Bill processing device

Abstract

To facilitate a depositing operation.SOLUTION: Provided is a bill processing device 1 that when a bill is deposited through a depositing port 10 in a manner that a longitudinal direction of the bill is a lateral direction, stores a bill having a predetermined condition in a corresponding storage 18. The depositing port 10 is formed such that an upper edge portion 31 constituting an upper edge thereof extends at an inclination gradually to a rear side toward left and right with respect to a central portion 311 in the lateral direction and such that a lower surface 313 of the upper edge portion 31 is inclined gradually downward toward the rear side. The depositing port 10 preferably has formed therein a cutout 311a curved rearward in the central portion 311 in the lateral direction of the upper edge portion 31.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a banknote processing device, and more particularly to a banknote processing device that is used as, for example, a banknote change dispenser. [Background technology]

[0002] In a conventional banknote processing device used as, for example, a banknote change dispenser, banknotes inserted into a deposit section through a deposit port formed in the device body are transported to a predetermined transport path, and the authenticity of the banknotes transported along the transport path is discriminated by a discriminating means. Then, in the banknote processing device, banknotes discriminated as "genuine" by the discriminating means are separated from the transport path and stored in a predetermined storage section (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-65417 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the banknote processing device, it is necessary to deposit banknotes in a flat plate shape with the lengthwise direction of the banknotes in the left-right direction through the deposit port. Therefore, even banknotes that have been folded in half, in four, or at a corner must be deposited in a flat plate shape through the deposit port, which can make the depositing operation complicated.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a banknote processing device that can facilitate deposit operations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the banknote processing device of the present invention is a banknote processing device that stores banknotes that meet specified conditions in a corresponding storage cabinet when the banknotes are deposited through a deposit port with their longitudinal direction in the left-right direction, and is characterized in that the deposit port has an upper edge portion that forms its upper edge and gradually extends rearward from the center in the left-right direction toward the left and right, and the lower surface of the upper edge portion is gradually inclined downward toward the rear.

[0007] Furthermore, in the banknote processing device according to the present invention, the deposit port may also have a notch curved rearward formed in a central portion in the left-right direction of the upper edge portion.

[0008] Furthermore, in the banknote processing device of the present invention, the deposit port has a lower edge portion that forms a lower edge thereof and extends at a gradual downward incline toward the front. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the deposit port has an upper edge that forms its upper edge and extends gradually rearward from the center in the left-right direction toward the left and right, and the lower surface of the upper edge is gradually inclined downward toward the rear, so that even if a banknote is inserted in a bent or curved form that is convex downward, the banknote can be gradually straightened out into a flat shape along the lower surface of the upper edge and can be deposited through the deposit port, and the deposit port allows for deposit operations of banknotes in a bent or curved form that is convex downward. Because the deposit port thus allows for deposit operations of banknotes in a bent or curved form that is convex downward, there is no need to straighten the banknote into a flat shape before depositing it into the deposit port, thereby achieving the effect of facilitating deposit operations. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a banknote handling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram that schematically shows a banknote handling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of a deposit slot of the banknote processing device shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view showing the vicinity of the deposit slot of the banknote processing device shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a front view showing a case where a banknote is inserted into the deposit slot shown in FIG. 3 etc. [Figure 8-1] FIG. 8-1 is a side view showing the main part of the peripheral structure of the shutter. [Figure 8-2] FIG. 8-2 is a perspective view showing a main part of the peripheral structure of the shutter. [Figure 9-1] FIG. 9-1 is a side view showing the main part of the peripheral structure of the shutter. [Figure 9-2] FIG. 9-2 is a perspective view showing a main part of the peripheral structure of the shutter. [Figure 10-1] FIG. 10-1 is a side view showing the main part of the peripheral structure of the shutter. [Figure 10-2] FIG. 10-2 is a perspective view showing a main part of the peripheral structure of the shutter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a banknote processing device according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0012] 1 and 2 each show a banknote processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the banknote processing device, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the banknote processing device.

