Paper sheet processing equipment

Abstract

The present invention provides a paper sheet processing device that can suppress transport abnormalities caused by near-feeding. [Solution] After the paper sheet detection unit 121 detects that the preceding first paper sheet S has been fed out from the intake mechanism 27, the control unit, if the distance between the preceding first paper sheet and the following second paper sheet is short, slows down the transport speed of the intake drive unit that drives the intake roller 33 to the transport speed of the transport drive unit that drives the transport unit 51.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a paper sheet processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] There is a paper sheet processing apparatus that separates individual paper sheets from stacked paper sheets (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in a paper sheet processing apparatus, the taken-in paper sheets are sorted to a set conveyance destination by driving a gate installed in a conveyance path. If the interval between paper sheets in the conveyance path is shorter than the time required for driving the gate, the paper sheets will contact the gate during driving. Therefore, both the preceding paper sheet and the subsequent paper sheet will be rejected as "near feeds" so that they can be taken out of the apparatus. When such a rejection due to near feed occurs, there are problems such as it takes time for the user to handle the rejected paper sheets, the time for the user to use the apparatus is extended, and if there is no defect or the like in the rejected paper sheets, it may cause distrust in the user.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a paper sheet processing apparatus capable of suppressing conveyance abnormalities due to near feeds.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above objective, one aspect of the present invention provides a paper sheet processing apparatus equipped with a feeding mechanism consisting of a feeding roller and a separation roller for separating and feeding out a plurality of stacked paper sheets one by one, comprising: a feeding drive unit for driving the feeding roller; a transport unit for transporting the paper sheets separated and fed out by the feeding mechanism; a transport drive unit for driving the transport unit; a paper sheet detection unit for detecting the paper sheets separated and fed out by the feeding mechanism; and a control unit for controlling the feeding drive unit and the transport drive unit based on the detection result of the paper sheet detection unit, wherein the control unit, after the paper sheet detection unit detects that a preceding first sheet of paper has been fed out from the feeding mechanism, slows down the transport speed of the feeding drive unit to the transport speed of the transport drive unit if the distance between the preceding first sheet of paper and the following second sheet of paper is short. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a paper sheet processing device that can suppress conveyance abnormalities caused by near-feed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic front view showing one example of the configuration of a paper sheet processing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view showing the input section and the transport section on the intake mechanism side of a paper sheet processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a plan view showing the configuration of the main parts of the paper sheet processing device and the transport section on the paper sheet processing device side according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a plan view showing the configuration of the main part of the paper sheet processing mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a front view showing the configuration of the main parts of the paper sheet processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the transport route of the paper sheets in the paper sheet processing device and the transport route in the transport section is schematically shown as a straight line. [Figure 6] This is a front view showing the configuration of the rotation detection unit of a paper sheet processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a front view showing the configuration of the main parts of the paper sheet processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the transport route of the paper sheets in the paper sheet processing device and the transport route in the transport section is schematically shown as a straight line. [Figure 8] This is a front view showing the configuration of the main parts of the paper sheet processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the transport route of the paper sheets in the paper sheet processing device and the transport route in the transport section is schematically shown as a straight line. [Figure 9] This is a front view showing the configuration of the main parts of the paper sheet processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the transport route of the paper sheets in the paper sheet processing device and the transport route in the transport section is schematically shown as a straight line. [Figure 10] This is a front view showing the configuration of the main parts of the paper sheet processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the transport route of the paper sheets in the paper sheet processing device and the transport route in the transport section is schematically shown as a straight line. [Figure 11] This is a front view showing the configuration of the main parts of the paper sheet processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the transport route of the paper sheets in the paper sheet processing device and the transport route in the transport section is schematically shown as a straight line. [Figure 12] This is a front view showing the configuration of the main parts of the paper sheet processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the transport route of the paper sheets in the paper sheet processing device and the transport route in the transport section is schematically shown as a straight line. [Figure 13] This is a front view showing the configuration of the main parts of the paper sheet processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the transport route of the paper sheets in the paper sheet processing device and the transport route in the transport section is schematically shown as a straight line. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] A paper sheet processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] [Overall configuration of paper sheet processing device 1] As shown in Figure 1, the paper sheet processing device 1 according to this embodiment processes paper sheets S, for example, banknotes, and is composed of a base machine 2 and a connecting unit 3. Here, the paper sheet processing device 1 is composed of selecting and setting at least one of the number and type of connecting units from among a plurality of types, and connecting them to the base machine 2 in an appropriate order. The connecting unit 3 includes those that perform a bundling process to tie the paper sheets into bundles of a predetermined number of sheets, and those that perform a stacking process to classify the paper sheets and accumulate them so that they can be removed from the machine. In the specific example shown in Figure 1, the paper sheet processing device 1 is composed of a base machine 2 connected to a single connecting unit 3 that performs a bundling process. The paper sheet processing device 1 of this specific example will be described below. In the following description, the left side of the paper sheet processing device 1 as viewed from the user side is the left side in the left-right direction of the device, and the right side is the right side in the left-right direction of the device. Also, the user side of the paper sheet processing device 1 is the front in the front-rear direction of the device, and the side opposite the user is the rear in the front-rear direction of the device.

[0011] Base machine 2 identifies and counts paper sheets S inserted from outside the machine by the user. Base machine 2 has an input section 11 at the lower right end of the device in the left-right direction, and a reject section 12 above the input section 11 at the same right end.

[0012] Paper sheets S are fed into the input section 11 from outside the machine by the user. At this time, the paper sheets S are stacked vertically in the input section 11 with their long sides aligned in the front-to-back direction of the device (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in Figure 1) and their short sides aligned in the left-to-right direction of the device, and placed on the upward-facing loading section 20. The input section 11 then moves the stacked paper sheets S one by one from the bottom so that their short sides are aligned in the transport direction, and feeds them out to the left in the left-to-right direction of the device. Throughout the paper sheet processing device 1, the paper sheets S move while maintaining the orientation with their long sides aligned in the front-to-back direction of the device.

[0013] The base unit 2 has an identification conveyance unit 21 that receives and conveys the paper sheets S that are fed into the feeding unit 11 and fed out from the feeding unit 11, and an identification unit 22 that identifies the paper sheets S being conveyed by the identification conveyance unit 21. The identification conveyance unit 21 extends horizontally from the feeding unit 11 toward the left in the left-right direction of the apparatus, and then extends upward. The identification unit 22 is provided at the portion of the identification conveyance unit 21 that extends upward.

[0014] The feeding unit 11 has the above-described placement unit 20 on which a plurality of paper sheets S are placed in a stacked state, a back plate portion 25 that is provided along the edge along the front-rear direction of the apparatus on the left side of the placement unit 20, is provided at a right angle upward with respect to the placement unit 20, and faces right in the left-right direction of the apparatus, a bill press 26 that is provided so as to be vertically movable along the back plate portion 25 and can press the paper sheets S placed on the placement unit 20 toward the placement unit 20 from above, and a taking-in mechanism 27 that is provided near the placement unit 20 and takes in the paper sheets S placed on the placement unit 20 one by one in order from the bottommost into the apparatus. The placement unit 20 and the back plate portion 25 have a planar shape that extends in the front-rear direction of the apparatus. The back plate portion 25 faces one (the left edge portion in the left-right direction of the apparatus) edge portion of the paper sheets S placed on the placement unit 20.

