Paper sheet carrier

Abstract

To provide a paper sheet carrier capable of rotating a paper sheet 90 degrees in position (paper-surface direction) about a center axis while maintaining a lengthwise, vertical position in a transport direction, in a torsional portion provided on a transport passage to carry a paper sheet by a flow of air through a transport tube.SOLUTION: A paper sheet carrier comprises a torsional transport tube 51 having a torsional transport passage to rotate a paper sheet at a paper surface carried from upstream about a center axis in a transport direction and change the direction of orthogonal-to-transport sides thereof, the paper sheet being carried having a rectangular form having two parallel-to-transport sides directed parallel to the transport direction and two orthogonal-to-transport sides directed orthogonal thereto. The torsional transport passage is adapted for the paper sheet to pass through while remaining a lengthwise, vertical position in the transport direction by continuously changing the same at a constant angle for a constant distance from upstream toward downstream.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention provides The present invention relates to a paper sheet transport device that transports paper sheets in a transport pipe through which air flows from upstream to downstream. [Background technology]

[0002] Inside the gaming machine island, which houses multiple sets of gaming ball dispensing machines that receive inserted banknotes and lend gaming balls (such as pachinko balls) to players, and gaming machines such as pachinko machines, a transport device is provided along the length of the gaming machine island to transport the banknotes inserted into each gaming ball dispensing machine to a safe located at the end of the gaming machine island.

[0003] Furthermore, the following Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a transport system that automatically collects banknotes from the safes of each gaming machine island in an amusement arcade and transports them to the main safe in the office, in order to reduce the work of store staff having to go around to each gaming machine island after closing time to collect the banknotes stored in the safes of each gaming machine island scattered throughout the arcade and transport them to the main safe in the store's office for storage.

[0004] In such a conveying system, various installation methods are required depending on the circumstances of each amusement parlor, such as installing the conveying path across different floors or passing through the ceiling, so it is desirable that the conveying path have, in addition to straight sections, curved sections for changing the path from left to right, and curved sections for changing the path from horizontal to vertical (or from vertical to horizontal).

[0005] However, while it is easy for banknotes to bend inward (curve in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface, where the radial direction is), they cannot deform in the direction perpendicular to this (curve within a plane that includes the paper surface). For this reason, only curved sections are provided through which banknotes pass while curving in the former direction. For example, when transporting banknotes in a horizontal position, at the point where the path changes from horizontal to up and down, the banknotes pass through the curved section in a horizontal position, and at the point where the path changes from left to right, twisted tubes are placed before and after the curved section to switch the position of the banknote between horizontal and vertical.

[0006] That is, the banknotes are changed from a horizontal position to a vertical position in a torsion tube upstream of the curved section, then their course is changed left and right in the curved section, and then the banknotes are changed from a vertical position back to their original horizontal position in a torsion tube downstream of the curved section.

[0007] According to Patent Documents 1 and 2, the main transport path that collects banknotes from the safes on each gaming machine island and transports them to the main safe in the office is installed above or near the ceiling, so an auxiliary transport path is provided to transport banknotes vertically from the safes on the gaming machine island to the main transport path above it, and an intake device is installed at the end of the auxiliary transport path to feed the banknotes transported along the auxiliary transport path into the main transport path.The auxiliary transport path is tubular, and an air flow generator generates an air flow from below to above within the path, and a transport auxiliary body that moves due to the action of the air flow pushes the banknotes up from below and transports them.After transport is complete, the air flow is stopped, allowing the transport auxiliary body to naturally fall to a standby position below. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-2378 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-198617 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] A method of providing only a bending section where banknotes pass through while bending the paper surface inward, and providing twisted tubes before and after the bending tube to accommodate curves in other directions, requires a twisted tube with a complex structure, which increases parts costs. Furthermore, banknotes are prone to jamming in the twisted tube. Patent Documents 1 and 2 aim to simplify inspection and jamming removal by concentrating twisted tubes before and after the bending section, but this does not fundamentally solve the problem of banknote jamming. Furthermore, to reduce banknotes sticking to the inner walls of the conveying tube, it is desirable to convey banknotes in a vertical position.

[0010] Furthermore, the section where banknotes are sent from the sub-conveyance path to the main conveyance path via the intake device is prone to jamming with banknotes that are bent into a Z shape (Z banknotes), banknotes with cut ends (broken banknotes), curled banknotes (curled banknotes), etc. The intake device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is equipped with a conveyance section that clamps the taken-in banknotes between a conveyor belt and clamping rollers and sends them to the main conveyance path, but if Z banknotes are clamped while still folded, they can get caught in the discharge rollers located just before the exit to the main conveyance path, causing problems such as the edge of the banknote being torn or damaged or the banknote getting jammed.

[0011] Furthermore, in a sub-conveyance device in which a transport auxiliary body that moves in response to the action of an airflow from below to above sent out by an airflow generating device pushes up banknotes from below and transports them, and then stops this airflow to allow the transport auxiliary body to naturally fall back to a standby position below, it cannot handle cases in which the initial part of the path from the intake device back to the standby position is horizontal. Also, because the control of the airflow is limited to turning the airflow from below to above on and off and the strength of the airflow, there are limitations to preventing or clearing jams by controlling the airflow alone, and clearing jams often requires manual labor. Incidentally, the relative positions of the gaming machine island safe and the main transport route above it vary from arcade to arcade, so it is desirable that the transport route of the transport system, including this, be able to accommodate a variety of installations according to the circumstances of the arcade.

[0012] The present invention aims to solve the above problems, A paper sheet transport device that can be installed in a variety of ways The purpose is to provide. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The gist of the present invention to achieve this object resides in the following inventions.

[0014] [1] A paper sheet transport device that transports paper sheets, the paper surfaces of which are arranged parallel to a transport direction, from upstream to downstream in a transport pipe having a transport path formed therein through which an air flow flows from upstream to downstream, The paper sheet has a rectangular shape having two parallel conveyance sides arranged in a direction parallel to the conveyance direction and two perpendicular conveyance sides arranged in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction, a twisted conveying pipe having a twisted conveying path formed therein, which rotates the paper surface of the paper sheet conveyed from upstream around a central axis along the conveying direction to change the direction of the conveying orthogonal side of the paper sheet; The twisted conveying path of the twisted conveying pipe is continuously changed at a constant angle for a constant distance from upstream to downstream, so that the paper sheets can pass through in a longitudinal position in the conveying direction. A paper sheet transport device characterized by: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the layout of an amusement arcade in which a paper sheet collection and transport system according to the present invention is installed; [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram showing the entire paper sheet collection and transport system according to the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an island banknote transport device installed in an amusement island. [Figure 4] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a transport auxiliary body pushes a banknote in a transport tube from the rear end side of the banknote. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a straight portion of the conveying pipe. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the extension direction of the straight portion of the conveying pipe. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are plan and front views of a transport aid; [Figure 8] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the conveying pipe and the conveying auxiliary body in a state where the conveying auxiliary body is inserted into the conveying pipe. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the positional relationship between a relay box, an auxiliary transport device, and a take-in device. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a torsion tube. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of the positional relationship between the relay box, the sub-transport device, and the take-in device. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of the positional relationship between the relay box, the sub-transport device, and the take-in device. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a second bending tube of Type 1. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the front and plan views of a Type 1 second bending tube. [Figure 15] 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 14. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a second bending tube of Type 2. [Figure 17] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the front and plan views of a second bending tube of Type 2. FIG. [Figure 18] 18 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 17 taken along line B-B. [Figure 19]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a normal card without any folds passing through the second bending tube of type 1. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a normal card without any folds passing through the second bending tube of type 2. [Figure 21] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating various abnormality tags. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which an abnormal tag (Z tag) passes through a second bending tube of type 1. [Figure 23] 23 is a diagram showing how the same abnormal tag as in FIG. 22 passes through a second bending tube of type 2. FIG. [Figure 24] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an auxiliary transport device and a take-in device connected thereto (and the main transport pipes before and after it). [Figure 25] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the banknote dispensing device of the sub-transport device and its surrounding area. [Figure 26] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the appearance of the capture device. [Figure 27] 27 is a cross-sectional view taken along CC in FIG. 26. [Figure 28] 28 is a cross-sectional view of the take-in device of FIG. 26 taken along the line DD of FIG. 27 (with the clamping rollers in the retracted position). [Figure 29] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the take-in device when the clamping rollers are in the clamping position. [Figure 30] 10 is a diagram showing a take-in device (conventional take-in device) without a restricting portion and a guide wall. FIG. [Figure 31] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing how the end of a curled bill gets between the ribs and how the restricting portion prevents this getting in. FIG. [Figure 32] 10 is a diagram showing how a curled banknote is sandwiched between a sandwiching roller and a conveyor belt and conveyed while being fixed in its curled shape and tilted position in a conventional take-in device. FIG. [Figure 33] 33 is a diagram showing a state in which the banknote is further transported in the state shown in FIG. 32 and reaches the banknote discharge rollers. FIG. [Figure 34] 10 is a diagram showing how the leading edge of a curled bill passes through a passage section in a take-in device having a restriction section; FIG. [Figure 35]10 is a diagram showing a state in which a curled bill reaches in front of a feed roller in a take-in device having a restricting section; FIG. [Figure 36] 10 is a diagram showing a state in which a curled bill enters between the feeding rollers in a substantially straight manner in a take-in device having a restricting section; FIG. [Figure 37] 27 is a diagram showing the capture device as seen from the direction of arrow E in FIG. 26. FIG. [Figure 38] FIG. 38 is a diagram showing a conventional capture device viewed in the same state as in FIG. 37. [Figure 39] 10 is a diagram showing a comparison of widths E1 and E2 in the bill thickness direction at the exit of a passing section of a take-in device according to the present invention and a conventional take-in device. FIG. [Figure 40] 10 is a perspective view showing a transition portion from a passing portion to a conveying portion of a take-in device having a guide wall. FIG. [Figure 41] 10 is a perspective view showing a transition portion from a passing portion to a conveying portion of a take-in device in which no guide wall is provided. FIG. [Figure 42] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the sub-transport device and the take-in device when the banknotes are normally transported from the relay box into the insertion passage portion of the take-in device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] FIG. 1 shows an example of the layout of an amusement parlor 2 in which a paper sheet collection and transport system 1 (see FIG. 2) according to the present invention is installed. Inside the amusement parlor 2, multiple gaming machine islands 3 are arranged, separated by aisles. Each gaming machine island 3 houses multiple pairs of gaming ball dispensers 4, which receive inserted banknotes and dispense gaming balls (pachinko balls) to players, and gaming machines 5, such as pachinko machines, back-to-back on the front and back sides. Inside the gaming machine island 3, an intra-island banknote transport device 7 is provided, which takes in banknotes ejected from the back of each gaming ball dispenser 4 and transports them to a relay box 6 at the end of the gaming machine island 3.

