Paper discharging and stacking device and circulating type paper processing device

Abstract

The invention provides a paper discharging and stacking device and a circulating type paper processing device, which can prevent paper discharged from a circulating unit from causing poor stacking on a dispensing tray. The paper discharging and stacking device is provided with a discharging and conveying path (510) which conveys the paper discharged from the circulation units (30) and (40) to the discharging tray (700) with the short side as the front end; and a molding mechanism (550) that molds the paper conveyed on the discharge conveyance path into a short-side shape, forms the short-side shape into a predetermined shape in the entire long-side direction, and then discharges the paper onto the discharge tray.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a paper discharge and stacking device and a cyclic paper processing device. Background Art

[0002] As a paper processing device installed in a paper money handling device such as a vending machine equipped with a function of providing various items and services by accepting inserted paper money, a game medium lending machine in a game arcade, a ticket vending machine, a deposit and withdrawal device, and a money exchange machine, a cyclic type capable of receiving, storing, and dispensing paper money of multiple denominations is known.

[0003] A paper money storage unit is provided in the cyclic paper money handling device, and the paper money storage unit stores the paper money prepared in advance for dispensing and the paper money inserted during operation according to the denomination or in a state of being mixed by denomination.

[0004] The paper money storage unit includes: a cyclic paper money storage unit having a function of storing paper money and dispensing the paper money as change to the outside; and a paper money storage unit for recycling (recycling bin) that recycles all the paper money in the paper money handling device when business is closed or the like.

[0005] As the cyclic paper money storage unit, the following type is known: as in the "paper money handling device" of Patent Document 1, paper money is stored between the winding tapes that are wound around the outer peripheral surface of the cyclic drum in a vortex (spiral) shape.

[0006] In addition, the device described in this document only has one deposit and withdrawal unit, and the deposited paper money and the dispensed paper money (change paper money) are deposited into the machine from this deposit and withdrawal unit and dispensed out of the machine.

[0007] When dispensing the paper money that is stacked on the outer peripheral surface of the cyclic drum with the winding tapes in between as change or the like, the cyclic drum is rotated in the dispensing direction, and each winding tape is sent out in the dispensing direction, so that the paper money on the outer periphery of the cyclic drum is sent out one by one, temporarily stored in a state of overlapping on the outer peripheral surface of the paper money retaining drum, and then dispensed toward the deposit and withdrawal unit.

[0008] In addition, in the paper processing device described in Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent No. 6450041), a dispensing outlet for dispensing change is provided separately from the deposit and withdrawal opening for depositing or returning paper money, and it is configured to be directly dispensed from the cyclic paper money storage unit to the dispensing outlet. In this structure, when dispensing multiple pieces of paper money as change, it is configured to discharge the paper money from the cyclic paper money storage unit one by one to the dispensing outlet, and after the user takes out the first piece of paper money, the subsequent second and subsequent pieces of paper money are discharged in sequence. However, in this type, the time required to dispense all the paper money becomes long, so there are problems such as an increase in the burden on the user and a decrease in the operating rate of the device.

[0009] In contrast, there is also the following type: banknotes paid out one by one from a cyclic banknote storage unit are stacked on a payout tray provided at a payout opening dedicated for payout in a continuously overlapping state, and after the discharge and stacking of all banknotes are completed, they can be taken out in batches from the payout tray, thereby shortening the waiting time of the user. However, in a cyclic banknote storage unit equipped with a cyclic drum, banknotes are wound and held on the outer peripheral surface of the cyclic drum, so a curling tendency is formed along the long side direction on each banknote, and the state remains where this curling tendency also remains on the banknotes being paid out. In particular, when banknotes with a curling tendency where the shape in the long side direction is bent upward (the central part in the long side direction protrudes upward and both ends decline obliquely) are paid out one by one onto the payout tray, even if it is assumed that the rear end floating of the previously paid out banknote is pressed down by a banknote pressing rod, the downwardly inclined front end of the subsequent banknote may collide with the previously stacked banknotes and push them out of the payout tray and cause them to fall, resulting in stacking defects such as this.

[0010] In addition, even when only one so-called wrinkled banknote with extremely reduced stiffness (rigidity) is included among the banknotes discharged onto the payout tray, the posture of this banknote on the payout tray will of course cause the neatness of the subsequent banknotes to deteriorate. That is, a banknote with sufficient stiffness discharged onto the payout tray pushes up the banknote pressing rod and falls onto the payout tray, and is pressed by the banknote pressing rod after falling. However, a wrinkled banknote with significantly reduced stiffness cannot push up the banknote pressing rod sufficiently during the discharge process, is discharged onto the payout tray in a buckled state, and finally stops in a buckled state in the space between the banknote pressing rod and the upper surface of the payout tray, etc., in an abnormal discharge state. When subsequent banknotes are discharged in this state, the previously discharged wrinkled banknote becomes an obstacle and cannot stop at the normal stacking position.

[0011] Therefore, when paying out and stacking change banknotes one by one onto the payout tray, it is difficult to stack them neatly on the payout tray.

[0012] Citation List

[0013] Patent Document

[0014] [[ID=IS]]Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-218965

[0015] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent No. 6450041 Summary of the Invention

[0016] Technical Problem

[0017] The present invention has been completed in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a paper discharge and stacking device and a cyclic paper processing device that prevent stacking defects from occurring on a payout tray for papers paid out from a cyclic unit in a cyclic paper processing device.

[0018] Solution means

[0019] In order to achieve the above object, the paper discharge and stacking device of the present invention discharges and stacks the papers discharged from the circulation unit that stores the conveyed papers and discharges the stored papers to the outside, with their short sides as the front ends, one by one, onto the discharge tray. The paper discharge and stacking device is characterized by comprising: a discharge conveying path that conveys the papers to the discharge tray; a final discharge mechanism located downstream of the discharge conveying path; the discharge tray on which the papers discharged from the final discharge mechanism are stacked; and a paper pressing rod that is pivotally supported at the rear part so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction in order to press the papers discharged from the final discharge mechanism, and the front part thereof protrudes onto the discharge tray.

[0020] The final discharge mechanism comprises: a rotating shaft that is arranged orthogonally to the conveying direction of the papers and is rotationally driven in the discharge direction; and a final roller pair that is composed of at least two driving rollers whose axes are fixed to the rotating shaft and a driven roller that forms a clamping portion for paper conveyance between each driving roller.

[0021] On the outer side in the axial direction of each driving roller, there are impellers whose axes are respectively fixed to the rotating shaft.

[0022] The blades constituting each impeller have a movement locus that contacts the papers discharged from the final discharge mechanism and presses them down during the downward rotation of the upper surface facing the discharge tray.

[0023] On the discharge tray, there are guide protrusions that interfere with the blades and allow them to rotate and deform elastically. The guide protrusions have:

[0024] A first contact portion that contacts the rear part of the papers discharged onto the discharge tray through the final discharge mechanism at a position higher than the upper surface of the discharge tray; and

[0025] A guide surface that extends downward from the first contact portion toward the rear in the discharge direction.

[0026] Effect of the invention

[0027] According to the present invention, in a cyclic paper processing device, it is possible to prevent stacking defects from occurring on the payout tray for the papers discharged from the circulation unit. Description of the drawings

[0028] Figure 1 It is a longitudinal sectional view of a paper processing device having a paper discharge and stacking device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing the structure of the main part of the second unit M2 of the first embodiment.

[0030] Figure 3 is the front view when observing the forming mechanism from the discharge side.

[0031] Figure 4 is the perspective view when observing the forming mechanism from the discharge side.

[0032] Figure 5 (a) and (b) are the front view showing the state where the banknote is formed into a shape with a specified stiffness by the forming mechanism and the explanatory view showing the short-side shape of the discharged banknote after forming, and (c) is the explanatory view in the case where the short side of the banknote is formed into an M shape.

[0033] Figure 6 (a) is the front-side perspective view showing the positional relationship between the banknote just discharged from the forming mechanism and the stacked banknotes, and the guiding member, and Fig. (b) is the perspective view showing the shape of the banknote after forming.

[0034] Figure 7 is the perspective view showing the structure of the guiding member.

[0035] Figure 8 is the longitudinal sectional view showing the structure of the pay-out tray

[0036] Figure 9 is the flowchart outlining the change-making pay-out operation steps of the banknote handling device of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 10 is the side longitudinal sectional view of the conventional discharge conveying stacking unit 500P.

[0038] Figure 11 (a) to (d) are the operation explanatory views (side longitudinal sectional views) of the discharge conveying stacking unit successively showing the state until the front end of the banknote just passes through the forming mechanism.

[0039] Figure 12 (e), (f) are the operation explanatory views (side longitudinal sectional views) of the discharge conveying stacking unit showing the state before the rear end of the banknote is about to pass through the forming mechanism and the state just after passing through, and (g), (h) are the views for explaining the operation steps of the vane for folding the banknote backward.

[0040] Figure 13 (i) to (l) are the views for explaining the operation steps of the vane for folding the banknote backward.

[0041] Figure 14 (m) to (o) are the views for explaining the operation steps of the vane for folding the banknote backward.

[0042] Figure 15It is a partial cross-sectional front view showing the state of a forming mechanism in which the gap G2 through which a banknote with a significantly reduced stiffness passes is set too large.

[0043] Figure 16 It is a front view of the main part of the banknote discharging and stacking device M2 (discharging, conveying, and stacking unit 800) of the third embodiment.

[0044] Figure 17 (a) to (d) are side longitudinal sectional views for explaining the structure of the banknote discharging and stacking device M2 and the discharging and gathering operations.

[0045] Figure 18 (e) to (h) are side longitudinal sectional views for explaining the structure of the banknote discharging and stacking device M2 and the discharging and gathering operations.

[0046] Figure 19 (i) to (l) are side longitudinal sectional views for explaining the structure of the banknote discharging and stacking device M2 and the discharging and gathering operations.

[0047] Figure 20 (m) to (o) are side longitudinal sectional views for explaining the structure of the banknote discharging and stacking device M2 and the discharging and gathering operations. Detailed Embodiments

[0048] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0049] [Banknote Processing Device]

[0050] 《Overall Structure》

[0051] Figure 1 It is a longitudinal sectional view of a banknote (paper) processing device including a banknote (paper) discharging and stacking device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] In addition, in the present embodiment, a device for processing banknotes as an example of paper is described. However, the paper discharging and stacking device and the paper processing device of the present invention can also be applied to processing devices for general papers such as vouchers, bills, and securities other than banknotes. Further, as the shape of the paper in the present embodiment, quadrilaterals such as rectangles and squares, that is, rectangles are mainly used, but the paper is not limited to rectangular shapes.

[0053] Figure 1 The shown cyclic banknote processing device (hereinafter referred to as the banknote processing device) 1 is, for example, a unit that is installed in or disposed beside banknote operating devices such as vending machines, ticket machines, game medium lending machines in game arcades, deposit and withdrawal devices, and exchange machines to receive banknotes and perform banknote expenditure processing such as giving change.

[0054] Hereinafter, the banknote processing apparatus 1 will be described in detail.

[0055] The banknote processing apparatus 1 generally includes the following components: a housing 3 that forms an outer package; a deposit / withdrawal processing unit M that conveys banknotes deposited into the housing along their long sides through required routes inside the machine or discharges them outside the machine; a banknote storage unit N that stores banknotes conveyed from the deposit / withdrawal processing unit M or pays out stored banknotes to the deposit / withdrawal processing unit M; a conveying mechanism that conveys banknotes through various routes; and a control unit (CPU, MPU, ROM, RAM, etc.) 1000 that controls various controlled objects.

[0056] The deposit / withdrawal processing unit M includes the following components: a deposit / withdrawal port (insertion port) 5 that batch-accepts a single banknote or a bundle of banknotes including banknotes of different denominations and serves as a return port when returning rejected deposited banknotes; a payout port (payout port) 7 for banknotes paid out from the banknote storage unit N for change; a batch deposit section (introduction section) 11 that separates banknotes (bundles) deposited and placed at the deposit / withdrawal port 5 one by one and guides them into the apparatus main body through a deposited banknote conveying path (introduction section) 9a; and an identification section 15 that is arranged on the conveying path along the deposited banknote conveying path 9a and determines the denomination, authenticity, etc. of deposited banknotes by using optical and magnetic sensors in combination.

[0057] The deposit / withdrawal processing unit M is composed of a first unit M1 and a second unit (banknote discharge stacking device, batch payout unit) M2.

[0058] The first unit M1 includes the following components: a custody section (temporary storage section), not shown, that temporarily stores deposited banknotes that have passed through the deposit / withdrawal port (insertion port) 5, the deposited banknote conveying path 9a, the batch deposit section 11, and the identification section 15 until a specified number of banknotes is reached, and when acceptance is determined, sends them to the respective storage sections 30, 40, and the recycling bin 50 described below, and when cancellation and return are performed according to a refund request or the like, sends them to a payout stacking section, not shown; and a payout stacking section (stacking device for returned banknotes), not shown, that stacks the returned banknotes and rejected banknotes (hereinafter referred to as returned banknotes) conveyed from the custody section and then pays them out to the deposit / withdrawal port 5. In addition, a more detailed description of the first unit M1 has less relation to the present invention, so it is omitted.

[0059] The second unit M2 constitutes the banknote discharge stacking device of the present invention and includes the following components: a payout tray (discharge tray) 700 that is provided at the payout port (discharge port) 7; and a discharge conveying stacking section 500 that conveys, discharges, and stacks the payout banknotes (payout sheets) paid out one by one from the respective storage sections 30, 40 onto the payout tray 700.

[0060] A cavity E for unit installation is provided between the first unit M1 and the banknote storage unit N. A banknote discharge device without the function of batch dispensing with change and a second unit M2 with the function of batch dispensing can be detachably installed and removed within the cavity E.

[0061] That is, a conventional banknote discharge device with a structure different from that of the second unit M2 can be installed within the installation cavity E. This conventional banknote discharge device is configured such that as long as the user does not take out the banknotes that are dispensed one by one from the banknote storage unit N and discharged onto the payout tray, subsequent banknotes after the second one will not be discharged.

[0062] In contrast, in the second unit M2 of the present invention, that is, the banknote discharge and stacking device, banknotes can be continuously discharged one by one from the banknote storage unit N onto the payout tray, and after the stacking of the required number of banknotes is completed, they can be taken out by the user in batches.

[0063] The banknote storage unit N includes: first and second circulating banknote storage parts (circulating banknote storage devices, circulating units) 30, 40, which, when determining to accept deposited banknotes, accommodate the banknotes that are sent out one by one from the custody part and conveyed on the banknote storage conveying path 9b in and out freely according to the denominations; and a recycling bin (recycling banknote storage part) 50, which is detachably installed from the front side within the accommodation space provided below the second circulating banknote storage part 40, and at the end of business, etc., recycles all denominations from each circulating banknote storage part, or recycles high-denomination banknotes not used as change, and the remaining banknotes that cannot be accommodated in each circulating banknote storage part.

[0064] The conveying mechanism includes a motor, a solenoid, and pulleys, belts, gates, etc. for generating and transmitting the driving force for conveying banknotes along each conveying path 9a, 9b, and other conveying paths.

[0065] The control unit 1000 controls controlled objects such as the deposit / withdrawal processing unit M, the banknote storage unit N, and the conveying mechanism.

[0066] The first and second circulating banknote storage parts 30, 40 of this example each include two circulating drums (31, 35, 41, 45) with a maximum storage capacity of 30 banknotes. Each circulating drum 31, 35, 41, 45 is of a type suitable for circulation in which banknotes are stored between two long strip tapes (long strip films) that are spirally (helically) overlapped and wound around its outer peripheral surface.

[0067] <Various operations of the banknote processing device>

[0068] Next, Figure 1 An overview of the deposit operation, determination operation, withdrawal operation, and recycling operation in the banknote processing device 1 shown will be described.

[0069] First, in the deposit operation, when one or more banknotes are inserted through the deposit / withdrawal opening 5, the control unit 1000 that receives a signal from the sensor detecting the banknotes operates the conveying mechanism, and the banknotes are received using the bulk deposit unit 11 and the deposit banknote conveying path 9a. The bulk deposit unit 11 sequentially removes banknotes one by one from the uppermost banknote in the stack of banknotes placed at the deposit / withdrawal opening 5 and conveys them to the identification unit 15. Banknotes determined to be acceptable by the identification unit 15 are conveyed to a custody unit (not shown), wound around the outer periphery of the custody drum one by one, and temporarily stored, waiting for the confirmation of the deposit. The refund process of the banknotes temporarily stored in the custody unit has no direct relation to the present invention, so the description thereof is omitted.

[0070] At the stage when it is determined to deposit the banknotes temporarily stored in the custody unit, the banknotes are sent out one by one from the custody unit, and the banknotes used as change are received in any one of the cyclic banknote storage units 30, 40 according to the denominations via the received banknote conveying path 9b, and the banknotes not used as change are received in the recycling bin 50.

[0071] When paying out banknotes as change, the banknotes respectively received in the cyclic banknote storage units 30, 40 that store banknotes according to the denominations are taken out, and the identification unit 70 provided on the received banknote conveying path 9b identifies the denomination, authenticity, etc. If the banknotes can be refunded, they are paid out as change to the payout opening 7.

[0072] On the other hand, in the case where it is determined by the identification of the identification unit 70 that the banknotes are non-refundable, they are temporarily stored in the custody unit and then transferred to the recycling bin 50 for storage.

