DEVICE FOR PROCESSING VALUE DOCUMENTS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for processing valuable documents, in particular a valuable document processing device. The valuable documents are, for example, banknotes, tickets, vouchers, etc.

[0002] In a document processing system, the documents are typically transported individually, one after the other, along a transport path past sensors that check the documents, for example, for authenticity, condition, or type. The sensors check, for example, optical, magnetic, or other properties of the respective document. Often, several such sensors are arranged sequentially along a sensor path, and sometimes there are also opposing sensors located opposite each other with respect to the transport plane of the documents, between which the documents are guided.

[0003] GB 2090685 A discloses a device for processing valuable documents with a transport path and a sensor arranged in the transport path. A convex guide element, adjustable by a screw, is positioned in front of the sensor.

[0004] Depending on the measuring principle or operating principle of the respective sensor, it is advisable to position the sensors at a specific distance from the transport plane of the valuables. However, if a sensor is positioned very close to the transport plane, there is a risk that the valuables will get caught on an edge of the sensor, leading to transport problems. Therefore, a guide element is usually positioned directly in front of the sensor. This guide element directs the transported valuables so that they remain within their transport plane as much as possible and are transported safely past the sensor without getting caught on the edge. However, if such a guide element extends very close to the transport plane, transport problems can occur because, at this narrow point, there is a risk that the valuables will become entangled or stuck on the guide element itself.

[0005] If several such guide elements come very close to the transport plane in a sensor section, this risk adds up for all these bottlenecks or guide elements.

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to propose a device for processing valuable documents in which the risk of transport problems of the valuable documents along the sensor path is reduced.

[0007] This problem is solved by the device according to claim 1. Advantageous further developments and embodiments of the invention are specified in dependent claims.

[0008] The device for processing valuable documents comprises transport means for moving valuable documents along a transport path and sensors for checking the valuable documents. These sensors are arranged along the transport path such that the valuable documents can be transported past the sensors by means of the transport means. The transport means can be transport rollers or belts, e.g., flat or round belts. Viewed along the transport direction of the valuable documents, the device has an adjustable guide element immediately upstream of at least one of the sensors. The sensor immediately upstream of the adjustable guide element is also referred to as the sensor following the adjustable guide element. The valuable documents are transported in the area of ​​the sensor and in the area of ​​the adjustable guide element within a single transport plane of the transport path.The adjustable guide element is located – viewed from the transport plane – on the same side as the sensor. The sensor surface faces the transport plane of the valuable documents. Specifically, it runs parallel to the transport plane of the valuable documents.

[0009] The adjustable guide element has a guide surface facing the transported valuables. This guide surface has an entry side located at the beginning of the adjustable guide element when viewed in the transport direction, and an exit side located at the end of the adjustable guide element when viewed in the transport direction. The guide surface of the adjustable guide element, in particular its entry and exit sides, faces the valuables surfaces of the valuables being transported past the guide element along the transport direction. The adjustable guide element is designed so that the valuables can be guided or moved in a direction substantially perpendicular to the transport plane by contacting the guide surface, in particular the entry and / or exit sides, during transport.The starting edge of the guide surface of the adjustable guide element ends – viewed along the transport direction – immediately before the (downstream) sensor. The adjustable guide element is attached to a base element mounted on the document processing device, relative to which the adjustable guide element is movable. The adjustable guide element is attached to the base element in such a way that the distance between the starting edge of the guide surface of the adjustable guide element and the transport plane of the documents is adjustable such that the starting edge of the guide surface is closer to the transport plane of the documents than the sensor, which is located immediately behind the adjustable guide element in the transport direction of the documents. The device may have one or more adjustable guide elements along the sensor path and, optionally, one or more non-adjustable guide elements.

[0010] By making the distance of the output side of the guide element surface of the adjustable guide element from the transport plane adjustable, the distance of the adjustable guide element from the transport plane can be individually adapted to the distance of the subsequent sensor, in particular to the distance of the sensor surface of the subsequent sensor from the transport plane. The distance of the output side of the guide element surface of the adjustable guide element can be set depending on the distance that the sensor following the adjustable guide element has or requires from the transport plane. The distance of the output side of the guide element surface is set so that the transported document is guided towards the surface of the subsequent sensor, in particular by contacting the output side of the guide element.