[0015] The placement unit 20 extends diagonally downward in the left - right direction of the apparatus. Therefore, the back plate portion 25 extends diagonally upward in the left - right direction of the apparatus. The user places a plurality of stacked paper sheets S on the placement unit 20 by shifting them from the right side to the left side in the left - right direction of the apparatus and placing them in the input unit 11. As a result, for the plurality of stacked paper sheets S placed on the placement unit 20, one edge portion (the long side on the left side in the left - right direction of the paper sheet S) facing the back plate portion 25 side of each paper sheet S abuts against the back plate portion 25, and the positions in the width direction (left - right direction of the apparatus) are aligned. Note that, due to the schematic nature of FIG. 1, the paper sheet S is shown separated from the back plate portion 25, but in reality, it abuts against it. When adding a paper sheet S on top of the paper sheets S already stacked on the placement unit 20, the user also shifts the additional paper sheet S to the left side in the left - right direction of the apparatus and places it on top of the paper sheets S already stacked on the placement unit 20. Therefore, similarly, for the additional paper sheet S, one edge portion (the long side on the left side in the left - right direction of the paper sheet S) abuts against the back plate portion 25, and the positions in the width direction are aligned.

[0016] The intake mechanism 27 has an intake port 31 between the lower end of the back plate portion 25 and the placement unit 20. The intake mechanism 27 is provided in the vicinity of the placement unit 20. The intake mechanism 27 includes a kick - out roller 32 that kicks out the lowermost paper sheet S among the paper sheets S stacked in the placement unit 20 toward the intake port 31 side, and an intake roller 33 and a separation roller 34 that are provided near the intake port 31, separate the paper sheets S kicked out by the kick - out roller 32 one by one, take them in, and deliver them to the identification conveyance unit 21.

[0017] As described above, the input unit 11 has a bill press 26 that can move vertically along the back plate portion 25. When the amount of the paper sheets S stacked on the placement unit 20 becomes less than a predetermined amount, the bill press 26 presses the paper sheets S from the upper side to the lower side, that is, toward the placement unit 20 side, with a force corresponding to that amount. As a result, in the input unit 11, the lowermost paper sheet S among the paper sheets S stacked on the placement unit 20 adheres to the kick - out roller 32 and is kicked out well.

[0018] The upper end of the identification transport unit 21, above the identification unit 22, branches out and extends to the left and right in the left-right direction of the device. The portion of the identification transport unit 21 that extends to the right in the left-right direction of the device transports paper sheets S that the identification unit 22 has not identified as objects to be processed by the connecting unit 3 to the reject unit 12. The portion of the identification transport unit 21 that extends to the left in the left-right direction of the device transports paper sheets S that the identification unit 22 has identified as objects to be processed by the connecting unit 3 from the base machine 2 to the connecting unit 3. The identification transport unit 21 is provided with a sorting unit 21a that sorts the paper sheets S identified by the identification unit 22 into the reject unit 12 and the connecting unit 3.

[0019] The base unit 2 has a motion sensor (not shown) at the front of the input unit 11 in the front-to-back direction, at the right end in the left-to-right direction of the device, which detects the user's movement. The base unit 2 has a control unit 35. The control unit 35 controls the entire base unit 2 and is also connected to the connecting unit 3 via an interface to communicate and output control commands.

[0020] The connecting unit 3 receives the paper sheets S that have been transported by the identification transport unit 21 of the base machine 2, collects them in predetermined numbers (for example, 100 sheets), and performs a bundling process by wrapping them with bundling tape. The connecting unit 3 has a connecting transport unit 43 that receives the paper sheets S from the identification transport unit 21 of the base machine 2 and transports them to the bundling unit 42 where the bundling process of the paper sheets S is performed.

[0021] The bundling unit 42 has an alignment and stacking unit 44 and an alignment and stacking unit 45 at the end of the connecting and conveying unit 43. The alignment and stacking units 44 and 45 each receive the paper sheets S fed out from the connecting and conveying unit 43, align them to a predetermined number of bundling units, and stack them. The bundling unit 42 has a downward conveying unit 46 that conveys the stacked paper sheets S that have been fed out to the right in the left-right direction of the device from the alignment and stacking units 44 and 45. The bundling unit 42 also has a bundling mechanism unit 47 that bundles the stacked paper sheets S conveyed by the downward conveying unit 46 with bundling tape and integrates them into a bundle of paper sheets. Furthermore, the bundling unit 42 has an external discharge unit 48 that discharges the bundle of paper sheets created by the bundling mechanism unit 47 to the outside of the machine.

[0022] The connecting transport unit 43 is equipped with a sorting unit 43a that distributes the paper sheets S sent from the base machine 2 to the alignment and stacking unit 44 and the alignment and stacking unit 45. The connecting unit 3 is equipped with a control unit 49 inside that receives control commands from the control unit 35 of the base unit 2 and controls the connecting unit 3.

[0023] The paper sheet processing device 1 takes the paper sheets S, which are stacked on the loading section 20 of the input section 11, into the device using a loading mechanism 27 to separate them one by one. The identification and transport section 21 then transports the loaded paper sheets S within the base machine, and the identification section 22 performs an identification and counting process, identifying and counting the paper sheets S. The paper sheet processing device 1 transports the paper sheets S identified as tickets to be bundled by the identification section 22 from the base machine 2 to the connecting unit 3 using the identification and transport section 21's in-base machine transport process, while transporting the paper sheets S not identified as tickets to be bundled by the identification section 22 to the reject section 12. Then, the connecting transport section 43 of the connecting unit 3 transports the paper sheets S identified as tickets to be bundled to the bundling section 42 using an in-unit transport process, and the bundling section 42 performs a bundling process on the paper sheets S identified as tickets to be bundled. The processes of taking in the materials, transporting them within the base machine, identifying them, transporting them within the unit, and bundling them together constitute the identification, counting, and bundling process.

[0024] In this identification, counting, and bundling process, if a sensor (not shown) detects that the amount of paper sheets S placed on the loading section 20 of the input section 11 is less than a predetermined amount, or has become less than a predetermined amount, the control unit 35 lowers the bill press 26 toward the loading section 20 to press the paper sheets S against the kick roller 32 of the intake mechanism 27. If the user adds more paper sheets S to the input section 11 during the identification, counting, and bundling process, a motion sensor (not shown) will detect such hand movements of the user. The control unit 35 will then stop the intake mechanism 27 and raise the bill press 26. In this state, the user places the additional paper sheets S on top of the stacked paper sheets S already placed on the loading section 20. After that, the user removes their hand until no further movement is detected by the motion sensor (not shown). As soon as the motion sensor (not shown) stops detecting hand movement, the control unit 35 lowers the bill press 26 to press the paper sheets S against the kick roller 32 of the retrieval mechanism 27 if the amount of paper sheets S placed on the additional loading section 20 is less than a predetermined amount, and then resumes the retrieval process by the retrieval mechanism 27. As soon as the motion sensor (not shown) stops detecting hand movement, the control unit 35 resumes the retrieval process by the retrieval mechanism 27 without lowering the bill press 26 if the amount of paper sheets S placed on the additional loading section 20 is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount. The user repeats the addition of paper sheets S to the input section 11 as needed. In addition, if the user adds paper sheets S to the input section 11 during the identification, counting, and bundling process, the control unit 35 may raise the bill press 26 without stopping the retrieval mechanism 27 to allow the addition of paper sheets S when the motion sensor (not shown) detects the user's hand movement. Alternatively, instead of ceasing to detect hand movements detected by the motion sensor (not shown), when the start switch (not shown) is pressed, the control unit 35 may lower the bill press 26 or not lower it, depending on the amount of paper sheets S, and restart the paper collection process by the collection mechanism 27.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2, the loading section 11 has a mounting section 20 that extends in the front-to-back direction of the device (perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 2) and slopes downward to the left in the left-to-right direction of the device. The loading section 11 also has a back plate section 25 that extends in the front-to-back direction and slopes upward to the left in the left-to-right direction of the device. Multiple sheets of paper S are placed in the loading section 11 with one edge of each sheet of paper S (the long left side of the sheet of paper S in the left-to-right direction of the device) abutting against the back plate section 25, either on top of the mounting section 20 or on top of sheets of paper S already placed on the mounting section 20.

