Paper sheet delivery device and paper sheet processing device

Abstract

To provide a paper sheet delivery device capable of surely solving delivery failure of paper sheets occurring in the vicinity of a delivery roller according to a state of paper sheets and the like.SOLUTION: A paper sheet delivery device (2, 7) includes: a stage 2 on which a paper sheet M is placed; a delivery roller 27 coming into contact with the uppermost paper sheet M; delivery roller rotation drive means for rotating the delivery roller 27; delivery roller pressure change means for changing a pressure of the delivery roller 27 with respect to the paper sheet M; and control means for controlling the operation of the delivery roller rotation drive means and the operation of the delivery roller pressure change means. The control means includes: a normal delivery step of, in a state where the delivery roller 27 is pressed to the paper sheet M with a predetermined pressure, delivering the uppermost paper sheet M by rotating the delivery roller 27 normally in a delivery direction of the paper sheet M; and a retrial step of maintaining the normal rotation of the delivery roller 27 while reducing the pressure of the delivery roller 27 with respect to the paper sheet M.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a paper sheet feeding device that performs processing to feed out paper sheets one by one from a location where a plurality of paper sheets such as banknotes, cards, etc. are stacked, and also to a paper sheet processing device having a function of transporting paper sheets fed from the paper sheet feeding device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, Patent Document 1 (JP Patent Publication 2012-242999A) discloses a paper sheet processing device such as a ticket vending machine. Also, a paper sheet dispensing device is disclosed as a device constituting this paper sheet processing device. In this conventional paper sheet dispensing device, the topmost banknote among a plurality of stacked banknotes is brought into contact with a dispensing roller, and the banknote is sent out by forward rotation of the dispensing roller, and further the banknote is sent to a dispensing port by a feed roller.

[0003] In this conventional paper sheet dispensing device, the dispensing roller and feed roller work together to stably send out banknotes one by one to the outside. However, variations in the friction and pressure between the dispensing roller and the banknotes can occur depending on the condition of the banknotes and the installation environment of the dispensing device, and in rare cases, problems with dispensing such as banknote jams can occur in the area near the dispensing device.

[0004] Conventionally, Patent Document 2 (JP Patent Publication 2010-247994A) discloses a paper sheet feeding device. In this conventional feeding device, a technique is disclosed in which a feed roller and a reverse roller that face each other and are in contact with each other separate one sheet from a plurality of stacked paper sheets and transport the separated sheet to the outside.

[0005] This document discloses a technique in which, when an abnormality such as a jam of paper sheets occurs, the stage on which the paper sheets are placed is lowered and the feed roller and reverse roller are reversed to return the paper sheets involved in the abnormality to the paper sheet stacking portion. However, this conventional pay-out device was not able to fully function in terms of eliminating the abnormality. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-242999 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2010-247994 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems with conventional devices, and aims to provide a paper sheet dispensing device that can reliably eliminate problems with the dispensing of paper sheets that occur near the dispensing roller depending on the condition of the paper sheets, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The paper sheet feed device according to the present invention includes a stage on which a plurality of stacked paper sheets are placed, a feed roller that contacts the uppermost paper sheet of the plurality of stacked paper sheets, a feed roller rotation drive means for rotating the feed roller about its own center line, a feed roller pressure change means for changing the pressure of the feed roller on the paper sheets, and a control means for controlling the operation of the feed roller rotation drive means and the operation of the feed roller pressure change means, and the control means controls the operation of the feed roller rotation drive means and the feed roller pressure change means. In a paper sheet dispensing device which controls the forward rotation of the pay-out roller to dispense the topmost paper sheet of a plurality of paper sheets while pressing the pay-out roller against the topmost paper sheet with a predetermined pressure and rotating the pay-out roller in the forward direction in the paper sheet dispensing direction by the pay-out roller rotation drive means, the control means has a first control step of rotating the pay-out roller in the forward direction by the pay-out roller rotation drive means while reducing the pressure of the pay-out roller on the paper sheet by the pay-out roller pressure change means.

[0009] In the above configuration, the "feed-out roller rotation drive means" is composed of, for example, drive shaft 28, drive belt 29, and feed-out roller drive motor 32 in Fig. 5. The "feed-out roller pressure change means" is a mechanism that can change, or more specifically, reduce, the force pressing the paper sheets against the feed-out roller, and is composed of, for example, stage 2, slider 11, drive belt 12, and stage drive motor 13 in Fig. 2. The "control means" can be composed of, for example, a computer or a sequencer, and is composed of, for example, control device 50 in Fig. 15.

[0010] A second aspect of the paper sheet dispensing device according to the present invention is characterized in that it further has a stage separating means for separating the stage from the dispensing roller, and the control means further has a second control step of reversing the dispensing roller by the dispensing roller rotation driving means, and simultaneously separating the stage from the dispensing roller by the stage separating means, thereby separating the paper sheets on the stage from the dispensing roller.

[0011] In the above configuration, the "stage spacing means" can be composed of, for example, a mechanism for translating the stage and a power source (for example, an electric motor) for moving the mechanism. More specifically, the stage spacing means can be composed of, for example, the slider 11, guide rod 14, drive belt 12, and stage drive motor 13 in FIG. 2.

[0012] As described above, the first paper sheet dispensing device according to the present invention is characterized by having a first control step of "rotating the pay-out roller in the forward direction by the pay-out roller rotation drive means while reducing the pressure of the pay-out roller on the paper sheets by the pay-out roller pressure change means." The second inventive aspect of the present invention is characterized by having, in addition to the first control step, a second control step of "rotating the pay-out roller in the reverse direction while simultaneously separating the paper sheets on the stage from the pay-out roller."

[0013] By combining the first control step and the second control step in this way, problems related to paper sheets, such as paper sheet jams, can be more reliably eliminated. The order in which the first control step and the second control step are performed is arbitrary. That is, the first control step can be performed first, or the second control step can be performed first.

