Paper sheet conveying device

Abstract

In a paper sheet transport device that uses airflow to transport banknotes, when a secondary blower is installed, this prevents air leakage (backflow) from the duct to the secondary blower. [Solution] An air leak blocking door (400) is placed between the auxiliary blower (200) and the sub-duct (300). The air leak blocking door (400) opens only when airflow is supplied from the auxiliary blower (200) and does not open in response to airflow flowing back from the duct.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sheet conveying device that conveys banknotes and other sheet-like paper leaves in a duct by an air flow generated in the duct.

Background Art

[0002] As an example of such a sheet conveying device, there is one described in Japanese Patent No. 7123453 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2023-114893). FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing the overall structure of the sheet conveying device 100 described in the publication and the surrounding environment in which the sheet conveying device 100 is used. The sheet conveying device 100 includes a carrier 110 (see FIGS. 12 and 13) that conveys banknotes and other paper leaves by pushing them in front of the carrier, a duct 120 that is similar in outer shape to the carrier 110 and has an internal space in which the carrier 110 can travel, a sheet storage chamber 130 that stores the paper leaves conveyed by the carrier 110, a first blower 140A that is connected and disposed at one end (the right end in FIG. 11) of the duct 120 and generates an air flow that causes the carrier 110 to travel in the duct 120 in the direction X1 toward the sheet storage chamber 130, a second blower 140B that is connected and disposed at the other end (the left end in FIG. 11) of the duct 120 and generates an air flow that causes the carrier 110 to travel in the duct 120 in the direction X2 away from the sheet storage chamber 130, and a carrier delivery device (not shown in FIG. 11) that delivers the carrier 110 into the duct 120.

[0003] As shown in FIG. 11, a plurality of pachinko machines and other gaming devices 20 are arranged in a row in the left-right direction of FIG. 11 inside the game arcade, and a gaming medium lending device 21 for lending out gaming media (such as pachinko balls and medals) is installed adjacent to each gaming device 20. The duct 120 is installed on the rear side of the gaming equipment 20 and the gaming media dispensing device 21, extending parallel to the direction in which the gaming equipment 20 and the gaming media dispensing device 21 are arranged. The duct 120 is connected at both ends to the first blower 140A and the paper sheet storage room 130, which are located at a distance from the group of gaming equipment 20 and the gaming media dispensing device 21. Figure 12 is a perspective view of the carrier 110 used in the paper sheet transport device 100, viewed from the front, and Figure 13 is a perspective view of the carrier 110, viewed from the rear.

[0004] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the carrier 110 is bullet-shaped, and specifically consists of a cylindrical main body portion 110a and a hemispherical rear portion 110b formed on the back side of the main body portion 110a and continuous with the main body portion 110a. The carrier 110 transports banknotes by pressing them against the front surface 110c of the main body 110a. Multiple hemispherical protrusions 110d are formed at equal intervals along the circumference of the front surface 110c of the main body 110a. The banknotes are held in place by being sandwiched between two adjacent protrusions 110d. The carrier 110 moves forward (travels in the X1 direction) by receiving airflow (wind) from the first blower 140A at its rear section 110b. Figure 14 is a perspective view of the duct 120, and Figures 15 and 16 are perspective views showing the relative positions of the carrier 110, the banknotes 50, and the duct 120. As shown in Figure 14, the duct 120 is composed of a first region 120a and a second region 120b.

[0005] The first area 120a has a vertically elongated rectangular shape, with a height that allows the shorter side 50a (see Figure 15) of the banknote 50 to pass through, and a width that allows the banknote 50 to pass through even if it is folded or curved. The second region 120b has a circular longitudinal section and is set to a size (radius) that allows the carrier 110 to pass through. The first region 120a and the second region 120b partially overlap, and the vertically extending centerline of the first region 120a passes through the center of the second region 120b. The first region 120a protrudes from the second region 120b by equal lengths in both the vertical and horizontal directions. As shown in Figures 15 and 16, the carrier 110 pushes the short side 50a of the banknote 50 with its front surface 110c, transporting the banknote 50 inside the duct 120. The banknote 50 passes through the first region 120a of the duct 120, and the carrier 110 passes through the second region 120b of the duct 120.

