Paper sheet storage device

Abstract

A paper sheet storage device according to one aspect of embodiments has: an accommodating member having a carry-in region into which paper sheets are carried; a storing member which is disposed adjacent to the accommodating member and in which paper sheets are stored; a conveying part which conveys paper sheets into the carry-in region while at least a pair of conveyance belts are in contact with the front / rear surfaces of the paper sheets; and a push-in mechanism which pushes the paper sheets conveyed to the carry-in region into the storing member. In addition, in the paper sheet storage device, the conveying part releases the contact between one side of the conveying belt and the paper sheets when the push-in mechanism pushes in the paper sheets.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a paper sheet storage device. [Background technology]

[0002] A banknote handling device such as an ATM (Automated Teller Machine) includes a banknote storage device that stores and accumulates deposited banknotes in order to eventually collect them from the banknote handling device. For such a banknote storage device, a conventional technique is known in which the banknotes are stacked and stored after being smoothed out of wrinkles or the like. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 61-23072 [Patent Document 2] JP 2012-78981 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, the banknotes are simply stacked under their own weight, and there are cases where banknotes without wrinkles or other deformations are not stored neatly and without gaps.

[0005] The disclosed technique has been made in consideration of the above, and has an object to provide a paper sheet storage device that can store paper sheets in a more orderly manner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the paper sheet storage device disclosed in the present application includes a storage member having an input area into which paper sheets are input, a storage member disposed adjacent to the storage member and in which paper sheets are stored, a transport unit that transports the paper sheets to the input area with at least a pair of transport belts in contact with the paper sheets from the front and back, and a push-in mechanism that pushes the paper sheets transported to the input area into the storage member. a linking mechanism for linking the pushing of the paper sheet with the release of one of the conveyor belts from the paper sheet; In one aspect of the paper sheet storage device, the transport unit includes: A plate member having an opening through which paper sheets can pass, When the pushing mechanism pushes in the paper sheet, one of the conveyor belts is released from contact with the paper sheet. The interlocking mechanism moves the plate material so that the opening is positioned out of the transport path of the paper sheets in response to the release of one of the conveyor belts from contact with the paper sheets. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect of the paper sheet storage device disclosed in the present application, paper sheets can be stored in a more orderly manner. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an entire banknote handling device including a banknote storage device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the banknote storage device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the banknote storage device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing a state in which a push-in member is at a standby position in the banknote storage device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing a state in which the push-in member has moved to the temporary stacking area in the banknote storage device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4C] FIG. 4C is a perspective view showing a state in which the push-in member has moved into the storage in the banknote storage device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram showing a side surface of a transport unit in the banknote storage device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram showing a side surface of the transport unit in the banknote storage device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6A]FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram showing the top surface of a transport unit in the banknote storage device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram showing the top surface of the transport unit in the banknote storage device according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a bottom portion of a transport unit in the banknote storage device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, a paper money storage device according to an embodiment of the paper money storage device disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the paper money storage device disclosed in the present application is not limited to the following embodiment.

[0010] [Configuration of the banknote handling device] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an entire banknote handling device including a banknote storage device according to an embodiment. In the following drawings, the horizontal direction is indicated by the X-axis and the Y-axis (front-rear direction of the banknote storage device), and the vertical direction is indicated by the Z-axis.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 1, the banknote handling device 1 includes a deposit / withdrawal unit 3 for depositing and withdrawing banknotes 2, a discrimination unit 4 for discriminating the banknotes 2 deposited in the deposit / withdrawal unit 3, and a temporary storage unit 5 for temporarily storing the banknotes 2 transported from the discrimination unit 4. The banknote handling device 1 also includes a return unit 6 for returning the banknotes 2 stored in the temporary storage unit 5, a withdrawal unit 7 in which the banknotes 2 to be dispensed are stored, and a banknote storage device 11 for storing the banknotes 2 in a storage shed 13. The banknote storage device 11 incorporated in the banknote handling device 1 corresponds to a paper sheet storage device. In this embodiment, banknotes 2 are used as an example of paper sheets, but the present invention is not limited to banknotes.