[0018] 2 shows the overall configuration of the paper sheet collection and transport system 1. The paper sheet collection and transport system 1 has each gaming machine island 3 as its local area, and is equipped with relay boxes (relay devices) 6 that have the functions of temporarily storing paper sheets collected from gaming ball dispensing machines 4 by in-island banknote transport devices 7 in each gaming machine island 3 and dispensing the stored paper sheets, main transport devices 8 that are installed throughout each store and transport paper sheets passing above the relay boxes 6 of each gaming machine island 3 to an office safe 41, and sub-transport devices 9 that transport paper sheets dispensed from the relay boxes 6 to a transport path (main transport pipe 40) of the main transport device 8 that passes above the relay boxes 6. The transport path (main transport pipe 40) of the main transport device 8 is installed, for example, so as to pass through the ceiling of the gaming parlor 2.

[0019] The relay box 6 has therein a control unit 23 (see FIG. 3) that controls the intra-island banknote transport device 7, the sub-transport device 9, and the intake device 45 connected to the sub-transport device 9 associated with the relay box 6. In addition, a main control unit that controls the operation of the entire paper sheet collection and transport system 1 is provided in the office safe 4, and the main control unit and the control units in each relay box 6 are connected by communication to operate in cooperation with each other.

[0020] 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the intra-island banknote transport device 7. The intra-island banknote transport device 7 includes a transport pipe 12 (intra-island transport pipe) that serves as a transport path for banknotes (paper sheets), and an airflow generator (blower) 14 that generates an airflow that flows in the extension direction of the transport pipe 12. The intra-island banknote transport device 7 inserts a transport auxiliary body 16, which is movable within the transport pipe 12 in response to the airflow, into the transport pipe 12 upstream of the banknote P to be transported, and the transport auxiliary body 16 pushes the banknote P in the transport pipe 12 from behind to transport it downstream.

[0021] An airflow generating device 14 and a banknote separating / transporting auxiliary body circulating device 11 are provided inside a relay box 6 provided at the end of the gaming machine island 3. The banknote separating / transporting auxiliary body circulating device 11 has the function of a transporting auxiliary body inserting device 11a that sends out transporting auxiliary bodies 16 into the transporting pipe 12, and the function of a separating / recovering device 11b that separates and recovers banknotes P from the transporting auxiliary bodies 16 that have been transported by pushing them from behind, and also has the function of returning the recovered transporting auxiliary bodies 16 to the transporting auxiliary body inserting device 11a for circulation. The banknotes P recovered by the separating / recovering device 11b are temporarily stored in the relay box 6 and then sent out to the sub-transporting device 9.

[0022] The air blowing side (air blowing passage 14a) of the air flow generating device 14 is connected to the air inlet side of the transport auxiliary body insertion device 11a, and the starting end of the transport pipe 12 is connected to the air outlet of the transport auxiliary body insertion device 11a. The transport pipe 12 is composed of an outgoing path 12a extending from the air outlet of the transport auxiliary body insertion device 11a to the other end of the gaming machine island 3, a turning portion 12b that turns back in a U-shape at the other end, and a returning path 12c that turns back at the turning portion 12b and then extends above the outgoing path 12a along the outgoing path 12a to the relay box 6. The end of the returning path 12c is connected to the air inlet of the separation and recovery device 11b, and the air outlet of the separation and recovery device 11b is connected to the air suction side (air suction passage 14b) of the air flow generating device 14.

[0023] The airflow generating device 14 generates an airflow by rotating a fan with a motor. The airflow generated by the airflow generating device 14 flows from the air outlet passage 14a through the conveying auxiliary body insertion device 11a to the starting end of the conveying pipe 12, passes through the outgoing path 12a, the turning portion 12b, and the returning path 12c, and then flows through the separation and recovery device 11b and the air suction passage 14b, so as to be drawn into the suction side of the airflow generating device 14.

[0024] The outbound path 12a and inbound path 12c of the conveying pipe 12 are divided into units of a predetermined length, for example, a length corresponding to the width of one set of gaming machines 5 and gaming ball dispensing machines 4 housed together in the gaming machine island 3, and by connecting the required number of these with connecting units 17, the path length can be adjusted according to the longitudinal length of the gaming machine island 3. Furthermore, at the construction site, the conveying pipe 12 can be cut to the required length on the spot for use.

[0025] In the return path 12c of the conveying pipe 12, bill take-in devices 18 are arranged at positions corresponding to each game ball dispensing machine 4, for taking in bills P discharged from the back of the game ball dispensing machine 4 into the conveying pipe 12. The bill take-in devices 18 are provided in pairs, one for taking in bills P from the game ball dispensing machine 4 arranged on the front side of the game machine island 3, and the other for taking in bills P from the game ball dispensing machine 4 arranged on the back side of the game machine island 3. The bill take-in devices 18 are interposed between the conveying pipes 12 that make up the return path 12c, and serve to connect them.

[0026] In the intra-island banknote transport device 7, banknotes P taken into the return path 12c of the transport tube 12 from the banknote take-in device 18 stay at a predetermined take-in completion position with their paper faces aligned along the extension direction of the transport tube 12. In order to transport the banknotes P taken into and staying in the transport tube 12 to the relay box 6 for collection, a transport auxiliary body 16 is sent into the transport tube 12 by a transport auxiliary body insertion device 11a in the relay box 6.

[0027] The transport auxiliary body 16 sent into the transport tube 12 moves in the outgoing path 12a toward the turn section 12b under the action of the air flow generated by the air flow generating device 14, makes a U-turn at the turn section 12b, and then moves further in the return path 12c toward the terminal end. At this time, as shown in Figure 4, the transport auxiliary body 16 pushes the banknote P in the transport tube 12 from the rear end side of the banknote P, causing the banknote P to be transported toward the terminal end of the transport tube 12 (in the transport direction F in the figure). As shown in Figure 4, the banknote P is transported in the transport tube 12 in a vertical position with the paper surface vertical.

[0028] The banknote separation / transport auxiliary circulating device 11 and the banknote intake device 18 are controlled and operated by a control unit 23 (see FIG. 3) whose main components include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc.

[0029] In this example, the air flow generating device 14 is kept in operation at all times, and when a sensor provided in the banknote intake device 18 detects a banknote P discharged from the back of the game ball dispensing machine 4, the control unit 23 activates the banknote intake device 18 to take in the banknote P into the conveying tube 12. Then, when this taking-in operation is completed, the conveying auxiliary body inserting device 11a of the banknote separating / conveying auxiliary body circulating device 11 sends the conveying auxiliary body 16 into the conveying tube 12. Then, this conveying auxiliary body 16 moves within the conveying tube 12 under the action of the air flow, and pushes and conveys the banknote P from behind. When the separation and recovery device 11b in the relay box 6 detects the arrival of the transport auxiliary body 16, it separates the banknote P from the transport auxiliary body 16 and recovers each of them.The recovered transport auxiliary body 16 is then guided to the transport auxiliary body insertion device 11a in preparation for the next delivery, and the recovered banknote P is temporarily stored in the relay box 6 before being sent out to the sub-transport device 9 (see Figure 2).

[0030] In addition, the air flow generating device 14 may be controlled to operate only when necessary (for example, from the time the banknote intake device 18 detects a banknote from the game ball dispensing machine 3 until the banknote is collected by the separation and collection device 11b in the relay box 6).

[0031] In this way, the transport auxiliary body 16 moves in response to the action of the airflow, and the banknotes P are transported by being pushed from their trailing ends by the transport auxiliary body 16, so the banknotes P themselves do not need to receive propulsion from the airflow. Therefore, the banknotes P can be transported by the airflow without taking measures such as folding the banknotes P to receive the airflow. Furthermore, the transport auxiliary body 16 can obtain propulsion from the airflow more efficiently than the banknotes P, so the banknotes P can be transported efficiently.

[0032] Next, the shapes of the conveying pipe 12 and the conveying auxiliary body 16 will be described in detail.

[0033] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the conveying tube 12 in the straight portion (the outgoing path 12a and the returning path 12c), and Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the cross-sectional shape of the conveying tube 12 in the same portion, perpendicular to the extension direction F (= the banknote conveying direction F = the airflow direction). The conveying tube 12 is made of resin with a thickness of about 1.5 mm. The conveying tube 12 is formed, for example, by extrusion molding.

[0034] The cross-sectional shape of the straight section of the conveying pipe 12 perpendicular to the extension direction F of the conveying pipe 12 is a vertically elongated rectangle with the central portions of the left and right side walls expanding outward. Specifically, the conveying pipe 12 includes upper and lower wall portions 31, left and right side wall portions 32, and rectangularly extending extension portions 33 extending outward at the vertical central portions of the left and right side wall portions 32. The direction of the short side of the approximately rectangular cross section perpendicular to the extension direction (conveying direction F) of the conveying pipe 12 is referred to as the X direction (or width direction, left-right direction), and the direction of the long side is referred to as the Y direction (or height direction, up-down direction). In the X direction and the Y direction, the direction toward the center of the conveying pipe 12 is referred to as the inward direction, and the direction from the center toward the inner wall is referred to as the outward direction. In this embodiment, the conveying pipe 12 is used with the long side of its cross section oriented in the vertical direction, but it may also be used with the short side oriented in the vertical direction.

