Conveyor device

Abstract

To miniaturize a curved conveyance route for conveying a conveyance object without any deformation.SOLUTION: In a conveyance route 401, a bottom face 411B positioned on a side of a blast pipe 100 has a first curved conveyance pipe body unit 415B having a first curved shape bulging in a convex shape to the blast pipe side. In the first curved conveyance pipe body unit, distance H between the bottom face and a top face 413B is increased from each end in a conveyance direction x to a middle part such that a note P retained by a conveyance body 500 does not touch the top face that opposes the bottom face.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 19

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveying device that conveys objects to be conveyed, such as banknotes. [Background technology]

[0002] In an amusement center where various gaming machines such as pachinko, pachislot, and slot machines are installed, a gaming medium dispensing device for dispensing gaming media such as pachinko balls and medals to players according to the value of the bill inserted through the bill insertion slot is disposed adjacent to each gaming machine. In order to safely and smoothly transport the bills received by the gaming medium dispensing device to the safe, various bill transporting devices have been developed and proposed. Such bill transporting devices are installed as island equipment in the amusement center. They are also used in gaming facilities that handle large amounts of paper money, such as casinos.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a paper sheet conveying device that uses air flow to run a moving body inside an air duct and uses magnetic force to run a paper money conveying body in conjunction with the movement of the moving body, and is installed in an island facility of an amusement arcade. As the conveying body moves along a moving path along each game medium dispensing device, it sequentially collects and holds the paper money accepted by each game medium dispensing device and conveys it to a safe. Since no mechanical driving means such as a motor, gears, or conveying belt is required to run the moving body and conveying body, the durability of each member constituting the conveying device can be improved and the running cost of the conveying device can be reduced. The paper sheet transport device of Patent Document 1 is configured to move the transport body within a long tubular body for the transport body, and when the movement path of the transport body is linear in a plan view, the ends of multiple short, straight tubular body units are directly connected in series. Patent Document 2 describes a connecting pipe that connects two adjacent linear pipe units in a non-linear manner. The connecting pipe is configured by stacking a plurality of thin annular pieces, and defines a curved internal space therein that serves as a path for the transport body to move. In Patent Documents 1 and 2, the longitudinal direction of rectangular banknotes is aligned with the conveying direction, and the banknotes are placed on a conveying body in an upright state and conveyed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6796684 [Patent Document 2] JP2022-60767A (Figure 33) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Here, in the case of rectangular banknotes, it is easy to deform the banknote face (the surface of the banknote itself) from a flat shape to a curved shape, but it is difficult to curve and deform each side (long side and short side) of the banknote while maintaining the planar shape of the banknote. For this reason, when transporting banknotes along a curved transport path, it is common to design a transport path that curves the banknote face itself in the planar direction, as in Patent Document 2. If it is attempted to move the banknote within a curved transport path while maintaining the planar shape of the banknote, the radius of curvature of the transport path needs to be increased, and the transport path becomes large. The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has an object to reduce the size of a curved transport path that transports an object without deforming it. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the conveying device of the present invention comprises an air duct forming a flow path for gas, a moving body that travels within the air duct receiving an air current flowing in a predetermined direction within the air duct, a conveying body path at least a portion of which is disposed adjacent to the air duct along the air duct, and a conveying body that is configured to be able to hold an object to be conveyed in a predetermined posture and travels within the conveying body path, the moving body comprising a moving body-side magnetic body, the conveying body comprising a conveying body-side magnetic body, and a magnetic field between the moving body-side magnetic body and the conveying body when the moving body-side magnetic body and the conveying body-side magnetic body are in a positional relationship close to each other. A conveying device having a configuration in which the conveying body is moved in conjunction with the movement of the moving body by a repulsive force based on a magnetic force acting between the conveying body and a side magnetic body, wherein the conveying body path has a first curved conveying body path having a first curved shape in which the bottom surface located on the air duct side bulges convexly toward the air duct side, and the first curved conveying body path is configured such that the distance between the bottom surface and the top surface increases from each end toward the middle part in the conveying direction so that the object to be conveyed held by the conveying body does not come into contact with the top surface opposite the bottom surface. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the size of a curved transport path that transports an object without deforming it. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of an island facility including a plurality of gaming machines. [Diagram 2] 1 is a plan view showing the schematic configuration of an island facility including a plurality of gaming machines. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a banknote transport system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a moving body and a blower pipe including the moving body, and a conveying body and a conveying pipe including the moving body, in a case where the moving body and the conveying body are repelled by a magnetic force. [Diagram 5] 1(a) to 1(c) are schematic diagrams showing the relationship between an air blower duct and an air blowing control unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6]FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the relationship between a conveying pipe and a conveying body. [Figure 7] 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a moving body and a blower pipe including the moving body, and a conveying body and a conveying pipe including the moving body, when the moving body and the conveying body are attracted to each other by magnetic force. [Figure 8] 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an air duct and a transport duct including a moving body and a transport body when each pole of a moving body side magnet is arranged facing the traveling direction. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a first modified example of the air flow control unit. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a second modified example of the air flow control unit. [Figure 11] 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D are an external perspective view, a front view, a plan view and a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 10A of the conveying body 500 with the collection member (collection claw) in an open state. [Figure 12] 1A and 1B are an external perspective view and a plan view of the conveying body 500 when the collection member (collection claws) are in a closed state. [Figure 13] 2 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between a conveying pipe 400 and a conveying body 500. FIG. [Figure 14] 13 is a perspective view showing an example of an arrangement structure of an air blower pipe and a transport pipe in a banknote transport device C. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pair of straight tube units. [Figure 16] 16(a) and (b) are exploded perspective views of the end portion of the pair of pipe units shown in FIG. 15. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a pair of pipe units 415B and 150B bulging downward. [Figure 18] 18 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the internal state of a transport path and an air flow path including the pair of pipe units shown in FIG. 17. [Figure 19] 19 is a schematic diagram for explaining the positional relationship of each member in the transport path and the air flow path shown in FIG. 18. [Figure 20] FIG. 19 is an external perspective view of a moving body 200 shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. However, unless otherwise specified, the components, types, combinations, shapes, relative positions, etc. described in the embodiments are merely illustrative examples and do not limit the scope of the present invention. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0010] A. First paper sheet transport system according to the present invention The basic configuration and operation of the paper sheet transport system according to the first aspect of the present invention will be described below. The paper sheet transport system is installed in an island facility in an amusement center where various gaming machines such as pachinko and slot machines are installed. In the following embodiment, the paper sheet will be mainly described as an example of paper sheets, but the present invention can also be applied to valuable securities such as gift certificates and coupons, cards, and other paper sheets (sheets) other than paper sheets. Although not specifically shown or described, the paper sheet transport system of the present invention is also applicable to a banknote transport system and a banknote transport device in a casino.

[0011] [Outline of island equipment configuration] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an island facility including a plurality of gaming machines. Each gaming machine 1 is installed on an island facility L (L1, L2...), with a total of 16 gaming machines 1 arranged back-to-back, eight on each of two opposing sides of each island facility L. Between each island facility L, there is provided an aisle for players or game parlor staff to pass through, and in each aisle, a chair (not shown) is provided for each gaming machine 1. In each island facility L, a machine spacing machine 2 is installed for each gaming machine 1. The machine spacing machine 2 is equipped with a bill insertion port (bill insertion section) that accepts inserted bills, and a gaming medium dispensing device that dispenses a number of pachinko balls according to the value of the inserted bills, etc. In the illustrated island facility L, a bill transport system 10 is installed that transports bills inserted from the machine spacing machine 2 to a safe unit 700 arranged at one end of the island facility L.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of an island fixture including a plurality of gaming machines. The banknote transport system 10 installed in the island equipment L includes an accepting unit (banknote accepting device) 600 that accepts banknotes inserted through the banknote insertion port of the inter-machine machine 2, a transport tube 400 that extends in the longitudinal direction of the island equipment L (the arrangement direction of the gaming machines 1) and transports the banknotes accepted by the accepting unit 600, and a safe unit 700 that is arranged at one end of the transport tube 400.

[0013] [Overall configuration of the banknote transport system] <Overview> 3 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a banknote transport system. A banknote transport system (paper sheet transport mechanism) 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that it transports banknotes by utilizing airflow and magnetic force. The paper money transport system 10 includes an airflow duct 100 that forms a gas flow path (airflow path 101), a moving body 200 that receives an airflow flowing in a predetermined direction in the airflow duct 100 and travels (moves) in the airflow duct 100, an airflow control unit 300 that controls the airflow flowing in the airflow duct 100, a transport tube 400 (transport path 401) at least a portion of which is disposed adjacent to the airflow duct 100 along the airflow duct 100, and a transport body 500 that is configured to be able to hold paper money (paper sheets) and travels (moves) in the transport tube 400. The transport tube 400 forms the transport path 401 for paper money (paper money (paper sheet) transport path, transport space). The moving body 200 includes a moving body side magnetic body (moving body side magnet 213), and the conveying body 500 includes a conveying body side magnetic body (conveying body side magnet 523). At least one of the moving body side magnetic body and the conveying body side magnetic body is composed of a magnet.

[0014] The banknote transport system 10 also includes a receiving unit 600 that receives banknotes inserted from outside and keeps them waiting at a predetermined position within the transport tube 400, a safe unit 700 that has a banknote storage section that stores banknotes transported by the transport body 500, and a management unit (control means) 800 that controls each part that constitutes the banknote transport system 10. In this example, the air blow control unit 300 and the safe unit 700 are housed in a housing 801 that houses a management unit 800. The banknote transport system 10 is characterized in that the moving body 200 arranged in the airflow duct 100 is moved forward and backward in the longitudinal direction of the airflow duct 100 by the airflow flowing in the airflow duct 100, and the transport body 500 arranged in the transport tube 400 is moved along the longitudinal direction of the airflow duct 100 by the magnetic force acting between the moving body 200. That is, the banknote transport system 10 is characterized in that the transport body 500 is moved in conjunction with the movement of the moving body 200 receiving the airflow by attraction and / or repulsion based on the magnetic force acting between the moving body side magnet 213 and the transport body side magnet 523.

