Paper sheet thickness detection device, paper sheet identification device, and paper sheet handling device

Abstract

To improve the accuracy of paper sheet thickness detection by suppressing vibrations generated by the impact of paper sheets entering between a reference roller and a detection roller, while ensuring ease of maintenance of a paper sheet thickness detector.SOLUTION: A paper sheet thickness detector for detecting the thickness of a paper sheet includes: a first unit provided with a reference roller; and a second unit provided with a detection roller which sandwiches and transports a paper sheet together with the reference roller and is displaced with respect to the reference roller according to the thickness of the paper sheet, and a thickness sensor which detects the thickness of the paper sheet based on a displacement amount of the detection roller. The first unit and the second unit form a conveyance path for the paper sheet by making the reference roller and the detection roller overlap so as to sandwich the paper sheet, and are assembled so as to be openable and closable around a rotation axis provided on one end side of the conveyance path. The second unit has a vibration-damping member on the thickness sensor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a paper sheet thickness detection device, a paper sheet identification device, and a paper sheet handling device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in cash automatic transaction devices such as automatic teller machines (ATMs) and cash dispensers (CDs), there is a banknote identification device for identifying the type and authenticity of banknotes, which are paper sheets. The banknote identification device includes a banknote thickness detection device, and based on the thickness of the banknote detected by the banknote thickness detection device, it performs denomination determination, authenticity determination, and detection of foreign matter attachment to the banknote. The banknote thickness detection device includes a plurality of reference rollers, a plurality of detection rollers, and a plurality of displacement sensors that detect the amount of displacement of the detection rollers in accordance with the thickness of the banknote when the banknote being conveyed is sandwiched between the reference rollers and the detection rollers, with the reference rollers serving as a reference.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In recent years, in banknote identification devices, a configuration has been adopted in which the banknote conveyance path is divided into an upper unit and a lower unit and unitized, and one side edge in the banknote conveyance direction is attached so as to be openable and closable with the rotation axis of the hinge. The banknote thickness detection device incorporated in the banknote identification device of this configuration is also unitized with a plurality of reference rollers as the lower unit and a plurality of detection rollers as the upper unit, and is configured to be assembled so as to be openable and closable with one side edge in the banknote conveyance direction as the rotation axis. Such an openable and closable configuration has the advantage of high maintainability when removing banknote jams generated between the reference rollers and the detection rollers.

[0005] However, in such an openable and closable configuration, the upper unit is openable and less constrained, so the vibration of the detection roller caused by the impact when a banknote enters the space between the reference roller and the detection roller is not sufficiently suppressed. If the distance between the upper and lower rollers fluctuates due to this vibration, the banknote thickness detection device will not be able to correctly detect the thickness of the banknote.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to improve the accuracy of paper sheet thickness detection in a paper sheet thickness detection device by suppressing vibrations caused by the impact when a paper sheet enters the space between a reference roller and a detection roller, while ensuring maintainability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention provides a paper sheet thickness detection device for detecting the thickness of paper sheets, comprising: a first unit equipped with a reference roller; a second unit equipped with a detection roller that transports the paper sheets together with the reference roller and displaces relative to the reference roller according to the thickness of the paper sheets, and a thickness sensor that detects the thickness of the paper sheets based on the amount of displacement of the detection roller, wherein the first unit and the second unit are stacked so as to sandwich the paper sheets with the reference roller and the detection roller to form a transport path for the paper sheets, and are assembled to be openable and closable around a rotating shaft provided on one end side of the transport path, and the second unit is characterized in that the thickness sensor has a vibration damping member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, for example, in a paper sheet thickness detection device, it is possible to improve the accuracy of paper sheet thickness detection by suppressing vibrations generated by the impact when a paper sheet enters the space between a reference roller and a detection roller, while ensuring maintainability. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1]External perspective view of an automated cash transaction device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] A diagram illustrating the schematic internal configuration of an automated cash transaction device according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] A side view of a banknote identification device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] A plan view of a banknote identification device according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] A front view of a banknote identification device according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] A plan view of the thickness detection device according to the embodiment (with the upper and lower units closed). [Figure 7] A perspective view of the thickness detection device according to the embodiment (with the upper and lower units closed). [Figure 8] Front view of the thickness detection device according to the embodiment (with the upper and lower units closed). [Figure 9] A side cross-sectional view of the thickness detection device according to the embodiment (with the upper and lower units closed). [Figure 10] A side cross-sectional view of the thickness detection device according to the embodiment (with the upper and lower units open). [Figure 11] Front view of the thickness detection device according to the embodiment (with the upper and lower units open). [Figure 12] A graph showing the change in thickness detection value due to vibration of the detection roller of the thickness detection device in a comparative example without vibration damping members. [Figure 13] A graph showing the change in the thickness detection value due to vibration of the detection roller of the thickness detection device in Example 1, in which a vibration damping member with a viscosity coefficient below a predetermined value is held down by a beam. [Figure 14] A graph showing the change in the thickness detection value due to vibration of the detection roller of the thickness detection device in Example 2, which is equipped with a vibration damping member having a viscosity coefficient of 1 or more than a predetermined value. [Figure 15] This graph shows the change in the thickness detection value due to vibration of the detection roller of the thickness detection device in Example 3, where a vibration damping member with a viscosity coefficient of 100% or higher is held down by a beam. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. The following embodiments are merely examples including the drawings and do not limit the present invention. In each of the drawings for explaining the following embodiments, the same reference numerals indicate components or processes having the same or similar functions, and the subsequent explanations will be omitted. Also, each embodiment, each example, and each modification can be appropriately combined in part or in whole within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention and within a consistent range.

