Device for stacking vouchers on a supporting surface, and rotatable impeller

Abstract

The invention relates to an impeller to be fixed on a rotatably mounted shaft of a device for stacking at least one voucher on a supporting surface, the impeller comprising a fastening element for fastening the impeller to the shaft and a vane fixed to the fastening element for exerting a force on a voucher when the shaft rotates, the shaft being able to be continuously encompassed by the fastening element in a closed state of the fastening element in order to fix the impeller to the shaft, and the fastening element not forming a continuous ring in an open state of the fastening element, to such a device and to a method for replacing or installing such an impeller.

Description

[0001] Device for stacking notes of value on a support surface and rotating impeller

[0002] Various aspects of this disclosure relate to a device for stacking notes of value on a support surface and a rotatable impeller which may be a component of this device.

[0003] ATMs and automatic cash register systems or similar systems or devices typically process valuables, such as banknotes. Banknotes can be deposited into these devices or dispensed by these devices. For this purpose, such devices have a number of subsystems relating to the transport and storage of valuables. One such subsystem is the device for stacking the valuables on a support surface. The valuables are fed separately to the support surface and stacked there, with a valuable note being fed into an existing stack at its front end.

[0004] A rotating impeller with elastic blades enables the rapid deposit of a large number of notes on the stack, with the notes being fed into the stack individually or singly. Each newly added note, i.e., note to be deposited, is pressed against the stack by the impeller. The impeller prevents a newly deposited note from being uncontrolledly placed between the stack and a recently inserted note, which has been deposited on the stack due to a lack of pressure from the impeller. This would increase the risk of uncontrolled deposit of the notes on the stack or damage to the notes.

[0005] W02010108864A discloses a device for stacking banknotes with such an impeller. The impeller, which has elastic vanes, is mounted on a rotatably mounted shaft. However, during operation of the device or impeller, the problem arises that the device, and in particular the impeller, becomes damaged due to continuous mechanical stress. Consequently, the impeller mounted on the shaft must be replaced for continued operation of the ATM in question. For this purpose, the shaft, along with the impeller fixed to the shaft, is removed in order to replace the defective impeller. However, this is very time-consuming because the entire device must be disassembled or dismantled.A device for stacking notes of value, an impeller and a method for replacing the impeller in such a device are provided, which enable increased availability of the device and minimized repair effort.

[0006] A device for stacking at least one note of value on a support surface has a feed unit for feeding the note of value onto the support surface, the feed unit having a rotatably mounted shaft and an impeller fixed to the shaft, the impeller having a fastening element for fastening the impeller to the shaft and a vane fixed to the fastening element for exerting a force on the note of value upon rotation of the shaft, wherein the fastening element continuously surrounds the shaft in a closed state of the fastening element when the impeller is fixed to the shaft, and the fastening element does not form a continuous ring in an open state of the fastening element.

[0007] Furthermore, an impeller is provided for fixing to a rotatably mounted shaft of a device for stacking at least one note of value on the support surface. The impeller has a fastening element for fixing the impeller to the shaft and a vane fixed to the fastening element for exerting a force on a note of value upon rotation of the shaft. When the fastening element is closed, the fastening element can be continuously clamped around the shaft to fix the impeller to the shaft, and when the fastening element is open, the fastening element does not form a continuous ring.

[0008] Furthermore, a method for installing such an impeller, which is installed in a device for stacking at least one note of value, is provided, the device comprising a shaft rotatably mounted on at least one radial bearing of the device, the method comprising:

[0009] Clamping the shaft with a fastening element of the impeller, so that the fastening element does not have a closed ring around the shaft in its open state,

[0010] Fixing the impeller to the shaft mounted in the device so that the shaft is continuously spanned by the fastening element and the fastening element assumes its closed state. It was recognized that the conventional removal of the intact shaft and the associated disassembly of the entire device when replacing a possibly defective impeller is unnecessary. Accordingly, an attempt was made to design only the defective impeller to be replaceable. This was achieved by allowing the impeller to be removed from the shaft installed in the device by designing the fastening element of the impeller so that it can be opened. Accordingly, the installed state of the shaft, i.e. the bearing of the shaft on at least one exemplary radial bearing, can remain, since stripping the impeller from or onto the shaft is no longer necessary.In other words, a possibility has been found that the shaft can be installed in the device when the impeller is replaced, i.e. can remain installed in the device, since the fastening element of the impeller to be installed can wrap around the shaft when it is open.

