Panel unit mounting structure and device

Abstract

This panel unit mounting structure includes a panel unit that has an operation panel, and a first slide mechanism that supports the panel unit so as to be able to be pulled out from the housing. The panel unit has a base portion on which equipment (e.g., a receipt printer, a card reader, etc.) related to the operation panel is mounted, and a second slide mechanism for moving the base portion in the direction opposite to the pull-out direction.

Description

Panel unit mounting structure and device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a panel unit mounting structure and device.

[0002] As a media handling device such as an automated teller machine (ATM), for example, one having the configuration shown in JP 2019-133256 A is known. Conventional automated teller machines have a front panel (operation panel) to which a touch display is attached. This front panel is attached to the upper front surface of the housing using a hinge. With this configuration, the front panel is opened by an operator lifting the lower side of the front panel as if flipping it up. Devices such as a circuit board are built into the back side of the front panel.

[0003] In the case of a flip-up front panel (operation panel) such as that disclosed in JP 2019-133256 A, the circuit board is upside down when the front panel is open. This makes it difficult for workers to perform maintenance work on the circuit board. The same applies when hinges are provided on the left and right sides of the front panel, and the circuit board is upside down when the front panel is open.

[0004] The present disclosure provides a panel unit mounting structure and device that facilitates maintenance work on the back side of the operation panel.

[0005] A first aspect of the present disclosure is a panel unit mounting structure comprising a panel unit having an operation panel and a first slide mechanism that supports the panel unit so that it can be pulled out from a housing, the panel unit having a base portion to which equipment related to the operation panel is attached, and a second slide mechanism that moves the base portion in a direction opposite to the pull-out direction.

[0006] A second aspect of the present disclosure is an apparatus comprising the panel unit mounting structure of the first aspect.

[0007] According to the above aspect, the panel unit mounting structure and device of the present disclosure facilitates maintenance work on the back side of the operation panel.

[0008] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a media handling device including a panel unit mounting structure according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the panel unit as viewed from above and rear;Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the panel unit as viewed from above and rear;Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of a main part of the panel unit;Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the panel unit as viewed from below and rear;Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of a main part of the panel unit;Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a media handling device including a panel unit mounting structure according to a second exemplary embodiment;Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of a main part of the panel unit mounting structure.

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Each drawing is merely a schematic illustration to allow a sufficient understanding of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited to the illustrated examples. Furthermore, in the drawings, the dimensions of components constituting the present disclosure may be exaggerated or reduced in size for clarity of explanation. In addition, in each drawing, common or similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0010] [First Exemplary Embodiment] <Regarding the Panel Unit Mounting Structure According to the First Exemplary Embodiment> The configuration of a media handling device 1 equipped with a panel unit mounting structure 10 according to the first exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the media handling device 1 equipped with the panel unit mounting structure 10 according to the first exemplary embodiment. The "front-rear," "up-down," and "left-right" directions in the media handling device 1 follow the arrows in FIG. 1. These directions are defined for the convenience of explanation and do not limit the present disclosure. Media handled by the media handling device 1 include, for example, banknotes, receipts, and cards.

[0011] In this exemplary embodiment, an automated teller machine (ATM) is assumed as the medium handling device 1. The medium handling device 1 is installed in, for example, a bank branch or a convenience store, and performs cash-related transactions such as deposit transactions and withdrawal transactions between the device and users.

[0012] The media handling device 1 shown in Figure 1 has a housing 9, a first front panel 1a, and a second front panel 1b. The housing 9 has a ceiling 9a, a rear wall 9b, a left wall 9c, and a right wall 9d. The ceiling 9a, the rear wall 9b, the left wall 9c, and the right wall 9d are plate-shaped members made of, for example, resin. The housing 9 is supported by a metal frame (not shown).

[0013] The first front panel 1a is located at the top of the front face and is provided with a display input section 2, a card insertion / discharge section 3, a receipt discharge section 4, and a number input section 5. The first front panel 1a is an example of an operation panel.

[0014] The second front panel 1b is disposed below the first front panel 1a. The second front panel 1b is provided with a bill insertion / ejection section 6, a barcode reader 7a, a fingerprint authentication section 7b, and a contactless reading section 8.