[0011] In the following embodiments, the vertical direction (upper direction, upward) of the device housing of the cash automated transaction device is defined as the positive direction of the Z-axis, and the direction from the user side (front side, forward) to the opposite side (back side, rear) of the device housing is defined as the positive direction of the Y-axis. Also, the direction from the left side to the right side toward the user side of the device housing is defined as the positive direction of the X-axis. In the description of the following embodiments, a right-handed XYZ coordinate system in which the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are orthogonal to each other is used.

[0012] Note that in the following embodiments, the directions and positions represented by "up", "down", "left", "right", "front", "rear", "back", etc. are merely relative, and the orientation, shape, or size of the cash automated transaction device and its components are not limited by the XYZ coordinate system. Also, the number of components in the description and illustration of the embodiments is merely an example.

[0013] In the following embodiments, as examples of a paper sheet thickness detection device, a paper sheet identification device, a paper sheet handling device, and a paper sheet automated transaction device, a banknote thickness detection device, a banknote identification device, a banknote handling device, and a cash automated transaction device that handle banknotes as paper sheets will be described as examples. However, it is not limited to this, and various other paper sheets such as checks and gift certificates can be handled in the same way.

[0014] (Overall Configuration of Cash Automated Transaction Device 1) FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the automated teller machine 1 according to an embodiment. The automated teller machine 1 uses a cash card, banknotes, transaction slips, etc. as transaction media, and performs processes such as cash deposit, payment, and transfer according to the operations of the user. At the upper part inside the device housing of the automated teller machine 1, there is a passbook processing mechanism (not shown) that processes the user's passbook, prints and discharges transaction details, and a card and transaction slip processing mechanism (not shown) that processes the user's card, prints and discharges transaction slips.

[0015] The passbook processing mechanism processes the user's passbook inserted through the slot 2 on the front of the automated teller machine 1, and prints and discharges transaction details. The card and transaction slip processing mechanism processes the user's card inserted through the slot 3 on the front of the automated teller machine, prints the transaction slip, and discharges it together with the card. In front of the front of the automated teller machine 1, there is a screen operation unit 4 that displays the content of the user's transaction and inputs various information and items for the transaction.

[0016] At the lower part inside the device housing of the automated teller machine 1, there is a banknote handling device 10 that processes banknotes. The banknote deposit and withdrawal transaction is performed according to the opening and closing of the shutter 5a provided at the deposit and withdrawal part 5 of the banknote handling device 10.

[0017] Note that a coin processing device (not shown) that processes coins may be provided inside the device housing of the automated teller machine 1. The coin deposit and withdrawal transaction is performed according to the opening and closing of a shutter (not shown) provided at the deposit and withdrawal part of the coin processing device.