[0011] Consequently, such an impeller can be used for both the installation of the impeller or device and the replacement of an impeller fixed to the shaft. The worn impeller intended for replacement, for example, can be formed by an impeller according to prior art, which can be destroyed, for example, for its removal from the shaft.

[0012] For example, additional components of the device must be pre-assembled on the shaft during assembly or installation of the impeller or device. The ability of the impeller fastening element to wrap around the shaft in its open state enables optimization of the assembly processes of the device or impeller such that these components can be pre-assembled before the impeller is fixed to the shaft. This means that the sequence of assembly of both the impeller and the at least one other component on the shaft allows for optimization during an exemplary initial assembly of the shaft.

[0013] Such a support surface is to be understood as an arrangement on which notes of value can be stacked. Accordingly, the support surface can essentially be formed by at least one, for example, flat support element for depositing the notes of value. Such a support surface can be delimited laterally by at least one wall and / or arranged to be movable. Accordingly, a support surface delimited laterally by walls can, for example, be formed by a container. The device can have a container having the support surface. The support surface of the device can be designed as a container. The impeller can have a plurality of blades, for example two blades, wherein the blades can be arranged at equal intervals along the circumference of the fastening element. This means that, according to the selected example, the two blades can be arranged offset by 180°.The impeller can also have three blades, whereby these three blades can be arranged offset by 120°.

[0014] The device can have at least one, for example, two radial bearings for supporting the shaft, wherein each of these radial bearings can be fixed to a housing of the device or connected to this housing. According to the present description, such a housing is therefore not an element that essentially completely encloses a space, but rather serves the purpose of supporting the shaft. Accordingly, the housing can be formed by flat wall elements and / or rod elements and / or struts.

[0015] The blade of the impeller can be designed to be elastic. This elastic design of the blade, which is intended to exert force on the banknotes, enables an increased service life of the impeller. Advantageously, the impeller can have two blades fixed to the fastening element.

[0016] The fastening element can have at least one elevation or recess for a positive and / or non-positive connection to the shaft, so that slippage between the shaft and the impeller during rotation of the shaft can be substantially prevented when the impeller is fixed to the shaft. This makes it possible for an elevation directed inwards, i.e. in the direction of its axis of rotation, to engage in a recess arranged on the shaft. If necessary, this elevation can, in the absence of any structural feature on the shaft, bring about a non-positive connection of the impeller to or on the shaft, i.e. the fastening element can be additionally tensioned on the shaft.

[0017] The fastening element can have a locking device, wherein the locking device is designed such that the locking device, in its locked state, effects the closed state of the fastening element and, in its unlocked state, effects or enables the open state of the fastening element, wherein the fastening element, in its open state, has two free ends. By means of such a locking device, the fastening element or the impeller can be fixed to the shaft. Mechanical locking devices usually have two locking elements that can be locked against one another: on the one hand, a bolt and, on the other hand, a counter-element that engages with the bolt. A first of the two free ends comprises a first of the locking elements, and a second of the two free ends comprises a second of the control elements.Consequently, the fastening element can be transferred into its closed and locked state by locking the locking device.

[0018] The locking device can comprise a hook and an eyelet, with the hook located at the first of the two ends and the eyelet located at the second of the two ends. This provides a straightforward way of transferring the locking device into its locked state. To lock, the hook simply needs to be pulled through the eyelet to secure the fastening element or impeller to the rotatably mounted shaft.

[0019] For example, the hook can be designed to be elastic and circumferential so that it spreads out when the hook is hooked into the eyelet.