[0011] Since the distance of the adjustable guide element immediately preceding a subsequent sensor, which can be positioned at various distances from the transport plane, can be adjusted accordingly, it is possible to vary the sensor's distance from the transport plane. Therefore, with appropriate tracking of the adjustable guide element, the subsequent sensor can be installed in the device at different distances from the transported valuables. In this way, the distance of the subsequent sensor (and consequently that of the adjustable guide element) to the transport plane can even be reduced without causing any transport problems.

[0012] Furthermore, at the sensor position following the adjustable guide element, a different sensor from among those intended for the sensor path can optionally be installed, e.g., a sensor that requires a small distance from the transport plane or one that requires a large distance from the transport plane. The adjustable guide element therefore allows for a flexible sequence of the sensors intended for the sensor path along the transport direction. For example, by adjusting the guide element accordingly, it is possible to swap the positions of a first sensor, which is to be positioned relatively close to the transport plane, and a second sensor, which is to be positioned relatively far from the transport plane, along the sensor path.

[0013] Adjustable guide elements offer advantages over non-adjustable guide elements, whose guide surface extends very close to the transport plane to guide the transported valuables back to the transport plane, regardless of the distance of the subsequent sensor. This is because if two opposing non-adjustable guide elements extend very close to the transport plane, a bottleneck is created for the valuables, which can cause transport problems. In contrast, if an adjustable guide element is used on one or both sides of the transport plane, its distance to the transport plane can often be increased—provided the subsequent sensor does not require such a small distance. By using adjustable guide elements, bottlenecks for the valuables and the associated transport problems can be avoided.

[0014] The base element attached to the document processing device can be either adjustable or fixed. In a first embodiment, the base element is a mounting plate of the document processing device, to which the sensors or sensor mounts are also attached. Alternatively, the base element can be fixed to another part of the document processing device. In a second embodiment, the position of the base element relative to the document processing device, particularly relative to the transport plane of the documents, is adjustable.

[0015] While the distance that the exit side of the guide element surface has from the transport plane is adjustable, the distance that the input side of the guide element surface has from the transport plane can be at least approximately unchangeable (first embodiment) or also variably adjustable (second embodiment).

[0016] The adjustable guide element is attached to the base element in a detachable and re-lockable manner. The distance between the starting surface of the adjustable guide element and the transport plane of the valuable documents can be adjusted by a process that temporarily releases the guide element from the base element. The adjustable guide element is only movable relative to the base element during this adjustment process. The attachment of the adjustable guide element to the base element is designed such that, after the attachment is released, the distance between the starting surface of the adjustable guide element and the transport plane can be changed during the adjustment process (e.g., continuously), and the adjustable guide element can then be reattached to the base element at the changed distance by locking the detachable attachment.

[0017] When the adjustable guide element is loosened from the base element, the distance of the guide surface's exit side from the transport plane is adjustable, specifically from a predefined minimum distance to a predefined maximum distance. When the adjustable guide element is locked from the base element, the distance of the guide surface's exit side from the transport plane is not adjustable. When the adjustable guide element is loosened from the base element, the mechanical connection between the adjustable guide element and the base element has some play, which allows adjustment of the distance of the guide surface's exit side from the transport plane. When the adjustable guide element is locked from the base element, the mechanical connection has no play.In particular, the mechanical play allows the distance of the exit side of the guide element surface from the transport plane to be adjusted from a predefined minimum distance to a predefined maximum distance, which is determined by the magnitude of the mechanical play. The mechanical play of the mechanical connection is preferably such that it allows a movement of the exit side of the guide element surface of at least 3 mm in the direction perpendicular to the transport plane of the valuable documents.

[0018] The mechanical connection between the adjustable guide element and the base element is designed such that the distance of the outlet side of the guide element surface from the transport plane can be adjusted to differ from the distance of the inlet side of the guide element surface from the transport plane. For example, the mechanical connection between the adjustable guide element and the base element is designed such that the guide element surface of the adjustable guide element can form an angle with the transport plane, whereby the angle can be selectively adjusted so that the distance of the guide element surface from the transport plane either increases or decreases along the transport direction. The guide element surface of the adjustable guide element forms, for example, an angle between +30° and -30° with the transport plane, whereby the angle can also be zero.The adjustment process allows the angle formed by the guide element surface of the adjustable guide element with the transport plane to be preferably continuously adjustable.

[0019] The adjustable guide element is specifically adjusted and attached to the base element such that the exit side of the guide element surface is closer to the transport plane of the valuables than the (subsequent) sensor, which is located directly behind the adjustable guide element in the transport direction of the valuables. The distance of the exit side of the guide element surface from the transport plane is preferably at least 0.5 mm less than the distance of the subsequent sensor (relative to its entry edge) from the transport plane.

