Paper handling equipment

Abstract

The position of the bezel attached to the opening and closing door of the banknote handling device is aligned with the main body of the banknote handling device. [Solution] The banknote handling device 900 includes a bezel 1100 that has a banknote slot 1103 into which banknotes are inserted and is attached to the opening / closing door 910 of the housing 901, a banknote separation and transport device body 1200 that has a banknote receiving opening 1203 that receives banknotes inserted from the paper insert and is housed inside the housing 901, and an adjustment means 1150 (flanged bush 1151, elastic biasing member 1161) that adjusts the position so that the banknote slot 1103 and the banknote receiving opening 1203 communicate in a proper positional relationship during the closing operation of the opening / closing door.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Banknote handling apparatuses such as banknote depositing machines, banknote counters, various vending machines, and game medium lending machines in game arcades take out banknotes one by one from a banknote bundle set in a depositing unit, convey the banknotes, and store them in a safe. For example, a banknote handling apparatus installed in a retail store receives banknotes collected from cash registers and manages them collectively. The banknotes taken out from the banknote bundle are each judged for authenticity, denomination, and the like by an identification device, and those judged to be acceptable are stored in the safe.

[0003] The bulk document feeder (document processing apparatus) of Patent Document 1 includes: a bulk feeder module having a pickup unit that takes out and conveys sheets one by one from a sheet bundle set on a tray, a separation unit that separates sheets that have been conveyed in a superposed manner, and a pull-out unit that pulls out the sheets separated by the separation unit and conveys the sheets to the downstream side; an acceptor module that conveys the sheets that have passed through the pull-out unit toward a safe; and a safe disposed directly below both modules. The bulk feeder module is detachably coupled to the acceptor module. An opening / closing door provided for accessing the safe is arranged so as to close the front surface of the bulk feeder module. The opening / closing door is formed with a narrow opening for receiving the sheets on the tray. A bezel provided with the tray is attached to and detached from the outside of the opening.

[0004] In Patent Document 1, in order to smoothly proceed with depositing processing including reception, identification, and counting of banknotes, the banknotes need to be smoothly received into the bulk feeder module from the outside. For this purpose, the positions of the bezel and the bulk feeder module need to be aligned in a positional relationship that does not cause banknote jams. The same applies to a case where the banknote handling apparatus dispenses banknotes. However, Patent Document 1 does not specify how the position of the bezel attached to the opening / closing door is aligned with the bulk feeder module. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 8662490 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and aims to align the position of the bezel attached to the opening and closing door of a paper handling device that processes paper sheets such as banknotes with the main body of the paper handling device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the paper handling device according to the present invention is characterized by comprising: a bezel having a paper passage opening through which paper sheets pass and attached to the opening / closing door of the housing; a paper handling device body housed in the housing and having a paper transfer opening between the paper passage opening and the paper transfer opening for the paper sheets to be transferred; and an adjustment means for adjusting the position so that the paper passage opening and the paper transfer opening communicate in a proper positional relationship during the closing operation of the opening / closing door. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the position of the bezel attached to the opening and closing door of the paper handling device can be aligned with the main body of the paper handling device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] (a) is an external perspective view of an example of the paper sheet separation and transport device of the present invention, and (b) is an external perspective view of the housing. [Figure 2](a) and (b) are perspective views of the paper sheet separation and transport device, and longitudinal cross-sectional views showing the internal structure. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing a specific configuration example of the dispensing unit, separation unit, and draw-out transport unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] (a), (b), and (c) are explanatory diagrams showing the attachment and detachment structure of the bezel body. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing the relationship between the banknote separation and transport device body and the bezel. [Figure 6] This is an exploded perspective view illustrating the mounting structure of the bezel to the opening and closing door. [Figure 7] This is a partial cross-sectional perspective view illustrating the mounting structure of the bezel bracket for the opening and closing door. [Figure 8] (a) and (b) are diagrams illustrating the movement of the bezel when the opening and closing door is closed. [Figure 9] (a) and (b) are diagrams illustrating the movement of the bezel when the opening and closing door is closed. [Figure 10] This is a schematic diagram and a partially enlarged view thereof illustrating the relationship between the pilot pin and the receiving hole at the point when the receiving hole begins to accept the pilot pin, with (a) showing an embodiment of the present invention and (b) showing a comparative example. [Figure 11] (a) and (b) are diagrams illustrating the movement of the bezel during the closing operation of the opening and closing door in the second embodiment. [Figure 12] (a) and (b) are diagrams illustrating the movement of the receiving hole and pilot pin during the closing operation of the opening and closing door in the third embodiment. [Figure 13] This is an exploded perspective view illustrating the mounting structure of the bezel for the opening and closing door according to the fourth embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail using the embodiments shown in the drawings. However, the components, types, combinations, shapes, relative arrangements and the like described in these embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention thereto, and are merely illustrative examples unless otherwise specifically stated.

[0011] [Description of Basic Configuration] Figure 1 is an external perspective view of an example of the sheet separating and conveying apparatus of the present invention. Figure 2 is a view showing the sheet separating and conveying apparatus, where (a) is an external perspective view, and (b) is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal configuration. Note that in the present specification, description will be focused on banknotes as an example of sheets, but the present apparatus can also be applied to separation and conveyance of sheets other than banknotes. In addition to paper sheets, sheets also include sheets made of resin and other materials.

[0012] The banknote separating and conveying apparatus 1 is a unit that is installed in or attached to banknote handling apparatuses such as a banknote depositing machine, a vending machine, and a game medium lending machine in a game arcade, to perform processes of receiving banknotes and discharging rejected banknotes.

[0013] Hereinafter, the banknote separating and conveying apparatus 1 will be described in detail. The banknote separating and conveying apparatus 1 roughly includes a first module Md1 including a deposit processing unit (sheet receiving processing unit) U1 and a storage processing unit (sheet storage processing unit) U2, a downstream module (second module Md2 or third module Md3) detachably connected to the first module Md1, and a control means (CPU, MPU, ROM, RAM, etc.) 1000 for controlling various control targets, and the like. As shown in Figure 1, the second module Md2 is equipped with a safe CB, and is a module that receives banknotes discharged from the first module Md1 (storage processing unit U2) into the safe and stores the banknotes while arranging them in order. In addition to the second module Md2, a third module Md3 that is not provided with a safe and processes banknotes that have been discharged in a loose state from the storage processing unit U2 by receiving them can also be connected to the storage processing unit U2. Since the overall external configuration of the third module is not related to the gist of the present invention, it is not particularly illustrated, and only the base stand 850 that serves as the connection portion with the storage processing unit U2 is illustrated. In the embodiments from Figure 2 onwards, for the convenience of explanation, a configuration example in which the third module Md3 is mainly connected to the downstream side of the banknote storage processing unit U2 via the base stand 850 will be described, but this is not intended to exclude the configuration example in which the second module is connected. In the following, the second module and the third module are also referred to as the downstream module and the downstream module, respectively.

[0014] The deposit processing unit U1 is a means that receives deposited banknotes and conveys them to the storage processing unit U2, and discharges reject banknotes that have been returned within the storage processing unit U2 to the outside of the machine. The storage processing unit U2 is provided with a storage conveyance path (storage conveyance mechanism) 400 that receives banknotes sent from the deposit processing unit U1 and conveys them to the second module Md2 or the third module Md3.