[0006] As shown in Figure 11, the paper sheet transport device 100 is equipped with a carrier storage duct 141 that branches off from the duct 120 in front of the paper sheet storage chamber 130, and the carrier storage duct 141 is connected to the second blower 140B. The paper sheet transport device 100 having the structure described above operates as follows. The banknotes inserted into the gaming media dispensing device 21 are fed into the duct 120 from behind the gaming media dispensing device 21. When a banknote is inserted into the duct 120, a sensor (not shown) detects the presence of the banknote and transmits a banknote detection signal to a control device (not shown). Upon receiving this banknote detection signal, the control device activates a carrier feeding device and sends one carrier 110 into the second region 120b of the duct 120.

[0007] Subsequently, the control device activates the first blower 140A, generating an airflow (in the direction of X1) from the first blower 140A towards the paper sheet storage chamber 130 inside the duct 120. The carrier 110, which has been sent into the duct 120, receives the wind pressure from this airflow at its rear portion 110b and begins to move in direction X1 inside the second region 120b. As the carrier 110 travels toward the paper sheet storage chamber 130, it captures the banknotes 50 with its front surface 110c (see Figure 16) and continues traveling while pressing the banknotes 50. In this state, as shown in Figure 16, the carrier 110 travels inside the second region 120b of the duct 120, and the banknotes 50 travel inside the first region 120a of the duct 120. The carrier 110 and the banknotes 50 are separated at the point where the duct 120 and the carrier storage duct 141 diverge, in front of the paper sheet storage chamber 130. That is, only the carrier 110 changes its path from duct 120 to the carrier storage duct 141, travels through the carrier storage duct 141, and is then stored in a carrier storage unit (not shown) located in front of the second blower 140B. Meanwhile, the banknotes 50, under the influence of the inertial force being pushed by the carrier 110, continue to travel through the first region 120a of the duct 120 and are stored in the paper sheet storage chamber 130.

[0008] After the banknotes 50 are placed in the paper sheet storage chamber 130 and the carrier 110 is stored in the carrier storage unit, the control device stops the operation of the first blower 140A, and then activates the second blower 140B to generate airflow inside the carrier storage duct 141 and duct 120. The carrier 110, which was stored in the carrier storage unit, receives the air pressure of this airflow at its front surface 110c, travels in direction X2 inside the second region 120b of the carrier storage duct 141 and duct 120, and is then stored again in the carrier feeding device. The above process constitutes one cycle from the time the banknotes 50 inserted into the game medium dispensing device 21 until they are stored in the paper sheet storage room 130. The banknotes 50 inserted into each game medium dispensing device 21 are collected in the paper sheet storage room 130 according to the process described above. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 7123453 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2023-114893) [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-106754 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] As the number of gaming machines 20 increases, the length of the rows of gaming machines 20 also increases, and accordingly, the length of the duct 120 needs to be increased. However, since the output (airflow rate) of the first blower 140A and the second blower 140B are constant, the airflow rate (air pressure) decreases the further away from the first blower 140A is, making it difficult to move the duct 120 at the required speed. Therefore, a structure has been proposed in which an additional auxiliary fan is placed at a point along the duct 120 where the air pressure begins to weaken, thereby ensuring the necessary airflow (air pressure). Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-106754 proposes an example of such a structure, and Figure 17 is a perspective view thereof. As shown in Figure 17, the auxiliary blower 140C is positioned between the first blower 140A and the second blower 140B (for example, midway between the two blowers), and the auxiliary blower 140C is connected to the duct 120 via two subducts 141.