[0015] <Overview of each part> The air duct 100 includes a movement path portion 111 along which the moving body 200 travels along the longitudinal direction of the air duct 100 in at least a portion of the longitudinal direction. The movement path portion 111 is disposed in parallel with and adjacent to the conveying pipe 400. The moving body 200 receives an air current flowing in a predetermined direction inside the air duct 100 and moves inside the air duct 100. The moving body side magnet 213 mounted on the moving body 200 exerts a repulsive action and / or an attractive action on the conveying body 500 by a magnetic force. The moving body 200 moves the moving body 200 in conjunction with its own movement by the magnetic force. The airflow control unit 300 is provided with a blower (airflow generating device) 310 that generates (creates) an airflow in a predetermined direction within the airflow duct 100 and can change the volume and speed of the airflow. The airflow control unit 300 causes the moving body 200 to move back and forth within the airflow duct 100 by alternately generating an airflow in a first direction (banknote collection direction, arrow B direction) within the airflow duct 100 and an airflow in a second direction (transport body return direction, arrow C direction) opposite to the first direction. The conveying tube 400 forms a space in which the banknotes and the conveying body 500 move. The transport body 500 receives banknotes waiting at a predetermined position in the transport path 401, holds them in an upright state, and transports the banknotes toward the safe unit 700 by moving within the transport path 401. The transport body side magnet 523 mounted on the transport body 500 is subjected to an attractive action and / or a repulsive action due to a magnetic force from the movable body side magnet 213 provided on the movable body 200. The transport body 500 moves within the transport pipe 400 in conjunction with the movement of the movable body 200 that receives the airflow.

[0016] Here, when only an attractive force is applied between the moving body 200 and the conveying body 500, both of the magnetic bodies mounted on the moving body 200 and the conveying body 500 may be magnets, or one may be a magnet and the other a magnetic body such as iron. When only a repulsive force is applied between the moving body 200 and the conveying body 500, both of the magnetic bodies mounted on the moving body 200 and the conveying body 500 are composed of magnets. The receiving unit (banknote receiving device) 600 receives banknotes inserted from a banknote insertion port (banknote insertion section) of the inter-machine unit 2 and keeps the banknotes waiting at a predetermined position in the transport path 401. A receiving unit 600 is provided for each inter-machine unit 2. A plurality of receiving units 600 are installed at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the transport tube 400. The safe unit 700 includes a bill storage section that stores bills transported by the transport body 500, a drive mechanism that drives each member involved in storing bills in the bill storage section, and the like.

[0017] The management unit (control means) 800 controls the operation of each part constituting the banknote transport system 10. The management unit 800 is configured including a general computer device equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., which are connected via a bus. The CPU is an arithmetic device that controls the entire banknote transport system 10. The ROM is a non-volatile memory that stores control programs and data executed by the CPU. The RAM is a volatile memory used as a work area for the CPU. The CPU reads out the control programs stored in the ROM, expands them in the RAM, and executes them to realize various functions.

[0018] [Detailed configuration of the banknote transport system] A detailed configuration of each part of the banknote transport system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. <Blow pipe> The blower duct will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a moving body and a blower pipe including the moving body, and a conveying body and a conveying pipe including the moving body, in a case where the moving body and the conveying body repel each other due to a magnetic force. The air duct 100 shown in Figure 3 comprises a first air duct 110 including a movement path portion 111, and a second air duct 120 which forms an endless air flow path 101 between the first air duct 110 and the second air duct 120 via a switching valve 325 (see Figure 5) described later. Since the banknote transport system 10 uses magnetic force to move the transport body 500, the movement path portion 111 of the air blower duct 100 has a configuration that does not affect the travel of the moving body 200 and the travel of the transport body 500 based on magnetic force. It is preferable that the entire movement path portion 111 is made of a non-magnetic material, but a part of it may contain a magnetic material to the extent that it does not affect the travel of the moving body 200 and the transport body 500. The movement path portion 111 has a configuration (thickness of the tubes, distance between the tubes, shape, etc.) that allows a magnetic force to act between the moving body 200 arranged in the movement path portion 111 and the conveying body 500 arranged in the conveying tube 400.

[0019] By configuring the air duct 100 separately and independently from the conveying tube 400, an airtight flow path can be formed in the air duct 100. A decrease in the conveying force of the moving body 200 due to air leakage to the outside of the air duct 100 can be prevented. In addition, a relatively inexpensive and low-power blower 310 can be used as a blower used to generate an air flow, thereby realizing a low cost of the banknote conveying system 10. Even if the air duct 100 becomes longer with an increase in the conveying distance of the banknotes, the air flow in the air duct 100 can be reliably controlled. In addition, since the moving body 200 is driven by the air flow, it is not necessary to arrange mechanical configurations such as gears and conveying belts, wiring, and electrical contacts in the air duct 100, and the durability of the air duct 100 and the moving body 200 arranged therein is improved. In addition, since external air does not flow into the air flow path 101 configured airtightly, dust and the like in the external air is not drawn in, and the air flow path 101 can be kept clean.

[0020] <Mobile object> The movable body 200 may have any shape and structure as long as it can move within the air duct 100 by receiving air pressure. 4, the movable body 200 has a configuration in which a plurality of divided pieces 210, 210... are sequentially connected along the traveling direction of the movable body 200 (the longitudinal direction of the air blower duct 100) by hinge portions 211. Each divided piece 210 shown in this example has the same configuration, and each divided piece 210 has a movable body side magnet 213. The moving body 200 is provided with a plurality of moving body side magnets 213 arranged in a position, posture and shape capable of exerting a magnetic force on the conveying body 500. In this example, the moving body side magnets 213 are arranged closer to the conveying tube 400 of the moving body 200. The plurality of moving body side magnets 213 provided on the moving body 200 are arranged spaced apart from each other in the traveling direction of the moving body 200. In this example, each moving body side magnet 213 is attached to the divided piece 210 so that the N pole (one pole) faces the conveying tube 400 side (upper side in the figure) and the S pole (other pole) faces lower side in the figure. The movable body 200 shown in this example is composed of three divided pieces 210. The divided pieces 210 are connected to each other so as to be capable of angular displacement within a predetermined range in the vertical direction and the depth direction of the paper surface, centered on the hinge portion 211. With this configuration, the movable body 200 can move smoothly inside the blower duct 100 while each divided piece 210 is displaced, even when the blower duct 100 forms an air flow path 101 that is curved in the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0021] <Relationship between the air duct and the moving object> The inner shape of the movement path portion 111 and the outer shape (structure) of the moving body 200 are formed so that the moving body 200 does not rotate relative to the movement path portion 111 around a virtual axis extending along the longitudinal direction of the movement path portion 111. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the movement path portion 111 (shape in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction) and the cross-sectional shape of the divided piece 210 of the moving body 200 are configured to be rectangular. With the above configuration, the posture of the moving body 200 in the movement path portion 111 can be maintained so that the N pole (one pole) of the moving body side magnet 213 always faces the conveying pipe 400 side.

[0022] <Air flow control unit> 5(a) to (c) are schematic diagrams showing the relationship between the air blower duct and the air blowing control unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The airflow control unit 300 according to this embodiment includes a single blower 310 that generates an airflow that flows in a fixed direction, and a switching unit 320 (switching valve 325) that controls the direction of the airflow in the airflow duct 100. The airflow control unit 300 is characterized in that the switching unit 320 switches the direction of the airflow in the airflow duct 100 to a first direction (banknote collection direction, arrow B direction) or the opposite second direction (moving body return direction, arrow C direction). The air blowing control unit (airflow control device) 300 includes a switching unit (airflow switching unit) 320 that controls the discharge direction of the airflow, a first circulation piping 330 that forms an endless airflow path via the switching unit 320, and a blower 310 that is positioned at an appropriate position in the first circulation piping 330 and generates an airflow that flows in a fixed direction within the first circulation piping.

[0023] The switching unit 320 has a casing 321 in which four flow paths 323 (first flow path 323a to fourth flow path 323d: ports) are formed, each of which is connected to an external pipe, and a switching valve 325 arranged at the junction (intersection) of the four flow paths 323 to switch the communication state between the flow paths 323 and / or the opening degree when the flow paths 323 are connected. Each flow path 323 is connected to an exhaust pipe 331, an intake pipe 333, a first blower pipe 110, and a second blower pipe 120, which are external pipes. In this example, the flow paths 323 are arranged in a cross shape (radial shape). The switching valve 325 shown in this example is a rotary type valve such as a ball valve, and the communication state between the flow paths 323 and the opening degree of each flow path 323 are switched by rotating the switching valve 325 by a predetermined angle in the casing 321. The switching valve 325 is an electric valve, and the rotation angle is controlled by being driven by a motor. For example, a stepping motor can be used as the motor. The switching valve 325 is controlled to a desired rotation angle, for example, by the management unit 800 controlling the rotation angle of the stepping motor based on a drive pulse. Of course, other methods may be used for controlling the drive means for rotating the switching valve 325 and the rotation angle of the switching valve 325. For example, the switching unit 320 may be equipped with a rotary encoder that rotates in conjunction with the switching valve 325 and a sensor that detects the rotation angle of the rotary encoder, and the management unit 800 may feedback-control the rotation angle of the switching valve 325.

