Paper sheet conveying device and carrier for paper sheet conveying device

Abstract

To provide a carrier capable of maintaining the traveling speed of the carrier even when a blower smaller than a conventional blower is used in a paper sheet conveying device for conveying paper money inside a duct by sending an air flow from the blower into the duct and making the carrier travel inside the duct.SOLUTION: A protruding body (202) protruding upward from a carrier body (201) is provided, and the protruding body (202) is formed so as to be swingable about a central axis (203) of the carrier body (201) in a plane orthogonal to the central axis (203) of the carrier body (201).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a paper sheet transport device that transports paper notes and other sheet-like paper sheets in a duct by using an air flow generated in the duct, and a carrier used in the paper sheet transport device. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of such a paper sheet transport device is described in Japanese Patent No. 7123453 (JP Patent Publication No. 2023-114893). FIG. 16 is a perspective schematic diagram showing the overall structure of the paper sheet transport device 100 described in the publication and the surrounding environment in which the paper sheet transport device 100 is used. The paper sheet transport device 100 includes a carrier 110 (see FIGS. 17 and 18) that transports paper sheets such as banknotes by pushing the front surface of the carrier 110, a duct 120 that is similar in shape to the carrier 110 and has an internal space within which the carrier 110 can travel, a paper sheet storage chamber 130 that stores the paper sheets transported by the carrier 110, and a paper sheet storage chamber 130 that is connected to one end (the right end in FIG. 16) of the duct 120 and that stores the carrier 110 in the paper sheet storage chamber 130. 16) and is arranged at the other end of the duct 120 (the left end in FIG. 16), and generates an air flow that causes the carrier 110 to travel in a direction X2 away from the paper sheet storage chamber 130 within the duct 120; and a carrier sending-out device (not shown in FIG. 16, see the carrier sending-out device 150 in FIG. 15) that sends the carrier 110 into the inside of the duct 120.

[0003] As shown in Figure 16, a plurality of pachinko machines and other gaming machines 20 are arranged in a row in the left-right direction in Figure 16 inside the gaming parlor, and a gaming medium lending device 21 for lending gaming media (pachinko balls, medals, etc.) is installed adjacent to each gaming machine 20. When a banknote is inserted into the gaming medium lending device 21, a number of gaming media according to the amount of the inserted banknote is dispensed. The duct 120 is installed on the rear side of the gaming equipment 20 and the gaming media lending device 21 so as to extend parallel to the arrangement direction of the gaming equipment 20 and the gaming media lending device 21, and the duct 120 is connected at both ends to a first blower 140A and a paper sheet storage chamber 130, which are located away from the group of gaming equipment 20 and gaming media lending devices 21, respectively. FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a carrier 110 used in the paper sheet transport device 100 when viewed from the front side, and FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the carrier 110 when viewed from the rear side.

[0004] As shown in Figures 17 and 18, the carrier 110 is "bullet" shaped, and specifically, is composed of a cylindrical main body portion 110a and a hemispherical rear portion 110b formed on the rear side of the main body portion 110a and continuous with the main body portion 110a. Carrier 110 conveys banknotes by pushing them with front surface 110c of main body 110a. A plurality of identical hemispherical projections 110d are formed at equal intervals along the circumference of front surface 110c of main body 110a. Banknotes are sandwiched between two adjacent projections 110d to hold them. The carrier 110 moves forward (in the X1 direction) by receiving the airflow (wind) from the first blower 140A at the rear portion 110b.

[0005] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the duct 120, and FIGS. 20 and 21 are perspective views showing the relative positions of the carrier 110, the banknotes 50, and the duct 120. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 19, the duct 120 is composed of a first region 120a and a second region 120b. The first area 120a has a rectangular shape that is long from top to bottom, and its height is such that the short side 50a (see Figure 20) of the banknote 50 can pass through, and its width is such that the banknote 50 can pass through even if it is folded or curved. The second region 120b has a circular cross section, and is set to a size (radius) that allows the carrier 110 to pass through. The first region 120a and the second region 120b partially overlap each other, and the first region 120a passes through the center of the second region 120b and protrudes from the second region 120b in the vertical direction by the same length.

[0006] 20 and 21, the carrier 110 pushes the short side 50a of the banknote 50 with its front surface 110c, and transports the banknote 50 inside the duct 120. The banknote 50 passes through a first region 120a of the duct 120, and the carrier 110 passes through a second region 120b of the duct 120. As shown in FIG. 16, the paper sheet conveying device 100 has a carrier storage duct 141 that branches off from the duct 120 just before the paper sheet storage chamber 130, and the carrier storage duct 141 is connected to a second blower 140B. The paper sheet transport device 100 having the above-described structure operates as follows. The banknotes inserted into the game media lending device 21 are inserted into the duct 120 from behind the game media lending device 21.