[0014] In a third aspect of the paper sheet dispensing device according to the present invention, the dispensing roller pressure change means has a support body which rotatably supports the dispensing roller, a spring which elastically biases the support body towards the stage, and a stage moving means which translates the stage in a direction towards the dispensing roller and in a direction away from the dispensing roller, and the control means realizes a state in which the dispensing roller is pressed against the topmost paper sheet of a plurality of paper sheets with a predetermined pressure by pressing the paper sheets on the base against the dispensing roller using the stage moving means, and further, the control means realizes a reduction in the pressure of the dispensing roller against the paper sheets by moving the stage in a direction away from the dispensing roller using the stage moving means.

[0015] In the above configuration, the "stage moving means" can be composed of, for example, a mechanism for moving the stage in parallel and a power source (for example, an electric motor) for moving the mechanism. In this paper sheet dispensing device, when the pressure of the dispensing roller on the paper sheets is reduced, the dispensing roller moves in conjunction with the movement of the stage.

[0016] In a fourth aspect of the paper sheet dispensing device of the present invention, the dispensing roller pressure change means has the dispensing roller which is rotatable about its own center line but is positioned so as to be stationary, and a stage movement means which translates the stage in a direction closer to the dispensing roller and in a direction away from the dispensing roller, and the control means realizes a state in which the dispensing roller is pressed against the topmost paper sheet of a plurality of paper sheets with a predetermined pressure by pressing the paper sheets on the base against the dispensing roller using the stage movement means, and further, the control means realizes a reduction in the pressure of the dispensing roller against the paper sheets by moving the stage in a direction away from the dispensing roller using the stage movement means.

[0017] In this paper sheet feeding device, when the pressure of the feed roller on the paper sheet is reduced, the stage moves while the feed roller is held stationary.

[0018] In a fifth aspect of the paper sheet dispensing device according to the present invention, the dispensing roller pressure change means has a dispensing roller position moving means for moving the dispensing roller in a direction toward the base and a direction away from the base, and the control means realizes a state in which the dispensing roller is pressed against the topmost paper sheet of a plurality of paper sheets with a predetermined pressure by pressing the paper sheets on the base against the dispensing roller using the stage moving means, and further, the control means realizes a reduction in the pressure of the dispensing roller against the paper sheets by moving the dispensing roller in a direction away from the stage using the dispensing roller position moving means.

[0019] In the above configuration, the "feed roller position moving means" can be composed of a mechanism for moving the feed roller in parallel and a power source (e.g., an electric motor) for operating the mechanism. In this paper sheet feeding device, when the pressure of the feed roller on the paper sheets is reduced, the stage does not move, but the feed roller moves.

[0020] The paper sheet processing device according to the present invention is characterized by having the paper sheet feeding device according to the present invention described above and a transport unit that transports the paper sheets fed from the paper sheet feeding device. This paper sheet processing device is a device that constitutes an automated device that handles paper sheets (e.g., a ticket vending machine), and has a function of transporting paper sheets from one location to another. Effect of the Invention

[0021] Generally, the condition of paper money varies. For example, there are clean paper money that has been in circulation for a short time and has no wrinkles, and paper money that has been in circulation for a long time and has many wrinkles. The environment in which the paper sheet dispensing device of the present invention is installed also varies. If the resultant force of the frictional force between the topmost paper sheet and the paper sheet below it in contact with it, or the frictional force between the topmost paper sheet and the stage on which it is placed, and the downward pressure by the dispensing roller is equal to or greater than the gripping force of the dispensing roller for dispensing the paper sheets, a dispensing failure such as a jam of the paper sheets may occur depending on the condition of the paper sheets and the installation environment.

[0022] According to the paper sheet feed device of claim 1 and the paper sheet processing device of claim 6, when a paper sheet jam occurs, instead of simply lowering the stage and reversing the feed roller, a new technology is adopted in which the pressure of the feed roller on the paper sheets is reduced while the forward rotation of the feed roller is maintained. This makes it possible to properly sort multiple paper sheets when they are placed on the stage. Also, when there is one paper sheet on the stage, it is possible to improve the pressure and friction of the paper sheet against the stage. This makes it possible to reliably eliminate problems related to paper sheets, such as jams. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of a paper sheet storage container equipped with a paper sheet feeding device according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing elements of a portion of the structure of FIG. 1; [Diagram 3] 2 is a diagram illustrating the operation of elements of another portion of the structure of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram illustrating the operation of elements of yet another portion of the structure of FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] 2 is a perspective view showing still another part of the structure of FIG. 1, which is an element constituting the paper sheet feeding device. [Figure 6] 2 is a diagram showing a state during a normal feeding operation of the paper sheet storage case and the paper sheet feeding device in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 7] 2 is a diagram showing a state during a retry of the paper sheet storage and the paper sheet feeding device in FIG. 1. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a first state when the payout operation is temporarily suspended. [Figure 10] A diagram showing a second state when the payout operation is temporarily suspended. [Figure 11] A diagram showing a third state when the payout operation is temporarily suspended. [Figure 12] A diagram showing the state when the payout operation is secondarily suspended. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a first state of the storing operation of the extension operation. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a second state of the storing operation of the extension operation. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a control circuit. [Figure 16] 16 is a flowchart showing a flow of control performed by the control device of FIG. 15. [Figure 17] 17 is a flowchart showing one subroutine of the flowchart in FIG. 16. [Figure 18] 17 is a flowchart showing another subroutine of the flowchart in FIG. 16. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of a paper sheet feeding device according to the present invention. [Figure 20] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing still another embodiment of the paper sheet feeding device according to the present invention. [Figure 21] 1 is a front cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a paper sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Hereinafter, a paper sheet feeding device according to the present invention will be described based on an embodiment. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. In addition, in the drawings attached to this specification, components may be shown at different ratios from the actual ones in order to easily show characteristic parts.