[0024] The first circulation piping 330 includes an exhaust pipe 331 having one end (one end 330a of the first circulation piping 330) communicated and connected to the first flow path 323a of the switching unit 320 and the other end communicated and connected to the exhaust port of the blower 310, and an intake pipe 333 having one end communicated and connected to the intake port of the blower 310 and the other end (the other end 330b of the first circulation piping 330) communicated and connected to the second flow path 323b of the switching unit 320. One end 100a of the air duct (second circulation pipe) 100 is connected in communication with the third flow path 323c of the switching unit 320, and the other end 100b is connected in communication with the fourth flow path 323d of the switching unit 320, forming an endless air flow path via the switching unit 320. The air duct 100 causes the moving body 200 disposed inside to reciprocate in the directions of the arrows B and C in the figure by the airflow. The air duct 100 according to this example includes a first air duct 110 that forms a movement path portion 111 of the moving body 200, and a second air duct 120 that is connected in communication with the first air duct 110. The first air duct 110 is connected in communication with the third flow path 323c, and the second air duct 120 is connected in communication with the fourth flow path 323d.

[0025] <<Switching unit operation: neutral state>> FIG. 5(a) shows the neutral state. The switching valve 325 is in a neutral position in which it communicates the first flow path 323a with the second flow path 323b but does not communicate the first and second flow paths 323a, 323b with the third and fourth flow paths 323c, 323d. Therefore, the air flows in the first circulation pipe 330 in the direction of the arrow A (A1, A2), and no air flow is generated in the blower duct 100. Therefore, the moving body 200 in the blower duct 100 is in a stopped state.

[0026] <<Operation of the switching unit: First communication state>> 5(b) shows a first state in which an airflow flowing in a first direction (the direction of arrows B1 and B2) is generated in the air blower duct 100. This state is, for example, a banknote collection operation state in which the transport body 500 transports the collected banknotes to the safe unit 700. The switching valve 325 is in a first communicating position in which the first flow path 323a communicates with the fourth flow path 323d and the second flow path 323b communicates with the third flow path 323c. At this time, the first flow path 323a and the fourth flow path 323d do not communicate with the second flow path 323b and the third flow path 323c. Air circulates endlessly between the first circulation pipe 330 and the blower duct 100. That is, air discharged from the exhaust duct 331 and flowing into the first flow path 323a (in the direction of the arrow A1) flows from the fourth flow path 323d into the second blower duct 120 (in the direction of the arrow B1) by the switching valve 325. Air that flows through the first blower duct 110 in the direction of the arrow B2 and flows into the third flow path 323c flows from the second flow path 323b into the intake duct 333 (in the direction of the arrow A2) by the switching valve 325, returns to the blower 310, and is discharged from the exhaust duct 331 again.

[0027] <<Operation of the switching unit: Second communication state>> 5(c) shows a second state in which an airflow flowing in a second direction (the direction of arrows C1 and C2) is generated in the air blower duct 100. This state is, for example, a return operation state for returning the conveying body 500 from the safe unit 700 side (the management unit 800 side) to the distal end side of the conveying duct 400. The switching valve 325 is in a second communicating position in which the first flow path 323a communicates with the third flow path 323c and the second flow path 323b communicates with the fourth flow path 323d. At this time, the first flow path 323a and the third flow path 323c do not communicate with the second flow path 323b and the fourth flow path 323d. Air circulates endlessly between the first circulation pipe 330 and the blower duct 100. That is, air discharged from the exhaust pipe 331 and flowing into the first flow path 323a (in the direction of the arrow A1) flows from the third flow path 323c into the first blower duct 110 (in the direction of the arrow C1) by the switching valve 325. Air that flows through the second blower duct in the direction of the arrow C2 and flows into the fourth flow path 323d flows from the second flow path 323b into the intake pipe 333 (in the direction of the arrow A2) by the switching valve 325, returns to the blower 310, and is discharged from the exhaust pipe 331 again.

[0028] <<Switching unit operation: summary>> In this way, by connecting two endless pipes (first circulation pipe 330 and air blower duct 100) via switching unit 320, it is possible to generate airflow in a fixed direction (direction of arrow A) using a single blower 310, while switching the attitude of switching valve 325 to switch between three states: a neutral state in which no airflow is generated in air blower duct 100, a first communication state in which airflow is generated in air blower duct 100 flowing in a first direction (direction of arrow B), and a second communication state in which airflow is generated in air blower duct 100 flowing in a second direction (direction of arrow C). In addition, in an intermediate position among the above three positions taken by the switching valve 325, the communication state changes from the above three positions. That is, in this embodiment, the communication relationship of each flow path and the opening degree of each flow path can be adjusted according to the angle of the switching valve 325 in the casing 321, so that an airflow of an air volume according to the opening degree of each flow path can be generated in the blower duct 100. That is, the speed of the moving body 200 can be changed according to the wind speed in the blower duct 100. Here, the moving speed of the moving body 200 can also be adjusted by controlling the air volume of the blower 310. For example, the air volume of the blower 310 can be adjusted by varying the rotation speed of the blades of the blower 310 by PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control. However, since the rotation response of the switching valve 325 is higher than the variable response of the rotation speed of the blower 310, it is more advantageous to adjust the rotation angle of the switching valve 325 in order to quickly adjust the speed of the moving body 200.

[0029] <Transport pipe> The transfer pipe (transfer path) 400 will be described with reference to FIGS. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the relationship between the conveying pipe and the conveying body, in which the inside of the conveying pipe 400 is partially exposed. In the banknote transport system 10, the transport body 500 is transported using magnetic force, so the transport tube 400 is made of a material that does not affect the travel of the transport body 500 based on magnetic force. It is preferable that the entire transport tube 400 is made of a non-magnetic material, but a part of the transport tube 400 may contain a magnetic material to the extent that it does not affect the travel of the transport body 500. The conveying tube 400 has a configuration (tube thickness, separation between the tubes, shape, etc.) that allows a magnetic force to act between the moving body 200 arranged in the movement path portion 111 and the conveying body 500 arranged in the conveying tube 400.

[0030] In this example, the conveying pipe 400 is disposed above the air blower pipe 100, but the positional relationship between the air blower pipe 100 and the conveying pipe 400 is not limited to this. The conveying pipe 400 may be disposed below the air blower pipe 100, or the conveying pipe 400 may be disposed to the side of the air blower pipe 100. In this embodiment, the conveying pipe 400 is exemplified as a means for forming the conveying path 401, but the means for forming the conveying path 401 does not need to be tubular, and the present invention can be implemented even if a part or all of the conveying path 401 is open to the outside. In other words, the conveying pipe 400 may have any shape as long as it can form a long space as the conveying path 401 inside.

[0031] <Transport body> As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the conveying body 500 is arranged in the conveying path 401 at a position near the air duct 100 and comprises a conveying base 510 that receives magnetic force from the moving body 200, and a banknote recovery and holding section 540 provided on the opposite side of the conveying base 510 from the air duct 100.

[0032] <<Transport base>> The conveying base 510 has a configuration in which a plurality of divided pieces 520, 520 ... are sequentially connected along the running direction of the conveying body 500 (the longitudinal direction of the conveying tube 400) by hinge parts 521. Each divided piece 520 shown in this example is equipped with a conveying body side magnet 523. The conveying base 510 is provided with a plurality of conveying body side magnets 523 arranged in a position, posture and shape that can receive the effect of magnetic force from the moving body 200. In this example, the conveying body side magnets 523 are arranged closer to the blower duct 100 of the conveying base 510. The plurality of conveying body side magnets 523 provided on the conveying base 510 are arranged spaced apart from each other in the running direction of the conveying body 500. In this example, each conveying body side magnet 523 is attached to the divided piece 520 so that the N pole (one pole) faces the blower duct 100 side (lower side in the figure) and the S pole (other pole) faces upper side in the figure. The conveying base 510 is magnetically levitated in the conveying tube 400 by receiving a magnetic repulsive force from the moving body 200. The conveying base 510 shown in this example is composed of four divided pieces 520. The divided pieces 520 are connected to each other so that they can be angularly displaced within a predetermined range in the vertical direction and the depth direction of the paper surface, centered on the hinge portion 521. With this configuration, the conveying body 500 can move smoothly inside the conveying tube 400 even when the conveying tube 400 forms a conveying path 401 that is curved in the vertical, horizontal, and lateral directions.

[0033] <<Banknote collection and holding section>> The banknote recovery and holding unit 540 is disposed on the transport base 510. The banknote recovery and holding unit 540 includes a support member 541 standing in a direction away from the air blower duct 100 at an end portion on the island end side in the longitudinal direction of the transport tube 400 (the end side distal to the safe unit 700), and a recovery member (recovery claw) 544 protruding in the width direction from the support member 541. The support member 541 protrudes upward from a middle portion of the transport base 510 in the width direction. The banknote recovery holding unit 540 holds the banknote (paper leaf) P in an upright position so that the longitudinal direction of the banknote P is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the transport tube 400. One long side of the banknote P (the long side located on the lower side in FIG. 6) is supported by the transport base 510. The rear edge (one short side) of the banknote is supported by the support member 541 or the recovery claw 544.