[0018] (Internal Configuration of the Automated Teller Machine 1) Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the internal configuration of an automated cash transaction device 1 according to an embodiment. Above the lower part of the housing of the automated cash transaction device 1, a mechanism for processing banknotes to be traded is located, and below it, a mechanism for storing banknotes is located. Above the lower part of the housing of the banknote handling device 10, on its front side (the side facing the user: upper right in Figure 2), is a deposit / withdrawal unit 5 that receives banknotes set in a nearly upright position by the user, and releases the banknotes in a nearly upright position for the user to take out. The deposit / withdrawal unit 5 has a banknote dispensing unit 5b that feeds banknotes inserted from above downwards, and a banknote accumulation unit 5c that collects banknotes for withdrawal or return that have been transported from below, arranged front to back.

[0019] Furthermore, a banknote identification device 30 for distinguishing banknotes is located in the center, and a temporary holding section 40 for temporarily storing banknotes deposited by users until the transaction is completed is located at the rear (upper left side of Figure 2). These various mechanisms are connected by bidirectional transport paths.

[0020] The banknote identification device 30 can identify the denomination and authenticity of banknotes transported along the transport path 30a from either the front or the rear, regardless of the direction. The banknote identification device 30 can identify the denomination and authenticity of banknotes transported in both directions (inbound and outbound), and can determine whether banknotes are acceptable for acceptance or withdrawal.

[0021] Below the banknote handling device 10, multiple storage compartments 70 are arranged for storing banknotes by denomination. Some storage compartments 70 store banknotes that have been determined to be acceptable by the banknote identification device 30, separated by denomination. Other storage compartments 70 include those for temporarily storing banknotes that have been determined to be unacceptable by the banknote identification device 30, those for storing banknotes that have been determined to be unwithdrawable by the banknote identification device 30, and those used when replenishing banknotes from an external source for withdrawal.

[0022] (External configuration of the banknote identification device 30) The external configuration of the banknote identification device 30 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 5. Figure 3 is a side view of the banknote identification device 30 according to the embodiment as seen from the negative X-axis direction, Figure 4 is a top view of the banknote identification device 30 according to the embodiment as seen from the positive Z-axis direction, and Figure 5 is a front view of the banknote identification device 30 according to the embodiment as seen from the negative Y-axis direction.

[0023] The banknote identification device 30 has an upper unit 30U, which is a unitized component located above the banknote transport path 30a, and a lower unit 30L, which is a unitized component located below the transport path 30a. The banknote identification device 30 has a configuration in which the upper unit 30U is attached to the lower unit 30L so as to be able to open and close, with a rotation axis 30X parallel to the X axis as the center of rotation, on one end side (positive Y-axis side) in the banknote transport direction. The upper unit 30U can be opened around the rotation axis 30X in the direction of arrow A (Figure 3).

[0024] Furthermore, the banknote identification device 30 is equipped with a thickness detection device 30T (Figures 6 to 11) located inside the vicinity of the rotating shaft 30X (near the region 30Z1 in Figure 3 and the region 30Z2 in Figure 4) for detecting the thickness of banknotes being transported along the transport path 30a.

[0025] (Configuration of the 30T thickness detection device) The configuration of the thickness detection device 30T according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 11. Figure 6 is a plan view of the thickness detection device 30T according to the embodiment, viewed from the positive Z-axis direction. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the thickness detection device 30T according to the embodiment (with the upper and lower units closed). Figure 8 is a front view of the thickness detection device 30T according to the embodiment, viewed from the positive Y-axis direction (with the upper and lower units closed). Figure 9 is a side cross-sectional view of the thickness detection device 30T according to the embodiment, viewed from the negative X-axis direction (with the upper and lower units closed). Figure 10 is a side cross-sectional view of the thickness detection device 30T according to the embodiment, viewed from the negative X-axis direction (with the upper and lower units open). Figure 11 is a front view of the thickness detection device 30T according to the embodiment, viewed from the positive Y-axis direction (with the upper and lower units open).

[0026] The plan view of the thickness detection device 30T in Figure 6 is the same as the plan view of the banknote identification device 30 in Figure 4, with the elements other than the thickness detection device 30T omitted. Similarly, the side cross-sectional view of the thickness detection device 30T in Figure 9 is the same as the side view of the banknote identification device 30 in Figure 3, with the elements other than the thickness detection device 30T omitted.

[0027] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the thickness detection device 30T comprises a bracket 31, a sensor substrate 32, a vibration damping member 33, a beam 34, a reference roller 35, a reference roller shaft 35X, a detection roller 36, a detection roller shaft 36X, and a housing 37.

