Transport unit for a device for handling value documents

Abstract

The invention relates to a transport unit (200) for a device (100) for handling value documents (13). The transport unit comprises a first transport path limiting element (202) and a second transport path limiting element (204), which are positioned and spaced apart from each other such that a transport path (206) is formed between the transport path limiting elements and such that value documents (13) can be transported along the transport path (206). Furthermore, the transport unit comprises at least one first roller pair (208) comprising a transport roller (210), which can be rotated and driven about a first axis of rotation (214), and a counter roller (212), which can be freely rotated about a second axis of rotation (216). The transport roller (210) and the counter roller (212) contact each other in the transport path (206), and the second axis of rotation (216) is at an angle to the first axis of rotation (214).

Description

[0001] Transport unit for a device for handling valuables

[0002] The invention relates to a transport unit for a device for handling valuables. The transport device comprises pairs of rollers for transporting valuables.

[0003] Devices for handling notes of value, in particular recycling ATMs, can be filled with notes of value already in circulation, for example by people who wish to deposit notes of value. These notes of value already in circulation are regularly contaminated compared to newly issued notes of value. For example, grease can be transferred to the notes of value by touching them. This contaminant adhering to the notes of value can then be introduced into the interior of the machine when depositing money into a recycling ATM. Furthermore, the movement of the notes of value can release abrasion from the notes of value. This contamination and / or abrasion can then accumulate on elements of the devices for handling notes of value, in particular rollers that are in contact with the notes of value.

[0004] The accumulation of contaminants can prevent the safe operation of devices for handling notes of value. For example, the accumulation of contaminants can detach from elements of the device and block the transport paths of the notes of value through the device. Furthermore, the device's sensors can be blocked by these detached accumulations. Therefore, regular maintenance and cleaning of the devices are necessary to prevent or reduce the accumulation of contaminants.

[0005] It is an object of the invention to provide a transport unit for a device for handling notes of value, which prevents the accumulation of dirt on elements that are in contact with the notes of value.

[0006] This object is achieved by a transport unit having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent patent claims.

[0007] A transport unit, in particular for transporting notes of value, for a device for handling notes of value comprises a first transport path limiting element and a second transport path limiting element, which are arranged and spaced apart from one another such that a transport path is formed between the transport path limiting elements and notes of value can be transported along the transport path, in particular along a transport direction. Furthermore, the transport unit comprises a first pair of rollers, which comprises a transport roller rotatable and drivable about a first axis of rotation and a counter roller freely rotatable about a second axis of rotation. The transport roller is arranged at least partially in the transport path through an opening in the first transport path limiting element or the second transport path limiting element.The counter roller is arranged at least partially in the transport path through an opening in the first transport path limiting element or the second transport path limiting element opposite the transport roller. The transport roller and the counter roller touch each other in the transport path, in particular at their respective circumferences. The second axis of rotation is arranged at an angle to the first axis of rotation.

[0008] The notes of value can be moved and transported along the transport path and in the transport direction with the help of the drivable or driven transport roller, especially if the transport rollers are driven. In contrast, the counter roller is not drivable or driven, so the counter roller rotates along with the transport roller.

[0009] From the prior art, for example from documents DE 602 16208 T2, DE 690 03 406 T2, DE 69321 297 T2, and DE 102011 000783 A1, individual rollers are known that can have different orientations along the transport path in order to change the transport direction of notes of value. In particular, in contrast to the prior art, the pair of rollers does not change or influence the transport direction of the notes of value during the transport of notes of value. The transport direction of the notes of value therefore remains unchanged by the transport unit.

[0010] The transport roller and the counter roller of the roller pair are arranged opposite each other with respect to the transport path. The counter roller is arranged on the transport path limiting element, which is opposite the transport path limiting element in whose opening the transport roller is arranged.

[0011] The transport roller and the counter roller preferably touch each other at a point equidistant from the transport path limiting elements. When transporting banknotes, the banknote can be temporarily positioned between the rollers, so that the rollers only touch indirectly.

