Money processing device

Abstract

To achieve downsizing of the entire device.SOLUTION: There is provided a money handling device 1 in which a banknote processing unit 20 that, when a banknote is deposited through a banknote deposit portion 21, determines with a discrimination portion 27 whether or not the banknote is acceptable, stores the banknote determined to be acceptable in a banknote storage box 24 corresponding to a denomination, and, when a dispensing instruction is given, feeds the banknote from the corresponding banknote storage box 24, conveys it to a banknote dispensing portion 22, and dispenses it is stored in a device body 10 in such a manner that the banknote deposit portion 21 and the banknote dispensing portion 22 are exposed to the outside. The banknote processing unit 20 is configured such that an upper banknote processing constitution section 20a having the banknote deposit portion 21, the discrimination unit 27, and the banknote dispensing portion 22, and a lower banknote processing constitution section 20b having the banknote storage box 24 are integrated vertically. Under such a condition that an opening of the device body 10 is opened by a door body 12, the upper banknote processing constitution section 20a and the lower banknote processing constitution section 20b can be pulled out together vertically to the outside of the device body 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a money processing device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a money processing device having a bill processing unit inside a device main body has been proposed in Patent Document 1. This bill processing unit stores bills that have been discriminated as acceptable by a discrimination unit in a bill storage corresponding to the denomination, on condition that the bills are deposited through a bill deposit unit, while, on condition that a withdrawal instruction is given, it feeds out bills from the corresponding bill storage and withdraws them from a bill withdrawal unit. This bill processing unit is stored in the device main body in such a manner that the bill deposit unit and the bill withdrawal unit are exposed to the outside (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the bill processing unit of the above money processing device, a plurality of bill storages are arranged side by side along the front-rear direction on the rear side of the bill deposit unit and the bill withdrawal unit, and moreover, an inspection storage capable of temporarily holding bills is provided between the foremost bill storage and the bill withdrawal unit, so the depth dimension, which is the front-rear dimension, is excessive.

[0005] When the depth dimension of the bill processing unit becomes excessive in this way, the depth dimension of the device main body also becomes excessive, resulting in an increase in the size of the device.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a money processing device that can be miniaturized as a whole. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the money processing device according to the present invention, on the condition that banknotes are deposited through the banknote deposit section, determines in the identification section whether the banknotes are acceptable, stores the banknotes determined to be acceptable in the banknote storage compartment corresponding to the denomination of the banknotes, and on the condition that a dispensing instruction is given, dispenses the banknotes from the corresponding banknote storage compartment and transports them to the banknote dispensing section, and dispenses the banknotes from the banknote dispensing section. A money processing device housed in a device body such that the dispensing section is exposed to the outside, wherein the banknote processing unit is configured such that an upper banknote processing component having a banknote deposit section, an authentication section, and a banknote dispensing section, and a lower banknote processing component having a banknote storage compartment are integrated vertically, and provided that the opening of the device body is opened by a door, the upper banknote processing component and the lower banknote processing component can be pulled out together vertically to the outside of the device body.

[0008] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned money processing device, the upper banknote processing component includes a scrutiny compartment capable of temporarily holding banknotes stored in the banknote storage compartment, positioned on the banknote transport path closer to the banknote dispensing compartment than the banknote storage compartment.

[0009] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned money processing device, the lower banknote processing component comprises a first banknote storage compartment for storing banknotes of a single denomination and a second banknote storage compartment for storing banknotes of multiple denominations other than the single denomination stored in the first banknote storage compartment, and the first banknote storage compartment is positioned upstream of the second banknote storage compartment on the banknote transport path.

[0010] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned money processing device, the banknote processing unit is provided such that one of the upper banknote processing component and the lower banknote processing component is swingable toward and away from the other, and, provided that the one is pulled out to the outside of the device body, the one is swingable toward the other such that a part of the transport path from the identification unit to the banknote storage compartment is exposed.

[0011] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned money processing device, the lower banknote processing component is provided so as to be swingable in a manner that moves toward and away from the upper banknote processing component, and, provided that it is pulled out to the outside of the device body, it is swingable downward in a manner that exposes a part of the transport path from the identification unit to the banknote storage compartment to the upper banknote processing component.

[0012] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned money processing device, the banknote processing unit is provided with a restricting member that restricts the downward swing angle of the lower banknote processing component.