[0013] The banknote processing device 1 illustrated here is used as an automatic change dispenser in stores such as supermarkets and convenience stores, and includes a device main body 1a.

[0014] The device main body 1a has a deposit port 10 for inserting banknotes and a withdrawal port 11 for dispensing stored banknotes as change formed in the front part. The withdrawal port 11 is opened and closed by a shutter 12, and is normally closed by the shutter 12. A collection box 13 is detachably provided at the bottom of the front part of the device main body 1a.

[0015] The device main body 1a is provided with a deposit unit 14, a withdrawal unit 15, a discrimination unit 16, a discrimination unit 17, a storage box 18, and a reconciliation box 19, which are connected by a banknote transport mechanism 20.

[0016] The deposit unit 14 introduces banknotes inserted through the deposit port 10. The withdrawal unit 15 dispenses banknotes to the withdrawal port 11. The validation unit 16 validates the authenticity and denomination of banknotes. The discrimination unit 17 discriminates the denomination and number of banknotes.

[0017] The storage 18 stores banknotes, and includes one that stores 1,000 yen banknotes and one that stores a mixture of banknotes other than 1,000 yen banknotes. The reconciliation storage 19 is used as a temporary holding section during settlement processing, etc.

[0018] In the banknote processing device 1 configured as described above, when a banknote inserted by being deposited into the deposit port 10 is detected by a deposit sensor (not shown) of the deposit unit 14, the banknote transport mechanism 20 is driven to transport the banknote to the discrimination unit 16. If the discrimination unit 16 does not sufficiently discriminate the banknote, the banknote is transported to the deposit unit 14 via the banknote transport mechanism 20 and then returned to the deposit port 10. If the discrimination unit 16 discriminates the banknote as not genuine, the banknote is transported to the withdrawal unit 15 via the banknote transport mechanism 20 and dispensed from the withdrawal port 11. On the other hand, if the discrimination unit 16 discriminates the banknote as genuine, a depositing operation is performed in which the banknote determined to be genuine is transported via the banknote transport mechanism 20 to a storage vault 18 corresponding to the denomination for storage.

[0019] 3 is an enlarged oblique view showing the area around the deposit port 10 of the banknote processing device 1 shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view showing the area around the deposit port 10 of the banknote processing device 1 shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 4.

[0020] 3 to 5, deposit port 10 is surrounded by an upper edge 31, a lower edge 32, and left and right side edges 33. Deposit port 10 is an opening whose longitudinal direction is the left-right direction, and is used to deposit banknotes with their longitudinal direction aligned with the left-right direction.

[0021] The upper edge 31 constitutes the upper edge of the deposit port 10. This upper edge 31 has a central portion 311 in the left-right direction that protrudes forward, and is formed so as to gradually extend and incline rearward as it extends left and right. In other words, both left and right side portions 312 of the upper edge 31 gradually extend and incline rearward as they move away from the central portion 311.

[0022] The upper edge 31 is formed so that the lower surface 313 facing downwards gradually slopes downwards towards the rear. Furthermore, the upper edge 31 is formed with a notch 311a curved rearwards in the central portion 311.

[0023] The lower edge 32 constitutes the lower edge of the deposit port 10. The lower edge 32 has a lower front end 321 and a lower rear end 322. The lower front end 321 is a portion that extends gradually downward in an inclined manner as it moves forward across the entire area in the left-right direction.

[0024] The lower rear end 322 is continuous with the rear end portion of the lower front end 321, and extends gradually downward as it approaches the rear. This lower rear end 322 forms the deposit port 10 together with the lower end portion of the upper edge 31, and the vertical dimension H of the deposit port 10 is configured to be approximately uniform across the entire area in the left-right direction.

[0025] In the banknote processing device 1 having the above-described configuration, the upper edge 31 that constitutes the upper edge of the deposit port 10 extends gradually rearward from the center portion 311 in the left-right direction to the left and right, and the lower surface 313 is formed so as to gradually slope downward toward the rear, so that even if a banknote W is inserted in a bent shape that convex downward as shown in Fig. 7, the banknote W can be gradually straightened out into a flat plate along the lower surface 313 of the upper edge 31, and can be deposited through the deposit port 10. In other words, the deposit port 10 allows the deposit operation of banknotes W in a bent shape that convex downward.