[0034] <Relationship between the conveying pipe and the conveying body> The conveying tube 400 includes therein a base conveying path 402 disposed closer to the blower tube 100, and a banknote conveying path 403 disposed on the opposite side to the blower tube 100. The base conveying path 402 is a horizontally long space through which the conveying base 510 of the conveying body 500 runs, and the banknote conveying path 403 is a vertically long space through which the banknote collecting and holding unit 540 of the conveying body 500 and the banknotes held in the banknote collecting and holding unit 540 run. The conveying body 500 shown in this example runs while receiving a magnetic repulsive force from the moving body 200, so the base conveying path 402 and the conveying base 510 are configured to prohibit the conveying base 510 from leaving the base conveying path 402 (moving toward the banknote conveying path 403) and to maintain the position of the conveying base 510 in a position where it can be subjected to the magnetic action of the moving body 200. The inner surface shape of the base transport path 402 and the outer surface shape of the transport base 510 are formed so that the transport base 510 does not rotate relative to the base transport path 402 around a virtual axis extending along the longitudinal direction of the base transport path 402. For example, the cross-sectional shapes of the base transport path 402 and the transport base 510 are configured to be rectangular. With the above configuration, the posture of the moving body 200 in the base transport path 402 is maintained so that the N pole (one pole) of the transport body side magnet 523 always faces the blower duct 100 side.

[0035] <Relationship between moving body and carrier> The relationship between the magnetic body on the moving body side and the magnetic body on the conveying body side will be described. <<Repulsion only>> As shown in FIG. 4, one or more magnets may be arranged on both the moving body 200 and the conveying body 500 in a mutually repulsive direction, so that only a repulsive force acts between the moving body 200 and the conveying body 500. When only a repulsive force acts between the moving body 200 and the conveying body 500, it is preferable to arrange a plurality of magnets at a predetermined interval in the running direction on at least one of the moving body 200 and the conveying body 500. By arranging a plurality of magnets in the running direction on at least one of the moving body 200 and the conveying body 500, when the conveying body 500 receives a repulsive force from the moving body 200 and runs, the moving body side magnet 213 and the conveying body side magnet 523 are arranged alternately. That is, when the conveying body 500 runs, the conveying body 500 is positioned relative to the moving body 200. In this case, it is particularly preferable to arrange the number of magnets provided on the moving body 200 and the conveying body 500 to be different by one. In other words, where n is a natural number, it is preferable to arrange n magnets on one of the moving body 200 and the conveying body 500, and arrange n+1 magnets on the other. When the conveying pipe 400 is disposed above the blower pipe 100 and a repulsive force is applied between the conveying body 500 and the moving body 200, the conveying body 500 floats in the conveying pipe 400, so that the conveying body 500 is less likely to come into contact with the conveying pipe 400. This prevents a decrease in the conveying force of the conveying body 500 due to friction with the conveying pipe 400, and enables the conveying body 500 to move smoothly. In addition, since contact between the conveying body 500 and the conveying pipe 400 is suppressed, the generation of fine dust (powder) due to contact between the respective members can be prevented. When a repulsive force is applied between the moving body 200 and the conveying body 500, the conveying force can be improved by increasing the number of magnets provided on the moving body 200 and the conveying body 500.

[0036] <<Adsorption only>> FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the blower pipe and the conveying pipe including the moving body and the conveying body when the moving body and the conveying body are attracted to each other by magnetic force. In the illustrated example, the movable body side magnet 213 and the conveying body side magnet 523 are attached to the movable body 200 and the conveying body 500 in a mutually attracting posture. The longitudinal positions of the movable body side magnet 213 and the conveying body side magnet 523 are aligned via the walls of the air blower tube 100 and the conveying tube 400, making it easy to position the conveying body 500 relative to the movable body 200. When only an attractive force based on a magnetic force is applied between the moving body 200 and the conveying body 500, at least one of the moving body 200 and the magnetic body mounted on the conveying body 500 may be a magnet. For example, a magnet may be placed on one of the conveying body 500 and the moving body 200, and a magnetic body other than a magnet that is attracted to the magnet (e.g., an iron plate) may be placed on the other. When only an adhesive force based on magnetic force is to be applied between the moving body 200 and the conveying body 500, it is sufficient to place at least one pair of magnetic bodies (e.g., a pair of magnets, or a pair of magnets and an iron plate) on the conveying body 500 and the moving body 200.

[0037] <<Repulsion and Adsorption>> Both a repulsive force and an attractive force may be applied between the moving body 200 and the conveying body 500. In other words, the moving body 200 and the conveying body 500 may have a combination of magnet pairs that apply a repulsive force to each other and magnet pairs that apply an attractive force to each other. An example of applying both a repulsive force and an attractive force will be described later with reference to FIG. 8.

[0038] <<Magnetic orientation>> In the above embodiment, the poles of the magnets are arranged facing in the vertical direction (the stacking direction of the air supply pipe 100 and the conveying pipe 400), but the poles of the magnets may also be arranged facing the running direction (for example, the north pole facing the safe unit side and the south pole facing the island end side / distal end side). Also, the poles of the magnets may be arranged at an angle to the running direction. The effect of the magnetic force can be adjusted appropriately depending on the orientation of the magnets.

[0039] <<Magnetic orientation: vertical arrangement>> FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the air duct and transport duct including the moving body and the transport body when each pole of the moving body side magnet is arranged facing the traveling direction. In the illustrated example, the movable body side magnet 213 is attached to the divided piece 210 so that the N pole (one pole) faces the safe unit side (left side in the figure) and the S pole (the other pole) faces the distal end side (right side in the figure). The conveyor side magnet 523 is attached to the divided piece 520 so that the N pole faces the air duct 100 side and the S pole faces upward in the figure. The surface (north pole) of the movable body side magnet 213 on the safe unit side repels the transport body side magnet 523 (north pole), and the surface (south pole) of the movable body side magnet 213 on the distal end side is attracted to the transport body side magnet 523 (north pole), so that both a repulsive force and an attractive force can be applied between the movable body 200 and the transport body 500.

[0040] [Modification 1 related to air flow control] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a first modified example of the airflow control unit. The airflow control unit 300B may include a blower 310a having an exhaust port connected to one end 100a of the airflow duct 100, a blower 310b having an exhaust port connected to the other end 100b of the airflow duct 100, and a connection pipe 340 connecting the intake ports of both the blowers 310a and 310b. The airflow duct 100 (first airflow duct 110 and second airflow duct 120) is configured in an endless manner via the two blowers 310a and 310b and the connection pipe 340. The on / off and airflow of the blowers 310a and 310b are controlled by a management unit 800.

[0041] When generating an airflow in a first direction (arrow B direction) in blower duct 100 (first state, bill collection operation state), one blower 310b is turned on to generate an airflow, and the other blower 310a is turned off. The air flowing through blower duct 100 flows into the exhaust port of blower 310a and is discharged from the intake port of blower 310a. The air further passes through connecting pipe 340 and returns to the intake port of blower 310b, and is discharged from the exhaust port of blower 310b. When generating an airflow flowing in the second direction (the direction of arrow C) within the air duct 100 (second state, conveyor return state), one blower 310b is turned off and the other blower 310a is turned on to generate the airflow.

[0042] In this way, even if two blowers are used, it is possible to generate an air flow in a first direction and an air flow in a second direction within the air duct 100. In this example, the air intakes of the two blowers 310a, 310b are connected to each other by the connection pipe 340, so that air can be efficiently circulated within the air flow path 101 that is configured airtight.

[0043] [Modification 2 regarding airflow control] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second modified example of the airflow control unit. The airflow control unit 300C may be configured to include blowers 310a and 310b at one end 100a and the other end 100b of the airflow duct 100. The on / off and airflow volume of the blowers 310a and 310b are controlled by the management unit 800. When generating an airflow flowing in a first direction (arrow B direction) in blower duct 100 (first state, bill collection operation state), one blower 310b is turned on to generate an airflow, and the other blower 310a is turned off. Blower 310b takes in external air from an intake port and sends it out, thereby generating an airflow in the direction of arrow B in blower duct 100. This airflow is also taken into blower 310a from the exhaust port of blower 310a and discharged from the intake port. When generating an airflow flowing in the second direction (the direction of arrow C) within the air duct 100 (second state, conveyor return state), one blower 310b is turned off and the other blower 310a is turned on to generate the airflow. In this example, since piping for making air flow path 101 a circulation path is not required, the configuration is simplified.

[0044] B. Second paper sheet transport system according to the present invention <<Transport vehicle (banknote collection shuttle)>> 11(a), (b), (c) and (d) are an external perspective view, a front view, a plan view and an AA cross-sectional view of the carrier 500 with the collection member (collection claw) in an open state, and Fig. 12(a) and (b) are an external perspective view and a plan view of the carrier 500 with the collection member (collection claw) in a closed state. Fig. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the carrier tube 400 and the carrier 500.

[0045] The carrier 500 shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 differs slightly from the carrier shown in FIG. 6 in the configuration of the carrier base 510 and the collection member 544. That is, the conveying base 510 has a configuration in which a plurality of divided pieces 520 are connected via hinge parts 521 so as to be displaceable in the up, down, left and right directions (or in the diagonal direction), and a conveying body side magnet (conveying body side magnetic body) 523 is arranged in the internal space 520a of each divided piece shown in Fig. 11(d). Rotatable rollers 525 are arranged on both sides of each divided piece 520 to smooth the movement inside the conveying tube 400. Rollers 545 for reducing resistance between the inner wall of the conveying tube and the divided pieces are rotatably arranged on the upper part of the support member 541. The banknote recovery and holding unit (transfer means) 540 holds the banknote P in an upright position so that the longitudinal direction of the banknote P is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the transport tube 400. The lower long side of the banknote P which is long horizontally and in an upright position is supported by the upper surface (flat surface) of the transport base 510 (each divided piece 520). The rear edge (one short side) of the banknote is supported by the support member 541 and the recovery member 544.