[0025] Fig. 1 shows the front structure of a paper sheet storage bin using a paper sheet feeding device according to the present invention. In Fig. 1, the paper sheet storage bin 1 has a stage 2, a conveyor belt 3, a separator 4, a flapper 5, a presser plate 6, and a feeding unit 7. Each of these elements is housed in a rectangular parallelepiped case 8. In this embodiment, the feeding unit 7 and the stage 2 constitute the paper sheet feeding device.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 2, the stage 2 is a plastic member having openings 10a and 10b and a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The openings 10a and 10b can be utilized when detecting the presence or absence of a banknote on the stage 2 using an optical sensor. The stage 2 is supported by a slider 11. The slider 11 is connected to a drive belt 12. The drive belt 12 is driven by a stage drive motor 13 to move in a circular motion in the forward and counterclockwise directions. The circular motion of the drive belt 12 causes the slider 11, and therefore the stage 2, to move linearly in the vertical direction in the figure along a guide rod 14.

[0027] The conveyor belt 3 is a long, endless, circular belt that runs along the conveying direction A of the paper sheets. Two conveyor belts 3 are provided in the width direction of the paper sheets, i.e., banknotes M. These conveyor belts 3 move in circles in the direction of the arrows B-B' in precise synchronization. Figure 8 shows the internal structure of the paper sheet storage box 1 in the width direction (left and right direction in Figure 8) according to the arrow Y in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 8, two separators 4 are provided in the width direction of the paper sheet storage box 1. As shown in Figure 3, the separator 4 is a long member extending along the paper sheet transport direction A. The end 4a of the separator 4 on the deposit port 18 side is formed in a rectangular shape with a wide area. In addition, the central portion 4b of the separator 4 is narrow.

[0028] The end of the separator 4 on the rear side (the right side in FIG. 3) is connected to a swing arm 19. The swing arm 19 is freely rotatable about a fulcrum 20. The other end of the swing arm 19 is connected to an output rod of an electromagnetic solenoid 21. When the electromagnetic solenoid 21 is turned ON, the swing arm 19 swings downward, causing the separator 4 to move in parallel to the downward position indicated by the dashed line.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 8, two flappers 5 are provided in the width direction of the paper sheet storage box 1 (left and right direction in Fig. 8). In Fig. 4, the flappers 5 are rotatable around fulcrum 22. The flappers 5 are biased by a spring (not shown) and are in a horizontal position in their natural state. When a force is applied to the tip of the flapper 5 as shown by arrow C, the flapper 5 rotates in the direction of arrow D against the spring force of the spring (not shown). When the force C is removed, the flapper 5 returns to a horizontal position as shown by arrow D' due to the spring force.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 8, the pressure plate 6 has a wide width in the width direction of the paper sheet storage box 1 (left and right direction in Fig. 8). In Fig. 3, the rear end of the pressure plate 6 is fitted into the guide rod 25. The pressure plate 6 can move up and down along the guide rod 25. In a natural state, the pressure plate 6 descends under its own weight. If there is an object under the pressure plate 6, the pressure plate 6 stops in a state where it is pressing down on the object under its own weight. In the situation shown in Fig. 8, the pressure plate 6 is resting on the flapper 5.

[0031] The pay-out unit 7 shown in FIG. 1 has a support body 26 and a pay-out roller 27 supported by the support body 26, as shown in FIG. 5. The support body 26 is rotatably supported by a drive shaft 28 on the case 8 (FIG. 1). The drive shaft 28 is connected to a pay-out roller drive motor 32 via a drive belt 29. When the pay-out roller drive motor 32 operates, the drive shaft 28 rotates about its own center line X0. The drive shaft 28 is connected to the pay-out roller 27 via a transmission belt 33. When the drive shaft 28 rotates, the pay-out roller 27 rotates. The pay-out roller 27 can rotate forward in the direction of an arrow E or reverse in the direction of an arrow F. The forward rotation E is a direction in which banknotes as paper sheets are paid out of the paper sheet storage 1. The reverse rotation F is a direction in which the banknotes are returned to the inside of the paper sheet storage 1. A spring 34 is provided inside the drive shaft 28. The spring 34 elastically biases the support 26 in the downward direction indicated by the arrow G about the drive shaft 28. As a result, the payout roller 27 is also elastically biased so as to rotate in the direction of the arrow G.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 3, a detection piece 35 is provided on the support 26 of the pay-out unit 7. The support 26 and the detection piece 35 are integral. A swing sensor 38 is provided near the detection piece 35. The swing sensor 38 is fixed to the case 8 and does not move. When the swing sensor 38 is shielded from light by the detection piece 35, it outputs an ON signal indicating that the pay-out roller 27 is set to a predetermined pay-out position. When the swing sensor 38 is not shielded from light by the detection piece 35 (i.e., when it is in a light-transmitting state), it outputs an OFF signal.

[0033] In Fig. 1, an introduction roller 39 is provided near the outside of a deposit port 18 provided at the bottom of the paper sheet storage vault 1. A withdrawal port 40 is provided at the top of the paper sheet storage vault 1. A separation unit 41 is provided near the inside of this withdrawal port 40. The separation unit 41 is composed of a rotating separation roller 41a and a non-rotating cylindrical member 41b. The cylindrical member 41b can be replaced with a roller that is rotatable in only one direction by a one-way clutch.

[0034] A payout detection sensor 44 is provided near the outside of the dispensing port 40. A pinch roller 45 and a presser roller 46 are provided downstream of the payout detection sensor 44. These rollers 45, 46 are pressed against each other with a predetermined pressure.

[0035] The stage 2 can take three positions, namely, a first position P1 shown in Fig. 1, a second position P2 shown in Fig. 6, and a third position P3 shown in Fig. 12. The first position P1 of the stage 2 is a position where the upper surface of the stage 2 is lower than the conveyor belt 3, as shown in Fig. 1. The second position P2 of the stage 2 is a position where the banknotes placed on the upper surface of the stage 2 can be pressed against the feed roller 27, as shown in Fig. 6. The third position P3 of the stage 2 is a position where the upper surface of the stage 2 is higher than the separator 4 but not above the flapper 5, as shown in Fig. 12.