[0020] If a sensor is also located in front of the adjustable guide element, the adjustable guide element is adjusted and attached to the base element such that the inlet side of the guide element surface has at least the same distance, preferably a greater distance, from the transport plane of the valuables than the preceding sensor, which is arranged in the transport direction of the valuables directly in front of the adjustable guide element. The distance of the inlet side of the guide element surface from the transport plane is preferably at least 0.5 mm greater than the distance of the preceding sensor (relative to its outlet edge) from the transport plane.

[0021] The adjustable guide element and another guide element can be positioned opposite each other on the transport plane such that a guide channel for the valuable documents is formed between the adjustable guide element and the other guide element. In particular, the adjustable guide element and the opposing guide element can be arranged such that the width of the guide channel remains constant or narrows in the transport direction from the beginning to the end of the adjustable guide element. For example, the other guide element, viewed in the transport direction, has approximately the same length as the adjustable guide element.

[0022] The opposing additional guide element can also be an adjustable guide element according to the invention. However, the opposing additional guide element can also be a non-adjustable guide element that is attached to the document processing device in such a way that it is not adjustable relative to the transport plane of the documents. If the additional guide element, which is arranged opposite the adjustable guide element, is non-adjustable, it is preferably arranged and designed such that the distance between the entry side of the guide element surface of the additional guide element and the transport plane is greater than the distance between the exit side of the guide element surface of the additional guide element and the transport plane.

[0023] Advantageously, the adjustable guide element is connected to the base element via a pivot axis, around which it can rotate during the adjustment process. By rotating the adjustable guide element around this axis, the distance between the starting edge of the guide element's surface and the transport plane can be adjusted. The pivot axis runs perpendicular to the transport direction and parallel to the transport plane of the valuable documents. This rotational capability ensures that, once the guide element is detached from the base element, it is not freely movable in all directions, but rather has at least one fixed point: the pivot axis. This allows for particularly easy yet precise adjustment of the starting edge of the guide element's surface relative to the downstream sensor.The adjustment process then involves rotating the adjustable guide element relative to the base element, thereby adjusting the distance that the output side of the guide element surface of the adjustable guide element has from the transport plane.

[0024] In the exemplary embodiments, the adjustable guide element is detachably connected to the base element at a further attachment point of the adjustable guide element, which is spaced apart from the axis of rotation. To adjust the rotation angle of the adjustable guide element, the attachment at the further attachment point is temporarily loosened and, after the adjustable guide element has rotated about the axis of rotation, reattached. In the exemplary embodiments, the adjustable guide element is attached to the base element at the further attachment point by a pin-shaped fastening element, which passes through a hole in the adjustable guide element, projects into the base element, and is detachably connected to the base element.

[0025] For example, the pin-shaped fastening element is a screw that passes through the hole of the adjustable guide element and is screwed into a corresponding thread in the base element. The hole in the adjustable guide element through which the screw passes is, for example, a slot. Tightening the screw head presses it against the edge of the slot in the adjustable guide element from both sides, fixing the position of the slot relative to the screw and thus also the position of the adjustable guide element relative to the base element. To adjust or rotate the adjustable guide element, the screw is loosened, the adjustable guide element is rotated around its axis of rotation, and the screw is tightened again to secure it to the next fastening point.The elongated hole of the adjustable guide element, located at the additional mounting point, extends azimuthally to the axis of rotation of the adjustable guide element, corresponding to the rotational movement, in order to allow the adjustable guide element to rotate around this axis. The screw passes through the elongated hole, and the angle of rotation of the adjustable guide element relative to the base element can be selected by moving the elongated hole relative to the screw. This elongated hole-screw mounting allows for continuous adjustment of the angle of rotation and thus also continuous adjustment of the distance between the exit side of the guide element surface and the transport plane of the valuable documents, from the predefined minimum distance to the predefined maximum distance. Alternatively, the minimum and / or maximum distance can also be predefined by mechanical stops for the adjustable guide element.

[0026] As an alternative to the slotted screw fastening, the adjustable guide element for attachment to the additional mounting point can also have several individual holes arranged azimuthally to the axis of rotation. A pin-shaped fastening element corresponding to the hole size can be inserted through one of these holes and fixed to the base element, depending on the angle of rotation. The pin-shaped fastening element can be a screw or a pin that can be inserted into the base element, with the holes in the base element having a shape and size precisely matching the pin.