[0026] The intake mechanism 27 takes in the paper sheets S placed on the loading section 20 and feeds them out to the intake mechanism side loading section 51 (loading section) of the identification and transport section 21, which is on the intake mechanism 27 side. The intake mechanism 27 has a kick roller support shaft 61 on the lower side of the loading section 20 that runs along the front-rear direction of the device. The intake mechanism 27 has kick rollers 32 that are supported by this kick roller support shaft 61 and partially protrude upward from the loading section 20. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the intake mechanism 27 has a plurality of kick rollers 32 of the same shape fixed to the kick roller support shaft 61 at predetermined intervals in the axial direction. As shown in Figure 5, the kick roller 32 has a kick friction section 62 on a part of its outer circumferential surface that is made of a friction member (e.g., a rubber member) with a higher coefficient of friction than the rest of the outer circumferential surface. The kick friction section 62 has a shape in which the outer end portion in the radial direction of the kick roller 32 repeats irregularities in the circumferential direction of the kick roller 32. The kicking roller 32 has a cylindrical outer surface in the area excluding the kicking friction portion 62. When the kicking roller support shaft 61 rotates and the kicking roller 32 rotates, the kicking friction portion 62 of the kicking roller 32 kicks out the bottommost sheet of paper S on the mounting portion 20 shown in Figure 2 towards the intake opening 31.

[0027] The intake mechanism 27 has a slicing roller support shaft 71 that runs along the front-rear direction of the device, located below the mounting section 20 and on the opposite side of the intake opening 31 from the kicking roller support shaft 61. The intake mechanism 27 has slicing rollers 72 that are supported by this slicing roller support shaft 71 and partially protrude upward from the mounting section 20. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the intake mechanism 27 has a plurality of identically shaped slicing rollers 72 fixed to the slicing roller support shaft 71 at predetermined intervals in the axial direction. Each slicing roller 72 has a pair of roughly equilateral triangular striking members 73 that are in phase with each other. Specifically, the slicing roller support shaft 71 is provided with three slicing rollers 72, with the slicing rollers 72 on both sides in phase, and the central slicing roller 72, as shown in Figure 5, being 60 degrees out of phase with respect to these slicing rollers 72 on both sides. The paper handling mechanism 27 is configured such that when the paper handling roller support shaft 71 rotates and multiple paper handling rollers 72 rotate, the paper handling rollers 72 on both sides and the central paper handling roller 72 alternately strike the accumulated paper sheets S on the loading section 20 from below, thereby separating the paper sheets S. The paper handling mechanism 27 may be configured without the paper handling roller support shaft 71 and the paper handling rollers 72.

[0028] As shown in Figure 2, the intake mechanism 27 has an intake roller support shaft 81 that runs along the front-rear direction of the device, located below the intake opening 31 and on the opposite side from the kicking roller support shaft 61 to the handling roller support shaft 71. The intake mechanism 27 has an intake auxiliary roller 82 that is supported by this intake roller support shaft 81 and partially protrudes into the intake opening 31. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the intake mechanism 27 has a plurality of intake auxiliary rollers 82 of the same shape fixed to the intake roller support shaft 81 at predetermined intervals in the axial direction. The outer surface of the intake auxiliary roller 82 is cylindrical.

[0029] The loading mechanism 27 has multiple bearings 83 that can contact the outer surface of one of the multiple loading auxiliary rollers 82 from an oblique upward side, as shown in Figure 2. When the loading roller support shaft 81 rotates and the multiple loading auxiliary rollers 82 rotate, the multiple loading auxiliary rollers 82 grip the paper sheets S with their respective bearings 83 and feed the paper sheets S downstream while causing the bearings 83 to rotate together. The space between the loading auxiliary rollers 82 and the bearings 83 constitutes a transport route R. Here, in Figures 5 and 7 to 13, the transport route R is shown in a linear configuration, so the loading auxiliary rollers 82 are omitted, and only the bearings 83 that constitute the transport route R with the loading auxiliary rollers 82 are shown.

[0030] The intake mechanism 27 is supported by an intake roller support shaft 81 and has intake rollers 33, as shown in Figures 3 to 5, that partially protrude from below into the intake opening 31. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the intake mechanism 27 has a plurality of intake rollers 33 of the same shape fixed to the intake roller support shaft 81 at predetermined intervals in the axial direction. Each of the plurality of intake rollers 33 is provided between adjacent intake auxiliary rollers 82 in the axial direction of the intake roller support shaft 81. Therefore, the intake auxiliary rollers 82 and intake rollers 33 are provided alternately on the intake roller support shaft 81 in the axial direction.

[0031] As shown in Figure 4, the intake roller 33 has multiple annular intake grooves 85 that are recessed radially inward at intermediate positions in the axial direction, spaced apart in the axial direction of the intake roller 33. As a result, the intake roller 33 has multiple large-diameter intake sections 86 of the same shape and larger in diameter than the bottom surface of the annular intake grooves 85, spaced apart in the axial direction of the intake roller 33. As shown in Figure 5, the large-diameter intake sections 86 are equipped with intake friction sections 87 (friction sections) on a part of their outer circumferential surface, which are made of a friction material (e.g., a rubber material) with a higher coefficient of friction than the rest of the outer circumferential surface. The outer end portion of the intake friction section 87 in the radial direction of the large-diameter intake section 86 has a shape in which the irregularities repeat in the circumferential direction of the large-diameter intake section 86. The outer circumferential surface of the large-diameter intake section 86, excluding the intake friction section 87, is cylindrical.

[0032] As shown in Figure 2, the intake mechanism 27 has a separation roller support shaft 91 that runs along the front-rear direction of the device, located above the intake port 31. The intake mechanism 27 has separation rollers 34 that are supported by this separation roller support shaft 91. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the intake mechanism 27 has multiple separation rollers 34 of the same shape fixed to the separation roller support shaft 91 at predetermined intervals in the axial direction.

[0033] As shown in Figure 4, the separation roller 34 has an annular separation groove 93 formed at an intermediate position in the axial direction, which is recessed radially inward. As a result, the separation roller 34 has multiple large-diameter separation sections 94 of the same shape and larger in diameter than the bottom surface of the separation annular groove 93, which are spaced apart in the axial direction of the intake roller 33. The outer circumferential surface of the large-diameter separation section 94 is cylindrical.

[0034] Multiple separation rollers 34 are aligned axially so that each corresponds to one intake roller 33, and multiple large-diameter separation sections 94 are positioned so that each corresponds axially to the corresponding intake annular groove 85 of the corresponding intake roller 33. Although multiple separation rollers 34 are aligned axially so that each corresponds to one intake roller 33, there is a slight gap between them and the intake roller 33, and they do not come into contact with the intake roller 33. The space between the intake roller 33 and the separation rollers 34 constitutes a conveying route R.

[0035] The distance between the intake roller 33 and separation roller 34 and the intake auxiliary roller 82 and bearing 83 is such that the same sheets of paper S can be gripped simultaneously.

