Paper sheet separation and conveying device, and paper sheet handling device

Abstract

To provide a paper sheet separation conveyance device which has solved various types of failure occurring by performing downsizing, and to provide a paper sheet handling device.SOLUTION: A paper sheet separation conveyance device includes: a delivery part 20; a separation part 100; a first motor M1 for driving these; a drawing conveyance part 250; and a storage conveyance path 400 driven by a second motor M2. The drawing conveyance part 250 includes: at least two idling rollers 257 which are pivotally supported respectively at feed roller shaft portions on both sides in the axial direction of a feed roller 110; and an endless drawing belt 270 for forming a curve-shaped drawing conveyance path respectively between itself and a curve-shaped outer peripheral surface of each idling roller, and for allowing the first piece of paper sheets to turn in the direction crossing the delivery direction by the delivery part, by cooperation with each idling roller by travelling in the drawing direction, and for conveying the paper sheet. The drawing belt is driven by the second motor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a paper sheet separating and conveying device having a separating function for preventing double feeding, and a paper sheet handling device.

Background Art

[0002] A paper currency separating and conveying device that takes out paper currency one by one from a bundle of paper currency set in a depositing section, conveys it, and stores it in a safe inside the device is equipped in paper currency handling devices such as a paper currency depositing machine, a paper currency counting machine, and various vending machines. When double feeding of paper currency occurs in a paper currency separating and conveying device, accurate depositing processing, counting processing, etc. including identification are hindered, so a double feeding prevention mechanism is equipped. One paper currency that has passed through the double feeding prevention mechanism is judged for authenticity, currency type, etc. by an identification device, and those judged to be acceptable are stored in the safe. Patent Document 1 discloses a double feeding prevention mechanism including a feeding roller that rotates in contact with the bottom of a bundle of paper currency, a pair of separating rollers that prevent the passage of the second and subsequent paper currencies when the paper currency fed by the feeding roller is in a double feeding state, and a pair of pulling and conveying rollers that pull out and convey the first paper sheet that partially remains in the separating section.

[0003] However, since the feeding roller, the pair of separating rollers, and the pulling and conveying section are arranged substantially linearly along a flat conveying surface, the length of the device in the conveying direction as a whole becomes long, making miniaturization difficult. Specifically, for miniaturization, it is necessary to make the distance between the separating section and the pulling section by the pair of pulling and conveying rollers as close as possible, but there is a limit to approaching due to the relationship between the diameters of each roller and the drive mechanism, etc. in a linear conveying path.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration in which banknotes fed from a stack of paper sheets on a paper feed bin by a feeder pulley are inverted upward along the outer surface of a high-friction wheel to separate them into single sheets, and then pulled out and transported along the outer surface of a reversing roller located directly above the high-friction wheel while being inverted in the opposite direction, thereby transporting them to an acceptor module via an S-shaped path. An auxiliary roller that assists in pulling out is nipped on this reversing roller to form a pair of pull-out rollers, and the strong frictional resistance of the nipped portion of this pair of rollers pulls out and transports the banknotes.

[0005] The separation unit consists of a high-friction wheel and a fixed belt that is fixedly positioned so that a portion of it slides into contact with the outer surface of the high-friction wheel. When banknotes fed out by the rotation of the feeder pulley enter the interface between the high-friction wheel and the fixed belt, the banknotes are transported upward by the rotation of the high-friction wheel. If two banknotes enter the interface, the frictional force of the fixed belt stops the second banknote, allowing only the first banknote to move forward. The leading edge of the banknote, having passed through the separation section, enters the nip section of the aforementioned pair of pull-out rollers and is pulled out and transported. The fixing belt is stationary and only under tension; it does not have the function of pulling out the separated banknote.

[0006] In other words, the fixed belt is clearly for separation only and does not serve a role in pull-out conveyance. Because the fixed belt forms a curved separation section between itself and the high-friction wheel, it creates significant resistance to pull-out conveyance by the pull-out roller pair, making it prone to jamming. As evidence of this, in the actual machine that puts the invention described in Patent Document 2 into practical use, multiple rollers (bearings) with an extremely small diameter of about 2 to 3 mm are added along the fixed belt to reduce the adverse effects of frictional resistance of the fixed belt and to facilitate inversion and conveyance during separation. To elaborate further, the high frictional resistance of the fixed belt prevents the advancement of the double-feed banknotes, so the fixed belt also creates significant resistance when a single banknote passes through. To transport the banknotes upwards, which are subjected to strong resistance from the fixed belt, a pair of pull-out rollers pull them out with great force, thus facilitating smooth transport. This is because the fixed belt does not move in the direction of banknote transport and therefore does not play a role in pulling out and transporting the banknotes. In the actual product, the frictional resistance between the high-friction wheels and the fixed belt is excessive, making it impossible to smoothly pull the material upward using only the pulling force from the pair of pull-out rollers. Therefore, multiple ultra-small bearings are placed along the fixed belt to reduce the transport resistance of the fixed belt.

[0007] However, by transporting banknotes upwards, miniaturization was achieved, but in reality, there is insufficient space and location to secure bearings. As a result, it became necessary to install ultra-miniature rollers with a small diameter that have little function in reducing transport resistance, and they do not play a role in stabilizing the separation process. Consequently, jams are more likely to occur because double-feed banknotes cannot be separated.

[0008] When withdrawing banknotes immediately after separation, it is ideal to quickly and forcefully withdraw them by rotating the reversing roller at a higher speed than the high-friction wheel. To achieve such a difference in transport speed, it is not impossible to create the speed difference using a single drive source and mechanical structures such as gears. However, in that case, if the withdrawal speed is to be about 30 percent faster than the transport speed of the high-friction wheel, it is not possible to achieve the speed difference without employing a large number of complex gear combinations, which would increase the number of parts and make miniaturization impossible.

[0009] Furthermore, because a single motor drives both the high-friction wheel and the reversing roller for pull-out transport, the drive of the separation unit and the drive of the reversing roller cannot be controlled independently. As a result, the pull-out operation interferes with the separation operation, preventing the aforementioned difference in transport speed from being achieved. Consequently, rapid pull-out with strong force becomes difficult, and the reliability of the separation operation decreases. In a drawer roller system, banknotes are pulled out by the nip portion of the roller pair acting as a single point. However, this requires applying very high pressure (grip load) between the reversing roller and the auxiliary roller to create a high transport force. This increases the drive load, reduces the durability of the components, and diminishes their robustness against environmental changes.