[0020] The first free end of the fastening element, which is associated with the hook, can have a rod-shaped extension, which can be inserted into the eyelet to guide the hook. The extension can be removed when the locking device is locked while maintaining the locked state of the locking device. This allows the service technician changing the impeller to quickly thread the hook into the eyelet. For example, the hook is designed to be flexible or elastic. This design of the hook allows the hook and eyelet to be quickly brought together, thus accelerating the fixation of the impeller on the shaft.

[0021] Both the fastening element and the blade of the impeller can be elastic. This allows for simple manufacture and handling of the impeller, including the best possible fixation of the impeller on the shaft. Furthermore, the impeller can be made in one piece and thus from a single material or a material mixture. For example, the impeller, both the fastening element and the at least one blade, can be made of HNBR (hydrogenated acrylonitrile butadiene rubber) or similar materials. The use of such a material ensures, among other things, increased temperature resistance, which may be necessary due to long-term operation of the device or impeller.

[0022] Alternatively, the locking device can be designed as a snap-in joint, for example, as a ball or hinge joint, which provides further design possibilities for the impeller. For this purpose, the locking device must be designed to be essentially plastic. The fastening element can have at least two components, each of which only partially encompasses the shaft. In this way, the components can be designed to be plastic, and by means of suitable, for example, articulated connections between the components, the fastening element can be arranged in its open state around the shaft mounted in the device; for example, when changing the impeller.The surface of the fastener intended for contact with the shaft may be coated with a material which contributes to increasing the friction between the fastener and the shaft in order to reduce the slip between the shaft and the impeller during rotation of the shaft.

[0023] The components can be essentially identical in construction. This simplifies the manufacture of the impeller. Accordingly, the components can be connected or connectable to one another in an articulated manner when the fastening element is open, whereby the two free ends of the fastening element can be formed by components of such joints, which, by connecting the free ends, can enable the fastening element to be closed or the locking device to be locked. This can be achieved, for example, by clicking in.

[0024] The mentioned method may further comprise the following method step: removing the impeller or a second impeller from the shaft mounted in the device by cutting the fastening element of the impeller or the second impeller.

[0025] In this way, the impeller or second impeller fixed to the shaft mounted in the device can be removed without having to separate the shaft from the remaining components of the device. Thus, when replacing a defective impeller, for example, the rotatable shaft remains installed within the device for stacking the at least one note of value on the support surface.

[0026] Various aspects of this disclosure are explained in more detail below using figures. They show:

[0027] Figure 1A: a device for stacking at least one note of value on a support surface in a perspective view;

[0028] Figure 1B: Components of the device shown in Figure 1A in perspective view;

[0029] Figure 1C: ATM with a device for stacking at least one note of value on a support surface in cross section;

[0030] Figure 2: an impeller according to the known prior art; Figure 3A: a first embodiment of an impeller in a perspective view;

[0031] Figure 3B: the first embodiment of the impeller in cross section;

[0032] Figure 4A: a second embodiment of an impeller in a perspective view;

[0033] Figure 4B: the second embodiment of the impeller in cross section;

[0034] Figure 5: a third embodiment of an impeller in a perspective view;

[0035] Figure 6: an exemplary locking device;

[0036] Figure 7: an example wave;

[0037] Figure 8: the shaft shown in Figure 7 with an impeller.

[0038] Figures 1A and 1B show a device 10 for stacking at least one note of value on a support surface, or components of this device 10. The device 10 has a housing 12, a shaft 20, and two bearings, for example radial bearings. One of these bearings 26 is shown in Figure 1B. The housing has two flat wall elements 12.1 and several rod elements 12.2, which rod elements 12.2 connect the wall elements 12.1 in the example shown in Figure 1A. The shaft 20 has a longitudinal and rotational axis 20'. By means of the radial bearings, the shaft 20 is fixedly mounted within the device 10 and can rotate about the rotational axis 20'. At least one impeller 50 is connected to this shaft 20 in a rotationally and stationary manner, such that a rotation of the mounted shaft 20 causes a rotation of the at least one impeller 50.In addition, further components 21 of the device 10 can be fixed on the shaft 20, which prevent an axially directed stripping or stripping of the at least one impeller 20, provided that these components 21 are fixed on the shaft 20.