[0011] The two sub-ducts 141 are attached to the left and right side walls of the duct 120, respectively, and the airflow generated by the auxiliary blower 140C is supplied to the inside of the duct 120 through the two sub-ducts 141. Specifically, a sensor 125 that detects the passage of the carrier 110 is attached to the duct 120. When the carrier 110 passes, the auxiliary blower 140C is activated, and the airflow generated by the auxiliary blower 140C is sent to the duct 120 via the sub-duct 141, so that the carrier 110 receives this additionally supplied airflow. Therefore, even if the air pressure from the first blower 140A decreases, the carrier 110 can maintain the required travel speed by receiving air pressure from the auxiliary blower 140C. The auxiliary blower 140C supplies airflow in direction X1 into the duct 120. Airflow in direction X2 is generated by installing the auxiliary blower 140C in the opposite direction at another location.

[0012] Preventing air leaks (backflow from duct 120 → sub-duct 141 → auxiliary blower 140C) is extremely important not only for duct 120 but also for sub-duct 141, but no such air leak countermeasures have been implemented until now. The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the conventional paper sheet conveying device 100, particularly the paper sheet conveying device 100 equipped with an auxiliary blower 140C, and aims to provide an air leakage prevention auxiliary blower unit that can prevent air leakage from the duct 120 through the sub-duct 141 when an auxiliary blower 140C is additionally provided, and a paper sheet conveying device using this auxiliary blower unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides auxiliary blower units (200, 300, 400) used in a paper sheet conveying device (100), wherein the paper sheet conveying device (100) comprises a duct (120), a carrier (110) that can travel inside the duct (120), main blowers (140A, 140B) that generate airflow in one direction and in the opposite direction between both ends of the duct (120), and auxiliary blowers (140C) that generate additional airflow in the duct (120) in the middle of both ends of the duct (120), wherein the main blowers (140A, The airflow generated in the duct (120) by the auxiliary blower (140B) and the auxiliary blower (140C) causes the carrier (110) to move within the duct (120), and the paper sheets (50) introduced into the duct (120) are transported via the carrier (110), and the auxiliary blower unit (200, 300, 400) comprises the auxiliary blower (200), a sub-duct (300) that detachably connects the duct (120) and the auxiliary blower (200), and an air leak blocking door (400) that is rotatably positioned within the sub-duct (300) relative to the sub-duct (300) at a position between the air outlet (201) of the auxiliary blower (200) and the airflow outlet of the sub-duct (300), wherein the air leak blocking door (400) is located within the sub-duct (300). The air leak blocking door (400) is installed inside the sub-duct (300) such that it is large enough to block the internal space of (0), and when air is supplied from the auxiliary blower (200) to the duct (120), it opens due to the air pressure of the airflow, and when air is not supplied from the auxiliary blower (200) to the duct (120), it closes due to its own weight, and opens in only one direction so as to block the airflow from the duct (120) to the auxiliary blower (200). Furthermore, a slit (450) is formed in the vertical plane of the subduct (300) or the auxiliary blower (200), and the air leak blocking door (400) is detachably inserted into the subduct (300) or the auxiliary blower (200) via the slit (450). The present invention provides auxiliary blower units (200, 300, 400) characterized by the following:

[0014] When the auxiliary blower unit (200, 300, 400) is attached in a direction such that the air leakage blocking door (400) does not close due to its own weight, the auxiliary blower unit (200, 300, 400) can include a biasing member (406) that biases the air leakage blocking door (400) in the closing direction of the air leakage blocking door (400). The auxiliary blower unit (200, 300, 400) can include stoppers (407A, 407B) that prevent the air leakage blocking door (400) from opening due to the air flow from the duct (120) to the auxiliary blower (200). 。 The auxiliary blower unit (200, 300, 400) includes a cap (451) that closes the slit (450). A plurality of the slits (450) are formed in the sub-duct (300). The air leakage blocking door (400) is inserted into the sub-duct (300) through any one of the plurality of slits (450), and it is preferable that the slits (450) other than the any one slit (450) are closed through the cap (451).<000**********91><000**********92><000**********93>The air leakage blocking door (400) is removably attached to the sub-duct (300) or the auxiliary blower (200), and it is preferable that the sub-duct (300) is removably attached to the auxiliary blower (200).<000**********94>The sub-duct (300) is composed of a first block (310) and a second block (320) that is removably attached to the first block (310). The first block (310) has a planar sub-duct bottom (**************311). The second block (320) has openings at the bottom and sides. The second block (320) is removably attached to the sub-duct bottom (311) through the bottom opening. When the second block (320) is attached to the first block (310), it is preferable that the side opening (301) communicates with the air outlet of the auxiliary blower (200).<000**********95>Preferably, the second block (320) is attached to the first block (310) via a latch mechanism that can be detachably attached to the first block (310) without screwing. The present invention further provides a paper sheet conveying device (100) including the above-described auxiliary blower units (200, 300, 400). The reference numerals in parentheses are only for indicating the correspondence with the embodiments described later, and do not limit the scope of the rights.