[0007] When a banknote is inserted into the duct 120, a sensor (not shown) detects the presence of the banknote and transmits a banknote detection signal notifying the presence of the banknote to a control device (not shown). Upon receiving this banknote detection signal, the control device activates the carrier delivery device and delivers one carrier 110 into the second region 120b of the duct 120. The control device then operates the first fan 140A, generating an air flow from the first fan 140A toward the paper sheet storage chamber 130 inside the duct 120, and the carrier 110 sent into the duct 120 receives the wind pressure of this air flow at its rear part 110b and begins to move in the direction X1 inside the second area 120b. The carrier 110 captures the banknote 50 with its front surface 110c while traveling toward the paper sheet storage chamber 130 (see FIG. 20), and continues traveling while pushing the banknote 50. In this state, as shown in FIG. 21, the carrier 110 travels inside the second region 120b of the duct 120, and the banknote 50 travels inside the first region 120a of the duct 120.

[0008] The carrier 110 and the banknotes 50 are separated at the branch point of the duct 120 and the carrier storage duct 141 in front of the paper sheet storage chamber 130. That is, only the carrier 110 changes its travel path from the duct 120 to the carrier storage duct 141, travels through the carrier storage duct 141, and is then stored in a carrier storage unit (not shown) arranged in front of the second blower 140B. Meanwhile, the banknotes 50 continue to travel inside the duct 120 due to the inertial force that has been exerted by the carrier 110 , and are stored in the paper sheet storage chamber 130 . After the banknotes 50 are stored in the paper sheet storage chamber 130 and the carrier 110 is stored in the carrier storage unit, the control device stops the operation of the first blower 140A and then operates the second blower 140B to generate airflow inside the carrier storage duct 141 and the duct 120.

[0009] The carrier 110 stored in the carrier storage unit receives the wind pressure of this air flow at its front surface 110c, travels in the direction X2 inside the carrier storage duct 141 and the duct 120 (second area 120b), and is stored again in the carrier sending-out device. The above process is one cycle until the banknotes 50 inserted into the game medium lending device 21 are stored in the paper sheet storage chamber 130. The banknotes 50 inserted into each game medium lending device 21 are collected in the paper sheet storage chamber 130 according to the above process. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7123453 (Patent Publication No. 2023-114893) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] As described above, when the carrier 110 travels in the direction X1 toward the paper sheet storage chamber 130, the rear part 110b of the carrier 110 receives the wind pressure of the airflow from the first fan 140A, and when the carrier 110 travels in the direction X2 away from the paper sheet storage chamber 130, the front part 110c of the carrier 110 receives the wind pressure of the airflow from the second fan 140B. That is, in either case, the wind pressure is received in the area of ​​the longitudinal cross section of the main body part 110a of the carrier 110. Therefore, when increasing the running speed of the carrier 110, since the cross-sectional area of ​​the main body portion 110a of the carrier 110 is constant (unchanged), it is necessary to increase the air volume of the first fan 140A and the second fan 140B. To do this, it is necessary to make the first fan 140A and the second fan 140B larger in capacity, i.e., larger in size.

[0012] However, the space for installing the paper sheet transport device 100 is limited, and it is often very difficult to use the first fan 140A and the second fan 140B that are larger in size. The present invention has been made in consideration of the problems with conventional paper sheet conveying devices as described above, and aims to provide a paper sheet conveying device and a carrier used in the paper sheet conveying device that can increase the running speed of the carrier without changing the size (capacity) of the first blower 140A and the second blower 140B, or that can maintain the running speed of the carrier even when using a blower that is smaller in size (smaller capacity) than the first blower 140A or the second blower 140B. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] To achieve this object, the present invention provides a carrier (200, 300, 400) used in a paper sheet transport device (100), the paper sheet transport device (100) including a duct (120) and a fan (140A, 140B, 510) for generating airflows in one direction (X1) and an opposite direction (X2) within the duct (120), the carrier (200, 300, 400) being movable within the duct (120), and the carrier (200, 300, 400) being connected to the fan (140A, 140B, a carrier (200, 300, 400) for a paper sheet transport device, characterized in that a carrier (510) travels in the one direction (X1) in the duct (120) by an air flow generated in the duct (120) and pushes the paper sheets (50) inserted into the duct (120) from behind to transport them, and the carrier (200, 300, 400) comprises a carrier body (201) capable of traveling in the duct (120) and at least two protrusions (202, 302) protruding from at least one of the upper and lower sides of the carrier body (201), and the protrusions (202, 302) are capable of swinging around a central axis (203) of the carrier body (201) in a plane perpendicular to the central axis (203) of the carrier body (201) extending in the longitudinal direction of the duct (120) relative to the carrier body (201).

[0014] For example, the protrusion (202) protrudes from either the upper or lower side of the carrier body (201), and the protrusion (202) is composed of a first portion (202A) having a certain width in a plane perpendicular to the central axis (203) and a spherical second portion (202B) formed continuously at one end of the first portion (202A), and the carrier body (201) is formed with a slit (204) extending perpendicular to the central axis (203) into which the protrusion (202) can be inserted, and the slit (204) is formed in a first slit portion (204A) extending from the outer peripheral surface of the carrier body (201) toward the central axis (203), and a bottom surface of the first slit portion (204A), and It is preferable that the second portion (202B) comprises a second slit portion (204B) that can be fitted thereto, and the width of the first slit portion (204A) gradually decreases from the outer peripheral surface of the carrier body (201) toward the bottom surface in a plane perpendicular to the central axis (203), and the width of the first slit portion (204A) at the bottom surface is equal to the width of the first portion (202A) of the protrusion (202), and when the protrusion (202) is inserted into the slit (204), the second portion (202B) of the protrusion (202) fits into the second slit portion (204B), and the first portion (202A) of the protrusion (202) protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the carrier body (201).