[0012] [Configuration of the bill storage device] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the banknote storage device 11 according to the embodiment. Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the banknote storage device 11 according to the embodiment.

[0013] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the banknote storage device 11 according to the embodiment includes a storage member 12, a storage 13 as a storage member, a temporary accumulation area 17, a push-in mechanism 18, and a transport unit 40. The storage member 12 has a carry-in area 16 into which banknotes 2 are carried. The storage 13 is disposed adjacent to the storage member 12 in the Y direction, and stores the banknotes 2. The temporary accumulation area 17 is provided between the carry-in area 16 and the storage 13, and temporarily accumulates the banknotes 2 stored in the storage 13. The push-in mechanism 18 pushes all of the banknotes 2 carried into the carry-in area 16 into the temporary accumulation area 17, and pushes a plurality of banknotes 2 accumulated only in the temporary accumulation area 17 into the storage 13. The transport unit 40 transports the banknotes 2 to the carry-in area 16 in a state in which at least a pair of transport belts are in contact with the front and back of the banknotes 2 (details will be described later). The pushing mechanism 18 may push the banknotes 2 carried into the carry-in area 16 into the storage 13 without stacking them in the temporary stacking area 17.

[0014] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the storage member 12 is formed in a substantially box-like shape with a space constituting an entrance area 16 into which the banknotes 2 are carried adjacent to a storage opening 13b of the storage 13 described later. A transport section 40 is provided in the entrance area 16. A guide member 21 having an entrance 21a through which the banknotes 2 are carried is provided vertically above the storage member 12. The entrance 21a of the guide member 21 is provided with a plurality of guide rollers 22 (see Fig. 4A) that guide the banknotes 2. The guide roller 22 arranged on one side of the entrance 21a is fixed to a support shaft 23 and rotated via the support shaft 23 (see Fig. 4A).

[0015] The banknotes 2 are transported from above vertically toward the guide member 21 below, for example with their long sides parallel to the horizontal direction, and are sent from the carry-in opening 21a to the storage member 12 by the guide rollers 22. The banknotes 2 sent to the storage member 12 are carried into the carry-in area 16 by the transport unit 40. The carry-in area 16 of the storage member 12 is provided with the transport unit 40, which transports the banknotes 2 sent from the upper carry-in opening 21a with at least a pair of transport belts (41b, 42b) abutting the front and back of the banknotes 2 (see FIG. 5A).

[0016] The temporary accumulation area 17 is provided in the storage member 12 adjacent to the carry-in area 16. In this embodiment, the storage member 12 has the temporary accumulation area 17, but this configuration is not limited to this. A temporary accumulation member having the temporary accumulation area 17 may be disposed between the storage member 12 and the hangar 13 as a separate, independent member.

[0017] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the storage 13 is formed in a box shape having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is provided so as to be detachable from the banknote handling device 1. After a predetermined amount of banknotes 2 are stored in the storage 13, the storage 13 is removed from the banknote handling device 1 to collect the banknotes 2. The storage 13 has a side wall 13a adjacent to the temporary stacking area 17 of the storage member 12. A storage opening 13b is provided in the center of the side wall 13a, into which the banknotes 2 transported from the temporary stacking area 17 are pushed. The opening dimension of the storage opening 13b is formed smaller than the outer dimension of the banknotes 2. When the banknotes 2 are stored in the storage 13 from the storage opening 13b, the banknotes 2 are folded in half at the center in the long side direction, thereby reducing the outer shape (see Fig. 6B). The banknotes 2 are folded in half and pushed into the storage opening 13b, and are stored inside the storage 13 through the storage opening 13b. The storage chamber 13 has a storage opening 13b formed smaller than the outer shape of the banknotes 2, thereby preventing the banknotes 2 stored therein from falling out of the storage opening 13b.

