50. The transport auxiliary 16 is captured by the separation section 53 of the collection device 50, and the second group of banknotes pass through the separation section 53 and are stored in the passage section 54. Thereafter, as shown in Figure 24(c), the transport auxiliary 16 is discharged downward from the separation section 53 and moves to the transport auxiliary insertion device 23, and the second group of banknotes are transported by the transport belt 56 or the like and discharged to the outside.

In this way, by temporarily suspending the transport auxiliary body 16 with the temporary suspension unit 80 and then releasing it after a predetermined time, even if multiple banknotes arrive at the collection device in a scattered state, the banknotes can be properly collected without the banknotes being crushed as shown in Figure 31 (b).

Figures 25 and 26 show a case where multiple bills are transported in a single bundle. The bills that come down from above the ceiling in a single bundle (see Figure 25(a)) pass through the temporary stop unit 80 without being impeded by the abutment member 83, and continue on to the collection device 50, where they are stored and stopped and decelerated. The transport auxiliary body 16 abuts against the abutment member 83 and temporarily stops inside the temporary stop unit 80 (Figure 25(b)).

While the transport auxiliary body 16 is temporarily stopped by the temporary stop unit 80, the banknotes in the collection device 50 are transported to the transport belt 56 etc. and discharged to the outside (Figure 25 (c)).

When the temporary stop unit 80 releases the transport auxiliary 16 a predetermined time after the transport auxiliary 16 is temporarily stopped, the transport auxiliary 16 advances toward the recovery device 50 as shown in Figs. 26(a) and (b), and when it reaches the recovery device 50, it is captured by the separation section 53. Thereafter, as shown in Fig. 26(c), the transport auxiliary 16 is discharged downward from the separation section 53 and returns to the transport auxiliary insertion device 23.

As shown in FIG. 27(a), even if a banknote that has passed through the temporary stop unit 80 stops midway before reaching the collection device 50, the banknote is pushed from behind by the transport auxiliary body 16 that has been opened after a predetermined time, transported to the collection device 50, and collected (FIGS. 27(b) and (c)).

In this way, both cases, where multiple banknotes are being transported separately to the front and back, and where multiple banknotes are being transported in a single bundle, can be handled with the same control, in which the temporary suspension unit 80 temporarily suspends the transport auxiliary body 16 for a predetermined period of time and then releases it. Therefore, there is no need to detect whether multiple banknotes are being transported in a single bundle or separately to the front and back, which simplifies detection and control.

In the above example, the temporary stop unit 80 temporarily stops the transport auxiliary body 16, and then after a predetermined period of time (5 seconds in this example) has elapsed, the temporary stop is released and the transport auxiliary body 16 is released downstream. However, it is also possible to detect the arrival status and discharge status of banknotes at the collection device 50, and control the release of the temporary stop based on the detection results.

For example, the control is as follows.
When it is detected that a banknote has reached and entered the collection device 50 within a predetermined time after the temporary suspension unit 80 detects the transport auxiliary body 16, the temporary suspension is released after it is detected that the banknote has been completely discharged from the collection device 50. The above-mentioned predetermined time is set to the maximum time that is likely to be required for the banknote to reach the collection device 50 after the temporary suspension unit 80 detects the transport auxiliary body 16. The predetermined time may be calculated from the distance from the temporary suspension unit 80 to the collection device 50 and the movement speed of the banknote.
If the temporary stop unit 80 does not detect that the banknote has reached and entered the collection device 50 within a predetermined time after detecting the transport auxiliary body 16, the temporary stop is released at that point. This is a control that corresponds to the case where the banknote does not reach the collection device 50 and stops midway, as shown in Fig. 27(a).

The intra-island banknote transport device 7 of the gaming machine island 3 does not have a downward transport path or vertical curved tube 12c in front of the collection device 50 like the main transport device 10, but even with a transport path like the intra-island banknote transport device 7, banknotes may be transported in a scattered manner back and forth. Therefore, by providing a temporary stop unit 80 a predetermined distance before the collection device 50 in the intra-island banknote transport device 7, banknotes can be collected smoothly without the problem shown in Figure 31 (b).

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to that shown in the embodiment, and the present invention includes modifications and additions that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

In the embodiment, the control unit 89 of the temporary stop unit 80 controls the temporary stop unit 80, but the control unit 27 in the collective safe 9 may be configured to control the operation of the temporary stop unit 80. Alternatively, the control unit 27 in the collective safe 9 and the control unit 89 of the temporary stop unit 80 may be configured to cooperate with each other to control the operation of the temporary stop unit 80.