[0012] The transport unit enables secure transport of the notes of value with the help of the pair of rollers. In particular, the transport roller and counter roller arranged at an angle to each other can prevent dirt from accumulating on the rollers or even remove existing dirt from the rollers. This means that the drivable transport roller in particular is permanently capable of transporting notes of value along the transport path. It also prevents large amounts of dirt from initially accumulating on the rollers and then spontaneously falling off in larger pieces. This can, for example, block the rollers or the transport path of the transport unit. Furthermore, these pieces can block or cover other elements of the device for handling notes of value. For example, sensors arranged along the transport path can be covered.This would mean that the operation of the transport unit cannot be guaranteed and cleaning of the transport unit would be necessary.

[0013] Contamination can accumulate in the transport unit, for example, through the transport of contaminated notes. This transport occurs, for example, in recycling ATMs, where notes can be deposited and withdrawn. With each transport of these contaminated notes, the contamination can be deposited or transferred to elements of the recycling ATM. This particularly affects elements that come into contact with the notes, such as elements arranged along transport routes. Thus, progressive contamination can occur with the number of transported notes.

[0014] The first axis of rotation is preferably arranged perpendicular to the transport direction. This enables secure and reproducible transport of the notes of value in the transport direction. In this case, the second axis of rotation is not arranged perpendicular to the transport direction. The angle of the second axis of rotation to the first axis of rotation is preferably in a range of 0.5° to 10°, in particular in a range of 0.5° to 5°. This enables efficient movement of the notes of value along the transport path, in particular the transport direction. Furthermore, this prevents dirt from adhering to the transport roller and the counter roller. An angle in a range of 1° to 3° is particularly preferred, and an angle in a range of 1.5° to 2.5° is even more preferred. An angle between the second axis of rotation and the first axis of rotation of 2° is most particularly preferred.This enables efficient operation of the transport unit with reduced contamination of the rollers.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the transport roller and the counter roller are each cylindrical. This enables efficient transport of notes of value. Furthermore, it prevents dirt from adhering to the transport roller and the counter roller. In particular, the respective circumferential surfaces of the rollers thus contact each other particularly efficiently.

[0016] The transport unit preferably comprises an elastic element that exerts a pressing force on the counter roller in the direction of the transport roller. This prevents dirt from adhering to the transport roller and the counter roller. The elastic element can, for example, be a spring that acts on an axis of the counter roller. The pressing force prevents dirt from adhering to the transport roller and the counter roller. The transport roller is preferably arranged on a drive shaft. In particular, the transport roller is fixedly connected to the drive shaft, and the drive shaft is arranged along the first axis of rotation. The drive shaft makes it possible to drive the transport roller.

[0017] Preferably, the transport unit comprises a drive for driving the transport roller. In particular, the drive can be connected to the drive shaft and drive the transport roller by rotating the drive shaft. This makes it possible to drive the transport roller easily.

[0018] The counter roller preferably comprises a ball bearing. In particular, a peripheral surface of the counter roller is mounted on a ball bearing, so that the peripheral surface is freely rotatable about the second axis of rotation. The counter roller, in particular the peripheral surface, can thus be arranged on the transport unit with the aid of a fixed axis. The peripheral surface and / or the ball bearing can be made of metal or a polymer, for example.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the counter roller is arranged on the first transport path limiting element or the second transport path limiting element. In particular, the counter roller is arranged on or connected to the transport path limiting element, through whose opening the counter roller is arranged in the transport path. For example, the fixed axis of the counter roller can be connected to the respective transport path limiting element. This enables a compact design of the transport unit.

[0020] The counter roller, in particular a circumferential surface of the counter roller, is preferably made of a polymer, in particular a thermoplastic polymer. The thermoplastic polymer is preferably a polyoxymethylene. This prevents dirt from adhering to the counter roller. In a further embodiment, a ball bearing of the counter roller can additionally or alternatively be made of the thermoplastic polymer.

[0021] The transport roller, in particular a peripheral surface of the transport roller, is preferably made of a polymer, in particular an elastic polymer. The elastic polymer is preferably an ethylene propylene diene rubber. This enables efficient propulsion of the notes of value along the transport path.