[0073] At the time of recycling, at the end of business or the like, the banknotes received in the cyclic banknote storage units 30, 40 are temporarily stacked in the custody unit and then received in the recycling bin 50.

[0074] <Cyclic banknote (paper) storage unit>

[0075] The cyclic banknote storage units (cyclic banknote storage devices = banknote storage units) 30, 40 generally include two circulation units (circulation drum units) 100, 200 and a distribution unit (baffle) 310 that switches the banknote conveying path (introduction path, payout path) to either side of the circulation unit in the housing 60.

[0076] The circulation units 100, 200 are units that operate by receiving the driving force from a motor (not shown), thereby receiving the banknotes conveyed into the housing 60 and sending out the received banknotes outside the housing.

[0077] The cyclic banknote storage units 30 and 40 include: a motor (not shown); a first cyclic unit (first cyclic drum unit) 100 and a second cyclic unit (second cyclic drum unit) 200 that operate by receiving the driving force from the motor, thereby respectively receiving and storing the conveyed banknotes and sending out the stored banknotes; a distribution unit (baffle) 310 that distributes the conveyed banknotes to any one of the cyclic units by changing its posture (position); and a distribution unit drive mechanism (baffle drive mechanism) that drives the distribution unit (baffle) 310.

[0078] Hereinafter, the structure of the cyclic banknote storage unit (cyclic banknote storage device) 30 and 40 will be described.

[0079] The cyclic units 30 and 40 respectively have cyclic drums 31, 35 and 41, and 45. The cyclic drums 31, 35 and 41, 45 stack and store the banknotes one by one in an overlapping manner on the outer circumferential surface by forward rotation, and discharge the banknotes on the outer circumferential surface one by one by reverse rotation. For example, 1000-yen banknotes are stored in the cyclic unit 30, and 5000-yen banknotes are stored in the cyclic unit 40.

[0080] A first distribution unit 61 is disposed on the banknote storage conveyance path 9b to distribute the deposited banknotes conveyed to the banknote storage unit N to the cyclic banknote storage unit 30 or the side of the cyclic banknote storage unit 40 (recycle bin 50). A distribution piece 61a is disposed on the first distribution unit 61, and the distribution piece 61a is used to distribute the deposited banknotes conveyed from the deposited banknote conveyance path 9a to the cyclic banknote storage unit 30 (inner housing conveyance path 9c) or the cyclic banknote storage unit 40 (recycle bin 50). A second distribution unit 65 and a distribution piece 65a for distributing the deposited banknotes to the cyclic banknote storage unit 40 or the recycle bin 50 are disposed on the downstream side of the first distribution unit 61.

[0081] In addition, since the structures of the respective cyclic banknote storage units 30 and 40 are substantially the same, the description will hereinafter be centered on the cyclic banknote storage unit 30.

[0082] The circulation unit 100 on the front side has: a baffle 310 that distributes the banknotes successively conveyed via the distribution piece 61a and the conveyance path 9c inside the housing to any one of the circulation drums 31 or 35; the front-side circulation drum (first circulation drum) 31 that fixes one end of each of the front-side winding tapes (films) T1, T2 and winds the two winding tapes T1, T2 in an overlapping state around the circumferential surface when rotating in the clockwise direction; a first reel 105 that can rotate forward and backward and winds and holds the first winding tape T1 supplied to the outer circumferential surface of the first circulation drum 31 in a vortex shape (multi-layered shape); a plurality of guide rollers 106a that guide the first winding tape T1 pulled out from the first reel to the outer circumferential surface of the first circulation drum; a second reel 110 that can rotate forward and backward and winds and holds the second winding tape T2 supplied to the outer circumferential surface of the first circulation drum 31 in a vortex shape; and a guide roller 111a that guides the second winding tape T2 pulled out from the second reel to the outer circumferential surface of the first circulation drum. Each of the winding tapes T1, T2 is wound around the outer circumferential surface of the first circulation drum along the routes of the respective guide rollers 106a, 111a or is sent out from the first circulation drum to the respective reels 105, 110. The forward and reverse rotations of the respective reels 105, 110 are performed by a motor (not shown).

[0083] The banknotes conveyed from the first distribution unit 61 toward the first circulation drum 31 are introduced into the contact traveling area TA where the two winding tapes T1, T2 travel in an overlapping state at the clamping portion n between the guide roller 106a and the guide roller 111a at the final position, and are clamped between the two winding tapes and stacked on the outer circumferential surface of the first circulation drum rotating in the winding direction (clockwise direction).

[0084] When discharging the banknotes between the winding tapes stacked on the outer circumference of the first circulation drum 31 one by one to the outside of the circulation unit 100, the first circulation drum 31 is rotated in the sending direction (counterclockwise direction), and the respective reels 105, 110 are rotated in the winding direction. As a result, the winding tapes T1, T2 are reversely conveyed on the same routes as when being sent out from the respective reels 105, 110 and wound around the respective reels, and the banknotes sandwiched between the winding tapes are successively paid out from the clamping portion n to the first distribution unit 61, the conveyance path 9c inside the housing, and the storage banknote conveyance path 9b.

[0085] The final guide roller 106a for the first winding tape T1 and the final guide roller 111a for the second winding tape T2 form the clamping portion n, and after this clamping portion, the two winding tapes T1, T2 are wound around the outer circumferential surface of the first circulation drum 31 in an overlapping state.

[0086] The circulation unit 200 on the back side has the same structure as the circulation unit 100 on the front side, so detailed description is omitted by assigning the same reference numerals to the same parts.

[0087] In addition, among the circulating drums 31 and 35 that constitute the circulating unit 100 and the circulating drums 41 and 45 that constitute the circulating unit 200, the directions of the curling tendencies formed on the banknotes stacked on the outer peripheral surfaces are opposite. That is, the circulating drums 31 and 35 wind the banknotes when rotating clockwise and rotate counterclockwise when dispensing. Therefore, a curling tendency in which the central portion in the long side direction bulges upward (the two end portions in the long side direction incline downward), that is, an upward curling tendency, is formed on the banknotes discharged to the dispensing tray 700 via the storage banknote conveying path 9b. On the other hand, the curling tendency of the banknotes stacked on the outer peripheries of the circulating drums 41 and 45 is downward with the central portion in the long side direction bulging downward.

[0088] [Banknote Discharging and Stacking Device: First Embodiment]

[0089] 《Basic Structure》

[0090] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of the main part of the second unit M2 of the first embodiment, Figure 3 is a front view when observing the forming mechanism from the discharging side, Figure 4 is a perspective view when observing the forming mechanism from the discharging side, Figure 5 (a) and (b) are a front view showing the state in which the banknote is formed into a shape with a specified stiffness by the forming mechanism and an explanatory view showing the short side shape of the dispensed banknote after forming, and (c) is an explanatory view in the case where the short side of the banknote is formed into an M shape. In addition, Figure 6 (a) is a front side perspective view showing the positional relationship between the banknote just discharged from the forming mechanism and the stacked banknotes, and the guiding member, and (b) of this figure is a perspective view showing the shape of the banknote after forming. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the structure of the guiding member, Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the structure of the dispensing tray.

[0091] The second unit (banknote discharging and stacking device, batch dispensing unit) M2 includes the following parts: a discharge port 7; a discharge conveying and stacking unit 500 that conveys the dispensed banknotes (dispensed sheets) B discharged from each storage unit 30 and 40 to the discharge port 7; and a dispensing tray (discharge tray) 700 that is provided at the discharge port 7 and stacks (laminates) the banknotes discharged from the discharge conveying and stacking unit.

[0092] The second unit M2 is a unit that discharges and stacks the banknotes discharged one by one from the circulating units 30 and 40 that receive and store the fed banknotes and dispense the stored banknotes to the outside onto the dispensing tray 700.

[0093] The second unit M2 discharges multiple change banknotes to be paid out one by one continuously with the short side as the front end and stacks them on the payout tray 700, enabling the user to batch-remove the stacked banknotes in bundles at the moment of completion of stacking. The banknotes can be removed from the payout tray after all the banknotes have been discharged.

[0094] As Figure 1 , Figure 11 As shown in etc., the discharge conveying and stacking unit 500 that constitutes the second unit M2 includes: a discharge conveying path 510 through which banknotes are discharged and conveyed toward the payout tray; a discharge conveying mechanism 520 that imparts a conveying force to the banknotes on the discharge conveying path 510; a shaping mechanism (rigidity imparting unit) 550 that shapes (deforms) the short-side shape (short-side direction shape) of the payout banknote B (hereinafter referred to as banknote B) to be discharged onto the payout tray 700 into a specified shape over the entire long-side direction, thereby imparting stiffness (rigidity and shape retention force, stiffness) to the entire length of banknote B; and a paper feed sensor 580 that detects the entry of the front end portion of banknote B into the shaping mechanism and the discharge of the rear end portion. The banknote B that enters the discharge conveying path 510 is conveyed to the shaping mechanism 550 by conveying components such as the conveying rollers 517 that constitute the discharge conveying mechanism 520.

[0095] The discharge conveying path 510 includes upper and lower conveying guides 510a that sandwich banknote B in the vertical direction and conveying roller pairs 517 that convey while clamping banknote B. Therefore, even for banknotes with a tendency to curl or banknotes with reduced stiffness, they can be conveyed while being corrected (pressurized and deformed) into a straight and flat posture. Therefore, the banknotes conveyed within the discharge conveying path become in a state with a certain degree of stiffness or more. However, the correction of the posture within the discharge conveying path is temporary, and the curling tendency will not be completely corrected. That is, in the case where a banknote with a tendency to curl is directly discharged onto the payout tray without passing through the shaping mechanism, the curling tendency will resume on the payout tray.

[0096] The discharge conveying mechanism 520 includes the following parts: rollers 512a, 512b, 512c for conveying the banknote B (payout banknote) that is paid out from each storage unit 30, 40 and ascends along the storage banknote conveying path 9b to the shaping mechanism 550; a baffle 514 that switches the posture between guiding the banknote (deposited banknote) fed from the first unit M1 toward the banknote storage unit N side and guiding the conveying direction of the banknote toward the second unit M2 (shaping mechanism 550) side; a baffle driving unit (solenoid, etc.) not shown; a discharge conveying path 510 to the shaping mechanism; conveying roller pairs 517 provided in the discharge conveying path; and motors and solenoids that are driving sources for each driven object.

[0097] In addition, the rollers 512a and 512b rotate forward when conveying the deposited banknotes introduced from the first unit M1 toward the respective storage units 30 and 40, and rotate backward when feeding the banknote B into the shaping mechanism 550. The baffle 514 is in a posture of conveying the banknote B rising in the storage banknote conveying path 9b to the shaping mechanism 550 in the illustrated state. The baffle 514 rotates by a required angle in the clockwise direction and shifts to a posture that connects the storage banknote conveying path 9b and 9a.

[0098] <Shaping mechanism>

[0099] The shaping mechanism 550 is a unit that strengthens the stiffness in the long side direction or corrects the shape to be suitable for stacking by shaping the short side shape of a banknote (a banknote with poor characteristics) having various curling tendencies, crease tendencies, wrinkles, etc. partially or entirely reduced in stiffness, into a specified shape in the entire long side direction. The correction effect (shaping effect, shape retention effect after shaping) of the shaping mechanism is not temporary, and the corrected shape can continue to be maintained even after being discharged onto the payout tray.

[0100] In the following embodiments, an example of imparting stiffness (correcting the curling tendency) by shaping a banknote with a curling tendency upward in the long side direction formed by the circulating drum by the shaping mechanism will be described. However, the shaping mechanism can generally handle banknotes with various tendencies and deformations other than the curling tendency, banknotes with reduced stiffness, etc., which may cause landing defects, stacking defects, etc. when discharged onto the payout tray without going through the shaping process.

[0101] By Figures 2 to 5 A specific structural example of the shaping mechanism 550 will be described.

[0102] In addition, the short side shape of the banknote refers to the shape of the edge (front shape) when observing the short side of the banknote from the front as shown in Figure 5 (a)(b).

[0103] The shaping mechanism 550 generally includes: a rotating shaft 552, both ends of which are rotatably supported in a horizontal posture by bearing portions 553; a disk-shaped (roller-shaped) central flange 605, the axis of which is fixed at an appropriate portion of the rotating shaft, in this example, at a portion of the rotating shaft corresponding to the center in the width direction of the discharge conveying path 510; two driving rollers 555 and 600, which are respectively located at positions separated by a specified interval L1 on both axial sides of the central flange 605, and the axes are fixed by the rotating shaft; and disk-shaped outer flanges 607 and 609, which are respectively located at positions separated by a specified interval L2 on the axial outer sides of the respective driving rollers 555 and 600, and the axes are fixed by the rotating shaft.

[0104] In other words, at the intermediate positions of the driving rollers 555 and 600, the wide central flange 605 is arranged coaxially, and narrow outer flanges 607 and 609 are arranged at prescribed intervals L2 on the outer sides in the axial directions of the respective driving rollers. The width W1 (6 mm) of the contact surface (outer peripheral surface) of the central flange 605 with the banknote is set wider than the width W2 (2 mm) of the contact surfaces of the respective outer flanges 607 and 609 with the banknote. The reason for setting the width W1 of the central flange wider is that, as described later, when the width of the central flange is too small, the gap G2 between the central flange and the opening 673 of the rod 670 becomes too large, and a part of the banknote will fall into this gap, causing the discharged banknote to move downward and reducing the stiffness for lifting the rod. The ratio of the width W1 of the central flange to the width W2 of the outer flange is, for example, about 4:1.

[0105] The outer diameters of the central flange 605 and the outer flanges 607 and 609 are configured to be larger than the outer diameters of the respective driving rollers 555 and 600. Each flange is a disk member, which is made of a resin, a metal material, etc. having sufficient stiffness so as not to deform when contacting the banknote.

[0106] At positions directly above the respective driving rollers 555 and 600, tension rollers 556 and 601 as follower rollers are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the respective driving rollers, and a clamping portion n1 is formed between the outer peripheral surfaces of the respective driving rollers. The outer peripheral surfaces of the respective driving rollers 555 and 600 and the tension rollers 556 and 601 are made of a material having sufficient frictional resistance so as not to slip with the banknote.

[0107] The height positions T1 and T2 of the uppermost parts of the outer peripheral surfaces of the respective flanges 605, 607, and 609 are located above the respective clamping portions n1 of the respective driving rollers and the tension rollers. Therefore, when the banknote B passes through the rotary shaft 552, it is pressed and deformed by the respective clamping portions n1 and the flanges, and the respective protrusions P1, P2, the upward bevel S2, and the protrusion P3 can be formed (refer to Figure 5 (a), (b)).

[0108] In addition, it is also possible to arrange a restricting member 611 at a gap G1 from the uppermost parts T2 of the respective outer flanges 607 and 609 to restrict the extending directions of both ends of the short sides of the banknote. As the restricting member 611, a fixing member or a roller having a small frictional resistance with respect to the banknote can be used.

[0109] When discharging banknotes with a small width from the forming mechanism, sometimes the two end portions of the short sides of the banknotes do not droop but stand up excessively. In this state, the standing-up end portions of the banknotes stacked on the discharge tray become the cause of collision when the next banknote is dispensed, and become the cause of the previous banknote falling off the discharge tray. To eliminate such a malfunction, it is effective to limit the extending direction of the short side end portions by the restricting member 611.

[0110] In addition, when discharging banknotes with a large width from the forming mechanism, they are formed into a W shape. Thus, when the two end portions of the short sides of the banknotes stand up excessively, sometimes they are higher than the height of the space on the dispensing tray and interfere with the top (frame 660) of the space. At this time, there is a risk of banknote jamming. Therefore, by restricting excessive standing up in advance by the restricting member 611 during forming, the jamming risk can be reduced.

[0111] In addition, especially in banknotes with strong stiffness, sometimes the two end portions of the short sides of the banknotes do not droop but remain in a standing-up state, and the standing-up end portions may block the discharge path after being stacked on the dispensing tray. Therefore, it is effective to restrict the extending direction of the two end portions of the short sides in advance by the restricting member.

[0112] In Figure 5 In the examples shown in (a) and (b), the forming mechanism 550 alternately forms protrusions (bent portions protruding upward) P1, protrusions (bent portions protruding downward) P2, and protrusions P3 upward along the short side direction of the banknote B so that the short side shape of the banknote B becomes a substantially left-right symmetric shape, and makes the two short side edges S2, S2 of the banknote protrude upward obliquely (protrude obliquely upward).

[0113] The upward protrusion P1 has a top P1` and inclined sides S1, S1 that extend downward obliquely to the left and right (outward) from the top P1`. The downward protrusion P2 has a top (bottom) P2` and inclined sides (end sides) S2, S2 that extend upward obliquely to the left and right from the top P2`. Upward protrusions P3, P3 are formed at the terminal portions of the respective inclined sides S2, S2.

[0114] The top P1` of the central protrusion P1 is formed at a position corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of the central flange 605, the tops P2` of the left and right protrusions P2 are formed at positions corresponding to the clamping portions n1 of the drive rollers 555, 600 and the tension rollers 556, 601 (final roller pair), and the tops P3` of the outer protrusions P3 are formed at positions corresponding to the outer peripheral surfaces of the outer flanges 607, 609.

