Paper sheet conveying device and duct for paper sheet conveying device

Abstract

In a paper sheet conveying device that transports banknotes by airflow within a duct, if the banknotes became jammed in the duct, the entire duct had to be removed from the paper sheet conveying device. [Solution] The duct (200) is configured as a two-part system (210, 220) that can be detached from each other. When banknotes become jammed inside the duct (200), the upper part (210) of the duct (200) is pulled up from the lower part (220), and the jammed banknotes inside the duct (200) are removed. It becomes unnecessary to remove the entire duct.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet conveyance device that conveys banknotes and other sheet-like paper sheets in a duct by an air flow generated in the duct, and a duct used in the sheet conveyance device.

Background Art

[0002] As an example of such a sheet conveyance device, there is one described in Japanese Patent No. 7123453 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2023-114893). FIG. 26 is a schematic perspective view showing the overall structure of the sheet conveyance device 100 described in the publication and the surrounding environment in which the sheet conveyance device 100 is used. The sheet conveyance device 100 includes a carrier 110 (see FIGS. 27 and 28) that conveys banknotes and other paper sheets by pushing them on its front surface, a duct 120 that is similar in outer shape to the carrier 110 and has an internal space in which the carrier 110 can travel, a sheet storage chamber 130 that stores the paper sheets conveyed by the carrier 110, a first blower 140A that is connected and disposed at one end (the right end in FIG. 26) of the duct 120 and generates an air flow that causes the carrier 110 to travel in the duct 120 in the direction X1 toward the sheet storage chamber 130, a second blower 140B that is connected and disposed at the other end (the left end in FIG. 26) of the duct 120 and generates an air flow that causes the carrier 110 to travel in the duct 120 in the direction X2 away from the sheet storage chamber 130, and a carrier delivery device (not shown in FIG. 26) that delivers the carrier 110 into the duct 120.

[0003] As shown in FIG. 26, a plurality of pachinko machines and other gaming devices 20 are arranged in a row in the left-right direction of FIG. 26 inside the game arcade, and a gaming medium lending device 21 for lending gaming media (such as pachinko balls and medals) is installed adjacent to each gaming device 20. When banknotes are inserted into the gaming medium lending device 21, a number of gaming media corresponding to the amount of the inserted banknotes are paid out (in the case of digital gaming devices, instead of the gaming media being paid out, the number of gaming media is digitally displayed on the display screen). The duct 120 is installed on the rear side of the gaming equipment 20 and the gaming media dispensing device 21, extending parallel to the direction in which the gaming equipment 20 and the gaming media dispensing device 21 are arranged. The duct 120 is connected at both ends to the first blower 140A and the paper sheet storage room 130, which are located at a distance from the group of gaming equipment 20 and the gaming media dispensing device 21.

[0004] Figure 27 is a perspective view of the carrier 110 used in the paper sheet transport device 100, viewed from the front, and Figure 28 is a perspective view of the carrier 110, viewed from the rear. As shown in Figures 27 and 28, the carrier 110 is bullet-shaped, and specifically consists of a cylindrical main body portion 110a and a hemispherical rear portion 110b that is formed on the back side of the main body portion 110a and is continuous with the main body portion 110a. The carrier 110 transports banknotes by pressing them against the front surface 110c of the main body 110a. Multiple hemispherical protrusions 110d are formed at equal intervals along the circumference of the front surface 110c of the main body 110a. The banknotes are held in place by being sandwiched between two adjacent protrusions 110d. The carrier 110 moves forward (travels in the X1 direction) by receiving airflow (wind) from the first blower 140A at its rear section 110b.

[0005] Figure 29 is a perspective view of duct 120, and Figures 30 and 31 are perspective views showing the relative positions of carrier 110, banknotes 50, and duct 120. As shown in Figure 29, the duct 120 is composed of a first region 120a and a second region 120b. The first area 120a has a vertically elongated rectangular shape, with a height that allows the shorter side 50a (see Figure 30) of the banknote 50 to pass through, and a width that allows the banknote 50 to pass through even if it is folded or curved. The second region 120b has a circular longitudinal 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, with the vertically extending centerline of the first region 120a passing through the center of the second region 120b and protruding from the second region 120b in both the upward and downward directions by equal lengths.

[0006] As shown in Figures 30 and 31, the carrier 110 pushes the short side 50a of the banknote 50 with its front surface 110c, transporting the banknote 50 inside the duct 120. The banknote 50 passes through the first region 120a of the duct 120, and the carrier 110 passes through the second region 120b of the duct 120. As shown in Figure 26, the paper sheet transport device 100 is equipped with a carrier storage duct 141 that branches off from the duct 120 in front of the paper sheet storage chamber 130, and the carrier storage duct 141 is connected to the second blower 140B. The paper sheet transport device 100 having the structure described above operates as follows. The banknotes inserted into the game media dispensing device 21 are fed into the duct 120 from behind the game media dispensing 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 to a control device (not shown). Upon receiving this banknote detection signal, the control device activates a carrier feeding device and sends one carrier 110 into the second region 120b of the duct 120. Subsequently, the control device activates the first blower 140A, generating an airflow (in the direction of X1) from the first blower 140A towards the paper sheet storage chamber 130 inside the duct 120. The carrier 110, which has been sent into the duct 120, receives the wind pressure from this airflow at its rear portion 110b and begins to move in direction X1 inside the second region 120b. As the carrier 110 travels toward the paper sheet storage chamber 130, it captures the banknotes 50 with its front surface 110c (see Figure 31) and continues traveling while pressing the banknotes 50. In this state, as shown in Figure 31, the carrier 110 travels inside the second region 120b of the duct 120, and the banknotes 50 travel inside the first region 120a of the duct 120.