[0028] The housing 37 includes housings 37UR and 37UL on the upper unit 30U side of the banknote identification device 30, and housings 37LR and 37LL on the lower unit 30L side. Housings 37UR and 37LR form the end faces on the positive X-axis side of the thickness detection device 30T. Housings 37UL and 37LL form the end faces on the negative X-axis side of the thickness detection device 30T.

[0029] The housings 37UR and 37UL are attached perpendicularly to the beam 34 from both ends in the X-axis direction of the beam 34. The bracket 31 is mounted on the housings 37UR and 37UL and supports the sensor substrate 32, on which the thickness sensors are arranged as described later, so that the thickness sensors face the detection roller 36. The bracket 31 is also provided with a vibration damping member 33 as described later. The bracket 31, sensor substrate 32, vibration damping member 33, beam 34, detection roller 36, detection roller shaft 36X, and housings 37UR and 37UL constitute the upper unit 30TU (Figure 7) of the thickness detection device 30T. The reference roller 35 and reference roller shaft 35X constitute the lower unit 30TL (Figure 7) of the thickness detection device 30T.

[0030] The reference roller shaft 35X is a rotating shaft to which rotational driving force is transmitted from the transport drive system (not shown) of the banknote transport mechanism, and is mounted on the housings 37LR and 37LL along the width direction (X-axis direction) of the transport path. The detection roller shaft 36X is mounted on the housings 37LR and 37LL opposite the reference roller shaft 35X on the upper side (positive Z-axis direction).

[0031] Multiple reference rollers 35 are arranged on the lower reference roller shaft 35X. Additionally, the same number of detection rollers 36 as the reference rollers 35 are arranged on the upper detection roller shaft 36X, facing each of the reference rollers 35.

[0032] The detection roller 36 consists of an outer ring made of a cylindrical, non-elastic material such as metal whose outer surface does not displace, and an elastic material such as a spring or rubber that can be elastically deformed in the direction of pressing against the reference roller 35.

[0033] The reference roller 35 is made of metal and is provided as a reference surface whose outer surface does not displace, and each detection roller 36 is in contact with this reference surface. Each detection roller 36 is pressed against its corresponding reference roller 35 and rotates in a driven manner. When a banknote is placed between the detection roller 36 and the reference roller 35, the outer ring of the detection roller 36, which is facing the outer surface of the reference roller 35 (the reference surface), is displaced upward (in the positive Z-axis direction from the reference roller axis 35X to the detection roller axis 36X) according to the thickness of the banknote.

[0034] Above the multiple detection rollers 36 (in the positive Z-axis direction), a sensor substrate 32 is provided, on which thickness sensors (not shown) are positioned opposite each detection roller 36, and a sensor processing unit (not shown) is arranged to process the data obtained from the thickness sensors (not shown). The thickness sensors are, for example, eddy current magnetic field type displacement sensors capable of detecting the amount of elastic displacement in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) of the opposing detection rollers 36 according to the thickness of the banknote held between the reference roller 35. The sensor substrate 32 is supported by a bracket 31 so that the thickness sensors face the detection rollers 36. The thickness detection device 30T detects the thickness of the banknote based on the amount of displacement of the detection rollers 36 detected by the thickness sensors.

[0035] The vibration damping member 33 is a long member provided on the bracket 31 so as to extend in the width direction (X-axis direction) of the transport path 30a, but its shape is not limited to being long. The vibration damping member 33 is preferably a viscoelastic material, but is not limited to being a viscoelastic material. Multiple vibration damping members 33 are stacked in the positive Z-axis direction toward the beam 34 relative to the bracket 31, but a single layer is also acceptable. The vibration damping member 33 is a damper that suppresses vibrations of the detection roller 36 caused by the impact when a banknote enters the space between the reference roller 35 and the detection roller 36.

[0036] Furthermore, pressing the vibration damping member 33 with a pressing member that has higher rigidity than the vibration damping member 33 suppresses the initial amplitude of the detection roller 36 and shortens the vibration damping time. If an existing member can be used as the pressing member, filling the space between the placement surface of the vibration damping member 33 and the pressing member with the vibration damping member 33 makes the vibration damping of the vibration damping member 33 more effective. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, a beam 34 is used as the pressing member, and the vibration damping effect is enhanced by stacking and filling the bracket 31 up to the beam 34 in the positive Z-axis direction. The pressing member that presses the vibration damping member 33 may be newly provided, but by using an existing member such as the beam 34, the vibration damping effect of the vibration damping member 33 can be improved without increasing the number of parts.