[0015] The deposit processing unit U1 includes a frame 600 with an opening 602 on its front for receiving banknotes (Figures 2(b) and 4(c)), a paper feed tray (tray, deposit section) 10 that is detachably attached to the front of the frame (in front of the opening) and holds banknotes in a stacked state before they are supplied into the frame, a dispensing section (dispensing roller 30 and pick pusher 70) 20 that takes banknotes one by one from the top of the stack on the paper feed tray and supplies them into the frame, and a mechanism that allows only the first banknote B1 to pass through when the banknotes dispensed by the dispensing section 20 are in a double-feed state. The system includes a separation unit (feed roller 110 and brake roller 130) 100 that feeds the banknotes downstream and prevents subsequent banknotes B2 from advancing, a drawer transport unit 250 that forms a drawer transport path 260 in close proximity to the feed roller 110 that constitutes the separation unit 100 and rotates in the forward direction to draw out the banknote B1 that remains partially inside the separation unit 100 and feed it downstream (to the storage processing unit U2), and a first motor M1 that drives each driven member that constitutes the feeding unit 20 and the separation unit 100 (feeding / separation mechanism 15).

[0016] Furthermore, the deposit processing unit U1 includes a first transport path (first transport mechanism) T1 that transports banknotes sent out from the withdrawal transport section 250 toward the storage processing unit U2, a second transport path (second transport mechanism) T2 that returns and transports banknotes that have been sent back from the storage transport path 400 of the storage processing unit U2 to a return banknote storage tray (return banknote accumulation section) 11, and a flapper 500 positioned at the branching point of both transport paths T1 and T2 to distribute the direction of transport of banknotes to either the first transport path T1 or the second transport path T2.

[0017] The first transport path T1 and the second transport path T2 are not merely transport paths, but concepts that include transport components such as transport rollers, gears, and paper feed sensors arranged along the transport paths.

[0018] Frame 600 comprises frame 610 of deposit processing unit U1 and frame 620 of banknote storage processing unit U2. Frame (fixing part) 610 of deposit processing unit comprises frame body (fixing part) 611 and bezel bracket 613 that is attached to the front opening of frame body 611. Bezel body 1101 (Figure 4(c)) which includes the paper feed tray 10 is attached to and detached from bezel bracket 613.

[0019] Figures 4(a), 4(b), and 4(c) are explanatory diagrams showing the attachment and detachment structure of the bezel body. A locking claw member 13 is pivotally supported at one end on a shaft 13a located at an appropriate position on the upper part of the paper feed tray 10, and is configured to rotate freely in the vertical direction. A claw 13b is provided at the other end of the locking claw member, facing upward. The locking claw member 13 is biased upward around the shaft 13a by a spring (not shown).

[0020] In the mounted state shown in Figure 4(a), the claw 13b is engaged with the locking portion 613a provided in the upper part of the opening of the bezel bracket 613. When the pressing portion 13c provided in the upper part of the locking claw member 13 is pressed in the state shown in Figure 4(a), the other end with the claw 13b descends against the spring and disengages from the locking portion 613a (Figure 4(b)). As a result, the paper feed tray 10 can be removed from the bezel bracket as shown in Figure 4(c). In this example, the paper feed tray 10 has a return banknote storage tray 11 attached to it, and the bezel body 1101 is described as being composed of both trays. However, this does not apply to the mechanism for attaching and detaching the paper tray.

[0021] Symbol 500 is a flapper (sorting means) that switches the direction of banknote transport. It is a sorting means that guides banknotes transported by the drawer belt 270 to the position of the second reversing roller 267 toward the storage transport path 400, and guides banknotes that have been transported in the reverse direction from the storage transport path 400 toward the return transport path 510. The flapper 500, which is pivotally supported by a swing shaft 500a located at the bottom so as to be able to rotate vertically, normally lowers its right end (tip) due to its own weight balance, thereby blocking the passage from the drawer transport path 260 toward the storage transport path 400 (initial position). On the other hand, when banknotes that have been raised by the drawer belt 270 pass through, the right end is pushed up by the banknotes, thus allowing the banknotes to move to the right. When the trailing end of the banknote passes the right end of the flapper, the flapper returns to its initial position.

[0022] If the identification unit 450 determines that a banknote that has entered the storage transport path 400 is unacceptable, the control means 1000 reverses the transport members 410 and 420 that make up the storage transport path 400 using motors M2 and M3, causing them to be sent back toward the flapper 500. At this stage, the flapper is in its initial position, so the rejected banknote passes over the flapper from its rear end and enters the return transport path 510. A pair of return rollers (transport members) 512a and 512b are arranged in the return transport path and are driven by the second motor M2 in the direction of ejecting the banknotes. A return banknote storage tray 11 is located at the end of the return transport path 510, and the ejected return banknotes are sequentially stored there.

[0023] The return transport path 510 is arranged substantially parallel to the feed path leading from the feed unit to the separation unit, and the return banknote storage tray 11 is arranged substantially parallel to the paper feeding tray 10. In this invention, the first motor M1 drives the feed / separation mechanism (separation unit) 15, and the transport members 512 of the return transport path are driven by the second motor M2, so they do not interfere with each other, and stable separation and return transport operations can be achieved.

[0024] The storage processing unit U2 includes a storage transport path (storage transport mechanism, storage transport section) 400 that receives banknotes B transported by the drawer belt 270 constituting the drawer transport section 250 and transports them into the unit, and an identification section 450 that optically determines the denomination, authenticity, etc., of banknotes transported downstream along the storage transport path 400. Banknotes determined to be acceptable as a result of the identification are transported downstream and stored in the safe CB (or third module Md3) provided in the second module Md2, while banknotes determined to be unacceptable (rejected banknotes) are sent back and discharged to the return banknote storage tray 11 via the deposit processing unit U1. Furthermore, the banknote storage and processing unit U2 includes a second motor M2 that drives the upstream transport members (gears, rollers, etc.) 410 and the return roller pair 512 of the storage and transport path 400, and a third motor M3 that drives the downstream transport members (gears, rollers, etc.) 420 of the storage and transport path 400. The third motor M3 drives the transport roller group 420 located in the middle to downstream part of the storage and transport path 400. The transport roller pair 420a located in the furthest downstream part of the storage and transport path 400 is a means for discharging banknotes to the downstream module Md2 or Md3.

[0025] <Configuration and operation of the dispensing unit 20, separation unit 100, and drawer / transport unit 250> Next, the configuration and operation of the dispensing unit 20, the separation unit 100, and the drawer / transport unit 250 will be explained based on Figures 2 to 4, etc.

[0026] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a specific configuration example of the dispensing unit, separation unit, and pull-out transport unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the feed roller 30 constituting the feed unit 20 is fixed to a shaft 32 that rotates under the drive of the first motor M1, and a downstream timing pulley 33 is coaxially fixed to one side thereof. The downstream timing pulley 33 receives drive from the first motor M1 via a timing belt 35 stretched endlessly between it and an upstream timing pulley 60 provided on the feed roller side.

[0027] The separation unit 100 includes a feed roller shaft 101 driven by a first motor M1, a feed roller 110 that is rotatably supported around the axis of the feed roller shaft and, when rotating forward, contacts the surface of the first banknote dispensed by the dispensing unit 20 to transport it, and a brake roller (friction separation member) 130 that forms a separation nip N1 between itself and the feed roller to prevent the advancement of subsequent banknotes. The feed roller 110 can also be configured to rotate together with the feed roller shaft 101 by fixing its axis to the feed roller shaft, but if a play-forming means that provides circumferential play between the feed roller and the feed roller shaft is employed, the feed roller is not necessarily directly fixed to the feed roller shaft. However, since the play-forming means is not directly related to the spirit of the present invention, a detailed explanation of its configuration will not be given.

[0028] The drawer transport section 250 includes at least two free-rotating rollers (free-rotating members) 257, 257 that are rotatably supported (not fixed in the rotational direction, but fixed in the axial position) on the feed roller shaft portions on both axial sides of the feed roller 110, and endless drawer belts 270, 270 that contact the curved outer surface of each free-rotating roller to form a curved drawer transport path (drawer nip section) 260, and that, by rotating (forward) in the drawer direction, cooperate with each free-rotating roller 257, 257 to change the direction of the first banknote in a direction (diagonally upward) that intersects with the feeding direction (direction passing through the separation nip section N1) by the feeding section and transport it.