Advantages of the Invention

[0016] According to the auxiliary blower unit and the paper sheet conveying device of the present invention, even when an auxiliary blower is additionally provided, it is possible to prevent air leakage from the duct (backflow of the air flow from the duct to the auxiliary blower). Furthermore, in the auxiliary blower unit and the paper sheet conveying device according to the present invention, since the auxiliary blower, the sub-duct, and the air leakage blocking door can be individually disassembled, even if any of them fails or is damaged, only that part can be repaired or replaced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view when the auxiliary blower, the sub-duct, and the air leakage blocking door in the paper sheet conveying device according to the first embodiment of the present invention are integrally formed. [Figure 2] It is an exploded perspective view showing a state where the auxiliary blower, the sub-duct, and the air leakage blocking door are disassembled. [Figure 3] It is a longitudinal sectional view showing the attachment situation of the air leakage blocking door. [Figure 4] It is a longitudinal sectional view when the air leakage blocking door is attached between the second opening of the sub-duct and the duct. [Figure 5] It is a longitudinal sectional view of a modified example of the air leakage blocking door. [Figure 6] It is a perspective view when the air leakage blocking door is pre-attached to the sub-duct. [Figure 7]This is a perspective view of the auxiliary fan, subduct, and air leak blocking door in a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a subduct with multiple slits formed therein. [Figure 9] This is a perspective view of the cap that fits into the slit.

[0018] [Figure 10] This is a perspective view of a secondary blower, subduct, and air leak blocking door according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This is a schematic perspective view showing the overall structure of a conventional paper sheet conveying device and the surrounding environment in which the device is used. [Figure 12] This is a perspective view of a carrier used in a conventional paper sheet conveying device, as seen from the front. [Figure 13] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the carrier shown from the rear side. [Figure 14] This is a perspective view of a duct used in a conventional paper sheet conveying device. [Figure 15] This is a perspective view showing the relative positions of the carrier, banknotes, and duct in a conventional paper sheet conveying device. [Figure 16] This is a perspective view showing the relative positions of the carrier, banknotes, and duct in a conventional paper sheet conveying device. [Figure 17] This is a perspective view of a conventional duct with an auxiliary fan installed. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0019] (First embodiment) Figure 1 is a perspective view of a paper sheet conveying device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which the auxiliary blower, sub-duct, and air leak prevention door are integrally formed, and Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the auxiliary blower, sub-duct, and air leak prevention door in a disassembled state. The structure of the paper sheet conveying device, excluding the auxiliary blower, subduct, and air leak prevention door, is the same as that of the paper sheet conveying device 100 shown in Figures 11 to 17. In this embodiment, the auxiliary blower 200 is connected to the duct 120 via a sub-duct 300. The subduct 300 is a hollow duct with a first opening 301 that opens in a vertical plane at one end (the right end in Figure 1) and a second opening 302 that opens in a horizontal plane at the other end (the left end in Figure 1). The subduct 300 is connected to the air outlet 201 of the auxiliary blower 200 via the first opening 301. An opening is pre-formed at the top of the duct 120, and the sub-duct 300 is connected to the opening of the duct 120 via the second opening 302, creating air communication with the inside of the duct 120.