[0027] Instead of using a pin-shaped fastening element that is guided through a hole in the adjustable guide element, the adjustable guide element can also be attached to the further fastening point by means of a clamp that is detachably connected to the base element and is temporarily released to rotate the adjustable guide element around the axis of rotation.

[0028] In the first embodiment, the base element is attached to the document processing device in such a way that the position in which the base element is located relative to the transport plane of the documents during processing of the documents by the device is not adjustable.

[0029] In the first embodiment, the adjustment process changes the distance between the output side of the guide element surface and the transport plane, while the distance between the input side of the guide element surface and the transport plane remains essentially constant. This has the advantage that only one degree of freedom is available during the adjustment process, making it simpler (than in the second embodiment). Furthermore, fewer mechanical parts are required. The base element is, for example, the mounting plate to which the sensors of the document processing device or their sensor mounts are attached. During document processing, the mounting plate is in a fixed position but can be temporarily moved for maintenance or cleaning purposes to allow manual access to the sensor surfaces outside of document processing.Alternatively, the base element can also be attached to the document processing device in a different way, whereby the position of the base element relative to the transport plane is not adjustable.

[0030] In the first embodiment, the axis of rotation around which the adjustable guide element rotates relative to the base element is located at the beginning of the adjustable guide element when viewed along the transport direction. This ensures that the distance between the input side of the guide element surface and the transport plane remains essentially constant during the adjustment process. Viewed along the transport direction, the axis of rotation—relative to the length of the adjustable guide element—is preferably located in the first quarter of the adjustable guide element. The distance of the axis of rotation from the transport plane is preferably at least 5 mm, and particularly preferably at least 8 mm. This relatively large distance of the axis of rotation on the input side ensures that the position of the input side of the guide element surface of the adjustable guide element is universally suitable for different sensor distances of the preceding sensor.Advantageously, during the adjustment process, the operator only needs to align the output side of the guide element surface with the position of the subsequent sensor, without having to consider the input side of the guide element surface. The axis of rotation is preferably located in close proximity to the guide element surface of the adjustable guide element, particularly at a distance of no more than 5 mm from the guide element surface. This ensures that the rotation of the guide element results in the smallest possible displacement of the guide element surface in the transport direction. The rotation of the guide element therefore requires little space and can be performed in the narrow space between two sensors.

[0031] In the second embodiment, the base element is attached to the document processing device in such a way that its position relative to the transport plane of the documents during processing is adjustable. Due to the adjustability of both the adjustable guide element and the base element, both the distance between the entry side of the guide element surface of the adjustable guide element and the transport plane, as well as the distance between the exit side of the guide element surface of the adjustable guide element and the transport plane, are adjustable. In particular, the base element is attached to the document processing device in such a way that its position relative to the mounting plate, to which the sensors of the document processing device or their sensor mounts are attached, is adjustable. The base element is, for example,an intermediate plate specifically designed to accommodate the adjustable guide element.

[0032] In the second embodiment, the base element is preferably displaceable in the direction perpendicular to the transport plane of the valuable documents.

[0033] By moving the base element, the distance of the axis of rotation from the transport plane of the valuable documents can be adjusted. The adjustability of the base element offers the advantage of providing two degrees of freedom (rotation and translation) during the adjustment process. The distances between the output side and the input side of the guide element surface from the transport plane can therefore be adjusted independently. The position of the guide element can thus be adapted to different sensor distances on both the input and output sides, i.e., for the preceding and subsequent sensors. Compared to the first embodiment, a larger adjustment range for the output side of the guide element surface is also achievable. The adjustment of the adjustable guide element is therefore more flexible overall.

[0034] In the second embodiment, the axis of rotation around which the adjustable guide element rotates relative to the base element is located, at least approximately, midway between the entry and exit sides of the guide surface of the adjustable guide element. This results in the distance between the entry and exit sides of the guide surface and the transport plane being adjustable in opposite directions when the guide element is rotated. The axis of rotation is preferably located in close proximity to the guide surface of the adjustable guide element, particularly at a distance of no more than 5 mm from the guide surface. This ensures that the rotation of the guide element results in the smallest possible displacement of the guide surface in the transport direction, thus minimizing the space required for rotation.