[0029] Each drawer belt 270 is stretched endlessly by a first reversing roller (driven roller) 265 and a second reversing roller (driven roller) 267, which are positioned to form a drawer transport path 260 between the outer surface of each free-spinning roller 257. The first reversing roller 265 forms a banknote introduction section 260a of the drawer transport path between each drawer belt and each free-spinning roller. The second reversing roller 267 reverses each drawer belt so that banknotes introduced from the banknote introduction section 260a are transported toward the storage transport path 400 after passing through the downstream end (banknote discharge section) 260b of the drawer transport path. The first reversing roller 265 is supported so that its axis is free and rotatable by a first shaft 280 which is rotationally driven by a first motor M1. In other words, the first reversing roller 265 is a driven roller that does not rotate with the rotation of the first shaft 280. The drawer belt 270 is driven to travel by the rotation of the second reversing roller 267, which acts as a driven roller.

[0030] The feed roller 110 and the free-spinning roller 257 are mounted coaxially with respect to the feed roller shaft 101, and their outer surfaces are located at approximately the same radial position. As a result, the feed roller and the center of the banknote make light contact, but there is no active grip whatsoever, and it does not create significant transport resistance. The drawer belt 270 is responsible for pulling the banknotes upward after they have passed through the separation nip section N1. The feed roller 110 rotates only to the minimum necessary angle during separation, and therefore does not participate in the upward pulling motion after separation; it does not have a pulling function.

[0031] It is preferable that the circumferential surfaces of each free-spinning roller 257, 257 have low friction to the extent that slippage occurs between them and the banknotes. On the other hand, the circumferential surface of the drawer belt has high friction to the extent that slippage between it and the banknotes is less likely to occur. The free-spinning roller 257 plays a role in bringing the drawer belt and the banknotes into contact. The tension applied to the drawer belt causes the banknotes to press against the low-friction outer surface of the free-spinning roller, and in cooperation with the frictional resistance of the drawer belt, it creates a conveying grip force.

[0032] The free-spinning roller is made of a rigid material that does not flex or deform under pressure from the draw belt. The width of the outer surface of the free-spinning roller is preferably equal to or wider than the width of the narrow strip-shaped draw belt.

[0033] "The direction intersecting the feeding direction by the feeding unit" is shown as approximately 90 degrees upward in the drawing, but it broadly includes directions that are bent or curved upward (non-parallel directions) relative to the surface direction of the banknotes being fed out on the paper tray 10.

[0034] The banknote introduction section 260a of the drawer transport path is formed at the point where the drawer belt, which has been inverted upward by the first reversing roller 265 rotating clockwise, first contacts the outer surface of the feed roller. A single banknote that has passed through the separation nip section N1 comes into contact with the drawer belt surface just before the banknote introduction section (the part that is inclined diagonally upward to the right in Figure 2, etc.), and is smoothly pulled diagonally upward and immediately drawn into the banknote introduction section 260a.

[0035] The banknotes that have passed through the banknote discharge section 260b are transported upward by the drawer belt and then guided to the entrance of the storage transport path 400 along the reversal path between the outer circumference of the second reversal roller 267 and a transport guide member (not shown).

[0036] The free-spinning roller 257, pressed down by the tension of the drawer belt, rotates freely relative to the feed roller shaft, and therefore does not depend at all on the drive or rotational speed of the feed roller shaft. Although the feed roller and the free-spinning roller are arranged on the same feed roller shaft, by making the axial positions of the two rollers different, it is possible to separate the separation nip section N1, which is the separation point, from the drawer transport path 260 (banknote introduction section 260a), which is the pulling point. Moreover, as a result of constructing the drawer transport path 260 using a self-propelled drawer belt, the distance between the separation nip section N1 and the banknote introduction section 260a in a side view can be arbitrarily set to the minimum necessary value. Specifically, it is possible to significantly shorten the above distance, for example, to be shorter than the diameter or radius of the feed roller.

[0037] The pick pusher 70 is fixedly supported at its base by the first shaft 280. When the first shaft rotates clockwise, the pick pusher 70 raises its tip, pushing the stack of banknotes on the paper tray 10 towards the feed roller 30 and bringing it into contact with the feed roller 30. When the first shaft 280 reverses direction, the pick pusher 70 lowers. A torque limiter (not shown) is placed between the pick pusher 70 and the first shaft 280 to allow it to slide, preventing the stack of banknotes from being pushed up with excessive force.

[0038] Each second reversing roller (drive roller) 267 has its axis fixedly supported by a second shaft 290 positioned parallel to and above the first shaft 280, and a transmission gear 292 is fixed to the second shaft at an intermediate position between the two second reversing rollers. The transmission gear 292 is meshed with a gear group 294 that transmits rotational driving force from the second motor M2. Therefore, the drawer transport unit 250 is driven by the second motor M2 for driving the upstream transport members of the storage transport path 400.

[0039] Thus, in this invention, the feeding unit 20 and the separation unit 100 are driven by the first motor M1, while the drawer transport unit 250 is driven by the second motor M2 via the gear groups 294 and 292. This allows the feeding and separation operations and the drawer transport operations to be driven and controlled independently.

[0040] Despite the fact that banknote lengths vary from country to country, if the timing of pulling them out from the separation unit is uniform, it is not possible to pull them out at the optimal timing to accommodate differences in banknote length. In this invention, by driving the pull-out transport unit 250 with a second motor M2 separate from the drive of the separation unit, it becomes possible to pull out the banknotes at the optimal timing after separation according to differences in conditions such as banknote length. As a result, the constraints that arise due to differences in conditions are reduced, and reliable pulling becomes possible.

[0041] Because the banknotes are pulled out by the drawer transport unit 250 using an endlessly running drawer belt 270, the drawer transport unit is bent upward (curved) relative to the transport direction of the dispensing and separating units, forming a non-linear transport path that can be miniaturized. Even with such a miniaturized configuration, the degree of freedom in arranging the components is increased, and reliable banknote separation and drawer transport can be achieved.

[0042] Even with a miniaturized device configuration where the banknote transport path is bent or curved in a roughly L-shape, by driving the drawer transport section 250 with the second motor M2 that drives the upstream transport member 410 of the storage transport path 400, it becomes possible to independently control the speed and operation of the dispensing / separation mechanism 15 and the drawer transport section 250, enabling reliable separation and drawer transport operations.

[0043] In order to reliably extract the banknotes separated by the separation unit 100, it is necessary to make the extraction transport speed (driving force) faster (stronger) than the extraction transport speed (driving force). To achieve such a difference in transport speed, it is possible to achieve this using a single drive source and a mechanical structure such as gears, without providing separate drive sources. However, in that case, if, for example, the extraction speed by the extraction transport unit 250 is to be 30 percent faster than the transport speed by the separation unit 100, it would be impossible to achieve the speed difference without employing a combination of many complex gears. In contrast, in the present invention, the separation unit and the extraction transport unit are driven by separate, independent motors M1 and M2, so that the speed difference can be controlled very easily and freely without complicating the mechanical configuration or increasing the number of parts. Moreover, since the second motor M2 is not located in the deposit processing unit U1 but in the adjacent banknote storage processing unit U2, it is possible to prevent the deposit processing unit U1 from becoming larger.