[0115] That is, the central protrusion P1 is formed by pressing the central portion of the banknote upward by the central flange 605 while holding the left and right positions by the left and right clamping portions n1. The downward protrusion P2 is formed by pressing downward by the clamping portions n1 of the drive roller 555 and the tension roller 556, and the clamping portions n1 of the drive roller 600 and the tension roller 601. The outer bevel S2 and the protrusion P3 are formed by the outer flanges 607, 609 and the restricting member 611 while being held by the respective clamping portions n1.

[0116] That is, when passing the banknote B, an upward protrusion P1 is formed at the central portion of the short side (central portion in the width direction) of the banknote B, downward protrusions P2 are formed on both sides of the protrusion P1 respectively, and further upward protrusions P3, P3 are formed on both sides of the respective downward protrusions P2, P2. Thus, both end sides of the banknote can be corrected (rolled up) to a state of being lifted upward (tilted upward) to form the bevels S2, S2. The short side shape of the formed banknote becomes a substantially left-right symmetric shape. The respective protrusions (P1, P2, P3) and the respective bevels S1, S2 as the forming portions are continuously formed in the entire long side direction of the banknote. Therefore, the curling tendency (bent shape) formed along the long side direction of the banknote discharged onto the payout tray is corrected, and the long side direction shape of the banknote becomes substantially flat or substantially straight, and this shape is maintained (held). That is, by bending (curving) the short side of the banknote B at multiple portions to alternately form the upward protrusion P1, the downward protrusion P2, and the upward protrusion P3, the curling tendency of the banknote with a bent shape when viewed from the long side direction can be eliminated, and the shape when viewed from the long side direction becomes substantially straight (non-curling shape). In other words, by alternately providing protrusions in the up-and-down direction along the short side, the stiffness (rigidity) in the entire long side direction of the banknote can be increased to impart a force (shape retention force) to maintain a substantially flat or substantially straight shape.

[0117] Therefore, the posture of the long side direction of the banknote when discharged from the forming mechanism 550 can be upward, and with the upward posture, collision with the rear portion of the stacked banknotes can be prevented. In particular, when the rear end portion of the stacked banknotes stands up upward due to the tendency, it is likely to collide with the front end portion of the subsequent banknotes. However, for the subsequent banknotes with the stiffness strengthened to become a flat and upward posture, the effect of preventing collision with such stacked banknotes becomes higher.

[0118] The banknote portion corresponding to the downward protrusion P2 is discharged from the forming mechanism while being clamped by the clamping portions n1 of the respective final roller pairs, so it will not sag during the discharge process. In addition, after the discharge, the respective protrusions P1, P2 are also in a state of being formed into a mountain shape (valley shape) and having the shape retained, and a strong tension is applied to the respective bevels S1 connecting the protrusions, so the respective protrusions will not sag.

[0119] Next, each bevel S1 is formed in a tensioned state while applying sufficient tension between the outer peripheral surface of the central flange 605 and the clamping portion n1 of each final roll pair. Each bevel S2 is formed in a tensioned state while applying sufficient tension between each clamping portion n1 and the outer peripheral surfaces of the outer flanges 607 and 609. Therefore, each bevel S1 and S2 will not slack or sag during and after the discharge from the forming mechanism. Even in the case of a banknote with a relatively long short side, the protruding portion P2 is in a clamped state during the discharge process and is originally inclined upward, so each bevel S2 will not sag to the extent of interfering with the stacked banknotes. That is, even after the discharge from the forming mechanism is completed, each protruding portion P1 and P2 remains in a mountain-shaped (valley-shaped) state, and a strong tension is applied to each bevel S1 connecting between the protruding portions and each outer bevel S2, so each bevel S2 will not sag significantly. Even if the bevels sag after the discharge is completed, the amount of sag will not be too much.

[0120] Therefore, the total height h1 after forming can be suppressed to be small, and the vertical dimension of each component constituting the forming mechanism can be reduced.

[0121] Next, the tops P1`, P2`, and P3` of each protruding portion P1, P2, and P3 are not formed into a sharp acute or obtuse shape, but become a shape transferred from the outer peripheral surfaces of the central flange 605, the drive rolls 555 and 600, and the outer flanges 607 and 609, that is, substantially flat. In short, regardless of the shape of the tops of each protruding portion P1, P2, and P3, as long as the bending shape in the long side direction of the banknote can be corrected to a flat or nearly straight shape by continuously forming each protruding portion in the entire long side direction of the banknote, the purpose of strengthening the stiffness (ensuring the shape retention force) through forming can be achieved.

[0122] In addition, as long as the structure is such that the outermost end edges S2 are inclined upward, the number of each protruding portion P1, P2, and P3 can be any number. That is, it does not have to be a W shape.

[0123] Further, in the present embodiment, the height position of the central protruding portion P1 of the formed banknote B is the same as the height positions of the outer protruding portions P3 and P3, but the height positions of the protruding portions P3 and P3 can also be higher than that of the protruding portion P1, or lower than that of the protruding portion P1.

[0124] When the height positions of the tops P3` of the respective protruding portions P3 are made higher than the height position of the top P1` of the protruding portion P1, the outer diameters of the outer flanges 607 and 609 are configured to be larger than the outer diameter of the central flange 605. In this case, the uppermost part T2 of the outer peripheral surface of the outer flange becomes a position higher than the uppermost part T1 of the central flange. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce the possibility that the respective hypotenuses S2 and the tops P3` of the discharged banknotes are hooked on the rear part of the stacked banknotes.

[0125] In addition, the height positions of the downward protruding portions P2 and P2 are the same, but their height positions may also be different.

[0126] In addition, in the illustrated embodiment, the short-side shape after molding is a bilaterally symmetric shape, but this is only an example, and as long as it is a shape that can impart sufficient stiffness, bilateral symmetry is not required.

[0127] In addition, if the stiffness of the banknote (especially the stiffness in the short-side direction) is at the normal level, as Figure 5 (b) shows, the hypotenuses S1 and S2 located between the respective protruding portions of the banknote after molding are in a state of being stretched to a substantially straight line with sufficient tension.

[0128] Another advantage of molding the banknote into a W shape, that is, a shape in which the hypotenuses S2 at both ends are inclined upward, is that the total height h1 after molding can be made the necessary minimum and sufficient stiffness can be ensured. In the experiment, the total height h1 can be suppressed to about 2.5 mm, so that the diameters of the respective rollers and flanges constituting the molding mechanism can be made compact, and the volume of the banknote after molding does not become too large.

[0129] However, as will be described later, when the stiffness of the banknote is significantly reduced, the tension of the hypotenuses S1 and S2 between the protruding portions is reduced and it easily becomes a slack state. Therefore, the shape retention during and after the discharge from the molding mechanism is reduced. Countermeasures for this problem will be described in the third embodiment.

[0130] In addition, as Figure 5 (c) shows, when the short side of the banknote B is molded into an M shape, the two end sides S3 of the short side are inclined downward, so it is easy to sag. Therefore, when discharged onto the payout tray, the two end sides S3 are hooked on the banknotes previously stacked on the payout tray (especially banknotes having a tendency for the rear end to protrude upward), which becomes a cause for them to fall. When molded into an M shape, the outer end sides S3 easily exceed the height position of the downward protruding portion P4 and sag significantly downward, which becomes a cause for increasing the hooking with the stacked banknotes. Especially in the case of a banknote with a long short side, the outer end sides S3 are longer than the case shown in the figure, so the sagging state deteriorates.

[0131] Therefore, a forming shape in which both end portions of the short side are inclined or drooped downward cannot be adopted.

[0132] In addition, banknotes issued in various countries around the world are roughly divided into: small-width banknotes with a maximum size (maximum width size) of the short side less than 72 mm, such as those in the United States, Canada, Australia, etc.; and large-width banknotes with a maximum width size of 72 mm or more and less than 86 mm, such as those in Japan, the eurozone, China, etc.

[0133] On the other hand, when a banknote processing device manufacturer manufactures banknote processing devices for countries where small-width banknotes circulate and other countries where large-width banknotes circulate, it is disadvantageous to manufacture devices of different specifications according to the country. That is, it is significantly disadvantageous in terms of increasing manufacturing costs, inventory management costs, etc. to prepare in advance two banknote processing devices that have no structural differences except for the width difference of the conveying path and manufacture and ship them according to orders.

[0134] In order to address such drawbacks and inconveniences, a countermeasure is adopted in which only one model equipped with a large-width conveying path capable of conveying large-width banknotes is prepared and is also applicable to small-width banknotes.

[0135] In particular, when the second unit M2 is assembled to the banknote processing device 1, regarding the forming mechanism 550, a structure is required that can be formed into a shape capable of generally imparting sufficient stiffness regardless of the size of the short side dimension of the banknote.

[0136] However, in a circulation unit equipped with a circulation drum, banknotes are stored in a state of being wound around the outer peripheral surface of the circulation drum, so a tendency to bend in the long side direction (curling tendency) is formed on the banknotes. In particular, when an upward curling tendency in which the central portion in the long side direction bulges upward is formed on the banknotes discharged from the circulation unit and onto the payout tray 700, the following adverse conditions will occur: the front end portion (tilted downward) of the newly discharged banknote touches the rear portion of the stacked banknotes, and the stacked banknotes are pushed out from the payout tray and dropped. In addition, even when there are no stacked banknotes, the newly discharged banknotes with an upward curling tendency will slide on the payout tray due to the downward bending of their front ends and cross over the front edge thereof and drop or be bent between the banknote pressing rod and the upper surface of the payout tray.

[0137] In the present invention, such a conventional adverse condition is solved by using the forming mechanism 550 to form the shape in the short side direction of the banknote into a specified shape (a shape with stiffness) over the entire length.

[0138] In the forming mechanism 550 of the present embodiment, the intervals L1 between the respective drive rollers 555 and 600 and the central flange 605 and the intervals L2 between the respective flanges 607 and 609 and the respective drive rollers 555 and 600 are set to L1 = 8 mm to 9 mm and L2 = 10 mm to 11 mm, respectively, so as to be able to handle small-width banknotes with a maximum width dimension of less than 72 mm. That is, in the case of forming the short-side shape into a W shape as in the present embodiment, the positional relationship between the respective drive rollers and the respective flanges is set such that both end sides S2 in the short-side direction of the small-width banknote are inclined upward.

[0139] On the other hand, if the positional relationship between the respective drive rollers 555 and 600 centered on the central flange 605 and the positional relationship between the respective flanges 607 and 609 centered on the central flange are set to match the small-width banknote in this way, then even for large-width banknotes with a maximum width dimension of 72 mm or more and less than 86 mm, it is possible to perform curling in the short-side direction in the same manner as the small-width banknote.

[0140] In addition, the short-side direction positions of the respective protrusions P1, P2, and P3 are fixed regardless of the short-side dimension of the banknote, but the length l1 of the top P3` of the outermost protrusion P3 varies according to the short-side dimension of the banknote B.

[0141] However, by determining the axial positions of at least the two flanges 607 and 609, that is, the interval between the two flanges 607 and 609, to be able to correspond to the smallest banknote width, that is, less than 72 mm, the layout of the respective drive rollers and the respective flanges is fixed, and appropriate forming of wide-width banknotes can be performed.

[0142] That is, in the discharge conveyance path 510, both the small-width banknote and the large-width banknote are conveyed such that the center portion in the short-side direction thereof substantially coincides with the center portion in the width direction of the central flange 605. Therefore, the positions (distance from the short-side center portion) of the portions forming the upward protrusions P1 and P3 and the downward protrusion P2 are the same, and only the length l1 of the portion extending more outward than the respective protrusions P3 is different.

[0143] If the banknote has a short-side length of less than 72 mm, the length l1 of the top P3` of the outermost protrusion P3 becomes shorter, but if the short side exceeds 85 mm, the length l1 of the top P3` becomes longer. However, during the process of discharging from the forming mechanism, the respective tops P3` are clamped by the outer flanges 607 and 609, so that significant sagging can be prevented. In addition, if the banknote has normal stiffness even after discharge, sagging can also be prevented.

[0144] On the other hand, since all the drive rollers and flanges are arranged at positions closer to the inside than the short-side dimension of the small-width banknote, i.e., 72 mm, when the short side of the wide-width banknote is deformed into an M shape, both end sides protrude significantly downward. Therefore, the stacked banknotes on the payout tray are likely to collide with the front ends of the subsequent banknotes newly discharged. As a result, the stacked banknotes are pushed out and dropped from the payout tray, or stacking defects such as flattening and deformation of the subsequent banknotes occur.

[0145] <Impeller>

[0146] The discharge conveying stacking unit 500 further includes an impeller 650. That is, the impellers 650 are respectively fixed to the axial centers by the rotating shafts 552 at positions outside the axial directions of the drive rollers 555 and 600 and inside the flanges 607 and 609. The impeller 650 has a structure in which blades 654 of the same length are fixed to the outer periphery of the base portion 652 having a smaller diameter at regular intervals in the circumferential direction and protrude in a radial shape. In this example, three blades 654 are arranged at 120-degree intervals. The blade 654 is a narrow-width belt-shaped and is made of a material that is easily elastically deformed such as a rubber plate, and at least as a whole has a shape that bends in the rotation direction. Alternatively, it can also be configured to bend due to centrifugal force when the impeller rotates.

[0147] Since the impeller 650 and the drive rollers 555 and 600 are arranged on the same axis, depending on the circumferential interval of the blades 654 and the setting of the rotation speed of the impeller, the blades may interfere with the banknotes discharged from the clamping portion of the drive roller and the tension roller (the final roller pair), hindering the discharge. To eliminate such a possibility, the discharge speed of the banknotes and the rotation speed of the blades are set such that each banknote starts and completes the discharge within the 120-degree circumferential interval between one blade and the next blade.

[0148] During the passage of the banknote through the final roller pair, no blade will interfere with the banknote. However, as described later, after the rear end of the banknote disengages from the final roller pair, the blade rotating from above will interfere with and contact the banknote and perform an action of pushing and gathering downward and backward.

[0149] The blade 654 of the impeller in this embodiment is a flat thin plate-like strip made of an elastic material such as rubber. However, a high-friction region 656 is provided on its front end surface (the surface in contact with the banknote). Small protrusions 656a and recesses 656b are alternately arranged on the high-friction region 656. The protrusions 656a constituting the high-friction region 656 are made of a material with a higher coefficient of friction than the material of the blade body. If the entire surface in contact with the banknote is flat, the frictional resistance will decrease due to the adhesion of paper dust and dirt. However, by having the high-friction region 656 composed of uneven portions, the sliding between the banknote can be prevented. In particular, by allowing the paper dust to enter the recesses, the reduction of the frictional resistance caused by the paper dust is prevented, and through contact with the guiding member, the high-friction region itself elastically deforms and expands and contracts, so the paper dust in the recesses is easily discharged, and an automatic cleaning function can be exerted. In addition, by providing the high-friction region 656, the durability of the front end portion of the blade that is easily worn due to the sliding friction with the banknote can be improved.

[0150] In this embodiment, the high-friction region 656 is a rectangular parallelepiped in which the protrusions 656a are slender and extend in the width direction of the blade, and the recesses 656b are grooves located between two protrusions 656a. However, this is only an example, and as long as it is a high-friction region with a structure in which protrusions and recesses are alternately arranged.

[0151] <Banknote pressing rod>

[0152] The discharge conveying stacking portion 500 further includes a banknote pressing rod (hereinafter referred to as the rod) 670 for decelerating and pressing the banknote strongly discharged from the forming mechanism to stop (land) it at an appropriate position on the surface of the pay-out tray 700. The rod 670 is configured such that its rear end portion (rear portion) is pivotally supported by a rod shaft 672 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction, whereby a portion more forward than the rear end portion, particularly a portion protruding onto the pay-out tray, can be rotated in the vertical direction. When the forming mechanism 550 does not perform the discharge operation of the banknote, the rod 670 will drop onto the upper surface of the pay-out tray 700 (or the stacked banknotes) due to its own weight, and is lifted by the banknote B and allowed to pass when a banknote with sufficient stiffness passes through the forming mechanism 550.

[0153] That is, a rod shaft 672 is provided on the frame 660 above the rotation shaft 552. The rear portion of the rod 670 is pivotally supported by the rod shaft 672 so as to be rotatable freely in the vertical direction, and descends onto the pay-out tray (the stacked banknotes) by its own weight while describing an arc, and is lifted by the banknote when the banknote is discharged.

[0154] The rod shaft 672 is located further rearward (upstream of the banknote conveying direction on the discharge conveying path) and further upward than the rotating shaft 552. The rod 670's upward and downward rotation trajectory, centered on the rod shaft, is in an axial positional relationship that interferes with the central flange 605. That is, the width dimension of the rod has a value that interferes with the central flange 605, but an open portion (interference avoidance portion) 673 is formed at the width center of the front edge of the rod to avoid interference with the flange 605. In other words, the front edge of the rod 670 is divided into two branch ends 670a, and an open portion 673 is formed between the branch ends to allow the central flange to enter. Each branch portion 670a is composed of a narrow strip of plate material, sandwiching the open portion 673 and extending parallel to it. The presence of the open portion 673 allows the rod to avoid the central flange 605, pass over the central flange, and rotate downward, moving toward the upper surface of the cash dispenser tray 700.

[0155] The function of the rod 670 is to ensure that the banknote B conveyed on the discharge conveying path 510 is in continuous contact (sliding contact) with the upper surface of the banknote during the process of being discharged from the forming mechanism 550. As a result, the banknote is exerted with downward pressure by the weight of the rod so that it falls stably onto the withdrawal tray 700, and the banknotes stacked on the withdrawal tray are pressed to prevent them from floating.