[0020] The airflow generated by the auxiliary blower 200 passes horizontally through the first opening 301 from the air outlet 201 of the auxiliary blower 200 through the inside of the subduct 300, where its direction is changed to vertical, and then it is sent into the inside of the duct 120 through the second opening 302 and the opening at the top of the duct 120. The air leak-blocking door 400 is installed between the auxiliary blower 200 and the subduct 300. As shown in Figure 2, the air leak blocking door 400 comprises a door body 401 which is a rectangular flat plate, a round bar 402 which is fixedly attached to the lower edge of the door body 401 as a weight and extends along the lower edge of the door body 401, a rod-shaped rotating shaft 403 which is fixedly attached to the upper edge of the door body 401 and extends along the upper edge of the door body 401, and a knob piece 404 which is attached to the upper part of the rotating shaft 403. A support plate 405 is attached to the air leak-blocking door 400. Specifically, the air leak-blocking door 400 is attached to the support plate 405 such that the pivot shaft 403 is rotatable relative to the support plate 405.

[0021] An opening 405A is formed in the support plate 405, and the size of the door body 401 is the same as the size of the opening 405A. When the door body 401 is closed (when the door body 401 is in a vertical plane), the opening 405A is shielded by the door body 401. The air leak-blocking door 400 is detachably attached to the auxiliary blower 200 and the subduct 300 via a support plate 405, for example, by screws and nuts, and the air leak-blocking door 400, the auxiliary blower 200, and the subduct 300 are interconnected such that the air outlet 201, opening 405A, and first opening 301 are in communication with each other. Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the installation and operation of the air leak blocking door 400.

[0022] Since the rotating shaft 403 is rotatably mounted to the support plate 405, the door body 401 to which the rotating shaft 403 is fixed is rotatable about the rotating shaft 403 in directions R1 and R2 (Figure 3). Since the door body 401 is the same size as the opening 405A, when the door body 401 is closed (as shown in Figure 3), the opening 405A is closed, and therefore the air outlet 201 of the auxiliary blower 200 and the first opening 301 are mutually isolated. In the paper sheet conveying device according to this embodiment, the auxiliary blower 200, the subduct 300, and the air leak blocking door 400 operate as follows. When the sensor 125 (see Figure 17) detects the passage of the carrier 110, the auxiliary blower 200 starts operating, and the airflow generated by the auxiliary blower 200 is discharged from the air outlet 201.

[0023] Since the door body 401 is rotatably supported around the pivot axis 403, the door body 401 rotates in direction R1 (see Figure 3) due to the air pressure from the airflow from the auxiliary blower 200. When the door body 401 opens, the auxiliary blower 200 and the subduct 300, which were previously blocked by the door body 401, become interconnected, and the airflow from the auxiliary blower 200 passes through the first opening 301 and the second opening 302 of the subduct 300 and is sent into the interior of the duct 120 through an opening formed at the top of the duct 120. The carrier 110 receives this additionally supplied airflow at its rear section 110b and maintains the required travel speed. Even when the door body 401 is subjected to a large air pressure from the auxiliary blower 200, further rotation is prevented, for example, when the knob piece 404 hits the upper wall 202 of the auxiliary blower 200 (see Figure 2).

[0024] After the carrier 110 has passed and a predetermined time has elapsed, the auxiliary blower 200 stops operating. When the airflow from the auxiliary blower 200 stops, the door body 401 closes due to its own weight. In particular, since a round bar 402 is attached to the lower edge of the door body 401 as a weight, when there is no airflow from the auxiliary blower 200, the door body 401 easily returns to its original position (the position in the vertical plane shown in Figure 3). Air leakage occurs through the route from duct 120 to sub-duct 300 to auxiliary blower 200. However, in the paper sheet conveying device according to this embodiment, an air leakage blocking door 400 is placed between the sub-duct 300 and the auxiliary blower 200. Therefore, air leaking (reverse flowing) from duct 120 is stopped by the air leakage blocking door 400 and does not enter the auxiliary blower 200. Since the amount of air leaking from the duct 120 is small compared to the airflow generated by the auxiliary blower 200, the door body 401 will not open (it will not rotate in the direction R2 shown in Figure 3).