[0010] Furthermore, since Patent Document 2 is configured to handle not only the deposit of banknotes but also the return of banknotes, the separation unit cannot be stopped during the return operation. This leads to problems such as adverse effects from interference between the separation roller and the returned banknotes, and adverse effects on the durability of parts such as the separation roller, resulting in reduced reliability. These problems occur not only with banknotes, but also with other paper documents such as securities, vouchers, and ballots. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6427246 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. 8,662,490 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0012] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and aims to provide a paper sheet separation and conveying device and a paper sheet handling device that eliminate various problems that arise from miniaturization. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] To achieve the above objective, the paper sheet separation and conveying apparatus of the present invention is paperThe apparatus comprises a tray for setting a stack of paper sheets, a feeding unit for feeding paper sheets from the stack on the tray, a separation unit that, when the paper sheets fed from the feeding unit are in a double-feed state, allows only the first paper sheet to pass through and sends it downstream, while preventing the advancement of subsequent paper sheets, a first motor for driving the feeding unit and the separation unit, a pull-out and transport unit for pulling out and transporting the first paper sheet, which is partially remaining in the separation unit, a storage and transport unit driven by a second motor to receive the paper sheet discharged from the pull-out and transport unit and transport it further downstream, and control means for controlling various controlled objects, wherein the separation unit rotates around the axis of the feed roller shaft and, when rotating forward, contacts the surface of the paper sheet fed by the feeding unit and transports it. The feed conveying unit comprises a feed roller and a friction separation member that forms a separation nip portion between itself and the feed roller to prevent the advancement of the second and subsequent sheets of paper, and the drawer conveying unit comprises at least two free-spinning rollers that are rotatably supported (fixed in axial position) on the feed roller shaft portion on both axial sides of the feed roller, and an endless drawer belt that forms a curved drawer conveying path between itself and (contacts) the curved outer surface of each free-spinning roller, and travels in the drawer direction, thereby changing the direction of the first sheet of paper in a direction intersecting the feed direction by the feeding unit and conveying it, and the drawer belt is driven by the second motor. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a paper sheet separation and conveying device and a paper sheet handling device that eliminate various problems that arise from miniaturization. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is an external perspective view of an example of the paper sheet separation and conveying device of the present invention. [Figure 2] (a) is an internal configuration diagram showing the state immediately before the motors are driven with a stack of banknotes set in the paper tray in a paper sheet separation and transport device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the state when the dispensing of banknotes has started. [Figure 3] (a) is an internal configuration diagram showing the state where separation is started by the rotation of the feed roller, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the state where the leading edge of the banknote is being conveyed toward the storage and conveyance path. [Figure 4] (a) is an internal configuration diagram showing the state where the trailing edge of the banknote has passed through the drawing and conveyance section, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the state where discrimination determination is being performed. [Figure 5] It is an explanatory diagram showing the state of returning the banknote. [Figure 6] It is a perspective view showing a specific configuration example of the payout section, separation section, and drawing and conveyance section according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] (a) and (b) are front perspective views and exploded perspective views of each member constituting the drive transmission delay mechanism. [Figure 8] (a) and (b) are rear perspective views and exploded perspective views of each member constituting the drive transmission delay mechanism. [Figure 9] (a) and (b) are front views of the components of the play formation mechanism and a front view of the assembled state. [Figure 10] (a) and (b) are rear views of the components of the play formation mechanism and a rear view of the assembled state. [Figure 11] It is a flowchart showing the banknote processing procedure in the first embodiment. [Figure 12] It is a flowchart showing the banknote processing procedure in the second embodiment. [Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0016] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. [Explanation of Basic Configuration] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an example of the banknote separation and conveyance device of the present invention. Figures 2 to 5 are front views showing the internal configuration of the paper sheet separation and transport device, as well as the separation, transport, storage, and return operations. Figure 2(a) is an internal configuration diagram showing the state just before the entrance sensor detects the banknotes and starts driving each motor when a stack of banknotes is set in the paper feed tray, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the state when the dispensing of banknotes has started. Figure 3(a) shows the state when separation has started as the feed roller rotates, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the state when the leading edge of the banknotes has started to be transported toward the storage transport path (banknote storage section). Figure 4(a) shows the state when the trailing edge of the banknotes has passed through the drawer transport section, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the state when the banknotes are stopped at the escrow position and identification is being performed. Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the state when the banknotes are returned. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing a specific configuration example of the dispensing section, separation section, and drawer transport section according to one embodiment of the present invention. While this specification primarily describes banknotes as an example of paper sheets, this device can also be applied to the separation and transport of paper sheets other than banknotes. Furthermore, paper sheets include not only paper sheets but also sheets made of resin and other materials.

[0017] The banknote separation and transport device 1 is a means for receiving banknotes and discharging rejected banknotes, which is installed in or attached to banknote handling devices such as banknote deposit machines, vending machines, and game media dispensing machines in amusement arcades. The following describes the banknote separation and transport device 1 in detail. The banknote separation and transport device 1 generally comprises a first module Md1 including a deposit processing unit U1 and a storage unit U2, a second module (including a safe CB) Md2 detachably connected to the first module, and control means (CPU, MPU, ROM, RAM, etc.) 1000 for controlling various controlled objects.

[0018] The deposit processing unit U1 is a means of receiving deposited banknotes and transporting them to the storage unit U2, and also of ejecting rejected banknotes that have been returned from the storage unit U2 to the outside of the machine. The deposit processing unit U1 includes a housing H, a paper feed tray (tray, deposit section) 10 that is detachably attached to the front of the housing and holds stacks of banknotes previously supplied into the housing, a dispensing section (dispensing roller 30 and pick pusher 70) 20 that takes banknotes one by one from the top of the stack on the paper feed tray and supplies them into the housing, and a mechanism that, when the banknotes dispensed by the dispensing section 20 are in a double-feed state, allows only the first banknote B1 to pass through and sends it downstream, while the second and subsequent banknotes... The system includes a separation section (feed roller 110 and brake roller 130) 100 that prevents the forward movement of the banknotes, a drawer transport section 250 that forms a drawer transport path 260 in close proximity to the feed roller 110 that constitutes the separation section 100 and, by rotating in the forward direction, draws out a single banknote B1 that has partially remained in the separation section 100 and sends it downstream (to the storage unit U2), and a first motor M1 that drives each driven member that constitutes the feeding section 20 and the separation section 100 (feeding / separation mechanism (separation unit) 15).

[0019] The drawer transport path 260 is a curved contact travel area formed by the contact between the free-spinning roller 257 and the drawer belt 270 shown in Figure 6. Banknotes that have passed through the drawer transport path 260 and been transported upward are further pulled up by the drawer belt 270 and transported upward while being guided by the transport guide member 300. The second reversing roller 267, which reverses the drawer belt clockwise at the top, rotates clockwise. the law of nature By rotating in the direction (forward rotation), the banknotes are guided towards the storage transport path 400 within the storage unit U2.

[0020] Reference numeral 500 denotes a flapper that switches the direction of banknote transport. It is a sorting means that guides banknotes transported by the drawer belt 270 to the position of the second reversing roller 267 toward the storage transport path 400, and guides banknotes that have been transported in the reverse direction from the storage transport path 400 toward the return transport path 510. The flapper 500, which is pivotally supported by the swing shaft 500a so as to be able to rotate vertically, normally lowers its right end (tip) due to the balance of its own weight, thereby blocking the passage from the drawer transport path 260 toward the storage transport path 400 (initial position). On the other hand, when banknotes that have been raised by the drawer belt 270 pass through, the right end is pushed up by the banknotes, thus allowing the banknotes to move to the right. When the trailing end of the banknote passes the right end of the flapper, the flapper returns to its initial position.