[0013] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned money processing device, the banknote processing unit is configured such that the banknote storage compartment in the lower banknote processing component is positioned above a part of the banknote transport path, and is equipped with a lid that can swing downward in such a manner that a part of the transport path is exposed when the lid is pulled out to the outside of the device body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, the banknote processing unit is configured such that an upper banknote processing component having a banknote deposit section, an authentication section, and a banknote dispensing section, and a lower banknote processing component having a banknote storage compartment are integrated vertically, and provided that the opening of the device body is opened by a door, the upper banknote processing component and the lower banknote processing component can be pulled out together vertically from the outside of the device body. This reduces the depth dimension of the banknote processing unit, thereby achieving a miniaturization of the entire device. Moreover, since the upper banknote processing component and the lower banknote processing component can be pulled out together vertically, the wiring structure can be simplified compared to making the upper banknote processing component and the lower banknote processing component pull out independently, provided that only the wiring connecting the banknote processing unit and the device body is secured. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a money processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a money processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a side view showing the external configuration of a money processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the money processing device shown in Figures 1 to 3, with some components omitted. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a side view showing the banknote processing unit housed in the main body of the device shown in Figure 2, etc. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the banknote processing unit shown in Figure 2, etc. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the banknote processing unit shown in Figures 5 and 6, etc., pulled forward. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the banknote processing unit shown in Figure 7. [Figure 9]FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the rear end portion of the upper banknote processing component in the banknote processing unit shown in FIG. 8 is swung backward. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a main part of a modified example of the money processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic view schematically showing a modified example of the banknote processing unit shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 12-1] FIGS. 12-1 is a schematic view showing the banknote storage operation of the banknote storage shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 12-2] FIGS. 12-2 is a schematic view showing the banknote storage operation of the banknote storage shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 12-3] FIGS. 12-3 is a schematic view showing the banknote storage operation of the banknote storage shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 12-4] FIGS. 12-... is a schematic view showing the banknote storage operation of the banknote storage shown in FIG. 6. >

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the money processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0017] FIGS. 1 to FIG... respectively show a money processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 1 and FIG. 2 are perspective views showing an external configuration, and FIG. 3 is a side view showing an external configuration.

[0018] The money processing apparatus 1 exemplified here is applied as an automatic change machine connected to a POS (Point Of Sales) register device A as a host device in a store such as a supermarket or a convenience store, and includes a device main body 10.

[0019] The device main body 10 is a rectangular parallelepiped housing having a front opening 10a at the front and a top opening 10b at the top, and is movable with a plurality (four in the illustrated example) of casters 11a provided on the bottom 11.

[0020] The main body of the device 10 has a front opening 10a that can be opened and closed by a door 12, and a top opening 10b that can be opened and closed by a top plate 13.

[0021] The door body 12 comprises a front cover 121 and a front door 122. The front cover 121 is pivotally supported on a part of the reinforcing metal 14 located in front of the top opening 10b, so as to be able to swing around the central axis of a cover shaft portion 121a that extends in the left-right direction. By swinging upward, the front cover 121 opens the upper part of the front opening 10a, while by swinging downward, it closes the upper part of the front opening 10a.

[0022] The front door 122 is pivotally supported on the front end of the left edge of the main body 10 of the device, so as to be able to swing around the central axis of a door shaft portion 122a that extends in the vertical direction. By swinging forward, the front door 122 opens the lower part of the front opening 10a, that is, the part that cannot be closed by the front cover 121, while by swinging backward, it closes the lower part of the front opening 10a.

[0023] The front door 122 is provided with a locking mechanism 123. When the locking mechanism 123 is locked, the front door 122 is held closed off to the lower part of the front opening 10a. When the locking mechanism 123 is unlocked, the front door 122 becomes able to swing forward.

[0024] Furthermore, the front door 122 has a function to hold down a portion of the front cover 121 when it is in a closed state, and when the locking mechanism 123 is locked, the front cover 121 is held in a closed state.

[0025] As shown in Figure 3, the top plate portion 13 is slidable in the front-rear direction. By sliding it backward, the top opening 10b is opened, while by sliding it forward, the top opening 10b is closed.

[0026] As shown in Figure 4, a banknote processing unit 20 and a coin processing unit 40 are housed inside the main body 10 of such a device.

[0027] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the banknote processing unit 20 is constructed by integrating an upper banknote processing component 20a and a lower banknote processing component 20b together with a frame 20c, and is housed in a unit storage section 20d located in the upper left part of the inside of the device body 10. Here, the unit storage section 20d is a box-shaped body with an opening on the front.

[0028] Such a banknote processing unit 20 includes a banknote transport mechanism 20e, an authentication unit 27, and a discrimination unit 28. The banknote transport mechanism 20e includes a banknote deposit unit 21, a banknote dispensing unit 22, a banknote collection unit 23, a banknote storage unit 24, and a scrutiny unit 25, which are connected by a transport path 26.

[0029] The banknote deposit section 21 is located at the front upper part of the upper banknote processing component 20a. This banknote deposit section 21 has a banknote deposit slot 21a and is for introducing banknotes inserted through the banknote deposit slot 21a into the unit. This banknote deposit slot 21a is exposed to the outside through a banknote deposit opening 121b formed in the front cover 121.

[0030] The banknote dispensing section 22 is located below the banknote deposit section 21 in the upper banknote processing section 20a. This banknote dispensing section 22 has a banknote dispensing opening 22a and is for dispensing banknotes into the banknote dispensing opening 22a. This banknote dispensing opening 22a is opened and closed by a banknote dispensing door 22b and is exposed to the outside through a banknote dispensing opening 121c formed in the front cover 121.

[0031] The banknote collection box 23 is located below the banknote dispensing section 22 in the upper banknote processing component 20a, and is used to store banknotes when they are collected.