[0035] The expansion section 33 is divided into two sections, upper and lower, by a separation wall 34 erected toward the inside of the conveying pipe 12. The separation wall 34 is formed by attaching a T-shaped member to the inner wall of the expansion section 33.

[0036] The side wall portion 32 is formed with a plurality of ribs 35 extending in the conveying direction and protruding inward of the conveying pipe 12. In this example, the ribs 35 protruding inward of the conveying pipe 12 are formed along the conveying direction at the boundary between the side wall portion 32 and the expansion portion 33. The separation wall 34 is at the same height as the ribs 35, and the top of the separation wall 34 functions as a rib.

[0037] The side walls 32 are a pair of inner walls that face the paper surface of the transported banknotes P. The banknotes P are rectangular, and are transported inside the transport tube 12 with their long sides oriented in the transport direction F. In other words, the paper surface faces the side walls 32 of the transport tube 12, and the banknotes P are transported with one short side facing the leading edge in the transport direction and the other short side facing the trailing edge.

[0038] The distance Dy between the upper wall portion 31 and the lower wall portion 31 of the conveying tube 12 is slightly longer than the short side of the banknote P. The distance Dx between the left and right side wall portions 32 (portions (reference plane portions) where the ribs 35, the extension portions 33, and the separation wall 34 are not formed) is set to about 21 mm. The extension portions 33 provided on the left and right side wall portions 32 each extend outward from the side wall portion 32 (reference plane portion) by about 6 mm. The peaks of the ribs 35 and the separation wall 34 are about 2 mm high from the side wall portion 32 (reference plane portion) inward. The height of the ribs 35 may be set as appropriate.

[0039] FIG. 7 shows the top and front views of the transport auxiliary body 16. The transport auxiliary body 16 is a columnar body with a circular cross section and varying diameters at each section. The transport auxiliary body 16 is inserted into the transport pipe 12 so that the central axis of the cylinder is aligned with the Y direction (height direction) of the transport pipe 12. The transport auxiliary body 16 is vertically symmetrical and comprises, from top to bottom, a head 16a, a neck 16b with a diameter slightly smaller than that of the head, a large-diameter section 16c with a diameter larger than that of the head 16a, a constricted section 16d with the same diameter as the neck 16b and located in the center between the top and bottom, the large-diameter section 16c, the neck 16b, and the head 16a. The transport auxiliary body 16 is lightweight and durable, and is hollowed out from a material such as plastic. It may also be made from materials such as polystyrene foam or extruded polystyrene foam, as long as they are lightweight and durable.

[0040] 8 shows a cross section perpendicular to the extension direction F and passing through the central axis of the conveying auxiliary body 16 when the conveying auxiliary body 16 is inserted into the conveying pipe 12. The diameter of each part of the conveying auxiliary body 16 corresponds to the inner edge shape of the conveying pipe 12. In other words, the cross section shape passing through the central axis of the conveying auxiliary body 16 corresponds to the inner edge shape of the conveying pipe 12 in a cross section perpendicular to the extension direction F, and is shaped to almost completely seal the inside of the conveying pipe 12 with a predetermined clearance between it and the inner wall.

[0041] In this way, the transport auxiliary body 16 has a shape corresponding to the inner edge shape of the transport pipe 12 (almost the same shape with a small clearance) and blocks almost the entire cross section of the transport pipe 12, so it can move efficiently under the action of the air flow. Furthermore, the transport auxiliary body 16 prevents the air flow from upstream from reaching the downstream side of the transport auxiliary body 16, thereby suppressing turbulence of the air flow on the downstream side.

[0042] When acted upon by the air flow inside the conveying tube 12, the banknotes P tend to stick to the side wall 32. In other words, the distance between one side of the banknote P and the opposing side wall 32 and the distance between the other side of the banknote P and the opposing side wall 32 are rarely equal, and when one of the distances is narrower than the other, the air flow velocity is faster on the narrower side than on the wider side, so that the air pressure on the narrower side is lower than that on the wider side, and this difference in air pressure causes the banknotes P to be attracted to and pressed against the side wall 32 on the narrower side. When this happens, the gap on the narrower side becomes even narrower, causing the banknotes P to stick to and be attracted to the side wall 32.

[0043] If the banknotes P stick strongly to the side wall portion 32, it becomes difficult for the transport auxiliary body 16 to push and transport the banknotes P, but as described above, the transport auxiliary body 16 acts to block (reduce) the air flow downstream, so the force with which the banknotes P stick and adhere is reduced, and smooth transport is achieved.

[0044] The two large diameter portions 16c of the conveying auxiliary body 16 engage with two expansion portions 33 separated by a separation wall 34 of the conveying tube 12. The expansion portions 33 engage with the large diameter portions 16c of the conveying auxiliary body 16, thereby serving as guides that regulate the position and posture of the conveying auxiliary body within the conveying tube 12. In this example, the expansion portion 33 is separated into two by the separation wall 34, and these expansion portions 33 are located near the center of the conveying tube 12 in the Y direction, so that the conveying auxiliary body 16 can be moved while maintaining a stable posture. Furthermore, because the posture of the conveying auxiliary body 16 is stable, the large diameter portions 16c of the conveying auxiliary body 16 linearly abut against the rear end of the banknote P, providing a stable conveying force. Furthermore, the banknote P is less likely to become entangled between the conveying tube 12 and the conveying auxiliary body 16.

[0045] By providing the large diameter portion 16c, the conveying auxiliary body 16 has an increased area that is affected by the airflow, allowing it to efficiently receive the force required for movement. Furthermore, since the large diameter portion 16c is provided to efficiently receive the airflow, the diameter of the head portion 16a can be reduced accordingly. By reducing the diameter of the head portion, the distance (width (Dx)) between a pair of opposing side wall portions 32 inside the conveying tube 12 can be narrowed, preventing banknotes P from tipping over.

[0046] Furthermore, the presence of multiple ribs 35 on the side wall 32 prevents the banknotes P from sticking tightly to the side wall 32. In other words, the contact area between the banknotes P and the side wall 32 is reduced, reducing friction and suppressing the generation of static electricity. Even if the banknotes P stick to the side wall 32, the banknotes P are supported by the tips of the ribs 35, ensuring a gap between the side wall 32 and the banknotes P around the ribs 35, thereby reducing the sticking force. Furthermore, because the separation wall 34 supports the banknotes P, the banknotes P are prevented from falling into the recesses of the expansion section 33.

[0047] Furthermore, the multiple ribs 35 protruding inward from the side wall 32 and the tops of the separation wall 34 serve to narrow the effective passage width W of the banknotes P in the width direction (X direction) of the conveying tube 12 to the distance Dx between the reference flat portions. This makes it difficult for vertically oriented banknotes P to tip sideways within the conveying tube 12, and the orientation of the banknotes P is maintained along the Y direction. In particular, the provision of multiple ribs 35 appropriately prevents the banknotes P from tipping over and effectively prevents the banknotes P from sticking to the side wall 32. Note that the provision of the ribs 35 increases Dx by the amount that the cross-sectional area of ​​the conveying tube 12 is increased, thereby making the conveying auxiliary body 16 more susceptible to the action of airflow.

[0048] In the case of the conveying auxiliary body 16 according to this embodiment, the diameter of the large diameter portion 16c is the largest, and therefore, as shown in Fig. 4, this large diameter portion 16c comes into contact with the rear end of the banknote P and pushes it. Note that the shape of the conveying auxiliary body 16 and the shape of the conveying tube 12 are not limited to those described above. For example, they may have a shape with only one large diameter portion 16c, a cylindrical shape with a constant diameter, or a rugby ball-like shape with a diameter that gradually increases toward the center of the axis.

[0049] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the transport pipe 12 of the intra-island banknote transport device 7 is in a vertical position, and the banknotes P are transported in the transport pipe 12 of the intra-island banknote transport device 7 in a position with the paper face upside down (vertical position). In the gaming machine island 3, the game ball dispensing machines 4 are formed with a narrow front width in order to increase the number of machines installed, so the banknote insertion slots provided on the game ball dispensing machines 4 are also usually made vertical, and the banknotes P are inserted into the banknote insertion slots in a vertical position with the paper face upside down. Therefore, the transport pipe 12 of the intra-island banknote transport device 7 accepts the banknotes P from the game ball dispensing machines 4 in a vertical position with the paper face upside down, and transports them in a vertical position.

[0050] The main transport device 8 has a main transport pipe 40 as a transport path, which is a transport pipe with the same structure as the transport pipe 12 of the intra-island banknote transport device 7 (see Figure 2), and moves the transport auxiliary body 16 by using an air flow generated inside the main transport pipe 40, which pushes the banknotes P from behind and transports them to the destination (safe 41). The main transport pipe 40 of the main transport device 8 is held in a vertical position throughout its entire area.

[0051] The main conveying device 8 is equipped with an air flow generating device 14, a conveying auxiliary body inserting device 11a, and a separation and recovery device 11b within a safe 41. In addition, a relay device 44 is inserted midway (at the turnaround point) in the main conveying pipe 40. The relay device 44 receives the conveying auxiliary body 16 arriving from the outbound path of the main conveying pipe 40, holds it temporarily, and then sends it out onto the return path of the main conveying pipe 40. It also functions to strengthen the air flow by sucking air from the end of the outbound path of the main conveying pipe 40 and sending out the air flow to the start of the return path.