[0026] Here, we have described banknotes W that are inserted in a bent shape that is convex downwards, but even if the banknote is curved in a downward convex shape, the banknote can be gradually flattened by aligning it with the underside 313 of the upper edge 31, and can be deposited through the deposit port 10.

[0027] As described above, according to the banknote processing device 1 of this embodiment, the deposit port 10 allows deposit operations in which banknotes are bent in a downwardly convex shape, so there is no need to straighten the banknotes into a flat shape before depositing them into the deposit port 10, making deposit operations easier.

[0028] According to the banknote processing device 1, the curved notch 311a is formed in the central portion 311 of the upper edge 31, so that it is possible to prevent interference with the operator's fingers when performing a deposit operation.

[0029] According to the banknote processing device 1, the vertical dimension H of the deposit port 10 is configured to be approximately uniform across the entire left-right direction, so that banknotes inserted along the underside 313 of the upper edge 31 can be deposited in a flat state, thereby preventing banknote jams and the like.

[0030] According to the banknote processing device 1, the lower edge 32 of the deposit port 10 has a lower edge front end 321 that gradually extends downward as it approaches the front, so that foreign objects falling from above can be guided in a direction away from the deposit port 10, i.e., forward, and the foreign objects can be prevented from entering the interior through the deposit port 10.

[0031] 8-1 and 8-2 respectively show the main parts of the peripheral structure of the shutter 12 that closes the dispensing port 11, with Fig. 8-1 being a side view and Fig. 8-2 being a perspective view. The peripheral structure of the shutter 12 will be briefly explained using Fig. 8-1 and Fig. 8-2.

[0032] The shutter 12 is capable of swinging around the central axis of a shaft 121 extending in the left-right direction, and a gear portion formed around the shaft 121 meshes with a gear portion of the pusher member 40. The pusher member 40 is linked to the shutter motor 41 via a link mechanism 42, and slides forward when the shutter motor 41 rotates forward, and slides backward when the shutter motor 41 rotates reverse. A slide base 43 is connected to the pusher member 40, on which banknotes transported to the dispensing unit 15 are placed.

[0033] A locking member 44 is also provided in an upper region of the shutter 12. The locking member 44 is swingable around the central axis of a shaft portion 441 extending in the left-right direction, and an abutment portion 442 extending radially outward from the shaft portion 441 is able to abut against the pressing portion 40a of the pusher member 40. As shown in FIGS. 8-1 and 8-2 , when the pusher member 40 is positioned at the rearmost position, the abutment portion 442 is not pressed by the pressing portion 40a of the pusher member 40, and the locking member 44 swings downward, causing the engagement portion 443 to engage with a part of the shutter 12 that closes the withdrawal port 11, preventing the shutter 12 from swinging downward.

[0034] When the pusher member 40 is positioned at the rearmost position in this manner, the slide base 43 is also positioned at the rearmost position, and the fact that the slide base 43 is positioned at the rearmost position is detected by the first sensor S1. The first sensor S1 is, for example, an optical sensor, and is turned on when a first detectable piece 431 formed on the slide base 43 is interposed between a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element, thereby detecting that the slide base 43 is positioned at the rearmost position.

[0035] A second sensor S2 is provided in front of the first sensor S1. The second sensor S2 is also, for example, an optical sensor, and is turned on when the first detectable piece 431 is interposed between the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element. As shown in FIGS. 8-1 and 8-2, when the slide base 43 is positioned at the rearmost position, the first detectable piece 431 is not interposed between the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element of the second sensor S2, and the second sensor S2 is in the off state.