[0032] The banknote storage compartment 24 is located in the lower banknote processing component 20b and has a 1,000 yen storage compartment (first banknote storage compartment) 241 and a mixed compartment (second banknote storage compartment) 242. The 1,000 yen storage compartment 241 stores 1,000 yen banknotes (banknotes of a single denomination) which are frequently used. The mixed compartment 242 stores banknotes other than 1,000 yen banknotes, namely 2,000 yen banknotes, 5,000 yen banknotes and 10,000 yen banknotes mixed together.

[0033] The scrutiny compartment 25 is located behind the banknote dispensing section 22 and the banknote collection compartment 23 in the upper banknote processing unit 20a. This scrutiny compartment 25 is used as a temporary holding compartment during scrutiny operations, etc.

[0034] The authentication unit 27 is located in the transport path 26 behind the banknote deposit unit 21 in the upper banknote processing unit 20a. This authentication unit 27 authenticates the authenticity and denomination of the banknotes passing through.

[0035] The discrimination unit 28 is located in the transport path 26 between the scrutiny compartment 25 and the 1,000 yen storage compartment 241 in the lower banknote processing component 20b. This discrimination unit 28 is responsible for determining the denomination of the banknotes.

[0036] In the above-described banknote processing unit 20, the upper banknote processing component 20a has a banknote deposit section 21, a banknote dispensing section 22, a banknote collection box 23, a scrutiny box 25, and an authentication section 27, while the lower banknote processing component 20b has a banknote storage box 24 (a 1,000 yen storage box 241 and a mixing box 242) and a discrimination section 28.

[0037] Incidentally, the banknote storage compartment 24 and the scrutiny compartment 25 are equipped with conventionally known pusher mechanisms. When the pusher mechanisms 241a and 242a (see Figure 8) of the banknote storage compartment 24 are in an inward position that allows banknotes to be received, the pusher mechanism 25a (see Figure 8) of the scrutiny compartment 25 is in an outward position that allows banknotes to be dispensed. Conversely, when the pusher mechanisms 241a and 242a of the banknote storage compartment 24 are in an outward position, the pusher mechanism 25a of the scrutiny compartment 25 is in an inward position. As described above, the banknote storage compartment 24 is located in the lower banknote processing component 20b, and the scrutiny compartment 25 is located in the upper banknote processing component 20a. Therefore, in the banknote processing unit 20, an actuator 29 for driving the pusher mechanism 25a of the scrutiny compartment 25 is provided in the upper banknote processing component 20a, and an actuator 30 for driving the pusher mechanism 25a of the banknote storage compartment 24 is provided in the lower banknote processing component 20b. In other words, in the banknote processing unit 20, actuators 29 and 30 are provided in the banknote collection compartment 23 and the scrutiny compartment 25, respectively, and the operation of these actuators 29 and 30 is synchronized.

[0038] Let's briefly explain the operation of such a banknote processing unit 20. First, let's explain the deposit operation.

[0039] When banknotes are deposited into the banknote deposit slot 21a, the banknotes are transported to the authentication unit 27 by the banknote transport mechanism 20e. If the banknotes become jammed during transport, the banknote transport mechanism 20e returns the banknotes to the banknote deposit slot 21a via the banknote deposit unit 21.

[0040] Banknotes that the authentication unit 27 determines are not legal tender are transported to the banknote dispensing unit 22 by the banknote transport mechanism 20e and dispensed from the banknote dispensing slot 22a. On the other hand, banknotes that the authentication unit 27 determines to be legal tender are stored by the banknote transport mechanism 20e in either the 1,000 yen storage unit 241 or the mixing unit 242, depending on the denomination.

[0041] Next, the dispensing operation will be explained. When a dispensing command is given, the banknote transport mechanism 20e dispenses banknotes of the corresponding denomination from the 1,000 yen storage unit 241 or mixing unit 242, transports them to the banknote dispensing unit 22, and dispenses them from the banknote dispensing slot 22a.

[0042] Let's further explain the inspection process. Specifically, we will explain the process for inspecting 1,000 yen banknotes stored in the 1,000 yen storage compartment 241.

[0043] The banknote transport mechanism 20e feeds the 1,000 yen banknotes stored in the 1,000 yen storage compartment 241 onto the transport path 26 and transports them to the rear. During transport, the identification unit 28 identifies the denomination and number of 1,000 yen banknotes, and the identified 1,000 yen banknotes are stored in the scrutiny compartment 25. This allows the number of 1,000 yen banknotes to be measured and confirmed. After the 1,000 yen banknotes are stored in the scrutiny compartment 25, the banknote transport mechanism 20e feeds the temporarily held 1,000 yen banknotes back onto the transport path 26 and stores them back in the original 1,000 yen storage compartment 241.

[0044] In the above-mentioned banknote processing unit 20, the scrutiny compartment 25 is positioned on the banknote transport path 26 closer to the banknote dispensing section 22 than the banknote storage compartment 24, and the 1,000 yen storage compartment 241 is positioned on the banknote transport path 26 upstream of the mixing compartment 242.

[0045] As shown in Figure 4, the coin processing unit 40 includes a coin deposit section 41, a temporary holding section 42, a coin sorting section 43, a coin storage section 44, a coin dispensing and transport section 45, and a coin transport section 46.