[0052] An intake device 45 is provided on the return path of the main conveying pipe 40, which constitutes the conveying path of the main conveying device 8, to take in the banknotes P conveyed by the sub-conveying device 9 into the main conveying pipe 40 in a vertical position.

[0053] The auxiliary conveyance device 9 receives the banknotes P fed from the relay box 6 and conveys them to the intake device 45 provided on the return path of the main conveyance pipe 40, which is installed above in the ceiling or the like. The auxiliary conveyance device 9 has an auxiliary conveyance pipe 91 as a conveyance path, which has the same structure as the conveyance pipe 12 of the intra-island banknote conveyance device 7, and conveys the banknotes P by pushing them up with the conveyance auxiliary body 16 that moves with the airflow. For example, as shown in FIG. 11 , the auxiliary conveyance device 9 conveys the banknotes P upward in a vertical position, changes the path to a horizontal direction at the second curved pipe 52 along the way, so that the banknotes P are in a horizontal position, and delivers the banknotes P to the intake device 45 in this horizontal position.

[0054] In addition, the method of transporting banknotes P in the island banknote transport device 7, main transport device 8, and sub-transport device 9 is not limited to the method using air flow and transport auxiliary body 16, and may be, for example, a method of transporting banknotes P by the action of air flow without using a transport auxiliary body.

[0055] The main conveying pipe 40 and the sub-conveying pipe 91 are made up of a straight pipe and a curved pipe connected together. The straight pipe is a linear conveying pipe as shown in Figures 3 and 4. There are two types of curved pipes: a first curved pipe 51 through which the banknote P passes while bending the paper surface inward, changing its traveling direction by 90 degrees, and a second curved pipe 52 through which the banknote P, while keeping its paper surface flat, is curved within a plane that includes the paper surface, changing its traveling direction by 90 degrees.

[0056] As shown in Figure 2, when transporting banknotes P in a vertical position, a first curved tube 51 is used where the banknotes turn left and right, and a second curved tube 52 is used where the path changes from vertical (up and down) to horizontal (horizontal).

[0057] FIG. 9 shows an example of the positional relationship between the relay box 6, the auxiliary transport device 9, and the intake device 45. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 2. The auxiliary transport tube 91 of the auxiliary transport device 9 is composed of a straight tube 50, a torsion tube 54, and a second curved tube 52. In the example of FIG. 9, initially, banknote P travels upward through the straight tube 50 in a vertical orientation with its paper surface oriented parallel to the paper surfaces of banknotes P being transported in the main transport tube 40 before and after the intake device 45. Then, the orientation of the paper surface is changed by 90 degrees through the torsion tube 54 while still in the vertical orientation. Then, the banknote P changes its traveling direction to the horizontal direction toward the intake device 45 through the second curved tube 52, assumes a horizontal orientation, and is delivered to the intake device 45 through the straight tube 50 while still in the horizontal orientation. The take-in device 45 bends the banknote P in a horizontally long vertical position so that the paper surface faces inward, changes the path of the banknote P to the extension direction of the main conveyor pipe 40, and sends it into the main conveyor pipe 40.

[0058] As shown in Figure 10, the torsion tube 54 achieves the desired twist angle by connecting multiple short sub-torsion tubes 54a, each twisted slightly. Here, ten sub-torsion tubes 54a are connected to form a 90-degree twist, and a connection part 54b with the conveying tube is connected to the downstream end. The connection part 54b is straight and not twisted.

[0059] FIG. 11 shows another example of the positional relationship between the relay box 6, the auxiliary transport device 9, and the intake device 45. In FIG. 11, the auxiliary transport pipe 91 of the auxiliary transport device 9 is composed of a straight pipe 50 and a second curved pipe 52. In the figure, initially, the banknote P travels upward through the straight pipe 50 in a vertical position, with the paper surface oriented perpendicular to the paper surface of the banknote P being transported through the main transport pipe 40 before and after the intake device 45. Then, the banknote P changes its traveling direction to a horizontal direction toward the intake device 45 through the second curved pipe 52, and assumes a horizontally long vertical position. The banknote P is then delivered to the intake device 45 through the straight pipe 50 in this horizontally long vertical position. The intake device 45 bends the banknote P in the horizontally long vertical position so that the paper surface faces inward, changes its course toward the extension direction of the main transport pipe 40, and sends it into the main transport pipe 40.

[0060] FIG. 12 shows another example of the positional relationship between the relay box 6, the auxiliary transport device 9, and the intake device 45. In FIG. 12, the auxiliary transport tube 91 of the auxiliary transport device 9 is composed of a straight tube 50, a torsion tube 54, a first curved tube 51, and a second curved tube 52. In FIG. 12, the banknote P initially travels upward through the straight tube 50 in a vertical position, with its face perpendicular to the face of the banknote P being transported through the main transport tube 40 before and after the intake device 45. Then, while still in the vertical position, the banknote P passes through the torsion tube 54, where the face of the banknote P is changed by 90 degrees so that its face is parallel to the face of the banknote P being transported through the main transport tube 40. Then, the banknote P passes through the second curved tube 52, where its traveling direction is changed to the horizontal, with its face taken up in a horizontally long vertical position. Then, the banknote P passes through the first curved tube 51, where its course is changed by 90 degrees to the left while still in the horizontally long vertical position, and is delivered to the intake device 45. The take-in device 45 bends the banknote P in a horizontally long vertical position so that the paper surface faces inward, changes the path of the banknote P to the extension direction of the main conveyor pipe 40, and sends it into the main conveyor pipe 40.

[0061] Next, a detailed description will be given of the shape of the second bent tube 52. A type 1 second bent tube 52a and a type 2 second bent tube 52b are shown.

[0062] <Type 1 second bending tube 52a> Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing the second bent tube 52a of Type 1, Fig. 14 shows the front and plan views of the second bent tube 52a of Type 1, and Fig. 15 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 14. The cross-sectional shape of the second bent tube 52a of Type 1 perpendicular to the conveying direction is basically the same as that of the conveying tube 12, and includes upper and lower wall portions 31, left and right side wall portions 32, extension portions 33, separation walls 34, and ribs 35.

[0063] The second curved pipe 52a of Type 1 has the same cross-sectional shape and size at the inlet and outlet as the conveying pipe 12, but is formed so that the distance (Dy) between the outer diameter side inner wall and the inner diameter side inner wall of the curve gradually increases from both ends (inlet and outlet) of the path toward the center of the path from the inlet to the outlet. The distance (Dy) between the outer diameter side inner wall and the inner diameter side inner wall is greatest at the center of the path.

[0064] Furthermore, at any point along the path from the inlet to the outlet, the distance L1 from the outer diameter side inner wall to the expanded portion 33 and the distance L2 from the inner diameter side inner wall to the expanded portion 33 are the same (L1 = L2). The width of the expanded portion 33 in the Dy direction (Dy - (L1 + L2)) is constant at any point along the path from the inlet to the outlet.

[0065] Therefore, at any point on the path from the entrance to the exit, the expansion section 33 is located in the center between the outer diameter side inner wall and the inner diameter side inner wall, and L1 and L2 gradually increase from the entrance to the center and gradually decrease from the center to the exit, returning to the same lengths as at the entrance at the exit. Since the conveying auxiliary body 16 moves with the large diameter section 16c engaged with the expansion section 33 (moving while being guided by the expansion section 33), the conveying auxiliary body 16 passes through the second bent tube 52a while being located in the center between the outer diameter side inner wall and the inner diameter side inner wall within the second bent tube 52a.

[0066] <Type 2 second bending tube 52b> Fig. 16 is a perspective view showing the second curved tube 52b of Type 2, Fig. 17 shows the front and plan views of the second curved tube 52b of Type 2, and Fig. 18 shows a B-B cross-sectional view of Fig. 17. The cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the conveying direction of the second curved tube 52b of Type 2 is basically the same as that of the conveying tube 12 of the straight section 50, and includes upper and lower wall sections 31, left and right side wall sections 32, extension sections 33, separation walls 34, and ribs 35.

[0067] The second curved pipe 52b of type 2 has the same cross-sectional shape and size at the inlet and outlet as the straight portion of the conveying pipe 12, but is formed so that the distance (Dy) between the outer diameter side inner wall and the inner diameter side inner wall of the curve gradually increases from both ends (inlet and outlet) of the path toward the center of the path from the inlet to the outlet. The distance (Dy) between the outer diameter side inner wall and the inner diameter side inner wall is greatest at the center of the path.

[0068] The difference from the curved section 52a of Type 1 is as follows: In the second curved tube 52b of Type 2, the distance L1 from the outer diameter side inner wall to the expanded section 33 and the distance L2 from the inner diameter side inner wall to the expanded section 33 are the same at the inlet and outlet, but L2 gradually becomes larger than L1 from the inlet to the center of the path, and the difference between L2 and L1 gradually decreases from the center to the outlet, returning to L1 = L2 at the outlet. Here, L1 is constant at any point on the path from the inlet to the outlet, and L2 becomes larger as it approaches the center.

[0069] Therefore, the expansion section 33 is located in the center between the outer diameter side inner wall and the inner diameter side inner wall at the inlet and outlet of the second curved tube 52b, and the closer it gets to the center, the more L2 increases, so it is positioned more biased toward the outer diameter side inner wall. The conveying auxiliary body 16 moves with the large diameter section 16c engaged with the expansion section 33 (moves while being guided by the expansion section 33), so the conveying auxiliary body 16 passes through the second curved tube 52b while being biased toward the outer diameter side inner wall.

[0070] Fig. 19 shows how an unfolded, normal banknote (normal note) P passes through the second bent tube 52a of Type 1, and Fig. 20 shows how an unfolded, normal note P passes through the second bent tube 52b of Type 2. As shown in Fig. 19, in the second bent tube 52a of Type 1, at any point on the path from the entrance to the exit, the gap between the inner diameter side wall and the opposing end of the conveying auxiliary body 16 and the gap between the outer diameter side wall and the opposing end of the conveying auxiliary body 16 are equal, and the conveying auxiliary body 16 passes through the second bent tube 52a while always positioned midway between the outer diameter side wall and the inner diameter side wall.