[0021] If the identification unit 450 determines that a banknote that has entered the storage transport path 400 cannot be accepted, the control means 1000 controls each motor M2. M By reversing the transport members 410 and 420 that constitute the storage transport path 400, the banknotes are sent backward towards the flapper. At this stage, the flapper is in its initial position, so the rejected banknotes pass over the flapper from their rear end and enter the return transport path 510. A pair of return rollers (transport members) 512 are arranged in the return transport path and are driven by the second motor M2 in the direction of banknote discharge. A return banknote storage tray 11 is arranged at the end of the return transport path 510, and the discharged return banknotes are sequentially stored there.

[0022] The return transport path 510 is arranged substantially parallel to the feed path leading from the feed unit to the separation unit, and the return banknote storage tray 11 is arranged substantially parallel to the paper feeding tray 10. In this invention, the first motor M1 drives the feed / separation mechanism (separation unit) 15, and the transport members 512 of the return transport path are driven by the second motor M2, so there is no interference between them, and stable separation and return transport operations can be achieved.

[0023] The storage unit U2 includes a storage transport path (storage transport mechanism, storage transport section) 400 that receives banknotes B transported by the drawer belt 270 constituting the drawer transport section 250 and transports them into the unit, and an identification section 450 that determines the denomination, authenticity, etc. of banknotes transported downstream along the storage transport path 400 using a combination of optical and magnetic sensors. Banknotes determined to be acceptable as a result of the identification are transported downstream and stored in the safe CB provided by the second module Md2, while banknotes determined to be unacceptable (rejected banknotes) are sent back and discharged to the return banknote storage tray 11 via the deposit processing unit U1. Furthermore, the storage unit U2 includes a second motor M2 that drives the transport members (gears, rollers, etc.) 410 and the return roller pair 512 on the upstream side of the storage transport path 400, and a third motor M3 that drives the transport members (gears, rollers, etc.) 420 on the downstream side of the storage transport path 400.

[0024] One of the distinctive features of the present invention is that the drawer transport section 250 is driven by a second motor M2 provided in the banknote storage unit U2. Specifically, the second motor M2 drives not only the transport roller 410 located upstream of the storage transport path 400, but also the drawer transport section 250 and the return roller pair 512. The third motor M3 drives the group of transport rollers 420 located in the middle to downstream section of the storage and transport path 400. The pair of transport rollers 420a located at the very downstream end of the storage and transport path 400 is a means for discharging banknotes into the safe CB.

[0025] Next, the configuration and operation of the dispensing unit 20, the separation unit 100, and the drawer / transport unit 250 will be described. As shown in Figure 6, the feed roller 30 constituting the feed section 20 is fixed to a shaft 32 that rotates under the drive of the first motor M1, and a downstream timing pulley 33 is coaxially fixed to one side thereof. The downstream timing pulley 33 receives drive from the first motor M1 via a timing belt 35 stretched endlessly between it and an upstream timing pulley 60 provided on the feed roller side. The separation unit 100 includes a feed roller shaft 101 driven by a first motor M1, a feed roller 110 that is rotatably supported around the axis of the feed roller shaft and, when rotating forward, contacts the surface of the first banknote dispensed by the dispensing unit 20 to transport it, and a brake roller (friction separation member) 130 that forms a separation nip N1 between itself and the feed roller to prevent the advancement of subsequent banknotes. The feed roller 110 can also be configured to rotate together with the feed roller shaft 101 by fixing its axis to it, but when the drive transmission delay mechanism D described later is adopted, the feed roller is not necessarily directly fixed to the feed roller shaft.

[0026] The drawer transport section 250 includes at least two free-rotating rollers (free-rotating members) 257, 257 that are rotatably supported (not fixed in the rotational direction, but fixed in the axial position) on the feed roller shaft portions on both axial sides of the feed roller 110, and endless drawer belts 270, 270 that contact the curved outer surface of each free-rotating roller to form a curved drawer transport path (drawer nip section) 260, and that, by rotating (forward) in the drawer direction, cooperate with each free-rotating roller 257, 257 to change the direction of the first banknote in a direction (diagonally upward) that intersects with the feeding direction (direction passing through the separation nip section N1) by the feeding section and transport it.

[0027] Each drawer belt 270 is stretched endlessly by a first reversing roller (driven roller) 265 and a second reversing roller (driven roller) 267, which are positioned to form a drawer transport path 260 between the outer surface of each free-spinning roller 257. The first reversing roller 265 forms a banknote introduction section 260a of the drawer transport path between each drawer belt and each free-spinning roller. The second reversing roller 267 reverses each drawer belt so that banknotes introduced from the banknote introduction section 260a are transported toward the storage transport path 400 after passing through the downstream end (paper sheet discharge section) 260b of the drawer transport path. The first reversing roller 265 is rotatably supported by a first shaft 280, which is rotationally driven by a first motor M1, with its axis free and unfixed. In other words, the first reversing roller 265 is a driven roller that does not rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the first shaft 280. The pull-out belt 270 is driven to move by the rotation of the second reversing roller 267, which acts as a drive roller.

[0028] The feed roller 110 and the free-spinning roller 257 are mounted coaxially with respect to the feed roller shaft 101, and their outer surfaces are located at approximately the same radial position. As a result, the feed roller and the center of the banknote make light contact, but there is no active grip whatsoever, and it does not create significant transport resistance. The drawer belt 270 is responsible for pulling up the banknotes that have passed through the separation nip section N1. The feed roller 110 rotates only to the minimum necessary angle during separation, and therefore does not participate in the upward pulling motion after separation; it has no pulling function. Even if the feed roller were to move along with the drawer belt via the banknotes due to the action of the drive delay transmission mechanism D described later, it is still the drawer belt that pulls up the banknotes.

[0029] It is preferable that the circumferential surfaces of each free-spinning roller 257, 257 have low friction to the extent that slippage occurs between them and the banknotes. On the other hand, the circumferential surface of the drawer belt has high friction to the extent that slippage between it and the banknotes is less likely to occur. The free-spinning roller 257 plays a role in bringing the drawer belt and the banknotes into contact. The tension applied to the drawer belt causes the banknotes to press against the low-friction outer surface of the free-spinning roller, and in cooperation with the frictional resistance of the drawer belt, it creates a conveying grip force. The free-spinning roller is made of a rigid material that does not flex or deform under pressure from the draw belt. The width of the outer surface of the free-spinning roller is preferably equal to or wider than the width of the narrow strip-shaped draw belt. "The direction intersecting the feeding direction by the feeding unit" is shown as approximately 90 degrees upward in the drawing, but it broadly includes directions that are bent or curved upward (non-parallel directions) relative to the surface direction of the banknotes being fed out on the paper tray 10.