[0046] Each divided piece 520 has ridges 520b at both widthwise edges to prevent bills from falling out, but the areas 520c located inside the ridges 520b are flat, allowing the lower long side of the bill to be stably supported. In addition, the inner areas 520c of each divided piece 520 are connected in the longitudinal direction, so that bills can be placed across the inner areas 520c of multiple divided pieces. The banknote recovery and holding unit 540 erected on the transport base 510 includes a support member 541 erected in a direction away from the air supply pipe 100 at the end of the island end side (the end distal to the safe unit 700) in the longitudinal direction of the transport pipe 400, and a recovery member 544 consisting of two recovery claws 544 protruding (spreading) in a wing-like (acute or obtuse angle) shape in a plan view from the support member 541 in the width direction and pivotally supported by a pivot support portion 541a on the support member 541 side so as to be freely opened and closed in the lateral direction. The illustrated pivot support portion 541a is parallel to the support member 541, i.e., vertical, so that the recovery claws 544 pivot about the pivot support portion open and close in the horizontal direction. The pivot direction of the recovery claws may be in a direction other than the above.

[0047] Unlike the configuration example of FIG. 6 in which there are two pairs of upper and lower retrieval members, a pair of retrieval members 544 is disposed at a predetermined height position of the support member 541. The two retrieval claws 544 constituting the retrieval member 544 are in the widened state shown in FIG. 11 at the maximum opening angle and cannot be rotated further in the opening direction, but can be rotated from the widened state in the closing direction. FIG. 12 shows the state in which the two retrieval claws 544 are in the minimum opening angle (closed state). In addition, each retrieval claw 544 is constantly elastically biased in the opening direction by a spring (elastic member) 541b provided on its pivot support part 541a. When the conveying body 500 moves on the conveying path 401 in the forward direction P toward the safe unit 700, each recovery claw 544 maintains an expanded posture by the spring 541b, so that the recovery claw can hook the rear end edge of a bill stopped in an upright state in a predetermined waiting section 450 (FIG. 13) where the bill is waiting, and move the bill in the forward direction P inside the waiting section while transferring it onto the conveying base 510. In order to enable the recovery claws 544 to maintain an expanded posture while the conveying base 510 moves in the forward direction P inside the conveying path 401 toward the safe unit 700, recesses 405 (FIG. 13) are formed as passages for the recovery claws on both inner walls of the conveying tube 400 at locations through which the recovery claws pass. Each recess 405 is laid out so that each recovery claw can contact the rear end edge of the bill in each waiting section 450. It is preferable to configure each recovery claw 544 to open and close independently. In that case, each recovery claw may be configured to rotate individually by one coil spring (or torsion spring), or a spring 541b may be provided for each recovery claw.

[0048] Each of the collection claws 544 in the expanded state shown in Fig. 11 includes an inner base end piece 544a pivotally supported by the pivot support 541a, an intermediate piece 544b extending from the base end piece 544a toward the outside of the width direction of the conveyor, and an end piece 544c bent or curved and protruding from the intermediate piece 544b in an oblique forward direction. When the collection claw 544 passes through the waiting section 450, mainly the intermediate piece 544b and the end piece 544c enter the waiting section 450 and push the entire banknote forward while contacting the rear end edge of the waiting banknote. Since the end piece 544c protrudes obliquely from the end of the intermediate piece 544b, even if the rear end edge of the banknote in contact with the intermediate piece 544b tries to shift outward in the width direction along the surface of the intermediate piece, the end piece 544c can reliably prevent this. After the waiting banknotes are transferred onto the transport base 510, the end pieces 544c prevent the loaded banknotes from shifting in position in the width direction or from falling. By configuring the intermediate piece 544b to be parallel to the width direction of the conveying path 401 or inclined toward the forward direction P when each collection claw 544 is in the spread position as shown in Figure 11, it is possible for the intermediate piece to securely engage and press the trailing edge of a banknote in the forward direction when it comes into contact with the trailing edge of the banknote in the waiting section.

[0049] In this way, the recovery member 544 has a pair of recovery claws that are pivotally supported by a support member so as to be freely opened and closed in an approximately horizontal direction, and each recovery claw opens and closes between an expanded position in which it protrudes outward in the width direction and a retracted position in which it is retracted inward in the width direction, and is biased toward the expanded position by an elastic member. Since each recovery claw 544 has the above-described configuration, when recovering banknotes in each waiting section which are located at different alternating longitudinal positions on either side of the conveying path 401, the banknotes can be reliably recovered by each recovery claw by simply moving the conveying body in a straight line, and the banknotes can be gathered in the widthwise center of the conveying body. When the transport body 500 moves in the transport path in the retreat direction R, the collection claws interfere with the banknotes in the waiting section, but as they continue to move in contact with the banknotes, the collection claws change their position in the closing direction against the bias of the elastic member. This allows the transport body 500 to continue moving smoothly in the return direction without causing any damage to the waiting banknotes. Since the method adopted is such that when bills are already stacked upright on the conveying base 510, the collected succeeding bills are stacked one face at a time against one face (one side) of the already stacked bills, the leading edge of the succeeding bill will not hit the trailing edge of the already stacked bill, making it impossible to load the bills.

[0050] C. Piping arrangement structure in the paper sheet (banknote) transport system according to the third aspect of the present invention <Basic structure of the banknote transport system> Next, the layout structure of the transport tube 400 (transport path 401) in the banknote transport system 10 (banknote transport device C) according to the third invention, and the structure of each part that realizes this will be described. Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing an example of the arrangement of the air blower pipe and the transport pipe in the banknote transport device C. In Fig. 14, both arrows x and x' indicate the movement direction of the transport body (banknote transport direction), with arrow x indicating the outgoing path toward the safe unit and arrow x' indicating the return path away from the safe unit. In the following description, the drawings and explanations relating to the banknote transport systems according to the first and second aspects of the present invention will be referred to together, and the same parts will be denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0051] The third banknote conveying system 10 (banknote conveying device C) according to the present invention comprises a blower (airflow generating device) 310 shown in Figures 3, 5, etc., an airflow duct 100 (airflow control unit 300) which forms an internal flow path for the airflow generated by the blower, a moving body 200 (Figures 4, 20) which receives the airflow flowing through the airflow duct and travels within the airflow duct, a conveying body path pipe) 400, at least a portion of which is arranged adjacent to the airflow duct along the airflow duct, and a conveying body 500 (Figures 4, 19) which is configured to be able to hold banknotes (objects to be conveyed) in a predetermined posture and which travels within the conveying pipe.

[0052] 4, the movable body 200 includes a movable body side magnet 213, and the conveying body 500 includes a conveying body side magnet 523. When the movable body side magnet (moving body side magnetic body) 213 and the conveying body side magnet (conveying body side magnetic body) 523 are in a close positional relationship, a repulsive force based on a magnetic force acting between the movable body side magnet and the conveying body side magnet causes the conveying body 500 to move in conjunction with (synchronized with or following) the movement of the movable body 200.

[0053] <<Conveyor pipe configuration>> A conveying pipe 400 forming a conveying path (conveyor path) 401 therein is configured by directly connecting a plurality of conveying pipe units 415 (415A to 415D) in series with their longitudinal ends. The conveying pipe unit (linear conveying pipe unit) 415A forms a conveying path 401 (401A) having a linear (straight) shape that extends linearly along a predetermined conveying plane. Here, the conveying plane is a flat imaginary plane that extends parallel to the flat bottom surface 411 (411A) shown in Figures 18 and 19. The inclination angle of the conveying plane with respect to a horizontal plane perpendicular to the direction of gravity takes a value according to the inclination angle of the pipe unit. The conveying pipe unit (first curved conveying pipe unit) 415B forms a first curved conveying path 401 (401B) that bulges out convexly toward the blower pipe 100 side (lower side). The conveying pipe unit 415B is disposed on the inside side (inner diameter side position with respect to the air flow path 101B) of the blower pipe unit 150B. The conveying pipe unit 415B is used, for example, when connecting a horizontal conveying path and a conveying path that is inclined upward with respect to the horizontal plane. The conveying pipe unit (second curved conveying pipe unit) 415C forms a second curved conveying path 401 (401C) that bulges outwardly on the opposite side (upper side) from the blower pipe 100. The conveying pipe unit 415C is disposed on the outer side (outer diameter side position with respect to the air flow path 101C) of the blower pipe unit 150C. The conveying pipe unit 415C is used, for example, when connecting a horizontal conveying path and a conveying path that is inclined downward with respect to the horizontal plane. The conveying pipe unit 415D (rotating conveying pipe unit) forms a curved conveying path 401 (401D) that extends in a curved shape along a predetermined conveying plane. The conveying pipe unit 415D forms the conveying path 401D that is curved laterally (horizontally) in a plan view (top view). Both wall surfaces of the conveying pipe unit 415D are curved (bulged) laterally in the same direction. One conveying pipe unit 415D rotates the conveying body 500 by a predetermined angle (e.g., 90 degrees) within the conveying plane.

[0054] In the paper money transport system 10, the end of one transport pipe unit appropriately selected from the transport pipe units 415A-415D is connected in series with the start of another transport pipe unit having the same or different shape to form transport paths of various shapes (layouts). The illustrated example shows an example of a transport pipe 400 that forms a transport path that ascends (or descends) in a spiral shape.