[0008] The carrier 110 and the banknotes 50 are separated at the point where the duct 120 and the carrier storage duct 141 diverge, in front of the paper sheet storage chamber 130. That is, only the carrier 110 changes its path from 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) located in front of the second blower 140B. Meanwhile, the banknotes 50, under the influence of the inertial force being pushed by the carrier 110, continue to travel through the second region 120b of the duct 120 and are stored in the paper sheet storage chamber 130.

[0009] After the banknotes 50 are placed 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 activates the second blower 140B to generate airflow inside the carrier storage duct 141 and duct 120. The carrier 110, which was stored in the carrier storage unit, receives the air pressure of this airflow at its front surface 110c, travels in direction X2 inside the second region 120b of the carrier storage duct 141 and duct 120, and is then stored again in the carrier feeding device. The above process constitutes one cycle from the time the banknotes 50 inserted into the game medium dispensing device 21 until they are stored in the paper sheet storage room 130. The banknotes 50 inserted into each game medium dispensing device 21 are collected in the paper sheet storage room 130 according to the process described above. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 7123453 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2023-114893) [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0011] Not all banknotes 50 can be transported as expected. For example, those that are worn out and have lost their stiffness, or those that have been folded, may get stuck inside the duct 120 during transport. In such cases, the transport of all subsequent banknotes 50 is stopped. Conventionally, if banknotes 50 became jammed inside the duct 120, the entire duct 120 was removed from the paper sheet conveying device 100, the jammed banknotes 50 were removed, and then the duct 120 was reattached to the paper sheet conveying device 100.

[0012] The removal and reinstallation of such ducts 120 required a significant amount of time and effort, which was a major obstacle to improving the efficiency of transporting the banknotes 50. The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the conventional paper sheet conveying device 100 described above, and aims to provide a paper sheet conveying device and a duct used in the paper sheet conveying device that make it easier to remove the banknotes 50 stuck inside the duct 120 without having to remove the entire duct 120 from the paper sheet conveying device 100, in the event that the banknotes 50 become stuck inside the duct 120. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] To achieve this objective, the present invention, in a first aspect, comprises a duct (120), a carrier (110) that can travel inside the duct (120), and blowers (140A, 140B) that generate airflow in one direction and in the opposite direction inside the duct (120), wherein the blowers (140A, The present invention provides a duct (200) for use in a paper sheet conveying device (100) in which an airflow generated in the duct (120) by 140B) causes the carrier (110) to travel in the duct (120), and paper sheets (50) fed into the duct (120) are conveyed via the carrier (110), wherein the duct (200) comprises a first duct portion (210) and a second duct portion (220) detachably attached to the first duct portion (210), the second duct portion (220) being the upper part when the duct (200) is divided into two halves vertically by an arbitrary horizontal line above the vertical center of the duct (200), and the first duct portion (210) being the lower part.

[0014] For example, if the carrier (110) has a circular cross-section, the duct (120) consists of a vertically elongated rectangular first region (120a) through which the paper sheets (50) can pass, and a second region (120b) through which the carrier (110) can pass. The first region (120a) intersects with the second region (120b) and protrudes vertically from the second region (120b). The first duct portion comprises the second region (120b) and a portion of the first region (121a) located below the second region (120b). The second duct portion (220) comprises the portion of the first region (121b) located above the second region (120b). Preferably, the second duct portion (220) is provided with a knob (222) for pulling the second duct portion (220) upward.

[0015] The duct (200) for the paper sheet conveying device has an internal space (306) with a shape similar to the external shape of the duct (200), and may further include a guide (300) attached around the duct (200). For example, the guide (300) includes a pair of inner walls (303A, 303B) that guide the second duct portion (220) from both sides so that the second duct portion (220) fits into a predetermined position relative to the first duct portion (210) when the second duct portion (220) is attached to the first duct portion (210). The guide (300) is preferably made of an elastic material. Preferably, the guide (310) is located above the second duct portion (220) and includes a hook plate (315) that is movable between a first position that presses down on the second duct portion (220) from above and a second position that is not located above the second duct portion (220).