[0030] The banknote introduction section 260a of the drawer transport path receives the drawer belt that has been inverted upward by the first reversing roller 265 which rotates clockwise. idling It is formed on the part that first contacts the outer surface of the roller. A single banknote that has passed through the separation nip section N1 comes into contact with the pull-out belt surface in front of the banknote introduction section (the part that is inclined diagonally upward to the right in Figure 2, etc.), and is smoothly pulled diagonally upward and immediately drawn into the banknote introduction section 260a. The banknotes that have passed through the paper sheet discharge section 260b are transported upward along the space between the drawer belt and the transport guide member 300, and then guided to the entrance of the storage transport path 400 along the reversal path between the outer circumference of the second reversal roller 267 and the transport guide member 301.

[0031] The free-spinning roller 257, pressed down by the tension of the drawer belt, rotates freely relative to the feed roller shaft, and therefore does not depend at all on the drive or rotational speed of the feed roller shaft. Although the feed roller and the free-spinning roller are arranged on the same feed roller shaft, by making the axial positions of the two rollers different, it is possible to separate the separation nip section N1, which is the separation point, from the drawer transport path 260 (banknote introduction section 260a), which is the pulling point. Moreover, as a result of constructing the drawer transport path 260 using a self-propelled drawer belt, the distance between the separation nip section N1 and the banknote introduction section 260a in a side view can be arbitrarily set to the minimum necessary value. Specifically, it is possible to significantly shorten the above distance, for example, to be shorter than the diameter or radius of the feed roller.

[0032] Pick pusher The 70 is fixedly supported at its base by the first shaft 280, so when the first shaft rotates clockwise, it raises its tip, pushing the stack of banknotes on the paper feed tray 10 towards the feed roller 30 and bringing it into contact with the feed roller 30. When the first shaft 280 reverses direction, it lowers. Pick pusher A torque limiter (not shown) is placed between 70 and the first shaft 280 and slides to prevent excessive force from pushing up the stack of banknotes. Each second reversing roller (drive roller) 267 has its axis fixedly supported by a second shaft 290 positioned parallel to and above the first shaft 280, and a transmission gear 292 is fixed to the second shaft at an intermediate position between the two second reversing rollers. The transmission gear 292 is meshed with a gear group 294 that transmits rotational driving force from the second motor M2. Therefore, the drawer transport unit 250 is driven by the second motor M2 for driving the upstream transport members of the storage transport path 400. Thus, in this invention, the feeding unit 20 and the separation unit 100 are driven by the first motor M1, while the drawer transport unit 250 is driven by the second motor M2 via gear groups 294 and 292. This allows the feeding and separation operations and the drawer transport operations to be driven and controlled independently.

[0033] Because the banknotes are pulled out by the drawer transport unit 250 using an endlessly running drawer belt 270, the drawer transport unit is bent upward (curved) relative to the transport direction of the dispensing and separating units, forming a non-linear transport path that can be miniaturized. Even with such a miniaturized configuration, the degree of freedom in arranging the components is increased, and reliable banknote separation and drawer transport can be achieved. Even with a miniaturized device configuration where the banknote transport path is bent or curved in a roughly L-shape, by driving the drawer transport section 250 with the second motor M2 that drives the upstream transport member 410 of the storage transport path 400, it becomes possible to independently control the speed and operation of the dispensing / separation mechanism 15 and the drawer transport section 250, thereby enabling reliable separation and drawer transport operations.

[0034] In order to reliably withdraw the banknotes separated by the separation unit 100, it is necessary to make the withdrawal transport speed (driving force) faster (stronger) than the transport speed (driving force) during separation. To achieve such a difference in transport speed, it is possible to achieve this using a single drive source and a mechanical structure such as gears, without providing separate drive sources. However, in that case, for example, if the withdrawal speed by the withdrawal transport unit 250 is to be 30 percent faster than the transport speed by the separation unit 100, it would be impossible to achieve the speed difference without employing a combination of many complex gears. In contrast, in the present invention, the separation unit and the withdrawal transport unit are driven by separate and independent motors M1 and M2, so that the speed difference can be controlled very easily and freely without complicating the mechanical configuration or increasing the number of parts. Moreover, since the second motor M2 is located in the adjacent banknote storage unit U2, rather than in the deposit processing unit U1, it is possible to prevent the deposit processing unit U1 from becoming larger.

[0035] To explain this further, if the drawer transport section is configured with a pair of rollers as in Patent Document 2, and the banknotes are pulled out by the nip portion of the roller pair as a point, then it is necessary to apply very high pressure (grip load) between the rollers to create a high transport force. On the other hand, if a drawer transport drive using a movable travel belt is adopted as in the present invention, the shape of the drawer grip section can be configured as a surface rather than a point, so the grip Canada The weight can be set low, reducing the drive load and improving durability, while also providing robustness against environmental changes. In particular, in this invention, the separation nip portion N1 is a point-shaped grip with low resistance, and when used in combination with the strong pulling force of the surface-shaped pull-out grip portion, the drive load can be reduced.

[0036] As described above, the pull-out belt 270 is not fixed, meaning it is a movable belt that is stretched endlessly and travels in both forward and reverse directions. In this respect, its structure and function differ significantly from the fixed belt described in Patent Document 2. Furthermore, the fixing belt in Patent Document 2 is not a means for lifting banknotes, but rather a means for separating banknotes from a high-friction roller. In the context of this invention, the fixing belt corresponds to a brake roller and does not correspond to the drawer belt 270. The drawer belt is merely a means for drawing out the separated banknotes.

[0037] [Drive transmission delay mechanism D] Next, we will explain the drive transmission delay mechanism D, which delays the start of rotation of the feed roller by a predetermined timing relative to the feeding timing by the feeding unit. In the banknote separation and transport device of the present invention, smooth separation and extraction operations can be achieved while miniaturizing the device even without employing the drive transmission delay mechanism D. However, an example of a configuration in which the drive transmission delay mechanism D is incorporated into the separation unit 100 (first embodiment) will be described below.

[0038] Figures 7(a) and (b) are front side perspective views and exploded perspective views of each component constituting the drive transmission delay mechanism D, and Figures 8(a) and (b) are rear side perspective views and exploded perspective views of each component constituting the drive transmission delay mechanism. Figures 9(a) and (b) are front views of the components of the play formation mechanism A and front views of the assembled components, and Figures 10(a) and (b) are rear views of the components of the play formation mechanism A and rear views of the assembled components.

[0039] The drive transmission delay mechanism D comprises a feed roller shaft 101, an upstream timing pulley (upstream transmission member) 60, a timing clutch (clutch member) 50, and a feed roller 110 that rotate around the axis of the feed roller shaft 101 and are sequentially arranged adjacently along the axial direction, and a play forming mechanism A that delays (disconnects) the transmission of driving force by providing a first relative rotation section 40 between the upstream timing pulley 60 and the timing clutch 50, and a second relative rotation section 45 between the timing clutch 50 and the feed roller 110. In the separation section 100 equipped with the drive transmission delay mechanism D, the feed roller 110 is not fixed to the feed roller shaft 101, but is capable of relative rotation with respect to the feed roller shaft.