[0025] In particular, a round bar 402 is attached to the door body 401 as a counterweight, increasing the total weight of the door body 401, so the door body 401 will not be moved by a small amount of airflow. As described above, according to the paper sheet conveying device of this embodiment, even when an auxiliary blower 200 is additionally provided, the air leak blocking door 400 functions as a shutter against air leakage (backflow) from the duct 120, making it possible to prevent air leakage from the duct 120. Furthermore, according to the paper sheet conveying device of this embodiment, the auxiliary blower 200, the sub-duct 300, and the air leak blocking door 400 can be individually disassembled, so if any of them malfunction or are damaged, only that part can be repaired or replaced.

[0026] For example, while the auxiliary blower 200 does frequently malfunction, in conventional paper sheet transport devices, the auxiliary blower 140C and the sub-duct 141 are integrated into a single structure. Therefore, it is impossible to replace only the auxiliary blower 140C, and it is necessary to replace both the auxiliary blower 140C and the sub-duct 141 together. According to this embodiment, even in such cases, it is possible to replace only the auxiliary blower 200. The paper sheet transport device according to this embodiment is not limited to the structure described above, and various modifications are possible. In this embodiment, the air leak blocking door 400 is installed between the air outlet 201 of the auxiliary blower 200 and the first opening 301 at the end of the subduct 300. However, the installation position of the air leak blocking door 400 is arbitrary, and it can be installed in other positions. For example, if the subduct 300 is disassembled into several blocks and these blocks are detachably attached to each other, it is possible to install air leak-blocking doors 400 between adjacent blocks.

[0027] Alternatively, the air leak-blocking door 400 can be installed between the second opening 302 of the subduct 300 and the duct 120. However, in this case, the door body 401 may remain open due to its own weight. Figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the installation of the air leak blocking door 400 in the second opening 302 of the subduct 300. The air leak-blocking door 400 is equipped with a compression spring 406, one end of which is attached to a knob 404 and the other end to the outer wall of the subduct 300. The compression spring 406 is installed in a compressed state, and therefore acts a force that pushes the knob 404 outward, that is, in the direction in which the door body 401 rotates in direction R2 (the direction in which the door body 401 closes the internal space of the subduct 300).

[0028] The spring force exerted by the compression spring 406 on the door body 401 is set to balance the total weight of the door body 401, the round bar 402, and the rotating shaft 403, so that the door body 401 is located in a horizontal plane. Therefore, the door body 401 opens due to the air pressure from the auxiliary blower 200, and closes due to the spring force of the compression spring 406 when the air pressure from the auxiliary blower 200 is removed. In other words, due to the action of the compression spring 406, the door body 401 will not open due to its own weight. Thus, when the air leak-blocking door 400 is installed in such a way that the door body 401 does not close due to its own weight, the door body 401 can be prevented from opening by additionally using a compression spring 406 that biases the door body 401 in the closing direction. As described above, by using a compression spring 406 in some cases, the air leak blocking door 400 can be installed at any position between the air outlet 201 of the auxiliary blower 200 and the second opening 302, which is the outlet of the subduct 300.

[0029] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the subduct 300 is attached to the top of the duct 120, but by using the compression spring 406, the subduct 300 can also be attached to the side or bottom of the duct 120. Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a modified example of the air leak blocking door 400. To ensure that the door body 401 does not open (rotate in direction R2) due to air leaking from the duct 120, an additional stopper 407A can be used. As shown in Figure 5, the stopper 407A is mounted on the inner wall of the air outlet 201 of the auxiliary blower 200 at a position where it contacts the front end of the door body 401 when the door body 401 is closed. The stopper 407A prevents the door body 401 from rotating in direction R2 beyond the position shown in Figure 5, thus ensuring that the door body 401 is not opened by the airflow leaking from the duct 120. Stopper 407B (see Figure 5) can be used in place of or in conjunction with stopper 407A.