[0015] For example, the protrusions (302) protrude from both the upper and lower sides of the carrier body (201), the protrusions (302) have a certain width in a plane perpendicular to the central axis (203), the carrier body (201) has a through-hole (205) extending perpendicular to the central axis (203) into which the protrusions (302) can be inserted, and the width of the through-hole (205) is equal to the width of the carrier body (201) in a plane perpendicular to the central axis (203). It is preferable that the protrusion (302) gradually becomes smaller from the outer peripheral surface toward the central axis (203), the width of the through hole (205) at the center of the through hole (205) is equal to the width of the protrusion (302), when the protrusion (302) is inserted into the through hole (205), the protrusion (302) is sandwiched between the carrier body (201) at the center of the through hole (205), and the protrusion (302) protrudes upward and downward from the outer peripheral surface of the carrier body (201).

[0016] For example, it is preferable that the protrusion (202) can swing back and forth around the central axis (203) in the traveling direction of the carrier (200) and in the opposite direction. For example, it is preferable that the protrusion (202) has a constant thickness in the direction in which the central axis (203) extends, the width of the first slit portion (204A) in a plane including the central axis (203) gradually decreases from the outer peripheral surface of the carrier body (201) toward the bottom surface, and the width of the first slit portion (204A) at the bottom surface is equal to the thickness of the protrusion (202). For example, it is preferable that the protrusion (302) has a constant thickness in the direction in which the central axis (203) extends, and the width of the through hole (205) in a plane including the central axis (203) gradually decreases from the outer peripheral surface of the carrier body (201) toward the bottom surface, and the width of the through hole (205) at the bottom surface is equal to the thickness of the protrusion (302).

[0017] For example, it is preferable that a V-shaped groove (410) having a base defined by a straight line (410A) extending in a direction perpendicular to the central axis (203) is formed on at least one of the front and rear surfaces of the carrier body (201). For example, it is preferable that the protrusions (202, 302) have sufficient flexibility to bend when the carriers (200, 300, 400) come into contact with the inner wall of the duct (120) while traveling within the duct (120).

[0018] The present invention further provides a paper sheet transport device that includes a duct (120), a carrier that can travel within the duct (120), and a blower (140A, 140B, 510) that generates an airflow within the duct (120), the airflow generated within the duct (120) by the blower causes the carrier to travel within the duct (120), and transports paper sheets (50) inserted into the duct (120) via the carrier, the carrier comprising the above-mentioned carrier for paper sheet transport device (200, 300, 400), the duct (120A) having a first duct region (120b) through which the carrier body (201) can pass, and the protrusions (202, 510) protruding from the carrier body (201). and a second duct area (120a) through which the carrier (200, 300, 400) can pass, wherein the first duct area (120b) has horizontal areas (120d) forming horizontal surfaces on both sides of an entrance of the second duct area (120a) that protrudes downward from the first duct area (120b), and the carrier body (201) has a horizontal surface (202B) that runs on the horizontal areas (120d) when the carrier (200, 300, 400) runs inside the duct (120).

[0019] For example, it is preferable that the protrusions (202, 302) have sufficient flexibility to bend when the carriers (200, 300, 400) come into contact with the inner wall of the duct (120) while traveling within the duct (120). It is preferable that the blower is composed of a single blower (510) and further includes an air flow switching unit (520) that switches the direction of the air flow so that the air flows in either one direction (X1) or the opposite direction (X2) within the duct (120). The reference numerals in parentheses are used only to indicate the correspondence with the embodiments described later, and do not limit the scope of the rights. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] Conventional carriers 110 receive the airflow from the first fan 140A only at the rear portion 110b while running, but the carrier of the present invention can receive the airflow from the first fan 140A not only at the carrier body but also at the protrusion, so the area receiving the airflow is larger than that of the conventional carrier 110, and therefore it is possible to increase the running speed. However, if the carrier is provided with a protrusion that protrudes outward, the protrusion may come into contact with the inner wall of the duct 120, thereby reducing the running speed of the carrier. In contrast, in the carrier of the present invention, the protrusions that protrude outward from the carrier body are formed to be able to swing within a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the carrier body, so even if the protrusions come into contact with the inner wall of the duct, the protrusions can swing and escape from contact, so there is little loss of running speed of the carrier.