[0044] [Description of the enclosure] As shown in Figure 1, the banknote separation and transport device 1 is used while installed in a mounting section (mounting space) 902 provided in the housing 901 of the banknote handling device 900. The housing 901 houses the frame 600 of the deposit processing unit U1, the storage processing unit U2, and the safe CB. Of the banknote separation and transport device 1, the paper feed tray 10 and the returned banknote storage tray 11 are used while exposed to the outside through a window 911 provided in the opening and closing door 910 of the housing 901. The housing 901 comprises a housing body 903 having a mounting section 902 which is a hollow space inside, and an opening / closing door 910 that opens and closes a one-sided opening (front opening) 905 of the housing body 903. A window section 911 is formed through the opening / closing door 910 at an appropriate location on its surface, exposing the paper feed tray 10 and the returned banknote storage tray 11 to the outside. The opening / closing door 910 is a hinged door that is pivotally supported by a hinge section 907 provided at an appropriate location on the housing body 903.

[0045] [First Embodiment] Hereinafter, the bezel bracket 613 (1111) and the portion located upstream (outside the device) in the banknote transport direction of the deposit processing unit U1 of the banknote separation and transport device 1 will be referred to as the bezel 1100. In Figure 4, the bezel 1100 includes the paper feed tray 10, the returned banknote storage tray 11, the locking claw member 13, and the bezel bracket 1111. Furthermore, the portion of the bezel 1100 including the paper feed tray 10, the returned banknote storage tray 11, and the locking claw member 13 will be referred to as the bezel body 1101. Furthermore, the portion of the deposit processing unit U1 excluding the bezel 1100 is referred to as the BNF (Bank Note Feeder) unit 1201. The BNF unit 1201 is located downstream of the bezel bracket 1111. Moreover, the units located downstream of the bezel bracket 1111 in the banknote transport direction (towards the inside of the device) are collectively referred to as the banknote separation and transport device body (paper sheet handling device body) 1200. The banknote separation and transport device body 1200 includes the BNF unit 1201, the storage processing unit U2, and the safe CB.

[0046] The banknote separation and transport device (paper handling device) 1 comprises a bezel 1100 attached to the opening / closing door 910 of the housing 901 and having a banknote slot (paper slot) 1102 into which banknotes are inserted; a banknote separation and transport device body 1200 housed within the housing 901 and having a banknote receiving port (paper receiving port) 1203 (Figure 5) for receiving banknotes inserted from the banknote slot 1103; and an adjustment means (adjustment member) 1150 for adjusting the position so that the banknote slot 1103 and the banknote receiving port 1203 communicate in a proper positional relationship during the closing operation of the opening / closing door 910.

[0047] <Opening and closing doors> The housing 901 is, for example, roughly rectangular in shape. The opening / closing door 910 is, for example, roughly rectangular in shape, opening and closing a roughly rectangular opening 905 provided on one side (e.g., the front) of the housing 901. The housing 901 has a mounting section 902 that houses the banknote handling device 900 inside its hollow interior. The opening / closing door 910 is a hinged door, and the housing 901 is equipped with a hinge portion (pivot portion) 907 that pivotally supports the opening / closing door 910 so that it can be opened and closed. The opening / closing door 910 is pivotally supported at an appropriate point in the left-right direction (X direction) by a hinge portion 907 whose rotation axis extends in the vertical direction (Z direction). The opening / closing door 910 rotates to open and close a single opening 905 defined as the ZX plane. The opening / closing door 910 is provided with a window portion (opening) 911 formed through its surface. When the opening / closing door 910 closes the one-sided opening 905, the window portion 911 connects the internal and external spaces of the housing 901. Banknotes are taken into the banknote separation and transport device body 1200 through the window portion 911. A bezel bracket 1111 is attached to the window section 911 so as to be movable relative to the opening and closing door 910.

[0048] <Bezel> Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the relationship between the banknote separation and transport device body and the bezel. Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the area around the bezel. Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view illustrating the mounting structure of the bezel bracket to the opening and closing door. In the figures, the X, Y, and Z axes represent axes relative to the banknote separation and transport device body 1200 or the housing body 903. In the figures, the DX, DY, and DZ axes represent axes relative to the opening and closing door 910. The bezel 1100 comprises a bezel bracket 1111 which is attached to the inside of the opening / closing door 910, and a bezel body 1101 which is detachably attached to the bezel bracket 1111 via the window portion 911 from the outside of the opening / closing door 910.

[0049] The bezel bracket 1111 is a frame having a bracket opening 1113 that communicates with the window section 911. The bezel bracket 1111 is attached by an adjustment means 1150 so as to be movable relative to the opening / closing door 910.

[0050] The bezel body 1101 includes the paper feed tray 10 and the returned banknote storage tray 11 described above. The bezel body 1101 also includes a banknote insertion slot 1103 and a banknote return slot 1105 that communicate with the window portion 911 and the bracket opening 1113. The paper feed tray 10 and the returned banknote storage tray 11 protrude from the outside of the housing 901, while a portion of the bezel body 1101, including the banknote insertion slot 1103 and the banknote return slot 1105, is located inside the housing 901. The banknote insertion slot 1103 and the banknote return slot 1105 are collectively referred to as the banknote passage slot (paper passage slot).

[0051] The bezel body 1101 is integrated with the bezel bracket 1111 with the window portion 911 (opening / closing door 910) in between (see Figures 4 to 6). The bezel body 1101 and the bezel bracket 1111 move together relative to the opening / closing door 910. The direction of relative movement will be described later.

[0052] As can be seen from Figures 2, 5, and 6, the banknotes B1 and B2 placed on the paper feed tray 10 pass through the window 911, bracket opening 1113, and banknote insertion slot 1103 and are taken into the banknote receiving port 1203 and into the banknote separation and transport device body 1200. As shown in Figure 2, the banknotes taken in from the banknote receiving port 1203 are transported through the first transport path T1 toward the storage processing unit U2.

[0053] As shown in Figure 2, the returned banknotes that have been sent back from the storage transport path 400 of the storage processing unit U2 are transported along the second transport path T2 (return transport path 510) and discharged from the banknote discharge port 1205. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the returned banknotes discharged from the banknote discharge port 1205 pass through the banknote return port 1105, the bracket opening 1113, and the window section 911 and are sequentially stored in the returned banknote storage tray 11. The banknote receiving slot 1203 and the banknote dispensing slot 1205 are collectively referred to as the banknote receiving slot (paper sheet receiving slot).

[0054] <Adjustment means> As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the adjustment means 1150 includes a flanged bush 1151 fixed to the inside of the opening / closing door 910, and an insertion hole 1115 formed through the bezel bracket 1111 at the appropriate location, through which the shaft portion 1153 of the flanged bush 1151 is inserted. The adjustment means 1150 is an attachment means for attaching the bezel bracket 1111 to the opening / closing door 910, and an attachment means for attaching the bezel body 1101 to the opening / closing door 910 via the bezel bracket 1111. The adjustment means 1150 moves the bezel bracket 1111 in a direction intersecting the banknote insertion direction (generally the DY direction) (along the DZ-DX plane). The adjustment means 1150 moves the bezel bracket 1111 forward and backward along the banknote insertion direction (the DY direction).

[0055] The flanged bush 1151 is fastened to the inside of the opening / closing door 910 by fastening screws 1157. The shaft portion 1153 and the insertion hole 1115 of the flanged bush 1151 are roughly cylindrical (or cylindrical), and the axes of both extend in the direction in which banknotes are inserted (DY direction). A predetermined amount of play is set between the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 1153 and the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 1115. The shaft portion 1153 is loosely fitted (loosely fitted) to the insertion hole 1115. The flanged bush 1151 supports the bezel bracket 1111 so that it can move relative to the opening and closing door in the left-right direction (DX direction) and the up-down direction (DZ direction).

[0056] The flange portion 1155 of the flanged bush 1151 is larger in diameter than the inner diameter of the through hole 1115, and is configured so that the bezel bracket 1111 does not detach from the flanged bush 1151. The axial length (DY direction length) of the shaft portion 1153 of the flanged bush 1151 is set to be longer than the axial length of the insertion hole 1115. As a result, the bezel bracket 1111 is guided by the shaft portion 1153 of the flanged bush 1151 and supported so as to be able to move relative to the opening and closing door 910 in the front-rear direction (Y direction).