[0022] It is particularly preferred if the transport roller is made of an elastic polymer and the counter-roller is made of a thermoplastic polymer. This prevents dirt from adhering to the counter-roller and enables reproducible transport of the notes of value, particularly along the transport direction. The transport path preferably runs curved in one transport direction of the notes of value. An arrangement of the pair of rollers in a curved section of the transport path is possible. This allows flexible use of the transport unit.

[0023] Preferably, the transport roller has a larger radius than the counter roller. This enables secure and reproducible transport of the notes along the transport direction.

[0024] The transport unit preferably comprises a second pair of rollers. This enables particularly secure transport of notes of value along the transport path. The first and second pairs of rollers can be arranged one behind the other in the transport direction, even offset. Alternatively, the first and second pairs of rollers can be arranged side by side.

[0025] Preferably, the first pair of rollers and the second pair of rollers are arranged in a mirror-image manner with respect to a line along the transport direction. This enables secure transport of the notes of value along the transport direction. The mirror-image arrangement is particularly relative to a plane along the line and perpendicular to the transport path. The mirror-image arrangement is particularly relative to the angles of the rotation axes of the counter-rollers. The transport rollers can be arranged along a common rotation axis.

[0026] Preferably, the transport rollers of the first roller pair and the second roller pair are arranged on a drive shaft. This allows the transport rollers to be driven in a space-saving manner.

[0027] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which, in conjunction with the accompanying figures, explains exemplary embodiments in more detail.

[0028] They show:

[0029] Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a device for handling notes of value,

[0030] Fig. 2 a side view of a transport unit for the transport of valuables,

[0031] Fig. 3 is a plan view of a transport path limiting element of the transport unit according to Fig. 2, Fig. 4 is a detailed view of the transport path limiting element according to Fig. 3,

[0032] Fig. 5 a side view of a pair of rollers of the transport unit,

[0033] Fig. 6 is a plan view of the pair of rollers according to Fig. 5, and

[0034] Fig. 7 is a further plan view of the pair of rollers according to Fig.

[0035] 5.

[0036] Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of a device 100 for handling notes of value. The device 100 serves both for the deposit of notes of value by an operator and for the dispensing of notes of value to an operator and is also referred to as a recycling ATM. Alternatively, the device 100 can also serve exclusively for the dispensing of notes of value or the deposit of notes of value. Furthermore, the device 100 can be an automatic cash register system, a self-checkout cash register, or a so-called automatic safe cash register.

[0037] The device 100 comprises a safe 10 in which four cash cassettes 12a to 12d are arranged and which protects the cash cassettes 12a to 12d from unauthorized access, in particular from theft and attempts at tampering. The safe 10 has a safe door 34 that can be opened and closed via a locking unit 36. The cash cassettes 12a to 12d are each arranged in a receiving compartment 32a to 32d in the safe 10. In the embodiment according to Figure 1, the cash cassettes 12a to 12d are arranged horizontally in the device 100. In other devices for handling notes of value, the cash cassettes 12a to 12d can alternatively be arranged vertically.

[0038] The cash cassettes 12a to 12d can be removed from the device 100 and serve for storing and transporting notes of value, in particular banknotes and / or checks. The notes of value are stored in the cash cassettes 12a to 12d in the form of a stack. One of these stacks is indicated, for example, in the first cash cassette 12a. One of the notes of value in this stack of notes is designated, for example, by the reference numeral 13. In the operating position of the cash cassettes 12a to 12d shown in Figure 1, the notes of value 13 in the cash cassettes 12a to 12d are arranged upright on one of their edges, preferably on one of their longitudinal edges.

[0039] Each cashbox 12a to 12d has an opening for feeding notes of value 13 and for removing notes of value 13. In front of the opening of a cashbox 12a to 12d, a separating and stacking unit 14a to 14d is arranged, with the aid of which, on the one hand, notes of value 13 can be fed to the cashboxes 12a to 12d and, on the other hand, notes of value 13 stored in the cashboxes 12a to 12d can be separated from stacks of notes of value held in the cashboxes 12a to 12d and removed from the cashbox 12a to 12d. In front of each separating and stacking unit 14a to 14d, a switch 16a to 16d is arranged, with the aid of which a note of value 13 to be fed to the cash boxes 12a to 12d is diverted from a transport route or transport path 18 and fed to the separating and stacking unit 14a to 14d which is arranged in front of the cash box 12a to 12d into which the note of value 13 is to be transported.