[0156] Therefore, the rod in the lowered position needs to be responsive and quickly lifted up by the banknotes with sufficient stiffness that have passed through the forming mechanism to allow the banknotes to pass. On the other hand, the rod needs to press down the accumulated banknotes, so the counterweight component 675 is fixed to the appropriate position of the rod front portion to increase the weight as needed.

[0157] Specifically, if the rod is not sufficiently lifted by the banknote being dispensed, the following undesirable situations may occur: the banknote cannot reach the correct stopping position on the dispensing tray and stops behind the dispensing tray in a buckled state, or it may collide with the rear of the stacked banknotes and push them out. Therefore, the rod needs to be light enough to be lifted to a sufficient height by the banknotes, but it also needs to be heavy enough to press the top surface of the stacked banknotes during the descent to prevent them from floating.

[0158] If through Figure 11As will be described later, the front end of the banknote B conveyed on the discharge conveyance path 510 can come into contact with the lower surface of the lever at a position between the lever shaft 672 and the rotation shaft 552 and start to lift. Inside the discharge conveyance path 510, due to the clamping by the conveyance guides 510a arranged vertically at a narrow interval and the clamping force of the conveyance roller pair 517, the banknote is deformed into a flat posture and temporarily given strong stiffness. Therefore, even if a banknote with a tendency to curl or weak stiffness presses the lever on the upstream side of the rotation shaft 552, it can start to lift the lever without being flattened or bent. Furthermore, the front end portion of the banknote that has passed through the shaping mechanism 550 is shaped into a W shape and given strong stiffness, so it can lift the lever forward with a stronger force, descend to the optimal position on the pay-out tray, and stop.

[0159] In addition, the reason for increasing the weight of the lever by the weight member 675 is generally considered to be that when the banknote processing apparatus 1 is designed to be applicable to different banknotes in various countries around the world, it can cope with different banknotes such as the weight, material, and stiffness of the banknotes. That is, the lever has a function of promoting discharge (advancement) by pushing the banknote discharged from the shaping mechanism forward and a function of pressing the discharged banknote to control the landing position. It has been considered that if the weight of the lever is set to be constant despite the greatly different conditions such as the weight of the banknote, the lever may be too light or too heavy relative to the banknote and unable to properly perform the function of the lever, so it is necessary to adjust the weight using the weight member. However, in the experiment using the banknote discharge stacking apparatus M2, it was confirmed that by simply installing a 10-gram weight member on the lever, it is possible to cope with banknotes from various countries around the world. That is, in the present embodiment, it is only necessary to install a weight member of a certain weight on the lever, and it is not necessary to adjust the weight according to conditions such as the type of banknote.

[0160] However, it has also been confirmed that for banknotes with weak stiffness, adjusting the weight of the weight member is effective in normalizing the operation of the lever regardless of the type of banknote.

[0161] <Pay-out tray>

[0162] The pay-out tray (discharge tray) 700 is a mechanism that receives and stacks the banknotes discharged (released) from the shaping mechanism 550, as shown in Figure 2 the perspective view, Figure 8As shown in the longitudinal sectional view etc., it generally has: a substantially horizontal and flat base surface (first upper surface) 701; inclined protrusions 703 that protrude forward from both ends in the width direction near the front end of the base surface, and have an upward inclined surface (second upper surface) 703a on the upper surface; a telescopic member (inclined surface forming member) 705 configured such that the rear end is pivotally supported in elongated slots (holes) 704 provided at the inner edge portions of the respective inclined protrusions, so that the front portion can rotate in the vertical direction; and an elastic member 707 that applies a force to the telescopic member towards Figure 2 , Figure 8 the protruding position shown. Each telescopic member 705 is always urged towards the protruding position by the elastic member, and the upper surface 705a becomes an inclined surface that is more inclined upward than the inclined surface 703a of the inclined protrusion 703. Therefore, it is possible to apply a brake to the banknote that is about to move forward along the inclined protrusion 703 to decelerate and stop it to prevent it from falling. A friction sheet for increasing the frictional resistance between the banknote and the surface is pasted on the upper surface 705a of the telescopic member. In the case where the friction sheet is not provided, there is a possibility that the banknote may slide on the resin upper surface 705a due to the momentum of the discharged banknote and fly out from the payout tray. However, the upper surface 705a, which is an inclined surface provided with the friction sheet, can effectively decelerate the banknote.

[0163] In addition, regarding banknotes after the second one, it is possible to ensure sufficient frictional resistance between the banknotes that have been stacked, so that the deceleration effect can be further exerted.

[0164] After a specified number of banknotes are discharged and stacked on the payout tray, when the user bundles and removes the stacked banknotes in batches, the user can press the telescopic member 705 with a finger to retract the upper surface 705a into the slot 704. Therefore, the telescopic member does not interfere with the removal operation of the banknote bundle, and the removal becomes easy. In addition, even when a jam such as banknote buckling occurs at the rear of the payout tray, it is possible to insert a finger inside by pressing down the telescopic member, and the jammed banknote can be removed.

[0165] <Guide member (guide protrusion)>

[0166] As shown in the respective figures, on the base surface 701 of the payout tray 700, a guide member (guide protrusion) 710 as a protrusion is disposed at a position corresponding to (interfering with) the movement locus of the blades 654 of each impeller 650. As will be described later, the guide member, through cooperation with the impeller, captures the discharged banknote B before it directly advances and completes its landing on the payout tray, and then makes it retreat towards the space 702, thereby eliminating the stacking (discharge) defect state in which the front end of the banknote protrudes excessively from the front edge of the payout tray.

[0167] In the case where the discharge direction length of the payout tray is shortened, it is conceivable that the banknote discharged from the forming mechanism 550 lands on the payout tray at a position that is too far forward and falls off the payout tray. However, the guiding member is a unit that catches the discharged banknote and retracts it through cooperation with the blade to prevent excessive protrusion forward, so such an adverse situation can be eliminated.

[0168] As Figures 2 to 5 , Figure 7 shown, each guiding member 710 is arranged on the upper surface of the payout tray in a manner that interferes with the movement trajectory of each blade, contacts (interferes with) the descending blade, and allows it to rotate and move elastically deformed (pass through). Each guiding member 710 includes: a first contact portion (upper surface 716, rear end edge 716a), which contacts the rear portion of the banknote discharged onto the payout tray through the forming mechanism 550 at a position higher than the upper surface of the payout tray (prior to the upper surface of the payout tray); and a curved guiding surface 720, which extends downward and rearward (upstream side) in the paper discharge direction from this first contact portion.

[0169] The position and width dimension of each guiding member are set such that, as Figure 5 shown, etc., it contacts the two end portions (nearby) in the width direction of the rear portion of the banknote.

[0170] In addition, in the present embodiment, the rear portion of the banknote widely includes the rear half portion of the banknote that can be contacted during the rotational movement of the blade.

[0171] More specifically, as Figure 7 shown, etc., the guiding member 710 generally includes: a protruding portion 715, which has a rectangular flat upper surface 716; a curved guiding surface (guiding surface, curved concave portion) 720, which continuously extends downward and concave from the rear end edge (corner edge portion) 716a of the upper surface; and a rear guiding surface 722, which extends substantially horizontally from the rear end edge of the curved guiding surface. The rear end edge 716a is a corner portion that extends linearly parallel to the axial direction of the rotation shaft 552. The curved guiding surface 720 extends downward and rearward with the same width as the rear end edge 716a. The rear guiding surface 722 extends rearward with the same width as the curved guiding surface 720. In this example, the rear guiding surface 722 is located at a position slightly higher than the first upper surface 701 of the payout tray, but this is only an example, and it can also be set to the same height as long as it does not hinder the effect of gathering by the cooperation with the blade.

[0172] The upper surface 716 and the rear end edge 716a of the upper surface are located at positions where they contact the front end portion of the blade that rotates and moves. Therefore, the front end portion of the blade is elastically deformed and contacts a part of the upper surface 716 and the rear end edge 716a and passes through. In order to be able to gather the banknotes backward through cooperation with the blade, the bending guide surface 720 and the rear guide surface 722 are also selected in such a shape and positional relationship that the front end portion of the blade is elastically deformed and contacts and moves.

[0173] When an experiment is conducted by arranging a guiding member having a plane continuously inclined obliquely downward and backward from the rear end edge 716a on the payout tray instead of the bending guide surface 720, although the function of gathering the banknotes backward can be exerted through cooperation with the front end portion of the blade, the gathering efficiency is not as high as that of the bending guide surface.

[0174] As Figure 5 (a) shows, each guiding member is configured such that the width is more than twice the width of the blade, and extends axially outward beyond the respective outer flanges 607, 609 in a manner capable of contacting both end portions in the width direction of the banknote B. Thereby, it is possible to contact and guide both end portions in the width direction of the wide-width banknote.

[0175] <Change Dispensing Operation Steps>

[0176] Figure 9 It is a flowchart outlining the change dispensing operation steps of the banknote processing apparatus 1 of the present invention.

[0177] When it is determined that the received money and the change to be dispensed are determined, the change is dispensed according to the following steps.

[0178] First, the control unit 1000 instructs each recycling unit 30, 40 to dispense a specified number of banknotes of the denomination stored therein (step S1). For example, the following instructions are given: Dispense three one-thousand-yen banknotes stored in the recycling unit 30 and one five-thousand-yen banknote stored in the recycling unit 40 as change onto the payout tray.

[0179] Then, each recycling unit 30, 40 respectively starts to dispense the specified number of one-thousand-yen banknotes and five-thousand-yen banknotes (step S3). For example, after continuously dispensing three one-thousand-yen banknotes from the recycling unit 30, one five-thousand-yen banknote is dispensed from the recycling unit 40.

[0180] The banknotes sequentially dispensed from each recycling unit 30, 40 are inspected for the denomination by the identification unit 70 provided on the banknote storage and conveyance path 9b. If they are of the specified denomination, they are sequentially fed into the discharge conveyance and stacking unit 500, and discharge conveyance starts for each banknote (S5, S7, S9).

[0181] In step S7, when it is determined that it cannot be refunded, it is temporarily stored in the custody department and then conveyed to the recycling bin 50 (step S21).

[0182] In step S11, when the banknote B fed one by one into the discharge conveyance stacking unit 500 is detected by the paper feed sensor 580 and has passed through the forming mechanism 550 (step S11 "Yes"), it is determined in step S13 whether there is a subsequent banknote. If there is a subsequent banknote, the subsequent banknote is continuously discharged by the discharge conveyance mechanism 520 (step S15).

[0183] Furthermore, in step S17, it is checked whether all the subsequent banknotes have passed through the forming mechanism. If the passing is completed, the process ends.

[0184] "Comparison with Conventional Banknote Processing Devices"

[0185] Next, in order to clarify the advantages of the present invention by comparison with the existing example, Figure 10 a side longitudinal sectional view of the conventional discharge conveyance stacking unit 500P shown in the figure is used for comparative explanation.

[0186] The conventional discharge conveyance stacking unit 500P includes a discharge conveyance path 510P, a discharge conveyance mechanism 520P, a rod 670P, a pay-out tray 700P, a discharge mechanism (driving roller 600P, tension roller 601P) for discharging banknotes onto the pay-out tray, etc. In addition, the discharge mechanism does not have a function of deforming the short-side shape of the banknote into a specified shape to correct the curling tendency. Further, the rod shaft 672P of the conventional rod 670P is located on the pay-out tray side (front) closer to the pay-out tray than the shaft 552P of the driving roller, and the overall length of the rod is necessarily shorter than that of the rod of the present invention. Therefore, the banknote B conveyed on the discharge conveyance path 510P contacts the rod 670P and starts to lift it after its front end passes through the discharge mechanism and contacts the rod. Since this discharge mechanism does not have a function of deforming the short-side shape of the banknote to enhance the stiffness, in the case where the stiffness of the banknote is weak or there is a curling tendency with the front end of the banknote inclined downward, it may not be possible to sufficiently lift the rod, causing the banknote to be crushed and blocked. That is, when the banknote does not sufficiently lift the rod, the banknote may not advance sufficiently on the pay-out tray and stop in a crushed state at a position significantly behind the correct stop position on the pay-out tray (right direction in the drawing). Therefore, it is difficult to stack multiple banknotes sequentially discharged onto the pay-out tray in a state where they are easy to take out and have good neatness.

[0187] In addition, in the conventional discharge conveyance stacking unit 500P, the banknote discharged from the discharge mechanism contacts the lower surface of the rod 670P at a position (contact point C) in front of the rotation shaft 552P and adjacent to the rod shaft (see Figure 10) As a result, the distance L3` between the rod axis 672P and the contact point C between the rod and the leading edge of the banknote becomes shorter, so a greater force is required for the banknote to lift the rod. Therefore, a banknote with low stiffness cannot fully lift the rod and is likely to be bent at a position further back than the correct stop position. In particular, when the leading edge of the banknote reaches the contact point C, it is released from the constraints of the conveying roller 517P, the driving roller 552P, and the tension roller 601P, and thus returns to a state with low stiffness. As shown in Figure 10 , the leading edge of the banknote is likely to be bent downward. Then, the rear part of the same banknote, which is sequentially released from the constraints of the respective rollers and discharged, is also likely to be continuously bent.

[0188] Furthermore, the initial angle θ` when the conventional rod 670P descends becomes smaller. Therefore, a greater force is required for the banknote released from the discharging mechanism to lift the rod. As a result, a banknote with low stiffness cannot fully lift the rod and is likely to be bent after being discharged. Or, it is likely to collide with the rear part of the stacked banknotes and push them out of the payout tray, causing them to fall.

[0189] In contrast, in the present embodiment, the rod axis 672 is positioned further back than the rotation axis 552, and the rod 670 is made longer. The length of the rod 670 is set such that, in a state where there is no banknote on the payout tray, the front end of the rod can descend to an appropriate position on the upper surface of the payout tray (the base surface 701 in this example) and make contact. This is because when there is a gap between the front end of the rod and the upper surface 701 of the payout tray, the banknote may detach from this gap and fly out of the payout tray.

[0190] In addition, in the present embodiment, the distance L3 between the contact point C between the rod and the banknote relative to the rod axis can be sufficiently extended (refer to Figure 11 (a)). Therefore, a relatively small force is required for the banknote to lift the rod, and it is easy to lift the rod. In addition, since the contact point C is located within the discharge conveyance path 510 (near the forming mechanism), the leading edge of the banknote when it reaches the contact point C is flattened by the conveyance guide 510a and the pair of conveyance rollers 517, and its stiffness is temporarily enhanced, enabling it to effectively lift the rod.

[0191] In addition, by configuring the front end of the lengthened rod 670 to contact the upper surface 701 of the payout tray when the rod descends, the initial angle θ when the rod descends as shown in Figure 11 (a) can be increased, making it easier to lift the rod when the banknote is inserted. Therefore, even a banknote with low stiffness can efficiently lift the rod.

[0192] In addition, in the present embodiment, in order to eliminate the problem that the banknote released onto the payout tray cannot fully lift the rod and cannot withstand the weight of the rod and descends (the tendency to curl upward in the long side direction), the following three points were studied.

[0193] That is, (1) the short side shape of the banknote is formed by the forming mechanism 550 into a specified shape (e.g., W shape) that can strengthen the stiffness along the long side direction of the banknote. (2) The weight of the rod is adjusted to an optimal value using the weight balancing member 675. (3) By setting the width W1 of the central flange 605 wide enough, the lifting effect of the banknote on the rod is maintained.

[0194] First, regarding (1), during the period until the rear end of the banknote finishes passing through the forming mechanism 550 (the clamping portion n1 and the flange of the driving roller and the tension roller), in terms of forming the entire length of the banknote into a W shape, it is preferable to continuously maintain a horizontal or rising posture without allowing the banknote to descend. According to the forming mechanism, such a function can be fully exerted. That is, since the stiffness of the banknote discharged onto the payout tray 700 is strengthened, the rod 670 can be reliably lifted and discharged. That is, the banknote is clamped by each flange and the final roller pair during the process of passing through the forming mechanism, so the portion of the banknote that protrudes further forward than the forming mechanism can continuously maintain the state where the curling tendency is corrected (the strength of the stiffness). In addition, even in the stage where the banknote has finished passing through the forming mechanism, the state where the curling tendency is corrected is maintained and it falls to the correct position, and finally the banknote is pressed by the rod together with the stacked banknotes.

[0195] Next, regarding (2), it is assumed that the banknote discharging, stacking and conveying device M2 is a general model that can handle banknotes of various countries in the world. That is, the materials, thicknesses, stiffnesses, weights, sizes, etc. of banknotes of various countries are different, but in order to improve the stackability corresponding to these differences, it is necessary to adjust the weight of the rod. That is, when the weight of the rod relative to the banknote is too light, the effect of pressing the stacked banknotes on the payout tray during descent is reduced. On the other hand, when the rod is too heavy, it may overly press the discharged banknote. Therefore, it is necessary to finely adjust the weight of the rod using the weight balancing member 675.

[0196] Next, regarding (3), in order to prevent the corresponding portion of the banknote from falling into the gap G2 between the open portion 673 formed between the branch ends 670a of the rod and the central flange 605, the width W1 of the central flange ( Figure 3 ) is set large enough. This is because if the banknote enters and falls into this gap G2, the effect of lifting the rod is reduced, and buckling may occur on the payout tray. This will be described later.