[0021] In this way, in the carrier of the present invention, the area receiving the airflow from the first blower 140A can be increased by providing a protrusion, and the problem associated with increasing the area (the problem that the protrusion may come into contact with the inner wall of the duct) is solved by making the protrusion swingable. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are six-view diagrams of a carrier according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the carrier shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating the positional relationship between a carrier body and a protrusion in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a carrier body and a protrusion according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 6A to 6C are six views of a carrier according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the carrier shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a carrier body and a protrusion according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a partial enlarged view of a protrusion and a first through-hole portion in a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between a carrier body and a protrusion in a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] [Figure 10] 10A to 10C are six views of a carrier according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the carrier shown in FIG. [Figure 12] 10 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of a duct used in a conventional paper sheet transport device. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of a duct used in a sixth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which the carrier runs inside the duct. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a paper sheet transport device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] [Figure 16] 1 is a perspective schematic view showing the overall structure of a conventional paper sheet transport device and the surrounding environment in which the paper sheet transport device is used. [Figure 17] 1 is a perspective view of a carrier used in a conventional paper sheet transport device, as viewed from the front side; [Figure 18]FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the carrier shown in FIG. 17 as seen from the rear side. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a duct used in a conventional paper sheet transport device. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the relative positions of a carrier, banknotes, and a duct in a conventional paper sheet transport device. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the relative positions of a carrier, banknotes, and a duct in a conventional paper sheet transport device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] (First embodiment) Fig. 1 is a six-view diagram of a carrier 200 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, Fig. 1(A) is a left side view of the carrier 200 (the right side view is oriented left-right opposite to the left side view), Fig. 1(B) is a plan view of the carrier 200 as viewed from above, Fig. 1(C) is a bottom view of the carrier 200, Fig. 1(D) is a front view of the carrier 200, and Fig. 1(E) is a rear view of the carrier 200. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the carrier 200 as viewed from the front, and Fig. 2(B) is a perspective view of the carrier 200 as viewed from the rear. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the carrier 200 comprises a carrier body 201 that can run inside the second region 120b of the duct 120, and four protrusions 202 that protrude above the carrier body 201 from the carrier body 201.

[0026] The carrier body 201 is a columnar body having a constant cross section, and its longitudinal cross section, as shown in FIG. 2(A), is composed of a straight portion 202A extending horizontally, a straight portion 202B of the same length as straight portion 202A extending parallel to straight portion 202A below straight portion 202A, a semicircular portion 202C connecting one end of straight portions 202A and 202B (the left end in FIG. 2(A)), and a semicircular portion 202D connecting the other end of straight portions 202A and 202B (the right end in FIG. 2(A)). Four slits 204 are formed at equal intervals in the direction of a central axis 203 (the longitudinal direction of the duct 120, i.e., the central axis extending in the traveling direction of the carrier 200) of the carrier body 201 in the straight portion 202A of the carrier body 201. Each slit 204 extends toward the central axis 203 in a direction perpendicular to the central axis 203 (the vertical direction).

[0027] The carrier body 201 is made of a lightweight material with a low coefficient of friction, such as a Teflon (registered trademark) material. Each of the four protrusions 202 is inserted into a corresponding slit 204, and as described below, the protrusions 202 are supported so as to be able to swing clockwise and counterclockwise around the central axis 203 in a plane perpendicular to the central axis 203 (the plane in which Figure 3(A) described below is drawn). 3A and 3B are diagrams showing the positional relationship between the carrier body 201 and the protrusions 202. Specifically, Fig. 3A is a vertical cross-sectional view of the carrier body 201 and the protrusions 202, and Fig. 3B is a horizontal cross-sectional view. As shown in Figure 3(A), each protrusion 202 is composed of a rectangular first portion 202A having a certain width in a plane perpendicular to the central axis 203, and a spherical second portion 202B formed continuously from the lower end of the first portion 202A.

[0028] As shown in Figure 3(A), each slit 204 is composed of a first slit portion 204A extending from the outer peripheral surface of the carrier body 201 to just before the central axis 203, and a spherical second slit portion 204B formed on the bottom surface of the first slit portion 204A, into which the spherical second portion 202B of the protrusion 202 can be fitted. The center of the spherical second slit portion 204B is located on the center line of the first slit portion 204A (the center line extending in the vertical direction in FIG. 3(A)) and on the central axis 203 of the carrier body 201. 3A, the inner wall of the first slit portion 204A forms a slope. Specifically, the width of the first slit portion 204A in a plane perpendicular to the central axis 203 (the length in the left-right direction in FIG. 3A) gradually decreases from the outer peripheral surface of the carrier body 201 toward the bottom surface, and the width of the first slit portion 204A at the bottom surface is equal to the width of the first portion 202A of the protrusion 202.

[0029] As shown in Figure 3(B), the thickness of the first portion 202A of the protrusion 202 (the length in the left-right direction in Figure 3(B), i.e., the length in the longitudinal direction of the duct 120) is constant, and the width of the first slit portion 204A (the length in the left-right direction in Figure 3(B)) is also constant, and the thickness of the first portion 202A of the protrusion 202 is set to a thickness that can be fitted into the first slit portion 204A. Therefore, the protrusion 202 can swing in both left and right directions inside the first slit portion 204A around the center of the second portion 202B. When the protrusion 202 is inserted into the slit 204, the second portion 202B of the protrusion 202 engages with the second slit portion 204B (see Figure 3), and the first portion 202A of the protrusion 202 protrudes upward from the outer peripheral surface of the carrier body 201 (see Figures 2 and 3).