[0016] For example, the first duct portion (210A) comprises a first flange (212) extending horizontally outward from the upper end of the first duct portion (210A) and at least one rod-shaped body (213) extending upward from the first flange (212), the second duct portion (220A) comprises a second flange (223) extending horizontally outward from its lower end, the second flange (223) has a through hole (224) formed in the second flange (223) at a position corresponding to the rod-shaped body (213) into which the rod-shaped body (213) can be fitted when the first duct portion (210A) and the second duct portion (220A) are attached to each other to form the duct (200), and the second duct portion (220A) is preferably slidable vertically relative to the first duct portion (210A) when the rod-shaped body (213) is fitted into the through hole (224). Preferably, the duct (200) for the paper sheet conveying device further comprises driving means (430, 440) for pulling the second duct portion (220A) upward from the first duct portion (210A) and for lowering the second duct portion (220A) toward the first duct portion (210A).

[0017] As a second aspect, the present invention provides a paper sheet conveying device (100) comprising a duct (120), a carrier (110) capable of traveling within the duct (120), and blowers (140A, 140B) for generating an air flow that flows in one direction and the reverse direction within the duct (120). The blowers (140A, 140B) cause the carrier (110) to travel within the duct (120) by the air flow generated within the duct (120), and convey paper sheets (50) introduced into the duct (120) via the carrier (110). The duct (120) is any one of the above ducts (200).

[0018] For example, the duct (200) consists of a plurality of auxiliary ducts (200A, 200B, 200C). The paper sheet conveying device (100A) includes a plurality of duct connection units (400A, 400B, 400C). Each of the plurality of auxiliary ducts (200A, 200B, 200C) is attached between adjacent duct connection units (400A, 400B, 400C). The paper sheet conveying device (100A) further preferably comprises a sensor (411) attached to each of the plurality of auxiliary ducts (200A, 200B, 200C) for transmitting a clogging occurrence signal when clogging of the paper sheets (50) occurs inside the auxiliary duct (200A, 200B, 200C), and a control device (420) for receiving the clogging occurrence signal from the sensor (411) and identifying the auxiliary duct (200A, 200B, 200C) in which the clogging of the paper sheets (50) has occurred. For example, the paper sheet conveying device (100A) further includes drive means (430, 440) for pulling up the second duct portion (220A) upward from the first duct portion (210A) and lowering the second duct portion (220A) toward the first duct portion (210A). When the control device (420) identifies the auxiliary duct (200A, 200B, 200C) in which the paper sheets (50) are jammed, it is preferable to operate the drive means (430, 440) corresponding to the auxiliary duct. The reference signs in parentheses are only for indicating the correspondence with the embodiments described later, and do not limit the scope of the rights.

Effect of the Invention

[0019] In the conventional paper sheet conveying device 100, when the banknote 50 is jammed inside the duct 120, it is necessary to remove the entire duct 120 and then reattach the duct 120. Such removal and reattachment of the duct 120 require a lot of time and work, which has been a major factor hindering the improvement of the conveyance efficiency of the banknote 50. In contrast, if the duct according to the present invention is used, the work of removing and reattaching the entire duct becomes unnecessary.

[0020] Specifically, when the banknote is jammed inside the duct, by removing (pulling up upward) the second duct portion from the first duct portion, the jammed banknote remaining in the first duct portion can be easily taken out from above. Thus, if the duct according to the present invention is used, the work of removing and reattaching the entire duct is unnecessary, and it is only necessary to perform the work of simply removing and reattaching the second duct portion. Compared with the conventional paper sheet conveying device 100, it is possible to significantly reduce the amount of work for taking out the jammed banknote 50, and thus improve the conveyance efficiency of the banknote 50.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1]This is a perspective view of a duct according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the first duct section, which is a component of the duct shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a plan view of the first duct section as seen from above. [Figure 4] Figure 2 is a side view of the first duct section. [Figure 5] Figure 2 is a bottom view of the first duct section. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view of the second duct section, which is a component of the duct shown in Figure 1. [Figure 7] This is a plan view of the second duct section shown in Figure 6, as seen from above. [Figure 8] Figure 6 is a side view of the second duct section. [Figure 9] Figure 6 is a bottom view of the second duct section. [Figure 10] This is a perspective view of the second duct section where the knob is located. [Figure 11] This is the guide's perspective.

[0022] [Figure 12] This is a perspective view of the fixing guide. [Figure 13] This is a longitudinal cross-section of the fixing guide. [Figure 14] Figure 12 is a side view of the fixing guide as seen from the right. [Figure 15] This is a perspective view of the fixing guide. [Figure 16] This is a longitudinal cross-section of the fixing guide. [Figure 17] Figure 12 is a side view of the fixing guide as seen from the right. [Figure 18] This diagram illustrates the process of removing banknotes that are stuck inside a duct. Figure 18(A) is a perspective view, Figure 18(B) is a top view, and Figure 18(C) is a side view. [Figure 19]This diagram illustrates the process of removing banknotes that are stuck inside a duct. Figure 19(A) is a perspective view, Figure 19(B) is a top view, and Figure 19(C) is a side view.