[0036] The intake roller support shaft 81 rotates, causing the intake roller 33 to rotate. As a result, the intake friction part 87 of the intake roller 33 comes into contact with the lowest sheet of paper S that has been kicked out toward the intake opening 31 by the kick-out roller 32. Then, the intake friction part 87 and this lowest sheet of paper S move together due to frictional force. As a result, this lowest sheet of paper S is fed out toward the transport section 51 on the intake mechanism side. The separation roller 34 is stationary and prevents the sheets of paper S above this lowest sheet of paper S from being fed out toward the transport section 51 on the intake mechanism side together with the lowest sheet of paper S. In this way, the sheets of paper S separated one by one by the intake roller 33 and the separation roller 34 are further fed toward the transport section 51 on the intake mechanism side by the intake auxiliary roller 82 and bearing 83 shown in Figure 2. The intake assist roller 82 and bearing 83 grip the paper sheets S while they are being fed out by the intake roller 33 and separation roller 34, thereby applying a transport force to the paper sheets S. The intake assist roller 82 and bearing 83 also grip the paper sheets S after they have been fed out by the intake roller 33 and separation roller 34, thereby applying a transport force to the paper sheets S.

[0037] As described above, the intake mechanism 27 is equipped with an intake roller 33 and a separation roller 34, and separates and feeds out multiple stacked sheets of paper S one by one. The intake roller 33 and the ejection roller 32 rotate synchronously. As shown in Figure 2, the transport route from the mounting section 20 and the intake mechanism 27 to the transport section 51 on the intake mechanism side is bent at an obtuse angle, but in Figure 5 and Figures 7 to 13 described later, the transport route R is shown as a straight line for the sake of explanation. As shown in Figure 5, the intake roller 33 and the ejection roller 32 are aligned in phase so that when the intake friction section 87 of the intake roller 33 is located on the transport route R, the ejection friction section 62 of the ejection roller 32 is also located on the transport route R.

[0038] The intake mechanism 27 has an intake roller support shaft 81, a kick-out roller support shaft 61, and a sorting roller support shaft 71 which are rotated synchronously by an intake drive unit (not shown) having an intake motor (not shown). The intake motor is controlled by a control unit 35. The paper sheet processing device 1 has an intake drive unit (not shown) that drives the intake roller 33.

[0039] The ejection roller support shaft 61 is provided with a rotation detection unit 101, as shown in Figure 6, which detects the rotation angle of the intake friction portion 87 of the intake roller 33. The rotation detection unit 101 detects the rotation angle of the intake friction portion 87 of the intake roller 33, which is attached to the intake roller support shaft 81, which rotates in sync with the ejection roller support shaft 61. The rotation detection unit 101 has a detection plate 102 fixed to the ejection roller support shaft 61 and a detection main body 105 that detects whether or not the intake friction portion 87 is in a position to grip and feed out paper sheets S with the separation roller 34 by detecting the presence or absence of a protrusion 103 that protrudes radially outward from the detection plate 102.

[0040] When the detection unit 105 changes from a state where it does not detect the protrusion 103 to a state where it detects it, as shown in Figure 6, it detects that the downstream end of the intake friction unit 87 in the rotational direction is at the position closest to the separation roller 34, as shown in Figure 7. Also, when the detection unit 105 changes from a state where it detects the protrusion 103 to a state where it does not detect it, it detects that the upstream end of the intake friction unit 87 in the rotational direction is at the position immediately after it has moved away from the separation roller 34 after being closest to it. The rotational position when the downstream end of the intake friction unit 87 in the rotational direction is closest to the separation roller 34 is defined as the first rotational reference position.

[0041] The control unit 35 can detect the rotational position of the intake motor (not shown) when the detection main unit 105 changes from a state where it does not detect the protrusion 103 to a state where it detects it, as shown in Figure 6, and the downstream end of the intake friction unit 87 in the rotational direction is closest to the separation roller 34, as the first motor rotation reference position, and based on the rotation angle of the intake motor with respect to this first motor rotation reference position, it can detect the rotational position of the intake friction unit 87. Furthermore, the control unit 35 can detect the rotational position of the intake motor (not shown) when the detection main unit 105 changes from a state where it detects the protrusion 103 to a state where it does not detect it, and the upstream end of the intake friction unit 87 in the rotational direction is at a second rotation reference position, which is the position immediately after it has moved away from the separation roller 34 after being closest to it, as the second motor rotation reference position, and based on the rotation angle of the intake motor with respect to this second motor rotation reference position, it can detect the rotational position of the intake friction unit 87.

[0042] Alternatively, the control unit 35 can detect the rotational position of the intake motor (not shown) when the detection main unit 105 changes from a state where it does not detect the protrusion 103 to a state where it does detect it, as shown in Figure 6, and the downstream end of the intake friction unit 87 in the rotational direction is closest to the separation roller 34, and the control unit 35 can detect the rotational position of the intake friction unit 87 based on the elapsed time since it was positioned at this first motor rotational reference position, the number of drive pulses per unit time of the intake motor, and the amount of rotation per pulse of the intake motor. Furthermore, the control unit 35 can detect the rotational position of the intake motor (not shown) when the detection main unit 105 changes from detecting the protruding portion 103 to not detecting it, and the intake friction portion 87 is at a second rotational reference position, which is the position immediately after it moves away from the separation roller 34 after it has come closest to the separation roller 34. The control unit 35 then uses this second motor rotational reference position as the rotational position of the intake motor. Based on the elapsed time since the intake friction portion 87 was at this second motor rotational reference position, the number of drive pulses per unit time of the intake motor, and the amount of rotation per pulse of the intake motor, the control unit 35 can detect the rotational position of the intake friction portion 87. The following explanation will use the case where control is performed based on the first rotation reference position as an example.

[0043] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the paper loading mechanism 27 has a loading detection sensor 111 between the ejection roller 32 and the loading roller 33 that detects the presence or absence of paper sheets S on the loading section 20. The paper loading mechanism 27 has multiple loading detection sensors 111 spaced apart in the front-to-back direction of the device.

[0044] The intake mechanism 27 has a feed detection sensor 121 (paper sheet detection unit) located immediately behind the intake roller 33 on the intake mechanism side transport unit 51 side, which detects the arrival and passage of paper sheets S fed out by the intake roller 33. The feed detection sensor 121 detects the arrival of paper sheets S when it changes from a state where it does not detect paper sheets S to a state where it detects them, and detects the passage of paper sheets S, i.e., that the entire sheet of paper sheets S has passed, when it changes from a state where it detects paper sheets S to a state where it does not detect them. By detecting the arrival of paper sheets S, the feed detection sensor 121 detects paper sheets S that are being separated and fed out by the intake mechanism 27. By detecting the passage of paper sheets S, the feed detection sensor 121 detects paper sheets S that have been separated by the intake mechanism 27 and have been fed out in their entirety from the intake mechanism 27. The intake mechanism 27 has multiple feed detection sensors 121 spaced apart in the front-to-back direction of the device.

[0045] As shown in Figure 3, the intake mechanism side transport section 51 has an upstream transport roller support shaft 131 that runs along the front-rear direction of the device, on the opposite side of the intake roller support shaft 81 from the feed detection sensor 121. The intake mechanism side transport section 51 has an upstream transport roller 132 that is supported by this upstream transport roller support shaft 131. Multiple upstream transport rollers 132 of the same shape are fixed to the upstream transport roller support shaft 131 at predetermined intervals in the axial direction of the intake mechanism side transport section 51. The outer surface of the upstream transport roller 132 is cylindrical.

[0046] Each of the transport units 51 on the intake mechanism side has a bearing 135 that can contact the outer surface of one of the corresponding upstream transport rollers 132 from above. When the upstream transport roller support shaft 131 rotates and the multiple upstream transport rollers 132 rotate, the multiple upstream transport rollers 132 grip the paper sheets S with their respective bearings 135 and transport the paper sheets S downstream, i.e., to the opposite side from the intake mechanism 27, while causing the bearings 135 to rotate together. The space between the upstream transport rollers 132 and the bearings 135 constitutes a transport route R.