[0015] The display / input unit 2 is a touch display that combines a display as a display unit and a touch panel as an input unit. The card insertion / ejection unit 3 is an opening for inserting and ejecting cash cards, transfer cards, etc. The receipt ejection unit 4 is an opening for ejecting receipts. The number input unit 5 is a component for inputting numeric information such as a PIN number and an amount.

[0016] The banknote insertion and ejection unit 6 is a component that inserts and ejects banknotes, and is shown in a state where it is closed by a shutter in Fig. 1. The barcode reader 7a is a component that reads barcodes attached to a medium (for example, a cash card). The fingerprint authentication unit 7b is a component that acquires fingerprint information of an operator. The contactless reading unit 8 is a component that transmits and receives information to and from a medium (for example, a cash card with a built-in IC (Integrated Circuit) chip) using radio waves.

[0017] The media handling device 1 includes a panel unit mounting structure 10. The panel unit mounting structure 10 includes a panel unit 20 and a first slide mechanism 11. The panel unit 20 has a first front panel 1a attached to its front portion, and is installed in the housing 9 using the first slide mechanism 11. The panel unit 20 can be pulled out forward (in the α1 direction in FIG. 1 ) from the housing 9, and when the panel unit 20 is not pulled out from the housing 9 (the state shown in FIG. 1 ), all components except the first front panel 1a are housed within the housing 9.

[0018] The first slide mechanism 11 supports the panel unit 20 so that it can be pulled out from the housing 9. In this exemplary embodiment, two first slide mechanisms 11 are provided, one between the right wall 9d and the panel unit 20 and the other between the left wall 9c and the panel unit 20 (only the right wall 9d side is shown in FIG. 1). The first slide mechanism 11 is, for example, a slide rail, and may be of a bearing type or roller type. This allows the panel unit 20 to slide forward (in the α1 direction in FIG. 1) and backward (in the α2 direction in FIG. 1).

[0019] The second front panel 1b has a rotation axis at its rear, which is positioned in the left-right direction, and the front side can be rotated in the β1 and β2 directions in Fig. 1. By rotating the second front panel 1b upward (in the β1 direction in Fig. 1), maintenance work on the mechanisms related to the second front panel 1b can be performed.

[0020] The configuration of the panel unit 20 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 6. Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views of the panel unit 20 as viewed from above and rearward. Figure 2 shows a state in which the base portion 25 is in its initial position, and Figure 3 shows a state in which the base portion 25 has moved rearward (retracted) to a retracted position. Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the main parts in Figure 3, and is an enlarged view of the periphery of the first elastic member 27. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the panel unit 20 as viewed from below and rearward. Figure 5 shows a state in which the base portion 25 has moved rearward (retracted) to a retracted position. Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the main parts in Figure 5, and is an enlarged view of the periphery of the engagement portion 23ba.

[0021] 2, the panel unit 20 of this exemplary embodiment mainly includes a panel mounting portion 21, a left frame 22, a right frame 23, a lower frame 24, a base portion 25, a second slide mechanism 26, and a first elastic member 27. The left frame 22, the right frame 23, the lower frame 24, the base portion 25, the second slide mechanism 26, and the first elastic member 27 are made of, for example, metal.

[0022] The panel mounting section 21 is the portion to which the first front panel 1a is attached, and has a structure (shape, size, etc.) corresponding to the first front panel 1a. The panel mounting section 21 shown in Fig. 2 mainly has a bottom 21a, a left wall 21b, and a right wall 21c. The panel mounting section 21 also has a board 21d on the back side of the display input section 2 (see Fig. 1).

[0023] 2 support the base portion 25 via the second slide mechanism 26. The left frame 22 and the right frame 23 are elongated plate-shaped members. The left frame 22 and the right frame 23 are provided across the panel mounting portion 21 and the base portion 25.

[0024] 5, the lower edge of the right frame 23 is bent inward (to the left) at a right angle, and the rear edge is also bent inward (to the left) at a right angle. This gives the right frame 23 a lower bent portion 23b and a front bent portion 23c. A notch 23d is formed in the front bent portion 23c to avoid contact with the base portion 25.

[0025] 3 and 5, the lower edge of the left frame 22 is bent inward (to the right) at a right angle, and the rear edge is also bent inward (to the right) at a right angle. This defines a lower bent portion 22b and a front bent portion 22c. A notch 22d is formed in the front bent portion 22c to prevent contact with the base portion 25.