[0035] In the second embodiment, adjusting the adjustable guide element involves temporarily loosening both its attachment to the base element, particularly at the additional attachment point, and the attachment of the base element to the document processing device. At the end of the adjustment process, both attachments are re-secured. The distance on the input side can be changed during the adjustment process, or it can remain essentially constant. The adjustment process can be performed in a single step while both attachments are loosened and can include both a rotation of the adjustable guide element relative to the base element and a displacement of the base element relative to the document processing device.

[0036] Preferably, the adjustment process comprises two independent adjustment steps. In the first of these steps, only the attachment of the adjustable guide element to the base element is temporarily released (while the attachment of the base element to the document processing device remains fixed). In the second of these steps, only the attachment of the base element to the document processing device is temporarily released (while the attachment of the adjustable guide element to the base element remains fixed). The first adjustment step involves rotating the adjustable guide element relative to the base element about the axis of rotation.The second adjustment step involves shifting the base element, together with the adjustable guide element fixed to the base element, relative to the document processing device. The direction of this shift is preferably at least approximately perpendicular to the transport plane of the documents. The sequence of the two adjustment steps is arbitrary. They can also be repeated to iteratively adapt the position of the entry and exit sides of the guide element surface of the adjustable guide element to that of the preceding and subsequent sensors.

[0037] The adjustable guide element can have one or more stiffening elements arranged on the side of the adjustable guide element facing away from the transport plane and extending, for example, perpendicularly or obliquely to the guide element surface. For instance, the adjustable guide element may have two such stiffening elements, one of which – viewed along the transport direction – is located at the beginning and the other at the end of the adjustable guide element.

[0038] The invention also relates to a method according to claim 15 for adjusting an adjustable guide element on the above-described document processing device. In this method, the distance between the output side of the guide element surface of the adjustable guide element and the transport plane of the documents is adjusted in a single adjustment operation. In particular, the distance of the output side of the guide element surface from the transport plane is adjusted such that the output side of the guide element surface is closer to the transport plane than the subsequent sensor.For example, during the adjustment process, if the distance of the sensor following the adjustable guide element from the transport plane is increased, the distance of the output side of the guide element surface from the transport plane is also increased, and if the distance of the following sensor from the transport plane is decreased, the distance of the output side of the guide element surface from the transport plane is also decreased.

[0039] The adjustment process of the adjustable guide element comprises at least loosening the fastening of the adjustable guide element to the base element, moving the adjustable guide element relative to the base element, in particular rotating it about the axis of rotation, and refastening the adjustable guide element to the base element. In the second embodiment, to adjust the position of the base element, the fastening (e.g., screw) is also loosened, the base element is moved along the direction of displacement, and the base element is refastened (e.g., the screw is tightened again).

[0040] The adjustment of the adjustable guide element takes place while the processing of valuables by the valuables processing device is interrupted. Outside of the adjustment process, the guide element is locked in place so that it cannot be moved by the valuables being transported past it. The adjustment can be carried out manually during the interruption of the valuables processing, for example, by an operator of the valuables processing device or the manufacturer's service personnel. Alternatively, the adjustment can also be carried out using appropriate actuators.

[0041] The invention is explained below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show: Figure 1: Sensor section of a document processing device in top view; Figure 2a,b: Section of the sensor section with two adjustable guide elements in perspective view (Fig. 2a ) and in top view ( Fig. 2b ), Figure 3 Sensor section in the area of ​​the adjustable guide element of the first embodiment in a sectional view perpendicular to the transport direction, Figure 4 Sensor section in the area of ​​the adjustable guide element of the second embodiment in a sectional view perpendicular to the transport direction, Figure 5a,b the adjustable guide element of the second embodiment in two different settings.

[0042] In Figur 1 The figure shows – in a highly simplified form – a section of a document processing device 100 with a sensor section in which a total of eight sensors 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 are installed. Documents 1 are transported along the sensor section between two flat belts 2a, 2b in the direction of the arrow (from below) and guided past the sensors. The flat belts 2a and 2b run on transport rollers 3 spaced apart from each other in the transport direction. The transport plane of the documents 100 is defined by the two flat belts 2a and 2b.

[0043] In the Figuren 2a and 2b Figure 1 shows a section of the sensor path of the document processing device 100 in the area of ​​the sensor mounts 21, 31, 41, 61, 71, 81, to which the sensors 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 are attached for checking the documents. Of these sensors, the Figuren 2a , 2bOnly the sensor fronts 22, 32, 42, 62, 72, and 82 are shown, while the rest of the respective sensor is not shown to better illustrate the adjustable guide elements. The sensor fronts 22, 32, 42, 62, 72, and 82 are shown schematically only. Depending on the measuring principle of the respective sensor, these sensor fronts have windows (not shown) that are transparent to the measurement signal of the respective sensor. Viewed along the transport direction, an adjustable guide element 4 of a first embodiment is located between the sensor mounts 81 and 71, and an adjustable guide element 14 of a second embodiment is located between the sensor mounts 71 and 61.