[0047] At a minimum, the distance between the upstream transport roller 132 and bearing 135 and the intake assist roller 82 and bearing 83 is such that the same sheets of paper S can be gripped simultaneously. Therefore, the upstream transport roller 132 and bearing 135 grip the sheets of paper S that are being fed out by the intake assist roller 82 and bearing 83, thereby applying a transport force to these sheets of paper S.

[0048] The intake mechanism side conveying section 51 has a downstream conveying roller support shaft 141 that runs along the front-rear direction of the device, on the opposite side of the intake roller support shaft 81 from the upstream conveying roller support shaft 131. The intake mechanism side conveying section 51 has a downstream conveying roller 142 that is supported by this downstream conveying roller support shaft 141. Multiple downstream conveying rollers 142 of the same shape are fixed to the downstream conveying roller support shaft 141 at predetermined intervals in the axial direction of the intake mechanism side conveying section 51. The outer surface of the downstream conveying roller 142 is cylindrical.

[0049] Each of the transport units 51 on the intake mechanism side has a bearing 145 that can contact the outer surface of one of the corresponding downstream transport rollers 142 from above. When the downstream transport roller support shaft 141 rotates and the multiple downstream transport rollers 142 rotate, the multiple downstream transport rollers 142 grip the paper sheets S with their respective bearings 145 and transport the paper sheets S downstream, i.e., to the opposite side from the intake mechanism 27, while the bearings 145 rotate together. The space between the downstream transport rollers 142 and the bearings 145 constitutes a transport route R.

[0050] The distance between the downstream conveyor roller 142 and bearing 145 and the upstream conveyor roller 132 and bearing 135 is such that the same sheets of paper S can be gripped simultaneously. Therefore, the downstream conveyor roller 142 and bearing 145 grip the sheets of paper S that are being fed out by the upstream conveyor roller 132 and bearing 135, thereby applying a conveying force to these sheets of paper S.

[0051] The intake mechanism side transport section 51 transports the paper sheets S that have been separated and fed out by the intake mechanism 27. The transport unit 51 on the intake mechanism side is rotated synchronously by a transport drive unit (not shown) which has a transport motor (not shown) on the upstream transport roller support shaft 131 and the downstream transport roller support shaft 141. The transport motor (not shown) is controlled to rotate by a control unit 35. The paper sheet processing device 1 has a transport drive unit (not shown) that drives the transport unit 51 on the intake mechanism side.

[0052] The transport unit 51 on the receiving mechanism side has a transport detection sensor 151 located between the upstream transport roller 132 and the downstream transport roller 142 that detects the arrival of paper sheets S unwound from the upstream transport roller 132 and bearing 135, and the passage of paper sheets S unwound from the upstream transport roller 132 and bearing 135. The transport detection sensor 151 detects the arrival of paper sheets S when it changes from a state where it does not detect paper sheets S to a state where it detects them, and detects the passage of paper sheets S when it changes from a state where it detects paper sheets S to a state where it does not detect them. The transport unit 51 on the receiving mechanism side has multiple transport detection sensors 151 spaced apart in the front-rear direction of the device.

[0053] Next, the control of the intake drive unit and the transport drive unit by the control unit 35 will be explained mainly based on Figures 7 to 13. For the sake of explanation, Figures 7 to 9, 11 and 12 show only the single sheet of paper S that is being fed out or has been fed out, while Figures 10 and 13 show only the preceding single sheet of paper S (1) that has been fed out and the following sheet of paper S (2) that is being fed out. When taking in and transporting paper sheets S, the control unit 35 basically controls the taking drive unit and the transport drive unit so that the transport speed of the paper sheets S by the taking mechanism 27 and the transport speed of the paper sheets S by the transport unit 51 on the taking mechanism side are equal and always constant.

[0054] When the paper sheets S, which are stacked on the loading section 20, are fed out one by one by the loading mechanism 27 from the bottom sheet towards the loading mechanism side transport section 51, first the kicking friction section 62 of the kicking roller 32 kicks out the bottommost sheet of stacked paper sheets S on the loading section 20 towards the loading opening 31. Then, as shown in Figure 7, the loading friction section 87 of the rotating loading roller 33 contacts the bottommost sheet of paper sheets S that has been kicked out at its downstream end in the direction of rotation, and grips this sheet of paper S with the separation roller 34 and rotates. The control unit 35 detects that the loading friction section 87 is in a first rotation reference position where the sheet of paper S can be gripped with the separation roller 34 at its downstream end in the direction of rotation, as shown in Figure 6, by the detection body 105 detecting the protruding part 103 of the detection plate 102 of the rotation detection unit 101. As shown in Figure 8, the intake friction portion 87 of the intake roller 33 contacts the paper sheets S at its downstream end in the direction of rotation, and then rotates while gripping the paper sheets S with the separation roller 34. This rotation sequentially shifts the gripping position of the paper sheets S with the separation roller 34 from the downstream end to the upstream end in the direction of rotation. As a result, the frictional force of the intake friction portion 87 sequentially feeds the portion of the paper sheets S gripped by the intake friction portion 87 and the separation roller 34 toward the intake mechanism side transport section 51, thereby feeding the paper sheets S toward the intake mechanism side transport section 51. Initially, as the paper sheets S are fed toward the intake mechanism side transport section 51, they are gripped by the intake auxiliary roller 82 and bearing 83, and are further fed toward the intake mechanism side transport section 51 by the intake friction portion 87 of the intake roller 33 and the separation roller 34, and the intake auxiliary roller 82 and bearing 83.

[0055] Here, the paper sheets S fed out toward the transport section 51 on the transport mechanism side by the transport friction section 87 and separation roller 34 of the transport roller 33 are further fed out toward the transport section 51 on the transport mechanism side by the transport auxiliary roller 82 and bearing 83, and at least during this process, are gripped by the upstream transport roller 132 and bearing 135 of the transport section 51 and transported further toward the opposite side of the transport mechanism 27. In the transport section 51 on the transport mechanism side, while the paper sheets S are being gripped by the upstream transport roller 132 and bearing 135 and transported toward the opposite side of the transport mechanism 27, they are gripped by the downstream transport roller 142 and bearing 145 and transported further toward the opposite side of the transport mechanism 27. The control unit 35 detects that the upstream end of the intake friction portion 87 of the intake roller 33 has just finished gripping the paper sheets S with the separation roller 34 when the protruding portion 103 of the detection plate 102 of the rotation detection unit 101 is no longer detected by the detection main body 105.

[0056] Here, while the intake roller 33 and separation roller 34 are feeding the paper sheets S toward the transport section 51 on the intake mechanism side, the feed detection sensor 121 detects the arrival of the paper sheets S. After the intake auxiliary roller 82 and bearing 83 feed the paper sheets S toward the transport section 51 on the intake mechanism side, the feed detection sensor 121 detects the passage of the paper sheets S. In other words, the feed detection sensor 121 detects the paper sheets S fed out by the intake mechanism 27. After the intake roller 33 and separation roller 34 of the intake mechanism 27 feed the paper sheets S normally, and the intake auxiliary roller 82 and bearing 83 feed the paper sheets S normally, when the feed detection sensor 121 detects the passage of the paper sheets S, at that point the intake friction section 87 of the intake roller 33 is at an angle such as that shown in Figure 9, for example, and is within the appropriate standard angle range. Here, due to differences in the size of the paper sheets S in the transport direction, even if they are being fed normally, the angle of the intake friction section 87 will differ when the paper sheets S pass the feed detection sensor 121. Therefore, the control unit 35 determines that the intake roller 33 and separation roller 34 of the intake mechanism 27 have fed the paper sheets S normally, and that the intake assist roller 82 and bearing 83 have fed the paper sheets S normally, if the intake friction section 87 is within a range of appropriate standard angles set for all sizes of the paper sheets S in the transport direction when the paper sheets S pass the feed detection sensor 121.

