Panel unit mounting structure and device

Abstract

To provide a panel unit mounting structure and a device that facilitate maintenance work of a rear side of an operation panel.SOLUTION: A panel unit mounting structure includes: a panel unit 20 having an operation panel; and a first slide mechanism that supports the panel unit 20 so as to be pulled out from an enclosure. The panel unit 20 has a base part 25 on which instruments (such as, as an example, a receipt printer 31 and a card reader 32) related to the operation panel are mounted, and a second slide mechanism 26 that moves the base part 25 in a direction opposite to a pull-out direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a panel unit mounting structure and apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] As a medium handling device such as an automated teller machine (ATM), for example, one having a configuration shown in Patent Document 1 is known. A conventional automated teller machine has a front panel (operation panel) to which a touch display is attached. This front panel is attached to the upper part of the front of the housing using a hinge. With this configuration, the front panel opens when an operator lifts it up by bouncing it up from below. Devices such as a substrate are built into the back side of the front panel.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the case of a flip-up type front panel (operation panel) as in Patent Document 1, when the front panel is opened, the substrate is upside down. Therefore, when an operator performs maintenance work on the substrate, there is a problem that the work is difficult. The same applies when hinges are provided on the left and right sides of the front panel. When the front panel is opened, the substrate is reversed left and right.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a panel unit mounting structure and apparatus in which maintenance work on the back side of the operation panel is easy.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, a panel unit mounting structure according to one aspect of the present invention includes a panel unit having an operation panel and a first slide mechanism that supports the panel unit so as to be pullable out from a housing. The panel unit includes a base portion to which devices related to the operation panel are attached and a second slide mechanism that moves the base portion in a direction opposite to the pulling-out direction.

[0007] Moreover, an apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention is an apparatus including the above-described panel unit mounting structure.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, maintenance work on the back side of the operation panel is easy.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Each drawing only schematically shows the invention to such an extent that it can be fully understood. Therefore, the present invention is not limited only to the illustrated examples. In addition, in the drawings for reference, the dimensions of the members constituting the present invention may be exaggerated or reduced for clarity of explanation. In each drawing, common components and similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0011] [First Embodiment] [Regarding the Panel Unit Mounting Structure According to the First Embodiment] With reference to FIG. 1, the configuration of the media handling device 1 provided with the panel unit mounting structure 10 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the media handling device 1 provided with the panel unit mounting structure 10 according to the first embodiment. "Front-back", "up-down", and "left-right" in the media handling device 1 follow the arrows in FIG. 1. The directions are defined for convenience of explanation and do not limit the present invention. The media handled by the media handling device 1 are, for example, banknotes, receipts, cards, and the like.

[0012] In this embodiment, a cash dispenser (ATM: Automated Teller Machine) is assumed as the media handling device 1. The media handling device 1 is installed, for example, in a bank branch, a convenience store, etc., and conducts transactions related to cash such as deposit transactions and withdrawal transactions with users.

[0013] The media handling device 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a housing 9, a first front panel 1a, and a second front panel 1b. The housing 9 includes a ceiling portion 9a, a rear wall portion 9b, a left wall portion 9c, and a right wall portion 9d. The ceiling portion 9a, the rear wall portion 9b, the left wall portion 9c, and the right wall portion 9d are plate-like members and are made of, for example, resin. The housing 9 is supported by a metal frame (not shown).

[0014] The first front panel 1a is arranged at the upper front part. The first front panel 1a is provided with a display input section 2, a card insertion / ejection section 3, a receipt ejection section 4, and a numeric input section 5. The first front panel 1a is an example of an operation panel.

[0015] The second front panel 1b is arranged below the first front panel 1a. The second front panel 1b is provided with a bill insertion / ejection section 6, a barcode reader 7a, a fingerprint authentication section 7b, and a non-contact reading section 8.

[0016] The display input section 2 is a touch display in which a display as a display section and a touch panel as an input section are integrated. The card insertion / ejection section 3 is an opening for inserting and ejecting a cash card, a transfer card, etc. The receipt ejection section 4 is an opening through which a receipt is ejected. The numeric input section 5 is a component for inputting numeric information such as a PIN number and an amount.