[0044] The adjustable guide elements 4, 14 each have a guide element surface 7 with an inlet side 11 and an outlet side 12. The guide element surfaces 7 have recesses extending in the transport direction in which the flat belts 2a, 2b are guided, cf. Fig. 3 und 4 Furthermore, the guiding element surface 7 can also have webs 25 running in the direction of transport for guiding the transported valuable documents, cf. Fig. 3 Opposite each of the two adjustable guide elements 4, 14, a non-adjustable guide element 9 is arranged, the guide element surface of which forms a fixed angle with the transport plane of the valuable documents. The guide element surface of the non-adjustable guide element 9 has recesses for the transport rollers 3, cf. Fig. 3 und 4 . Since the guide element surface of the non-adjustable guide element 9 approaches the transport plane along the transport direction, the transported valuable documents are returned to the transport plane.

[0045] The adjustable guide element 4 of the first embodiment is attached directly to the mounting plate 8 (base element of the first embodiment), to which the sensor mounts 61, 71, 81 of the sensors 60, 70, 80 are also attached. The adjustable guide element 4 is connected to the base element 8 via a pivot axis A, about which the adjustable guide element 4 is rotatably mounted. By rotating the adjustable guide element 4 about the pivot axis A, the distance of the outlet side 12 of the guide element surface 7 of the adjustable guide element 4 from the transport plane can be adjusted to match the distance of the sensor front 72 of the sensor 70 (following the guide element 4) from the transport plane. The distance of the outlet side 12 of the guide element surface 7 is adjusted by rotating the guide element 4 so that it is slightly less than the distance of the sensor front 72 of the sensor 70 from the transport plane, e.g., at least 1 mm less.After setting the correct angle or distance of the guide element surface exit side 12, the rotation angle and thus the position of the guide element 4 is fixed by tightening a screw 5, which is passed through an elongated hole 6 of the adjustable guide element 4 extending in an azimuthal direction to the axis of rotation and is inserted into a thread in the mounting plate 8, cf. . Fig. 2b und 3 The dimensions of the elongated hole 6 define the angular range through which the adjustable guide element 4 can be rotated during the adjustment process, and thus also the adjustment range of the distance of the guide element's output surface 12 from the transport plane. The position of the adjustable guide element 4 in the first embodiment can only be adjusted in one degree of freedom (rotational angle). This allows for easy adjustment of the distance of the guide element's output surface 12 to the downstream sensor 70.

[0046] In the adjustable guide element 4, the position of the axis of rotation A is not adjustable. Viewed along the transport direction, the axis of rotation A of the adjustable guide element 4 is located at the beginning of the adjustable guide element 4. This ensures that the guide element's output surface 12 is adjustable, while the guide element's input surface 11 is hardly affected during rotation. The distance of the axis of rotation A from the transport plane is generously chosen, e.g., at least 5 mm, to allow for a somewhat greater distance from the transport plane for the preceding sensor 80 and its sensor front 82.

[0047] The adjustable guide element 14 of the second embodiment is not directly attached to the mounting plate 8, but rather to a base element 16 designed as an intermediate plate, which is attached to the mounting plate 8. The adjustable guide element 14 is connected to the base element 16 via a pivot axis A, about which the adjustable guide element 14 is rotatably mounted. By rotating the adjustable guide element 14 about the pivot axis A, the distance between the exit side 12 of the guide element surface 7 of the adjustable guide element 14 and the transport plane can be changed to match the distance of the sensor front 62 of the sensor 60 (following the guide element 14) from the transport plane. The rotation angle of the guide element 14 is fixed by tightening a screw 15, which passes through an elongated hole 13 in the adjustable guide element 14 extending in an azimuthal direction to the axis of rotation and engages in a thread in the base element 16 (see figure). Fig. 4 The dimensions of the elongated hole 13 define the angular range through which the adjustable guide element 14 can be rotated during the adjustment process. To facilitate manual adjustment of the rotation angle, the adjustable guide element 14 has two stiffening elements 19, which ensure high mechanical stability of the guide element (see figure). Fig. 2b .