[0046] The coin deposit section 41 has a coin deposit slot 41a and takes in coins deposited through the coin deposit slot 41a, and is equipped with a coin inspection section (not shown). The coin inspection section is for determining the authenticity and denomination of the coins. This coin deposit slot 41a is located at approximately the same height as the banknote deposit slot 21a and is exposed to the outside through a coin deposit opening 121e formed in the front cover 121.

[0047] The temporary holding section 42 is located behind the coin deposit section 41 and temporarily holds coins that have been determined to be legitimate by the coin inspection section. The coin sorting section 43 is in communication with the temporary holding section 42 via a chute 47 and is located below the temporary holding section 42. The coin sorting section 43 sorts the coins that have been held in the temporary holding section 42 and then dropped by the chute 47 into their respective denominations.

[0048] The coin storage compartments 44 are located below the unit storage section 20d in the main body 10 of the device. Each coin storage compartment 44 is provided for each denomination and stores the coins sorted by the coin sorting section 43. Each coin storage compartment 44 is designed to store inserted coins individually according to their denomination. Each coin storage compartment 44 also has a function to dispense the stored items.

[0049] The coin dispensing and transporting unit 45 is located to the right of the coin storage compartments 44 and transports the coins dispensed from each coin storage compartment 44 toward the rear.

[0050] The coin transport unit 46 is located in the right-side area (lateral area) of the unit storage unit 20d. This coin transport unit 46 receives coins that have been dispensed from the coin storage unit 44 and transported towards the rear by the dispensing transport unit 45, and transports them towards the front and upward while carrying them to the coin dispensing unit 48. The coin dispensing unit 48 has a coin dispensing opening 48a and is for dispensing coins into this opening 48a. This coin dispensing opening 48a is located at approximately the same height as the banknote dispensing opening 22a and is exposed to the outside through a coin dispensing opening (not shown) formed in the front cover 121.

[0051] Let's briefly explain the operation of such a coin processing unit 40. First, let's explain the deposit operation.

[0052] When coins are deposited into the coin deposit slot 41a, the coins are inspected for authenticity and denomination by the coin inspection unit of the coin deposit section 41. Genuine coins are held in the temporary holding unit 42. Non-genuine coins, on the other hand, are transported to the coin dispensing unit 48 via a predetermined route and dispensed from the coin dispensing slot 48a into the dispensing tray 121f formed on the front cover 121.

[0053] Subsequently, the coins held in the temporary holding section 42 fall through the chute 47 to the coin sorting section 43, where they are sorted by denomination. The coins sorted by the coin sorting section 43 are then stored in the coin storage compartment 44 according to their denomination.

[0054] Next, the dispensing operation will be explained. When a dispensing command is given, coins of the corresponding denomination are dispensed from the coin storage unit 44 and transported backward by the dispensing transport unit 45. The coins transported backward by the dispensing transport unit 45 are then transported to the coin dispensing unit 48 by the coin transport unit 46 and dispensed from the coin dispensing opening 48a into the dispensing tray 121f.

[0055] In such a money processing device 1, the banknote processing unit 20 and the coin processing unit 40 are housed in the device body 10 such that the banknote deposit section 21 and the coin deposit section 41 are positioned at approximately the same height, and a portion of them overlap each other vertically. More specifically, the banknote processing unit 20 is housed in the device body 10 above the coin processing unit 40, with the coin transport section 46 constituting the coin processing unit 40 positioned in the lateral area of ​​the banknote processing unit 20.

[0056] Furthermore, in the money processing device 1, as shown in Figure 7, the banknote processing unit 20 can be pulled out of the device body 10 by a sliding mechanism 31 interposed between the frame 20c and the unit storage section 20d, so that when the door body 12 (front cover 121 and front) opens the front opening 10a, the upper banknote processing component 20a and the lower banknote processing component 20b slide forward as a single unit vertically.

[0057] In the banknote processing unit 20, the first axial portion 32 is pivotally supported on the frame 20c so that the lower banknote processing component 20b can swing toward and away from the upper banknote processing component 20a. As a result, when the banknote processing unit 20 is pulled out from the main body 10, the locking portion 33 of the lower banknote processing component 20b is released from the locking portion (not shown) of the upper banknote processing component 20a, causing the lower banknote processing component 20b to swing downward. When the lower banknote processing component 20b swings downward in this manner, a part of the transport path 26 in the lower banknote processing component 20b, that is, a part of the transport path 26 from the authentication section 27 to the banknote storage compartment 24, is exposed.

[0058] Restricting pins 34, provided on the left and right side plates of the lower banknote processing component 20b, are inserted into elongated holes 35a formed at the tip of a long restricting member 35, the base end of which is rotatably supported relative to the frame 20c. The rotational range of this restricting member 35 is restricted to a predetermined range, and the downward swinging of the lower banknote processing component 20b is restricted when the restricting pins 34 abut against the tip edge of the elongated hole 35a. In other words, the banknote processing unit 20 is equipped with a restricting member 35 that restricts the downward swinging angle of the lower banknote processing component 20b.

[0059] Incidentally, as shown in Figure 8, a tension spring 36 is interposed between a part of the lower banknote processing component 20b and a part of the frame 20c. The elastic restoring force of this tension spring 36 restricts the downward swinging force of the lower banknote processing component 20b, thereby causing the tension spring 36 to function as a damper.