[0055] <<Air duct configuration>> The airflow duct 100, which defines an airflow path 101 therein, is configured by directly connecting a plurality of airflow duct units 150 (150A to 150D) in series with their longitudinal ends connected together. The airflow pipe unit (straight airflow pipe unit) 150A forms an airflow path 101 (101A) having a straight shape that extends linearly along a predetermined transport plane. The air blowing pipe unit (first curved air blowing pipe unit) 150B forms a first curved air flow path 101 (101B) that bulges outwardly on the opposite side (lower side) from the transport pipe 400. The air blowing pipe unit 150B curves along the curved shape of the transport pipe unit 415B and is disposed on the outer side (outer diameter side position with respect to the transport path 401B) of the transport pipe unit 415B. The air blowing pipe unit 150B is used, for example, when connecting a horizontal air flow path and an air flow path that is inclined upward with respect to the horizontal plane. The air blowing pipe unit (second curved air blowing pipe unit) 150C forms a second curved air flow path 101 (101C) that bulges out convexly toward the transport pipe 400 side (upper side). The air blowing pipe unit 150C curves along the curved shape of the transport pipe unit 415C and is disposed on the inner side (inner diameter side position with respect to the transport path 401C) of the transport pipe unit 415C. The air blowing pipe unit 150C is used, for example, when connecting a horizontal air flow path and an air flow path that is inclined downward with respect to the horizontal plane. The air blowing pipe unit 150D (swirl air blowing pipe unit) forms a curved air flow path 101 (101D) that curves and extends along a predetermined transport plane. The air blowing pipe unit 150D forms an air flow path 101D that is curved laterally (horizontally) in a plan view (top view). Both wall surfaces of the air blowing pipe 100 are curved laterally in the same direction. One air blowing pipe unit 150D causes the moving body 200 to travel in a circle by a predetermined angle (for example, 90 degrees) within the transport plane.

[0056] In the banknote conveying system 10, the end of one air blowing pipe unit appropriately selected from the air blowing pipe units 150A to 150D is connected in series with the start of another air blowing pipe unit having the same or different shape to form airflow paths of various shapes (layouts). The illustrated example shows an example of an air blowing pipe 100 that forms an airflow path that ascends (or descends) in a spiral shape.

[0057] 3, the air blower duct 100 (first air blower duct 110) forming the movement path portion 111 is disposed below the conveying pipe 400 (conveying path 401) in parallel to and close to the conveying pipe 400. Therefore, the length of each air blower pipe unit 150 is set to be equal to the length of the conveying pipe unit 415. The shapes of the sides (bottoms or tops) of the conveying pipe units 415A-415D and the corresponding air blowing pipe units 150A-150D facing each other are set so that the distance between them is constant. Hereinafter, each pair of the conveying pipe units 415A-415D and the air blowing pipe units 150A-150D is referred to as a pipe unit pair.

[0058] <Basic configuration of each tube unit> The basic configuration of the conveying pipe unit and the blowing pipe unit will be described using the linear pipe units 415A and 150A as examples. Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a pair of straight-line tube units. Figs. 16(a) and 16(b) are exploded perspective views of the ends of the pair of tube units shown in Fig. 15. Fig. 16(a) shows the starting end side of each tube unit, and Fig. 16(b) shows the terminal end side of each tube unit. In the figures, arrow x indicates the outgoing path toward the safe unit, and arrow x' indicates the return path away from the safe unit.

[0059] <<Basic configuration of the conveying pipe unit>> As shown in FIG. 15, the conveying pipe unit 415 (415A) has an intermediate pipe 420 (420A) in the middle in the conveying direction, and end units 440A, 440B for connecting to other conveying pipe units 415 at both ends in the conveying direction.

[0060] As shown in Figure 16(a), the female end unit 440A comprises a resin end tube 441A having an internal space ES2 communicating with the internal space ES1 of the intermediate tube 420, and connecting fittings 443A arranged on both sides of the end tube 441A and connecting to an end unit 440B of another conveying tube unit 415. As shown in Figure 16 (b), the male end unit 440B comprises a resin end tube 441B having an internal space ES3 communicating with the internal space ES1 of the intermediate tube 420, and connecting fittings 443B arranged on both sides of the end tube 441B and connecting to an end unit 440A of another conveying tube unit 415.

[0061] The internal space ES (FIG. 15) of the conveying pipe unit 415A is composed of an internal space ES1 of the intermediate pipe 420 and internal spaces ES2, ES3 of the end pipes 441A, 441B. The internal space ES1 of the intermediate pipe 420 comprises a base transport path 402, a banknote transport path 403, and a recess 405. The internal space ES2 of the end pipe 441A comprises a base transport path 402', a banknote transport path 403', and a recess 405'. The internal space ES3 of the end pipe 441B comprises a base transport path 402'', a banknote transport path 403'', and a recess 405''. The internal spaces ES1 to ES3 are sized to allow the transport base 510, the support members 541 (banknotes), the collection claws 544, and the banknotes to pass through smoothly (see FIG. 13).

[0062] Fitting projections 444B are provided on the upper and lower ends of connecting fitting 443B (the four corners of the outer periphery of end unit 440B) so as to protrude in the x direction. Receiving holes 444A for receiving fitting projections 444B are formed through upper and lower ends of connecting fitting 443A (the four corners of the outer periphery of end unit 440A) so as to penetrate in the x direction. In addition, a thin plate-shaped positioning piece 442B protrudes in the x direction from both sides of the banknote transport path 403" of the end tube 441B. The positioning piece 442B is wedge-shaped with a thickness that gradually decreases towards the tip. Recesses 442A are provided on both sides (both inner wall surfaces) of the banknote transport path 403' of the end tube 441A to receive and fit into the positioning piece 442B. When connecting two conveying pipe units 415, 415, the fitting projection 444B of the connecting fitting 443B of one conveying pipe unit is fitted into the receiving hole 444A of the connecting fitting 443A of the other conveying pipe unit, and the positioning piece 442B of the end pipe 441B is fitted into the recess 442A of the end pipe 441A. This allows the two conveying pipe units to be easily positioned so that the internal spaces ES2, ES3 are aligned, and the two can be fixed together by screws or the like.

[0063] The end units 440A, 440B of each of the conveying pipe units 415A to 415D have the same shape. Therefore, by using the end units 440A, 440B, conveying pipe units 415, 415 having conveying paths of the same shape or different shapes can be directly and serially connected. The structure of each of the end units 440A, 440B that connect the conveying pipe units 415 to each other is merely an example, and any other connecting structure may be used.

[0064] <<Basic configuration of the air blower unit>> As shown in FIG. 15, the air blowing pipe unit 150 (150A) has an intermediate pipe 155 (155A) in the middle in the air blowing direction, and connecting fittings 160A, 160B for connecting to other air blowing pipe units 150 at both ends in the transport direction.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 16(b), the male connecting fitting 160B has an integral structure including a fitting tube 161B disposed at one end in the longitudinal direction and fitted to the outer circumferential surface of the end of the intermediate pipe 155 in the longitudinal direction, a flange 162B fixed to the other end of the fitting tube 161B, and a connecting tube 163B protruding outward from the other end surface of the flange 162B. The connecting fitting 160B has an internal space communicating with the internal space of the intermediate pipe 155. A seal ring 164 is disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the connecting tube 163B. In this embodiment, a tubular airtight member 165 is disposed so as to cover the entire connecting portion where the end of the intermediate pipe 155 and the fitting tube 161B of the connecting fitting 160B are connected. As shown in FIG. 16(a), the female connecting fitting 160A has an integral structure in which a fitting tube 161A, which is disposed at one end in the longitudinal direction and fits into the outer circumferential surface of the end of the intermediate pipe 155 in the longitudinal direction, and a flange 162A fixed to the other end of the fitting tube 161A are integrated. The connecting fitting 160B has an internal space that communicates with the internal space of the intermediate pipe 155. The inner circumferential surface of the flange 162A is set to a shape that receives and fits the connecting tube 163B. In this embodiment, a tubular airtight member 165 is disposed so as to cover the entire connection portion where the end of the intermediate pipe 155 and the fitting tube 161A of the connecting fitting 160A are connected.

[0066] When connecting two air blowing pipe units 150, 150, the connecting tube 163B of the connecting fitting 160B of one air blowing pipe unit is fitted into the flange 162A of the connecting fitting 160A of the other air blowing pipe unit, and both flanges 162A, 162B are fixed with screws. This allows the two air blowing pipe units to be connected in a state where the internal spaces of the two air blowing pipe units 150, 150 are aligned and positioned to communicate with each other. In addition, the seal ring 164 is in close contact with the opposing end faces of both flanges 162A, 162B to ensure airtightness.

[0067] The connecting fittings 160A, 160B of the respective airflow pipe units 150A to 150 are the same in shape. Therefore, the connecting fittings 160A, 160B can be used to directly connect airflow pipe units 150, 150 having airflow paths of the same or different shapes in series. The structure of each of the connecting fittings 160A, 160B that connect the air blower pipe units 150 together is merely an example, and any connecting structure may be used.

[0068] <Bent pipe unit> FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a pair of tube units 415B, 150B bulging downward. FIG. 18 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the internal state of the transport path and air flow path including the pair of tube units shown in FIG. 17. FIG. 19 is a schematic view explaining the positional relationship of each member in the transport path and air flow path shown in FIG. 18. FIG. 20 is an external perspective view of the moving body 200 shown in FIG. 18. Note that FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 show a state in which linear transport tube units 415A, 415A are respectively connected to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the transport tube unit 415B bulging downward, and linear air blowing tube units 150A, 150A are respectively connected to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the air blowing tube unit 150B bulging downward. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along a cut surface along the surface of the bill to be transported.

[0069] As shown in Figs. 18 and 19, the conveying tube 400 has a bottom surface 411 (411A, 411B) on which the rollers 525 (Fig. 11) of the conveying body 500 run in contact with the bottom surface 411 (411A, 411B), and a top surface 413 (413A, 413B) opposed to the bottom surface 411. The bottom surface 411 is the surface located on the blower tube 100 side. This embodiment is characterized in that the distance H (the vertical distance) between the bottom surface 411B and the top surface 413B of the conveying tube unit 415B curved in the vertical direction is configured to increase from each end toward the middle in the conveying direction (x direction).