[0197] In the conventional device structure, such considerations were not made at all.

[0198] 《Processing Steps of the Discharging, Conveying and Stacking Unit for the Payout Banknotes》

[0199] Next, by Figures 11 to 14The processing steps of the payout conveying and stacking unit 500 (forming mechanism, impeller, banknote pressing rod, and guiding member) for the payout banknotes will be described.

[0200] The base portion 652 that forms the central portion of the impeller 650 is integrated with the rotating shaft 552 and rotates integrally with each drive roller 555, 600, and each flange 605, 607, 609. The conventional impeller is used to prevent the discharged banknote B from being knocked down by the blades and flying forward from the payout tray. In contrast, in addition to the conventional function, the impeller of the present embodiment also functions to gather the banknotes backward in cooperation with the guiding member 710 provided on the payout tray during the process of the banknotes discharged one by one falling.

[0201] Figure 11 (a) to (d) are explanatory diagrams (side longitudinal sectional views) of the operation of the discharge conveying and stacking unit 500 sequentially showing the state from when the front end of the banknote B conveyed in the discharge conveying path 510 in the discharge direction contacts the rod and lifts the rod until just before the front end of the banknote passes through the forming mechanism 550.

[0202] Figure 12 (e), (f) are explanatory diagrams (side longitudinal sectional views) of the operation of the discharge conveying and stacking unit 500 showing the state just before the rear end of the banknote B passes through the forming mechanism and the state just after passing through, Figure 12 (g), (h), Figure 13 (i) to (l), Figure 14 (m) to (o) are diagrams for explaining the process before the banknote falls onto the payout tray and the operation steps of the blades gathering the banknote backward.

[0203] In addition, the shape of the payout banknote B shown in each figure only shows the shape of the end face formed by cutting the banknote at the center of the short side. In other words, it shows the state and movement trajectory of the cut end face of the banknote corresponding to the short side central portion (protrusion P1) corresponding to the central flange 605. Therefore, the states and movement trajectories of the short side portions (protrusions P2, P3) corresponding to the drive rollers 555, 600 and the outer flanges 607, 609 and the inclined sides S1, S2 are not shown.

[0204] Before entering the forming mechanism 550, the payout banknotes are flattened by being pressed from above and below by a conveying roller (conveying member) 517 or the like in the discharge conveying path, but after passing through the forming mechanism, as Figure 6 shown, the short side shape is formed (rolled up) into a W shape along the long side direction. Therefore, the shape of the banknote on the downstream side of the forming mechanism is actually three-dimensionalized into a W shape, but as described above, in Figures 11 to 14 it is represented by a sectional view formed by cutting the short side central portion of the banknote over the entire length, so the difference in the shape (thickness in the up and down direction) of the banknote before and after passing through the forming mechanism is not shown.

[0205] In addition, the rod 670 is configured such that the rod axis 672 is located at a position rearward of the rotation axis 552 and the front end portion of the rod can move up and down without interfering with the central flange 605, and thus the following operations can be performed.

[0206] In Figure 11 (a), the roller 512a is rotationally driven counterclockwise and cooperates with the baffle 514 in the switching posture shown in the figure. As a result, the banknote B discharged from any one of the circulation units and conveyed upward in the banknote storage conveyance path 9b is guided to the discharge conveyance path 510. In this figure (a), the front end of the banknote contacts the lower surface of the rod 670 and starts to be pressed at a position directly in front of the forming mechanism 550, that is, directly in front of the clamping portion n1 of the drive rollers 555, 600 and the driven rollers 556, 601. That is, in the stage where the banknote has not reached the forming mechanism, as shown in (a), the rod 670 descends due to its own weight and its front end contacts the upper surface of the pay-out tray 700, but the portion (contact point C) at a distance L3 from the rod axis 672 is pressed by the banknote, and thus, as shown in (b), the rod is lifted. Since the rod axis 672 is located at a position rearward of the rotation axis 552, the front end portion of the banknote can Figure 11 (a) contact the rod at the position (a position upstream of the rotation axis) and start to be lifted. Moreover, a sufficiently long distance L3 is ensured between the rod axis and the contact point C, and the initial angle θ of the rod is set relatively large to be close to 180 degrees, so that the rod can be lifted with a relatively small force.

[0207] In Figure 11 (c), the moving distance of the banknote B in the discharge direction is a little further than that in (b), so the rod is pressed by the banknote and further lifted, but does not reach the lower surface of the upper frame 660. In this stage, the front end of the banknote has not completely passed through the forming mechanism.

[0208] In addition, when the banknote passes through the forming mechanism, the central portion of its short side moves along the upper portion of the central flange 605, the short side portions corresponding to the drive rollers 555, 600 pass through the clamping portion n1 of the tension rollers 556, 601, and the short side portions corresponding to the outer flanges 607, 609 move along the upper portions of the outer flanges. The timings of the respective portions of the short side moving on the corresponding portions are substantially the same. In addition, the completion of the banknote passing through the forming mechanism means a state where all the portions of the short side of the banknote are separated from the central flange 605, the clamping portion n1 of the drive rollers and the tension rollers (the final roller pair), and the outer flanges.

[0209] In the subsequent stage (d), the banknote is still clamped (held) between the flange of the forming mechanism and the final roller pair, but the front end of the banknote has passed through the forming mechanism and advanced a little, and the short side shape of the passed part is formed into a W shape. Therefore, the front end part of the banknote located on the downstream side of the forming mechanism is in a state of being given relatively strong stiffness, and the rod is lifted by the front end part of the banknote with relatively strong stiffness to the position where it contacts the frame 660 and stops rising. At this time, the part of the banknote located on the downstream side of the forming mechanism is not pressed by the rod, so the posture of this part of the banknote will not tilt downward or bend, and maintains a horizontal posture or an upward-tilted posture.

[0210] In Figure 12 (e), except for the rear part of the banknote clamped by the clamping part n1 of each driving roller and each driven roller, the entire front part of the banknote is given relatively strong stiffness by the forming mechanism. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the rod is continuously lifted to the highest rising position while maintaining a substantially straight posture. That is, the banknote is discharged along the lower surface of the rod located at the highest rising position, but in this stage, the front end of the banknote does not drop onto the payout tray.

[0211] This figure (f) shows the state where the rear end of the banknote B has completely separated from the forming mechanism 550.

[0212] Even for a banknote originally formed with a tendency to curl with the front end tilted downward, the curling tendency has been eliminated during the stage of discharging from the forming mechanism towards the payout tray. Therefore, the banknote discharged onto the payout tray will not push out the stacked banknotes and cause them to fall off the payout tray. That is, during the process from (e) to (f), the front end of the subsequent banknote will not contact the rear part or other parts of the stacked banknotes and push them out of the payout tray.

[0213] In addition, the stacked banknotes also have their curling tendency removed through the forming of the forming mechanism and maintain a straight and flat posture throughout their length, so there will be no useless interference with the subsequent banknotes.

[0214] In the subsequent stages (g) and (h), if the front end of the banknote protrudes from the front end of the payout tray and this state is maintained, it may fall off the payout tray. When there is a requirement to shorten the front-rear direction length of the second unit M2, the front-rear direction length of the payout tray will be shortened, so such a phenomenon is likely to occur. In this case, when the banknote received and released by the forming mechanism is pressed by the rod and descends onto the payout tray, its front end is likely to protrude significantly from the front edge of the shortened payout tray and fall off.

[0215] In order to eliminate this adverse situation, in the present invention, when the bill descends in a state of protruding significantly from the front edge of the dispensing tray (the telescopic member 705 in this example) as shown in (g) and (h), a space 702 for retraction is formed at the rear of the dispensing tray 700. Moreover, on the upper surface of the dispensing tray corresponding to the retraction space 702, a guide member 710 as a protrusion is fixedly arranged at a position corresponding to the movement locus of the blades 654c of each impeller. Through the cooperative operation of the guide member and the impeller, the bill B temporarily discharged onto the dispensing tray is made to retreat toward the space 702, thereby releasing the state where the front end protrudes from the front edge of the dispensing tray.

[0216] The arrangement and height of the guide member 710 are configured such that the bill sorting by the blades starts in the stage where the rear part of the bill dropped onto the dispensing tray is in the air before it drops onto the upper surface 716 or the rear edge 716a of the guide member as shown in (g) and (h). That is, it is configured such that the first contact between the dropped bill and the blade occurs when the bill is in the air.

[0217] In addition, since the behavior of the bill is deviated, after the rear part of the bill drops onto the upper surface of the guide member or simultaneously with the dropping, the front end of the blade sometimes contacts the rear part of the bill, but it has been confirmed that the bill can be sorted backward without any problem even in this case.

[0218] The length and positional relationship are set such that each blade 654 always slides in contact with the outer surface of the guide member 710 during the rotational movement.

[0219] In addition, the rotational speed of the impeller, the rotation timing of the blade relative to the discharged bill, and the length of the blade (the rotational orbit of the blade front end) are selected such that Figure 12 (g), (h), Figure 13 (i), (j) show that the blade 654c rotating and moving from above can capture the rear part of the bill discharged onto the dispensing tray and pull it down toward the guide member 710. In addition, the front-rear direction position of the guide member on the dispensing tray, the front-rear direction length of the upper surface 716, and the front-rear direction position of the rear edge 716a are selected such that, as shown in the above figures, the lower surface of the rear part of the bill pulled down by the blade 654c easily contacts the upper surface and the rear edge of the guide member.

[0220] With this configuration, even when the discharged banknote attempts to fly excessively forward, the blade 654c can catch the rear end of the banknote in the air at an earlier stage when the banknote is being discharged and start to gather it downward and rearward. Furthermore, when the blade 654c reaches the rear end edge 716a of the guiding member, the lower surface of the rear part of the banknote starts to be clamped between the blade and the rear end edge. After that, the entire banknote can be gathered rearward while being clamped between the front end of the blade and the curved guiding surface 720. Figure 13 (k), (l), Figure 14 (m) to (o).

[0221] In addition, in the stages after (g), the banknote whose rear end has separated from the forming mechanism 550 is pressed downward by the rod 670. Therefore, through the cooperation of the rod and the blade, the banknote is gathered rearward while descending.

[0222] More specifically, in the present invention, in order to improve the processing speed of the paid-out banknotes, before the banknote discharged from the forming mechanism 550 completely falls onto the upper surface of the payout tray or the guiding member 710, in the stage when the rear part of the banknote is in the air ( Figure 12 (g), (h)), the front end portion of the blade 654c contacts the rear part of the banknote. By appropriately selecting and setting the contact timing between each blade and each banknote, in other words, the rotation speed of each blade and the discharge speed of each banknote, the action of forcibly pulling the banknote downward and rearward can be started at the moment when the rear part of the banknote in the air contacts the blade. After that, when the blade descends to a position where it contacts the upper surface and the rear end edge of the guiding member, the rear part of the banknote is in a state of being clamped between the blade and the guiding member. Therefore, it is reliably gathered rearward along the curved guiding surface 720 by the subsequent rotational movement of the blade. Thus, regardless of the difference in the long-side dimension, all the banknotes are stacked on the payout tray with their rear ends aligned and do not fall from the front end edge of the payout tray.

[0223] In the present embodiment, as Figure 12 (g) to Figure 14 (o) shows, the banknote discharged onto the payout tray is pulled rearward after temporarily landing its front end on the payout tray (on the telescopic member 705). When observing this phenomenon from the refund opening side, the banknote moves in the following manner: it is discharged in a state of temporarily protruding from the front end edge of the payout tray, but is immediately pulled rearward and stops.

[0224] Furthermore, the falling path and timing of banknotes whose stiffness has been enhanced by the forming mechanism 550 are relatively stable and consistent. However, in the case of banknotes with an excessively strong tendency to curl upward or so-called wrinkled banknotes whose original stiffness has been significantly reduced, the falling path and timing may deviate even after being formed by the forming mechanism. Therefore, the blades may not always be able to capture the rear portion of the banknote in mid-air at the same time. The rear portion of the banknote may also fall onto the guide member before the blades make contact. However, according to this embodiment, even in such a situation, the blades can sandwich the rear portion of the banknote between themselves and the guide member and pull it back.

[0225] To explain in more detail, the impeller's structure and rotation timing are designed to knock the discharged banknotes downward. In particular, in this embodiment, as long as the banknotes' curling tendency before being formed is normal, the impeller can be designed to contact the impellers mid-air during their fall. However, if the banknotes have a strong tendency to curl upward along their long sides, the impeller may not be able to form a complete W-shape along the entire length of the banknote, thus failing to impart sufficient stiffness. In such cases, the curling tendency is restored the moment the banknote is released from the impeller, causing the rear end of the banknote to curl away from the impellers, potentially causing the rear end of the banknote to fall onto the guide member 710 before contacting the impellers. However, with the structure of this embodiment, even in such a situation, the rear end of the banknote will catch on the guide member, preventing forward movement and being caught by the subsequently descending front end of the impellers, pulling it backward. This prevents the banknotes from falling off the dispensing tray.

[0226] The same treatment can be applied to wrinkled banknotes, which have a significantly reduced stiffness.

[0227] Next, based on the above structures and functions of the impeller 650 , the rod 670 , and the guide member 710 , the operation of the impeller to gather the banknotes discharged from the molding mechanism 550 rearward while being pressed downward by the rod will be further described.

[0228] like Figure 12As shown in (g) and (h), when the downwardly rotating blade 654c contacts the rear part of the banknote B while the rear part of the banknote discharged from the forming mechanism 550 onto the payout tray is still in the air, the start of the high friction area 656 reliably captures the banknote and, in cooperation with the downward pressing action of the rod, forcibly moves it downward and rearward. That is, since the banknote discharged from the forming mechanism is biased forward, it attempts to move toward the front edge of the payout tray 700 in the air. In contrast, by bringing the downwardly moving blade 654c into contact with the rear part of the banknote in the air as shown, it is possible to weaken the momentum of the banknote attempting to advance and stop its movement in the forward direction, and further guide it in the direction of rotation movement of the blade 654c (downward and rearward).

[0229] In addition, in the illustrated embodiment, a structural example of a new rod 670 with a rod shaft 672 disposed in the discharge conveyance path 510 on the upstream side of the forming mechanism is shown, but this is only an example, and a conventional rod with a rod shaft disposed at a position outside the terminal portion of the discharge conveyance path, that is, above the payout tray, can also be used ( Figure 10 ). That is, in the discharge conveyance stacking portion provided with the conventional rod, the effect of gathering the banknotes can also be obtained by applying the impeller and the guide member 710.

[0230] In Figure 12 (g) and (h), when the blade 654c continues to rotate downward after capturing the rear part of the banknote B in the air, the blade 654c presses down the rear part of the banknote until it contacts the upper surface 716 and the rear edge 716a of the guide member 710. At this moment, the rear part of the banknote is held in a state of being clamped between the high friction area 656 and the rear edge 716a. Therefore, by further continuing the rotational movement of the blade, as Figure 13 , Figure 14 successively shown, the banknote moves rearward along the curved guide surface 720 and the rear guide surface 722.

[0231] In Figure 14 (o), the blade 654c is substantially separated from the rear end of the banknote, so the rearward movement of the banknote stops. In addition, a stopper for aligning the rear ends of the banknotes gathered rearward can be provided at the terminal portion of the space 702 for backward movement as needed.

[0232] As described above, at a moment earlier than when the rear part of the banknote discharged from the forming mechanism falls (contacts) onto the upper surface 716 of the guide member, the vane 654c contacts the rear part of the banknote at a position in front of and above the upper surface 716 and starts to sweep it downward and rearward (in a direction opposite to the banknote discharge direction). In other words, the contact position C between the vane tip and the banknote can be set at a position farther along the rotation locus of the vane tip. Therefore, it is possible to start pulling the banknote rearward at an earlier stage before the banknote completes its landing on the payout tray, and thus it is possible to speed up the processing speed of banknote stacking.

[0233] Moreover, by providing the guide member 710, it is possible for the rear part of the banknote during its fall to contact the rear edge 716a of the guide member when it is located above the upper surface 701 of the payout tray. That is, it is possible to hook the rear part of the banknote by the rear edge 716a at an earlier timing before the rear part of the banknote lands on the payout tray. Therefore, it is possible to quickly pull rearward the banknote that has landed on the payout tray in a state of temporarily flying out from the front edge of the payout tray and make it stop at the optimal position.

[0234] According to the above structure, regardless of the size of the long side direction dimension of the banknote, it is possible to align the rear ends of all the banknotes discharged onto the payout tray in a line in sequence. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the banknotes from protruding excessively or falling from the front edge of the payout tray, and it can become the optimal state for the user to batch-remove multiple banknotes stacked on the payout tray.

[0235] In addition, there is a strong demand for the payout tray to be as small and short-sized as possible. Since it is possible to align the rear ends of the discharged banknotes with reference to the rear part of the payout tray, such a demand can be met.

[0236] Next, the structure and operation of the present invention for the guide member and the impeller to pull the banknote rearward (sweep) will be described in more detail in comparison with the structure and operation of the conventional impeller.