[0040] Likewise, the switches 16a to 16d serve to transport notes of value 13 removed from the cash boxes 12a to 12d to the transport path 18. The safe 10 further has an opening 20 through which notes of value 13 transported along the transport path 18 can be transported into or out of the safe 10.

[0041] Furthermore, the device 100 comprises an input and output compartment 22 through which notes of value 13 to be deposited and dispensed can be dispensed to an operator by an operator. In a pure dispensing ATM, only the dispensing of notes of value 13 takes place via the input and output compartment 22; in a pure deposit ATM, only the depositing of notes of value 13 takes place via the input and output compartment 22.

[0042] The notes of value 13 deposited via the input and output compartment 22 are separated and fed individually along a transport route or transport path 24 to a reading unit 26, with the aid of which, for example, the authenticity, the nominal value and / or the serial number of each deposited note of value 13 can be determined. Furthermore, notes of value 13 that have been deposited and / or are to be paid out can be temporarily stored in a buffer 30. In particular, the buffer 30 can temporarily store notes of value 13 that are not suitable for payment and / or notes of value 13 that have been deposited and identified as not authentic by the reading unit 26 or notes of value 13 that have not been removed by an operator.

[0043] The notes of value 13 can be transported along the transport paths 18, 24 with the aid of transport units. Particularly in recycling ATMs, notes of value already in circulation and contaminated are transported along the transport paths 18, 24 with the aid of the transport units.

[0044] Each time these contaminated notes of value are transported, the contamination may be deposited or transferred onto elements of the device 100. This particularly affects the elements that come into contact with the notes of value, for example, elements arranged along the transport paths 18, 24. Thus, with the number of transported notes of value, progressive contamination may occur, necessitating preventative cleaning. Furthermore, deposits that have already formed may become detached, particularly from moving elements of the device 100. These detached deposits may subsequently block elements of the device 100, so that operation of the device 100 cannot be ensured and cleaning of the device 100 becomes necessary. Figure 2 shows a section of a side view, in particular a sectional view, of a transport unit 200 of the device 100.The transport unit 200 can, for example, be arranged on one of the transport paths 18, 24 in order to transport notes of value 13.

[0045] The transport unit 200 comprises a first transport path limiting element 202 and a second transport path limiting element 204, between which a transport path 206 is formed. Notes of value can be transported along the transport path 206, in particular along a transport direction. The transport path 206 can, for example, be part of one of the transport paths 18, 24. In the view according to Figure 2, the transport direction extends between a left and a right edge of the figure.

[0046] The transport unit 200 comprises several pairs of rollers 208 for transporting notes of value along the transport path 206. Each of the pairs of rollers 208 comprises a transport roller 210 and a counter roller 212. The rollers 210, 212 are arranged such that they are partially arranged in the transport path 206. The transport rollers 210 are arranged in an opening 211 of the first transport path limiting element 202, and the counter rollers 212 are arranged in an opposite opening 213 of the second transport path limiting element 204.

[0047] The rollers 210, 212 of each roller pair 208, in particular their circumferential surfaces, touch each other in the transport path 206. Notes of value can be transported between the transport rollers 210 and the counter rollers 212 of the roller pairs 208. The transport rollers 210 are each fixedly connected to a drive shaft 214. The drive shafts 214 each define a first axis of rotation about which the drive shafts 214 and thus the transport rollers 214 can rotate. The drive shafts 214 and thus the first axes of rotation are preferably arranged perpendicular to the transport direction. The counter rollers 212 are each arranged on an axis 216, which defines a second axis of rotation about which the counter rollers 212 are freely rotatable. The counter rollers 212 can, for example, comprise a ball bearing, so that the counter rollers 212, in particular their circumferential surfaces, are freely rotatable about the axis 216.