[0030] 16, the carrier 200 can be used, for example, in the paper sheet transport device 100, and in that case, the shape of the duct 120 is changed to match the shape of the carrier 200. Specifically, the second region 120b of the duct 120 is formed in a shape that allows the carrier body 201 to fit therein, and the first region 120a is formed only to extend upward from the second region 120b, and this first region 120a is formed in a shape that allows the protrusion 202 to fit therein. The carrier 200 according to this embodiment having the above-described structure operates as follows. The carrier 200 introduced into the duct 120 receives the airflow from the first blower 140A and travels in the direction X1 toward the paper sheet storage chamber 130. Conventional carriers 110 received the airflow from the first fan 140A only at the rear portion 110b while running, but the carrier 200 of this embodiment can receive the airflow from the first fan 140A not only at the carrier body 201 but also at the protrusion 202, so that the area receiving the airflow is larger than that of the conventional carrier 110, and therefore the running speed can be increased.

[0031] However, if the carrier is provided with a protrusion that protrudes outward, such as the protrusion 202, the protrusion may come into contact with the inner wall of the duct 120, thereby reducing the running speed of the carrier. In contrast, in the carrier 200 according to this embodiment, the protrusion 202 protruding outward from the carrier body 201 is formed so as to be able to swing within a plane perpendicular to the central axis 203, so that even if the protrusion 202 comes into contact with the inner wall of the duct 120, the running speed of the carrier 200 is hardly impaired. As described above, the first portion 202A of the protrusion 202 is swingable within the first slit portion 204A of the slit 204. Specifically, the first portion 202A of the protrusion 202 is swingable around the center of the second portion 202B in the clockwise direction R1 and the counterclockwise direction R2 (see FIG. 3(A)).

[0032] Therefore, if for some reason the left side of the first part 202A of the protrusion 202 comes into contact with the inner wall of the duct 120, the first part 202A can escape the contact by swinging in the clockwise direction R1, or if the right side of the first part 202A of the protrusion 202 comes into contact with the inner wall of the duct 120, the first part 202A can escape the contact by swinging in the counterclockwise direction R2. In this way, in the carrier 200 of this embodiment, the area that receives the airflow from the first blower 140A can be increased by providing the protrusion 202, and the problem that comes with increasing the area (the problem that the protrusion 202 may come into contact with the inner wall of the duct 120) is solved by making the protrusion 202 swingable. In addition, in order to minimize the reduction in the running speed of the carrier 200 when the protrusion 202 comes into contact with the inner wall of the duct 120, it is preferable that the protrusion 202 has sufficient flexibility to bend when it comes into contact with the inner wall of the duct 120.

[0033] For example, it is preferable that the protrusions 202 be made of a nylon-based material that has excellent flexibility. The carrier 200 according to this embodiment is not limited to the above structure, and various modifications are possible. For example, the shape of the carrier body 201 is not limited to the above shape, but may be circular or any other shape. Furthermore, the number of protrusions 202 is not limited to four. The number of protrusions 202 may be two or more. By providing two or more protrusions 202, even if one of the protrusions 202 is damaged, the other protrusions 202 can still function as protrusions 202.

[0034] (Second embodiment) In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3(A), each protrusion 202 is formed so as to be swingable in a plane perpendicular to the central axis 203, but each protrusion 202 can also be formed so as to be swingable in a plane including the central axis 203. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the carrier body 201 and the protrusions 202 in this embodiment, similar to FIG. 3(B). As shown in Figure 4, the width of the first slit portion 204A in a plane including the central axis 203 gradually decreases from the outer peripheral surface of the carrier body 201 toward the bottom surface of the first slit portion 204A, and the width of the first slit portion 204A at the bottom surface of the first slit portion 204A is set to be equal to the thickness of the protrusion 202 (the length in the direction of the central axis 203).

[0035] That is, in this embodiment, first slit portion 204A has a trapezoidal shape not only in a plane perpendicular to central axis 203 (see FIG. 3(A)), but also in a plane including central axis 203. Therefore, protrusion 202 can swing back and forth around the center of second portion 202B in the running direction of carrier 200 and the opposite direction, even in the plane including central axis 203. In this way, since the protrusion 202 can oscillate in two different directions, i.e., in a plane perpendicular to the central axis 203 and in a plane including the central axis 203, even if the protrusion 202 comes into contact with the inner wall of the duct 120 while the carrier 200 is running, the direction in which the protrusion 202 escapes from the contact increases, thereby reducing the degree to which the running speed of the carrier 200 decreases.

[0036] (Third embodiment) In the carrier 200 of the first embodiment, the protrusion 202 is formed to protrude only above the carrier body 201, but it is also possible to form the protrusion 202 to protrude both above and below the carrier body 201. Figure 5 is a six-view diagram of a carrier 300 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, Figure 5(A) is a left side view of the carrier 300 (the right side view is oriented left-right opposite to the left side view), Figure 5(B) is a plan view of the carrier 300 viewed from above, Figure 5(C) is a bottom view of the carrier 300, Figure 5(D) is a front view of the carrier 300, and Figure 5(E) is a rear view of the carrier 300. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the carrier 300. Specifically, Figure 6(A) is a perspective view of the carrier 300 viewed from the front, and Figure 6(B) is a perspective view of the carrier 300 viewed from the rear.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the protrusions 302 in this embodiment protrude both upward and downward from the carrier body 201. FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the carrier body 201 and the protrusion 302. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the protrusion 302 is in the shape of a plate having a certain width, and has notches 302C formed near the upper and lower ends. The carrier body 201 has a slit-shaped through-hole 205 extending perpendicular to the central axis 203 into which the protrusion 302 can be inserted. The through hole 205 consists of a first through hole portion 205A extending from the upper outer peripheral surface of the carrier body 201 to the center of the carrier body 201, and a second through hole portion 205B extending from the lower outer peripheral surface of the carrier body 201 to the center of the carrier body 201.