[0237] Conventionally, the purpose of the impeller for pressing the banknotes discharged onto the payout tray has been only to suppress the forward flight of the banknotes by pressing them onto the payout tray with the downwardly rotating blades. That is, the conventional blades only serve to press the banknotes in order to prevent the discharged banknotes from floating up and flying forward, and press the banknotes after they have landed on the upper surface of the payout tray or just before they land. Further, after the front end portion of the blade starts to elastically deform and rotate rearward while sandwiching the banknote therebetween and contacting the upper surface of the payout tray, since the upper surface of the payout tray is a flat surface, even if the front end portion of the blade moves rearward, the banknote cannot be moved in the same direction. That is, in the conventional impeller, after the front end portion of the blade contacts the banknote, the front end portion of the blade only slides on the upper surface of the banknote located between the upper surface of the payout tray and moves rearward, and does not have the function of gathering the banknotes landed on the payout tray rearward.

[0238] In contrast, in the present embodiment, when the banknote is discharged from the forming mechanism 550, at a timing sufficiently earlier than when the banknote lands on the upper surface of the payout tray, that is, at an appropriate earlier timing immediately after discharge, the front end of the blade contacts the rear portion of the banknote, and the deceleration and direction change of the banknote start. Then, during the period before the back surface of the portion of the banknote in contact with the front end of the blade contacts the upper surface or the rear edge (located at a position higher than the upper surface of the payout tray) of the guiding member, the banknote also continues to descend rearward. After the moment when the front end of the blade starts to sandwich the banknote between the front protrusion 715 of the guiding member, the whole banknote can smoothly move downward and rearward along the curved guiding surface 720.

[0239] The front end of the blade starts to elastically deform while sandwiching the banknote between the hard guiding member 710. In the process of the front end of the blade elastically deforming and sequentially moving to the curved guiding surface 720 and the rear guiding surface 722 via the rear edge 716a of the guiding member, the front end of the blade increases the contact area with the banknote surface while elastically deforming along the shape of each part of the guiding member (without causing sliding between the blade and the banknote), and can ensure a relatively long contact time for gathering. That is, the contact area between the front end portion of the blade and the banknote increases, and the pressing force increases, so the gathering force increases, and reliable gathering without sliding between the blade and the banknote can be achieved.

[0240] Further, in the conventional impeller, there is no effect of pulling the discharged banknote in the direction opposite to the discharge direction, and there is no idea of achieving the effect of pulling in the opposite direction by the blade itself. In contrast, in the present invention, by providing a guiding member having an upper surface higher than the upper surface of the payout tray at a position where it interferes with the blade, a reliable pulling effect is achieved through the cooperation between the guiding member and the blade.

[0241] In addition, the dropping position of the banknotes released from the clamping portion n1 of the driving roller and the tensioning roller onto the payout tray sometimes deviates in the front-rear direction according to conditions such as the strength of the curling tendency of the banknotes. However, in the present invention, the blades of the impeller can capture in the air the banknotes attempting to drop further away, and then cooperate with the guiding member to deflect them in the direction opposite to the release direction. In the absence of the guiding member, the blades press the banknotes on the upper surface of the flat payout tray. Therefore, even if the force to press the banknotes downward (the force to stop them) can be exerted, no force to pull them backward will be generated.

[0242] In particular, the guiding member of the present embodiment has a curved guiding surface 720 continuously provided from the rear end edge of the upper surface and curved and descending from the front upper side toward the rear lower side. This curved guiding surface is substantially consistent with the rotation trajectory of the blade, so that the banknotes can slide backward with a margin and be deflected.

[0243] The curved shape of the curved guiding surface 720 is configured to overlap with the circular trajectory of the front end portion of the blade drawn around the rotation axis 552. In addition, the radius of curvature of the curved guiding surface is configured to be smaller than the curvature of the circle drawn by the front end portion of the blade. However, the curved guiding surface may not be an arc shape, as long as it is a curved shape that can smoothly guide the rear portion of the banknote while clamping it between the front end portion of the blade and move it backward.

[0244] In addition, by setting the frictional resistance of the surface of the guiding member 710 in contact with the banknotes to be small (smaller than the frictional resistance between the upper surface of the payout tray), the sliding between the banknotes and the guiding member can be made good and the movement backward can be made smoother.

[0245] In addition, in the second unit (banknote discharging and stacking device, batch payout unit) M2 equipped with the shaping mechanism 550, shaping is performed to strengthen the stiffness of the banknotes released onto the payout tray and to incline the left and right end portions of the short sides upward. Therefore, even if the guiding member 710 is not present, it is possible to prevent the subsequent curved banknotes from causing the stacked banknotes to fall, or the curved banknotes themselves from falling off the payout tray. Therefore, in the case where the shaping mechanism is provided, the guiding member is not an essential component for preventing the curved banknotes from falling off the payout tray.

[0246] However, in terms of improving the neatness of the banknotes on the payout tray and reliably preventing them from falling, the cooperation between the guiding member and the blade is useful for the banknotes.

[0247] In addition, the blades of the impeller that rotate and move continuously pressing the rear portion of the stacked banknotes between the guiding member also become the main reason for eliminating the malfunction of the subsequent banknotes pushing out the stacked banknotes.

[0248] In addition, as an advantage of the forming mechanism 550 in the above-described embodiment, it has been described that it corrects banknotes that tend to curl upward. However, the forming mechanism naturally also has the function of correcting the downward curling tendency of banknotes.

[0249] Measures for Handling Banknotes with Reduced Stiffness

[0250] Next, when the forming mechanism 550 is not provided in the discharge conveying and stacking unit 500, that is, when the flanges 605, 607, and 609 are not provided, banknotes with weak stiffness are discharged from the clamping portion n1 of the final roller pair (driving rollers 555, 600 and tension rollers 556, 601) onto the payout tray. In such a configuration, the discharged banknotes with weak stiffness need to advance only by the force of their original stiffness, and lift the rod 670 by the force of stiffness and fall onto the payout tray. The force of stiffness is such that banknotes below a specified value are flattened by the rod and cannot advance over the rod.

[0251] That is, regardless of whether the banknote has a curling tendency or not, if the stiffness is below a specified value and it is conveyed on the discharge conveying path 510 and the flanges 605, 607, and 609 do not exist, the banknote cannot fully lift the rod 670 and land at an appropriate position on the payout tray during the process of being discharged onto the payout tray 700. In other words, during the discharge process, the rod does not fully rise and remains in a low position. Therefore, the banknote cannot advance forward over the rod and becomes a state of being flattened by the rod. As a result, banknotes with weak stiffness are likely to be in a state of being bent within the narrow space between the lower surface of the rod in the lowered state and the upper surface of the payout tray. When discharging multiple banknotes as change, as long as there is one banknote with reduced stiffness, it will cause poor discharge and misalignment of subsequent banknotes.

[0252] In the present embodiment, the forming mechanism 550 can strengthen the stiffness of banknotes whose stiffness has been reduced below a specified value, so the above-mentioned adverse conditions can be eliminated.

[0253] In addition, as already described, the rod shaft 672 is arranged at a position more upstream than the drive shaft (rotation shaft) 552 of the final roller pair, and is conveyed in the traveling direction with a stronger force by the conveying roller 517. Therefore, even banknotes with significantly weak stiffness can lift the rod with a stronger force.

[0254] In addition, regarding the weight of the rod 670 and the initial angle of the rod (the inclination angle at the lowest point), it is also set such that banknotes whose stiffness has dropped below a specified value can lift it. For example, the weight of the rod without the counterweight 675 is about 10 g, and the initial angle θ is about 21°.

[0255] [Banknote Discharge and Stacking Device: Second Embodiment]

[0256] According to the banknote discharging and stacking device M2 of the second embodiment, even for a banknote with significant deterioration (a wrinkled banknote), the forming mechanism 550 can form the banknote into a required shape to enhance its stiffness, and discharge and stack it onto the pay-out tray in a normal state.

[0257] When the degree of reduction in the stiffness of the banknote B to be paid out is significant, that is, in the case of a wrinkled banknote, even if it is desired to form the short-side shape of the banknote into a specified shape by the forming mechanism 550, the stiffness cannot be sufficiently enhanced to the level of a normal banknote with sufficient stiffness.

[0258] Figure 15 This is a comparative example showing a structural example in which the gap G2 of the banknote discharging and stacking device is increased, and is a partial cross-sectional front view showing the state of a banknote with significantly reduced stiffness passing through a forming mechanism with an overly large gap G2.

[0259] When a banknote with significantly reduced stiffness passes through the forming mechanism 550, if the interval (gap G2) between the open part 673 between the branch ends 670a at the front end of the rod and the central flange 605 is too large, in other words, when the flange width W1 is too small relative to the width W3 of the open part 673, the gap G2 becomes large. Therefore, as shown in the figure, a part of the banknote falls (cuts in) into this gap G2 and it is difficult to lift the rod. That is, a banknote with significantly reduced stiffness has a tendency for the front edge portion corresponding to the gap G2 to be flattened and enter the gap before lifting the rod. Furthermore, as the banknote advances, the subsequent part also follows the front end and is flattened and enters the gap G2. Therefore, the stiffness of the part that enters the gap G2 is reduced, and the force (strength) to lift the rod is reduced.

[0260] As a specific value, it is assumed that a wrinkled banknote falls into the gap G2 to a depth of about 2.5 mm. However, due to the generation of this falling-in part, the height position of the rod on the rotating shaft 552 is reduced by 2.5 mm. Then, the angle of the rod is correspondingly about 7.5 degrees downward. In other words, if there is no 2.5-mm entry into the gap, the angle of the rod becomes the original posture of 7.5 degrees upward. Thus, when the banknote cannot sufficiently lift the rod and the angle of the rod is reduced, the risk of buckling and jamming when the banknote contacts the upper surface of the pay-out tray increases.

[0261] Through Figure 15 the relationship between the central flange 605 and the drive roller 555 shown in, the shorter the distance between the upper corner 605a of the central flange and the upper corner 555a of the drive roller, the stronger the force (stiffness) to hold the banknote part located between the respective corners. Compared with Figure 3 the distance between the corner 605a of the central flange 605 and the corner 555a of the drive roller 555 in the first embodiment shown in, Figure 15 the distance of the corresponding part in is significantly longer. Therefore, inFigure 15 In the structural example, the banknote easily enters the gap G2. When the banknote enters the gap G2, the banknote assumes a bent shape, and the angle of the rod reduces the amount of the banknote entering the gap. This also applies to the relationship between the central flange 605 and the other drive roller 600.

[0262] <Discharge conveying and stacking section>

[0263] In the discharge conveying and stacking section 500, in order to address such an adverse situation, the relationship between the opening 673 at the front end of the rod and the central flange 605 is optimized.

[0264] Hereinafter, Figures 3 to 5 Other characteristic structures of the discharge conveying and stacking section 500 will be described.

[0265] In the forming mechanism 550, the ratio of the width W1 of the central flange to the width W3 of the opening is set in such a way as to prevent a part of the banknote with significantly deteriorated stiffness from falling into the gap G2 formed between the two inner side edges of the opening 673 of the rod and the two outer side surfaces of the central flange 605.

[0266] By being formed into a W shape by the forming mechanism 550 and configuring the central flange to be wide so as to moderately narrow the gap G2, even for a wrinkled banknote, the strength of the stiffness can be increased to such an extent that the rod can be sufficiently lifted to improve the stacking property, and it can be discharged in an upward posture.

[0267] As a structural example of an actual device, when the width dimension W1 of the central flange is set to 6.0 mm and the width dimension W3 of the opening 673 of the rod is set to 9.2 mm, the falling of the wrinkled banknote can be reliably prevented and the banknote bending prevention effect can be fully exerted. According to experiments, the optimum value of the ratio of the width dimension W1 of the central flange to the width dimension W3 of the opening is about 0.65. In the above dimension example, the values of the left and right gaps G2 are 1.6 mm respectively.

[0268] In this way, in the present invention, the width W3 of the opening of the rod is made constant, and the width W1 of the central flange is made larger than the width of the outer flange to moderately reduce the gap G2, thereby preventing the banknote from falling. Therefore, even for a wrinkled banknote with significantly reduced stiffness, the shape retention (stiffness) can be improved by being lifted by the outer peripheral surface of the central flange, and the rod can be lifted. In other words, by adjusting the size of the gap, the support function of the wide outer peripheral surface of the central flange can be improved, and a state can be achieved where the stiffness of the banknote is superior to the weight of the rod.

[0269] In addition, when a 20-gram counterweight 675 is fixed to the front end of the rod, the banknote needs to lift the rod including this weight. However, since the rod shaft 672 is located behind the rotation shaft 552, the rod can be lifted by the support of the central flange.

[0270] In addition, from the above, it is possible to define a banknote with significantly reduced stiffness, that is, a wrinkled banknote, as follows: when the ratio of the width W1 of the central flange to the width W3 of the open portion at the front end of the rod is small enough to be lower than a specified value (for example, about 0.65), it is weakened to the extent that a part of the banknote falls into the gap G2 between the two. That is, even if the vulnerability (stiffness reduction) of the banknote intensifies, as long as the vulnerability is not to the extent that a part falls into an overly large gap G2, the stiffness can be sufficiently strengthened by forming it into a W shape. Therefore, even if the gap G2 is large, a part of the banknote will not fall in. In addition, even for a banknote that is weakened to the extent that a part falls into an overly large gap G2, as long as the ratio of the width W1 of the central flange at the front end of the rod to the width W3 of the open portion is set such that the gap G2 becomes an appropriate value (for example, about 0.65 or more), the rod can be lifted to discharge the banknote by the strengthening of the stiffness brought about by forming it into a W shape and the supporting effect of the central flange on the banknote.

[0271] In addition, when formed into an M shape, the two ends of the wide banknote slope downward, so it is easy to sag and easy to collide with the stacked banknotes. In particular, for a banknote with a longer short side, even if the central part and the two outer side parts are clamped by the central flange and the rollers, the two end parts are likely to sag due to their weight.

[0272] When the banknote is formed into a W shape, the two end edges S2 of the short side slope upward, and the top P3` is clamped by the outer flange, so it is not easy to sag. However, in reality, there is a top (frame 660), so the two end edges S2 will touch the top and drop slightly, and be conveyed along the top. However, it will not sag so much as to interfere with the stacked banknotes.

[0273] [Banknote Discharging and Stacking Device: Third Embodiment]

[0274] Figure 16 It is a front view of the main part of the banknote discharging and stacking device M2 (discharging, conveying, and stacking unit 800) of the third embodiment.

[0275] Figures 17 to 20 It is a side longitudinal sectional view for explaining the structure of the banknote discharging and stacking device M2 and the discharging and gathering actions. In addition, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same parts as those of the discharging, conveying, and stacking unit of the first embodiment for explanation.

[0276] The banknote discharging and stacking device M2 of the third embodiment has a structure without the forming mechanism in the first embodiment, and can make the banknotes discharged onto the payout tray in a state with a curling tendency land neatly through the cooperation of the impeller 650 and the guiding member (guiding protrusion) 710.

[0277] In this embodiment, the banknotes with a curling tendency are discharged onto the payout tray in a state where the curling tendency has been restored, but it is possible to eliminate the bad conditions where the banknotes fall off the payout tray or the stacked banknotes are pushed out and dropped due to friction between the banknotes.

[0278] 《Basic Structure》

[0279] The banknote discharging and stacking device M2 has the following basic structure.

[0280] That is, the discharging, conveying, and stacking unit 800 that constitutes the banknote discharging and stacking device M2 is a unit that discharges and stacks the banknotes discharged one by one from the circulation units 30 and 40 that receive and store the banknotes and pay out the stored banknotes to the outside onto the payout tray. It includes: a discharging and conveying path 510 that discharges and conveys the paid-out banknotes; a discharging and conveying mechanism 520 that imparts a conveying force to the paid-out banknotes B (hereinafter referred to as banknotes B) on this discharging and conveying path; a final discharging mechanism (hereinafter referred to as the discharging mechanism) 810 that is located at the downstream part of the discharging and conveying path and discharges the paid-out banknotes onto the payout tray; and a payout tray 700 on which the banknotes discharged from the discharging mechanism are stacked.

[0281] The discharging mechanism 810 includes: a rotating shaft (drive shaft) 552 that is arranged orthogonally to the conveying direction of the paid-out banknote B and is rotationally driven in the discharging direction; and a final roller pair that is composed of drive rollers 555 and 600 whose axles are fixed to this rotating shaft, and follower rollers 556 and 601 that form a clamping portion n1 for banknote conveying between the respective drive rollers.

[0282] On a rod shaft (parallel to the rotating shaft) 672 arranged at a position upstream of the rotating shaft 552 in the discharging direction, the rear part of the banknote pressing rod 670 is pivotally supported so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction. This banknote pressing rod is configured to be able to make the front part contact the upper surface of the payout tray (or the upper surface of the stacked banknotes) by its own weight when in the lowest position.

[0283] During the process of the banknote B passing through the discharging mechanism 810, the banknote pressing rod 670 rotates up and down by the action of the banknote that contacts and passes through its lower surface side.

[0284] Impellers 650 whose axles are respectively fixed to the rotating shaft 552 are arranged on both axial outer sides of each of the drive rollers 555 and 600.

[0285] On the upper surface of the pay-out tray that interferes with the movement locus of the blade 654, there is provided a guiding member (guiding protrusion) 710 that contacts the blade and allows it to elastically deform and rotate upward (through).

[0286] The structures of the impeller and the guiding member are the same as those in the first embodiment, so repeated descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0287] <Discharge conveying and stacking section>

[0288] Hereinafter, the discharge conveying and stacking section 800 will be described in detail.