[0023] [Figure 20] This diagram illustrates the process of removing banknotes that are stuck inside a duct. Figure 20(A) is a perspective view, Figure 20(B) is a top view, and Figure 20(C) is a side view. [Figure 21] This diagram illustrates the process of removing banknotes that are stuck inside a duct. Figure 21(A) is a perspective view, Figure 21(B) is a top view, and Figure 21(C) is a side view. [Figure 22] This is a conceptual diagram showing a part of a paper sheet conveying device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 23] This is a perspective view of the first duct portion used in a paper sheet conveying device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 24] This is a perspective view of the second duct portion used in a paper sheet conveying device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] [Figure 25] This is a perspective view showing the first duct section shown in Figure 23 and the second duct section shown in Figure 24 attached to each other. [Figure 26] This is a schematic perspective view showing the overall structure of a conventional paper sheet conveying device and the surrounding environment in which the device is used. [Figure 27] This is a perspective view of a carrier used in a conventional paper sheet conveying device, as seen from the front. [Figure 28] Figure 27 is a perspective view of the carrier shown from the rear side. [Figure 29] This is a perspective view of a duct used in a conventional paper sheet conveying device. [Figure 30] This is a perspective view showing the relative positions of the carrier, banknotes, and duct in a conventional paper sheet conveying device. [Figure 31]This is a perspective view showing the relative positions of the carrier, banknotes, and duct in a conventional paper sheet conveying device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0025] (First embodiment) Figure 1 is a perspective view of a duct 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Duct 200 is used in place of duct 120 (see Figure 29) in the paper sheet transport device 100 shown in Figure 26. The duct 200 consists of a first duct section 210 and a second duct section 220 that is detachably attached to the first duct section 210. The external shape of duct 200 is identical to that of duct 120. The structural difference is that duct 120 is a single unit, while duct 200 consists of two components: a first duct section 210 and a second duct section 220. Figures 2 to 5 are perspective views, top views, side views, and bottom views of the first duct section 210, respectively, while Figures 6 to 9 are perspective views, top views, side views, and bottom views of the second duct section 220, respectively.

[0026] As described above, the duct 120 consists of a vertically elongated rectangular first region 120a through which the banknotes 50 can pass, and a second region 120b through which the carrier 110 can pass. The vertically extending center line of the first region 120a intersects with the center of the second region 120b, and the first region 120a protrudes from the second region 120b by equal lengths in both the upward and downward directions. The first duct section 210 comprises a second region 120b and a lower portion 121a of the first region 120a located below the second region 120b. The second duct portion 220 constitutes the upper portion 121b of the first region 120a, which is located above the second region 120b. As shown in Figure 2, grooves 211 are formed on each of the two upper edges of the first duct portion 210. As shown in Figure 6, each of the two lower edges of the second duct portion 220 has a rail 221 formed thereon that is shaped to fit into the groove 211.

[0027] The duct 200 (Figure 1) is formed by fitting the rail 221 of the second duct section 220 into the groove 211 of the first duct section 210. As mentioned above, the duct 200 formed by connecting the first duct portion 210 and the second duct portion 220 has the same external shape as the duct 120 and can be used in place of the duct 120. By using the duct 200 according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. In conventional paper sheet conveying devices 100, if banknotes 50 become jammed inside the duct 120, it is necessary to remove the entire duct 120 from the paper sheet conveying device 100 in order to remove the jammed banknotes 50 from the duct 120. Furthermore, after removing the jammed banknotes 50 from the duct 120, it is necessary to reattach the duct 120 to the paper sheet conveying device 100.

[0028] The removal and reinstallation of such ducts 120 required a significant amount of time and effort, which was a major obstacle to improving the efficiency of transporting the banknotes 50. In contrast, using the duct 200 according to this embodiment eliminates the need to remove and reinstall the entire duct 120. Specifically, if the banknotes 50 become jammed inside the duct 200, the jammed banknotes 50 remaining inside the first duct section 210 can be easily removed from above by removing the second duct section 220 upward from the first duct section 210. After removing the jammed banknotes 50, the second duct section 220 is attached to the first duct section 210. Thus, by using the duct 200 according to this embodiment, the work of removing and reinstalling the entire duct 120 is unnecessary; it is sufficient to simply remove the second duct portion 220 from the first duct portion 210 and reinstall it on the first duct portion 210. Compared with the conventional paper sheet conveying device 100, the amount of work required to remove jammed banknotes 50 can be significantly reduced, and consequently, the efficiency of conveying banknotes 50 can be improved.

[0029] The duct according to this embodiment is not limited to the structure described above, and various modifications are possible. The shape of the duct used in the paper sheet conveying device is not limited to the shape of duct 120 (or duct 200), but is changed according to the shape of the carrier used. For example, when using a cross-shaped carrier (Patent No. 7036434), the duct is also configured in a cross shape according to the external shape of the cross-shaped carrier. This embodiment can be applied regardless of the shape of the duct used.