[0060] Furthermore, the rear end portion 37 of the upper banknote processing component 20a is provided so as to be able to swing in the front-rear direction by pivotally supporting a second axial portion 37a, the lower end portion of which extends in the left-right direction, on the frame 20c. As shown in Figure 9, when the rear end portion 37 of the upper banknote processing component 20a swings backward, a part of the transport path 26 that extends in the vertical direction inside the upper banknote processing component 20a, that is, a part of the transport path 26 from the identification section 27 to the discrimination section 28, is exposed.

[0061] As described above, according to the money processing device 1 of this embodiment, the banknote processing unit 20 and the coin processing unit 40 are housed in the device body 10 such that a portion of them overlap vertically, with the banknote deposit section 21 and the coin deposit section 41 positioned at approximately the same height, the coin transport section 46 constituting the coin processing unit 40 being located in the lateral area of ​​the banknote processing unit 20, and the banknote processing unit 20 being positioned above the coin processing unit 40.

[0062] According to the above-described money processing device 1, the device body 10 has a top opening 10b formed on its top surface, and a top plate portion 13 is provided to open and close the top opening 10b. As shown in Figure 3, the POS register device A, which is a higher-level device, can be placed on the device body 10 with the top opening 10b open, eliminating the need to create a separate enclosure for the POS register device A and improving convenience.

[0063] According to the above-described money processing device 1, the banknote processing unit 20 is configured as an upper banknote processing component 20a having a banknote deposit section 21, an authentication section 27, and a banknote dispensing section 22, and a lower banknote processing component 20b having a banknote storage compartment 24, with the upper and lower components integrated vertically. Provided that the front opening 10a of the device body 10 is opened by the door body 12 (front cover 121 and front door 122), the upper banknote processing component 20a and the lower banknote processing component 20b can be pulled out as a single unit vertically from the outside of the device body 10. This reduces the depth dimension of the banknote processing unit 20, thereby enabling miniaturization of the entire device. Furthermore, since the upper banknote processing unit 20a and the lower banknote processing unit 20b can be pulled out as a single unit, the wiring structure can be simplified compared to making the upper banknote processing unit 20a and the lower banknote processing unit 20b pull out independently, as long as the wiring connecting the banknote processing unit 20 and the main body of the device 10 is secured.

[0064] Furthermore, according to the money processing device 1 of this embodiment, the lower banknote processing component 20b is provided on the frame 20c so as to be able to swing toward and away from the upper banknote processing component 20a, and, provided that it is pulled out to the outside of the device body 10, it can swing downward in such a manner that a part of the transport path 26 from the authentication unit 27 to the banknote storage compartment 24 is exposed relative to the upper banknote processing component 20a. As a result, banknotes remaining in the transport path 26, especially banknotes remaining in the joint between the upper banknote processing component 20a and the lower banknote processing component 20b, can be easily removed, and damage to the banknotes can be suppressed.

[0065] Furthermore, according to the money processing device 1, which is an embodiment of the present invention, the rear end portion 37 of the upper banknote processing component 20a is pulled out to the outside of the device body 10 and swings backward, thereby exposing a part of the transport path 26 that extends vertically inside the upper banknote processing component 20a, that is, a part of the transport path 26 from the identification section 27 to the discrimination section 28. This also makes it possible to easily remove banknotes remaining in the transport path 26, especially banknotes remaining in the joint between the upper banknote processing component 20a and the lower banknote processing component 20b, thereby preventing damage to the banknotes.

[0066] Furthermore, according to the money processing device 1, which is an embodiment of the present invention, the regulating member 35 restricts the downward swing angle of the lower banknote processing component 20b, thereby preventing the lower banknote processing component 20b from swinging downward more than necessary.

[0067] Furthermore, according to the above-described money processing device 1, the inspection compartment 25, which can temporarily hold banknotes stored in the banknote storage compartment 24, is arranged in the upper banknote processing component 20a in such a manner that it is closer to the banknote dispensing section 22 than the banknote storage compartment 24 on the banknote transport path 26, thereby enabling smooth inspection operations.

[0068] Furthermore, according to the above-described money processing device 1, in the lower banknote processing component 20b, the 1,000 yen storage compartment 241 is positioned upstream of the mixing compartment 242 on the banknote transport path 26, thereby shortening the dispensing time for 1,000 yen banknotes, which are dispensed in large quantities.

[0069] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made.

[0070] In the above-described embodiment, a portion of the coin processing unit 40 was positioned below the banknote processing unit 20, and the device body 10 was arranged such that the banknote processing unit 20 and a portion of the coin processing unit overlapped vertically. However, in the present invention, as long as the banknote deposit section and the coin deposit section are positioned at approximately the same height, a portion of the coin processing unit may be positioned above the banknote processing unit, and the device body may be arranged such that the banknote processing unit and a portion of the coin processing unit overlap vertically. This also helps to reduce the occupied area.

[0071] In the above-described embodiment, the top plate portion 13 slides backward to open the top opening 10b, allowing the POS register device A to be placed on it. However, in the present invention, the top plate portion may be detachably attached to the device body, and the top plate portion may be removed to open the top opening and allow the POS register device to be placed on it. Alternatively, the top plate portion may be slid backward and then swung downward.