[0017] The bill insertion / ejection section 6 is a component for inserting and ejecting bills, and in FIG. 1, a state closed by a shutter is illustrated. The barcode reader 7a is a component for reading a barcode given to a medium (an example is a cash card). The fingerprint authentication section 7b is a component for acquiring fingerprint information of an operator. The non-contact reading section 8 is a component for transmitting and receiving information to and from a medium (an example is a cash card with an IC (Integrated Circuit) chip built in) using radio waves.

[0018] The medium handling device 1 includes a panel unit mounting structure 10. The panel unit mounting structure 10 includes a panel unit 20 and a first slide mechanism 11. The panel unit 20 has the first front panel 1a mounted on the front part, and is installed in the housing 9 using the first slide mechanism 11. The panel unit 20 can be pulled out forward (in the α1 direction in FIG. 1) from the housing 9, and in a state where the panel unit 20 is not pulled out from the housing 9 (the state shown in FIG. 1), components other than the first front panel 1a are housed in the housing 9.

[0019] The first slide mechanism 11 supports the panel unit 20 so as to be pullable out from the housing 9. In the present embodiment, two first slide mechanisms 11 are provided, one between the right wall portion 9d and the panel unit 20 and one between the left wall portion 9c and the panel unit 20 (only the right wall portion 9d side is shown in FIG. 1). The first slide mechanism 11 is, for example, a slide rail and may be of a bearing type or a roller type. Thereby, the panel unit 20 is slidable forward (in the α1 direction in FIG. 1) and backward (in the α2 direction in FIG. 1).

[0020] The second front panel 1b has a rotation axis arranged in the left - right direction at the rear portion, and the front portion side is rotatable in the β1 direction and the β2 direction in FIG. 1. By rotating the second front panel 1b upward (in the β1 direction in FIG. 1), maintenance work on the mechanism related to the second front panel 1b can be carried out.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 6, the configuration of the panel unit 20 will be described. FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views of the panel unit 20 when viewed from the rear upper side. FIG. 2 shows a state where the base portion 25 is in the initial position, and FIG. 3 shows a state where the base portion 25 is in the retracted position after moving backward (retreating). FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the main part in FIG. 3 and is an enlarged view of the periphery of the first elastic member 27. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the panel unit 20 when viewed from the rear lower side. FIG. 5 shows a state where the base portion 25 is in the retracted position after moving backward (retreating). FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the main part in FIG. 5 and is an enlarged view of the periphery of the engaging portion 23ba.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the panel unit 20 of the present embodiment mainly includes a panel mounting portion 21, a left frame 22, a right frame 23, a lower frame 24, a base portion 25, a second slide mechanism 26, and a first elastic member 27. The left frame 22, the right frame 23, the lower frame 24, the base portion 25, the second slide mechanism 26, and the first elastic member 27 are made of, for example, metal.

[0023] The panel mounting portion 21 is the portion where the first front panel 1a is mounted, and has a structure (shape, size, etc.) corresponding to the first front panel 1a. The panel mounting portion 21 shown in FIG. 2 mainly has a bottom portion 21a, a left wall portion 21b, and a right wall portion 21c. Further, the panel mounting portion 21 has a substrate 21d on the back side of the display input portion 2 (see FIG. 1).

[0024] The left frame 22 and the right frame 23 shown in FIG. 4 support the base portion 25 via the second slide mechanism 26. The left frame 22 and the right frame 23 are long members having a plate shape. The left frame 22 and the right frame 23 are provided across the panel mounting portion 21 and the base portion 25.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 5, the lower edge portion of the right frame 23 is bent at a right angle inward (leftward), and the rear edge portion is bent at a right angle inward (leftward). Thereby, the right frame 23 has a lower end bent portion 23b and a front end bent portion 23c. A notch portion 23d for avoiding contact with the base portion 25 is formed in the front end bent portion 23c.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the lower edge portion of the left frame 22 is bent at a right angle inward (rightward), and the rear edge portion is bent at a right angle inward (rightward). Thereby, the left frame 22 has a lower end bent portion 22b and a front end bent portion 22c. A notch portion 22d for avoiding contact with the base portion 25 is formed in the front end bent portion 22c.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 5, the lower frame 24 is a member that connects the left frame 22 and the right frame 23. The lower frame 24 is disposed below the base portion 25. The lower frame 24 does not contact the base portion 25 and does not prevent the movement of the base portion 25.