[0037] Furthermore, as long as the vibration damping member 33 is positioned in a location that causes viscous deformation with respect to the vibration direction (or damping direction) of the detection roller 36, the vibration damping effect can be obtained regardless of where it is placed within the upper unit 30TU, not limited to the configurations shown in Figures 7 to 9.

[0038] As shown in Figure 3, when the upper unit 30U of the banknote identification device 30 rotates relative to the lower unit 30L in the direction of arrow A around the rotation axis 30X, the upper unit 30TU of the thickness detection device 30T rotates relative to the lower unit 30TL in the direction of arrow A (Figure 10). The upper unit 30TU includes the housings 37UR, 37UL, the bracket 31, the sensor substrate 32, the vibration damping member 33, and the beam 34. The lower unit 30TL includes the housings 37LR, 37LL, and the reference roller shaft 35X. Figure 11 is a front view of the thickness detection device 30T as seen from the positive Y-axis direction with the upper and lower units shown in Figure 10 opened.

[0039] (Vibration damping effect of the detection roller 36 by the vibration damping member 33) Referring to Figures 12 to 15, the vibration damping effect of the vibration damping member 33 according to this embodiment will be explained. Figures 10 to 15 show the change in the thickness detection value due to the vibration of the detection roller 36 when transporting banknotes of a predetermined thickness, with time on the horizontal axis and the thickness detection value of the detection roller 36 on the vertical axis.

[0040] First, as a comparative example, we will explain the time change of vibration of the detection roller 36 when the thickness detection device 30T is not equipped with a vibration damping member 33. Figure 12 is a graph showing the change in the thickness detection value due to the vibration of the detection roller 36 of the thickness detection device 30T in the comparative example without the vibration damping member 33.

[0041] As shown in Figure 12, the vibration of the detection roller 36 that occurred at time t=0 caused the detection value of the thickness sensor attached to the sensor substrate 32 to fluctuate. However, as indicated by the circle in Figure 12, it took until time t=t5 for the vibration to converge to a predetermined range.

[0042] Next, as Example 1, we will explain the time change of vibration of the detection roller 36 when a vibration damping member 33 with a viscosity coefficient less than a predetermined value is pressed against a beam 34 in the thickness detection device 30T. Figure 13 is a graph showing the change in the thickness detection value due to the vibration of the detection roller 36 of the thickness detection device 30T in Example 1, when a vibration damping member 33 with a viscosity coefficient less than a predetermined value is pressed against a beam 34.

[0043] As shown in Figure 13, the vibration of the detection roller 36 that occurred at time t=0 caused the detection value of the thickness sensor attached to the sensor substrate 32 to vibrate. However, as indicated by the circle in Figure 13, it took approximately until time t=t2 for the vibration to converge to a predetermined range. In Example 1, the amplitude of the initial vibration at time t=0 was suppressed, and the vibration convergence time was shortened compared to the comparative example. In Example 1, the vibration damping member 33 pressed against the beam 34 can be said to function as a reinforcing material that suppresses vibration.

[0044] Next, as Example 2, we will describe the time change of vibration of the detection roller 36 when a vibration damping member 33 with a viscosity coefficient of 1 or more is provided to the thickness detection device 30T. Figure 14 is a graph showing the change in the thickness detection value due to the vibration of the detection roller 36 of the thickness detection device 30T in Example 2, which is equipped with a vibration damping member 33 with a viscosity coefficient of 1 or more.

[0045] As shown in Figure 14, the vibration of the detection roller 36 that occurred at time t=0 caused the detection value of the thickness sensor attached to the sensor substrate 32 to fluctuate. However, as indicated by the circle in Figure 14, it took approximately time t=t1 for the vibration to converge to a predetermined range. In Example 2, the amplitude is larger than in Example 1, but the vibration convergence time is even shorter. In Example 2, the vibration damping member 33 can be said to function as a damper that absorbs vibrations.