[0070] The bottom surface 411B of the conveying pipe unit 415B is curved at a predetermined curvature so as to maintain a constant distance from the blower pipe unit 150B. As shown in Figs. 11 to 13, the conveying base 510 of the conveying body 500 has a configuration in which a plurality of divided pieces (divided bodies) 520 are connected in series in the running direction. Adjacent divided pieces 520 are connected to each other via hinge parts 521 so as to be able to freely change angles in the up, down, left, right, or diagonal directions within a predetermined range. Therefore, each divided piece 520 of the conveying base 510 changes its positional relationship with respect to each other in accordance with the shape of the bottom surface 411 while traveling inside each conveying pipe unit 415. The spatial shape of the air duct 100 in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is generally constant throughout the entire area in the longitudinal direction.

[0071] Here, the moving body 200 shown in Fig. 18 has a different shape from the moving bodies shown in Fig. 4, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, etc. The moving body 200 shown in Fig. 18 will be described below with reference to Fig. 20. The moving body 200 includes two divided pieces (divided bodies) 210 and a shaft 215 connecting the divided pieces 210. The divided pieces are freely displaced in the up, down, left, right and diagonal directions (or diagonally) within a predetermined range by hinges (not shown) provided at both ends of the shaft 215. The divided pieces 210 change their relative positions while following the curved shape of the air duct 100 (air duct body units 150B-150D) as they travel inside the air duct. In addition, a movable body side magnet 213 is disposed on the upper surface of each divided piece 210. Rollers 216a that rotate in contact with the left and right side surfaces of air blower duct 100 and rollers 216b that rotate in contact with the top and bottom surfaces of air blower duct 100 are disposed on the four corners of each divided piece, so that the divided pieces can move smoothly inside air blower duct 100.

[0072] As described above, a certain distance is maintained between the bottom surface 411 of the conveying path 401 and the blower tube 100. The conveying base 510 of the conveying body 500 is deformed according to the shape of the bottom surface 411 while traveling inside the conveying tube 400, and the moving body 200 is deformed according to the shape of the blower tube 100 while traveling inside the blower tube 100. As shown in FIG. 13, the banknote conveying path 403 is set to be narrower than the conveying base 510, and is configured so that the conveying base does not deviate from the base conveying path 402. For this reason, the magnetic force required for the conveying body 500 to travel can be applied from the moving body side magnet 213 moving inside the blower tube unit 150 to the conveying body side magnet 523 moving inside the conveying body side tube unit 415 (see FIG. 4 and FIG. 19).

[0073] 18 and 19, in a conveying pipe unit 415B having a conveying path 401 in which a bottom surface 411 bulges downward (toward the air blower pipe 100), the shape of the top surface 413B is set so that the banknotes P held by the conveying body 500 do not come into contact (clash or interfere) with the top surface 413B. That is, the distance H between the bottom surface 411B and the top surface 413B is configured to increase from each end toward the middle in the conveying direction. Particularly in this example, the top surface 413B is configured linearly (flatly) in the conveying direction, which increases the distance H from each end toward the middle in the conveying direction. A roughly rectangular banknote P is placed on the transport base 510 so that its two long sides (upper edge Pa and lower edge Pb) extend along the transport direction. 19, when the conveying body 500 travels through the conveying pipe unit 415B, the conveying base 510 is curved to follow the curved shape of the bottom surface 411B. However, since each side of the roughly rectangular banknote P placed on the conveying base 510 cannot be curved, a gap D is generated between the upper surface of the conveying base 510 and the lower edge Pb of the banknote P. That is, while it is easy to deform the banknote face (the surface of the banknote itself) from a flat shape to a curved shape, it is difficult to curve each side (long sides and short sides indicated as Pa and Pb) of the banknote while maintaining the flat shape of the banknote. If the shape of the top surface is set so that the distance H between the bottom surface 411B and the top surface is constant in the longitudinal direction, as in top surface 413B' shown by the dashed line, the distance between top surface 413B' and the upper edge Pa (or the upper corner of the banknote P) of the banknote P being transported will become narrow in the middle of the longitudinal direction of the transporting pipe unit 415B, and there is a risk that the banknote will come into contact with top surface 413B'. In this embodiment, as shown by the solid line in the top surface 413B, the distance between the bottom surface 411B and the top surface is increased from each end toward the middle in the conveying direction, thereby preventing contact between the top surface 413B and the upper edge Pa of the bill. In particular, in this example, the shape of the top surface 413B, excluding both end portions of the intermediate pipe body 420B connected to the end units 440A and 440B, is linear (planar), so that the distance between the bottom surface and the top surface increases from each end toward the middle in the conveying direction. By making the shape of the top surface 413B linear (planar), the shape of the top surface 413B is simplified.

[0074] In addition, in the conveying pipe unit 415C in which the top surface 413B bulges upward, similarly to the conveying pipe unit 415B, the distance H between the bottom surface 411 and the top surface 413 may be configured to increase from each end toward the middle in the conveying direction to prevent contact between the upper edge Pa of the banknote P and the top surface 413. In the conveying pipe unit 415C shown in Fig. 14, the distance H between the bottom surface and the top surface is constant. That is, the cross-sectional shape of the internal space of the conveying pipe unit 415C is constant in the longitudinal direction. In the linear conveying pipe unit 415A and the rotating conveying pipe unit 415D, the distance between the bottom surface 411 and the top surface 413 is constant. That is, the cross-sectional shapes of the internal spaces of both conveying pipe units are constant in the longitudinal direction.

[0075] <Effects> In the banknote conveying system 10, the conveying body 500 is made to travel in conjunction with the moving body 200 in the conveying tube 400 by the magnetic force of the moving body 200 traveling in the air duct 100. For this reason, the distance between the bottom surface 411 of the conveying tube 400 and the air duct 100 needs to be maintained in a positional relationship (for example, a constant interval) that can exert the magnetic force of the moving body side magnet 213 on the conveying body side magnet 523 over the entire area in the longitudinal direction. On the other hand, in the conveying tube unit 415B, 415C curved in the vertical direction, if the distance between the bottom surface 411 and the top surface 413 is constant in the longitudinal direction, there is a risk that the conveyed object will come into contact with the top surface. According to this embodiment, in the conveying tube unit 415B, 415C curved in the vertical direction, the distance between the bottom surface 411 and the top surface 413 is increased from the end portion toward the middle portion in the longitudinal direction, thereby preventing the conveyed object from coming into contact with the top surface. This is particularly effective in the conveying pipe unit 415B in which the radius of curvature on the top surface side is smaller. In the banknote conveying system 10, conveying paths of various shapes can be formed by connecting the starting ends of other conveying pipe units of the same or different shapes to the terminal ends of the conveying pipe units 415A-415D, which have conveying paths 401 that are straight, downwardly convex, upwardly convex, or have a shape that rotates at a predetermined angle while keeping the conveying height level constant. By making the end units 440A, 440B provided at the longitudinal ends of the conveying pipe units 415A to 415D, which have different shapes from each other, the same shape, it becomes possible to connect any conveying pipe unit to one conveying pipe unit.

[0076] [Summary of the configuration, action, and effect of the present invention] <First embodiment> The conveying device (banknote conveying system 10) of this embodiment comprises an air duct 100 which forms a gas flow path, a movable body 200 which travels within the air duct receiving an air current flowing in a predetermined direction within the air duct, a conveying body path (conveying passage 401) at least a portion of which is arranged adjacent to the air duct along the air duct, and a conveying body 500 which is configured to be able to hold a conveying object (banknote P) in a predetermined posture and travels within the conveying body path, the movable body comprising a movable body side magnetic body (moving body side magnet 213) and the conveying body comprising a conveying body side magnetic body (conveying body side magnet 523), and is configured to move the conveying body in conjunction with the movement of the movable body by a repulsive force based on a magnetic force acting between the movable body side magnetic body and the conveying body side magnetic body when the movable body side magnetic body and the conveying body side magnetic body are in a close positional relationship. In this conveying device, the conveying body path is equipped with a first curved conveying body path (first curved conveying pipe unit 415B) having a first curved shape in which the bottom surface 411B located on the air blower side bulges convexly toward the air blower side, and the first curved conveying body path is characterized in that the distance H between the bottom surface and the top surface increases from each end portion in the conveying direction x toward the middle portion so that the object to be conveyed held by the conveying body does not come into contact with the top surface 413B opposite the bottom surface.

[0077] Here, some transport objects are difficult to bend in a specific direction. For example, a banknote is one such transport object. It is easy to deform the banknote face (the surface of the banknote itself) from a flat shape to a curved shape, but it is difficult to bend each side (long side and short side) of a rectangular banknote while maintaining the flat shape of the banknote face. For this reason, among curved transport paths, transport paths that are premised on maintaining the flat shape of the banknote face are particularly avoided. If a curved transport path transports a banknote while maintaining the flat shape of the banknote face, the radius of curvature of the transport path must be large, and it is difficult to reduce the size of the transport path. According to this embodiment, the distance H between the bottom surface and the top surface of the first curved conveying body path is increased from each end portion in the conveying direction toward the middle portion, so that the object to be conveyed does not come into contact with the top surface, thereby making it possible to reduce the size of the curved path.

[0078] <Second embodiment> In the conveying device (banknote conveying system 10) of this embodiment, the conveying body 500 is equipped with a conveying base 510 having a plurality of divided bodies (divided pieces 520) which are connected in series in sequence along the running direction and are connected so that they can be angularly displaced relative to each other within a predetermined range. The conveying base deforms to follow the curved shape of the bottom surface 411 of the conveying body path (conveying path 401), while the object to be conveyed (banknote P) held on the conveying base is an object that has difficulty bending to follow the curved deformation of the conveying base in the first curved conveying body path (first curved conveying pipe unit 415B).