[0071] As shown in Figures 19 and 20, near the entrance and exit of the second curved tube 52, the axial direction of the transport auxiliary body 16 is parallel to the rear end edge of the banknote P, so that the large diameter portion 16c of the transport auxiliary body 16 makes linear contact with the rear end edge of the banknote P over a wide area, pushing the banknote P.

[0072] Meanwhile, in the center of the path from the entrance to the exit, the side of the rear end of the banknote P is inclined relative to the axial direction of the transport auxiliary body 16. This reduces the contact area between the large diameter portion 16c of the transport auxiliary body 16 and the rear end of the banknote P, but if the banknote P is normal and not folded, the large diameter portion 16c of the transport auxiliary body 16 will make linear contact with the side of the rear end of the banknote P rather than the corner of the rear end of the banknote P, so the transport auxiliary body 16 can firmly push and move the banknote P.

[0073] Furthermore, since the central portion of the transport auxiliary body 16 in the axial direction has a large diameter portion 16c that is thicker than both ends, even if the rear end edge of the banknote P is inclined relative to the axial direction of the transport auxiliary body 16, the large diameter portion 16c is likely to come into linear contact with the rear end edge of the banknote P.

[0074] As shown in Fig. 21, the banknotes P to be conveyed include various types of abnormal banknotes, such as Z-shaped banknotes, cut banknotes with torn ends, folded banknotes with bent corners, curled banknotes, and rolled banknotes with the leading or trailing ends rolled inward. The curved portion 52 must be able to pass even such abnormal banknotes without jamming.

[0075] FIG. 22 shows an abnormal card (for example, a Z card) passing through the second bent tube 52a of type 1, and FIG. 23 shows the same abnormal card P as in FIG. 22 passing through the second bent tube 52b of type 2.

[0076] 22 , in the second curved tube 52a of Type 1, banknotes P move toward the outer diameter inner wall while contacting the outer diameter inner wall with the corners of their leading and trailing ends at the center of the path, while the conveying auxiliary body 16 is guided by the expansion section 33 and moves in the middle between the outer diameter inner wall and the inner diameter inner wall. Therefore, in the case of Z-shaped banknotes or the like whose height has been reduced due to folding, the corners of the trailing end of the banknotes P come into contact with the large diameter section 16c of the conveying auxiliary body 16 at a point, rather than the side of the trailing end. As a result, the large diameter section 16c of the conveying auxiliary body 16 cannot stably push and move the banknotes P, and the corners of the banknotes P that are in point contact may come off the large diameter section 16c of the conveying auxiliary body 16, or the part that comes off the large diameter section 16c may become pinched between the inner wall of the second curved tube 52a and the conveying auxiliary body 16, resulting in a jam of the banknotes P.

[0077] 23 , in the second curved tube 52b of Type 2, banknotes P advance biased toward the outer diameter inner wall while contacting the corners of their leading and trailing ends with the inner wall at the center of the path, and the conveying auxiliary body 16 is also guided by the expansion section 33 and moves biased toward the inner wall at the outer diameter side. Therefore, even with Z-shaped banknotes, which have been folded and therefore have a reduced height, the banknotes P come into linear contact with the large diameter section 16c of the conveying auxiliary body 16, not the corners of their trailing ends, and the large diameter section 16c of the conveying auxiliary body 16 can stably push and move the banknotes P. Therefore, the trailing ends of the banknotes P do not come off the large diameter section 16c of the conveying auxiliary body 16, and the banknotes P that have come off the large diameter section 16c do not get caught between the inner wall of the second curved tube 52b and the conveying auxiliary body 16, and even abnormal banknotes can pass through without jamming.

[0078] In addition, the second curved tube 52b of Type 2 is preferable to the second curved tube 52a of Type 1 when taking into account abnormal tags, but even the second curved tube 52a of Type 1 can pass abnormal tags such as Z tags without any problems if the radius of curvature is large enough.

[0079] The width of the extension portion 33 may be gradually increased from both ends to the center.

[0080] Next, the sub-transport device 9 will be described.

[0081] Figure 24 is a cross-sectional view showing the auxiliary transport device 9 and the take-in device 45 connected to the auxiliary transport device 9 (and the main transport pipes 40 before and after it). In Figure 24, the middle of the auxiliary transport pipe 91 is not shown. In the lower half of Figure 24, the auxiliary transport pipe 91 extends in the vertical direction, and a cross-section is shown of the auxiliary transport pipe 91 cut through the center in a direction perpendicular to and perpendicular to the plane of the paper of the banknotes being transported upward. In the upper half of Figure 24, the auxiliary transport pipe 91 extends horizontally toward the take-in device 45, and a cross-section is shown of the auxiliary transport pipe 91 cut through the center in a direction perpendicular to and perpendicular to the plane of the paper of the banknotes being transported horizontally in a landscape portrait position.

[0082] The auxiliary conveying device 9 includes an auxiliary conveying pipe 91, a conveying auxiliary body 16 that moves back and forth within the auxiliary conveying pipe 91, a banknote dispensing device 93 that is attached to the lower end of the auxiliary conveying pipe 91 and dispenses banknotes P from the relay box 6 into the auxiliary conveying pipe 91, an outward air flow generating device 95 that generates an air flow within the auxiliary conveying pipe 91 from the banknote dispensing device 93 side toward the take-in device 45 side, and a return air flow generating device 97 that generates an air flow within the auxiliary conveying pipe 91 from the take-in device 45 side toward the banknote dispensing device 93 side.

[0083] As shown in FIGS. 9, 11, and 12, the auxiliary conveying pipe 91 is configured by connecting a straight pipe 50 and a second curved pipe 52, or by further connecting a twisted pipe 54.

[0084] 25, the banknote dispensing device 93 includes a passage section 101 having the same cross-sectional shape as the auxiliary transport pipe 91 and communicating with the lower end of the auxiliary transport pipe 91, a banknote take-in opening 102 for taking in banknotes P, which is provided on one side wall of the passage section 101, and transport rollers 103 for sending out banknotes P diagonally upward from the banknote take-in opening 102 into the passage section 101. A shutter 104 is provided in the middle of the banknote passage leading to the banknote take-in opening 102 to prevent air from leaking out from the auxiliary transport pipe 91. The shutter 104 is biased by a spring in the direction of closing the banknote passage, and banknotes P push open this to pass through.

[0085] The lower end of the passage 101 is narrowed and serves as a standby position for receiving and holding the transport auxiliary body 16. Also, at the lower end of the passage 101, a lower air vent 105 is provided, which serves as an inlet for the air flow from the outgoing air flow generating device 95 and an outlet for the air flow from the incoming air flow generating device 97. The air flow from the incoming air flow generating device 97 passes through the lower air vent 105 and the outgoing air flow generating device 95 and is exhausted to the outside.

[0086] 24, the upper end of the auxiliary transport pipe 91 is provided with a narrowed banknote passing opening 106, and the transport auxiliary body 16 comes into contact with the periphery of the narrowed banknote passing opening 106 at the upper end of the auxiliary transport pipe 91 and stops, and the banknotes P transported by the transport auxiliary body 16 pass through the banknote passing opening 106 and enter the intake device 45. The position where the transport auxiliary body 16 stops at the narrow part at the upper end of the auxiliary transport pipe 91 is the transport completion position.

[0087] The return air flow generating device 97 is connected to the middle of the passage leading from the banknote passing opening 106 to the intake device 45, and the air flow from the return air flow generating device 97 is sent from the banknote passing opening 106 into the sub-conveyor pipe 91. In addition, the air flow from the outward air flow generating device 95 passes from the banknote passing opening 106 through the return air flow generating device 97 and is exhausted to the outside.

[0088] As shown in Figure 24, the auxiliary conveying device 9 is equipped with a banknote feed sensor S11 that detects whether or not there is a banknote P passing through the banknote intake opening 102, a standby position sensor S12 that detects whether or not there is a conveying auxiliary body 16 at the standby position, and a conveying completion position sensor S13 that detects whether or not there is a conveying auxiliary body 16 at the conveying completion position.

[0089] The banknote feed sensor S11, standby position sensor S12, transport completion position sensor S13, and banknote detection sensor S14 and banknote discharge detection sensor S15 described below are each transmission-type optical sensors having a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit arranged opposite each other, and the sensor output becomes (dark) when an object that blocks light (a detection target such as banknote P or transport auxiliary body 16) is present between the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit, and becomes on (bright) when no object that blocks light is present between the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit. Note that the type of sensor is not limited to this and may be selected as appropriate.

[0090] The auxiliary conveying device 9 pushes the banknote P taken into the passage section 101 at the lower end of the auxiliary conveying pipe 91 by the banknote dispensing device 93 from behind with the conveying auxiliary body 16, which moves due to the air flow generated by the outward air flow generating device 95, and conveys it to the intake device 45 (conveyance completion position), and operates the outward air flow generating device 95 to hold the conveying auxiliary body 16 at the conveyance completion position until the banknote P is sent into the main conveying pipe 40 by the intake device 45.

[0091] Once the transported banknotes P have been sent into the main transport pipe 40, the outward airflow generating device 95 is stopped and the return airflow generating device 97 is activated instead, and the airflow generated by the return airflow generating device 97 moves the transport auxiliary body 16 to a standby position at the lower end of the auxiliary transport pipe 91. Because the auxiliary transport pipe 91 extends horizontally in a predetermined range just before reaching the intake device 45, simply turning off the outward airflow generating device 95 does not cause the transport auxiliary body 16 to return to the standby position, and the return airflow generating device 97 is used to move the transport auxiliary body 16 to the standby position.