[0057] In this case, following the first sheet of paper S(1) which has been fed out normally, the second sheet of paper S(2) is fed out, and the intake friction portion 87 of the intake roller 33 is positioned at the first rotation reference position as shown in Figure 10, and comes into contact with the second sheet of paper S(2) at its downstream end in the direction of rotation. However, an appropriate amount of time is ensured during which the part of the intake roller 33 other than the intake friction portion 87 is in contact with the second sheet of paper S(2) before it reaches this state. Therefore, when the intake friction portion 87 of the intake roller 33 is located at the first rotation reference position and contacts the second paper sheet S(2) at its downstream end in the direction of rotation, as shown in Figure 10, the preceding first paper sheet S(1) has moved an appropriate distance downstream from the following second paper sheet S(2), and the distance between the preceding first paper sheet S(1) and the following second paper sheet S(2) is properly maintained.

[0058] On the other hand, for example, if slippage occurs between the intake friction part 87 of the intake roller 33 and the paper sheets S (due to defects in the paper sheets S, deterioration of the intake friction part 87, improper setting of the paper sheets S, etc.), as shown in Figure 11, the feeding of the paper sheets S by the intake friction part 87 starts later than in the normal state shown in Figure 7. In this case, as shown in Figure 12, when the feeding detection sensor 121 detects the passage of the paper sheets S, the intake friction part 87 of the intake roller 33 will be positioned at an angle that is ahead of the state in the appropriate standard angle range described above, as shown in Figure 9.

[0059] In this case, as shown in Figure 13, the time from when the intake friction part 87 of the intake roller 33 is positioned at the first rotation reference position to when it contacts the second paper sheet S(2) at the downstream end in the rotational direction, in order to feed out the second paper sheet S(2) behind the preceding first paper sheet S(1), is short. Therefore, if the intake mechanism 27 remains at the same transport speed, at the time of contact, the preceding first paper sheet S(1) has not moved a sufficient distance downstream of the following second paper sheet S(2), as shown in Figure 13, and the distance between the preceding first paper sheet S(1) and the following second paper sheet S(2) becomes shorter than in the normal case shown in Figure 10. Consequently, if the intake mechanism 27 remains at the same transport speed, the following second paper sheet S(2) will be in a near-feed state, where the gap between it and the preceding first paper sheet S(1) is narrow.

[0060] When the identification unit 22 detects that the first and second sheets of paper S(1) are in a state of transport abnormality due to near feed, the control unit 35 determines that it is difficult for the sorting unit 43a of the connecting transport unit 43 to sorting and stacking units 44 and 45 of the second sheet of paper S, and therefore sorts both the first and second sheets of paper S to the reject unit 12 side by the sorting unit 21a of the identification transport unit 21 and rejects them to the reject unit 12. In addition to detection by the identification unit 22, the transport abnormality due to near feed may also be detected by a transport detection sensor 151 or the like provided in the identification transport unit 21.

[0061] To suppress such near-feed transport abnormalities, the control unit 35 controls the intake drive unit and the transport drive unit based on the detection result of the feed detection sensor 121.

[0062] When the feed detection sensor 121 detects that the preceding first sheet of paper has been fed out of the feeding mechanism 27, that is, that the entire first sheet of paper has been fed out of the feeding mechanism 27, in other words, that the first sheet of paper has finished being fed out of the feeding mechanism 27, the control unit 35 determines, for example, as shown in Figure 12, that the rotation angle of the feeding friction unit 87, which is determined based on the detection result of the rotation detection unit 101, has exceeded the appropriate standard angle range and has also exceeded a predetermined angle, that the distance between the preceding first sheet of paper and the subsequent second sheet of paper adjacent to the first sheet of paper is shorter than a predetermined allowable range, and from that point onward, the control unit 35 slows down the transport speed of the feeding drive unit to a speed that was previously the same as the transport speed of the transport drive unit. Here, the rotation detection unit 101 detects the rotation angle of the intake friction unit 87 based on the amount of rotation of the intake motor (not shown) from the time when the protrusion 103 of the detection plate 102 is detected by the detection main unit 105, or from the time when the protrusion 103 of the detection plate 102 is no longer detected by the detection main unit 105. Alternatively, the rotation detection unit 101 detects the rotation angle of the intake friction unit 87 based on the elapsed time from the time when the protrusion 103 of the detection plate 102 is detected by the detection main unit 105, or from the time when the protrusion 103 of the detection plate 102 is no longer detected by the detection main unit 105.

[0063] Then, when the feed detection sensor 121 detects that the entire preceding first sheet of paper S(1) has been fed out of the feeding mechanism 27, if the rotation angle of the feeding friction part 87 from the first rotation reference position exceeds the appropriate standard angle range shown in Figure 9, for example, as shown in Figure 12, the control unit 35 immediately performs the following case classifications according to the rotation angle from the first rotation reference position and controls the transport speed of the feeding drive unit to decrease.

[0064] Furthermore, since the rotation angle of the intake friction section 87 from the first rotation reference position is proportional to the elapsed time since the intake friction section 87 was positioned at the first rotation reference position, this elapsed time also indirectly corresponds to the rotation angle of the intake friction section 87 from the first rotation reference position. Therefore, when the feed detection sensor 121 detects that the entire preceding first sheet of paper S(1) has been fed out of the intake mechanism 27, if the elapsed time since the intake friction section 87 was positioned at the first rotation reference position has exceeded a predetermined time, the transport speed of the intake drive unit can be controlled to decrease in accordance with this elapsed time.

[0065] First, the control unit 35 determines that near feed does not occur when the feed detection sensor 121 detects that the entire preceding first sheet of paper S(1) has been fed out from the feeding mechanism 27, and the rotation angle of the feeding friction part 87 is greater than the upper limit of the appropriate standard angle range, but less than or equal to the first control angle greater than the upper limit of the appropriate standard angle range. In this case, the control unit 35 maintains the transport speed of the feeding drive unit at the same level as the transport speed of the transport drive unit.

[0066] Furthermore, when the feed detection sensor 121 detects that the entire preceding first sheet of paper S(1) has been fed out of the feeding mechanism 27, the control unit 35, if the rotation angle of the feeding friction part 87 exceeds the first control angle but is less than or equal to the second control angle which is greater than the first control angle, changes the transport speed of the feeding drive unit to a first transport speed pattern that is slower than the transport speed of the transport drive unit, while maintaining the driving state of the feeding drive unit (in other words, without stopping it). This first control angle becomes a predetermined angle that serves as a criterion for deciding whether to slow the transport speed of the feeding drive unit to a speed slower than the transport speed of the transport drive unit which was previously equivalent.

[0067] Furthermore, when the feed detection sensor 121 detects that the entire preceding first sheet of paper S(1) has been fed out of the feeding mechanism 27, if the rotation angle of the feeding friction part 87 exceeds the second control angle but is less than or equal to the third control angle which is greater than the second control angle, the control unit 35 maintains the driving state of the feeding drive unit (in other words, without stopping it) and changes the transport speed of the feeding drive unit to a second transport speed which is slower than the first control speed.

[0068] Furthermore, when the feed detection sensor 121 detects that the entire preceding first sheet of paper S(1) has been fed out of the feeding mechanism 27, and the rotation angle of the feeding friction part 87 exceeds the third control angle, the control unit 35 maintains the driving state of the feeding drive unit (in other words, without stopping it) and changes the transport speed of the feeding drive unit to a third transport speed pattern that is slower than the second control speed.