[0018] The storage 13 also has a pressing member 25 that presses the banknotes 2 against the side wall 13a in order to accumulate the banknotes 2 stored through the storage opening 13b. The pressing member 25 is formed to have a size that allows it to press the banknotes 2 along the long side direction. The pressing member 25 is biased toward the side wall 13a by a coil spring 26. The storage 13 also has a guide mechanism 27 that movably guides the pressing member 25 in a direction approaching and receding from the side wall 13a having the storage opening 13b. The guide mechanism 27 has a set of guide rails 28 formed along the direction approaching and receding from the side wall 13a, and a gear 29 that moves along the guide rails 28. The pressing member 25 is provided across the set of guide rails 28 via the gear 29.

[0019] [Configuration of the pushing mechanism] Fig. 4A is a perspective view showing a state in which the pushing member is in a standby position in the banknote storage device 11 according to the embodiment. Fig. 4B is a perspective view showing a state in which the pushing member has moved to the temporary accumulation area 17 in the banknote storage device 11 according to the embodiment. Fig. 4C is a perspective view showing a state in which the pushing member has moved into the storage vault 13 in the banknote storage device 11 according to the embodiment.

[0020] As shown in Figures 4A, 4B and 4C, the pushing mechanism 18 has a pushing member 31 for pushing the banknotes 2 brought into the entrance area 16 into the temporary accumulation area 17 and the inside of the storage facility 13, and a set of cross link members 32 for driving the pushing member 31.

[0021] As shown in Figure 3, the pushing member 31 is movable between a waiting position located in the loading area 16, a first forward position located in the temporary accumulation area 17, and a second forward position located inside the storage facility 13.

[0022] The outside dimensions of the pushing member 31 are smaller than the distance between the belt-type conveying paths 41, 42 arranged in parallel with a gap therebetween (see FIGS. 6A and 6B), and are smaller than the storage opening 13b of the storage 13. This allows the pushing member 31 to pass between the belt-type conveying paths 41, 42 and through the storage opening 13b. As shown in FIG. 4C, the pushing member 31 has a rectangular pushing surface 31a that is sufficiently longer than the length of the short side of the banknote 2. This allows the pushing member 31 to appropriately push the banknote 2 carried into the carry-in area 16 into the temporary stacking area 17 and the inside of the storage 13.

[0023] 4B and 4C, the set of cross link members 32 are rotatably connected via a rotation shaft 33. One end of one of the set of cross link members 32 is moved by a drive motor 44 (see FIGS. 5A and 5B), whereby the set of cross link members 32 extends toward the storage facility 13. As the set of cross link members 32 extends, the pushing member 31 is moved from the standby position to a first forward position and a second forward position.

[0024] [Configuration of partition members] 3 and 4A, the storage member 12 of the banknote storage device 11 has a pair of partition members 34 that support the banknotes 2 moved to the temporary accumulation area 17. The pair of partition members 34 are formed in a flat plate shape and are arranged in a line between the carry-in area 16 and the temporary accumulation area 17 as shown in FIG. 3. The pair of partition members 34 are provided rotatably between a partition position, which is a first position, and an open position, which is a second position. At the partition position, the pair of partition members 34 separate the carry-in area 16 and the temporary accumulation area 17 as shown in FIG. 4A. At the open position, the pair of partition members 34 open the carry-in area 16 and the temporary accumulation area 17 as shown in FIG. 4B.

[0025] 4A and 4B, the pair of partition members 34 is rotatably supported on opposing side walls 12c of the storage member 12. The pair of partition members 34 has a base end 35 provided with a shaft portion 35a rotatably supported on the side wall 12c of the storage member 12, and a tip end 36 connected to the base end 35. The pair of partition members 34 is disposed between the opposing tip ends 36 at the partition position with a predetermined gap therebetween that allows the push-in member 31, which moves between the standby position and the first forward position, to pass therethrough.

[0026] Moreover, the tip portion 36 of the partition member 34 is formed to be elastically deformable. The base end portion 35 of the partition member 34 is formed into a rectangular frame shape from a material having rigidity. The rigidity of the base end portion 35 ensures stability of the rotational movement around the shaft portion 35a. Moreover, the tip portion 36 of the partition member 34 is formed into a rectangular plate shape from a material having elasticity, such as a resin film or a rubber plate, and is fixed to the base end portion 35.