[0092] Next, the capture device 45 will be described.

[0093] 26 is a plan view showing the appearance of the capture device 45, FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 26, and FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of the capture device 45 in FIG. 26 taken along line DD in FIG.

[0094] The take-in device 45 has the same cross-sectional shape as the straight tube 50 of the main conveying tube 40, and has an insertion passage section 120 to which the straight tube 50 of the main conveying tube 40 is connected at the front and rear. The insertion passage section 120 has the same inner shape as the straight section 50 of the main conveying tube 40, allowing the conveying auxiliary body 16 to pass smoothly through the insertion passage section 120. Like the main conveying tube 40, the insertion passage section 120 of the take-in device 45 passes banknotes P in a horizontally long vertical position.

[0095] An opening 121 is formed in a wall surface of the interposing passage section 120 facing one side of the passing banknote P, for taking in the banknote P transported by the sub-transport device 9 into the interposing passage section 120. A banknote discharge detection sensor S15 is provided in the interposing passage section 120 near the downstream side of the opening 121 to detect the banknote P entering through the opening 121 (see FIG. 24).

[0096] The take-in device 45 is provided with an entrance passage 130 that serves as a passage for receiving the banknotes P conveyed by the sub-conveyance device 9 and sending them from the opening 121 into the insertion passage 120. The entrance passage 130 is perpendicular to the insertion passage 120.

[0097] The entrance passage section 130 is connected to the banknote passing opening 106 of the sub-transport device 9, and the range of the entrance passage section 130 from the banknote passing opening 106 to a predetermined distance downstream is a passing section 130a in which ribs 131 protrude inward toward the face of the banknote P from inner walls facing the face of the banknote P entering from the banknote passing opening 106 and extend along the entrance direction of the banknote P. The space between the ribs 131 protruding inward from both inner walls forms the passage for the banknote P in the passing section 130a. The height of the ribs 131 increases as the banknote proceeds downstream, and the passage width in the banknote thickness direction narrows as the banknote proceeds to the end of the passing section 130a.

[0098] In the entry passage section 130, the downstream side of the passing section 130a where the rib 131 is formed is a conveying section 130b that conveys the banknotes P that have passed through the passing section 130a toward the opening 121 of the insertion passage section 120.

[0099] The conveying section 130b is equipped with a banknote guide path 133 that leads to the opening 121, a conveying belt 134 that conveys the banknotes P, a pair of banknote discharge rollers 135a and a pay-out roller 135b that send the banknotes P conveyed by the conveying belt 134 further toward the opening 121 and send the banknotes P completely to their end into the interposing passage section 120, a shutter 136 that is provided midway along the banknote guide path 133 and opens and closes the banknote guide path 133 to prevent the air flow within the main conveying pipe 40 from leaking out from the opening 121 of the interposing passage section 120 through the banknote guide path 133 to the outside, and a motor that drives the conveying belt 134, the banknote discharge roller 135a and the pay-out roller 135b, etc.

[0100] The shutter 136 is normally biased toward the closed position by a spring or the like, so that when a bill P moves toward the opening 121, it pushes open the shutter 136 and passes through.

[0101] The conveying section 130b further includes a clamping roller 137 for pressing banknotes P that are stuck in the banknote guide path 133 due to poor conveyance by the conveying belt 134 toward the conveying belt 134 and clamping them between the conveying belt 134 to assist in conveyance.

[0102] The clamping roller 137 is supported at one end of a swingable movable arm 139, and by turning on or off a solenoid 138 connected to the other end of the movable arm 139, the clamping roller 137 moves into the banknote guide path 133 to clamp the banknote P between itself and the conveying belt 133 (see Figure 29), and moves to a retracted position (see Figure 28) where it is retracted from the banknote guide path 133.

[0103] 27, two conveyor belts 134 are stretched across the left and right sides of the width of the banknotes P, and the clamping roller 137 is located between these conveyor belts 134 (at the center of the width of the banknotes) and upstream of the conveyor belts 134. In addition, a banknote detection sensor S14 that detects banknotes P is provided slightly downstream of the clamping roller 137. As described above, the banknote detection sensor S14 is a transmission-type optical sensor having a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element.

[0104] When the banknote detection sensor S14 detects a banknote for a predetermined time or longer, that is, when it detects that the transport by the conveyor belt 134 is not working properly and the banknote P is jammed in the banknote guide path 133, the take-in device 45 turns on the solenoid 138 to displace the clamping roller 137 to the clamping position, and clamps the banknote P between the clamping roller 137 and the conveyor belt 134 and transports it.

[0105] When the banknote detection sensor S14 no longer detects banknotes P, the solenoid 138 is turned off and the clamping roller 137 is returned to the retracted position. If the banknote detection sensor S14 does not detect a banknote jam, the take-in device 45 does not turn on the solenoid 138, keeps the clamping roller 137 in the retracted position, and transports the banknotes P by the conveyor belt 134, banknote discharge roller 135a, and feed-out roller 135b.

[0106] Further, the bill guide path 133 immediately before the pair of bill discharge rollers 135a is provided with bill discharge roller guides 135c that come into contact with the bill P from both the left and right sides and guide the bill P to the bill discharge rollers 135a (see FIG. 27).

[0107] As shown in FIG. 27, the rib 131 is provided only in the center of the width of the entrance passage portion 130, and both sides are formed as restriction portions 141 that form wall surfaces corresponding to the height of the top of the rib 131.

[0108] In addition, between the passing section 130a and the conveying section 130b, a guide wall 143 is provided which slopes obliquely from the base of the rib 131 formed in the passing section 130a to the top side and leads to the downstream conveying section 130b (see Figure 28 for the slope of the guide wall 143).

[0109] The functions of the restricting portion 141 and the guide wall 143 will be explained in comparison with the case where they are not provided.

[0110] Figure 30 shows a take-in device 45' without the restricting portion 141 and the guide wall 143. Figure 30 is a view corresponding to Figure 27. The same parts as those in the take-in device 45 of Figure 27 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0111] <Role of the Regulatory Department 141> In a configuration such as the intake device 45' in which there is no regulating section 141 and ribs 131 are arranged at predetermined intervals across the entire width of the passing section 130a, when a curled bill enters at an angle from the sub-conveying device 9, as shown in Figure 31(a), the widthwise end of the curled banknote P gets stuck between the ribs 131 and 131, and passes through the passing section 130a in its curled shape and reaches the conveying section 130b.

[0112] When such a banknote P stagnates in front of the pay-out roller 135b and the banknote detection sensor S14 detects the banknote P for a predetermined period of time or longer (detects a banknote jam), the solenoid 138 is activated and the curled and tilted banknote P is clamped and conveyed between the clamping roller 137 and the conveying belt 134 as is.

[0113] Even such banknotes P will not be nipped by the nipping rollers 137 if they are properly conveyed by the conveyor belt 134 and the payout roller 135b and do not stagnate (if they are nipped, they will be conveyed while fixed in their curled or tilted position), and the tilt of the banknotes P will decrease as they move downstream through the play in the passage. Also, since the banknote guide path 133 narrows as it moves toward the payout roller 135b, the position of the banknotes P is regulated as they move downstream, and the curl is gradually eliminated, allowing them to be discharged into the insertion passage section 120 without getting jammed or being damaged by hitting the banknote discharge roller guide 135c.

[0114] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 32, when a curled banknote P stagnates in front of the feed roller 135b and the clamping roller 137 operates, the banknote P is clamped between the clamping roller 137 and the conveyor belt 134 and conveyed while being fixed in its curled shape and tilted attitude. Therefore, even as the banknote P proceeds downstream, its curled shape and tilted attitude are not corrected, and the edge of the banknote P hits the banknote discharge roller guide 135c. If the banknote P enters between the pair of banknote discharge rollers 135a in this state (see Figure 33), the edge of the banknote P (the edge indicated by the thick line in Figure 33) may be damaged or jammed.

[0115] In contrast, if, as in take-in device 45 of the present invention, rib 131 is provided only in the center of passing section 130a in the passage width direction, and both sides are provided with restricting sections 141 that form flat walls at the height of the peaks of rib 131, then, as shown in Figure 31(b), both widthwise ends of curled banknote P come into contact with restricting sections 141, restricting the position to reduce the curl. Furthermore, because restricting sections 141 are present, the widthwise ends of banknote P do not get caught between ribs 131, so the tilt of the position gradually corrects as the banknote moves downstream, and by the time it reaches just before feed roller 135b, there is no curl and the tilt is corrected.

[0116] Fig. 34 shows the state where the leading edge of the banknote P passes through the passage section 130a where the restriction section 141 is located, and Fig. 35 shows the state where the banknote P has reached just before the feed roller 135b. The banknote P has corrected its tilted posture by the time it reaches the position shown in Fig. 35.

[0117] Therefore, even if the banknote P stagnates in front of the pay-out roller 135b and the clamping roller 137 is activated to clamp the banknote P between the clamping roller 137 and the conveying belt 134 and fix its posture, the banknote P has already been corrected from its tilted position, so as shown in Figure 36, the banknote P will enter almost straight between the pair of banknote discharge rollers 135a without its end hitting the banknote discharge roller guide 135c, and will be discharged from the opening 121 to the insertion passage section 120 without being damaged or jammed.

[0118] Figure 37 shows the take-in device 45 as seen from the direction of arrow E in Figure 26. As shown in the figure, the restricting section 141 restricts curled bills into straight lines.

[0119] Figure 38 shows a conventional take-in device 45' as seen in the same manner as Figure 37. Since there is no restricting portion 141, the ends of the banknotes P get caught between the ribs, and the shape of the banknotes P remains curled and is not restricted.