[0038] The first through-hole portion 205A has the same shape as the first slit portion 204A of the slit 204 in the first embodiment. That is, the width of the first through-hole portion 205A in a plane perpendicular to the central axis 203 (the length in the left-right direction in FIG. 7) gradually decreases from the outer peripheral surface of the carrier body 201 toward the bottom surface, and the width of the first slit portion 204A at the bottom surface of the first through-hole portion 205A is minimum and is equal to the width of the protrusion 302. The second through-hole portion 205B has the same shape as the first through-hole portion 205A but is oriented upside down. In this way, the through-hole 205 is formed so that its width is greatest on the outer circumferential surface of the carrier body 201 and smallest at the center of the carrier body 201 , and is equal to the width of the protrusion 302 .

[0039] The thickness of the protrusion 302 (the length in the running direction of the carrier 300, i.e., the length in the longitudinal direction of the duct 120) is constant. The thickness of the through hole 205 is also constant, and the thickness of the through hole 205 is set to a thickness that allows the protrusion 302 to fit (the same setting as in FIG. 3(B)). Therefore, when the protrusion 302 is inserted into the through-hole 205, the protrusion 302 is sandwiched from both sides by the inner walls of the carrier body 201 at the center of the carrier body 201 (the boundary between the first through-hole portion 205A and the second through-hole portion 205B), and is held inside the through-hole 205. The protrusion 302 inserted into the through-hole 205 protrudes from above and below the carrier body 201.

[0040] Like the protrusion 202 in the first embodiment, the protrusion 302 can swing in a clockwise direction R1 and a counterclockwise direction R2 about the central axis 203. Therefore, even if the carrier 300 comes into contact with the inner wall of the duct 120 while traveling inside the duct 120, the decrease in the traveling speed of the carrier 300 due to the contact can be minimized. Furthermore, since the protrusions 302 of the carrier 300 protrude not only above but also below the carrier body 201, the carrier 300 can receive more of the air flow sent from the first blower 140A than the carrier 200, and can therefore travel at a faster speed than the carrier 200. As described above, the notches 302C are formed near the upper and lower ends of the protrusion 302. The function of the notches 302C will be described below. FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the protrusion 302 and the first through-hole portion 205A.

[0041] 8, a protruding wall 201A is formed on the outer periphery of the carrier body 201. The protruding wall 201A protrudes toward the inside of the first through-hole portion 205A directly above the first through-hole portion 205A within a range that does not interfere with the first through-hole portion 205A. Furthermore, the protruding wall 201A is formed so that even if the main body portion 302A of the protrusion 302 below the notch 302C swings inside the first through-hole portion 205A, the main body portion 302A does not interfere with the protruding wall 201A. In other words, even if the main body portion 302A swings inside the first through-hole portion 205A, the main body portion 302A simply passes directly below the protruding wall 201A. Since the protrusion 302 is simply sandwiched between the carrier body 201 in the center of the through-hole 205, it cannot be denied that there is a mechanical possibility that the protrusion 302 may slip out of the through-hole 205. However, by providing the protrusion walls 201A at the upper and lower openings of the through-hole 205, it is possible to prevent the protrusion 302 from slipping out of the through-hole 205.

[0042] (Fourth embodiment) In the third embodiment, the protrusion 302 is formed so as to be swingable only in a plane perpendicular to the central axis 203, but as in the second embodiment, the protrusion 302 can be formed so as to be swingable also in a plane including the central axis 203. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the carrier body 201 and the protrusions 302 in this embodiment. As shown in Figure 9, the inner walls of the through hole 205 in this embodiment are formed in a symmetrical inclined shape in the running direction of the carrier 300 (the longitudinal direction of the duct 120), similar to the first through hole portion 205A and the second through hole portion 205B in the third embodiment. Therefore, the protrusion 302 can swing in a plane perpendicular to the central axis 203 , and can also swing back and forth in the running direction of the carrier 300 in a plane including the central axis 203 . As a result, compared to the third embodiment, even if the protrusion 302 comes into contact with the inner wall of the duct 120 while the carrier 300 is running, the direction in which the protrusion 302 escapes from the contact increases, thereby reducing the degree to which the running speed of the carrier 300 decreases.

[0043] (Fifth embodiment) Fig. 10 is a six-view diagram of a carrier 400 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, Fig. 10(A) is a left side view of the carrier 400 (the right side view is oriented left-right opposite to the left side view), Fig. 10(B) is a plan view of the carrier 400 viewed from above, Fig. 10(C) is a bottom view of the carrier 400, Fig. 10(D) is a front view of the carrier 400, and Fig. 10(E) is a rear view of the carrier 400. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the carrier 400. Specifically, Fig. 11(A) is a perspective view of the carrier 400 viewed from the front, and Fig. 11(B) is a perspective view of the carrier 400 viewed from the rear. Compared with the carrier 300 according to the third or fourth embodiment, the carrier 400 additionally has V-shaped grooves 410 formed on the front and rear surfaces of the carrier body 201. Except for the V-shaped grooves 410, the carrier 400 has the same structure as the carrier 300.