[0036] 1, at least two position sensors 47a, 47b are provided on the rear side (right side in FIG. 1) of the paper sheet storage 1. The sensor 47a is a sensor for determining a first position P1 of the stage 2. The sensor 47b is a sensor for determining a third position P3 (FIG. 12) of the stage 2. The second position P2 (FIG. 6) of the stage 2 is determined by the swing sensor 38 of the feed unit 7.

[0037] (Control device) 15 shows a control circuit used in the paper sheet storage box 1 of this embodiment. This control circuit has a control device 50. The control device 50 is composed of a computer, a sequencer, etc. The control device 50 has a payout calculation unit 51 that controls the overall operation of the payout process, a first retry calculation unit 52 for clearing jammed banknotes, a second retry calculation unit 53 for clearing jammed banknotes, and a memory 54.

[0038] The payout calculation unit 51, the first retry calculation unit 52, and the second retry calculation unit 53 are configured, for example, by a calculation processing unit of a computer. The memory 54 is configured, for example, by an internal memory such as a semiconductor memory or an external memory such as a hard disk. The input terminal of the control device 50 is connected to various input devices such as the swing sensor 38 (FIG. 1), the payout detection sensor 44 (FIG. 1), and the position sensors 47a and 47b (FIG. 1). The output terminal of the control device 50 is connected to various output devices such as the electromagnetic solenoid 21 (FIG. 3) for driving the separator 4, the stage drive motor 13 (FIG. 2) for driving the stage 2, and the payout roller drive motor 32 (FIG. 5) for driving the payout roller 27.

[0039] In this embodiment, the "feed-out roller rotation drive means" of the present invention is composed of drive shaft 28, drive belt 29, and feed-out roller drive motor 32 in Fig. 5. The "feed-out roller pressure change means" is composed of stage 2, slider 11, drive belt 12, and stage drive motor 13 in Fig. 2. The "control means" is composed of control device 50 in Fig. 15.

[0040] (operation) The operation of the paper sheet storage vault 1 configured as above will be described below. A deposit port 18 and a conveyor belt 3 are provided at the bottom of the paper sheet storage vault 1 in Fig. 1. As also shown in Fig. 8, the space between the conveyor belt 3 and the separator 4 is the initial holding section J. The space between the separator 4 and the flapper 5 is the holding section Q. The spatial area above the holding section Q is the banknote storage section S. A pay-out roller 27 is provided in the upper area of ​​the banknote storage section S.

[0041] Within the interior area, a retention section Q for retaining banknotes to be retained is provided in the lower stage. A banknote storage section S for storing banknotes for which a transaction has been confirmed is provided in the middle stage. A feed roller 27 for dispensing banknotes as paper sheets is provided in the upper stage. Hereinafter, each operation will be described in order: a first deposit operation for primary retention of banknotes, a second deposit operation for secondary retention of banknotes, a third deposit operation for storing banknotes, and a dispensing operation for paying out banknotes.

[0042] (Temporary retention of banknotes) In Fig. 1, when banknotes M as paper sheets are introduced into the deposit port 18 by the introduction roller 39, the banknotes M are introduced to the bottom of the interior of the storage area by the conveyor belt 3. The banknotes M then come to rest on the conveyor belt 3 (see Fig. 9). As shown in Figs. 1 and 9, the standby state of the introduced banknotes M is a state in which the stage 2 is at the first position P1, the upper surface of the stage 2 is below the upper running portion of the conveyor belt 3, and the lower surface of the separator 4 is above the upper running portion of the conveyor belt 3. At this time, the space between the conveyor belt 3 and the separator 4 functions as an initial reserve section J for banknotes.

[0043] In Fig. 9, after the first banknote M is sent to the upper running portion of the conveyor belt 3, the separator 4 descends to strike the end of the banknote in the longitudinal direction (the direction penetrating the paper surface of Fig. 9) and enters below the banknote M. Next, the separator 4 rises with the banknote M placed on its upper surface. In this way, the banknote M is reserved in the reservation section Q as shown in Fig. 10.

[0044] Next, the second banknote M2 is fed into the space between the conveyor belt 3 and the bottom surface of the separator 4, i.e., into the initial retention section J. Next, the separator 4 is lowered and raised as shown in FIG. 9. This causes the second banknote M2 to be lifted into retention section Q and to come into contact with the first banknote M. After this, the same operation is repeated every time multiple banknotes are fed in sequence into the deposit port 18 in FIG. 1, and as shown in FIG. 11, additional banknotes are sequentially accumulated on the banknote M retained in retention section Q. This causes multiple banknotes to be retained in retention section Q. This completes the primary retention operation.

[0045] In this embodiment, the maximum number of banknotes that can be stored in the retention unit Q, i.e., the maximum number of reserved banknotes, is set to 20. This is determined in accordance with the fact that the maximum number of banknotes that can be transported in a bundle by the transport unit (not shown) installed in front of the deposit port 18 in FIG. 1 is 20.

[0046] Note that "temporary hold" refers to a hold that takes place between the time a customer makes a deposit and the time the transaction is finalized. "Confirmation of a transaction" refers to a state in which, for example, a customer presses a transaction start button (for example, the transaction start button of a ticket vending machine to which this paper sheet storage unit is applied), various transaction conditions are entered, and finally the transaction object is provided to the customer. Even if the transaction start button is pressed, if the customer indicates an intention to cancel midway through, the transaction is not finalized.

[0047] (Action in response to transaction cancellation) When the paper sheet storage 1 of this embodiment is used in, for example, a ticket vending machine, a customer may indicate his / her intention to cancel a transaction after depositing money and before instructing to confirm the transaction. For example, a transaction cancellation button provided at a predetermined location on the customer service surface of a ticket vending machine or the like may be turned on. In this case, in the primary holding state shown in FIG. 11, the separator 4 moves downward as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 9. This causes the banknotes to be placed on the upper running portion of the conveyor belt 3. Next, the conveyor belt 3 and the introduction roller 39 in FIG. 1 are operated in the direction opposite to the banknote introduction direction. This causes the banknotes that have been held in a bundle in the holding section Q to be sent out toward the deposit port 18 (the return port in this case) while still in the bundle state. The bundle of banknotes sent out in this manner is returned to the customer.