The installation position of the temporary stop unit 80 is not limited to the position shown in the embodiment. When the descending conveying tube and the vertically curved tube 12c are located immediately before the collection device 50 as shown in the embodiment, it is preferable to provide the temporary stop unit 80 between the descending conveying tube and the vertically curved tube 12c. The installation position of the temporary stop unit 80 may be downstream of the most downstream intake device 14 in the conveying path and at least one banknote (paper sheet to be conveyed) upstream from the collection device 50. The reason for being at least one banknote (paper sheet to be conveyed) upstream from the collection device 50 is to ensure a distance at which the conveying auxiliary body 16 stopped by the temporary stop unit 80 does not crush the second group of banknotes (see FIG. 23(b)).

In addition, within the above range, it is preferable to install the temporary stop unit 80 closer to the collection device 50 so that the first group of paper sheets can be reliably delivered to the collection device 50. For example, if there is a sufficient distance between the outlet of the vertical curved tube 12c and the collection device 50, the temporary stop unit 80 may be installed at the outlet of the vertical curved tube 12c or downstream of the outlet.

Alternatively, the temporary stop unit 80 may be installed sufficiently away from the collection device 50 within the above-mentioned range so that the first group of banknotes does not reach the collection device 50 when the temporary stop unit 80 temporarily stops the transport auxiliary body 16. In this case, when the transport auxiliary body 16 is temporarily stopped by the temporary stop unit 80, both the first and second groups of banknotes stop in front of the collection device 50 as shown in FIG. 27. When the temporary stop is then released, the transport auxiliary body 16 transports them while bundling them together, and the paper sheets arrive at the collection device 50 as a single bundle. Note that the condition is that the banknotes do not scatter back and forth again while the transport auxiliary body 16 is transporting the banknotes after the temporary stop is released. For example, it is desirable that there is no descending transport pipe further downstream from the position where the first and second groups of banknotes stop in front of the collection device 50 when the transport auxiliary body 16 is temporarily stopped by the temporary stop unit 80.

In addition, when there is a vertical or inclined conveying path descending from the ceiling or the like in front of the collection device 50, the banknotes tend to scatter forward and backward in the descending portion of the conveying path, so it is preferable to install the temporary stop unit 80 at the end of the descending portion or downstream from the end.

In the embodiment, a temporary stop unit 80 having the function of a connection part 15 is installed at the connection point between the transport pipes, but a mechanism for temporarily stopping the transport auxiliary body 16 may be added to the end or midway of a straight or curved transport pipe.

The shape of the contact member 83 that contacts the transport auxiliary 16 is not limited to that shown in the embodiment. As long as it can contact the transport auxiliary 16 and temporarily halt it, it may contact only one of the large diameter portions 16c of the transport auxiliary 16, for example.

The shape of the transport auxiliary 16 is not limited to that shown in the embodiment. For example, it may be a column shape with a rectangular or polygonal cross section. Although the transport auxiliary 16 is symmetrical with respect to the center in the Y direction, it may be asymmetrical in the Y direction. The shape of the abutment member 83 may be changed according to the shape of the transport auxiliary.

The island banknote transport device 7 and the relay transport device 8 may be transport devices that transport banknotes using a method such as belt transport.

The present invention is not limited to a method of pushing and transporting banknotes with the transport auxiliary body 16 that moves due to the action of air flow. Any method can be used as long as the moving body pushes and transports the banknotes, and for example, a self-propelled moving body may move inside the transport tube 12 to transport the banknotes. In the case of a self-propelled type, the moving body may be configured to temporarily suspend its self-propelling at a location corresponding to the installation position of the temporary suspension unit 80, or the moving body may be temporarily suspending its self-propelling at a location corresponding to the installation position of the temporary suspension unit 80 by combining the stopping of self-propelling and abutting against the abutment member 83.

In the embodiment, the recovery device 50 is provided at the end of the transport path 11, but the destination of the transport is not limited to the end of the transport path. The temporary stop unit 80 may be provided a predetermined distance before the recovery device installed at the destination of the transport. For example, the destination of the transport may be a branch point in the middle of the transport path.

In the embodiment, the transport path 11 is shown to transport banknotes with their faces upright, but it may be installed in a direction that transports banknotes lying down.

In addition, each connecting section 15 (Figure 2) is provided with a passing sensor and a sensor board that detects the passage of either the transport auxiliary 16 or the banknote P (hereinafter referred to as the transport auxiliary, etc.). The sensor board has a control unit. The control unit of the sensor board is connected to the control unit 27 of the collective safe 9 by a communication line, and the detection state of the transport auxiliary, etc. by the passing sensor is transmitted from the sensor board to the control unit 27 together with information that can identify the position of the corresponding connecting section (for example, an identification number individually assigned to each connecting section). The temporary stop unit 80 is also included in the connecting section 15.