[0027] In this way, the tip 36 of the partition member 34 is configured to smoothly elastically deform when it comes into contact with the push-in member 31 or the banknote 2 so as not to impede the advancement of the push-in member 31 from the standby position toward the first advance position when it rotates from the partition position to the open position. This elastic deformation of the tip 36 enables the push-in member 31 to stably transport the banknote 2 from the carry-in area 16 to the temporary accumulation area 17. In addition, the distance between the tip portions 36 of a pair of partition members 34 is narrowed to an extent that the push-in member 31 can pass through, so that the tip portions 36 can stably hold the banknotes 2 in the temporary accumulation area 17.

[0028] The set of partition members 34 is configured to move in conjunction with the pushing mechanism 18, and is rotated from the partition position to the open position in conjunction with the forward movement of the pushing member 31 from the standby position to the first forward position. The set of partition members 34 is moved to the open position by the pushing mechanism 18 when the pushing member 31 moves to the first forward position.

[0029] In addition, the partition member 34 may be formed such that the temporary storage section 5 and the reflux section 6 are integrally formed from the same material, and the thickness of the tip section 36 is thinner than that of the base end section 35, so that the tip section 36 is elastically deformable. The tip section 36 of the partition member 34 is not limited to being formed from an elastic material. For example, a pair of partition members 34 may be disposed at a distance such that the pushing member 31 advancing toward the first advanced position does not come into contact with the tip section 36 when rotating from the partition position to the open position. In this case, the base end section 35 and the tip section 36 of the partition member 34 may be integrally formed from a material having rigidity.

[0030] Although not shown, the set of partition members 34 is not limited to a rotating configuration. The set of partition members 34 may be configured to be slidable in a direction in which the tip portions 36 approach and move away from each other along the space between the carry-in area 16 and the temporary accumulation area 17. The set of partition members 34 may be configured to move up and down relative to the plate material 42e of the transport unit 40, and it is also possible to avoid the pair of partition members 34 passing each other when moving between the partition position and the open position. In this configuration, it is possible to use one partition member disposed between the carry-in area 16 and the temporary accumulation area 17, and it is possible to increase the stability of the holding state of the banknotes 2 in the temporary accumulation area 17.

[0031] [Conveyor configuration] Figures 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams showing a side surface of the transport unit 40 in the banknote storage device 11 according to the embodiment. Figures 6A and 6B are schematic diagrams showing a top surface of the transport unit 40 in the banknote storage device 11 according to the embodiment. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing a bottom surface portion of the transport unit 40 in the banknote storage device 11 according to the embodiment.

[0032] 5A, the transport unit 40 drives a drive motor (neither of which is shown) under the control of the control unit, and transports the banknote 2 sent from above to a standby position while the front and back of the banknote 2 are in contact with each other by at least a pair of belt-type transport paths 41, 42. The banknote 2 transported to the standby position is stored in the storage 13 by driving a drive motor 44 of the push-in mechanism 18 under the control of the control unit. Furthermore, when the transport unit 40 does not store the banknote 2 in the storage 13 by the push-in mechanism 18, it transports the banknote 2 further below the standby position and discharges it through an opening 42f, and transports the banknote 2 to a storage member located further below.

[0033] The belt-type conveying path 41 has a configuration in which a conveying belt 41b is wound around a roller 41a supported by a support member 41c. Similarly, the belt-type conveying path 42 has a configuration in which a conveying belt 42b is wound around a roller 42a supported by a support member 42c. In the belt-type conveying paths 41 and 42, the rollers 41a and 42a are rotated by a driving motor (not shown), so that the conveying belts 41b and 41b are moved in the conveying direction of the banknotes 2.