[0040] The upstream timing pulley 60, timing clutch 50, and feed roller 110 rotate around a common feed roller shaft 101 and are configured to rotate relative to each other within a predetermined range of circumferential play. The upstream timing pulley 60 is fixed to the feed roller shaft 101 and rotates as a whole, while the timing clutch 50 and feed roller 110 are each supported on the feed roller shaft 101 separately and independently so as to be able to rotate relative to each other. The upstream timing pulley 60 has an engaging portion 62 protruding from the rear surface (the surface facing the timing clutch) of the donut-shaped body 61.

[0041] The timing clutch 50 has a first engaging portion 52 protruding from the front surface (facing the upstream timing pulley) of the donut-shaped body 51, and a second engaging portion 53 protruding from the rear surface (facing the feed roller) of the body 51. The feed roller 110 has a protruding engaging portion 113 located inside a cylindrical recess 112 provided on the front side of the donut-shaped body 111. In the assembled state shown in Figure 7(a), most of the timing clutch 50 and a portion of the upstream timing pulley 60 are contained within the recess 112.

[0042] The play-forming mechanism A consists of an engaging portion 62 provided on the upstream timing pulley 60, first and second engaging portions 52 and 53 provided on the timing clutch 50, and a engaged portion 113 provided on the feed roller 110, etc.

[0043] The first relative rotation section 40 is a circumferentially extending play space (free-spinning section) formed between the engaging section 62 and the first engaging section 52, and the play is maximum when the upstream timing pulley 60 and the timing clutch 50 are in the initial circumferential positional relationship shown in Figure 9(b). The play formed in the first relative rotation section 40 expands and contracts as the timing clutch 50 rotates relative to the upstream timing pulley 60.

[0044] The second relative rotation section 45 is a circumferentially extending play space (free-spinning section) formed between the second engaging portion 53 and the engaged portion 113, and the play is maximum when the timing clutch 50 and the feed roller are in the initial circumferential positional relationship shown in Figure 10(b). The play formed in the second relative rotation section 45 expands and contracts as the feed roller rotates relative to the timing clutch. The driving force from the feed roller shaft 101 is sequentially transmitted to the upstream timing pulley 60, the timing clutch 50, and the feed roller 110. However, because the play-forming mechanism A is intervening, the drive from the upstream timing pulley 60 is not immediately transmitted to the feed roller 110, but is transmitted after a predetermined timing delay.

[0045] The play-forming mechanism A allows the circumferential positional relationship between the upstream timing pulley 60 and the timing clutch 50 to rotate relative to each other between an initial positional relationship and an end positional relationship, and the upstream timing pulley 60 does not transmit driving force to the timing clutch 50 while the positional relationship of the timing clutch 50 relative to itself is from the initial positional relationship to the end positional relationship, and transmits driving force only after the end positional relationship is reached. Furthermore, the play-forming mechanism A allows the circumferential positional relationship between the timing clutch 50 and the feed roller 110 to rotate relative to each other between an initial positional relationship and an end positional relationship. The timing clutch 50 does not transmit driving force to the feed roller while the positional relationship of the feed roller relative to itself is moving from the initial positional relationship to the end positional relationship, and transmits driving force only after the end positional relationship is reached.

[0046] Due to the presence of the first relative rotation section 40 and the second relative rotation section 45, the driving force from the first motor M1 to the upstream timing pulley 60 is not directly and without delay transmitted to the timing clutch 50 and feed roller 110. In other words, the driving force is transmitted intermittently and with a delay through the free-spinning sections (play sections where driving force is not transmitted) set by each relative rotation section 40 and 45. As a result, the feed roller starts rotating after a predetermined time delay following the forward rotation of the feed roller 30 due to the forward rotation of the upstream timing pulley 60. When a stack of banknotes with uneven ends is set, or when separating banknotes fed from stacks of varying lengths from different countries, the second and subsequent banknotes are more likely to enter the separation nip before the first, causing double feeding. It is necessary to ensure that the first banknote is fed into the separation section first. To prevent such double feeding, it is effective to not drive the feed roller until the banknotes have been fed out by the feed roller rotating a predetermined amount.

[0047] The drive transmission delay mechanism D solves the above-mentioned problems through its mechanical structure, enabling the appropriate switching of the drive timing of the feed roller and the unwinding roller using only one motor.

[0048] Other advantages of the drive transmission delay mechanism D are as follows: Specifically, as shown in Figure 3(a), when the first motor M1 is stopped while a portion of the banknote is nipped in the separation nip section N1, and the second motor M2 continues to pull out the banknote using the pull-out transport section 250, the feed roller 110 rotates along with the banknote. This rotation eliminates the transport load generated in the separation nip section N1. In addition, the circumferential play in each relative rotation section 40 and 45 that had been lost due to the previous operation is restored. As soon as the rear end of the banknote leaves the separation nip section N1, the transmission of driving force from the banknote to the feed roller and other components due to rotation ends. Specifically, the feed roller 110, which has started to rotate in the forward direction due to the banknote transport force, continues to rotate (freewheel) within the range of the second relative rotation section 45 relative to the timing clutch 50, which is in a stationary state, thereby returning the feed roller and the timing clutch 50 to the initial positional relationship shown in Figure 10(b). Subsequently, the driving force from the timing clutch 50 is transmitted to the upstream timing pulley 60, which is in a stationary state, within the range of the first relative rotation section 40, causing the upstream timing pulley to resume forward rotation, and the timing clutch 50 and the upstream timing pulley return to the initial positional relationship shown in Figure 9(b). During this time, the feed roller rotates in the forward direction, so even if a portion of the banknote is nipped in the separation nip section N1, it does not become a load when the drawer transport section 250 draws it out.

[0049] [Operating Procedure] The following describes the banknote processing operation by the banknote separation and transport device 1. <Operation procedure when equipped with a drive transmission delay mechanism (first embodiment)> In the following section, we will explain, as an example, the case in which a drive transmission delay mechanism D is interposed between the feed roller and the feed roller shaft, using Figures 2 to 10 and the flowchart Figure 11 illustrating the banknote processing procedure.