[0120] As shown in Figure 39, the width E1 in the bill thickness direction at the outlet of passing section 130a of taking-in device 45 according to the present invention (Figure 39(a)) is made much narrower than the width E2 in the bill thickness direction at the outlet of passing section 130a' of conventional taking-in device 45' (Figure 39(b)), so that the bill P is in a position where the curl has been sufficiently corrected when it leaves passing section 130a of taking-in device 45. Furthermore, in conventional taking-in device 45', the end of bill P gets into the deep gap between the ribs (the shaded area), so the curl of bill P is maintained (see Figure 31(a)).

[0121] <The role of guide wall 143> Figure 40 shows a transition portion from the passing portion 130a to the transport portion 130b of the take-in device 45 having the guide wall 143, and Figure 41 shows the same portion of the take-in device 45' without the guide wall 143. As shown in Figure 41, the inner wall of the banknote guide path 133 of the transport portion 130b (the inner wall facing the paper surface of the banknote P) is located at a height between the base and the top of the rib 131. This allows the banknote P entering along the top of the rib 131 to transition to the transport portion 130b after passing through a small step.

[0122] However, when a cut note or Z note attempts to move from the passing section 130a to the conveying section 130b with the end of the cut note or Z note deeply embedded between the ribs 131, the part deeply embedded between the ribs 131 will hit the conveying section 130b, preventing a smooth transition to the conveying section 130b, resulting in a jam or damage to the banknote P.

[0123] Guide wall 143 serves to solve this problem. Specifically, guide wall 143 is provided between passing section 130a and conveying section 130b, slanting from the base (or outer side than the base) of rib 131 formed in passing section 130a to the top (toward the inside of the passage) and reaching downstream conveying section 130b. Therefore, even when a cut or Z-size bill moves from passing section 130a to conveying section 130b with the end of the bill deeply wedged between ribs 131 as shown in Figure 40, the part that has wedged deeply between ribs 131 does not hit the end of guide wall 143 but rides up onto guide wall 143 and is guided by guide wall 143, allowing the bill to move smoothly to conveying section 130b, preventing jamming and damage to banknote P.

[0124] The transport of the banknotes P from the relay box 6 into the main transport pipe 40 by the sub-transport device 9 and the take-in device 45 is performed as follows.

[0125] In the standby state before transport, the outgoing air flow generating device 95 and the return air flow generating device 97 are stopped. The transport auxiliary body 16 is held in a standby position at the lower end of the passage section 101 of the sub-transport device 9 (see Figures 24 and 25).

[0126] The sub-conveyance device 9 can convey multiple (maximum three) banknotes P in a stack at one time, and the intake device 45 can make the multiple banknotes P wait in the banknote guide path 133 at one time. Then, when a command is received from the control unit to send the banknotes P into the main conveyance pipe 40 (the interposing path section 120 of the intake device 45), the control unit drives the conveyance belt 134, the clamping roller 137, the banknote discharge roller 135a, the feed roller 135b, etc. to send the banknotes P waiting in the banknote guide path 133 into the interposing path section 120.

[0127] <During normal operation> 42, when the banknote dispensing device 93 of the auxiliary transport device 9 sends out a banknote P into the auxiliary transport pipe 91, it drives the transport rollers 103 and sends out the banknote P arriving from the relay box 6 towards the banknote intake opening 102 of the passage section 101 (step S101). At this time, the banknote feeding sensor S11 becomes (dark) while the banknote P is passing through the banknote intake opening 102, and when the banknote P is completely sent out into the passage section 101, the banknote feeding sensor S11 returns to (light). The banknote dispensing device 93 can send out a maximum of three banknotes P into the auxiliary transport pipe 91 at a time.

[0128] When the auxiliary conveying device 9 confirms that the conveying auxiliary body 16 is waiting at the waiting position by the waiting position sensor S12 being (dark) (step S102; Yes), it activates the outward air flow generating device 95 to generate an upward air flow (step S103).

[0129] The action of this air flow causes the transport auxiliary body 16 to rise within the auxiliary transport pipe 91 while pushing the banknote P from its rear end, pass through the second curved pipe 52, and come into contact with the banknote passing slot 106 at the other end of the auxiliary transport pipe 91, stopping at the transport completion position. The banknote P transported by the transport auxiliary body 16 passes through the banknote passing slot 106 and advances into the intake device 45. The arrival of the transport auxiliary body 16 at the transport completion position is confirmed by the transport completion position sensor S13 (dark), and the entry of the banknote P into the banknote guide path 133 of the intake device 45 is confirmed by the banknote detection sensor S14 (dark) (step S104). Note that even after the transport auxiliary body 16 has reached the transport completion position, the outbound air flow generator 95 continues to generate an air flow until the intake device 45 has finished discharging the banknote P into the main transport pipe 40.

[0130] When the take-in device 45 confirms that the conveyance completion position sensor S13 is (dark) and the banknote detection sensor S14 is (dark) (step S104; Yes), it drives the motor of the conveyance unit 130b to operate the conveyance belt 134, the banknote discharge roller 135a, and the pay-out roller 135b (step S105). As a result, the banknote P is sent out from the take-in device 45 into the main conveyance pipe 40 (specifically, the insertion passage portion 120 of the take-in device 45). At this time, the conveyance completion position sensor S13 remains (dark), and the take-in device 45 recognizes that the banknote P has passed through the conveyance unit 130b when the banknote detection sensor S14 becomes (bright), and further recognizes that the banknote P is being discharged from the opening 121 into the insertion passage portion 120 when the banknote discharge detection sensor S15 becomes (dark).

[0131] After that, when the banknote discharge detection sensor S15 becomes (bright) (step S106; Yes), it is determined that the discharge of the banknote P into the main conveyance pipe 40 (the insertion passage portion 120 of the take-in device 45) has been completed, and the forward air flow generator 95 of the sub-conveyance device 9 is stopped. After the stop, when a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) has elapsed, the return air flow generator 97 is operated (step S107).

[0132] The conveyance auxiliary body 16 held at the conveyance completion position moves in the sub-conveyance pipe 91 toward the standby position at the other end under the action of the air flow generated by the return air flow generator 97. As a result, the conveyance completion position sensor S13 becomes (bright). After that, when it is confirmed by the (dark) of the standby position sensor S12 that the conveyance auxiliary body 16 has arrived at the standby position (step S108; Yes), the return air flow generator 97 is stopped (step S109), and a series of normal conveyance operations are terminated (END).

[0133] Next, the occurrence conditions and recovery operations, etc. in the operation of conveying the banknote P from the relay box 6 into the main conveyance pipe 40 will be described.

[0134] <Err01 Abnormal standby of the conveyance auxiliary body> Occurrence condition: It occurs when the conveyance auxiliary body 16 is not at the standby position at the lower end of the sub-conveyance pipe 91 in the standby state.

[0135] Recovery condition: Set the transfer assist body 16 to the standby position at the lower end of the sub-transfer pipe 91. As a result, the standby position sensor S12 changes to (dark) and automatic recovery occurs.

[0136] <Err02 Jam abnormality of the transfer assist body on the return path> Occurrence condition: Occurs when the transfer assist body 16 does not return to the standby position during the transfer operation by the sub-transfer device 9.

[0137] Recovery condition: Remove the jam of the transfer assist body 16 from inside the sub-transfer pipe 91, and automatic recovery occurs when the transfer assist body 16 returns to the standby position (standby position sensor S12 (dark)).

[0138] The operation until the jam abnormality of the transfer assist body on the return path (Err02) occurs is as follows.

[0139] (1) Start the return air flow generator 97 in step S107 of FIG. 42. Note that the return air flow generator 97 is stopped after the elapse of a preset return blower operation time. The return blower operation time is set according to the path length of the sub-transfer pipe 91.

[0140] (2) If the standby position sensor S12 remains (bright) even after the elapse of the return blower operation time, wait for the elapse of a predetermined air flow direction switching waiting time (for example, 3 seconds).

[0141] (3) After the elapse of the air flow direction switching waiting time, start the forward air flow generator 95. Note that the forward air flow generator 95 is stopped after the elapse of a preset forward blower operation time. The forward blower operation time is set according to the path length of the sub-transfer pipe 91.

[0142] (4) Wait for the elapse of the air flow direction switching waiting time. [[ID=G32]]

[0143] (5) If the transfer assist body 16 does not return to the standby position even after repeating the operations (1) to (4) above a predetermined number of times (for example, 3 times), an abnormality occurs.

[0144] <ERR03 Jam abnormality of the conveyance assist body on the forward path> Occurrence condition: Occurs when the conveyance completion position sensor S13 does not change to (dark) in the conveyance operation by the sub-conveyance device 9 (when the conveyance assist body 16 does not reach the conveyance completion position).

[0145] Recovery condition: After removing the paper currency jamming factor near the paper currency feeding device 93 at the lower end of the sub-conveyance pipe 91, recovery is achieved by operating the error release switch in the relay box 6. However, it is a condition that both the conveyance completion position sensor S13 and the paper currency detection sensor S14 are (bright) when operating the error release switch.

[0146] · At the time of error occurrence, conveyance by the main conveyance device 8 is not performed.

[0147] · Set the removed paper currency on the conveyance assist body 16 in the sub-conveyance pipe 91.

[0148] · By the recovery operation (operation of the error release switch), the sub-conveyance device 9 operates to perform conveyance to the taking-in device 45.

[0149] · When the paper currency P is sent out from the taking-in device 45 into the main conveyance pipe 40, conveyance by the main conveyance device 8 is performed.

[0150] · If there is a conveyance assist body 16 in the sub-conveyance pipe 91 before the recovery operation, an operation to return to the standby position (manually operate the blower or the return path blower in the control unit of the relay box 6) is necessary.

[0151] · If the recovery operation is performed without setting the removed paper currency on the conveyance assist body 16 in the sub-conveyance pipe 91, Err04 occurs in the conveyance operation by the sub-conveyance device 9.

[0152] The operation until the jam abnormality (Err03) of the conveyance assist body on the forward path occurs is as follows.