[0030] The stopper 407B is attached to the outer wall of the subduct 300 and is positioned to contact the knob piece 404 when the door body 401 is closed. Stopper 407B, like stopper 407A, prevents the door body 401 from rotating in direction R2 beyond the position shown in Figure 5. Stopper 407A or 407B can also be applied to the structure shown in Figure 4. In this embodiment, the auxiliary blower 200, the subduct 300, and the air leak blocking door 400 are independent components. However, as shown in Figure 6, for example, it is possible to pre-install the air leak blocking door 400 onto the subduct 300. Alternatively, it is also possible to pre-install the air leak blocking door 400 onto the auxiliary blower 200.

[0031] In this embodiment, the auxiliary blower 200, subduct 300, and air leak-blocking door 400 are configured as part of the paper sheet conveying device. However, it is also possible to configure the auxiliary blower 200, subduct 300, and air leak-blocking door 400 as a single unit, with each component detachably attached to the other. In this way, by pre-assembling the components as a single unit, when it becomes necessary to replace any of the auxiliary blower 200, subduct 300, or air leak blocking door 400, the replacement work can be streamlined by replacing each unit individually.

[0032] (Second Embodiment) According to the first embodiment, it is possible to prevent air leakage (backflow) from the duct 120 to the auxiliary blower 200. However, in order to remove the air leakage blocking door 400, it is necessary to remove the air leakage blocking door 400 from the auxiliary blower 200 and the sub-duct 300, making it difficult to perform periodic replacement, cleaning, and maintenance of the air leakage blocking door 400. In view of this, this embodiment provides a structure that makes it possible to easily replace, clean, and maintain the air leak blocking door 400. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the auxiliary blower 200, subduct 300, and air leak blocking door 400 in this embodiment. In this embodiment, at the connection point between the air outlet 201 of the auxiliary blower 200 and the first opening 301 of the subduct 300, a slit 450 opening in a vertical plane is formed in the outer wall of the subduct 300 (or auxiliary blower 200), and the slit 450 is formed so that an air leak blocking door 400 can be fitted into it.

[0033] When the air leak-blocking door 400 is inserted into the slit 450, the air leak-blocking door 400 is in close contact with the subduct 300, so no air leaks occur from the slit 450. The air leak-blocking door 400 can be removed upwards by, for example, gripping the knob piece 404. In this way, the air leak blocking door 400 is detachably inserted into the subduct 300 (or auxiliary blower 200) via the slit 450 and can be easily removed from the subduct 300, making it easy to replace, clean, and maintain the air leak blocking door 400. The number of slits 450 is not limited to one; it is possible to form two or more slits 450. Figure 8 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the subduct 300 when multiple slits 450 are formed.

[0034] As shown in Figure 8, it is possible to form multiple slits 450 at regular intervals on the upper surface of the subduct 300, and the air leak blocking door 400 can be inserted into any of the slits 450. To prevent air leakage from slits 450 other than the slit 450 into which the air leak-blocking door 400 is inserted, a cap 451 is used. Figure 9 is a perspective view of cap 451. The cap 451 has a shape that allows it to be fitted into the slit 450. When fitted into the slit 450, the slit 450 is sealed by the cap 450, preventing air leakage from the slit 450. Since cap 451 is solely for blocking slit 450, blocking slit 450 with cap 451 does not obstruct the airflow passing through the inside of subduct 300. As described above, by providing multiple slits 450, it is possible to select the slit 450 that is in the most convenient position for maintenance of the air leak-blocking door 400.

[0035] (Third embodiment) This embodiment provides a paper sheet conveying device that offers even greater maintainability than the second embodiment described above. Figure 10 is a perspective view of the auxiliary blower 200, subduct 300, and air leak blocking door 400 in this embodiment. In the first and second embodiments, the subduct 300 is configured as a single unit, but in this embodiment, the subduct 300 is formed to be disassembled into two blocks. As shown in Figure 10, the subduct 300 in this embodiment consists of a first block 310 and a second block 320 that is detachably attached to the first block 310. The first block 310 comprises a planar subduct bottom 311 and a pair of side walls 312 that are upright relative to the subduct bottom 311 at one end of the subduct bottom 311. A second opening 302 is formed at one end of the bottom 311 of the subduct.