[0044] The V-shaped groove 410 has a base 410A that is a line extending in the vertical direction perpendicular to the central axis 203 of the carrier body 201. A pair of inclined surfaces 410B, 410C extend from the front and rear surfaces of the carrier body 201 toward the base 410A, and the two inclined surfaces 410B and 410C intersect at the base 410A. The V-shaped groove 410 is composed of two inclined surfaces 410B and 410C and a bottom side 410A, and the central axis 203 of the carrier body 201 passes through the center of the bottom side 410A. The depth of the V-shaped groove 410 can be selected arbitrarily as long as the banknote 50 can be stably accommodated inside the V-shaped groove 410. For example, the depth of the V-shaped groove 410 is set within the range of 1 / 5 to 3 / 5 of the length of the long side of the banknote 50.

[0045] When the carrier 400 captures the banknote 50, the banknote 50 is stored inside the V-shaped groove 410 and is transported as is to the paper sheet storage chamber 130. Therefore, compared to the carrier 300 in which the V-shaped groove 410 is not formed, the carrier 400 can capture the banknote 50 more reliably and transport the banknote 50 stably. The V-shaped groove 410 does not necessarily need to be formed on both the front and rear surfaces of the carrier body 201, but may be formed on either the front or rear surface. If the V-shaped groove 410 is formed on either the front or rear surface of the carrier body 201, it is necessary to distinguish between the front and rear of the carrier 400 (the side on which the V-shaped groove 410 is formed is the front), but if the V-shaped groove 410 is formed on both the front and rear surfaces of the carrier body 201, there is no need to distinguish between the front and rear of the carrier 400.

[0046] (Sixth embodiment) FIG. 12 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of a duct 120 used in the paper sheet transport device 100 shown in FIG. 12, the connecting point 120c where the first region 120a and the second region 120b (the lower of the two first regions 120a above and below the second region 120b) are connected is angular. Because the carrier 110 always runs on the connecting point 120c, the connecting point 120c comes into contact with the bottom side of the carrier 110, increasing the friction between them and causing a decrease in the running speed of the carrier 110. This embodiment is intended to solve such problems.

[0047] FIG. 13 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of a duct 120A used in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, in the duct 120A of this embodiment, the second region 120b is formed with a horizontal region 120d having a certain length, which extends outward from the connecting point 120c as a starting point. FIG. 14 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which the carrier 200 runs inside the duct 120A. As described above, a horizontally shaped straight portion 202B is formed on the bottom surface of the carrier body 201. As shown in Fig. 14, when the carrier 200 travels inside the duct 120A, the straight portion 202B of the carrier body 201 travels on the horizontal region 120d of the second region 120b.

[0048] The coefficient of friction between straight portion 202B and horizontal region 120d is smaller than the coefficient of friction between the curved outer periphery of carrier 110 and angular connecting portion 120c, and therefore the frictional force received from duct 120A when carrier 200 runs inside duct 120A is smaller than the frictional force received from duct 120 when carrier 110 runs inside duct 120. Therefore, with the same air flow, carrier 200 can achieve a higher running speed and a longer running distance than carrier 110. The same effect can be obtained when the carrier 300 (see FIG. 5 or FIG. 6) or the carrier 400 (see FIG. 10 or FIG. 11) is used instead of the carrier 200.

[0049] (Seventh embodiment) When the carriers 200, 300, and 400 according to the above embodiments are used, the travel speed can be increased with the same air flow, or the travel speed can be maintained with a smaller air flow, compared to the carrier 110. Conventional paper sheet conveying device 100 uses two fans, a first fan 140A and a second fan 140B, but by using carriers 200, 300, and 400, it is possible to operate the paper sheet conveying device using only one fan that is smaller in size (smaller capacity) than first fan 140A or second fan 140B. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a paper sheet transport device 500 according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. Compared to the conventional paper sheet transport apparatus 100, the paper sheet transport apparatus 500 includes a single fan 510 and an air flow switching unit 520 instead of the first fan 140A and the second fan 140B.

[0050] The fan 510 is a fan having a smaller size (smaller capacity) than the first fan 140A or the second fan 140B. The air flow outlet of the blower 510 is connected to the air flow switching unit 520, which is connected to one end (the right end in Figure 15) of the duct 120 via the carrier delivery device 150, and further connected to the other end (the left end in Figure 15) of the duct 120 via the carrier storage unit 160 and the carrier storage duct 141. The paper sheet transport device 500 uses any one of the carriers 200, 300, and 400 instead of the carrier 110.