[0048] (Secondary retention of banknotes) "Secondary hold" refers to a hold that takes place after the first customer has confirmed their transaction and before the next customer makes a deposit. When the transaction is confirmed by providing the item to be transacted to the customer, as shown in Fig. 12, the stage 2 moves slightly from the first position P1 shown in Fig. 11 to the third position P3 shown in Fig. 12. In other words, the banknotes M that were held in primary hold move upward while still resting on the upper plate of the stage 2. The banknotes at the third position P3 are in secondary hold.

[0049] In Fig. 12, a primary storage door 9 is provided at the bottom of the front of the case 8. This primary storage door 9 can be locked so that it cannot be opened. In the primary storage state shown in Fig. 11, if the primary storage door 9 is unlocked and the door 9 is opened, the banknotes M can be taken out. On the other hand, in the secondary storage state shown in Fig. 12, even if the primary storage door 9 is unlocked and the door 9 is opened, the banknotes cannot be touched. Therefore, in the secondary storage state, the banknotes cannot be removed to the outside. In this way, after the customer has confirmed the transaction, the inserted banknotes cannot be taken back.

[0050] (Banknote storage operation) Let us consider a case where the paper sheet storage 1 is applied to a ticket vending machine. In this case, the transaction is confirmed by the customer who is first in line, and then, after predetermined processes for executing the transaction (e.g., calculation process of change and dispensing change, etc.) are performed, when the next customer starts a purchase operation (e.g., depositing money), a banknote storing operation, which is an operation for storing banknote M in banknote storage section S in Fig. 12, is started.

[0051] Before the banknote storing operation is started, as shown in Fig. 13, a plurality of banknotes M are already stacked in the banknote storing section S, the presser plate 6 is positioned above them, and the deposited banknotes M3 are stored in the storing section Q. When the banknote storing operation is started, first, the stage 2 rises from the first position P1 in Fig. 11 to the third position P3 in Fig. 12. That is, the stage 2 rises slightly within the range of the storing section Q.

[0052] 13 and 14, the stage 2 is raised until the upper surface of the flapper 5 is raised a predetermined distance above the upper plate of the stage 2, which is in a horizontal state. As a result, the banknote is lifted above the upper plate of the flapper 5. When stage 2 rises from third position P3 shown in Fig. 12 to a lifted position at a predetermined distance, the banknotes on stage 2 rise while pushing up the upper plate of flapper 5. That is, the banknotes on stage 2 rise in the interior area while pushing the upper plate of stopper 5 upward and opening it, causing it to move. Then, stage 2 is lifted to a predetermined distance that allows it to separate from the upper plate of moving flapper 5, as shown in Fig. 14.

[0053] When the stage 2 is raised to a position above a predetermined distance, the upward force of the banknotes on the upper plate of the flapper 5 is released. The flapper 5 then returns to the horizontal position by elastic force such as spring force or its own weight. Next, the stage 2 descends to the lowest position, which is the initial position. As a result, the banknotes are stored in the banknote storage section S, which is the area above the upper plate of the flapper 5. In this way, the newly stored banknotes are additionally stacked below the banknotes that were already stored.

[0054] FIG. 21 shows a paper sheet processing device 60, which is one of the components of a ticket vending machine, which is an automatic device that handles paper sheets (e.g., banknotes). This paper sheet processing device 60 is a device that has a function of transporting paper sheets from one place to another. If the paper sheet storage 1 of this embodiment is used as the 10,000 yen storage 113a, the 1,000 yen storage 113b, and the refill and recovery 114 of the paper sheet processing device 60 of the ticket vending machine (see FIG. 21), the target number of sheets to be stored in these storages and recovery bins is 500 sheets. Also, if the paper sheet storage 1 of this embodiment is used as the 2,000 yen / 5,000 yen storage 113c of the ticket vending machine 60, the target number of sheets to be stored in this storage bin is 200 sheets. Therefore, the banknote storage section S is a spatial area having a height that can store at least the target number of banknotes M.

[0055] In this embodiment, when the banknote M in the retention unit Q in FIG. 11 is moved into the banknote storage unit S, the banknote M already placed in the banknote storage unit S (see FIG. 13) and the banknote to be stored in the banknote storage unit S are temporarily lifted a predetermined distance above the flapper 5 by the stage 2. Then, the stage 2 is lowered below the flapper 5 to place the banknotes on the upper plate of the flapper 5. As a result, the banknotes are placed at the bottom of the banknote storage unit S.

[0056] Therefore, in this embodiment, if a target number of banknotes, such as 500, 200, etc., is to be stored in the banknote storage section S, the height of the banknote storage section S needs to be set to the height of the target number of banknotes plus the lifting height of stage 2 required for the storage operation.

[0057] (Bill dispensing operation) After the banknotes are stored in the banknote storage unit S in the above manner, when the time arrives to remove the banknotes from the storage 1 (step S2 in FIG. 16), the stage 2 rises to the second position P2 in FIG. 6 (steps S3 to S5 in FIG. 16). As a result, the uppermost banknote among the banknotes comes into contact with the downwardly biased pay-out roller 27, which serves as a paper sheet pay-out means, with a predetermined pressure.

[0058] In order to bring the banknotes into contact with the feed roller 27 with a constant pressure even if the number of banknotes placed on the stage 2 varies, in this embodiment, a swing sensor 38 for detecting the topmost banknote is disposed near the feed roller 27. The swing sensor 38 detects the topmost banknote, and based on the detection result, the stage 2 can always be set accurately to the second position P2.

[0059] When stage 2 is set to second position P2 and the topmost banknote comes into contact with pay-out roller 27, pay-out roller 27 rotates forward to transport the banknote (step S6 in FIG. 16). This forward rotation pays out the topmost banknote towards outlet 40 in FIG. 1. When the number of banknotes on stage 2 decreases as a result of this pay-out, stage 2 moves upward to keep the pressure of the banknotes against pay-out roller 27 constant (YES in step S7 in FIG. 16, steps S3 to S5). In this way, the banknotes stored on stage 2 are sent out of repository 1 by cooperation between stage 2 and pay-out roller 27.