[0153] (1) In step S103 of FIG. 42, the forward air flow generator 95 is activated. Note that the forward air flow generator 95 is stopped after the elapse of a preset forward blower operation time. The forward blower operation time is set according to the path length of the sub-carrier pipe 91.

[0154] (2) If the conveyance completion position sensor S13 and the banknote detection sensor S14 remain (bright) even after the forward blower operation time has elapsed, wait for the elapse of a predetermined air flow direction switching waiting time (for example, 3 seconds).

[0155] (3) After the elapse of the air flow direction switching waiting time, the return air flow generator 97 is activated. Note that the return air flow generator 97 is stopped after the elapse of a preset return blower operation time. The return blower operation time is set according to the path length of the sub-carrier pipe 91.

[0156] (4) Wait for the elapse of the air flow direction switching waiting time.

[0157] (5) If the conveyance auxiliary body 16 does not return to the standby position even after repeating the operations (i) to (iv) a predetermined number of times (for example, 3 times), an abnormality occurs.

[0158] <ERR04 Feed Sensor Jam: Banknote Jam Error Near Conveyance Completion Position Sensor S13> Occurrence condition: Occurs when the conveyance auxiliary body 16 stops at the upper part of the sub-carrier pipe 91 during the conveyance operation by the sub-conveyance device 9. (In step S104 of FIG. 42, the conveyance completion position sensor S13 becomes (dark), but the banknote detection sensor S14 remains (bright: does not change to dark at all), or after detecting the banknote detection sensor S14 (dark) in S104 and the banknote discharge detection sensor S15 (dark) in S105, the banknote detection sensor S14 does not change to (bright).)

[0159] Recovery condition: Recover by operating the error release switch in the relay box 6 after removing the jamming factor near the conveyance completion position sensor S13 in the sub-carrier pipe 91. However, it is a condition that both the conveyance completion position sensor S13 and the banknote detection sensor S14 are (bright) when operating the error release switch.

[0160] The removed banknotes are placed in the main transport pipe 40.

[0161] · At the time of recovery, error check processing for Err02, Err03, and Err04 is performed to check for remaining banknotes, etc.

[0162] During recovery, transportation is performed by the main transport device 8.

[0163] There are two types of behavior before Err04 occurs: A and B.

[0164] A. In step S104 of FIG. 42, the transport completion position sensor S13 (dark) is detected but the banknote detection sensor S14 (dark) is not detected. (1) In step S103 of Fig. 42, the outward airflow generating device 95 is started. After a preset outward blower operation time has elapsed, the outward airflow generating device 95 is stopped. The outward blower operation time is set according to the path length of the sub-conveyor pipe 91.

[0165] (2) After the transport completion position sensor S13 detects (dark), the banknote detection sensor S14 does not detect (dark).

[0166] (3) Activate the solenoid 138 (the clamping roller 137) (it will not be activated the first time, but will be activated during activation of the outward airflow generating device 95 from the second time onward). (4) The outward airflow generating device 95 is stopped, and the airflow direction switching waiting time is awaited.

[0167] (5) After the air flow direction switching waiting time has elapsed, the return air flow generator 97 is started. Note that the return air flow generator 97 is stopped after a preset return blower operation time has elapsed. The return blower operation time is set according to the path length of the auxiliary conveying pipe 91.

[0168] (6) Wait for the air flow direction switching waiting time to elapse.

[0169] (7) If the transport auxiliary body 16 does not return to the standby position even after the above operations (1) to (6) are repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, three times), an abnormality occurs.

[0170] B. When the bill detection sensor S14 (dark) is detected in step S104 of FIG. 42 and the bill discharge detection sensor S15 (dark) is detected in step S105, and then the bill detection sensor S14 (light) is not detected. (1) In step S103 of Fig. 42, the outward airflow generating device 95 is started. After a preset outward blower operation time has elapsed, the outward airflow generating device 95 is stopped. The outward blower operation time is set according to the path length of the sub-conveyor pipe 91.

[0171] (2) The transport completion position sensor S13 (dark) and the banknote detection sensor S14 (dark) detect the banknote.

[0172] (3) When the transport completion position sensor S13 is in the dark state and the bill discharge detection sensor S15 is in the dark state, the bill detection sensor S14 does not become light.

[0173] (4) Activate the solenoid 138 (clamping roller 137) (do not activate the first time, activate it during activation of the outward air flow generating device 95 from the second time onwards). (5) The outward airflow generating device 95 is stopped, and the airflow direction switching waiting time is awaited.

[0174] (6) After the air flow direction switching waiting time has elapsed, the return air flow generator 97 is started. After a preset return blower operation time has elapsed, the return air flow generator 97 is stopped. The return blower operation time is set according to the path length of the auxiliary conveying pipe 91.

[0175] (7) Wait for the air flow direction switching waiting time to elapse.

[0176] (8) If the transport auxiliary body 16 does not return to the standby position even after the above operations (1) to (7) are repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, three times), an abnormality occurs.

[0177] <Paper jam error near the opening 121 of the insertion passage part 120 of ERR05> Occurrence condition: Occurs when the banknote P stagnates in the banknote guide path 133 near the opening 121 of the intake device 45. (After the banknote detection sensor S14 (dark) is detected during conveyance, the banknote discharge detection sensor S15 (dark) is not detected) Recovery condition: After removing the jamming factor in the banknote guide path 133 near the opening 121 of the intake device 45, it is recovered by operating the error release switch in the relay box 6. However, it is a condition that both the conveyance completion position sensor S13 and the banknote detection sensor S14 are (bright) when operating the error release switch.

[0178] · Set the removed banknote into the main conveyance pipe 40 (the insertion passage part 120 of the intake device 45).

[0179] · At the time of recovery, perform error check processing for Err02, Err03, and Err04 to check for remaining banknotes, etc.

[0180] · At the time of recovery, perform conveyance by the main conveyance device 8.

[0181] The operation until Err05 occurs is as follows.

[0182] (1) During the conveyance operation by the sub-conveyance device 9, after the banknote detection sensor S14 (dark) is detected at S104 in Fig. 42, the banknote discharge detection sensor S15 (dark) is not detected at S105 (2) After waiting for a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds), turn on the solenoid 138 (drive for 15 seconds) (3) Even if the operations in (1) and (2) above are repeated a predetermined number of times (for example, 3 times) and the banknote discharge detection sensor S15 does not become (dark), an abnormality occurs.

[0183] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to that shown in the embodiments, and modifications and additions within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention.

[0184] The gaming machine island 3 is not limited to the configuration accommodating pachinko machines and gaming ball dispensing machines exemplified in the embodiment, but may be a gaming machine island accommodating medal dispensing machines and slot machines, etc.

[0185] In the embodiment, banknotes have been used as an example of paper sheets, but other types of paper sheets such as tickets and cards may also be used. Furthermore, the shape of the paper sheets is not limited to rectangular. Furthermore, the installation location of the paper sheet collection and transport system 1 is not limited to amusement facilities, but may be other facilities. [Explanation of symbols]

[0186] 1...Paper collection and transport system 2...Amusement park 3...Amusement Machine Island 4... Gaming ball rental machine 5...Amusement machines 6...Relay box 7...In-island banknote transport device 8...Main transport device 9...Sub-transport device 11...Banknote separation and transport auxiliary circulation device 11a...Transportation auxiliary body insertion device 11b...Separation and collection device 12...Transport pipe 12a...Outbound 12b...Return 14...Air flow generator 14a...Air outlet passage 14b...Air intake passage 16...Transportation auxiliary body 16a...Head 16b…Small neck part 16c...large diameter section 16d...Constricted part 18...Banknote take-up device 23...Control unit 31...Upper and lower walls 32...Side wall 33...Extension part (guide) 34...Separation wall (rib) 35...Rib 40...Main conveying pipe 41...Safe 44...Relay device 45...Capture device 50…Straight tube 51...First curved pipe 52...Second curved section 52a...Type 1 second curved pipe 52b...Type 2 second curved pipe 54...Torsion tube 91...Sub-transport pipe 93...Banknote dispensing device 95...Outward air flow generator 97...Returning air flow generator 101...Aisle section 102...Banknote intake opening 103...Transport roller 104...Shutter 105...Lower vent 106…Banknote passing port 120...Insertion passage section 121...Aisle section 121...Aperture 130...Approach passage section 130a...passing section 130b...Transport unit 131...Rib 133...Banknote guideway 134...Conveyor belt 135a...Banknote discharge roller 135b...Feed roller 135c...Banknote discharge roller guide 136...Shutter 137... Clamping roller 138...Solenoid 139... Movable arm 141...Regulatory Department 143...Guide wall S11...Banknote feeding sensor S12...Standby position sensor S13: Transfer completion position sensor S14...Banknote detection sensor S14...Banknote detection sensor S15...Banknote discharge detection sensor P…Banknotes Dx: Distance between reference flat surfaces of the transfer pipe Dy...Inner dimension of the conveying pipe in the Y direction F: Extension direction of conveying pipe W…Aisle width X: Width direction of the conveying pipe Y: Height of the conveying pipe

Claims

[Claim 1] A paper sheet transport device that transports paper sheets, the paper surfaces of which are arranged parallel to the transport direction, from upstream to downstream in a transport pipe having a transport path formed therein through which an air flow flows from upstream to downstream, The paper sheet has a rectangular shape having two parallel conveyance sides arranged in a direction parallel to the conveyance direction and two perpendicular conveyance sides arranged in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction, a twisted conveying pipe having a twisted conveying path formed therein, which rotates the paper surface of the paper sheet conveyed from upstream around a central axis along the conveying direction to change the direction of the conveying orthogonal side of the paper sheet; The twisted conveying path of the twisted conveying pipe is continuously changed at a constant angle for a constant distance from upstream to downstream, so that the paper sheets can pass through in a longitudinal position in the conveying direction. A paper sheet transport device characterized by:

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