[0289] The discharge conveying and stacking section 500 of the first embodiment includes a forming mechanism 550 having drive rollers 555, 600, tension rollers 556, 601, and flanges 605, 607, 609. That is, all the banknotes discharged onto the pay-out tray are in a state where the tendency to curl in the long side direction is eliminated or reduced by the forming mechanism.

[0290] In contrast, the discharge conveying and stacking section 800 of the third embodiment only includes a discharge mechanism 810 composed of the drive rollers 555, 600 and the tension rollers 556, 601. The discharge mechanism 810 does not have flanges 605, 607, 609, so it does not have the function of forming the short sides of banknotes into a specified shape to enhance stiffness. The axis of the impeller 650 is fixed to the rotating shafts 552 of the drive rollers, and the impeller 650 is arranged on both axial sides of the drive rollers.

[0291] When banknotes with an upward curling tendency are discharged from the discharge mechanism 810, as Figure 18 shown, they are discharged onto the pay-out tray in a curled state.

[0292] When banknotes are discharged onto the pay-out tray through the drive rollers 555, 600 and the tension rollers 556, 601 (the final roller pair), when the banknotes with an upward curling tendency are pressed by the rod 670 and fall onto the pay-out tray, the front end portion that may bend downward may interfere with the rear end portion of the stacked banknotes and push them out, or fall from the front end of the pay-out tray due to its own weight.

[0293] In contrast, in this embodiment, through the cooperation of the guiding member protruding on the pay-out tray and the impeller, an appropriate part of the banknote just discharged is captured, which is the rear part of the banknote in this example, and excessive forward movement (causing it to move backward) is prevented. Therefore, it is possible to prevent it from falling from the pay-out tray due to its own weight. In addition, the temporarily stacked banknotes are pressed against the guiding member by the continuously rotating blades at their rear parts and cannot move forward. Therefore, it is possible to prevent them from being pushed out by the subsequent banknotes.

[0294] According to this embodiment, in the discharge conveying and stacking unit 800 having a discharge mechanism 810 that only discharges banknotes onto the payout tray without forming the short side shape of the banknotes to correct the curling tendency, in order to eliminate the problem that the discharged banknotes fly off the payout tray and fall, or push out the stacked banknotes, it can be dealt with only by replacing the payout tray with a guiding member with a conventional payout tray without a guiding member.

[0295] <The folding action by the discharge conveying and stacking unit>

[0296] Hereinafter, through Figures 17 to 20 The folding action of the banknotes by the discharge conveying and stacking unit 800 of the third embodiment will be described.

[0297] Figure 17 (a) to (d) are explanatory diagrams (side longitudinal sectional views) of the operation of the discharge conveying and stacking unit 800 showing the state until the front end of the banknote B with an upward curling tendency discharged and conveyed in the discharge conveying path abuts against the rod and lifts the rod and the front end of the banknote just passes through the discharge mechanism 810.

[0298] Figure 18 (e), (f) are explanatory diagrams (side longitudinal sectional views) of the operation of the discharge conveying and stacking unit 800 showing the state before the rear end of the banknote B passes through the discharge mechanism and the state just after passing through the forming mechanism. Figure 18 (g), (h), Figure 19 (i) to (l), Figure 20 (m) to (o) are diagrams for explaining the process before the banknote falls onto the payout tray and the operation steps of the blade folding the banknote backward.

[0299] Figure 17 (a) to (d) and Figure 18 (e), (f) have the same processing steps as Figure 11 (a) to (d) and Figure 12 (e), (f), so the description is simplified.

[0300] In addition, Figure 18 (g), (h), Figure 19 (i) to (l), Figure 20 (m) to (o) have the same processing steps as Figure 12 (g), (h), Figure 13 (i) to (l), Figure 14 (m) to (o) in the first embodiment except that the front and rear parts are bent downward due to the upward curling of the discharged banknote, so the repeated description is reduced and the description is centered on the differences. Therefore, for the repeated parts where the description is omitted, please refer to the corresponding descriptions in the first embodiment for understanding.

[0301] In Figure 17 (a), the banknote B conveyed in the discharge conveyance path 510 contacts the lower surface of the rod 670 at a position directly in front of the clamping portion n1 of the final roller pair and starts to be pressed. Since the rod shaft 672 is located at a position further rearward than the rotation shaft 552, the front end portion of the banknote contacts the rod at a position upstream of the rotation shaft and starts to be lifted. Moreover, a sufficiently long distance L3 is ensured between the rod shaft and the contact point C, and the initial angle θ of the rod is set relatively large to be close to 180 degrees, so that the rod can be lifted with a relatively small force ((b), (c)). The front end of the banknote having a tendency to bend downward is given a stronger stiffness within the discharge conveyance path 510 as in the case of the first embodiment, and the curling tendency is temporarily corrected, so that the rod can be lifted.

[0302] When the banknote passes through the discharge mechanism 810, it passes through the clamping portions n1 of the respective drive rollers 555, 600 and the respective tension rollers 556, 601.

[0303] In Figure 17 (d), the front end of the banknote starts to protrude from the clamping portion n1, and the rod is pressed by the banknote and further lifted. The front end portion of the banknote just discharged from the clamping portion n1 resumes the downward bending tendency, but for the above reasons, the rod can be lifted with a relatively small force, so that it can withstand the rod and be lifted with a relatively small force.

[0304] In Figure 18 (e), the front portion of the banknote other than the rear portion clamped by the clamping portions n1 of the respective drive rollers and the respective driven rollers curls downward, but the rod 670 is configured to be liftable with a relatively small force. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the banknote can continue to lift the rod. The height position of the rod at this time is not the maximum height of the movable region of the rod, but is lifted to the maximum extent possible. That is, the banknote is discharged along the lower surface of the rod lifted to the illustrated height position, and the front end of the banknote contacts the upper surface of the payout tray (the upper surface 705a of the telescopic member).

[0305] This figure (f) shows a state where the rear end of the banknote B has completely separated from the discharge mechanism 810. Since the free banknote is not formed into a straight shape as in the first embodiment, as shown in the figure, the contact portion with the front end portion of the rod 670 is pressed downward and deformed into a concave shape at this stage. Since the banknote has a momentum of being discharged in the discharge direction, in the absence of the impeller and the guide member 710, it attempts to be discharged along the lower surface of the rod. Therefore, it is likely to contact the stacked banknotes and push them out to cause them to fall, or fall from the front end of the payout tray by itself.

[0306] Next, in Figure 18In the stages of (g) and (h), the rear part of the banknote that has disengaged from the clamping portion n1 of the final roller pair returns to its original downward-curled shape. Additionally, the front end of the banknote attempts to protrude from the front end of the payout tray in a downward-bent state, and if this state is maintained, there is a possibility of it falling off from the front end of the payout tray. In particular, when the length of the payout tray in the front-rear direction is further shortened, when the banknote being discharged is pressed by the rod and descends onto the payout tray, its front end easily protrudes significantly from the front edge of the shortened payout tray and drops off.

[0307] To eliminate this problem, in the present invention, it is configured such that after the moment when the rear end portion of the banknote disengages from the clamping portion n1 as shown in (g) and (h), the forward movement of the banknote is blocked by the cooperation of the respective blades 654 of the impeller and the guide member 710, and it is deflected rearward.

[0308] That is, on the upper surface of the payout tray corresponding to the space 702 for retraction provided at the rear of the payout tray 700, the guide member 710 as a protrusion is fixedly arranged at a position corresponding to the movement locus of the blades 654 of each impeller. Through the cooperative operation of the guide member and the impeller, the banknote B temporarily discharged onto the payout tray is made to retreat toward the space 702, thereby releasing the state where the front end protrudes from the front edge of the payout tray.

[0309] The arrangement and height of the guide member 710 are configured such that the deflection by the blades starts in the stage where the rear part of the banknote that has fallen onto the payout tray is in the air before falling onto the upper surface 716 or the rear edge 716a of the guide member as shown in (g) and (h). That is, it is configured such that the first contact of the falling banknote with the blade occurs when the banknote is in the air ((at the moment of (f) or (g))).

[0310] In addition, since there are deviations in the behavior of the banknote, sometimes the front end of the blade also contacts the rear part of the banknote after or simultaneously with the rear part of the banknote falling onto the upper surface of the guide member, but it has been confirmed that in this case, the banknote can be deflected rearward without any problems.

[0311] The lengths and positional relationships of the respective blades 654 are set such that the respective blades 654 always slide in contact with the outer surface of the guide member 710 during the rotational movement.

[0312] Additionally, the rotational speed of the impeller, the rotational timing of the blade relative to the discharged banknote, and the length of the blade (the rotational orbit of the blade tip) are selected such that Figure 18 (g), (h), Figure 19 (i), (j) shown, the blade 654c rotating and moving from above can capture the bent rear part of the banknote discharged onto the payout tray and pull it downward toward the guide member 710.

[0313] With this configuration, even when the discharged banknote attempts to fly excessively forward, the blade 654c can catch the rear end of the banknote in the air at an earlier stage when the rear part of the banknote is discharged, and start to gather the banknote downward and rearward. Further, when the blade 654c reaches the rear end edge 716a of the guide member, the rear part of the banknote starts to be clamped between the blade and the rear end edge. After that, the entire banknote can be gathered rearward while being clamped between the front end of the blade and the curved guide surface 720. Figure 19 (k), (l), Figure 20 (m) to (o).

[0314] In addition, similar to the case of the first embodiment, by appropriately selecting and setting the contact timing between each blade and each banknote, in other words, the rotation speed of each blade and the discharge speed of each banknote, the operation of forcibly pulling the banknote downward and rearward can be started at the moment when the rear part of the banknote in the air contacts the blade. After that, when the blade descends to the position where it contacts the upper surface and the rear end edge of the guide member, the rear part of the banknote is in a state of being clamped between the blade and the guide member. Therefore, the banknote is reliably gathered rearward along the curved guide surface 720 by the subsequent rotation operation of the blade. Therefore, regardless of the difference in the long side direction dimension, all banknotes are stacked on the payout tray with their rear ends aligned and do not fall from the front end edge of the payout tray.

[0315] In the present embodiment, as Figure 18 (g) to Figure 20 (o) shows, after the front end part of the banknote discharged onto the payout tray temporarily descends onto the payout tray (on the telescopic member 705), it is pulled rearward. When observing this phenomenon from the refund opening side, the banknote moves in the following manner: it is discharged in a state of temporarily protruding from the front end edge of the payout tray, but is immediately pulled rearward and stops.

[0316] In addition, since the banknote discharged from the discharge mechanism 810 resumes its tendency to curl, there may be deviations in the dropping path and the dropping timing. Therefore, the blade may not always be able to catch the rear part of the banknote in the air at the same timing. The rear part of the banknote may also fall onto the guide member before the blade contacts it. However, according to the present embodiment, in such a case, the blade can also gather the rear part of the banknote rearward while clamping it between the blade and the guide member.

[0317] To describe in more detail, the banknote discharged from the discharging mechanism 810 has a tendency to curl. Therefore, the curling tendency is restored at the moment when the banknote detaches from the discharging mechanism, and the rear end of the banknote curls in a form of retreating from the blade, and it is possible that the rear part of the banknote drops onto the guiding member 710 before contacting the blade. However, according to the structure of the present embodiment, even in such a case, the rear part of the banknote is hooked on the guiding member and the forward movement is blocked, and is caught by the front end of the blade descending subsequently and is deflected rearward. As a result, it is possible to prevent the banknote from falling off the payout tray.

[0318] Next, based on the structures and functions of the impeller 650, the rod 670, the guiding member 710, etc. as described above, the operation of the impeller to gather the banknote discharged from the discharging mechanism 810 rearward while being pressed downward by the rod will be further described.

[0319] As Figure 18 As shown in (g) and (h), when the downwardly rotating blade 654c contacts the rear part of the banknote B discharged from the discharging mechanism 810 onto the payout tray while the rear part is still in the air, the blade starts to reliably catch the banknote and, in cooperation with the pressing action of the rod, forcefully deflect it downward and rearward. That is, the banknote discharged from the discharging mechanism 810 is urged forward, so it tries to move toward the front edge of the payout tray 700 in the air. In contrast, by bringing the downwardly moving blade 654c into contact with the rear part of the banknote located in the air as shown in the figure, it is possible to weaken the momentum of the banknote trying to advance and stop the movement in the forward direction, and further guide it in the direction of rotation movement of the blade 654c (downward and rearward).

[0320] In Figure 18 (g) and (h), when the blade 654c continues to rotate downward after catching the rear part of the banknote B in the air, as Figure 19 As shown in (i) and (j), the blade 654c presses the rear part of the banknote downward until it contacts the upper surface 761 and the rear edge 761a of the guiding member 710. At this moment, the rear part of the banknote is clamped and held between the lower surface (high friction area 656) of the blade 654c and the rear edge 761a. Therefore, as the blade further continues to rotate and move, the banknote moves rearward along the curved guiding surface 720 and the rear guiding surface 722.

[0321] In Figure 20 At the moment of (o), the blade 654c substantially detaches from the rear end of the banknote, so the rearward movement of the banknote stops. In addition, a stopper for aligning the rear ends of the banknotes deflected rearward may be provided at the terminal portion of the space 702 for retreat as needed.

[0322] As described above, at a moment earlier than when the rear part of the banknote discharged from the discharge mechanism 810 drops (contacts) onto the rear end edge 716a, the blade 654c contacts the rear part of the banknote at a position in front of and above the rear end edge 716a and starts to gather it in a manner that causes it to return downward and rearward (in a direction opposite to the banknote discharge direction). In other words, the contact position (first contact position) C1 between the blade and the banknote can be set at a position farther along the rotation trajectory of the blade. Therefore, it is possible to start pulling the banknote rearward at an earlier stage before the landing of the banknote on the payout tray is completed, and thus it is possible to speed up the processing speed of banknote stacking.

[0323] Moreover, by providing the guide member 710, it is possible for the rear part of the banknote during its fall to contact the rear end edge 716a of the guide member at a position above the upper surface 701 of the payout tray. That is, it is possible to hook the rear part of the banknote by the rear end edge 716a at an earlier timing before the rear part of the banknote lands on the payout tray. Therefore, it is possible to quickly pull rearward a banknote that has temporarily landed on the payout tray in a state of flying out from the front end edge of the payout tray and make it stop at an optimal position. In particular, in the case of a wrinkled banknote, when it is discharged onto the payout tray, sometimes it is not possible to sufficiently perform the rearward pull only by pressing with the blade. Therefore, the point of contact between the blade and the banknote is set in the air, and by cooperating with the guide member for pulling, the gathering process of the wrinkled banknote becomes reliable.

[0324] According to the above structure, regardless of the size of the long side direction dimension of the banknote, it is possible to align the rear ends of all the banknotes discharged onto the payout tray in a line in sequence. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the banknotes from protruding excessively or falling from the front end edge of the payout tray, and it can become an optimal state for the user to batch-remove multiple banknotes stacked on the payout tray.

[0325] In addition, there is a strong requirement to make the payout tray as small and short as possible. Since it is possible to align the rear ends of the discharged banknotes with reference to the rear part of the payout tray, such a requirement can be met.

[0326] As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to eliminate the defect that the front end of the banknote crosses the front end edge of the payout tray due to the momentum when being discharged from the discharge mechanism 550 and is likely to slip due to its own weight. In addition, the blade of the continuously rotating and moving impeller presses the rear part of the stacked banknotes between the guide members, so the defect that the subsequent banknotes push out the stacked banknotes is also eliminated.

[0327] [Summary of the structure, function, and effect of the present invention]

[0328] 《First Invention (First and Second Embodiments)》

[0329] The first embodiment of the present invention is a paper discharge stacking device M2 that continuously discharges the paper discharged from the circulation units 30 and 40 that store the conveyed paper and discharge the stored paper to the outside, one by one, with its short side as the leading end, and stacks them on the discharge tray 700. The unit comprises: a discharge conveying path 510 that conveys the paper to the discharge tray; and a forming mechanism 550 that forms the paper conveyed on the discharge conveying path into a short side shape (the shape of the side extending in a direction intersecting with the conveying direction) and discharges it onto the discharge tray after it becomes a specified shape (a shape that enhances stiffness) in the entire long side direction.

[0330] In the forming operation performed by the forming mechanism 550, upward protrusions (curved portions protruding upward) and downward protrusions (curved portions protruding downward) are alternately formed along the short side direction of the paper, and the two end portions S2 of the short side of the paper are tilted upward (protruding obliquely upward).

[0331] In paper processing equipment such as banknotes, there is an increasing demand for recycling machines. When dispensing multiple banknotes, in order to improve processing speed, it is preferable to configure the machine to continuously dispense each banknote onto a discharge tray, and the user can only remove the banknote bundle after all banknotes have been accumulated.

[0332] Conventional machines that dispense bills one by one do not dispense the next bill until the user removes the bill being dispensed. This takes time to complete the dispensing process. However, even if a bill is curled, it does not collide with the stacked bills. The time required to dispense ten bills depends on the time it takes the user to remove the bills, but typically takes about two seconds.

[0333] On the other hand, when discharging banknotes one by one and accumulating them on the discharge tray for batch removal, the banknote discharge speed is the same as that of conventional equipment, and the time required to pay out one out of ten banknotes can be shortened to 1.5 seconds.

[0334] However, in the case of continuous stacking, a new problem of collision with existing banknotes will arise. However, this problem of collision with existing banknotes can be solved by simple specifications.