[0060] 6, when a plurality of bills are piled up after being fed by the feed roller 27, the uppermost one is separated by the action of the separation roller 41a and the cylindrical member 41b, which are in contact with each other under pressure. Then, the separated one bill is pulled out by a mechanism including the pinch roller 45 and the pressure roller 46, and is fed to the bill transport unit (not shown) at the subsequent stage.

[0061] The banknote conveying speed of the pay-out roller 27 and the rotating separation roller 41a is set to be slower than the banknote conveying speed in the downstream conveying section. The banknote conveying speed of the pinch roller 45 is the same as the banknote conveying speed in the downstream conveying section. This speed setting ensures stable and smooth banknote dispensing. When the stage 2 moves, the pressure plate 6 cooperates with the stage 2 to move together with the stage 2 while sandwiching the banknote M therebetween. When all the banknotes have been dispensed, the pressure plate 6 is located above the flapper 5 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0062] In this embodiment, the position where the topmost banknote is brought into contact with the pay-out roller 27 with a predetermined pressure is specifically detected by the ON (light blocking) of the swing sensor 38 (YES in step S4 in FIG. 16). In response to the input of an ON signal due to the light blocking detection of the swing sensor 38, the control device 50 in FIG. 15 stops the stage drive motor 13 in FIG. 2, which is the drive means for the stage 2 (step S5). This causes the stage 2 to stop at the second position P2. This stop position of the stage 2 is the optimal position for pay-out, which has been determined by a previously performed operation check.

[0063] Next, the control device 50 controls the pay-out roller drive motor 32, which is the drive source of the pay-out roller 27 in Fig. 5, to rotate the pay-out roller 27 in the forward direction. That is, the control device 50 rotates the pay-out roller 27 in the direction in which the banknotes are paid out (step S6 in Fig. 16). The control device 50 also monitors whether the pay-out detection sensor 44 arranged in the vicinity of the pay-out roller 27 in Fig. 1 is shielded from light (ON) (step S8 in Fig. 16). That is, the control device 50 sets a timer to detect the ON state of the pay-out detection sensor 44.

[0064] If the ON (light blocking) signal of the payout detection sensor 44 is detected before the predetermined time (2 seconds in this embodiment) has elapsed, the monitoring is terminated as normal operation, and the number of bills paid out is confirmed (step S9 in FIG. 16). If the number of bills paid out has been reached, the payout operation is terminated (YES in step S9 in FIG. 16). If the number of bills to be paid out has not been reached, the operation returns to the operation for maintaining a constant pressure of the detected bill against the payout roller 27 (steps S9 and S4 in FIG. 16), and the payout operation continues.

[0065] (Retry process in banknote dispensing process) Returning to the monitoring of the payout detection sensor 44, if the ON (light-shielded) signal of the payout detection sensor 44 is not detected before the predetermined time has elapsed (NO in step S8 in FIG. 16), the process proceeds to the first retry process, which is the second control process of the present invention (step S10). In the first retry process, first, the payout roller 27 is reversed in step S32 in FIG. 17. That is, the banknote is moved in the opposite direction to the payout direction.

[0066] At the same time, the control device 50 lowers the stage 2 to the third position P3 in Fig. 12, which is the secondary reserve position (steps S33, YES in S34, S35). That is, the control device 50 moves the stage 2 away from the pay-out roller 27, thereby moving the banknote M on the stage 2 away from the pay-out roller 27. This is to release the state in which the ends of the banknotes are misaligned due to pay-out and cannot be paid out properly, and to align the ends or change the contact position of the pay-out roller 27 with the topmost banknote.

[0067] Next, the control device 50 raises the stage 2 again to the second position P2 in Fig. 6 (steps S35, S36, S37). This second position P2 is a position where the topmost banknote among the banknotes is brought into contact with the feed roller 27 as a paper sheet feed means with a predetermined pressure. The above is the first retry process (the second control step of the present invention). If an ON (light-shielded) signal is output from the feed detection sensor 44 by this first retry process, the process returns to normal processing (YES in step S12 in Fig. 16).

[0068] If the payout detection sensor 44 does not turn ON (light blocking) during one first retry process (NO in step S12 of Figure 16), the first retry process is repeated a predetermined number of times (three times in this embodiment) (step S13), and if the payout detection sensor 44 still does not turn ON (light blocking) before a predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to the second retry process, which is the first control step of the present invention (NO in step S13 of Figure 16, S14).

[0069] When the second retry process is started, in steps S42, S43, S44, and S45 in Fig. 18, the stage 2 is lowered until the swing sensor 38 turns OFF (transmits light) while rotating the feed roller 27 in Fig. 7 in the forward direction. Next, the control device 50 raises the stage 2 again to the second position P2 (Fig. 6) (steps S45, S46, and S47). The second position P2 of the stage 2 is a position where the uppermost banknote among the banknotes is brought into contact with the feed roller 27 with a predetermined pressure. The above process is the second retry process (the first control step of the present invention).

[0070] In the above procedure, the time it takes for the swing sensor 38 to change from the ON (light blocking) state to the OFF (light transmitting) state, i.e., the distance that stage 2 descends for the second retry process (first control step), is smaller than the distance that stage 2 descends to move the topmost banknote away from the pay-out roller in the first retry process (second control step).

[0071] However, the state of the banknotes varies. For example, there are clean ones without wrinkles that have just entered circulation, and ones that have been in circulation for a long time and are wrinkled. The installation environment of the paper sheet storage 1 of this embodiment also varies. On the other hand, when the feed roller 27 presses the banknotes on the stage 2, the feed roller 27 generates a force in the feeding direction on the topmost banknote, and generates frictional forces between the multiple banknotes and between the banknotes and the stage 2. These frictional forces act in the opposite direction to the force of the feed roller 27 to feed the banknotes. If the force of the feed roller 27 to feed the banknotes is greater than the force acting in the opposite direction, the banknotes are normally fed, but depending on the state of the banknotes and the installation environment of the storage, the force of the feed roller 27 to feed the banknotes may be balanced with the force acting in the opposite direction, or the force of the feed roller 27 to feed the banknotes may be slightly smaller than the force acting in the opposite direction. In such a case, there is a risk that the banknotes will become jammed near the pay-out roller 27, making it impossible to pay out the banknotes normally.