[0034] The banknote 2 is conveyed in a state where it is sandwiched from both the front and back sides by the conveyor belt 41b of the belt-type conveyor path 41 and the conveyor belt 42b of the belt-type conveyor path 42, that is, in a state where the conveyor belts 41b, 42b are in contact with the front and back sides of the banknote 2 (hereinafter referred to as the abutting state). By conveying the banknote 2 in this manner, the conveyor unit 40 can smooth out wrinkles and the like of the banknote 2, making it possible to produce banknotes 2 that are not deformed.

[0035] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 6A, in the transport unit 40, rollers 41a, 42a are paired, and two pairs of transport belts are arranged in parallel with a gap between them. The two pairs of transport belts transport the banknote 2 so as to support both ends of the banknote 2, that is, to sandwich both the front and back sides of the banknote 2 at one end side and the other end side. The push-in member 31 in the push-in mechanism 18 is configured to push the banknote 2 into the storage 13 between the two pairs of transport belts.

[0036] As shown in Figures 5A, 5B and 6A, the support member 41c is provided with a cam 44b driven by a belt 44a that transmits the power of a drive motor 44 that drives the pushing mechanism 18, and a tension spring 43 that connects the support member 42c.

[0037] 5A, the support member 42c is connected to the rotation fulcrum 42d at the top and to the support member 41c via the tension spring 43 at the bottom. This allows the belt-type conveyor path 42 to rotate about the rotation fulcrum 42d, but when no external force is applied, the elastic force of the tension spring 43 maintains the contact state in which the banknote 2 is sandwiched from the front and back. When the push-in mechanism 18 pushes the banknote 2 that has been conveyed to the standby position into the storage 13, an external force is applied to the belt-type conveyor path 42 to rotate about the rotation fulcrum 42d, thereby releasing the contact state of the conveyor belt 42b with the banknote 2.

[0038] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 5B, when the pushing mechanism 18 pushes the banknote 2 into the storage 13, the power of the drive motor 44 that drives the pushing mechanism 18 is transmitted to the cam 44b by the belt 44a. This power rotates the cam 44b, and the apex of the cam 44b applies an external force to the belt-type conveying path 42 so as to push up the support member 41c. This external force causes the conveying unit 40 to release the conveying belt 42b from the abutment state against the banknote 2 when the pushing mechanism 18 pushes in the banknote 2.

[0039] That is, the drive motor 44, the belt 44a, and the cam 44b are an example of an interlocking mechanism that interlocks the pushing of the banknote 2 with the release of the abutment state with the banknote 2. Note that this interlocking mechanism is not limited to the combination of the drive motor 44, the belt 44a, and the cam 44b, and may be a combination with a crank mechanism, for example.

[0040] 6B, the banknote 2 whose contact state has been released is pushed into the storage 13 in a folded state by the pushing action of the pushing surface 31a of the pushing member 31 through the two pairs of conveyor belts. As a result of this pushing, the banknote 2 is stored in the storage 13 without any gaps.

[0041] 5A, 5B and 7, a plate member 42e perpendicular to the support member 42c is provided below the support member 42c. The plate member 42e has an opening 42f, which is larger than the outer dimensions of the banknote 2 and communicates with the banknote 2, at a position corresponding to the transport path (arrow in FIG. 5A) when the banknote 2 is transported by the belt-type transport paths 41, 42.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 5B, the plate material 42e works in conjunction with the support member 42c, so that the position of the opening 42f through which the banknotes 2 communicate is removed from the transport path of the banknotes 2 in conjunction with the release of the abutment state of the banknotes 2. As a result, even if the banknotes 2 from which the abutment state has been released fall freely in the Z direction, they are supported by the plate material 42e and do not fall outside through the opening 42f. In other words, the banknotes 2 can be smoothly pushed into the storage 13 after the abutment state of the banknotes 2 has been released.