[0030] When using ducts of other shapes, the duct is configured to consist of a first duct portion and a second duct portion that is detachably attached to the first duct portion, similar to the duct 200 according to this embodiment. In this case, the second duct portion consists of the upper part when the duct is divided into two halves by an arbitrary horizontal line located above the vertical center of the duct, and the first duct portion consists of the lower part. Thus, regardless of the shape of the duct, by dividing the duct into two sections, upper and lower, and attaching the two divided sections detachably to each other, it is possible to obtain the same effects as the duct 200 according to this embodiment. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, it is also possible to provide a knob 222 on the second duct portion 220. By grasping the knob 222, it becomes easier to pull the second duct section 220 upward.

[0031] The knob 222 can be installed in multiple locations, not just one. For example, it can be installed near both the left and right ends of the second duct section 220. (Second Embodiment) The duct 200 is constructed by attaching a first duct portion 210 and a second duct portion 220 to each other. When attaching the second duct portion 220 to the first duct portion 210, a guide can be used to guide the second duct portion 220 to a predetermined position so that it fits into a predetermined position relative to the first duct portion 210. Figure 11 is a perspective view of guide 300. The guide 300 has a pair of spherical first inner walls 301 surrounding the second region 120b of the first duct portion 210, a pair of rectangular second inner walls 302 surrounding the lower portion 121a of the first region 120a which is below the second region 120b, and a pair of rectangular third inner walls 303A, 303B surrounding the upper portion 121b of the first region 120a which is above the second region 120b.

[0032] The pair of second inner walls 302 are connected to each other at their respective lower ends via the bottom wall 307. At the upper ends of each third inner wall 303A and 303B, extension walls 304A and 304B are formed, extending diagonally outward. An opening 305 is formed between the pair of extension walls 304A and 304B, and a space 308 is formed between the third inner walls 303A and 303B, continuous with the opening 305. The width of the space 308 (the horizontal distance between the third inner walls 303A and 303B) is set to a length that allows the second duct section 220 to pass through without tilting in the vertical direction. The first inner wall 301, the second inner wall 302, and the third inner walls 303A and 303B are integrally formed via the bottom wall 307, and together they form an internal space 306 that surrounds the duct 200.

[0033] The guide 300 is attached to the duct 200, for example, by bonding the inner surface of the bottom wall 307 to the outer bottom surface of the first duct portion 210. When removing the second duct section 220 from the first duct section 210, the second duct section 220 is pulled upward through the space 308 between the pair of third inner walls 303A and 303B. The first duct section 210 remains inside the guide 300. When attaching the second duct section 220 to the first duct section 210, the second duct section 220 descends within the space 308 between the pair of third inner walls 303A and 303B. During this process, the second duct section 220 is supported by contacting both sides of the pair of third inner walls 303A and 303B. As a result, the second duct section 220 can move downward while maintaining a non-tilting posture, and can be attached to the first duct section 210 in the appropriate position without shifting relative to the first duct section 210.

[0034] Furthermore, in order to prevent the second duct portion 220 from detaching from the first duct portion 210, the guide 300 can be made of an elastic material, for example. The internal space 306 of the duct 200 has a shape similar to the outer shape of the duct 200, and is set to be slightly smaller than the outer shape of the duct 200. Therefore, when the third inner walls 303A and 303B expand outward in the direction that opens the opening 305 and space 308, the guide 300 repels in the direction that closes the opening 305 and space 308. When the duct 200 is fitted inside the guide 300, the guide 300 expands outward due to the duct 200, causing a restorative force to act on the duct 200, which tries to contract it back to its original shape. This restoring force causes the guide 300 to adhere tightly to the outer circumference of the duct 200, and the first duct portion 210 and the second duct portion 220 are pressed down from the outside, resulting in a stronger connection. This prevents the second duct portion 220 from detaching from the first duct portion 210. (Third embodiment)

[0035] As described above, by making the guide 300 from an elastic material, it becomes possible to prevent the second duct portion 220 from detaching from the first duct portion 210. However, in order to physically prevent the second duct portion 220 from detaching from the first duct portion 210, a fixing guide 310 can be used instead of the guide 300. Figures 12 and 15 are perspective views of the fixing guide 310, Figures 13 and 16 are longitudinal cross-sectional views of the fixing guide 310, and Figures 14 and 17 are side views of the fixing guide 310 as seen from the right of Figures 12 and 15. The fixing guide 310 is further equipped with a hook plate 315 compared to the guide 300 (Figure 11). The hook plate 315 consists of a plate-shaped portion 316 having a size that covers the opening 305, a C-shaped connecting portion 317 formed at one end of the plate-shaped portion 316 (the left end in Figure 12), a stopper portion 318 formed at the other end of the plate-shaped portion 316 (the right end in Figure 12), and a pair of knob portions 319A and 319B extending diagonally outward from both side edges of the plate-shaped portion 316.

[0036] For example, as shown in Figure 15, each of the third inner walls 303A and 303B has an inclined wall 303C that includes the upper end of the third inner wall 303B, and a planar wall 303D that extends downward from the lower end of the inclined wall 303C. The upper end of each inclined wall 303C is formed as a cylindrical bar 320, and an opening 321 is formed below the bar 320. As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the C-shaped connecting portion 317 of the hook plate 315 is fitted onto the bar 320 from below through the opening 321 in the third inner wall 303A. Therefore, the connecting portion 317 (and thus the hook plate 315) is rotatable around the bar 320. The stopper portion 318 is formed in continuity with one end of the plate-shaped portion 316 (the right end in Figure 12) and consists of a first portion 318A having a curved shape that can fit into the bar 320 of the third inner wall 303B, a sloping second portion 318B formed in continuity with the lower end of the first portion 318A, and a planar third portion 318C formed in continuity with the lower end of the second portion 318B.