[0335] Specifically, the present invention can prevent banknote curling, which can cause poor discharge and stacking on the discharge tray (e.g., previous banknotes being pushed out, inconsistent with the stacking state, deviations in the banknote's own stopping position, or falling). Furthermore, in addition to curling, poor discharge and stacking caused by deformation such as folds and wrinkles on the banknotes, as well as reduced stiffness, can also be eliminated.

[0336] Both ends S2, S2 of the short side of the banknote are located above the downward protruding portion P2, which can avoid collision with the stacked banknotes. By maintaining the height of the upward protruding portion P3 at both ends at the same level as or higher than the upward protruding portion P1 at the center, the possibility of the above collision can be further reduced.

[0337] In the paper discharge stacking device M2 of the second embodiment, it is characterized in that: the short side shape of the paper after being formed by the forming mechanism 550 is a substantially left-right symmetric shape.

[0338] The short side shape of the paper after being formed by the forming mechanism only needs to have both ends retracted upward, but considering the process of discharging onto the discharge tray, the seating stability after discharge, the operability of the user, etc., a left-right symmetric shape is preferred.

[0339] In the paper discharge stacking device M2 of the third embodiment, it is characterized in that: the short side shape of the paper after being formed by the forming mechanism 550 is a substantially W shape.

[0340] The short side shape of the paper after being formed by the forming mechanism only needs to have both ends retracted upward, but a substantially W shape with an upward protruding portion P1 at the center and downward protruding portions P2 on both sides thereof can reduce the number of parts of the forming mechanism and make it more compact, so it has high practicality.

[0341] In the paper discharge stacking device M2 of the fourth embodiment, it is characterized in that: the forming mechanism 550 at least includes: a rotating shaft 552, which is arranged orthogonally to the paper conveying direction and is rotationally driven in the discharge direction; a central flange 605, whose axis is fixed to this rotating shaft; two roller pairs, which are composed of two driving rollers 555, 600 respectively arranged on both axial sides of the central flange at a predetermined interval and whose axes are fixed to the rotating shaft, and driven rollers 556, 601 that form clamping portions n1 for paper conveying between each driving roller; and outer flanges 607, 609, which are respectively arranged on the outer sides of the axles of the two driving rollers and whose axes are fixed to the rotating shaft.

[0342] The conventional discharge mechanism for discharging paper onto the payout tray is composed of a roller pair, which is composed of a driving roller and a driven roller, but in the present invention, it is a structure in which only three flanges are added to the conventional discharge mechanism. By suppressing the number of parts to the minimum necessary, the structure can be simplified and miniaturized. In addition, there is a limit to the space of the cavity E for storage, but if it is this structure, a design with a margin can be carried out.

[0343] The paper discharge and stacking device M2 of the fifth embodiment is characterized by including: a paper pressing rod 670, the rear part of which is pivotally supported by a rod shaft 672 disposed at a position upstream of the rotation shaft 552 in the paper conveyance direction and above the discharge conveyance path 510 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction, and the front part (the part closer to the front than the rod shaft) of which protrudes over the rotation shaft onto the discharge tray. The paper pressing rod has a structure that rotates up and down under the action of the paper passing under it during the process of the paper passing through the forming mechanism. The paper pressing rod is disposed at an axial position where it interferes with the central flange 605, and an opening 673 that allows rotation in the vertical direction while avoiding the central flange is provided at the portion of the paper pressing rod that interferes with the central flange.

[0344] The rod shaft is located at a position upstream of the rotation shaft 552, and the front part of the rod protrudes forward over the rotation shaft. Therefore, the rod becomes longer, and the initial angle θ during descent becomes larger, making it easier to lift the rod when inserting the paper.

[0345] The paper discharge and stacking device M2 of the sixth embodiment is characterized in that: when the paper pressing rod 670 descends, a part of the paper pressing rod interferes with the discharge conveyance path.

[0346] The contact between the paper and the rod and the start of lifting the rod are carried out in the discharge conveyance path 510 upstream of the forming mechanism 550. The distance between the contact portion C between the rod and the front end of the paper relative to the rod shaft can be shortened, so it becomes easier for the paper to lift the rod.

[0347] The paper discharge and stacking device M2 of the seventh embodiment is characterized in that it is configured to prevent a part of the paper from falling into the gap between the two inner side edges of the opening 673 of the paper pressing rod 670 and the two outer side surfaces of the central flange 605.

[0348] In other words, the width of the central flange is configured to prevent a part of the paper from falling into the gap G2 formed between the two inner side edges of the opening and the two outer side surfaces of the central flange.

[0349] Sometimes, the paper with extremely reduced stiffness (creased paper) cannot fully lift the paper pressing rod after being discharged from the forming mechanism, resulting in buckling or the like. The reason is that the gap between the central flange and the opening of the paper pressing rod is too large, so a part of the paper falls into the gap and the stiffness decreases, reducing the force to lift the paper pressing rod.

[0350] In the present invention, by sufficiently increasing the width of the central flange to eliminate the gap or reduce the gap, it is possible to prevent a part of the creased paper from falling into the gap, and to support the paper by the outer peripheral surface of the central flange to maintain an upward posture without being pressed by the paper pressing rod.

[0351] In the paper discharge stacking device M2 of the eighth embodiment, it is characterized in that: the discharge tray 700 has: a base surface 701; protruding portions 703 which protrude forward from both end portions in the width direction of the base surface and have upward inclined surfaces 703a on the upper surfaces; a telescopic member (inclined surface forming member) 705 which is configured such that the rear portion is pivotally supported in a groove or hole 704 provided at the inner edge portion of each protruding portion so that the front portion can rotate in the vertical direction; and an elastic member which biases the protruding position of the telescopic member upward.

[0352] Since the telescopic member is always in a protruding state, it has a function of applying braking to the discharged paper. On the other hand, when the user takes out the paper stacked on the discharge tray, the protruding telescopic member becomes a certain obstacle. Therefore, it is configured to be able to retract the telescopic member by the user pressing down.

[0353] The cyclic paper processing device 1 of the ninth embodiment is characterized by comprising: a paper inlet (deposit and withdrawal port) 5; a guiding portion 11 which receives and conveys (feeds in) the paper input from the inlet along the long side direction of the paper; cyclic units 30, 40 which receive and store the paper and discharge the stored paper to the outside; and any one of the above paper discharge stacking devices M2, wherein the cyclic unit comprises a cyclic drum which stacks and stores the paper sheet by sheet on the outer peripheral surface by forward rotation and discharges the paper on the outer peripheral surface sheet by sheet by reverse rotation.

[0354] This cyclic paper processing device has all the functions and advantages exerted by the above-mentioned respective paper discharge stacking devices M2.

[0355] 《Second Invention (Third Embodiment)》

[0356] The paper discharge stacking device M2 of the first embodiment in the second invention is a unit that discharges and stacks the paper discharged from the cyclic units 30, 40 that store the conveyed paper and discharge the stored paper to the outside, with the short side as the front end, sheet by sheet, onto the discharge tray 700, and it comprises: a discharge conveyance path 510 which conveys the paper to the discharge tray; a final discharge mechanism 810 which is located downstream of the discharge conveyance path; a discharge tray 700 on which the paper bills discharged from the final discharge mechanism are stacked; and a paper pressing rod 670 which is pivotally supported at the rear portion to be rotatable in the vertical direction in order to press the paper discharged from the final discharge mechanism, and the front portion thereof protrudes onto the discharge tray.

[0357] The final discharge mechanism 810 includes: a rotary shaft 552, which is disposed orthogonally to the paper conveyance direction and is rotationally driven in the discharge direction; and a final roller pair, which is composed of at least two drive rollers 555, 600 whose axes are fixed to this rotary shaft, and follower rollers 556, 601 that respectively form nip portions n1 for paper conveyance between the drive rollers.

[0358] On the outer sides in the axial directions of the drive rollers, impellers 650 whose axes are respectively fixed to the rotary shaft are provided. The blades constituting the impellers have a movement locus that contacts and presses down on banknotes discharged from the final discharge mechanism during the downward rotation toward the upper surface of the discharge tray. On the upper surface of the discharge tray that interferes with the movement locus of the blades, guide protrusions (guide members) 710 that interfere with the blades and allow them to rotate and move elastically (pass through) are provided. The guide protrusions include: first contact portions 716, 716a, which contact the rear portion of the paper discharged onto the discharge tray by the final discharge mechanism (final roller pair) at a position higher than the upper surface of the discharge tray (prior to the upper surface of the discharge tray); and a (curved) guide surface 720, which extends downward (curvingly) from the first contact portion toward the rear (upstream side) in the discharge direction.

[0359] Since the first contact portion is located at a position where it contacts the front end portion of the blade that rotates and moves, the front end portion of the blade elastically deforms and contacts and passes through. In order to be able to gather the paper backward in cooperation with the blade, the curved guide surface 720 and the rear guide surface 722 are also selected in terms of their shape and positional relationship such that the front end portion of the blade elastically deforms and contacts and moves.

[0360] The paper discharge and stacking device M2 of the second embodiment is characterized in that: the movement locus of the blade is set such that the first contact of the blade with the paper occurs when the rear portion of the paper is in the air, and the matching with the paper discharge timing is ensured.

[0361] At an earlier stage after the rear end of the paper disengages from the final discharge mechanism, that is, during the period when the rear end of the paper is in the air, the blade catches the paper and starts to gather it backward, thereby reliably preventing the paper from flying out and falling from the front end of the discharge tray.

[0362] The paper discharge and stacking device M2 of the third embodiment is characterized in that, after the blade 654 contacts the rear portion of the paper at a position higher than the first contact portion and then rotates and moves downward and rearward, the paper portion in contact with the blade moves successively with the blade via the first contact portion to the curved guide surface 720.

[0363] Match the timing of paper discharge with the timing of blade movement so that the blade contacts the rear part of the paper at a position above the first contact part, that is, in the air, thereby enabling the backward gathering action to start earlier. Additionally, as a result, it is possible to bring the rear part of the paper into contact with the first contact part of the guide member earlier and continue to quickly gather it backward.

[0364] In the paper discharge and stacking device M2 of the fourth embodiment, it is characterized in that: in the paper pressing rod 670, its rear part is pivotally supported by a rod shaft 672 disposed at a position upstream of the rotation shaft 552 in the paper conveyance direction and above the discharge conveyance path 510 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction, and its front part protrudes over the rotation shaft onto the discharge tray.

[0365] The rod shaft provided at the base end of the paper pressing rod is disposed at a position upstream of the final discharge mechanism. Therefore, the stiffness of the paper having a tendency to curl, etc., conveyed in the discharge conveyance path is temporarily strengthened, and even a weak force can lift the paper pressing rod. The impeller and the guide protrusion can control the dropping path of the banknote and gather it backward through cooperation with the paper pressing rod.

[0366] In the paper discharge and stacking device M2 of the fifth embodiment, it is characterized in that: the discharge tray 700 has: a base surface 701; protrusions 703 that protrude forward from both end portions in the width direction of the base surface and have upward inclined surfaces 703a on the upper surface; a telescopic member (inclined surface forming member) 705 configured such that its rear part is pivotally supported in a groove or hole 704 provided at the inner edge portion of each protrusion so that the front part can rotate in the vertical direction; and an elastic member that biases the upward protruding position of the telescopic member.

[0367] Since the telescopic member is always in a protruding state, it has a function of applying braking to the discharged paper. On the other hand, when the user takes out the paper stacked on the discharge tray, the protruding telescopic member becomes a certain obstacle. Therefore, it is configured to be able to retract the telescopic member by the user pressing down.

[0368] The cyclic paper processing device of the sixth embodiment is characterized by including: a paper inlet (deposit and withdrawal port) 5; a guiding portion 11 that receives and conveys (feeds in) the paper input from the inlet along the long side direction of the paper; cyclic units 30, 40 that receive and store the paper and pay out the stored paper to the outside; and any one of the above paper discharge and stacking devices M2. The cyclic unit includes a cyclic drum that stacks and stores the paper one by one on the outer peripheral surface by forward rotation and pays out the paper on the outer peripheral surface one by one by reverse rotation.

[0369] This cyclic paper processing device has all the functions and advantages exerted by each of the above paper discharge and stacking devices M2.

[0370] Symbol Explanation

[0371] 1: Banknote processing device; 3: Housing; M: Deposit and withdrawal processing unit; M1: First unit; M2: Second unit (paper discharge and stacking device, batch expenditure unit); 5: Deposit and withdrawal port (input port); 7: Payout port (discharge port); B: Payout banknote P1; P2, P3: Protrusions; 9a: Deposit banknote conveying path; 9b: Stored banknote conveying path; 9c: Conveying path inside the housing; 11: Batch deposit section (introduction section); 15: Identification section; 30, 40: Cyclic banknote storage section (cyclic unit); 31, 35, 41, 45: Cyclic drums; 50: Recycling bin; 60: Housing; 61: First distribution section; 65: Second distribution section; 65a: Distribution piece; 100: Cyclic unit; 105, 110: Reels; 106a: Guide roller; 111a: Guide roller; 200: Cyclic unit; 310: Baffle; 500: Discharge conveying and stacking section; 510: Discharge conveying path; 510a: Conveying guide; 512a: Roller; 514: Baffle; 517: Conveying roller; 520: Discharge conveying mechanism; 550: Shaping mechanism; 552: Rotating shaft; 555, 600: Driving rollers; 556, 601: Tension rollers; 562: Base section; 580: Paper feed sensor; 605: Central flange; 607, 609: Outer flanges; 650: Impeller; 652: Base section; 654: Blades; 656: High friction area; 656a: Protrusion; 656b: Recess; 660: Frame; 670: Rod; 670a: Branch section; 672: Rod shaft; 673: Opening section; 675: Counterweight component; 700: Payout tray (discharge tray); 701: Base surface (first upper surface); 702: Space; 703: Protrusion; 703a: Inclined surface (second upper surface); 704: Groove (hole); 705: Telescopic component (inclined surface forming member); 705a: Upper surface; 710: Guide component (guide protrusion); 715: Front protrusion; 716: Upper surface; 716a: Rear edge; 720: Curved guide surface; 722: Rear guide surface; 800: Discharge conveying and stacking section; 810: Final discharge mechanism; 1000: Control unit.

Claims

1. A paper discharging and stacking device, which discharges and stacks the papers discharged from the circulation unit that stores the conveyed papers and discharges the stored papers to the outside, one by one with their short sides as the front ends, onto the discharge tray. The paper discharging and stacking device is characterized by comprising: A discharge conveying path that conveys the papers to the discharge tray; A final discharge mechanism located downstream of the discharge conveying path; The discharge tray for stacking the papers discharged from the final discharge mechanism; and A paper pressing rod, the rear part of which is pivotally supported to be rotatable in the vertical direction in order to press the papers discharged from the final discharge mechanism, and the front part of which protrudes onto the discharge tray. The final discharge mechanism comprises: A rotating shaft that is arranged orthogonally to the conveying direction of the papers and is rotationally driven in the discharge direction; and A final roller pair composed of at least two driving rollers with axles fixed to the rotating shaft and a driven roller that forms a clamping portion for paper conveyance between each driving roller. On the outer sides in the axial direction of each driving roller, there are impellers with axles respectively fixed to the rotating shaft. The blades constituting each impeller have a movement locus that contacts and presses down the papers discharged from the final discharge mechanism during the downward rotation toward the upper surface of the discharge tray. On the discharge tray, there are guiding protrusions that interfere with the blades and allow their elastic deformation during rotational movement. The guiding protrusions comprise: A first contact portion that contacts the rear part of the papers discharged onto the discharge tray through the final discharge mechanism at a position higher than the upper surface of the discharge tray; and A guiding surface that extends downward from the first contact portion toward the rear in the discharge direction.

2. The paper discharging and stacking device according to claim 1, wherein: The movement locus of the blades is set such that the first contact between the blades and the papers occurs when the rear part of the papers is in the air, and the matching with the paper discharge timing is ensured.

3. The paper discharging and stacking device according to claim 2, wherein The paper discharging and stacking device is configured as follows: during the process of the blades rotating downward and rearward after contacting the rear part of the papers at a position higher than the first contact portion, the paper portion contacting the blades moves successively with the blades through the first contact portion to the guiding surface.

4. The paper discharging and stacking device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein In the paper pressing rod, the rear part is pivotally supported to be rotatable in the vertical direction by a rod shaft arranged at a position upstream of the rotating shaft in the paper conveying direction and above the discharge conveying path, and the front part protrudes onto the discharge tray beyond the rotating shaft.

5. The paper discharging and stacking device according to claim 1, wherein The discharge tray has: A base surface; Inclined protrusions that protrude forward from both ends in the width direction of the base surface respectively, and have upward inclined surfaces on the upper surfaces. A telescopic member configured such that the rear portion is pivotally supported in a groove or hole provided at the inner edge portion of each of the inclined protrusions, so that the front portion can rotate in the vertical direction; and An elastic member that biases the telescopic member to the upward protruding position.

6. A cyclic paper processing device, characterized in that, Comprising: A paper inlet; A guiding portion that receives and conveys the paper introduced from the inlet along the long side direction of the paper; A circulation unit that receives and stores the paper and discharges the stored paper to the outside; and The paper discharging and stacking device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The circulation unit includes a circulation drum that stacks and stores the papers one by one on the outer peripheral surface by forward rotation and discharges the papers on the outer peripheral surface one by one by reverse rotation.

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