[0079] The conveying device (banknote conveying system 10) according to this embodiment has a configuration in which the conveying body is moved in conjunction with the movement of the moving body 200 by repulsion based on the magnetic force acting between the moving body side magnetic body (moving body side magnet 213) and the conveying body side magnetic body (conveying body side magnetic body 523) when they are in a close positional relationship. For this reason, the moving body side magnetic body and the conveying body side magnetic body need to run while maintaining a certain distance at which the magnetic force can act. In this embodiment, the conveying base is configured to be curved and deformed following the curved shape of the bottom surface located on the air duct side of the inner surface of the conveying body path. On the other hand, the object to be transported held by the transport body does not necessarily need to be capable of being curved and deformed to follow the deformed shape (or bottom shape) of the transport base. As described above, in the conveying device, the distance H between the bottom surface and the top surface in the first curved conveying body path is increased from each end toward the middle in the conveying direction to prevent the conveying object that is difficult to deform from contacting the top surface. According to this aspect, even when the conveying object that is difficult to bend in a specific direction, such as banknotes, is conveyed on a conveying base that can be bent, the first curved conveying body path can be made small.

[0080] <Third embodiment> In the conveying device (banknote conveying system 10) of this embodiment, the object to be conveyed is a roughly rectangular paper sheet (banknote P), and the paper sheet is held on the conveying base 510 so that its two long sides extend along the conveying direction x, one of the long sides is located on the bottom surface 411 side, and the other long side (upper edge Pa) is located on the top surface 413 side.

[0081] The object to be transported in this embodiment is a rectangular paper sheet. The paper sheet is held so that its lower edge (long side) is in contact with the transport base. The transport body path has a shape in which the bottom surface bulges out (downward) toward the air duct, and the transport base curves and deforms to follow this shape, but the paper sheet has difficulty deforming in the same direction. Therefore, when the transport body runs along the first curved transport body path (first curved transport pipe unit 415B), a gap is created between the lower edge of the paper sheet and the upper surface of the transport base, and part of the paper sheet is raised above the transport base. If the distance between the bottom surface and the top surface of the transport body path is constant in the transport direction, there is a risk that the upper edge of the paper sheet will come into contact with the top surface. According to this embodiment, the distance H between the bottom surface and the top surface of the first curved conveying body path is increased from each end portion in the conveying direction toward the middle portion, so that the upper edge of the paper sheet to be conveyed does not come into contact with the top surface, thereby making it possible to reduce the size of the curved path.

[0082] <Fourth embodiment> The conveying device (banknote conveying system 10) of this embodiment is characterized in that, in the first curved conveying path (in the first curved conveying pipe unit 415B), the top surface 413B is configured linearly in the conveying direction x, so that the distance H between the bottom surface 411B and the top surface increases from each end portion in the conveying direction toward the middle portion. According to this aspect, since the shape of the top surface is linear (flat) and simplified, it is easy to design the shape of the first curved conveying body path.

[0083] <Fifth embodiment> In the conveying device (banknote conveying system 10) according to this embodiment, the conveying path (conveying passage 401) includes a straight conveying pipe unit 415A forming a straight conveying path extending linearly along a predetermined conveying plane, a first curved conveying pipe unit 415B forming a first curved conveying path, and a second curved conveying pipe unit 415C forming a second curved conveying path having a second curved shape in which the bottom surface 411 located on the air blower pipe 100 side bulges out convexly on the side opposite the air blower pipe, The present invention is characterized in that the conveying pipe unit has a configuration in which the rear end of a conveying pipe unit selected from the above-mentioned conveying pipe unit 415D has a curved shape that bulges convexly in the horizontal direction when viewed from above, and forms a rotating conveying pipe path that extends in a curved manner along a predetermined conveying plane, and the starting ends of other conveying pipe units having the same shape or a different shape are sequentially connected to the rear end of one conveying pipe unit selected from the above-mentioned conveying pipe unit 415D, and the multiple conveying pipe units that are connected include at least a first curved conveying pipe unit.

[0084] By combining the above four types of conveying pipe units, it is possible to form conveying paths of various shapes (layouts). For example, by connecting each conveying pipe unit in the order of a first curved conveying pipe unit, a straight conveying pipe unit, a second curved conveying path, and a rotating conveying pipe unit, a spiral conveying path can be formed, and a conveying path for raising and lowering the conveying object can be created in a small space. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] Arrows A, A1, A2... (circulation direction), arrows B, B1, B2... (banknote recovery direction), arrows C, C1, C2... (transport body return direction), C...banknote transport device, ES, ES`, ES'', ES1 to ES3... internal space, L, L1, L2... island equipment, P, P1, P2...banknote (paper sheet), Pa... upper edge, Pb... lower edge, arrow P... forward direction, arrow R... evacuation direction, x, x`... forward path, return path, 1... gaming machine, 2... machine spacing machine, 10...banknote transport system, 100... air duct, 100a... one end, 100b... other end, 101... air flow path, 110... first air Air duct, 111...movement path portion, 120...second blower duct, 150...blower duct unit, 150A...straight blower duct unit, 150B...first curved blower duct unit, 150C...second curved blower duct unit, 150D...rotating conveying duct unit, 155, 155A, 155B...intermediate duct, 160A, 160B...connecting fittings, 161A, 161B...fitting tube, 162A, 162B...flange, 163B...connecting tube, 164...seal ring, 165...airtight member, 200...moving body, 210...divided piece (divided body), 211...heat 213...moving body side magnet (moving body side magnetic body) 215...shaft, 216a, 216b...rollers, 300, 300B, 300C...airflow control unit, 310, 310a, 310b...blower (airflow generating device), 320...switching unit, 321...casing, 323...flow path, 323a to 323d...first to fourth flow paths, 325...switching valve, 330...first circulation pipe, 330a...one end, 330b...other end, 331...exhaust pipe, 333...intake pipe, 340...connecting pipe, 400...transport pipe (transport body path pipe), 401... Conveying path (conveying body path), 402... base conveying path, 403... banknote conveying path, 405... recess, 411, 411A, 411B... bottom surface, 413, 413A, 413B... top surface, 415... conveying pipe body unit, 415A... straight conveying pipe body unit, 415B... first curved conveying pipe body unit, 415C... second curved conveying pipe body unit, 415D... rotating conveying pipe body unit, 420, 420B... intermediate pipe body, 440A, 440B... end unit, 441A, 441B... end pipe body, 442A... recess, 442B... positioning piece, 443A,443B...connecting fitting, 444A...receiving hole, 444B...fitting protrusion, 450...waiting section, 500...conveyor, 510...conveyor base, 520...split piece (split body), 520a...internal space, 520b...protrusion, 520c...inner area, 521...hinge section, 523...conveyor side magnet, 525...roller, 540...banknote collection and holding section, 541...support member, 541a...axial support section, 541b...spring, 544...collection claw (collection member), 544a...base end piece, 544b...middle piece, 544c...end piece, 545...roller, 600...receiving unit, 700...safety unit, 800...management unit, 801...casing,

Claims

1. A blower pipe forming a gas flow path; a moving body that travels within the air duct while receiving an air current flowing in a predetermined direction within the air duct; a conveyor path, at least a portion of which is disposed adjacent to the air duct along the air duct; A conveying body configured to be capable of holding a conveying object in a predetermined position and traveling within the conveying body path, The moving body includes a moving body-side magnetic body, and the conveying body includes a conveying body-side magnetic body, A conveying device having a configuration in which the conveying body is moved in conjunction with the movement of the moving body by a repulsive force based on a magnetic force acting between the moving body side magnetic body and the conveying body side magnetic body when the moving body side magnetic body and the conveying body side magnetic body are in a close positional relationship, the conveying body path includes a first curved conveying body path having a first curved shape in which a bottom surface located on the air blower pipe side bulges convexly toward the air blower pipe side, A conveying device characterized in that, in the first curved conveying body path, the distance between the bottom surface and the top surface increases from each end toward the middle portion in the conveying direction so that the object to be conveyed held by the conveying body does not come into contact with the top surface opposite the bottom surface.

2. the conveyor includes a conveyor base having a plurality of divided bodies which are connected in series in a traveling direction and are connected so as to be angularly displaceable relative to each other within a predetermined range; The conveying device described in claim 1, characterized in that the conveying base deforms to follow the curved shape of the bottom surface of the conveying body path, while the object to be conveyed held on the conveying base is an object that has difficulty bending to follow the curved deformation of the conveying base in the first curved conveying body path.

3. The conveying device according to claim 2, characterized in that the object to be conveyed is a paper sheet having an approximately rectangular shape, and the paper sheet is held on the conveying base so that two long sides extend along the conveying direction, one of the long sides is located on the bottom side, and the other of the long sides is located on the top side.

4. The conveying device described in claim 1, characterized in that, in the first curved conveying path, the top surface is configured linearly in the conveying direction, so that the distance between the bottom surface and the top surface increases from each end portion in the conveying direction toward the middle portion.

5. The conveying body path is configured by sequentially connecting the rear end of one conveying pipe unit selected from a straight conveying pipe unit that forms a straight conveying body path extending in a straight line along a predetermined conveying plane, a first curved conveying pipe unit that forms the first curved conveying body path, a second curved conveying pipe unit that forms a second curved conveying body path in which the bottom surface located on the air blower pipe side has a second curved shape in which the bottom surface bulges convexly toward the side opposite the air blower pipe, and a rotating conveying pipe unit that forms a rotating conveying body path that has a curved shape that bulges convexly in the horizontal direction when viewed from above and extends in a curved manner along the predetermined conveying plane, and the conveying device described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the multiple conveying pipe units that are connected include at least the first curved conveying pipe unit.

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