[0072] In the embodiment described above, the lower banknote processing component 20b was provided on the frame 20c so as to be able to swing toward and away from the upper banknote processing component 20a. However, in the present invention, the upper banknote processing component may be provided on the frame so as to be able to swing toward and away from the lower banknote processing component, or the upper banknote processing component and the lower banknote processing component may be provided on the frame so as to be able to swing toward and away from each other.

[0073] In the above-described embodiment, actuators 29 and 30 were provided in the banknote collection box 23 and the scrutiny box 25, respectively, and the operation of these actuators 29 and 30 was synchronized. However, the present invention may also be carried out as follows.

[0074] Figure 10 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the drive mechanism of the pusher mechanisms 241a, 242a, and 25a in the banknote storage compartment 24 and the scrutiny compartment 25. Components identical to those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0075] As shown in Figure 10, the actuators 50 of the pusher mechanisms 241a and 242a of the banknote storage compartments 24 (1,000 yen storage compartment 241 and mixing compartment 242) and the pusher mechanism 25a of the inspection compartment 25 may be made common. In Figure 10, the pusher mechanism 241a of the 1,000 yen storage compartment 241 and the pusher mechanism 242a of the mixing compartment 242 are connected to each other by a connecting plate 51, and this connecting plate 51 is linked to the actuator 50. The pusher mechanism 25a of the inspection compartment 25 is connected to a guide plate 52, and this guide plate 52 is linked to the actuator 50. Torque limiters 53a and 53b are provided between the connecting plate 51 and the actuator 50, and between the guide plate 52 and the actuator 50, respectively, which slip when a load exceeding the rated torque is applied.

[0076] Furthermore, the connecting plate 51 is slidable in the front-rear direction between the first stopper 541 on the front side and the second stopper 542 on the rear side. When it contacts the first stopper 541, the pusher mechanisms 241a and 242a of the banknote storage compartment 24 are placed in the retracted position, and when it contacts the second stopper 542, the pusher mechanisms 241a and 242a of the banknote storage compartment 24 are placed in the ejected position. The guide plate 52 is also slidable in the front-rear direction between the third stopper 543 on the front side and the fourth stopper 544 on the rear side. When it contacts the third stopper 543, the pusher mechanism 25a of the inspection compartment 25 is placed in the retracted position, and when it contacts the fourth stopper 544, the pusher mechanism 25a of the inspection compartment 25 is placed in the ejected position.

[0077] When the connecting plate 51 contacts the first stopper 541, the guide plate 52 contacts the fourth stopper 544. When the actuator 50 is driven to rotate in one direction, the connecting plate 51 slides backward toward the second stopper 542 while the guide plate 52 slides forward toward the third stopper 543, and when the connecting plate 51 contacts the second stopper 542, the guide plate 52 contacts the third stopper 543. On the other hand, when the actuator 50 is driven to rotate in the other direction, the connecting plate 51 slides forward toward the first stopper 541 while the guide plate 52 slides backward toward the fourth stopper 544, and when the connecting plate 51 contacts the first stopper 541, the guide plate 52 contacts the fourth stopper 544.

[0078] Even if the lower banknote processing component 20b is swung downward after the banknote processing unit 20 has been pulled out of the entire device, causing the connection between the connecting plate 51 (the pusher mechanism 241a, 242a of the banknote storage compartment 24) and the actuator 50 to be severed, the lower banknote processing component 20b can be swung upward to engage the locking portion 33 with the locking portion, thereby linking the connecting plate 51 and the actuator 50, and the banknote processing unit 20 can be stored in the device body 10, and then adjusted as follows.

[0079] In other words, the actuator 50 is rotated in the opposite direction until the connecting plate 51 contacts the first stopper 541. In this case, even if the guide plate 52 is already in contact with the fourth stopper 544, the free rotation of the torque limiter 53b prevents an excessive load from being applied to the actuator 50. Subsequently, at the moment when the connecting plate 51 contacts the first stopper 541 and the guide plate 52 contacts the fourth stopper 544, the rotational drive of the actuator 50 can be stopped to return it to its initial state.

[0080] In the above-described banknote processing unit 20, the lower banknote processing component 20b is provided to be swingable in such a manner that it moves closer to and away from the upper banknote processing component 20a, and the lower banknote processing component 20b swings downward when it is pulled out to the outside of the device body 10. However, in the present invention, the following configuration can be adopted.

[0081] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a modified version of the banknote processing unit shown in Figure 6. As shown in Figure 11, the banknote processing unit 60 is composed of an upper banknote processing component 60a and a lower banknote processing component 60b which are integrated vertically and housed in the unit storage section 20d.

[0082] Such a banknote processing unit 60 includes a banknote transport mechanism 60e, an authentication unit 67, and a discrimination unit 68. The banknote transport mechanism 60e includes a banknote deposit unit 61, a banknote dispensing unit 62, a banknote collection unit 63, a banknote storage unit 64, and a scrutiny unit 65, which are connected by a transport path 66.

[0083] The banknote deposit section 61 is located at the front upper part of the upper banknote processing component 60a. This banknote deposit section 61 has a banknote deposit slot 61a and is for introducing banknotes inserted through the banknote deposit slot 61a into the unit. This banknote deposit slot 61a is exposed to the outside through a banknote deposit opening 121b formed in the front cover 121.