[0050] First, Figure 2(a) shows the stopped state just before the control means 1000 starts forward rotation of motors M1, M2, and M3 after the input sensor S1 detects the banknotes when the stack of banknotes is set in the paper feed tray (deposit section) 10. In the flowchart of Figure 11, the system proceeds to Figure 2(b) when the first sensor S1 is turned on (steps S1 and S2). In Figure 2(b), the first motor M1 causes the first shaft 280 to start rotating in the clockwise direction as shown in Figure 6, causing the pick pusher 70 to raise its tip and push the bottom of the banknote bundle towards the feed roller 30. At the same time, the feed roller 30 rotates counterclockwise, pushing the first banknote forward. B1 The banknotes are fed out toward the separation section. The driving force to the feed roller 30 is transmitted via a timing belt (intermediate transmission member) 35 wrapped around the upstream timing pulley 60, but the feed roller 110 does not rotate immediately due to the circumferential play-forming action of the play-forming mechanism A. As a result, the leading edge of the banknotes is aligned at the separation nip section N1, which is the contact point with the brake roller 130. At this time, other motors M 2. M Motor 3 also begins to rotate forward. As the second motor M2 is driven, each movable part constituting the drawer transport section 250 also rotates forward (step S3).

[0051] In Figure 3(a), all motors are rotating in the forward direction, so the feed roller 110 and the pull-out belt 270 rotate, and the separation and pull-out operations begin in parallel. At the stage shown in Figure 2(b), the first motor M1 transmits driving force to the feed roller shaft 101, but the feed roller 110 does not rotate immediately due to the circumferential play-forming action of the drive transmission delay mechanism D (play-forming mechanism A). At the stage shown in Figure 3(a), the circumferential play between the components constituting the play-forming mechanism A is eliminated, so the feed roller begins to rotate (steps S4, S5). The brake roller 130 is stopped in the direction of intake, and the banknotes separated into individual sheets at the nip section N1 are pulled out with strong force by the withdrawal transport path 260 and reach the passage sensor S2 located directly in front of the flapper 500.

[0052] Figure 3(b) shows the state in which the leading edge of the banknote has begun to be transported toward the storage transport path 400 (storage unit U2). Based on the detection information from the paper feed sensor S2, when it is determined that the leading edge of the transported banknote has passed the flapper 500 by a predetermined distance, the first motor M1 is stopped. That is, after detection by the paper feed sensor S2, the control means 1000 stops the first motor M1 when the pulse count of the first motor M1 reaches a predetermined value. As a result, the driving force is no longer transmitted to the feed roller. On the other hand, pulling by the pull-out belt continues (steps S6, S7). However, in order to avoid increased resistance during withdrawal due to some of the banknote remaining in the nip section N1 when the first motor M1 stops, the slack-forming mechanism A causes the feed roller to rotate freely during the period in which withdrawal by the withdrawal belt is taking place (step S8).

[0053] That is, as shown in Figure 3(b), after the first motor M1 stops, the banknotes remain in the separation nip section N1 during the period when the banknotes are being pulled out between the circumferential surface of the free-spinning roller 257 (low friction resistance) and the circumferential surface of each pull-out belt 270 (high friction resistance). Therefore, the feed roller rotates along with the banknotes by the length of the excess length of the banknotes located before the separation nip section. In other words, due to the action of the drive transmission delay mechanism D, the feed roller rotates freely at a predetermined angle in the transport direction, so it does not create resistance when inverting the banknotes and transporting them upward. Due to the free-spinning of the feed roller, the play in the play-forming mechanism A that was lost in step S5 begins to recover (steps S9, S10). After the leading edge of banknote B1 passes the reversal position by the second reversal roller 267 and enters the storage and transport path 400, it is sequentially taken into the interior by the transport rollers 410 and 420.

[0054] In this configuration, the second motor M2, which is the drive source for the drawer transport unit 250 for pulling out the separated banknotes, is separate from the first motor M1, which is the drive source for the separation unit, thus increasing the reliability of the separation operation. In other words, with this configuration, the separation operation can be stopped in a timely manner after the separation operation, thus reducing the rotation of the feed roller when there are no banknotes on the paper tray. This is because, in order to reduce wear on the feed roller, it is necessary to avoid as much as possible the rotation of the separation roller when there are no banknotes.

[0055] Figure 4(a) shows the state after the rear end of the banknote has passed through the separation section 100 and the draw-out transport path 260, and at this point the first motor M1 It has stopped, and banknote B1 is the second motor M2, third motor M3 The banknotes are further transported inward by the transport rollers 410 and 420, which are driven by the system. As described above, at this stage, the feed rollers have regained their play due to the movement of the banknotes, and are ready to handle the subsequent separation of banknotes (steps S11, S10).

[0056] Figure 4(b) shows the state where the banknotes have entered the storage and transport path 400 along their entire length, and after transporting the banknotes to the escrow position, motors M2 and M3 are stopped and identification is performed. Acceptable banknotes are transported to the safe CB in the second module Md2 by driving each transport roller 420 with the third motor M3. Unacceptable banknotes are returned by the return operation shown in Figure 5 (steps S11, S12, S13).

[0057] Furthermore, when banknotes are continuously fed from the deposit processing unit U1, the second motor M2 and the third motor M3 take the first banknote into the storage transport path 400, as shown in the figure, and then the second motor is stopped, thereby preventing the second banknote from continuously entering the storage unit U2. In other words, the second motor M2 can be used as a shutter to prevent jams and other problems within the storage transport path.

[0058] Figure 5 shows the state of returning banknotes. When rejected banknotes determined to be unacceptable by the identification unit 450 at the stage shown in Figure 4(b) are discharged (returned) to the return banknote storage tray 11, the control means 1000 checks the passage sensor S2 located near the branching point of the storage transport path 400 and the return transport path 510. If there are no subsequent banknotes that would obstruct the return, the motors M2 and M3 reverse the transport rollers 410 and 420, and the second motor M2 rotates the drawer belt 270 and the return roller 512 in the return direction (step S13). The drawer belt is reversed during return because it is driven by the second motor M2, but since the upper part of the drawer belt is located in the passage for the return banknotes, reversing the drawer belt makes the movement of the return banknotes smoother. In addition, the feed roller 110 and the drawer belt 270 have different axial positions and do not interfere with each other, so even if the drawer belt is reversed for return, the stationary feed roller does not get in the way of the drawer belt.

[0059] Furthermore, since the drive of the separation unit by the first motor M1 is stopped during the return operation, the separation unit does not interfere with the return operation, ensuring reliable return processing. When the return slot sensor S3 turns OFF, motors M2 and M3 are stopped to halt the return operation.

[0060] Comparing this operation of the present invention with the operation of the device in Patent Document 2, Patent Document 2 uses a single motor to perform all operations: pickup, separation, withdrawal, and return. When returning rejected banknotes, it would be desirable to avoid operating the separation roller (high-friction roller) to avoid interference with the rejected banknotes, but in the device of Patent Document 2, the separation roller also operates during the return process. Therefore, it is conceivable that the separation roller may interfere with the returned banknotes, preventing the return operation from proceeding smoothly.

[0061] <Operation procedure when a drive transmission delay mechanism is not equipped (Second Embodiment)> Figure 12 is a flowchart showing the operating procedure when the drive transmission delay mechanism is not installed. Referring to Figures 2 through 6, the separation and extraction operations are the same, except for the delay in the start timing of the feed roller's rotation due to the drive transmission delay mechanism D and the effect of reducing the conveying load by the feed roller's free rotation.