[0057] Furthermore, the play set between the shaft portion 1153 of the flanged bush 1151 and the insertion hole 1115 allows the bezel bracket 1111 to be appropriately tilted within the DX-DY-DZ space relative to the opening and closing door 910.

[0058] <<Elastic biasing member>> The adjustment means 1150 includes an elastic biasing member (elastic biasing means) 1161 that elastically biases the bezel bracket 1111 to its initial position (or initial posture). The initial position is the position of the bezel bracket 1111 relative to the open door 910 when it is in the open state. The initial position can be set to a neutral position in which the shaft portion 1153 does not come into contact with the inner surface of the insertion hole 1115 when the open door 910 is open.

[0059] Here, the bezel bracket 1111 is positioned at a location (communication position) where, when the opening / closing door 910 is fully closed, the banknote slot 1103 can communicate with the banknote receiving slot 1203 in a proper positional relationship. Here, the proper positional relationship is the position where banknotes inserted from the banknote slot 1103 can smoothly pass through the banknote receiving slot 1203 without jamming and be taken into the banknote separation and transport device body 1200. In the banknote handling device 900, the position of the bezel bracket 1111 relative to the opening / closing door 910 when the opening / closing door 910 is fully closed may be set to the neutral position described above. That is, the initial position may be set to be substantially the same as the communication position. Conversely, the position of the bezel bracket 1111 relative to the opening / closing door 910 may be different between the initial position and the communication position.

[0060] The same can be said for the elastic biasing of the bezel bracket 1111 to its initial position by the elastic biasing member 1161. Furthermore, the initial position of the bezel bracket 1111 may be inclined relative to the position in which the banknote slot 1103 communicates with the banknote receiving slot 1203 in a normal positional relationship.

[0061] Adjusting the banknote slot 1103 to the correct positional relationship with the banknote receiving slot 1203 is predominantly done on the DZ-DX plane rather than in the DY direction. In particular, in this example, where the hinge portion 907 has a rotation axis extending in the DZ direction (Z direction) and is positioned at an appropriate location in the DX direction (one end in this example), positional adjustment in the DX direction becomes important. The elastic biasing member 1161 shown in the figure is made of foamed resin (sponge). The elastic biasing member 1161 is sandwiched between the bezel bracket 1111 and the opening / closing door 910. By making the elastic biasing member 1161 out of sponge, an elastic force can be applied in the three-dimensional directions of DX-DY-DZ. Therefore, in this example, the elastic biasing member 1161 elastically biases the bezel bracket 1111 toward the banknote separation and transport device body 1200 when the opening / closing door 910 is closed.

[0062] Furthermore, coil springs, leaf springs, rubber, viscoelastic materials, and other elastic materials can be used as the elastic biasing member. The elastic biasing member that elastically biases the bezel bracket 1111 to its initial position and the elastic biasing member that elastically biases the bezel bracket 1111 toward the banknote separation and transport device body 1200 may be an integrated component or separate components. The elastic biasing member that elastically biases the bezel bracket 1111 to its initial position may be composed of a plurality of elastic biasing members that press on the bezel bracket 1111 in directions different from each other.

[0063] <Positioning between the device body and the bezel> Figures 8(a), (b) and 9(a), (b) illustrate the movement of the bezel during the closing operation of the opening and closing door. In the diagram, the X, Y, and Z axes represent axes relative to the banknote separation and transport device body 1200 or the housing body 903. The X, Y, and Z axes are fixed, and their orientations do not change regardless of whether the opening / closing door 910 is opened or closed. The rotation axis of the hinge portion 907 extends in the direction of the Z axis.

[0064] In the diagram, the DX, DY, and DZ axes represent axes relative to the opening / closing door 910. The DX, DY, and DZ axes are set to be substantially parallel to the X, Y, and Z axes, respectively, when the opening / closing door 910 is fully closed. The DX and DY axes change their orientation relative to the X and Y axes, respectively, according to the degree of opening of the opening / closing door 910. The DZ axis is the axial direction of the hinge portion 907 in the opening / closing door 910. The DZ axis may tilt relative to the Z axis during the operation of the opening / closing door 910, but generally maintains a state parallel to the Z axis. In Figures 8 and 9, for the sake of explanation, the position of the bezel in the DX direction relative to the opening / closing door 910 is depicted as being the same in both the initial position and when closed.

[0065] <<Pin and receiving hole>> The bezel bracket 1111 has receiving holes (first engaging parts) 1121, 1121 on the surface facing the banknote separation and transport device body 1200. The banknote separation and transport device body 1200 has pilot pins (second engaging parts) 1210, 1210 that are fixed to the front surface of the banknote separation and transport device body and protrude forward.

[0066] The pilot pin 1210 is a rod-shaped body with a cylindrical portion 1211 at its base and a tapered portion 1213 at its tip, and its axis extends in the Y direction. The outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 1211 is substantially constant in the axial direction, and the tapered portion 1213 has a tapered, inclined shape. The receiving hole 1121 has a large-diameter portion 1123 at its entrance and a fitting portion 1125 at an appropriate position in the axial direction. The large-diameter portion 1123 is larger in diameter than other parts in the axial direction, facilitating the receipt of the pilot pin 1210. The fitting portion 1125 has a shape that fits (engages) with the cylindrical portion 1211 of the pilot pin 1210.

[0067] The pilot pins 1210, 1210 and the receiving holes 1121, 1121 are positioning means that guide the banknote slot 1103 to the correct position relative to the banknote receiving opening 1203 (Figures 8(a), (b), and 9(a)). The pilot pins 1210, 1210 are means that maintain the banknote slot 1103 and the banknote receiving opening 1203 in the correct position relative to each other when fitted with the receiving holes 1121, 1121 (Figure 9(b)).

[0068] <<Operation Description>> As shown in Figure 8(a), when the pilot pin 1210 contacts the appropriate position in the receiving hole 1121 during the closing operation of the opening / closing door 910, the adjustment means 1150 moves the bezel bracket 1111 relative to the opening / closing door 910 so that the pilot pin 1210 fits into the receiving hole 1121 (Figures 8(b), 9(a), (b)). In other words, when the opening / closing door 910 is moved from the open position (Figure 5) to the closing position, as shown in Figure 8(a), the pilot pin 1210A near the hinge portion 907 begins to contact the large diameter portion 1123 of the receiving hole 1121A. Figure 8(a) shows the state in which the pilot pin 1210A is in contact with the receiving hole 1121A, but the bezel bracket 1111 has not moved and is in its initial position. In this state, the axis of the pilot pin 1210A (Y-axis direction) and the axis of the receiving hole 1121A (DY-axis direction) are misaligned. If the bezel bracket 1111 were fixed to the opening / closing door 910, the pilot pin 1210A would not be able to enter the receiving hole 1121A.

[0069] In this example, the bezel bracket 1111 is movably supported relative to the opening / closing door 910. Therefore, when the opening / closing door 910 is further closed, as shown in Figure 8(b), the bezel bracket 1111 is pressed in the DX direction (towards the hinge portion 907) by the pilot pin 1210A via the receiving hole 1121A. This adjusts the position of the bezel bracket 1111 so that the pilot pin 1210A can easily enter the receiving hole 1121A. In this example, the bezel bracket 1111 is supported so as to be able to move back and forth in the DY direction. The bezel bracket 1111 can be displaced in three dimensions in the DX-DY-DZ space. Therefore, depending on the amount of movement of each part of the bezel bracket 1111, the bezel bracket 1111 may be tilted in the DX-DY plane relative to the opening / closing door 910, as shown in Figure 9(a).

[0070] Furthermore, if the opening / closing door 910 tilts due to gravity or other factors, that is, if the DZ axis tilts relative to the Z axis, the position of the bezel bracket 1111 in the DZ direction is appropriately adjusted by the adjustment means 1150 so that the pilot pin 1210A fits into the receiving hole 1121A.