[0036] A third sensor S3 is provided in a region in front of the second sensor S2. The third sensor S3 is also, for example, an optical sensor, and is turned on when the second detectable piece 122 of the shutter 12 is interposed between the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element. As shown in FIGS. 8-1 and 8-2, when the shutter 12 closes the dispensing port 11, the second detectable piece 122 is interposed between the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element of the third sensor S3, and the third sensor S3 is turned on.

[0037] 8-1 and 8-2, when the shutter motor 41 is driven to rotate in the forward direction with the shutter 12 closing the dispensing port 11, as shown in FIGS. 9-1 and 9-2, the pusher member 40 slides forward, and the pressing portion 40a abuts against and presses the abutment portion 442 of the locking member 44, causing the locking member 44 to swing upward and disengage from the shutter 12. Thereafter, as the pusher member 40 slides forward, the shutter 12, whose gear portions mesh with each other, swings forward, gradually opening the dispensing port 11. Furthermore, as the pusher member 40 slides forward, the slide base 43 also slides forward gradually, and the first detectable piece 431 moves away from the first sensor S1, causing the first sensor S1 to enter an OFF state.

[0038] 10-1 and 10-2, the first detectable piece 431 of the slide base 43 faces forward and is interposed between the light-emitting element and light-receiving element of the second sensor S2, turning the second sensor S2 on and stopping the forward rotation of the shutter motor 41. In this case, the shutter 12 swings forward to open the withdrawal slot 11, and the slide base 43 is also positioned to protrude forward from the withdrawal slot 11. In addition, the second detectable piece 122 of the shutter 12 also moves away from the third sensor S3, turning the third sensor S3 off.

[0039] 10-1 and 10-2, with the shutter 12 opening the dispensing port 11, the shutter motor 41 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction, causing the pusher member 40 to slide rearward, which in turn causes the shutter 12 to swing rearward and the slide base 43 to slide rearward. As a result, the first detectable piece 431 moves away from the second sensor S2, and the second sensor S2 enters an OFF state.

[0040] Thereafter, as the pusher member 40 slides rearward, the shutter 12 swings rearward to gradually close the dispensing port 11, and the locking member 44, which has been released from contact with the pressing portion 40a of the pusher member 40, also swings downward, and the engaging portion 443 engages with a part of the shutter 12 that closes the dispensing port 11. As a result, the second detectable piece 122 is interposed between the light-emitting element and light-receiving element of the third sensor S3, and the third sensor S3 turns on.

[0041] Then, as the pusher member 40 slides rearward, the first detectable piece 431 of the slide base 43 sliding rearward becomes interposed between the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element of the first sensor S1, turning the first sensor S1 on and stopping the reverse rotation drive of the shutter motor 41.

[0042] According to this peripheral structure of the shutter 12, when the shutter 12 blocks the withdrawal port 11, the locking member 44 engages with the shutter 12, thereby preventing the shutter 12 from being forcibly swung forward by tampering or the like, thereby opening the withdrawal port 11. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1...banknote processing device, 1a...device main body, 10...deposit port, 11...withdrawal port, 12...shutter, 13...recovery box, 14...deposit section, 15...withdrawal section, 16...validation section, 17...discrimination section, 18...storage box, 19...scrutiny box, 20...banknote transport mechanism, 31...upper edge, 311...central part, 311a...notch, 312...side parts, 313...lower surface, 32...lower edge, 321...lower edge front end, 322...lower edge rear end, 33...side edge.

Claims

1. A banknote processing device that stores banknotes that meet predetermined conditions in a corresponding storage when the banknotes are deposited through a deposit port with their longitudinal direction aligned with the left-right direction, The deposit port is characterized in that an upper edge portion constituting the upper edge thereof extends gradually rearward from the center in the left-right direction toward the left and right, and the lower surface of the upper edge portion is gradually inclined downward toward the rear.

2. The banknote processing device according to claim 1, wherein the deposit port has a notch curved rearward formed in the center of the upper edge in the left-right direction.

3. 3. The banknote processing device according to claim 1, wherein the deposit port has a lower edge that extends gradually downward in an inclined manner toward the front.

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