[0062] First, in Figure 2(a), which shows the stopped state just before the control means 1000 starts driving each motor M1, M2, and M3 in the forward direction, when the first sensor S1 is turned on, the system transitions to Figure 2(b) (steps S21, S22). In Figure 2(b), when the first motor M1, the second motor M2, and the third motor M3 start rotating simultaneously, the feed roller 30 rotates and feeds out the first banknote B1 toward the separation section, and then the feed roller 110 performs the separation operation (step S23). Furthermore, each movable part constituting the drawer transport section 250 and the storage transport path 400 also rotates in the forward direction.

[0063] In Figure 3(a), the separation operation by the feed roller 110 and the extraction operation by the extraction belt 270 have begun. The banknotes, separated into individual sheets at the separation nip section N1, are pulled out with considerable force by the withdrawal and transport path 260, reaching the passage sensor S2 located directly in front of the flapper 500. In Figure 3(b), when it is detected that the leading edge of the banknote has reached the paper feed sensor S2, the first motor M1 is stopped and the feed roller is stopped, while the pulling out by the pull-out belt continues (steps S24, S25). After the leading edge of banknote B1 passes the reversal position by the second reversal roller 267 and enters the storage and transport path 400, it is sequentially taken into the interior by the transport rollers 410 and 420. In this configuration as well, since the second motor M2 is separate from the first motor M1, the reliability of the separation operation is increased.

[0064] In Figure 4(a), the rear end of the banknote passes through the separation section 100 and the draw-out transport path 260, and the banknote is further transported inward by transport rollers 410 and 420 driven by the second motor M2 and the third motor M3. In Figure 4(b), the banknotes have entered the storage and transport path 400 completely along their entire length, and motors M2 and M3 are stopped for identification. Acceptable banknotes are transported to the safe CB in the second module Md2 by driving each transport roller 420 with the third motor M3 (steps S26 YES, S27). Unacceptable banknotes are returned by the return operation shown in Figure 5 (steps S26 NO, S28).

[0065] Furthermore, when banknotes are continuously fed from the deposit processing unit U1, the second motor M2 and the third motor M3 feed one banknote at a time. eye By stopping the second motor after the first banknote has been taken into the storage and transport path 400, it is possible to prevent the second banknote from entering the storage unit U2 in succession. In other words, the second motor M2 can be used as a shutter to prevent jams and other problems within the storage and transport path.

[0066] Figure 5 shows the state in which banknotes are returned. The processing operation when banknotes are returned is the same as in the example configuration with the drive transmission delay mechanism D. In other words, since the drive of the separation unit by the first motor M1 is stopped during the return operation, the separation unit does not interfere with the return operation, and reliable return processing can be performed. This eliminates the above-mentioned problem of the device in Patent Document 2, in which pickup, separation, withdrawal, and return are all performed by a single motor.

[0067] <Effects and benefits common to each embodiment> In the first and second embodiments, the above advantages are obtained by driving the drawer belt separately with a different drive source than the drive source for the feed roller. Furthermore, two endless drawer belts 270 are positioned symmetrically on either side of the feed roller in a non-interfering position with a different axial position from the feed roller, thus enabling the banknotes to be drawn out. This allows the banknote entry section 260a, which serves as the drawer point, to be positioned as close as possible to the separation point (separation nip section N1). Moreover, the layout of the banknote entry section 260a is flexible, and the drawer point can be placed at any desired position, thus increasing the design flexibility.

[0068] When the means for pulling out banknotes is a pair of rollers, as in Patent Document 2, the grip portion that holds the banknote becomes a single point. Strong force is required to pull out the banknotes that are nipped in the separation section, and in the case of Patent Document 2, strong pulling force is obtained by increasing the nip pressure of the pair of rollers. As a result, load is placed on the actuator and rollers, reducing their durability. In order to resolve this problem, it is necessary to place bearings in the separation path, but it has been difficult to secure space to place bearings of a size that will be sufficiently effective.

[0069] In this invention, by making the drawer transport path a surface, the gripping force for drawing can be increased even without increasing (or even with low) the pressure from the drawer belt, eliminating concerns about a decrease in the durability of the motor and belt. Moreover, unlike the separation part in Patent Document 2, in this invention the separation nip part N1 is a point gripping part, so the force required to pull out the nipped banknotes is small.

[0070] <Summary of the structure, operation, and effects of the present invention> The first paper sheet separation and transport device according to the present invention comprises a tray 10 for setting a stack of paper sheets B, a feeding unit 20 for feeding paper sheets from the stack on the tray, a separation unit 100 for allowing only the first paper sheet to pass downstream when the paper sheets fed from the feeding unit are in a double-feed state, and preventing the advancement of the second and subsequent paper sheets, a first motor M1 for driving the feeding unit and the separation unit, a pull-out transport unit 250 for pulling out and transporting the first paper sheet, which is partially remaining in the separation unit, a storage transport path 400 driven by a second motor M2 to receive the paper sheets discharged from the pull-out transport unit and transport them further downstream, and control means 1000 for controlling various control objects. Furthermore, the separation unit 20 includes a feed roller 110 that is rotatably supported around the axis of the feed roller shaft 101 and, when rotating forward, contacts the surface of the paper sheet fed by the feeding unit to transport it, and a friction separation member 130 that forms a separation nip N1 between itself and the feed roller and prevents the advancement of the second and subsequent paper sheets. The draw-out transport unit 250 includes at least two free-spinning rollers 257 that are rotatably supported (fixed in axial position) on the feed roller shaft portion on both axial sides of the feed roller, and an endless draw-out belt 270 that forms a curved draw-out transport path between itself and (contacts) the curved outer surface of each free-spinning roller, and, by traveling in the draw-out direction, cooperates with each free-spinning roller to change the direction of the first paper sheet in a direction intersecting the feeding direction by the feeding unit (the direction through which the paper passes the feeding path and the separation nip), and the draw-out belt is characterized by being driven by a second motor.

[0071] In a banknote separation and transport device equipped with a separation unit and a withdrawal unit for drawing banknotes from the separation unit, if the banknote transport path is bent or curved in a roughly L-shape to achieve miniaturization, driving the separation unit and the withdrawal unit with a single motor would necessitate driving both units at the same speed, making it difficult to ensure sufficient withdrawal force. Consequently, it is difficult to maintain proper separation performance and banknote withdrawal performance to ensure the reliability of banknote transport. Even if bearings are placed to guide banknotes in order to increase the transport force in the separation unit and the withdrawal unit and prevent malfunctions and jams, as in Patent Document 2, the bearings that can be placed in a confined space must be extremely small, and there are also limitations on the placement location, so the function of preventing malfunctions and jams cannot be achieved. If we were to simply place the motor for the separation section and the motor for the extraction section side by side and control them individually, it is clear that the number of motors would increase, leading to a larger device configuration.