[0048] The base element 16 further comprises two straight elongated holes 18, 28, which extend radially to the axis of rotation A (perpendicular to the transport plane). A screw 17 passes through the elongated hole 18 of the adjustable guide element 14 and engages in a thread in the mounting plate 8 to fasten the base element 16 to the mounting plate 8. Additionally, the base element 16 is guided by a guide pin 27, which projects into the elongated hole 28 and is firmly anchored in the mounting plate (see figure). Fig. 4 , 5ab. The base element 16 is displaceable along the straight elongated slots 18, 28 in the direction perpendicular to the transport plane. Displacing the base element 16 also adjusts the distance of the axis of rotation A from the transport plane. The position of the adjustable guide element 14 of the second embodiment can be adjusted in two degrees of freedom (rotation and displacement). This allows for adjustment of the distance between both the guide element's input side 11 and the preceding sensor 70, as well as the guide element's output side 12 and the subsequent sensor 60.

[0049] In the case of the guide element 14 of the second embodiment, the adjustment process comprises at least two steps: Optionally, in a first step – after loosening the attachment of the guide element 14 to the base element 16 – the approximate angle of rotation can be set (coarse adjustment). To set this angle, the person performing the adjustment uses the difference in distances between the preceding sensor 70 and the subsequent sensor 60 from the transport plane as a reference point. After locking the guide element 14 to the base element 16, in a next step – after loosening the attachment of the base element 16 to the mounting plate 8 – the position of the base element 16 relative to the transport plane is selected. This is done so that the distance of the axis of rotation A from the transport plane lies between those of the preceding sensor 70 and the subsequent sensor 60.After the position of the base element 16 has been set, the base element 16 is fixed to the mounting plate 8 using screw 17. In a further step, after loosening the fastening of the guide element 14 to the base element 16 again, the angle or the exact distance of the guide element's exit surface 12 from the transport plane can be precisely adjusted, if necessary (fine adjustment). After setting the correct angle or distance of the guide element's exit surface 12, the rotation angle of the guide element 14 relative to the base element 16 is fixed using screw 15, see figure. Fig. 4 If necessary, the above steps are repeated to find the correct position and rotation angle of the adjustable guide element 14. The distance of the output side 12 of the guide element surface 7 is adjusted by rotating the guide element 14 and moving the base element 16 so that it is slightly less than the distance of the inlet edge of the sensor front 62 of the sensor 60, e.g., at least 1 mm less.

[0050] In Fig. 5a und 5b Two different settings of the adjustable guide element 14 of the second embodiment are shown in a section plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation A. Fig. 5a The subsequent sensor 60 is located very close to the transport plane, while the preceding sensor 70 is further away from the transport plane. Accordingly, a large rotation angle of the adjustable guide element 14 was set to bring the guide element output surface 12 to an even smaller distance from the transport plane than the subsequent sensor 60, and to position the guide element input side 11 somewhat further away from the transport plane than the preceding sensor 70.

[0051] In Fig. 5b Both the preceding sensor 70 and the subsequent sensor 60 are located at a short distance from the transport plane. Therefore, the rotation angle of the adjustable guide element 14 was adjusted compared to the setting from Fig. 5a The base element 16 (with the adjustable guide element 14 located on it) is reduced and moved perpendicularly to the transport plane in order to bring both the guide element input side 11 and the guide element output side 12 close to the transport plane. This also applies when the setting is from Fig. 5b The rotation angle and displacement are set such that the guide element input side 11 is slightly further away from the transport plane than the preceding sensor 70 and the guide element output side 12 is slightly closer to the transport plane than the following sensor 60.

Claims

1. Device for processing value documents, in particular value-document-processing device (100), comprising - transport means (2a, b, 3) for transporting value documents (1) along a transport direction by way of a transport path, - sensors (60, 70) for checking the value documents (1), which are arranged along the transport path in such a way that the value documents are transportable past the sensors with the aid of the transport means, - an adjustable guide element (4, 14), which has a guide-element surface (7) facing the value documents (1) transported past, wherein the value documents are transportable in a transport plane of the transport path in the region of the sensor (60, 70) and in the region of the adjustable guide element (4, 14), wherein - the adjustable guide element - when viewed along the transport direction of the value documents - is arranged directly in front of one of the sensors (60, 70), wherein an exit side (12) of the guide-element surface (7) of the adjustable guide element, when viewed along the transport direction, ends directly in front of the sensor, - the adjustable guide element (4, 14) - when viewed from the transport plane - is arranged on that side on which the sensor (60, 70) is also arranged, and the adjustable guide element (4, 14) is fastened to a base element (8, 16) which is fastened to the device, the adjustable guide element being fastened to said base element in such a way that the distance of the exit side (12) of the guide-element surface (7) of the adjustable guide element (4, 14) from the transport plane of the value documents is settable in such a way that the exit side (12) of the guide-element surface is at a smaller distance from the transport plane of the value documents than the sensor (60, 70) that, in the transport direction of the value documents, is arranged directly behind the adjustable guide element (4, 14).