[0071] Ultimately, as shown in Figure 9(b), the cylindrical portions 1211 of both pilot pins 1210A and 1210B fit into the fitting portions 1125 of the receiving holes 1121A and 1121B in the correct positional relationship. At this time, the positions of the banknote insertion slot 1103 and the banknote receiving slot 1203 (see Figure 5) are aligned. Furthermore, when the opening / closing door 910 is completely closed, the elastic biasing member 1161 is compressed. The elastic biasing member 1161 presses the bezel bracket 1111 against the front surface of the banknote separation and transport device body 1200. As a result, the banknote insertion slot 1103 and the banknote receiving slot 1203 are in close proximity and in communication, enabling smooth transport of banknotes between them.

[0072] [Effects of this embodiment] <Comparison with the comparative example> Figure 10 is a schematic diagram and a partially enlarged view thereof illustrating the relationship between the pilot pin and the receiving hole at the point when the receiving hole begins to accept the pilot pin, where (a) shows an embodiment of the present invention and (b) shows a comparative example.

[0073] In the illustrated banknote handling devices 900 and 900C, the pilot pins 1210 (1210A, 1210C) have linear central axes Ax12 and Ax22, and the receiving holes 1121 (1121A, 1121C) have linear central axes Ax11 and Ax21. When the pilot pins 1210 are fitted into the receiving holes 1121, the central axes of both (central axes Ax12 and Ax11, and central axes Ax22 and Ax21) are assumed to coincide substantially. In the comparative example banknote handling device 900C, the positions of the pilot pins 1210C and the receiving holes 1121C are spaced further apart from the hinge portion 907 than in the banknote handling device 900 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] The opening and closing door 910 is a hinged door that rotates in the XY plane around the hinge portion 907. Therefore, the opening and closing door 910 moves the receiving hole 1121 along an arc-shaped trajectory. In other words, the opening and closing door 910 does not move the receiving hole 1121 linearly along its central axis (Ax11, Ax21). The closer the receiving hole 1121 is to the hinge portion 907, the smaller the radius R of the trajectory of the receiving hole 1121 becomes (R1 <R2)。

[0075] The angular difference θ(θ1, θ2) between the central axis of the receiving hole 1121 and the pilot pin 1210 at the point when the receiving hole 1121 begins to accept the pilot pin 1210 is larger the closer the receiving hole 1121 is to the hinge portion 907 (θ1 > θ2). The amount of misalignment (D1, D2) between the receiving hole 1121 and the pilot pin 1210 at the point when the receiving hole 1121 begins to accept the pilot pin 1210 is greater the closer the receiving hole 1121 is to the hinge portion 907 (D1 > D2).

[0076] From the above, it can be seen that if the bezel bracket 1111 is fixed to the opening / closing door 910, the closer the receiving hole 1121 and the pilot pin 1210 are to the hinge portion 907, as in Figure 10(a), the more difficult it becomes to engage the receiving hole 1121 and the pilot pin 1210.

[0077] <Effects> According to this embodiment, when the pilot pin 1210 contacts the appropriate position in the receiving hole 1121 during the closing operation of the opening / closing door 910, the adjustment means 1150 can move the bezel bracket 1111 (receiving hole 1121) in a direction that reduces the misalignment amount D1. This allows the receiving hole 1121 (and pilot pin 1210) to be brought closer to the hinge portion 907, and the banknote separation and transport device 1 can be miniaturized. Furthermore, since the adjustment means 1150 appropriately changes the misalignment amount in accordance with the angular displacement of the opening / closing door 910, the pilot pin 1210 fits smoothly into the receiving hole 1121.

[0078] In this example, where the opening and closing door 910 rotates around an axis extending in the Z-axis direction, the positional displacement D1 can be reduced by moving the bezel bracket 1111 from its initial position in a direction that brings it closer to the hinge portion 907. The movement of the bezel bracket 1111 may be a linear movement along the DX axis.

[0079] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the pilot pin 1210 contacts the appropriate position in the receiving hole 1121 during the closing operation of the opening / closing door 910, the adjustment means 1150 can move the bezel bracket 1111 (receiving hole 1121) in a direction that reduces the angle difference θ1, thereby bringing the receiving hole 1121 (and pilot pin 1210) closer to the hinge portion 907, and enabling miniaturization of the banknote separation and transport device 1. In addition, since the adjustment means 1150 appropriately changes the angle difference in accordance with the angular displacement of the opening / closing door 910, the pilot pin 1210 fits smoothly into the receiving hole 1121.

[0080] In this example, where the opening and closing door 910 rotates around an axis extending in the Z-axis direction, the angle difference θ1 can be reduced by bringing the part of the bezel bracket 1111 closer to the hinge portion 907 closer to the opening and closing door 910, and moving the part of the bezel bracket 11111 further away from the hinge portion 907 away from the opening and closing door 910.

[0081] <First Torture> In the first embodiment, the initial position of the bezel bracket 1111 was set to the neutral position. However, the initial position of the bezel bracket 1111 may be set to a position where at least one of the positional displacement amount D1 and the angular difference θ1 shown in Figure 10(a) is smaller than the neutral position, for example, a position where it is minimized. In this case, the adjustment means 1150 appropriately changes the position and orientation of the bezel bracket 1111 relative to the opening / closing door 910 in accordance with the angular displacement of the opening / closing door 910, so as to smoothly fit the pilot pin 1210 into the receiving hole 1121.

[0082] <Second variation> As shown in Figure 10(a), in this example where the opening and closing door 910 rotates around the hinge portion 907, the displacement amount D1 can be reduced if the bezel bracket 1111 can be moved in a direction that moves it closer to or further away from the hinge portion 907. This movement does not have to be a two-dimensional movement in a plane, but can also be a one-dimensional movement along a straight line. In other words, in this example where the axis of the hinge portion 907 extends in the DZ axis direction, the desired effect can be obtained by moving the bezel bracket 1111 linearly only in the DX axis direction, without moving it in the DZ axis direction.

[0083] <Third variation> As shown in Figure 10(a), the embodiment of the present invention is suitable when the receiving hole 1121 is configured to receive and fit the pilot pin 1210 in the axial direction, and the axial direction of the track of the opening / closing door 910 and the pilot pin 1210 provided on the banknote separation and transport device body 1200 are different. As shown in Figure 10, the direction in which the axis of the hinge portion 907 of the opening / closing door 910 extends may be the Z-axis direction. Alternatively, the direction in which the axis of the hinge portion 907 of the opening / closing door 910 extends may be the X-axis direction.

[0084] [Second Embodiment] Figures 11(a) and (b) illustrate the movement of the bezel during the closing operation of the opening and closing door in the second embodiment. Hereafter, the same reference numerals are used for components as in the first embodiment, and their descriptions are omitted. In the banknote handling device 900D (900), the bezel bracket 1111 may be equipped with pilot pins 1210, 1210, and the banknote separation and transport device body 1200 may be equipped with receiving holes 1121, 1121. The other configurations and operations are the same as in the first embodiment. This embodiment provides the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0085] [Third Embodiment] Figures 12(a) and (b) illustrate the movement of the receiving hole and pilot pin during the closing operation of the opening and closing door in the third embodiment. Hereafter, the same reference numerals are used for components similar to those in the first and second embodiments, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0086] In the banknote handling device 900E(900), the adjustment means 1150 comprises an adjustment means 1150A provided on the bezel bracket 1111 and an adjustment means 1150B provided on the banknote separation and transport device body 1200.