[0028] The base portion 25 shown in Fig. 2 is a member to which devices related to the first front panel 1a (e.g., receipt printer 31, card reader 32, etc.) are attached. In Fig. 2, the receipt printer 31 and the card reader 32 are shown by phantom lines. The base portion 25 can move from the initial position shown in Fig. 2 to the retracted position shown in Fig. 3 and vice versa, i.e., the base portion 25 can move in a direction away from the panel mounting portion 21 (the first front panel 1a) (the γ2 direction in Fig. 2) and in a direction approaching it (the γ1 direction in Fig. 3). In the present embodiment, the γ1 direction in Fig. 3 is the same as the drawing-out direction of the panel unit 20 (the α1 direction in Fig. 1), and the γ2 direction in Fig. 2 is the same as the housing direction of the panel unit 20 (the α2 direction in Fig. 1).

[0029] In a state where the base portion 25 is in the initial position (the state shown in Fig. 2), the front portions of the receipt printer 31 and the card reader 32 are housed within the panel mounting portion 21, and alignment with the receipt discharge portion 4 and the card insertion / discharge portion 3 is achieved. As shown in Fig. 5, the panel unit 20 has a lock mechanism 28 and can restrict the movement of the base portion 25 in the initial position. In a state where the movement of the base portion 25 is restricted (locked) in the initial position, the panel unit 20 is housed within the housing 9, and the medium handling device 1 operates normally.

[0030] In a state where the base portion 25 is in the retracted position (the state shown in Fig. 3), the front portions of the receipt printer 31 and the card reader 32 are pulled out from the panel mounting portion 21 and exposed. Therefore, the operator can perform work that requires contact with the front portions of the receipt printer 31 and the card reader 32 (one example is the response when a jam occurs).

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, the base portion 25 according to this embodiment has a rectangular plate shape, and the edge portion of the bottom portion 25a is bent upward at a right angle. The base portion 25 serves as the bottom of the panel unit 20. As shown in FIG. 4, a part of the right side wall 25b of the base portion 25 is bent inward (leftward) at a right angle, and a protruding portion 25d parallel to the bottom portion 25a is formed. A first elastic member 27 is fixed to the protruding portion 25d.

[0032] The second slide mechanism 26 shown in FIG. 2 supports the base portion 25 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, a total of two second slide mechanisms 26 are provided, one between the left frame 22 and the base portion 25 and one between the right frame 23 and the base portion 25. The second slide mechanism 26 is, for example, a slide rail and may be of a bearing type or a roller type. In this embodiment, the second slide mechanism will be described assuming a bearing type slide rail.

[0033] The second slide mechanism 26, which is a bearing type slide rail, mainly includes an outer member 26a, an inner member 26b, a ball bearing (not shown), and a retainer (not shown) as shown in FIG. 3. The outer member 26a is a long member fixed to the fixed side left frame 22 or right frame 23. The inner member 26b is a long member fixed to the movable side base portion 25. The ball bearing is provided between the outer member 26a and the inner member 26b. The retainer is a member that holds the ball bearing.

[0034] The first elastic member 27 shown in Fig. 2 is a component for discharging the static electricity generated in the base portion 25 and the devices (such as the receipt printer 31, the card reader 32, etc.) attached to the base portion 25 to the frame ground (FG) (that is, it is a member for grounding). As shown in Fig. 4, the first elastic member 27 in the present embodiment is fixed to the protruding portion 25d of the base portion 25 by fastening means 27e, and a part thereof contacts the lower end bent portion 23b of the right frame 23. An opening 25c is formed in the bottom portion 25a of the base portion 25, and the first elastic member 27 can contact the right frame 23 through this opening 25c. The first elastic member 27 always contacts the right frame 23 regardless of the position of the base portion 25. Although the base portion 25 contacts the left frame 22 and the right frame 23 through the second slide mechanism 26, since the ball bearing has a point contact, the contact area is small, and the static electricity is mainly discharged to the right frame 23 through the first elastic member 27.

[0035] In addition, the first elastic member 27 plays a role of holding the position of the base portion 25 by using the elastic force (elastic deformation performance). As shown in Fig. 4, the first elastic member 27 is a leaf spring and has a base end portion 27a, a tip end portion 27c, and an intermediate portion 27b. The first elastic member 27 is bent downward at the boundary between the base end portion 27a and the intermediate portion 27b, and the tip end portion 27c is bent so that the lower side is convex. And the position of the lowermost portion 27d of the tip end portion 27c in terms of design is adjusted to be lower than the position of the lower end bent portion 23b of the right frame 23. Thereby, in the initial position shown in Fig. 2, the lowermost portion 27d of the first elastic member 27 contacts the lower end bent portion 23b of the right frame 23, and the intermediate portion 27b is in a state of being bent to generate an elastic force.