[0037] As shown in Figure 12, when the first portion 318A is fitted into the bar 320 of the third inner wall 303B, the second portion 318B is in contact with the inclined wall 303C and the third portion 318C is in contact with the planar wall 303D, thereby preventing the first portion 318A from coming off the bar 320. The hook plate 315 is rotatable between the first position shown in Figure 12 and the second position shown in Figure 15. In the first position shown in Figure 12, the hook plate 315 is located above the second duct portion 220 and is in contact with the upper surface of the second duct portion 220, thereby pressing down on the second duct portion 220 from above. When the entire hook plate 315 is pulled up by holding the knob portions 319A and 319B of the hook plate 315, the engagement between the first portion 318A of the stopper portion 318 and the bar 320 of the third inner wall 303B is released, and the connecting portion 317 rotates around the bar 320 of the third inner wall 303A.

[0038] As a result, the hook plate 315 moves to the second position shown in Figure 15. In the second position, the hook plate 315 is not located above the second duct portion 220, so it does not press down on the second duct portion 220 from above, and the second duct portion 220, which has been removed from the first duct portion 210, can be removed through the opening 305. As described above, the fixing guide 310 has the function of holding the second duct portion 220 in place from above, thus reliably preventing the second duct portion 220 from detaching from the first duct portion 210. If it is necessary to remove the banknotes 50 from the duct 200, the hook plate 315 can be moved from the first position (Figure 12) to the second position (Figure 15), thereby detaching the second duct section 220 from the first duct section 210 and allowing the banknotes 50 stuck inside the duct 200 to be removed. The following is an example of the process for removing the 50 banknotes stuck inside duct 200.

[0039] Figures 18 to 21 illustrate the process of removing the banknotes 50 that are stuck inside the duct 200. Figure (A) is a perspective view, Figure (B) is a top view, and Figure (C) is a side view. The duct 120 shown in Figure 26 is not a single duct connecting the first blower 140A to the second blower 140B, but rather consists of multiple ducts (auxiliary ducts) connected to each other in a straight line. For example, as shown in Figure 18(A), a duct 200 is connected between two duct connecting units 400, and similarly, multiple ducts 200 are connected to each other in a straight line (or possibly a curved line) via multiple duct connecting units 400. Each duct connecting unit 400 is connected to a game media dispensing device 21 (see Figure 26), and banknotes 50 inserted into the game media dispensing device 21 pass through each duct connecting unit 400 and are fed into the inside of the duct 200.

[0040] Figures 18 to 21 illustrate one of several ducts 200. As shown in Figure 18, a knob 222 is provided on the second duct portion 220 of the duct 200. In addition, a guide 300 is attached to the duct 200, and the first duct portion 210 and the second duct portion 220 are fixed to each other by a fixing guide 310. Each of the multiple ducts 200 is fitted with a banknote detection sensor (not shown, see banknote detection sensor 411 described later), and a metal plate is embedded inside the carrier 110 (Figures 27 and 28). If the carrier 110 does not pass through the banknote detection sensor, it is determined that banknotes 50 are stuck inside the duct 200, and at the same time, the duct 200 that is stuck with banknotes 50 is identified by detecting which banknote detection sensor was activated. Once the duct 200 containing the banknotes 50 is identified, the hook plate 315 of that duct 200 is rotated, as shown in Figure 19, to move the hook plate 315 from the first position (Figure 12) to the second position (Figure 15). This releases the restraint of the second duct portion 220 by the fixing guide 310.

[0041] Next, as shown in Figure 20, hold the knob 222 and pull up the second duct section 220. As shown in Figure 21, after pulling the entire second duct section 220 upward from the first duct section 210, the jammed banknotes can be removed from the duct 200. After removing the banknote 50, the second duct section 220 is connected to the first duct section 210 through the reverse process described above (as shown in Figure 18).

[0042] (Fourth embodiment) Figure 22 is a conceptual diagram showing a part of the paper sheet conveying device 100A according to the fourth embodiment. The paper sheet conveying device 100A is equipped with multiple ducts 200A, 200B, 200C, etc., and multiple duct connecting units 400A, 400B, 400C, etc., and each duct 200A, 200B, 200C, etc. is connected in a straight line via each duct connecting unit 400A, 400B, 400C, etc. Each duct 200A, 200B, 200C, etc. is equipped with a banknote detection sensor 411 that detects the passage of banknotes 50 inside the duct, and all banknote detection sensors 411 are connected to a control device 420. Each banknote detection sensor 411 consists of an optical signal transmitting device and an optical signal receiving device, and the optical signal transmitting device and the optical signal receiving device are positioned on both sides of each duct 200A, 200B, 200C, etc., with the ducts 200A, 200B, 200C, etc. in between.