[0046] Next, as Example 3, we will describe the time change in the vibration of a detection roller 36 in a thickness detection device 30T in which a vibration damping member 33 with a viscosity coefficient of 33 or higher is pressed down by a beam 34. Figure 15 is a graph showing the change in the thickness detection value due to the vibration of the detection roller 36 of the thickness detection device 30T in Example 3, in which a vibration damping member 33 with a viscosity coefficient of 33 or higher is pressed down by a beam 34.

[0047] As shown in Figure 15, the vibration of the detection roller 36 that occurred at time t=0 caused the detected value of the thickness sensor attached to the sensor substrate 32 to vibrate. As indicated by the circle in Figure 15, it took approximately time t=(t1 / 2) for the vibration to converge to a predetermined range. In Example 3, the vibration convergence time is even shorter than in Example 2. In Example 3, the vibration damping member 33 has a viscosity coefficient above a predetermined value, and by pressing the vibration damping member 33 with a beam 34 that has higher rigidity than the vibration damping member 33, it can be said that the damper performance that absorbs vibrations is further enhanced.

[0048] From the above, the vibration damping member 33 exhibits higher damping performance in the order of Example 3, Example 2, and Example 1, and converges the vibration of the detection roller 36 in a shorter time. Therefore, according to these embodiments, it is possible to suppress the vibration of the detection roller 36 caused by the impact when a banknote enters the space between the reference roller 35 and the detection roller 36, thereby improving the accuracy of banknote thickness detection. Furthermore, even if the banknote identification device 30 and the thickness detection device 30T are mounted in an upper unit 30U, 30TU and a lower unit 30L, 30TL that can be opened and closed, the vibration of the detection roller 36 can still be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to achieve both ease of maintenance when removing banknote jams that occur between the reference roller 35 and the detection roller 36.

[0049] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and includes various modifications. For example, the embodiments described above are described in detail for the purpose of clearly illustrating the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to having all the configurations described. Furthermore, as long as they do not contradict each other, it is possible to replace parts of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, or to add configurations of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. In addition, parts of the configuration of each embodiment can be added, deleted, replaced, merged, and divided. Furthermore, each process shown in the embodiments may be distributed or merged as appropriate based on processing efficiency or implementation efficiency. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0050] 1: Automatic cash transaction machine, 10: Banknote handling machine, 30: Banknote identification machine, 30T: Thickness detection machine, 30L: Lower unit, 30U: Upper unit, 30TL: Lower unit (first unit), 30TU: Upper unit (second unit), 30a: Conveyor path, 31: Bracket, 32: Sensor board, 33: Vibration damping member, 34: Beam, 35: Reference roller, 36: Detection roller, 37, 37LR, 37LL, 37UR, 37UL: Housing.

Claims

1. A paper sheet thickness detection device for detecting the thickness of paper sheets, A first unit equipped with a reference roller, The second unit includes a detection roller that, together with the reference roller, sandwiches and transports the paper sheets and displaces relative to the reference roller according to the thickness of the paper sheets, and a thickness sensor that detects the thickness of the paper sheets based on the amount of displacement of the detection roller. The first unit and the second unit are, The reference roller and the detection roller are stacked so as to sandwich the paper sheets, forming a transport path for the paper sheets, and are assembled to be openable and closable around a pivot axis provided on one end side of the transport path in the direction of transport of the paper sheets. The second unit is, The thickness sensor has a vibration damping member, The vibration damping member has a pressing member that presses against the vibration damping member, along with the placement surface of the vibration damping member. The pressing member is an existing member of the second unit having a function other than pressing the vibration damping member. The vibration damping member is filled between the placement surface and the pressing member. A paper sheet thickness detection device characterized by the following features.

2. A paper sheet thickness detection device according to claim 1, The paper sheet thickness detection device is characterized in that the vibration damping member viscously deforms in a vibration damping direction that dampens the vibration of the detection roller.

3. A paper sheet thickness detection device according to claim 2, The second unit is, The thickness sensor has a bracket that supports it so as to face the detection roller, The paper sheet thickness detection device is characterized in that the vibration damping member is arranged on the bracket.

4. A paper sheet thickness detection device according to claim 1, A paper sheet thickness detection device characterized in that the viscosity coefficient of the vibration damping member is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

5. A paper sheet thickness detection device according to claim 4, The paper sheet thickness detection device is characterized in that the pressing member has higher rigidity than the vibration damping member.

6. A paper sheet identification device having a paper sheet thickness detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A paper sheet handling device having the paper sheet identification device described in claim 6.

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