[0087] The adjustment means 1150A is a means for moving the bezel bracket 1111 (receiving hole 1121) within the DX-DZ plane. The adjustment means 1150A comprises the aforementioned through hole 1115 and a flanged bush 1151 that loosely fits into the through hole 1115. Furthermore, the adjustment means 1150A includes an elastic biasing member 1163 that elastically biases the bezel bracket 1111 to its initial position and supports it so that it can move within the DX-DZ plane.

[0088] The adjustment means 1150B is a means for moving the pilot pin 1210 forward and backward in the Y-axis direction. The adjustment means 1150B includes an elastic biasing member 1165 that elastically biases the pilot pin 1210 to its initial position. The adjustment means 1150B is inserted between the front surface of the banknote separation and transport device body 1200 and the pilot pin 1210. The elastic biasing member 1165 can be made of sponge, for example. The elastic biasing member 1165 also functions as a means for elastically biasing the pilot pin 1210 toward the opening / closing door 910 when the opening / closing door 910 is closed.

[0089] Thus, some functions of the adjustment means 1150 may be placed on the opening / closing door 910 side, while other functions may be placed on the banknote separation and transport device body 1200 side. Of course, it is also possible to place all of the functions of the adjustment means 1150 on the banknote separation and transport device body 1200 side. However, if the functions of the adjustment means 1150 are placed on the banknote separation and transport device body 1200 side, it is desirable that those functions be limited to those that do not significantly affect the positional alignment between the banknote insertion slot 1103 and the banknote receiving slot 1203 (see Figure 5).

[0090] [Fourth Embodiment] Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the mounting structure of the bezel to the opening / closing door according to the fourth embodiment. In this figure, the flanged bush 1151 and the fastening screw 1157 are not shown.

[0091] The bezel bracket 1111B may have a plurality of bracket openings 1113, 1113, each bracket opening 1113, 1113 configured to support the bezel body 1101, 1101. Although not shown in Figure 13, in this case the banknote handling device 900 (see Figure 5) includes a plurality of BNF units 1201, 1201 corresponding to each bezel body 1101, 1101. One banknote separation and transport device body 1200 may include a plurality of BNF units 1201, or a plurality of banknote separation and transport device bodies 1200, each including a BNF unit 1201, may be housed in the housing 901.

[0092] Thus, when a single bezel bracket 1111B supports multiple bezel bodies 1101, the bezel bracket 1111B can absorb mounting errors that may occur between each BNF unit 1201 and its corresponding bezel body 1101. In particular, when there are bezel bodies 1101, 1101 arranged in the X-axis direction, as in this example, in other words, when there are multiple bezel bodies 1101, 1101 at different distances from the hinge portion 907, it is effective to have the bezel bracket 1111B absorb mounting errors.

[0093] [Fifth Embodiment] In each of the above embodiments, the present invention was demonstrated primarily based on examples in which the bezel 1100 is moved to align the banknote slot 1103 with the banknote receiving slot 1203. The bezel 1100 may also be configured to move relative to the banknote return slot 1105 in order to align the banknote exit slot 1205 with the banknote return slot 1105.

[0094] Furthermore, the bezel 1100 may be used for inputting or outputting paper materials other than banknotes. For example, the bezel 1100 may output printed materials from a printer provided in the paper material handling device body (corresponding to the banknote separation and transport device body 1200). The paper handling device handles paper documents including banknotes, bank bills, invoices, checks, security documents, printed coupons and receipts, and other sheet-like materials. Paper documents may be fed in or output one by one via the bezel 1100, or they may be fed in or output in bundles (multiple sheets stacked together).

[0095] [Summary of the structure, operation, and effects of the present invention] <First Embodiment> The paper handling device (banknote handling device 900) according to this embodiment is characterized by comprising: a bezel 1100 attached to the opening / closing door 910 of a housing 901, having a paper handling port (banknote insertion port 1103, or / and banknote return port 1105) through which paper (banknotes) pass; a paper handling device body (banknote separation and transport device body 1200) housed inside the housing (mounting section 902), having a paper handling port (banknote receiving port 1203, or / and banknote discharge port 1205) through which paper is transferred between the paper handling port and the paper handling port; and an adjustment means 1150 for adjusting the position so that the paper handling port and the paper handling port communicate in a proper positional relationship during the closing operation of the opening / closing door.

[0096] Here, the paper sheet passage opening of the bezel may be an opening (banknote slot 1103) through which paper sheets are inserted into the main body of the paper sheet handling device, or it may be an opening (banknote return slot 1105) through which paper sheets discharged from the main body of the paper sheet handling device pass. Also, the paper sheet transfer opening of the main body of the paper sheet handling device may be a paper sheet receiving port (banknote receiving port 1203) that receives paper sheets inserted from the opening of the bezel, or it may be a paper sheet discharge port (banknote discharge port 1205) that discharges paper sheets towards the opening of the bezel.

[0097] In this embodiment, the adjustment means adjusts the paper sheet passage opening and the paper sheet transfer opening so that they are in communication in a proper positional relationship as the opening and closing door moves in the closing direction. According to this embodiment, the position of the bezel attached to the opening and closing door of the paper handling device can be aligned with the main body of the paper handling device.

[0098] In this embodiment, the bezel is attached to an opening and closing door that moves in an opening and closing motion. Suppose the bezel is fixed to the main body of the paper handling device, and an opening is formed through the opening / closing door to expose the tray portion of the bezel to the outside. In this case, the size of the opening is set so that the tray portion does not collide with the opening when the opening / closing door is opened or closed. Since the tray portion protrudes from the main body of the paper handling device, the opening of the opening / closing door must be sufficiently larger than the paper passage opening of the bezel. In this embodiment, since the bezel is attached to the opening and closing door, the opening in the opening and closing door can be made smaller, improving security.

[0099] <Second Embodiment> In the paper handling device (banknote handling device 900) according to this embodiment, the bezel 1100 is mounted so as to be movable relative to the opening / closing door 910. The bezel is provided with a first engaging portion (receiving hole 1121). The main body of the paper handling device is provided with a second engaging portion (pilot pin 1210) that, when engaged with the first engaging portion, maintains the paper passage opening (banknote insertion opening 1103) and the paper transfer opening (banknote receiving opening 1203) in the correct positional relationship. This embodiment is characterized in that when the first engaging portion comes into contact with the second engaging portion during the closing operation of the opening and closing door, the adjustment means 1150 moves the bezel relative to the opening and closing door so that the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion engage.

[0100] If the bezel is fixed to the opening and closing door, depending on the direction of movement of the opening and closing door and the orientation of the first and second engaging parts, it may become difficult to engage the two engaging parts. According to this embodiment, even if the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are not in a positional relationship that allows them to be fitted together at the time they come into contact, the bezel moves relative to the opening and closing door, thereby enabling the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion to be fitted together. According to this embodiment, the position of the bezel attached to the opening and closing door of the paper handling device can be aligned with the main body of the paper handling device. The second engagement portion may be fixed to the main body of the paper handling device, or it may be movably supported relative to the main body of the paper handling device.

[0101] <Third Embodiment> In the paper handling device (banknote handling device 900) according to this embodiment, the opening and closing door 910 is a hinged door.

[0102] The opening and closing door moves along a circular orbit around the hinge portion 907. If the trajectory of the opening and closing door is arc-shaped, the following problems may occur (see Figure 10). Firstly, depending on the orientation of the first engaging portion (receiving hole 1121) and the second engaging portion (pilot pin 1210), they may interfere with each other, making it difficult to engage them. Secondly, if the positions of both engaging portions are set far enough away from the hinge portion to prevent interference between them, the paper handling device (housing 901) becomes larger. According to this embodiment, the bezel moves relative to the opening / closing door when the first engaging portion contacts the second engaging portion, so even if the opening / closing door is a hinged door, the two engaging portions can be easily fitted together while preventing the paper handling device from becoming larger.