[0072] In such a case, if the stage 2 is moved away from the feed roller 27 while rotating the feed roller 27 in the direction in which the banknote is fed (i.e., forward rotation), the downward pressure of the feed roller 27 can be changed (specifically, reduced), and further, a change in the contact position of the feed roller 27 itself with respect to the banknote and a change in the frictional force can be induced. As a result, the balance of forces causing the jamming of the banknote can be properly disrupted, and the banknote feeding failure can be eliminated. In order to properly disrupt the balance of forces in this way, it is not necessary to move the stage 2 farther than necessary relative to the feed roller 27. According to the inventor's experiments, the banknote feeding failure such as the jamming of the banknote could be eliminated by moving the stage 2 away from the feed roller 27 by a maximum of about 4 to 6 mm.

[0073] 18, if the payout detection sensor 44 turns ON (light-shielded) in step S16 in Fig. 16 (YES in step S16), the payout roller 27 is stopped and then normal processing is resumed. If the payout detection sensor 44 does not turn ON (light-shielded) in one second retry process, the second retry process is repeated a predetermined number of times (six times in this embodiment) (steps S15, S16, S17 in Fig. 16), and if the payout detection sensor 44 is still not detected as being ON (light-shielded) before a predetermined time has elapsed, it is determined that an apparatus abnormality has occurred (step S18). The number of times and the order of the first retry process (second control step) and the second retry process (first control step) may be changed as appropriate. Such changes may be made depending on the type of operation (for example, changing the spring pressure of the spring 34 in FIG. 5, or changing the time it takes for the swing sensor 38 to change from an ON (light blocking) state to an OFF (light transmitting) state).

[0074] (Other embodiments of the paper sheet feeding device) Although the present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and can be modified in various ways within the scope of the invention described in the claims.

[0075] (Example 1) For example, the present invention is characterized in that "in the second retry process (the first control step of the present invention), the pressure of the pay-out roller against the paper sheets is reduced while the pay-out roller is rotated in the forward direction." In the above embodiment described in this specification, the pay-out unit 7, in which the support 26 supporting the pay-out roller 27 swings about the drive shaft 28 as shown in Fig. 5, is fixedly disposed on the upper part of the paper sheet storage 1 as shown in Fig. 7, and the pressure of the pay-out roller 27 against the paper sheets M is reduced by lowering the stage 2 relative to the pay-out roller 27.

[0076] In this embodiment, during normal banknote dispensing operation, the spring-loaded support 26 causes the dispensing roller 27 to abut against the upper surface of the banknote with a predetermined pressure, and when the stage 2 moves downward during the second retry, the dispensing roller 27 moves together with the stage 2 due to the swinging of the support 26.

[0077] Instead of such an embodiment, a configuration can be adopted in which support 26 does not swing relative to drive shaft 28 in Fig. 5, that is, pay-out roller 27 is held in a fixed position without swinging up and down in Fig. 1. In this embodiment, only stage 2 moves downward during the second retry, and pay-out roller 27 does not move in conjunction with stage 2 moving downward.

[0078] (Example 2) It is possible to use a pay-out unit 57 as shown in Fig. 19 instead of the pay-out unit 7 shown in Fig. 5. In this pay-out unit 57, a support 56 that supports the pay-out unit 57 is configured not to swing, and the entire support 56 is configured to move in parallel along a guide rod 58. In this embodiment, the pressure of the pay-out roller 27 on the paper sheets M can be reduced by moving the entire pay-out unit 56 in a direction away from the banknotes M on the stage 2 in Fig. 7 (upward in Fig. 19).

[0079] (Example 3) Furthermore, it is possible to use a pay-out unit 67 as shown in Fig. 20 in place of the pay-out unit 7 in Fig. 5. In this pay-out unit 67, the support 66b at the tip can swing relative to the support body 66a as shown by the line LL. Also, the support body 66a is configured to move in parallel along a guide rod 68. In this embodiment, the pressure of the pay-out roller 27 on the paper sheets M can be reduced by moving both the pay-out roller 27 and the stage 2 in Fig. 7.

[0080] (One embodiment of the paper sheet processing device) FIG. 21 shows one embodiment of the paper sheet processing device according to the present invention. The paper sheet processing device 60 shown here uses the paper sheet storage 1 according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 21 shows the paper sheet processing device 60, which is a main part of a ticket vending machine, which is an automatic machine that handles paper sheets. This paper sheet processing device 60 has a function of transporting paper sheets, i.e., banknotes, from one place to another. FIG. 21 shows with thick arrows the movement of banknotes when dispensing and rejecting dispensing in the paper sheet processing device 60. Rejection means returning inappropriate banknotes.

[0081] In the paper sheet processing device 60, the amount of change is determined by the difference between the amount of the inserted coins and the amount of the purchased goods. The change is determined by the required denomination of the bill depending on the amount of change. The change is paid out through the dispensing port 104 in FIG. 21.

[0082] Storage vaults 113a, 113b, 113c of each denomination are formed by a paper sheet storage vault equipped with a paper sheet dispensing device according to the present invention, for example, the paper sheet storage vault 1 shown in Fig. 1. A banknote dispensing unit R is provided above the banknote storage unit S in storage vaults 113a, 113b, 113c of each denomination. Change bills are dispensed one by one onto the transport path by the banknote dispensing unit R of the corresponding denomination, the denomination is recognized by the recognition unit 110, the amount is calculated by arithmetic processing in the control unit, and the change bills are transported to the dispensing unit 105.