2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the distance of the exit side (12) of the guide-element surface (7) of the adjustable guide element (4, 14) from the transport plane of the value documents is adjustable by an adjustment operation for which the fastening of the adjustable guide element (4, 14) to the base element (8, 16) is temporarily released.

3. Device according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that, when the fastening of the adjustable guide element (4, 14) to the base element is released, the distance of the exit side (12) of the guide-element surface from the transport plane is settable, and, when the fastening is locked, the distance of the exit side (12) of the guide-element surface from the transport plane is not settable.

4. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a mechanical connection between the adjustable guide element (4, 14) and the base element (8, 16) is formed in such a way that the distance of the exit side (12) of the guide-element surface from the transport plane can be set in such a way as to be different from the distance of the entrance side (11) of the guide-element surface from the transport plane.

5. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the adjustable guide element is set, and fastened to the base element, in such a way that the exit side (12) of the guide-element surface is at most at the same distance, preferably at a smaller distance, from the transport plane of the value documents as / than the sensor (60, 70) that, in the transport direction of the value documents, is arranged directly behind the adjustable guide element (4, 14).

6. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the adjustable guide element is set, and fastened to the base element, in such a way that the entrance side (11) of the guide-element surface is at least at the same distance, preferably at a greater distance, from the transport plane of the value documents as / than a sensor (80, 70) that, in the transport direction of the value documents, is arranged directly in front of the adjustable guide element (4, 14).

7. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the adjustable guide element (4, 14) and a further guide element (9) are situated opposite one another with respect to the transport plane in such a way that a guide channel for the value documents is formed between the adjustable guide element and the further guide element, wherein the adjustable guide element (4, 14) and the further guide element (9) are preferably arranged in such a way that the width of the guide channel remains the same or decreases in the transport direction from the start to the end of the adjustable guide element.

8. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the adjustable guide element (4, 14) is connected to the base element (8, 16) via an axis of rotation (A) about which the adjustable guide element is rotatable, wherein the distance of the exit side (12) of the guide-element surface of the adjustable guide element from the transport plane is changeable by rotation of the adjustable guide element about the axis of rotation.

9. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the axis of rotation (A) is in the immediate vicinity of the guide-element surface (7) of the adjustable guide element (4, 14), in particular at a distance of at most 5 mm from the guide-element surface.

10. Device according to either of Claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the adjustable guide element (4, 14) is releasably connected to the base element (8, 16) at a further fastening point, spaced apart from the axis of rotation (A), of the adjustable guide element, wherein the adjustable guide element is fastened to the base element at the further fastening point in particular by a pin-like fastening element (5, 15), which is passed through a hole in the adjustable guide element (4, 14) and is releasably connected to the base element (8, 16).

11. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the base element (8, 16) is fastened to the device in such a way that the position in which the base element is situated relative to the transport plane of the value documents when the value documents are being processed by the device is not adjustable.

12. Device according to Claim 11, characterized in that, when viewed along the transport direction, the axis of rotation about which the adjustable guide element is rotated relative to the base element is situated at the start of the adjustable guide element.

13. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the base element is fastened to the device in such a way that the position in which the base element is situated relative to the transport plane of the value documents when the value documents are being processed by the device is adjustable, wherein the base element is displaceable preferably in the direction perpendicular to the transport plane of the value documents.

14. Device according to Claim 13, characterized in that the axis of rotation is situated at least approximately centrally between the entrance side and the exit side of the guide-element surface of the adjustable guide element.

15. Method for setting the position of an adjustable guide element of a device for processing value documents according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, in the method, the distance of the exit side of the guide-element surface of the adjustable guide element from the transport plane of the value documents is set, wherein the distance of the exit side of the guide-element surface from the transport plane is preferably set in such a way that the exit side of the guide-element surface is at a smaller distance from the transport plane than the next sensor downstream.