[0048] The transport rollers 210 can be driven, for example, by means of a drive (not shown) connected to the drive shafts 214. The driven transport rollers 210 rotate about the first axis of rotation, and the freely rotating counter rollers 212, which contact the transport rollers 210, rotate in a corresponding direction about the second axis of rotation. Notes of value can then be transported in a corresponding transport direction along the transport path 206 by the rotation of the rollers 210, 212. The transport direction is determined by the orientation of the transport rollers 210, in particular their first axis of rotation.

[0049] The transport rollers 210, in particular their peripheral surface, are preferably made of an elastic polymer, for example, ethylene propylene diene rubber. Increased friction of the material enables the secure transport of the notes of value.

[0050] The counter rollers 212, in particular their circumferential surface, are preferably made of a thermoplastic polymer, for example, polyoxymethylene. This material reduces friction on notes of value or the transport roller 210.

[0051] The transport unit 200 can include additional roller pairs 208 that are not visible in the side view of Figure 2. In particular, the additional roller pairs 208 can be concealed by the visible rollers 210, 212. Several transport rollers 210 can be arranged on each of the drive shafts 214.

[0052] Furthermore, the transport unit 200 can optionally include sensors 218, 220. The sensors 218, 220 can, for example, be optical or magnetic sensors that determine the properties of the transported notes of value.

[0053] Figure 3 shows a top view of the second transport path limiting element 204 with a plurality of counter rollers 212. The view according to Figure 3 shows the side of the second transport path limiting element 204 facing the transport path. For each of the counter rollers 212 shown in Figure 3, the transport unit 200 comprises a corresponding transport roller 210 (not shown in Figure 3).

[0054] The counter rollers 212 are arranged on the transport path limiting element 204 such that their respective second axis of rotation lies at an angle to a direction perpendicular to the transport direction. In the view according to Fig. 3, the transport direction extends in particular from a lower edge of the view to an upper edge of the view. In contrast to the first axis of rotation of the respective transport rollers 210, the second axes of rotation of the counter rollers 212 are thus rotated from a position perpendicular to the transport direction. For example, a counter roller 212a is rotated 2° counterclockwise from a position perpendicular to the transport direction (in Figure 3, the general running direction of counter rollers 212 rotated counterclockwise is indicated by a continuous arrow).A counter roller 212b is rotated clockwise by 2° from a position perpendicular to the transport direction in a mirror image (in Figure 3, the general running direction of counter rollers 212 rotated clockwise is indicated by a dashed arrow).

[0055] Thus, each of the counter rollers 212, in particular their respective second axis of rotation, is rotated relative to the respective first axis of rotation of the transport rollers 210. Due to the mutually rotated first and second axes of rotation, the rollers 210, 212 of each roller pair 208, in particular their circumferential surfaces, rub against each other. This friction makes it possible to prevent dirt from adhering to the rollers 210, 212.

[0056] Figure 4 shows a detailed view of the second transport path limiting element 204, in particular one of the openings 213 of the second transport path limiting element 204. The view according to Fig. 4 shows a side of the second transport path limiting element 204 facing away from the transport path. The transport path limiting element 204 comprises receiving areas 400a, 400b for receiving the axis 216 of one of the counter rollers 212. The receiving areas 400a, 400b are arranged in the transport path limiting element 204 such that the axis 216 is not aligned perpendicular to the transport direction when the axis 216 is received in the receiving areas 400a, 400b.

[0057] In particular, the receiving areas 400a, 400b are arranged in the transport path limiting element 204 such that the axis 216 is arranged rotated by 2° to a direction perpendicular to the transport direction when the counter roller 212 is installed in the transport path limiting element 204.

[0058] Furthermore, the transport unit 200 can comprise elastic elements, for example springs 402, which each press the counter rollers 212, in particular their axle 216, into the receiving areas 400a, 400b. Figures 5 to 7 show various views of one of the roller pairs 208. Figure 5 shows a side view of the roller pair 208. The spring 402 can serve to press the counter roller 212 against the transport roller 210. This ensures that the rollers 210, 212 contact each other, thus preventing dirt from adhering to the rollers 210, 212.