[0083] When the withdrawal unit 105 has completed holding the banknotes, the banknotes are dispensed in a lump sum through the withdrawal port 104. Banknotes that could not be recognized by the recognition unit 110 are transported to a withdrawal rejected box 118a. The banknotes dispensed in a lump sum are held in the withdrawal port 104 in a waiting state for removal. If a customer does not remove the banknotes within a certain period of time, the banknotes are taken into the left-behind banknote recovery box 118c and collected.

[0084] In this embodiment, the storage boxes 113a, 113b, and 113c of each denomination are formed by, for example, the paper sheet storage box 1 shown in Fig. 1. The banknote feed section R in each storage box in Fig. 21 is formed by the paper sheet feed device according to the present invention. A banknote transport section is provided between each storage box 113a, 113b, and 113c. This transport section is formed by a plurality of belts stretched between a drive roller and a driven roller, a claw member that switches the transport path of the banknotes by the belt, and the like.

[0085] Furthermore, in the paper sheet processing device 60, replenishment and replenishment rejection processes are performed. The storage boxes of each denomination described above are replenished with bills stored in the replenishment / recovery box 114. Rejection of replenishment means that improper banknotes are not replenished to the storage box but are stored in another location. In this embodiment, the replenishment / recovery box 114 is also formed, for example, by the paper sheet storage box 1 shown in Fig. 1. And the banknote dispensing section R in the replenishment / recovery box 114 in Fig. 21 is formed by the paper sheet dispensing device according to the present invention.

[0086] By using the paper sheet dispensing device of the present invention, paper sheets can be fed stably and continuously from the paper sheet storage container to an external paper sheet transport section without clogging the container, so that the transport of paper sheets between each storage container can be performed stably and continuously without interruption. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 1: paper sheet storage, 2: stage (paper sheet feeding device), 3: conveyor belt, 4: separator, 4a: end on deposit port side, 4b: center portion, 5: flapper, 6: pressure plate, 7: feed unit (paper sheet feeding device), 8. case, 9. temporary storage door, 10a, 10b: opening, 11: slider, 12: drive belt, 13: stage drive motor, 14: guide rod, 18: deposit port, 19: swing arm, 20: fulcrum, 21: electromagnetic solenoid, 22: fulcrum, 25: guide rod, 26: support, 27: feed roller, 28: drive shaft, 29: drive belt, 32: feed roller drive motor (feed roller rotation drive means), 33: transmission belt, 34: spring, 35: detection piece , 38: swing sensor, 39: introduction roller, 40: payment port, 41: separation unit, 41a: rotating separation roller, 41b: non-rotating cylindrical member, 44: dispensing detection sensor, 45: pinch roller, 46: pressure roller, 47a, 47b, 47c: position sensor, 50: control device, 51: dispensing calculation unit, 52: first retry calculation unit, 53: second retry calculation unit, 54: memory, 56: support body, 57: dispensing unit, 58: guide rod, 60: paper sheet processing device, 66a: support body main body, 66b: tip support body, 67: dispensing unit, 68: guide rod, P1: first position, P2: second position, P3: third position, J: initial holding unit, Q: holding unit, S: banknote storage unit

Claims

1. A stage on which a plurality of sheets of paper are stacked, A feed roller that abuts against the topmost sheet of the plurality of stacked sheets of paper, Feed roller rotation driving means for rotating the feed roller about its center line, Feed roller pressure changing means for changing the pressure of the feed roller against the sheets of paper, Control means for controlling the operation of the feed roller rotation driving means and the operation of the feed roller pressure changing means, and having The control means controls the feed roller to rotate forward in the sheet feeding direction by the feed roller rotation driving means while pressing the feed roller against the topmost sheet of the plurality of sheets of paper with a predetermined pressure, and feeds out the topmost sheet of paper by the forward rotation of this feed roller In a sheet feeding device, The control means has a first control step of rotating the feed roller forward by the feed roller rotation driving means while reducing the pressure of the feed roller against the sheets of paper by the feed roller pressure changing means A sheet feeding device characterized by the above.

2. The stage has stage separation means for separating the stage from the feed roller, The control means has a second control step of reversing the feed roller by the feed roller rotation driving means and simultaneously separating the stage from the feed roller by the stage separation means to separate the sheets of paper on the stage from the feed roller. The sheet feeding device according to Claim 1, characterized by this.

3. The feed roller pressure changing means A support for rotatably supporting the feed roller, A spring for elastically biasing this support toward the stage, Stage moving means for moving the stage in a direction approaching the feed roller and a direction away from the feed roller in parallel, and having The control means realizes the state of pressing the feed roller against the topmost sheet of the plurality of sheets of paper with a predetermined pressure by pressing the sheets of paper on the stage against the feed roller by the stage moving means, and further The control means realizes reducing the pressure of the feed roller against the sheets of paper by moving the stage in a direction away from the feed roller by the stage moving means A sheet feeding device according to Claim 1, characterized by the above.

4. The feed roller pressure changing means The pay-out roller is rotatable about its own center line and is arranged so as to be immovable in position, stage moving means for moving the stage in a direction approaching the pay-out roller and in a direction away from the pay-out roller in parallel, The control means realizes a state in which the pay-out roller presses against the uppermost sheet among a plurality of sheets with a predetermined pressure by pressing the sheets on the stage against the pay-out roller by the stage moving means, and further The control means realizes reducing the pressure of the pay-out roller against the sheets by moving the stage in a direction away from the pay-out roller by the stage moving means. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that.

5. It has stage moving means for moving the stage in a direction approaching the pay-out roller and in a direction away from the pay-out roller in parallel, The pay-out roller pressure changing means has pay-out roller position moving means for moving the pay-out roller in a direction approaching the stage and in a direction away from the stage, The control means realizes a state in which the pay-out roller presses against the uppermost sheet among a plurality of sheets with a predetermined pressure by pressing the sheets on the stage against the pay-out roller by the stage moving means, and further The control means realizes reducing the pressure of the pay-out roller against the sheets by moving the pay-out roller in a direction away from the stage by the pay-out roller position moving means. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that.

6. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, a conveying unit for conveying the sheets fed out from the sheet feeding device, A sheet processing apparatus, characterized by comprising.

Images