[0043] As described above, the banknote storage device 11 includes the storage member 12, the storage 13, the transport unit 40, and the push-in mechanism 18. The storage member 12 includes the carry-in area 16 into which the banknotes 2 are carried. The storage 13 is disposed adjacent to the storage member 12, and stores the banknotes 2. The transport unit 40 transports the banknotes 2 to the carry-in area 16 with at least one pair of transport belts 41b, 42b in contact with the front and back of the banknotes 2. The push-in mechanism 18 pushes the banknotes 2 transported to the carry-in area 16 into the storage 13. When the push-in mechanism 18 pushes the banknotes 2, the transport unit 40 releases one of the transport belts 41b, 42b from contacting the banknotes 2. This allows the banknote storage device 11 to store the banknotes 2 without any deformation such as wrinkles and without any gaps in the storage 13.

[0044] In the banknote storage device 11, the transport unit 40 transports the banknotes 2 by two pairs of transport belts arranged in parallel with a gap between them and contacting one end side and the other end side of the banknotes 2. The push-in mechanism 18 pushes the banknotes 2 between the two pairs of transport belts. This allows the banknotes 2 transported to the carry-in area 16 by the two pairs of transport belts to be stored in the storage 13 without being wrinkled or deformed.

[0045] The banknote storage device 11 further includes an interlocking mechanism that interlocks the pushing of the banknote 2 with the release of one of the conveyor belts from the banknote 2. As a result, in the banknote storage device 11, the pushing of the banknote 2 and the release of the abutment state with the banknote 2 can be achieved by, for example, one drive motor 44, without preparing separate motors or the like as drive sources.

[0046] Moreover, in the banknote storage device 11, the transport unit 40 has a plate material 42e provided with an opening 42f through which the banknotes 2 communicate. The interlocking mechanism moves the plate material 42e so that the opening 42f is positioned out of the transport path of the banknotes 2 in conjunction with the release of the contact of one of the transport belts with the banknotes 2. By moving the position of the opening 42f out of the transport path of the banknotes 2 in this way in conjunction with the release of the contact, it is possible to prevent the banknotes 2 from being transported to the outside. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1...Banknote handling device 2. Banknotes 3. Deposit and withdrawal section 4…Identification department 5. Temporary storage area 6…reflux section 7. Withdrawal section 11...Banknote storage device 12...Storage material 12b...Guide slit 12c…Side wall 13. Hangar 13a...Side wall 13b…Storage opening 16…Carry-in area 17...Temporary accumulation area 18...Pushing mechanism 21...Guide member 21a…Carrying entrance 22...Guide roller 23…Spindle 25...Pressing member 26...Coil spring 27...Guide mechanism 28…Guide rail 29…Gear 31... Push-in member 31a…Indentation surface 32...Cross link member 33...Rotation axis 34...Partition member 35...Proximal end 35a...Shaft part 36...Tip 40...Transportation section 41, 42...Belt type conveyor 41a, 42a…Laura 41b, 42b...Conveyor belt 41c, 42c...Support member 42d…Rotational fulcrum 42e…Plate material 42f…Opening 43…Tension spring 44...Drive motor 44a…Belt 44b…Cam

Claims

1. A storage member having an input area into which paper sheets are input; a storage member disposed adjacent to the storage member and storing the paper sheets; a conveying section that conveys the paper sheets to the carry-in area with at least a pair of conveying belts in contact with the front and back sides of the paper sheets; a push-in mechanism that pushes the paper sheets transported to the carry-in area into the storage member; a linking mechanism linking the pushing of the paper sheet with the release of one of the conveyor belts from contact with the paper sheet, the conveying section has a plate member having an opening through which the paper sheet passes, and when the pushing mechanism pushes in the paper sheet, one of the conveying belts is released from contact with the paper sheet; the interlocking mechanism moves the plate member so that the opening is positioned out of a conveyance path for the paper sheets in association with the release of one of the conveyor belts from the paper sheets. A paper sheet storage device characterized by the above.

2. the conveying section conveys the paper sheets by contacting one end side and the other end side of the paper sheets with two pairs of the conveying belts arranged in parallel with a gap therebetween, The pushing mechanism pushes the paper sheets between the two pairs of the conveyor belts.

2. The paper sheet storage device according to claim 1,

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