[0069] Therefore, when the feed detection sensor 121 detects that the entire preceding first sheet of paper S(1) has been fed out of the feeding mechanism 27, if the rotation angle of the feeding friction part 87 has exceeded the appropriate standard angle range shown in Figure 9, for example as shown in Figure 12, the control unit 35 controls the feeding drive unit to select a transport speed pattern from the three transport speed patterns according to the magnitude of the overshoot angle relative to the appropriate standard angle range. Note that the control unit 35 only needs to select at least one transport speed pattern. Therefore, the control unit 35 controls the feeding drive unit to select a transport speed pattern from at least one transport speed pattern.

[0070] Here, when the control unit 35 changes the transport speed of the transport drive unit according to a first transport speed pattern, which is set to a first control speed, it continuously changes the speed from a speed equivalent to that of the transport drive unit to a sinusoidal waveform, which is a curved waveform, and decreases it until it reaches the first control speed. After that, it continuously changes the speed from the first control speed to a sinusoidal waveform, increasing it until it is finally controlled to be equivalent to that of the transport drive unit.

[0071] Furthermore, when the control unit 35 changes the transport speed of the intake drive unit in a second transport speed pattern, which is the second control speed, it continuously changes the speed from a speed equivalent to that of the transport drive unit to a sinusoidal waveform, which is a curved waveform, and decreases it. Once it reaches the second control speed, it then continuously changes the speed from the second control speed to a sinusoidal waveform, increasing it until it is finally controlled to be equivalent to that of the transport drive unit.

[0072] Furthermore, when the control unit 35 changes the transport speed of the intake drive unit in a third transport speed pattern, which is the third control speed, it continuously changes the speed from a speed equivalent to that of the transport drive unit to a sinusoidal waveform, which is a curved waveform, and decreases it. Once it reaches the third control speed, it then continuously changes the speed from the third control speed to a sinusoidal waveform, increasing it until it is finally controlled to be equivalent to that of the transport drive unit.

[0073] Here, in all of the first, second, and third transport speed patterns, in other words, in all cases where the transport speed of the intake drive unit is set to the first control speed, the second control speed, and the third control speed, it is preferable to control the transport speed of the intake drive unit so that after the speed is reduced, it returns to the same speed as the transport speed of the transport drive unit by the time the second sheets of paper S(2), which are normally fed out, reach the transport unit 51 on the intake mechanism side. However, if the transport force of the paper sheets S by the transport unit 51 on the intake mechanism side is greater than the transport force of the paper sheets S by the intake mechanism 27, the transport speed of the intake drive unit may be controlled so that after the speed is reduced, it returns to the same speed as the transport speed of the transport drive unit by the time the second sheets of paper S(2), which are normally fed out, reach the transport unit 51 on the intake mechanism side.

[0074] By performing the above control, if the feeding mechanism 27 of the preceding first sheet of paper S(1) is delayed, the feeding mechanism 27 of the following second sheet of paper S(2) will also be delayed. Thus, the transport interval between the preceding first sheet of paper S(1) and the following second sheet of paper S(2) can be widened. Therefore, the identification transport unit 21 can prevent the preceding first sheet of paper S(1) and the following second sheet of paper S(2) from being determined to be near feeds and rejected by the reject unit 12. Furthermore, when the control unit 35 changes the transport speed of the intake drive unit using any of the first transport speed pattern, second transport speed pattern, or third transport speed pattern as described above, it is preferable to change the waveform to a sinusoidal shape when decreasing from a speed equivalent to the transport speed of the transport drive unit, but the pattern when returning to a speed equivalent to the transport speed of the transport drive unit does not need to be changed to a sinusoidal shape.

[0075] In the paper sheet processing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, when the dispensing detection sensor 121 detects that the entire preceding first sheet of paper S(1) has been dispensed from the loading mechanism 27, the control unit 35 slows down the transport speed of the loading drive unit if the rotation angle of the loading friction unit 87, which is determined based on the detection result of the rotation detection unit 101, exceeds a predetermined angle (first control angle). This makes it possible to slow down the dispensing speed of the second sheet of paper S(2) dispensing from the loading roller 33 of the loading mechanism 27, which is driven by the loading drive unit, relative to the first sheet of paper S(1) being transported by the loading mechanism side transport unit 51, which is driven by the transport drive unit. Therefore, the distance between the first sheet of paper S(1) and the second sheet of paper S(2) can be increased. As a result, transport abnormalities due to near feed can be suppressed.

[0076] Furthermore, in the paper sheet processing device 1, if the control unit 35 lowers the transport speed of the intake drive unit to a level lower than the transport speed of the transport drive unit as described above, it then sets the transport speed of the intake drive unit to the same level as the transport speed of the transport drive unit by the time the second paper sheet S(2) reaches the intake mechanism side transport unit 51. This allows the second paper sheet S(2) to be smoothly transferred from the intake mechanism 27 to the intake mechanism side transport unit 51.

[0077] In the paper sheet processing device 1, the control unit 35 makes the speed change of the transport speed of the paper feeding drive unit a sinusoidal waveform. Therefore, when the transport speed of the paper feeding drive unit is made slower than the transport speed of the transport drive unit, or when the transport speed of the paper feeding drive unit is made the speed change of the transport speed of the transport drive unit smoother, and the possibility of the paper feeding motor losing synchronization can be reduced. However, the speed change of the transport speed of the paper feeding drive unit may also be a curved shape other than a sinusoidal wave, a trapezoidal wave, or a rectangular wave.

[0078] The paper sheet processing device 1 has a control unit 35 that controls the intake drive unit so that it sets to a transport speed pattern selected from at least one transport speed pattern. This makes it easy to control when the transport speed of the intake drive unit is slower than the transport speed of the transport drive unit, or when the transport speed of the intake drive unit is returned to the same speed as the transport speed of the transport drive unit.

[0079] The paper sheet processing device 1 allows for more precise control of the transport speed of the transport drive unit by having the control unit 35 control the transport drive unit so that the transport speed of the transport drive unit decreases as the angle increases, depending on the angle, when the rotation angle of the intake friction unit 87, which is determined based on the detection result of the rotation detection unit 101, exceeds a predetermined angle. Alternatively, the control unit 35 may control the transport drive unit so that the transport speed of the transport drive unit decreases linearly as the angle increases, depending on the angle, when the rotation angle of the intake friction unit 87, which is determined based on the detection result of the rotation detection unit 101, exceeds a predetermined angle.

[0080] Furthermore, the above embodiments can be modified as shown in the following variations 1 to 6. <Example 1> In this embodiment, the control unit 35 immediately reduces the transport speed of the transport drive unit to a level lower than the transport speed of the transport drive unit if the rotation angle of the transport friction unit 87 exceeds a predetermined angle when the feed detection sensor 121 detects that the entire preceding first sheet of paper S(1) has been fed out of the feed mechanism 27, but it is not limited to this. For example, if the rotation angle of the transport friction unit 87 exceeds a predetermined angle when the feed detection sensor 121 detects that the entire preceding first sheet of paper S(1) has been fed out of the feed mechanism 27, then the transport speed of the transport drive unit may be reduced to a level lower than the transport speed of the transport drive unit if the protrusion 103 of the detection plate 102 of the rotation detection unit 101 is detected by the detection body 105 to indicate that the transport friction unit 87 is in a first rotation reference position and is in a rotation reference position where the second sheet of paper S(2) can be gripped by the separation roller 34 at the downstream end in the rotation direction.