[0026] 5, the lower frame 24 is a member that connects the left frame 22 and the right frame 23. The lower frame 24 is disposed below the base portion 25. The lower frame 24 is not in contact with the base portion 25 and does not interfere with the movement of the base portion 25.

[0027] The base unit 25 shown in FIG. 2 is a component to which devices related to the first front panel 1a (e.g., a receipt printer 31, a card reader 32, etc.) are attached. In FIG. 2, the receipt printer 31 and the card reader 32 are indicated by phantom lines. The base unit 25 can move from the initial position shown in FIG. 2 to the retracted position shown in FIG. 3, and vice versa. That is, the base unit 25 can move in a direction away from (the γ2 direction in FIG. 2) and a direction toward (the γ1 direction in FIG. 3) the panel mounting unit 21 (the first front panel 1a). In this exemplary embodiment, the γ1 direction in FIG. 3 is the same as the pull-out direction of the panel unit 20 (the α1 direction in FIG. 1), and the γ2 direction in FIG. 2 is the same as the retracted direction of the panel unit 20 (the α2 direction in FIG. 1).

[0028] When the base unit 25 is in its initial position (as shown in FIG. 2), the front portions of the receipt printer 31 and card reader 32 are housed within the panel mounting section 21 and are aligned with the receipt discharge section 4 and card insertion and discharge section 3. As shown in FIG. 5, the panel unit 20 has a locking mechanism 28 that can restrict movement of the base unit 25 in its initial position. With the movement of the base unit 25 restricted in its initial position (locked state), the panel unit 20 is housed within the housing 9, and the media handling device 1 operates normally.

[0029] When the base unit 25 is in the retracted position (as shown in FIG. 3), the front parts of the receipt printer 31 and card reader 32 are exposed and pulled out from the panel mounting unit 21. This allows workers to perform tasks that require contact with the front parts of the receipt printer 31 and card reader 32 (for example, to deal with a jam).

[0030] As shown in Fig. 3, the base portion 25 according to this exemplary embodiment has a rectangular plate shape, with an edge portion of the bottom portion 25a bent upward at a right angle. The base portion 25 serves as the bottom of the panel unit 20. As shown in Fig. 4, a portion of the right side wall 25b of the base portion 25 is bent inward (to the left) at a right angle, forming a protrusion 25d parallel to the bottom portion 25a. A first elastic member 27 is fixed to the protrusion 25d.

[0031] The second slide mechanism 26 shown in FIG. 2 supports the base portion 25 so that it can move in the front-rear direction. In this exemplary embodiment, two second slide mechanisms 26 are provided, one between the left frame 22 and the base portion 25 and one between the right frame 23 and the base portion 25. The second slide mechanisms 26 are, for example, slide rails and may be of a bearing type or a roller type. In this exemplary embodiment, the description will be made assuming that the second slide mechanism is a slide rail of a bearing type.

[0032] As shown in Figure 3, the second slide mechanism 26, which is a bearing-type slide rail, mainly includes an outer member 26a, an inner member 26b, a ball bearing (not shown), and a retainer (not shown). The outer member 26a is a long member fixed to the left frame 22 or the right frame 23, which is the fixed side. The inner member 26b is a long member fixed to the base portion 25, which is the moving side. The ball bearing is provided between the outer member 26a and the inner member 26b. The retainer is a member that holds the ball bearing.

[0033] The first elastic member 27 shown in FIG. 2 is a component for dissipating static electricity generated by the base portion 25 and devices attached to the base portion 25 (e.g., a receipt printer 31, a card reader 32, etc.) to the frame ground (FG) (i.e., a grounding component). As shown in FIG. 4 , the first elastic member 27 in this exemplary embodiment is fixed to the protrusion 25d of the base portion 25 using a fastening portion 27e, and a portion of the first elastic member 27 contacts the lower bent portion 23b of the right frame 23. An opening 25c is formed in the bottom portion 25a of the base portion 25, allowing the first elastic member 27 to contact the right frame 23 through this opening 25c. The first elastic member 27 always contacts the right frame 23 regardless of the position of the base portion 25. The base portion 25 contacts the left frame 22 and the right frame 23 via the second slide mechanism 26. However, because the ball bearings provide point contact, the contact area is small, and static electricity is mainly discharged to the right frame 23 via the first elastic member 27.