[0072] In this invention, the drawer section is driven by a second motor M2 of a separate unit (second unit U2) equipped with an identification section. This allows the drive sources for the separation section and the drawer section to be separate and controlled individually without increasing the number of motors. As a result, the feed roller contributes only to separation and does not interfere with the drawer. In other words, the separation operation can be stopped during the drawer operation, thus suppressing secondary problems such as banknote jams that are likely to occur with single-drive systems. Naturally, this also reduces the load on the motor for the separation section, thereby increasing its durability. Despite being a small separation and conveying device with a bent or curved, roughly L-shaped conveying path, it enhances operational reliability and reduces malfunctions and jams even in its small size. It also allows for a compact design by separating the drives for the separation and extraction operations.

[0073] In the second paper sheet separation and conveying device according to the present invention, each drawer belt 270 is stretched by a first reversing roller 265 and a second reversing roller 267, which are arranged to form a drawer conveying path between each drawer belt and each idle roller, the first reversing roller forms a paper sheet introduction section 260a of the drawer conveying path between each drawer belt and each idle roller, and the second reversing roller reverses each drawer belt so that the paper sheets introduced from the paper sheet introduction section are conveyed toward the storage conveying path after passing through the downstream end (paper sheet discharge section) 260b of the drawer conveying path. The drawer conveying section employs an endless, thin-walled drawer belt, and by aligning the axial positions of the feed roller and the drawer belt, they are always in a non-contact state. This makes it possible to bring the banknote introduction section 260a of the drawer section as close to the separation point N1 as possible. This is a characteristic structure of the present invention that cannot be achieved with a configuration using a pair of rollers as the drawer means, as in Patent Document 2. The difference between the two is also clear from the drawings in that publication, where the separation section consisting of a high-friction pulley and a fixed belt is farther away from the nip section of the pair of rollers for drawing compared to the present invention.

[0074] Furthermore, since the drawer transport path 260 is formed in a curved contact area between the flexible drawer belt and the outer surface of the free-spinning roller 257, it provides a surface grip rather than a point grip. Therefore, even if the drawer transport path is bent or curved in an L-shape relative to the paper feed path extending from the dispensing section, the paper can be pulled out and transported stably with strong force.

[0075] The third paper sheet separation and transport device according to the present invention comprises an identification unit 450 positioned along a storage transport path that can be transported in both forward and reverse directions to determine whether or not a paper sheet can be accepted, and a return transport path 510 positioned in close proximity to and parallel to the feed path from the feed unit to discharge the returned paper sheet that has been determined by the identification unit to be unacceptable and has been transported in the reverse direction along the storage transport path, wherein the transport member 512 constituting the return transport path is driven by a second motor M2. During the return operation, the drive of the separation unit by the first motor M1 is stopped, so the separation unit does not interfere with the return operation driven by the second motor, ensuring reliable return processing. This eliminates the problems of the device described in Patent Document 2, which performs pickup, separation, extraction, and return all with a single motor.

[0076] Fourth paper sheet according to the present invention handling In the device, The 1 to The 3 This invention either to It is characterized by being equipped with the paper sheet separation and transport device described above. This paper leaf handling By applying this device to paper handling equipment such as banknote deposit machines, banknote counting machines, and various vending machines, it is possible to achieve a compact yet highly reliable separate drive system and reduce the jam occurrence rate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1...Banknote separation and transport device, Md1...First module, Md2...Second module, U1...Deposit processing unit, U2...Storage unit U, S1...Inlet sensor, S2...Paper feed sensor, S3...Return slot sensor, N1...Separation nip section, 10...Paper feed tray, 11...Return banknote storage tray, 15...Feeding and separation mechanism, 20...Separation section, 30...Feeding roller, 32...Shaft section, 33...Downstream timing pulley, 35...Timing belt, 40...Relative rotation section, 45...Relative rotation section, 50...Timing clutch, 52...First engagement section, 53...Second engagement section, 60...Upstream timing pulley, 61...Main body, 62...Engagement section, 70...Pick pusher, 100...Separation section, 101...Feed roller shaft, 110...Feed roller, 110...Feed roller shaft, 111...Main body, 112...Recessed part, 113...Engaged part, 130...Brake roller (friction separation member), 250...Drawer transport part, 257...Idle roller, 260...Drawer transport path, 260a...Banknote introduction part, 260b...Paper sheet discharge part, 265...First reversing roller, 267...Second reversing roller, 270...Drawer belt, 280...Shaft, 290...Shaft, 292...Transmission gear, 294...Gear group, 300...Transport guide member, 400...Storage transport path, 410...Upstream transport member (transport roller), 420...Downstream transport member (transport roller), 420a...Pair of transport rollers, 450...Identification part, 500...Flapper, 510...Return transport path, 512...Transport member (return roller), 1000...Control means.

Claims

1. A paper sheet separation and transport device comprising: a feeding unit for feeding paper sheets from a stack of paper sheets on a tray; a separation unit that, when the paper sheets fed from the feeding unit are in a double-feed state, allows only the first paper sheet to pass through and sends it downstream, while preventing the advancement of subsequent paper sheets; a first motor for driving the feeding unit and the separation unit; a drawer and transport unit for drawing out and transporting the first paper sheet, part of which remains in the separation unit; a storage and transport unit driven by a second motor for receiving the paper sheet discharged from the drawer and transport unit and transporting it further downstream; and control means for controlling various controlled objects, wherein The separation unit comprises a feed roller that rotates around the axis of the feed roller shaft and, when rotating in the forward direction, contacts and transports the paper sheets fed out by the feeding unit, and a friction separation member that forms a separation nip between itself and the feed roller to prevent the advancement of the second and subsequent paper sheets. The drawer transport unit comprises at least two free-spinning rollers rotatably supported on the feed roller shaft portion on both axial sides of the feed roller, and an endless drawer belt that forms a curved drawer transport path between the curved outer surfaces of each free-spinning roller and, by traveling in the drawer direction, changes the direction of the first sheet of paper in a direction intersecting the feed direction of the feed unit for transport. The paper sheet separation and conveying device is characterized in that the drawer belt is driven by the second motor.

2. Each of the aforementioned pull-out belts is stretched by a first reversing roller and a second reversing roller, which are arranged to form the pull-out transport path between them and each of the aforementioned free-spinning rollers. The first reversing roller forms a paper sheet introduction section of the drawer transport path between each drawer belt and each free-spinning roller. The paper sheet separation and conveying device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second reversing roller reverses each of the drawer belts so that the paper sheets introduced from the paper sheet introduction section are conveyed toward the storage and conveying section after passing through the downstream end of the drawer conveying path.

3. The system includes an identification unit positioned along the storage and transport section, which is capable of forward and reverse transport, for determining whether or not to accept paper sheets, and a return transport path positioned parallel to the feed path from the feed section, for discharging returned paper sheets that have been determined by the identification unit to be unacceptable and have been sent back through the storage and transport section. The paper sheet separation and transport device according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport member constituting the return transport path is driven by the second motor.

4. A paper sheet handling device characterized by comprising a paper sheet separation and transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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