[0081] <Modification 2> Detection of the entire sheet of paper S being fed out from the intake mechanism 27 can be detected not only by the feed detection sensor 121 detecting the passage of the sheet of paper S (the feed detection sensor 121 switching from a state where it does not detect the sheet of paper S to a state where it detects the sheet of paper S, and then switching back to a state where it does not detect the sheet of paper S), but also, for example, by determining that the elapsed time from the time the sheet of paper S reaches the feed detection sensor 121 (the time when the feed detection sensor 121 switches from a state where it does not detect the sheet of paper S to a state where it detects the sheet of paper S) has exceeded a predetermined time required for the entire sheet of paper S that has reached the feed detection sensor 121 to move away from the intake mechanism 27 to the intake mechanism side transport unit 51, which is calculated from the transport speed.

[0082] <Variation 3> In the embodiment, the intake roller support shaft 81, the intake auxiliary roller 82, and the bearing 83 that were provided may not be provided. In this case, the relationship between the arc length K of the intake friction portion 87 and the distance V from the closest position of the intake roller 33 and the separation roller 34 to the feeding detection sensor 121 is set such that K≧V. That is, if the paper sheets S can be fed out without slipping at the intake friction portion 87, it is set so that they will surely be detected by the feeding detection sensor 121. Also, in this case, the arc length K of the intake friction portion 87 and the distance M from the closest position of the intake roller 33 and the separation roller 34 to the contact point of the upstream conveying roller 132 and the bearing 135 are set to K<M. That is, it is the distance at which no tug-of-war over the paper sheets S occurs between the intake friction portion 87 and the upstream conveying roller 132 and the bearing 135.

[0083] <Modified Example 4> In the embodiment, when the control unit 35 changes the conveyance speed of the intake drive unit with respect to the conveyance speed of the conveyance drive unit, it continuously changes it without stopping the intake drive unit, but the conveyance speed of the intake drive unit may be changed including stopping (conveyance speed 0).

[0084] <Modified Example 5> In the embodiment, when the control unit 35 detects that the rotation angle of the intake friction portion 87 when the entire first paper sheet S(1) preceding the feeding detection sensor 121 has been fed out from the intake mechanism 27 exceeds a predetermined angle, it immediately reduces the conveyance speed of the intake drive unit below the conveyance speed of the conveyance drive unit, but it is not limited to this.

[0085] When the interval between the first paper sheet S(1) and the second paper sheet S(2) determined from the time from when the control unit 35 detects the passage of the preceding first paper sheet S(1) to when it detects the arrival of the subsequent second paper sheet S(2) is shorter (narrower) than a predetermined distance, the control unit 35 may reduce the conveyance speed of the intake drive unit below the conveyance speed of the conveyance drive unit.

[0086] <Modified Example 6> The angle of the kicking friction portion 62 of the kicking roller 32 may be controlled so that it is the same predetermined stopping angle when it stops. As described above, the angle of the kicking friction portion 62 of the kicking roller 32 is synchronized with the angle of the intake friction portion 87 of the intake roller 33, so the angle of the intake friction portion 87 of the intake roller 33 will also be controlled so that it is the same angle when it stops. When controlled in this way, it is desirable that the kicking friction portion 62 decelerates so that it stops at the stopping angle just before it comes into contact with the subsequent sheets of paper S, if there are subsequent sheets of paper S, in order to sufficiently transport the preceding sheets of paper S downstream into the device. In other words, it is desirable that the kicking friction portion 62 decelerates so that it stops at the stopping angle just before it starts kicking out the bottommost sheet of paper S on the loading portion 20 toward the intake opening 31. This stopping position of the kicking friction portion 62 is set as the first transport reference position. This configuration is particularly useful for paper sheets S with a long short side (side parallel to the transport direction), allowing them to be sufficiently transported to the device and preventing stagnation. When counting is stopped, if the last paper sheet S to be taken is not completely transferred from the intake assist roller 82 and intake roller 33 to the upstream transport roller 132 located downstream, stagnation or damage to the paper sheet S will occur. However, by performing the stop control described above, such damage can be suppressed.

[0087] By performing the stop control described above, subsequent sheets of paper S will also begin to be transported from before the first transport reference position, allowing the kick-out friction section 62 to be fully utilized. Furthermore, since the angle can be started from the same position each time, stable transport control can be achieved. If the kick-out friction section 62 has passed the first transport reference position at the start of intake, a sufficient transport distance cannot be obtained, which may cause intake defects such as skew or near-feed, but such intake defects can be suppressed.

[0088] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the paper sheet processing device 1 of the embodiment, but is applicable to all paper sheet processing devices that take in accumulated paper sheets fed from an external source one sheet at a time and process them within the device. In addition, the same control as in the embodiment can be applied when unloading paper sheets stored in a storage compartment within the paper sheet processing device. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0089] 1...Paper sheet processing device, 27...Intake mechanism, 33...Intake roller, 34...Separation roller, 35...Control unit, 51...Intake mechanism side transport unit (transport unit), 87...Intake friction unit (friction unit), 101...Rotation detection unit, 121...Feed detection sensor (paper sheet detection unit), S...Paper sheets.

Claims

1. A paper sheet processing device equipped with a feeding mechanism consisting of a feeding roller and a separating roller that separates and feeds out multiple stacked sheets of paper one by one, A take-up drive unit that drives the take-up roller, A transport unit that transports the paper sheets separated and dispensed by the aforementioned intake mechanism, A transport drive unit that drives the transport unit, A paper sheet detection unit for detecting the paper sheets separated and fed out by the aforementioned intake mechanism, A control unit that controls the paper sheet detection unit and the transport drive unit based on the detection result of the paper sheet detection unit, Equipped with, The control unit, after detecting that a preceding first sheet of paper has been fed out of the feeding mechanism, adjusts the transport speed of the feeding drive unit to be slower than the transport speed of the transport drive unit when the distance between the preceding first sheet of paper and the following second sheet of paper is short.

2. The aforementioned intake roller is equipped with an intake friction portion consisting of a friction member on a part of its outer surface, Furthermore, it is equipped with a rotation detection unit that detects the rotation angle of the intake friction part, The paper sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit, when the paper sheet detection unit detects that the preceding first paper sheet has been fed out from the feeding mechanism, determines that the distance between the preceding first paper sheet and the following second paper sheet is short if the rotation angle of the feeding friction unit, which is determined based on the detection result of the rotation detection unit, exceeds a predetermined angle, and sets the transport speed of the feeding drive unit to be slower than the transport speed of the transport drive unit.

3. The paper sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the paper sheet detection unit detects that the first paper sheet has been fed out of the feeding mechanism, the control unit reduces the transport speed of the feeding drive unit to a level lower than the transport speed of the transport drive unit if the rotation angle of the feeding friction unit, which is determined based on the detection result of the rotation detection unit, exceeds a predetermined angle, and makes the transport speed of the feeding drive unit the same as the transport speed of the transport drive unit by the time the second paper sheet reaches the transport unit.

4. The paper sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit makes the change in the transport speed of the intake drive unit a sinusoidal waveform.

5. The paper sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit controls the intake drive unit so that the transport speed pattern selected from at least one transport speed pattern is obtained.

6. The system further comprises a kick-out roller driven by the aforementioned intake drive unit to kick out the stacked paper sheets, The kick-out roller, like the intake roller, has a kick-out friction portion on a part of its outer surface. The paper sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the control unit controls the intake drive unit so that the angle of the kicking friction portion of the kicking roller and the angle of the intake friction portion of the intake roller are synchronized, and when the intake drive unit is stopped, the rotation angle of the kicking friction portion is set to a predetermined stopping angle.

Images