[0059] Figures 6 and 7 show a top view of the roller pair 208. As already explained above, the respective axes of rotation of the transport roller 210 and the counter roller 212 are arranged at an angle to each other. In particular, the drive shaft 214, to which the transport roller 210 is firmly connected, and the axis 216, on which the counter roller 212 is freely rotatably mounted, are arranged at an angle of 2° to each other. As a result, the rollers 210, 212 rub against each other, and the friction prevents dirt from adhering to the rollers 210, 212. This enables safe operation of the transport unit 200 and thus of the device 100.

[0060] List of reference symbols

[0061] 10 safe

[0062] 12a to 12d cashbox

[0063] 13 voucher

[0064] 14a to 14d Stacking / separating unit

[0065] 16a to 16d switch

[0066] 18 Transport path

[0067] 20 Opening in the safe

[0068] 22 Input / output tray

[0069] 24 Transport path

[0070] 26 reading units

[0071] 28 Control unit

[0072] 32a to 32d receiving compartment

[0073] 30 caches

[0074] 34 Safe door

[0075] 36 locking unit

[0076] 100 Device for handling notes of value

[0077] 200 transport units

[0078] 202 First transport path limiting element

[0079] 204 Second transport path limiting element

[0080] 206 Transport route

[0081] 208 pairs of rollers

[0082] 210 Transport roller

[0083] 211 Opening in the first transport path limiting element

[0084] 212, 212a,

[0085] 212b Counter roller

[0086] 213 Opening in the second transport path limiting element

[0087] 214 First axis of rotation

[0088] 216 Second rotation axis 218, 220 Sensor

[0089] 400a, 400b recording area

[0090] 402 Elastic element

Claims

Claims 1. Transport unit (200) for a device (100) for handling notes of value (13), comprising a first transport path limiting element (202) and a second transport path limiting element (204), which are arranged and spaced apart from one another such that a transport path (206) is formed between the transport path limiting elements and notes of value (13) can be transported along the transport path (206), and comprising at least one first pair of rollers (208) comprising a transport roller (210) rotatable and drivable about a first rotation axis (214) and a counter roller (212) freely rotatable about a second rotation axis (216), wherein the transport roller (210) is arranged at least partially in the transport path (206) through an opening (211, 213) of the first transport path limiting element (202) or the second transport path limiting element (204), wherein the counter roller (212) through an opening (211,213) of the first transport path limiting element (202) or second transport path limiting element (204) opposite the transport roller (210) is arranged at least partially in the transport path (206), wherein the transport roller (210) and the counter roller, (212) touch each other in the transport path (206), and wherein the second axis of rotation (216) is arranged at an angle to the first axis of rotation (214).

2. Transport unit according to claim 1, wherein the first axis of rotation (214) is arranged perpendicular to the transport direction.

3. Transport unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the angle of the second axis of rotation (216) to the first axis of rotation (214) is in a range of 0.5° to 10°, in particular in a range of 0.5° to 5°.

4. Transport unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transport roller (210) and the counter roller (212) are each cylindrical.

5. Transport unit according to one of the preceding claims, with an elastic element (402) which exerts a pressing force on the counter roller (212) in the direction of the transport roller (210).

6. Transport unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transport roller (210) is arranged on a drive shaft (214).

7. Transport unit according to one of the preceding claims, with a drive for driving the transport roller (210). Transport unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the counter roller (212) comprises a ball bearing.

9. Transport unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the counter roller (212) is arranged on the first transport path limiting element (202) or the second transport path limiting element (204).

10. Transport unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the counter roller (212) consists of a polymer, in particular of a thermoplastic polymer.

11. Transport unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transport roller (210) consists of a polymer, in particular of an elastic polymer.

12. Transport unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transport path (206) is curved in the transport direction.

13. Transport unit according to one of the preceding claims, with a second pair of rollers (208).

14. Transport unit according to claim 13, wherein the first pair of rollers (208) and the second pair of rollers (208) are arranged mirror-inverted with respect to a line along the transport direction.

15. Transport unit according to one of the preceding claims 13 and 14, wherein the transport rollers (210) of the first roller pair (208) and the second roller pair (208) are arranged on a drive shaft (214).

Images