[0036] On one hand, the right frame 23 has an engaging portion 23ba at a location corresponding to the retracted position. The engaging portion 23ba may be, for example, an opening or a groove. Thereby, at the retracted position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the contact between the lowermost portion 27d of the first elastic member 27 and the lower end bent portion 23b of the right frame 23 is eliminated, the lowermost portion 27d is located below the lower end bent portion 23b of the right frame 23, and a portion of the tip portion 27c other than the lowermost portion 27d contacts the engaging portion 23ba (see FIG. 6). That is, by dropping a part of the first elastic member 27 into the engaging portion 23ba (an example is an opening or a groove) formed in the right frame 23, the tip portion 27c and the engaging portion 23ba are engaged, and the movement of the base portion 25 from the retracted position is suppressed. The strength of restricting the movement by the first elastic member 27 is preferably determined by the weight of the base portion 25 and the equipment to be attached. For example, the strength of restricting the movement by the first elastic member 27 is preferably such that a person can move the base portion 25 from the retracted position without difficulty by applying a force to the base portion 25. As shown in FIG. 6, an opening 24d for avoiding contact with the first elastic member 27 is formed at a location corresponding to the retracted position of the lower frame 24.

[0037] As described above, according to the panel unit mounting structure 10 according to the first embodiment, when the first front panel 1a (operation panel) is opened by pulling out the panel unit 20, the up, down, left, and right of the first front panel 1a are not changed (the up and down and left and right are not reversed). Therefore, the maintenance work of the substrate 21d provided on the back side of the first front panel 1a (operation panel) is easy.

[0038] Also, according to the panel unit mounting structure 10, the base portion 25 for attaching devices (an example is a receipt printer 31, a card reader 32, etc.) related to the first front panel 1a (operation panel) can move in a direction opposite to the pulling-out direction of the panel unit 20. Therefore, by retracting the base portion 25 backward, it is possible to perform work that requires contact with the front portions of the receipt printer 31 and the card reader 32 (an example is the response when a jam occurs).

[0039] Also, according to the panel unit mounting structure 10, the first elastic member 27 fixed to the base portion 25 engages with the engaging portion 23ba of the right frame 23 at the retracted position, thereby suppressing the movement of the base portion 25 from the retracted position. Therefore, while performing maintenance work on devices related to the first front panel 1a (operation panel) (an example is the receipt printer 31, card reader 32, etc.), the base portion 25 moved to the retracted position is less likely to move unintentionally due to the weight of the devices, etc., making the maintenance work easier.

[0040] Also, according to the panel unit mounting structure 10, the first elastic member 27 is always in contact with the right frame 23. Therefore, it is possible to discharge the static electricity generated in the base portion 25 and the devices (for example, the receipt printer 31, card reader 32, etc.) attached to the base portion 25 to the right frame 23.

[0041] Also, according to the panel unit mounting structure 10, the first elastic member 27 is given the role of a grounding member and the role of a member that holds the base portion 25 in the retracted position. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of parts, which is also advantageous in terms of cost.

[0042] [Second Embodiment] [Regarding the panel unit mounting structure according to the second embodiment] With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the configuration of the panel unit mounting structure 110 according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the media handling device 1 provided with the panel unit mounting structure 110 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the main part in FIG. 7 and is an enlarged view around the second elastic member 29.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 7, the panel unit mounting structure 110 according to the second embodiment includes a panel unit 20, a first slide mechanism 11, and a second elastic member 29. That is, in the panel unit mounting structure 110 according to the second embodiment, a second elastic member 29 is added to the panel unit mounting structure 10 (see FIG. 1) according to the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the description will be centered on the differences from the first embodiment, and the description of the same configuration as the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0044] The second elastic member 29 shown in FIG. 7 is a grounding member between the housing 9 and the first front panel 1a, and plays a role of moving the base portion 25 to a normal position by using an elastic force (elastic deformation performance). The second elastic member 29 is provided on the back side (rear wall portion 9b) of the housing 9. As shown in FIG. 8, the second elastic member 29 is a leaf spring, and the portion corresponding to the base portion 25 has a shape that protrudes forward. The base end portion 29a of the second elastic member 29 is fixed to the rear wall portion 9b, and the tip end portion 29b is not fixed to the rear wall portion 9b. The foremost portion 29c of the second elastic member 29 contacts the rear side wall 25e of the base portion 25. With this configuration, in the storage position where the panel unit 20 is stored in the housing 9, the second elastic member 29 biases the base portion 25 in a direction approaching the panel mounting portion 21 (the first front panel 1a) by an elastic force (the γ1 direction in FIG. 7). Note that the second elastic member 29 is preferably provided behind (on the same line) the lock mechanism 28 (see FIG. 5).