[0043] The optical signal transmitting device transmits optical signals toward each duct 200A, 200B, 200C, etc., and the optical signals that have passed through each duct 200A, 200B, 200C, etc. are received by an optical signal receiving device located on the opposite side of each duct 200A, 200B, 200C, etc. For example, as shown in Figure 15, outward-bulging portions 301A (only the bulging portions 301A are shown in Figure 15) are formed on the outside of each of the pair of first inner walls 301 of the fixing guide 310, and optical signal receiving devices can be embedded inside each of these bulging portions 301A. If T is the time that the banknotes 50 block the light signal as they are transported through each duct 200A, 200B, 200C, then the blocking time T is extremely short if the banknotes 50 are transported normally through each duct 200A, 200B, 200C without getting stuck.

[0044] In contrast, when banknotes 50 become clogged in each duct 200A, 200B, 200C, the interruption time T during which the banknotes 50 block the light signal becomes longer. The control device 420 receives signals from each optical signal receiving device indicating the length of the interruption time T, and determines whether or not banknotes 50 are jammed in each duct 200A, 200B, 200C, etc., depending on the length of the interruption time T. For example, if the blocking time T is 1 second or less, it is determined that "there is no jam with 50 banknotes," and if the blocking time T exceeds 1 second, it is determined that "there is a jam with 50 banknotes." If the control device 420 determines that there is a jam of banknotes 50, it displays the number of the duct containing the jammed banknotes 50 on the monitor screen (not shown). This allows the manager of the paper sheet conveying device 100A to immediately identify which duct 200A, 200B, 200C, etc. is jammed with banknotes 50, thereby improving the efficiency of the work to remove the jammed banknotes 50. (Fifth embodiment)

[0045] Figure 23 is a perspective view of the first duct section 210A used in place of the first duct section 210 in the paper sheet conveying device according to the fifth embodiment, Figure 24 is a perspective view of the second duct section 220A used in place of the second duct section 220, and Figure 25 is a perspective view showing the first duct section 210A and the second duct section 220A attached to each other. As shown in Figure 23, the first duct portion 210A has a pair of first flanges 212 extending horizontally outward from each of its two upper ends, and each first flange 212 has four cylindrical rod-shaped bodies 213 standing upright at equal intervals along the length of the first duct portion 210A. The first duct portion 210A has the same structure as the first duct portion 210, except that the groove 211 is not formed and the first flange 212 and rod-shaped body 213 are formed. As shown in Figure 24, the second duct portion 220A has second flanges 223 extending horizontally outward from each of its two lower ends, and each second flange 223 has four through holes 224 formed at equal intervals along the length of the second duct portion 220A.

[0046] As shown in Figure 25, the position of the rod-shaped body 213 in the first flange 212 corresponds to the position of the through-hole 224 in the second flange 223. When the first flange 212 of the first duct portion 210A and the second flange 223 of the second duct portion 220A are superimposed, each rod-shaped body 213 fits into the respective through-hole 224 from below. When the first flange 212 of the first duct section 210A and the second flange 223 of the second duct section 220A are in contact and overlapping vertically, and each rod-shaped body 213 is fitted into each through-hole 224, the first duct section 210A and the second duct section 220A constitute a duct 200 (Figure 1). As schematically shown in Figure 25, the second duct section 220A is connected to the motor 440 via a non-stretchable wire 430. The motor 440 is connected to a control device 420, and the motor 440 is controlled on and off by the control device 420.

[0047] When the motor 440 is operated by the control device 420, the second duct section 220A is pulled upward via the wire 430, and when the motor 440 rotates in the reverse direction, the second duct section 220A is lowered via the wire 430 and connects with the first duct section 210A. Specifically, each second flange 223 of the second duct section 220A slides upward from the first flange 212 of the first duct section 210A along each rod-shaped body 213 via each through hole 224, and then descends from the upper position and connects with the first flange 212 of the first duct section 210A. The paper sheet transport device according to this embodiment operates as follows. If a banknote 50 becomes stuck in any of the ducts 200A, 200B, 200C, etc. (Figure 22), the control device 420 can identify the duct that is stuck with the banknote 50, as described in the fourth embodiment. For example, let's consider a scenario where a 50-yen banknote gets stuck in duct 200A.

[0048] When duct 200A, which is filled with banknotes 50, is identified, the control device 420 activates the motor 440 corresponding to duct 200A. This causes the second duct section 220A of duct 200A to be pulled upward via the wire 430. The height to which the second duct section 220A is raised is within the length of the rod-shaped body 213. In other words, the second duct section 220A is never raised to a height that would cause it to detach from the rod-shaped body 213. For this reason, the length of the rod-shaped body 213 can be set to any value within a range that ensures sufficient space to remove the jammed banknotes remaining in the first duct section 210A, as will be described later. Once the second duct section 220A is raised to a sufficient height, the operator of the paper sheet conveying device removes the banknotes 50 that are packed inside the first duct section 210A.