[0034] The first elastic member 27 serves to maintain the position of the base portion 25 using its elastic force (elastic deformation performance). As shown in FIG. 4 , the first elastic member 27 is a leaf spring having a base end 27 a, a tip end 27 c, and an intermediate portion 27 b. The first elastic member 27 is bent downward at the boundary between the base end 27 a and the intermediate portion 27 b, and the tip end 27 c is bent so that its bottom is convex. The design position of the lowest portion 27 d of the tip end 27 c is adjusted to be lower than the position of the lower end bent portion 23 b of the right frame 23. As a result, in the initial position shown in FIG. 2 , the lowest portion 27 d of the first elastic member 27 contacts the lower end bent portion 23 b of the right frame 23, and the intermediate portion 27 b is bent to a degree that generates elastic force.

[0035] Meanwhile, the right frame 23 has an engaging portion 23ba at a location corresponding to the retracted position. The engaging portion 23ba may be, for example, an opening or a groove. As a result, in the retracted position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the bottom 27d of the first elastic member 27 is no longer in contact with the lower bent portion 23b of the right frame 23, the bottom 27d is positioned lower than the lower bent portion 23b of the right frame 23, and the tip 27c, except for the bottom 27d, contacts the engaging portion 23ba (see FIG. 6 ). In other words, by dropping a portion of the first elastic member 27 into the engaging portion 23ba (e.g., an opening or a groove) formed on the right frame 23, the tip 27c and the engaging portion 23ba are engaged, preventing the base 25 from moving from the retracted position. The strength of the first elastic member 27's restriction of movement is preferably determined based on the weight of the base 25 and the attached device, among other factors. For example, the strength of the restriction on movement by the first elastic member 27 should be such that a person can easily move the base portion 25 from the retracted position by applying force to the base portion 25. As shown in Figure 6, an opening 24d for avoiding contact with the first elastic member 27 is formed in a location of the lower frame 24 corresponding to the retracted position.

[0036] As described above, according to the panel unit mounting structure 10 of the first exemplary embodiment, when the first front panel 1a (operation panel) is opened by pulling out the panel unit 20, the up / down and left / right orientation of the first front panel 1a is not changed (the up / down and left / right are not reversed), which makes it easy to perform maintenance work on the board 21d provided on the back side of the first front panel 1a (operation panel).

[0037] Furthermore, with the panel unit mounting structure 10, the base 25 on which the devices associated with the first front panel 1a (operation panel) (such as the receipt printer 31 and card reader 32) are mounted can be moved in the opposite direction to the direction in which the panel unit 20 is pulled out. Therefore, by retracting the base 25 backward, it is possible to perform tasks that require contact with the front of the receipt printer 31 and card reader 32 (such as troubleshooting a jam).

[0038] Furthermore, with the panel unit mounting structure 10, the first elastic member 27 fixed to the base portion 25 engages with the engaging portion 23ba of the right frame 23 when the base portion 25 is in the retracted position, thereby preventing the base portion 25 from moving from the retracted position. Therefore, while performing maintenance on devices related to the first front panel 1a (operation panel) (such as the receipt printer 31 and card reader 32, for example), the base portion 25, which has been moved to the retracted position, is less likely to move unintentionally due to the weight of the devices, making maintenance easier.

[0039] Furthermore, with the panel unit mounting structure 10, the first elastic member 27 is always in contact with the right frame 23. This allows static electricity generated by the base 25 and devices mounted on the base 25 (e.g., the receipt printer 31, the card reader 32, etc.) to be released to the right frame 23.

[0040] Furthermore, according to the panel unit mounting structure 10, the first elastic member 27 serves both as a grounding member and as a member for holding the base portion 25 in the retracted position, which makes it possible to reduce the number of parts, which is advantageous in terms of cost.

[0041] [Second Exemplary Embodiment] <Regarding the Panel Unit Mounting Structure According to the Second Exemplary Embodiment> The configuration of a panel unit mounting structure 110 according to the second exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a media handling device 1 equipped with the panel unit mounting structure 110 according to the second exemplary embodiment. Figure 8 is an enlarged view of the main part of Figure 7, and an enlarged view of the periphery of the second elastic member 29.

[0042] 7, the panel unit mounting structure 110 according to the second exemplary embodiment includes a panel unit 20, a first slide mechanism 11, and a second elastic member 29. In other words, the panel unit mounting structure 110 is obtained by adding the second elastic member 29 to the panel unit mounting structure 10 according to the first exemplary embodiment (see FIG. 1). The following description will focus on the differences from the first exemplary embodiment, and will omit a description of the same configuration as the first exemplary embodiment.