[0036] The pair of side walls 312 are erected vertically upward from both sides 311A ​​of the subduct bottom 311, and the first block 310 is detachably attached to the auxiliary blower 200 by mounting each side wall 312 around the air outlet 201 of the auxiliary blower 200 so as not to interfere with the air outlet 201. The second block 320 has a three-dimensional shape with openings at the bottom and sides, and when the second block 320 is attached to the first block 310, the side openings constitute the first opening 301. The second block 320 and the first block 310 are attached to each other to form the subduct 300. The second block 320 can be detachably attached to the first block 310 via a latch mechanism (for example, a product called a "Nylatch") that can be fixed without using screws. The air leak-blocking door 400 is pre-installed in a removable manner in the lateral opening (first opening 301) of the second block 320. As described above, according to this embodiment, the subduct 300 can be disassembled into two blocks 310 and 320. Therefore, by removing only the second block 320 from the first block 310, the air leak blocking door 400 can be replaced, cleaned, and maintained, and the internal space of the subduct 300 can also be easily inspected. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0037] 200 Sub-blower 201 Air vent 300 Subduct 301 First opening 302 Second opening 310 First Block 320 Second Block 400 Air leak sealing door 450 slits 451 Cap

Claims

1. A secondary blower unit used in a paper sheet conveying device, The aforementioned paper sheet transport device is Ducts and, A carrier that can travel inside the duct, A main blower generates airflow within the duct that flows in one direction and in the opposite direction between both ends of the duct, A secondary blower generates additional airflow within the duct (120) in the middle of both ends of the duct, flowing in one direction and in the opposite direction. Equipped with, The main blower and the auxiliary blower generate an airflow within the duct, which causes the carrier to move within the duct, thereby transporting the paper sheets introduced into the duct via the carrier. The aforementioned auxiliary blower unit is The aforementioned auxiliary blower, A sub-duct that detachably connects the aforementioned duct and the aforementioned auxiliary blower, An air leak blocking door is provided, located within the subduct at a position between the air outlet of the auxiliary blower and the airflow outlet of the subduct, and is rotatably positioned relative to the subduct. Equipped with, The aforementioned air leak blocking door has a size that blocks the internal space of the subduct. The aforementioned air leak blocking door is installed inside the sub-duct so as to open in only one direction, when airflow is supplied from the auxiliary blower to the duct by the air pressure of the airflow, and when airflow is not supplied from the auxiliary blower to the duct by its own weight, and so as to be able to block the airflow from the duct to the auxiliary blower. The sub-duct or the auxiliary blower has a slit formed in a vertical plane. The auxiliary blower unit is characterized in that the air leak blocking door is detachably inserted into the subduct or the auxiliary blower through the slit.

2. The auxiliary blower unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, if the air leak blocking door is installed in a direction in which it does not close due to its own weight, the unit is further characterized in that it is provided with a biasing member that biases the air leak blocking door in a direction in which it closes.

3. The auxiliary blower unit according to claim 1, further comprising a stopper to prevent the air leak blocking door from opening due to the airflow from the duct to the auxiliary blower.

4. It is equipped with a cap that closes the aforementioned slit, Multiple slits are formed in the aforementioned subduct. The aforementioned air leak-blocking door is inserted into the subduct through one of the multiple slits (450). The auxiliary blower unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the slits other than the one slit mentioned above are closed via the cap.

5. The aforementioned air leak blocking door is detachably attached to the subduct or the auxiliary blower. The auxiliary blower unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the subduct can be detachably attached to the auxiliary blower.

6. The subduct is composed of a first block and a second block that is detachably attached to the first block (310). The first block has a flat subduct bottom, The second block has openings at the bottom and sides, and is detachably attached to the bottom of the subduct through the lower opening. The auxiliary blower unit according to claim 1, characterized in that when the second block is attached to the first block (310), the lateral opening communicates with the air outlet of the auxiliary blower.

7. The auxiliary blower unit according to claim 6, characterized in that the second block is attached to the first block via a latch mechanism that allows it to be detachably attached to the first block without being fastened with screws.

8. A paper sheet conveying device comprising the auxiliary blower unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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