[0049] When banknote 50 is removed, a banknote detection sensor (not shown) detects that banknote 50 has been removed and sends a signal to the control device 420. Upon receiving this signal, the control device 420 reverses the rotation of the motor 440 and lowers the second duct section 220A until each second flange 223 of the second duct section 220A overlaps with each first flange 212 of the first duct section 210A (during the lowering, each second flange 223 slides downward with each rod-shaped body 213 fitted into each through hole 224). As described above, according to the paper sheet conveying device of this embodiment, if banknotes 50 become jammed in a duct, the control device 420 detects the jam of banknotes 50, raises the second duct portion 220A of that duct to a sufficient height, removes the banknotes 50, then lowers the second duct portion 220A and reconnects it to the first duct portion 210A. In this way, the manager of the paper sheet conveying device can eliminate the need to lift the second duct section 220A of the duct jammed with banknotes 50, and then lower the second duct section 220A to connect it to the first duct section 210A, thereby improving the efficiency of the work to remove the jammed banknotes 50. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 200 Duct according to the first embodiment of the present invention 210 First duct section 220 Second duct section 222 Knobs 300 Guide 310 Fixing Guide 400 Duct Connection Unit 411 Banknote detection sensor 420 Control Unit 440 motor

Claims

1. Ducts and, A carrier that can travel inside the duct, A blower that generates airflow in one direction and in the opposite direction within the duct, Equipped with, The duct is used in a paper sheet conveying device in which the blower generates an airflow within the duct to move the carrier within the duct, and the paper sheets introduced into the duct are conveyed via the carrier, The duct consists of a first duct portion and a second duct portion that is detachably attached to the first duct portion. A duct for a paper sheet conveying device, characterized in that the second duct portion consists of the upper part when the duct is divided into two halves by an arbitrary horizontal line above the vertical center of the duct, and the first duct portion consists of the lower part.

2. The carrier has a circular shape in its longitudinal cross-section. The aforementioned duct is, A first region that is vertically elongated and rectangular through which the aforementioned paper sheets can pass, The second region through which the carrier can pass, It consists of, The first region intersects with the second region and protrudes vertically from the second region. The first duct portion comprises the second region and the portion of the first region located below the second region. The duct for a paper sheet conveying device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second duct portion constitutes the portion of the first region located above the second region.

3. The duct for a paper sheet conveying device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second duct portion is provided with a knob for pulling the second duct portion upward.

4. The duct has an internal space with a shape similar to the outer shape of the duct, and further comprises a guide attached around the duct, The duct for a paper sheet conveying device according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide has a pair of inner walls that guide the second duct portion from both sides so that the second duct portion fits into a predetermined position relative to the first duct portion when the second duct portion is attached to the first duct portion.

5. The duct for a paper sheet conveying device according to claim 4, characterized in that the guide is made of an elastic material.

6. The duct for a paper sheet conveying device according to claim 4, characterized in that the guide is located above the second duct portion and includes a hook plate that is movable between a first position that presses down on the second duct portion from above and a second position that is not located above the second duct portion.

7. The aforementioned first duct portion is A first flange extending horizontally outward from the upper end of the first duct portion, At least one rod-shaped body extending upward from the first flange, Equipped with, The aforementioned second duct portion is provided with a second flange extending horizontally outward from its lower end, The second flange has a through hole formed at a position corresponding to the rod-shaped body into which the rod-shaped body can be fitted when the first duct portion and the second duct portion are attached to each other to form the duct. The duct for a paper sheet conveying device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second duct portion is slidable in the vertical direction relative to the first duct portion when the rod-shaped body is fitted into the through hole.

8. The duct for a paper sheet conveying device according to claim 7, further comprising a driving means for pulling the second duct portion upward from the first duct portion and lowering the second duct portion toward the first duct portion.

9. Ducts and, A carrier that can travel inside the duct, A blower that generates airflow in one direction and in the opposite direction within the duct, Equipped with, In a paper sheet conveying device in which the blower generates an airflow in the duct to move the carrier within the duct, and the paper sheets introduced into the duct are conveyed via the carrier, A paper sheet conveying device characterized in that the duct is the duct described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The aforementioned duct consists of multiple auxiliary ducts. The aforementioned paper sheet transport device is equipped with a plurality of duct connecting units, Each of the aforementioned auxiliary ducts is installed between adjacent duct connecting units. The aforementioned paper sheet conveying device is A sensor is attached to each of the aforementioned auxiliary ducts, and when a blockage of paper or other materials occurs inside the auxiliary duct, it emits a blockage signal. A control device that receives the blockage signal from the sensor and identifies the auxiliary duct where the paper sheets have become blocked, The paper sheet conveying device according to claim 9, further characterized by comprising the following features.

11. The system further includes a driving means for pulling the second duct portion upward from the first duct portion and for lowering the second duct portion toward the first duct portion, The paper sheet conveying device according to claim 10, characterized in that the control device activates the drive means corresponding to the auxiliary duct when it identifies the auxiliary duct in which the paper sheets have become jammed.

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