[0043] The second elastic member 29 shown in FIG. 7 is a grounding member between the housing 9 and the first front panel 1a, and uses its elastic force (elastic deformation performance) to move the base portion 25 to its normal position. The second elastic member 29 is provided on the rear side (rear wall 9b) of the housing 9. As shown in FIG. 8, the second elastic member 29 is a leaf spring, and the portion corresponding to the base portion 25 is convex forward. The base end 29a of the second elastic member 29 is fixed to the rear wall 9b, while the tip end 29b is not fixed to the rear wall 9b. The front end 29c of the second elastic member 29 contacts the rear wall 25e of the base portion 25. With this configuration, when the panel unit 20 is in the storage position stored in the housing 9, the second elastic member 29 uses its elastic force to bias the base portion 25 toward the panel mounting portion 21 (first front panel 1a) (direction γ1 in FIG. 7). The second elastic member 29 is preferably provided behind (on the same line as) the locking mechanism 28 (see FIG. 5).

[0044] The panel unit mounting structure 110 according to the second exemplary embodiment described above can also achieve the same effects as the first exemplary embodiment. Furthermore, with the panel unit mounting structure 110, when the panel unit 20 is in the storage position stored in the housing 9, the second elastic member 29 urges the base portion 25 forward, moving the base portion 25, which is not in its initial position, to its normal position (initial position). Therefore, even when the panel unit 20 is stored with the base portion 25 not in its initial position (for example, when the panel unit 20 is stored with the base portion 25 in its retracted position), the receipt printer 31 and card reader 32 can be automatically aligned with the receipt discharge portion 4 and card insertion / discharge portion 3. As a result, problems (e.g., jams) caused by improper alignment can be reduced.

[0045] [Modifications] Although the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and can be implemented within the scope of the claims. Modifications of the exemplary embodiments are, for example, as shown below.

[0046] In each exemplary embodiment, the description is based on a front-facing device having an openable front panel (operation panel on the front). However, the operation panel is not limited to the front panel, and the operation panel may be located in a location other than the front. For example, the present disclosure can also be applied to a rear-facing device having an openable operation panel on the rear. In this case, the panel unit 20 is pulled out backward, and the base 25 is moved (retracted) forward.

[0047] Furthermore, in each exemplary embodiment, the description has been given assuming that the medium handling device 1 is an apparatus equipped with the panel unit mounting structure 10, 110. However, the apparatus to which the panel unit mounting structure 10, 110 is applied is not limited to the medium handling device 1, and the present disclosure can be applied to any apparatus equipped with an operation panel. In other words, the medium handling device 1 is an example of an apparatus.

[0048] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-217300 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0049] All publications, patent applications, and technical standards mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent application, or technical standard was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. A panel unit mounting structure comprising: a panel unit having an operation panel; and a first slide mechanism that supports the panel unit so that it can be pulled out from a housing, wherein the panel unit has a base portion to which devices related to the operation panel are attached; and a second slide mechanism that moves the base portion in a direction opposite to the pull-out direction.

2. The panel unit mounting structure described in claim 1, wherein the panel unit has one or more frames that support the base portion via the second slide mechanism, and a first elastic member for earthing that is fixed to the base portion and has a portion that contacts the frame, and the position of the base portion is maintained by using the elastic force of the first elastic member.

3. A panel unit mounting structure as described in claim 2, wherein the first elastic member is a leaf spring, and the frame has an engagement portion which engages with the leaf spring at a retracted position obtained by moving the base portion a predetermined distance from the initial position in the direction opposite to the pull-out direction to suppress movement from the retracted position.

4. A panel unit mounting structure as described in claim 2, wherein the panel unit has a panel mounting portion to which an operation panel is attached, the frame is provided across the panel mounting portion and the base portion, and the base portion is plate-shaped, serves as the bottom of the panel unit, and is movable toward and away from the panel mounting portion.

5. A panel unit mounting structure as described in claim 1, further comprising a second elastic member provided on the rear side of the housing, the second elastic member biasing the base portion in the pull-out direction by elastic force when the panel unit is in a storage position stored within the housing.

6. An apparatus comprising a panel unit mounting structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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