The control unit 27 of the collective safe 9 has a monitoring function that monitors the retention of transport auxiliary bodies and the like within the transport pipe including the connecting unit 15, and an error notification function that notifies the alarm device of the monitoring results by the monitoring unit.

The monitoring department is
(1) A transport auxiliary or the like is stuck between a connecting portion 15 corresponding to a passing sensor that detects a transport auxiliary or the like and a connecting portion 15 corresponding to a passing sensor that does not detect a transport auxiliary or the like;
(2) A transport auxiliary body or the like is stagnant in the connecting portion 15 corresponding to the passage sensor,
Monitor.

The error notification unit causes the notification device to notify information indicating where the transport auxiliary body etc. is stuck (between which connecting parts and in which connecting part). The notification device may be a monitor device installed in an office etc., or a mobile terminal (smartphone, wearable watch, etc.) carried by an employee. The monitor device or mobile terminal is controlled by the control unit 27, or performs a notification operation based on information notified by the control unit 27.

The temporary stop unit 80 also detects operational errors of the abutment member 83. In particular, a sensor 88 detects whether the abutment member 83 is in the abutment position or the release position, and issues an error report of a malfunction of the abutment member 83 if the abutment member 83 does not displace as instructed by the control unit 89. In addition, an error is reported if it is detected that the temporarily stopped transport auxiliary body 16 remains inside the temporary stop unit 80 even after the abutment member 83 is displaced to the release position.

The gaming machine island 3 is not limited to a configuration that houses pachinko machines and gaming ball lending machines as exemplified in the embodiment, but may be a gaming machine island that houses medal lending machines and slot machines, etc.

In the embodiment, banknotes have been used as an example of paper sheets, but other types of paper sheets such as tickets and cards may also be used. Furthermore, the shape of the paper sheets is not limited to a rectangular shape. Furthermore, the location where the paper sheet transport device according to the present invention is installed is not limited to an amusement center, and may be other facilities.

LIST OF SYMBOLS 1...Paper sheet collection and transport system 2...Amusement parlor 3...Amusement machine island 4...Amusement ball dispensing machine 5...Amusement machine 6...Relay box 7...In-island banknote transport device 8...Relay transport device 9...Collective safe 10...Main transport device 11...Collective safe 11...Transport path 12...Transport pipe 12a...Straight transport pipe 12b...Horizontal curved pipe 12c...Vertical curved pipe 14...Taking device 14b...In-island taking device 15...Connecting section 16...Transport auxiliary body 16a...Head 16b...Neck section 16c...Large diameter section 16d...Constricted section 21...Air flow generating device 22...Banknote separation and transport auxiliary body circulation device 23...Transport auxiliary body insertion device 24...Recovery device 25...Banknote storage section 27...Control section 31...Wall section 32...Side wall section 33...Expansion section 34...Separation wall 35...Rib 50...Recovery device 51...Outer case 51a...Front opening 51b...Drop port 52...Inner unit 53...Separation section 53a...Slit 53b...Discharge port 54...Passage section 54a...Inlet 54b...Feed-out port 54c...Suction port 54d...Partition wall 55...Storage body section 55...Rib 56...Conveyor belt 57...Conveyor roller 58...Auxiliary conveying mechanism 58a...Roller 58b...Nip belt 80...Temporary stop unit 81...Connecting pipe section 81a...Upstream end 81b...Downstream end 81c...Intermediate pipe section 82...Stopper drive section 82a...Solenoid 89...Control section 83...Abutment member 83a...Arm section 83b...Head section 84...Opening 85...Sensor 86...Solenoid 87...Mounting frame 88...Sensor Dx: Distance between reference flat surfaces of conveying pipe Dy: Inner dimension of conveying pipe in Y direction FW: Extension direction of conveying pipe P: Bill W: Passage width X: Passage width direction of conveying pipe Y: Height direction of conveying pipe

Claims (1)

A paper sheet conveying device that pushes and conveys paper sheets using a conveying auxiliary body that moves along a conveying path,
a storage unit that is provided at a destination of the conveyance, and that does not receive the conveyance auxiliary body, but receives and stores the paper sheets, and then discharges them to the outside;
a temporary stop section provided at a predetermined distance in front of the storage section, the temporary stop section being capable of being set to a contact position where the paper sheets can pass through and where the paper sheets are brought into contact with the auxiliary transport body to be temporarily stopped, and a release position where the paper sheets are not brought into contact with the auxiliary transport body ;
having
When the paper sheet that has passed through the temporary stop unit set at the abutting position is received by the storage unit and the paper sheet is discharged from the storage unit, the temporary stop unit is set at the release position.
A paper sheet transport device characterized by the above.

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