[0103] <Fourth Embodiment> In the paper sheet handling device (banknote handling device 900) according to this embodiment, the adjustment means 1150 is characterized by moving the bezel 1100 in a direction intersecting the direction in which the paper sheets (banknotes) pass (along the ZX plane and the DZ-DX plane).

[0104] In this embodiment, the opening / closing door 910 is a hinged door that opens and closes a single-sided opening 905 of the housing 901 by tracing a circular orbit. The direction in which the adjustment means moves the bezel according to this embodiment can be a direction along the plane of the opening / closing door 910. By setting the direction of movement of the bezel in this way, the misalignment of the first engagement part and the second engagement part that occurs due to the hinged door moving along a circular orbit can be absorbed. According to this embodiment, the bezel moves relative to the opening / closing door when the first engaging portion contacts the second engaging portion, so even if the opening / closing door is a hinged door, the two engaging portions can be easily fitted together while preventing the paper handling device from becoming larger.

[0105] <Fifth Embodiment> In the paper handling device (banknote handling device 900) according to this embodiment, the adjustment means 1150 is characterized by moving the bezel 1100 forward and backward along the paper input direction (in the Y direction and the DY direction).

[0106] In this embodiment, the opening / closing door 910 is a hinged door that opens and closes a single-sided opening 905 of the housing 901 by tracing a circular orbit. The direction in which the adjustment means moves the bezel according to this embodiment can be a direction that intersects the plane of the opening / closing door 910. By setting the direction of movement of the bezel in this way, the angular difference between the first engagement part and the second engagement part that occurs due to the hinged door moving along a circular orbit can be absorbed. According to this embodiment, the bezel moves relative to the opening / closing door when the first engaging portion contacts the second engaging portion, so even if the opening / closing door is a hinged door, the two engaging portions can be easily fitted together while preventing the paper handling device from becoming larger.

[0107] <Sixth Embodiment> In the paper handling device (banknote handling device 900) according to this embodiment, the adjustment means 1150 is characterized by comprising elastic biasing means (elastic biasing members 1161, 1163) that elastically bias the bezel 1100 to its initial position.

[0108] The bezel moves relative to the opening / closing door 910 from its initial position to a position where both engaging parts are engaged, due to contact between the first engaging part (receiving hole 1121) and the second engaging part (pilot pin 1210). The initial position is set so that the first engaging part can contact the second engaging part when the opening / closing door is closed. According to this embodiment, the bezel moves relative to the opening and closing door when the first engaging portion contacts the second engaging portion, so the position of the bezel can be aligned with the main body of the paper handling device.

[0109] <Seventh Embodiment> In the paper sheet handling device (banknote handling device 900) according to this embodiment, the elastic biasing means (elastic biasing member 1161) is characterized in that when the opening / closing door 910 is closed, the bezel 1100 is elastically biased against the paper sheet handling device body (banknote separation and transport device body 1200).

[0110] When the bezel is elastically biased to the main body of the paper handling device, the paper passage opening (banknote insertion opening 1103, or / and banknote return opening 1105) and the paper transfer opening (banknote receiving opening 1203, or / and banknote discharge opening 1205) come into close proximity. According to this embodiment, paper sheets can be smoothly transferred between the paper sheet passage opening and the paper sheet transfer opening without causing jams. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0111] B1, B2…Banknotes (paper sheets), M1~M3…First~Third motors M, M1~M3…First~Third motors, Md1…First module, Md2…Second module (downstream module), Md3…Third module (downstream module), N1…Separation nip section, T1…First transport path (transport mechanism), T2…Second transport path (transport mechanism), U1…(Banknote) deposit processing unit (paper sheet receiving processing unit, connecting unit), U2…(Banknote) storage processing unit (paper sheet storage processing unit, connecting unit), R1, R2…Radius of the receiving hole's trajectory, θ1, θ2…Center axis of the receiving hole and pilot pin Angle difference, D1, D2... Amount of misalignment between the receiving hole and the central axis of the pilot pin, 1... Banknote separation and transport device, 10... Paper feed tray, 11... Return banknote storage tray, 13... Locking claw member, 13a... Shaft, 13b... Claw, 13c... Pressing part, 15... Feed / separation mechanism (separation unit), 20... Feed part, 30... Feed roller, 32... Shaft part (feed roller shaft), 33... Downstream timing pulley, 35... Timing belt, 60... Upstream timing pulley, 70... Pick pusher, 100... Separation part, 101... Feed roller shaft, 110... Feed roller, 130... Brake roller, 250... Drawer transport section, 257...Idle roller, 260...Drawer transport path, 260a...Banknote introduction section, 260b...Banknote discharge section, 265...First reversing roller, 267...Second reversing roller, 270...Drawer belt, 280...First shaft, 290...Second shaft, 292...Transmission gear, 294...Gear group, 400...Storage transport path (storage transport mechanism), 410...Upstream transport member, 420...Transport roller (transport member), 420a...Pair of transport rollers, 450...Identification section, 500...Flapper, 500a...Oscillating shaft, 510...Return transport path, 512...Pair of return rollers (transport member), 512a, 512b...Return rollers, 600...frame, 602...opening, 610...frame, 611...frame body, 613...bezel bracket, 613a...locking part, 620...frame, 850...base, 900,900C~E...banknote handling device (paper handling device), 901...housing, 902...mounting part, 903...housing body, 905...one-sided opening, 907...hinge part, 910...opening / closing door, 911...window part, 1000...control means, 1100...bezel, 1101...bezel body, 1103...banknote slot (paper slot, paper passage slot), 1105...banknote return slot (paper return slot, paper passage slot), 1111,1111B...Bezel bracket, 1113...Bracket opening, 1115...Through hole, 1121, 1121A~C...Receiving hole (first engaging part), 1123...Large diameter part, 1125...Matching part, 1150, 1150A~B...Adjustment means, 1151...Flanged bush, 1153...Shaft part, 1155...Flange part, 1157...Fastening screw, 1161~1165...Elastic biasing part Material (elastic biasing means), 1200...Banknote separation and conveying device body (paper sheet separation device body), 1201...BNF unit, 1203...Banknote receiving port (paper sheet receiving port, paper sheet transfer port), 1205...Banknote discharge port (paper sheet discharge port, paper sheet transfer port), 1210, 1210A~C...Pilot pin (second engagement part), 1211...Cylindrical part, 1213...Tapered part.

Claims

1. A bezel that has a paper sheet passage opening through which paper sheets pass and is attached to the opening and closing door of the housing, A paper handling device body housed within the casing, having a paper sheet transfer opening between the paper sheet passage opening and the paper sheet transfer opening, A paper handling device characterized by comprising an adjustment means for adjusting the position so that the paper sheet passage opening and the paper sheet transfer opening are in communication in a proper positional relationship during the closing operation of the opening and closing door.

2. The bezel is mounted so as to be movable relative to the opening and closing door and is equipped with a first engaging portion. The paper handling device body is provided with a second engaging portion that, when engaged with the first engaging portion, maintains the paper passage opening and the paper transfer opening in the correct positional relationship. The paper handling device according to claim 1, characterized in that when the first engaging portion comes into contact with the second engaging portion during the closing operation of the opening and closing door, the adjustment means moves the bezel relative to the opening and closing door so that the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion engage.

3. The paper handling device according to claim 2, characterized in that the aforementioned opening and closing door is a hinged door.

4. The paper sheet handling device according to claim 3, characterized in that the adjustment means moves the bezel in a direction intersecting the direction in which the paper sheets pass.

5. The paper sheet handling device according to claim 4, characterized in that the adjustment means moves the bezel forward and backward along the direction in which the paper sheets pass.

6. The paper sheet handling device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the adjustment means comprises an elastic biasing means for elastically biasing the bezel to its initial position.

7. The paper handling device according to claim 6, characterized in that the elastic biasing means elastically biases the bezel to the paper handling device body when the opening and closing door is closed.

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