[0051] The operation of the airflow switching unit 520 is controlled by a control device, and the airflow from the blower 510 is sent to one end or the other end of the duct 120 depending on the traveling direction of the carriers 200, 300, 400. The carriers 200, 300, 400 travel back and forth inside the duct 120 by the airflow from the blower 510. According to the paper sheet conveying device 500 of this embodiment, by using the carriers 200, 300, and 400, even if only one blower 510 smaller in size (smaller capacity) than the first blower 140A or the second blower 140B is used, it is possible to maintain the carrier running speed equivalent to that of the conventional paper sheet conveying device 100 using two blowers, and ultimately to maintain the conveying efficiency of the banknotes 50. Alternatively, if the size of the blower 510 is increased, the running speed of the carrier can be increased, and the efficiency of conveying the banknotes 50 can be improved. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 200 Carrier according to the first embodiment of the present invention 201 Carrier body 202 Projection 203 Center axis 204 Slit 300 Carrier according to the second embodiment of the present invention 302 Projection body 205 Through hole 400 Carrier according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention 410 V-shaped groove 500 Paper sheet transport device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention 510 Blower 520 Airflow Switching Unit

Claims

1. A carrier used in a paper sheet transport device, The paper sheet transport device is Duct and a blower that generates airflows that flow in one direction and in the opposite direction within the duct; Equipped with the carrier is capable of traveling within the duct, and the carrier travels in the one direction within the duct by the air flow generated within the duct by the blower, and pushes and transports the paper sheets inserted into the duct from behind; The carrier is a carrier body capable of traveling within the duct; At least two protrusions protruding upward and / or downward from the carrier body; It is equipped with A carrier for a paper sheet transport device, characterized in that the protrusion is capable of swinging around a central axis of the carrier body in a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the carrier body extending in the length direction of the duct relative to the carrier body.

2. the protrusion protrudes from either the upper or lower side of the carrier body, the protrusion comprises a first portion having a certain width in a plane perpendicular to the central axis, and a spherical second portion formed continuously with one end of the first portion, a slit extending perpendicular to the central axis into which the protrusion can be inserted is formed in the carrier body; The slit includes a first slit portion extending from the outer circumferential surface of the carrier body toward the central axis, and a second slit portion formed on a bottom surface of the first slit portion and capable of being fitted with the second portion; a width of the first slit portion gradually decreases from the outer peripheral surface of the carrier body toward the bottom surface in a plane perpendicular to the central axis, and the width of the first slit portion at the bottom surface is equal to the width of the first portion of the protrusion; A carrier for a paper sheet transport device as described in claim 1, characterized in that when the protrusion is inserted into the slit, the second portion of the protrusion engages with the second slit portion, and the first portion of the protrusion protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface of the carrier body.

3. the protrusions protrude from both the upper and lower sides of the carrier body; the protrusion has a constant width in a plane perpendicular to the central axis, a through hole extending perpendicular to the central axis into which the protrusion can be inserted is formed in the carrier body; a width of the through hole gradually decreases from the outer peripheral surface of the carrier body toward the central axis in a plane perpendicular to the central axis, and the width of the through hole at the center of the through hole is equal to the width of the protrusion; A carrier for a paper sheet transport device as described in claim 1, characterized in that when the protrusion is inserted into the through hole, the protrusion is sandwiched between the carrier body at the center of the through hole, and the protrusion protrudes upward and downward from the outer peripheral surface of the carrier body.

4. 2. The carrier for a paper sheet transport device according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is capable of swinging back and forth around the central axis in the running direction of the carrier and in the opposite direction.

5. the protrusion has a constant thickness in the direction in which the central axis extends, A carrier for a paper sheet transport device as described in claim 2, characterized in that the width of the first slit portion in a plane including the central axis gradually decreases from the outer peripheral surface of the carrier body toward the bottom surface, and the width of the first slit portion at the bottom surface is equal to the thickness of the protrusion.

6. the protrusion has a constant thickness in the direction in which the central axis extends, A carrier for a paper sheet transport device as described in claim 3, characterized in that the width of the through hole in a plane including the central axis gradually decreases from the outer peripheral surface of the carrier body toward the bottom surface, and the width of the through hole at the bottom surface is equal to the thickness of the protrusion.

7. A carrier for a paper sheet transport device as described in claim 1, characterized in that a V-shaped groove with a base that is a straight line extending in a direction perpendicular to the central axis is formed on at least one of the front and rear surfaces of the carrier body.

8. A carrier for a paper sheet transport device as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the protrusion has sufficient flexibility to bend when the carrier comes into contact with the inner wall of the duct while running within the duct.

9. Duct and a carrier capable of traveling within the duct; a blower that generates an air flow within the duct; Equipped with A paper sheet transport device in which the carrier travels within the duct by an air flow generated within the duct by the blower, and paper sheets inserted into the duct are transported via the carrier, The carrier is a carrier for a paper sheet transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The duct is a first duct area through which the carrier body can pass; a second duct area through which the protrusion protruding from the carrier body can pass; It consists of The first duct area has horizontal areas on both sides of an inlet of a second duct area that protrudes downward from the first duct area, The paper sheet transport device according to claim 1, wherein the carrier body has a horizontal surface formed thereon that runs on the horizontal area when the carrier runs within the duct.

10. 10. The paper sheet transport device according to claim 9, wherein the protrusion has flexibility to the extent that it bends when the carrier comes into contact with an inner wall of the duct while traveling within the duct.

11. the blower comprises a single blower; 10. The paper sheet transport device according to claim 9, further comprising an air flow switching unit that switches the direction of the air flow so that the air flows in one direction or the opposite direction within the duct.

Images