[0084] The banknote dispensing section 62 is located below the banknote deposit section 61 in the upper banknote processing section 60a. This banknote dispensing section 62 has a banknote dispensing opening 62a and is for dispensing banknotes into the banknote dispensing opening 62a. This banknote dispensing opening 62a is opened and closed by a banknote dispensing door 62b and is exposed to the outside through a banknote dispensing opening 121c formed in the front cover 121.

[0085] The banknote collection box 63 is located below the banknote dispensing section 62 in the upper banknote processing component 60a, and is used to store banknotes when they are collected.

[0086] The banknote storage compartment 64 is located in the lower banknote processing component 60b and has a 1,000 yen storage compartment (first banknote storage compartment) 641 and a mixed compartment (second banknote storage compartment) 642. The 1,000 yen storage compartment 641 stores 1,000 yen banknotes (banknotes of a single denomination) which are frequently used. The mixed compartment 642 stores banknotes other than 1,000 yen banknotes, namely 2,000 yen banknotes, 5,000 yen banknotes and 10,000 yen banknotes mixed together.

[0087] The scrutiny compartment 65 is located behind the banknote dispensing section 62 and the banknote collection compartment 63 in the upper banknote processing component 60a. This scrutiny compartment 65 is used as a temporary holding compartment during scrutiny operations, etc.

[0088] The authentication unit 67 is located in the transport path 66 behind the banknote deposit unit 61 in the upper banknote processing component 60a. This authentication unit 67 authenticates the authenticity and denomination of the banknotes passing through.

[0089] The discrimination unit 68 is located in the transport path 66 between the scrutiny compartment 65 and the 1,000 yen storage compartment 641 in the lower banknote processing component 60b. This discrimination unit 68 is responsible for determining the denomination of the banknotes.

[0090] In the above-described banknote processing unit 60, the upper banknote processing component 60a has a banknote deposit section 61, a banknote dispensing section 62, a banknote collection box 63, a scrutiny box 65, and an authentication section 67, while the lower banknote processing component 60b has a banknote storage box 64 (a 1,000 yen storage box 641 and a mixing box 642) and a discrimination section 68.

[0091] Furthermore, in the lower banknote processing unit 60b, the banknote storage compartment 64 is located above the transport path 66. In other words, the transport path 66 in the lower banknote processing unit 60b extends downward from the transport path 66 of the upper banknote processing unit 60a, and then extends forward, with the banknote storage compartment 64 located above the transport path 66 that extends forward. Although not explicitly shown in the figure, a conventionally known pusher mechanism is provided inside the banknote storage compartment 64 and the inspection compartment 65.

[0092] The above-described banknote processing unit 60 is provided with a lower cover 71 and a rear cover 72. The lower cover 71 is located below the lower banknote processing component 60b and is pivotally supported so as to be able to swing vertically around the central axis of a lower shaft portion 71a whose rear end extends along the left-right direction. When the banknote processing unit 60 is pulled out of the main body 10 of the device, the lower cover 71 swings downward, thereby exposing a part of the transport path 66 that extends along the front-rear direction in the lower banknote processing component 60b, that is, the transport path 66 located below the banknote storage compartment 64.

[0093] The rear cover 72 is provided on the rear side of the upper banknote processing component 60a and the lower banknote processing component 60b, and its lower end portion is pivotally supported so as to be able to swing in the front-rear direction around the central axis of the rear shaft portion 72a which extends in the left-right direction. When the banknote processing unit 60 is pulled out of the main body 10 of the device, the rear cover 72 swings toward the rear, thereby exposing a part of the transport path 66 that extends in the vertical direction in the upper banknote processing section and the lower banknote processing component 60b.

[0094] Let's briefly explain the operation of such a banknote processing unit 60. First, let's explain the deposit operation.

[0095] When banknotes are deposited into the banknote deposit slot 61a, the banknotes are transported to the authentication section 67 by the banknote transport mechanism 60e. If the banknotes become jammed during transport, the banknote transport mechanism 60e returns the banknotes to the banknote deposit slot 61a via the banknote deposit section 61.

[0096] Banknotes that the authentication unit 67 determines are not legal tender are transported to the banknote dispensing unit 62 by the banknote transport mechanism 60e and dispensed from the banknote dispensing slot 62a. On the other hand, banknotes that the authentication unit 67 determines to be legal tender are stored by the banknote transport mechanism 60e in either the 1,000 yen storage unit 641 or the mixing unit 642, depending on the denomination.

[0097] In the banknote storage compartment 64, as shown in Figure 12-1, a guide roller 64a located near the entrance of the banknote storage compartment 64 rotates clockwise when viewed from the right, while a winged roller 64b located near the entrance rotates counterclockwise when viewed from the right. As a result, as shown in Figure 12-2, the banknotes transported along the transport path 66 pass through the entrance. Then, as shown in Figure 12-3, the banknotes that have passed through the entrance flow into the banknote storage compartment 64, and due to the rotation of the winged roller 64b, they assume an inclined position that gradually tilts backward as they move upward, as shown in Figure 12-4, allowing the next banknotes to flow in. After the banknotes transported along the transport path 66 have flowed into the banknote storage compartment 64, they are stored in the banknote storage compartment 64 by the operation of the pusher mechanism.