[0045] The panel unit mounting structure 110 according to the second embodiment described above can also achieve the same effects as the first embodiment. Further, according to the panel unit mounting structure 110, when the panel unit 20 is in the stored position stored in the housing 9, the second elastic member 29 biases the base portion 25 forward, and moves the base portion 25 that is not in the initial position to the normal position (initial position). Therefore, even when the panel unit 20 is stored with the base portion 25 not in the initial position (for example, when stored with the base portion 25 in the retracted position), the alignment of the receipt printer 31 and the card reader 32 with respect to the receipt discharge portion 4 and the card insertion / discharge portion 3 can be automatically achieved. As a result, problems (for example, occurrence of jams) caused by abnormal alignment can be suppressed.

[0046] [Modification Example] As described above, each embodiment of the present invention has been explained. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be implemented without changing the gist of the claims. Modification examples of the embodiments are as shown below, for example.

[0047] In each embodiment, the description has been made assuming a front machine with an openable front panel (front operation panel). However, the operation panel is not limited to the front panel, and the operation panel may be provided at a location other than the front. For example, the present invention is also applicable to a rear machine with an openable operation panel provided on the rear surface. In that case, the pulling-out direction of the panel unit 20 is rearward, and the moving direction (retracting direction) of the base portion 25 is forward.

[0048] Further, in each embodiment, the description has been made assuming the media handling device 1 as a device provided with the panel unit mounting structures 10 and 110. However, the device to which the panel unit mounting structures 10 and 110 are applied is not limited to the media handling device 1, and the present invention is applicable to a device provided with an operation panel. That is, the media handling device 1 is an example of the device.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0049] 1 Media handling device (device) 1a First front panel (operation panel) 1b Second front panel 2 represents the input section 3 Card insertion / ejection section 4 Receipt ejection section 5 Numeric input section 6 Bill insertion / ejection section 7a Barcode reader 7b Fingerprint authentication section 8 Contactless reading section 9 Housing 9a Ceiling section 9b Rear wall section 9c Left wall section 9d Right wall section 10, 110 Panel unit mounting structure 11 First slide mechanism 20 Panel unit 21 Panel mounting part 22 Left frame 23 Right frame 24 Lower frame 25 Base part 26 Second slide mechanism 27 First elastic member 28 Lock mechanism 29 Second elastic member 31 Receipt printer 32 Card reader

Claims

1. A panel unit having an operation panel, and a first slide mechanism that supports the panel unit so as to be pullable out of the housing, wherein the panel unit has a base portion to which devices related to the operation panel are attached, and a second slide mechanism that moves the base portion in a direction opposite to the pulling direction, characterized in that it is a panel unit mounting structure.

2. The panel unit has one or more frames that support the base portion via the second slide mechanism, and a first elastic member for grounding that is fixed to the base portion and a part of which contacts the frame, and holds the position of the base portion using the elastic force of the first elastic member, characterized in that it is the panel unit mounting structure according to claim 1.

3. The first elastic member is a leaf spring, and the frame has an engaging portion that engages with the leaf spring at a retracted position where the base portion is moved a predetermined distance in a direction opposite to the pulling direction from an initial position, and suppresses movement from the retracted position, characterized in that it is the panel unit mounting structure according to claim 2.

4. The panel unit has a panel mounting portion on which the operation panel is mounted, the frame is provided across the panel mounting portion and the base portion, the base portion is plate-shaped, serves as the bottom of the panel unit, and can approach and separate from the panel mounting portion, characterized in that it is the panel unit mounting structure according to claim 2.

5. It includes a second elastic member provided on the back side of the housing, and the second elastic member biases the base portion in the pulling direction by elastic force at a storage position where the panel unit is stored in the housing, characterized in that it is the panel unit mounting structure according to claim 1.

6. An apparatus comprising the panel unit mounting structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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