[0098] Next, the dispensing operation will be explained. When a dispensing command is given, the banknote transport mechanism 60e dispenses banknotes of the corresponding denomination from the 1,000 yen storage compartment 641 or mixing compartment 642, transports them to the banknote dispensing section 62, and dispenses them from the banknote dispensing opening 62a.

[0099] Let's further explain the inspection process. Specifically, we will explain the process for inspecting 1,000 yen banknotes stored in the 1,000 yen storage compartment 641.

[0100] The banknote transport mechanism 60e feeds the 1,000 yen banknotes stored in the 1,000 yen storage compartment 641 onto the transport path 66 and transports them to the rear. During transport, the identification unit 68 identifies the denomination and number of 1,000 yen banknotes, and the identified 1,000 yen banknotes are stored in the scrutiny compartment 65. This allows the number of 1,000 yen banknotes to be measured and confirmed. After the 1,000 yen banknotes are stored in the scrutiny compartment 65, the banknote transport mechanism 60e feeds the temporarily held 1,000 yen banknotes back onto the transport path 66 and stores them back in the original 1,000 yen storage compartment 641.

[0101] In the above-mentioned banknote processing unit 60, the scrutiny compartment 65 is positioned on the banknote transport path 66 closer to the banknote dispensing section 62 than the banknote storage compartment 64, and the 1,000 yen storage compartment 641 is positioned upstream of the mixing compartment 642 on the banknote transport path 66.

[0102] In a money processing device equipped with such a banknote processing unit 60, the banknote storage compartment 64 in the lower banknote processing component 60b is positioned above a portion of the banknote transport path 66, and the lower lid 71 can be swung downward in such a manner that a portion of the transport path 66 is exposed, provided that it is pulled out to the outside of the device body 10. Therefore, by simply swinging the relatively lightweight lower lid 71, banknotes remaining in the transport path 66 can be easily removed, and damage to the banknotes can be suppressed.

[0103] Furthermore, according to the above-described money processing device, the rear cover 72 swings backward when it is pulled out to the outside of the device body 10, thereby exposing a portion of the transport path 66 that extends vertically in the upper banknote processing section and the lower banknote processing component 60b. As a result, by simply swinging the relatively lightweight rear cover 72, banknotes remaining in the transport path 66 can be easily removed, and damage to the banknotes can be suppressed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 1...Money processing device, 10...Device body, 10a...Front opening, 10b...Top opening, 12...Door body, 121...Front cover, 121b...Opening for depositing banknotes, 121c...Opening for dispensing banknotes, 121e...Opening for depositing coins, 122...Front door, 13...Top plate, 20...Banknote processing unit, 20a...Upper banknote processing component, 20b...Lower banknote processing component, 20c...Frame body, 20d...Unit storage section, 20e...Banknote transport mechanism, 21...Banknote deposit section, 21a...Banknote deposit slot, 22...Banknote dispensing section, 22a...Banknote dispensing slot, 23...Paper 24...Banknote collection box, 241...1,000 yen storage box, 242...Mixing box, 25...Inspection box, 26...Transportation path, 27...Identification section, 28...Discrimination section, 31...Slide mechanism, 32...First shaft section, 33...Locking section, 34...Regulating pin, 35...Regulating member, 36...Tension spring, 40...Coin processing unit, 41...Coin deposit section, 41a...Coin deposit slot, 42...Temporary holding section, 43...Coin sorting section, 44...Coin storage box, 45...Dispensing transport section, 46...Coin transport section, 48...Coin dispensing section, 48a...Coin dispensing slot, A...POS register device.

Claims

1. A banknote processing unit is a money processing device in which, upon receiving banknotes through a banknote deposit section, an authentication section authenticates whether the banknotes are acceptable, and banknotes authenticated as acceptable by the authentication section are stored in a banknote storage compartment corresponding to the denomination of the banknotes, while upon receiving a withdrawal instruction, banknotes are dispensed from the corresponding banknote storage compartment and transported to a banknote withdrawal section, and the banknotes are withdrawn from the banknote withdrawal section. The banknote processing unit is housed in the main body of the device in such a manner that the banknote deposit section and the banknote withdrawal section are exposed to the outside. The aforementioned banknote processing unit is An upper banknote processing unit having the banknote deposit section, the authentication section, and the banknote dispensing section, The lower banknote processing unit having the banknote storage compartment The upper and lower banknote processing components are constructed as a single unit, and provided that the opening of the device body is opened by the door, the upper banknote processing component and the lower banknote processing component can be pulled out as a single unit from the outside of the device body. The banknote processing unit is characterized in that the lower banknote processing component is provided so as to be able to swing toward and away from the upper banknote processing component, and, provided that it is pulled out to the outside of the main body of the device, the lower banknote processing component is able to swing downward relative to the upper banknote processing component in such a manner that a part of the transport path from the identification unit to the banknote storage compartment is exposed.

2. The money processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the banknote processing unit is provided with a restricting member that restricts the downward swing angle of the lower banknote processing component.

Images