[0039] Figure 1C shows an ATM 5 or a device functioning in a similar manner with a device 10 for stacking at least one note of value 1 on a support surface 8. Such a device can have several such devices 10. The notes of value 1, designed here as banknotes, can be guided, for example, along a path 2 within the ATM 5 when the notes of value 1 are deposited, for example, in the ATM 5 for later payment to a customer, or when the notes of value 1 are paid out to the customer, or when the customer deposits the notes of value 1 into the ATM. For depositing the notes of value 1 on the support surface 8, a rotatable shaft 20 is arranged in the immediate vicinity of the support surface 8 such that at least one blade of an impeller 50 arranged coaxially on the shaft 20 presses the fed notes of value 1 onto a stack 9 when the shaft 20 rotates.Figures 1A, 1B, and 1C show that the shaft 20, with at least one impeller 50 fixed thereto, is tightly installed and surrounded by a multitude of mechanical components of the device 10 or the ATM 5. Accordingly, it is clear that removing the shaft 20 to replace the impeller 50 would be time-consuming.

[0040] Figure 2 shows such an impeller 50 according to the known art. The impeller 50 has a fastening element 52 and two blades 54a, 54b, which can also be referred to as paddles. The fastening element 52 forms a hollow cylindrical, continuous ring. The design of the fastening element 52 for the rotationally and stationary fixation of the impeller 50 to the shaft defines a rotation axis 50' of the impeller 50. The longitudinal and rotational axes 20' of the shaft 20 and the rotation axis 50' of the impeller 50 are arranged coaxially. The fastening element 52 is designed as a continuous ring, which, apart from the possibility of its destruction, cannot be altered. The impeller 50 has a width B, which is, for example, between 5 mm and 20 mm.

[0041] The two wings, which are firmly connected to the fastening element 52, are arranged offset by 180°. For an exemplary number of three wings, these three wings are offset by 120°, so that a uniform distribution of the wings along the circumference of the fastening element 52 can be achieved.

[0042] Figures 3A and 3B show a first embodiment of an impeller 50 in different views. The impeller 50 has a fastening element 52 and two vanes 54a, 54b fixed to the fastening element 52. The vanes 54A, 54B advantageously have a length L of 30 mm to 60 mm, for example 40 mm to 50 mm. The fastening element 52 is shown in its open state, i.e. the fastening element 52 does not form a continuous ring. A raised portion 56 of the fastening element 52 is arranged in the direction of its intended axis of rotation 50'. This raised portion 56 is intended to engage in a recess 22 arranged on the shaft 20 in order to improve the fixation of the impeller 50 on the shaft 20 in such a way that slippage between the shaft 20 and the impeller 50 during rotation of the shaft 20 is minimized or substantially prevented.

[0043] In the open state of the fastening element 52, two free ends of the fastening element 52 are formed, whereby the fastening element 52 does not form a continuous ring. Accordingly, the impeller 50 shown in Figure 3 is depicted in its open state. The fastening element 52 also has a locking device 60. The locking device 60 has two locking elements 62, 64. A first of these locking elements 62 is arranged at a first of the two free ends. A second of these locking elements 64 is arranged at a second of the two free ends.

[0044] For example, the first locking element 62 is formed by an eyelet and the second locking element 64 is formed by a hook, for example by a circumferential and elastically designed hook.

[0045] Accordingly, the elastic hook 64 can be guided through the eyelet 62. A reinforcement 66 of the hook 64 is designed to be wider than the inside diameter of the eyelet 62, so that the reinforcement 66 of the hook 64 can be elastically compressed as it is passed through the eyelet 62. Once the reinforcement 66 is fully pushed through the eyelet 62, the reinforcement 66 expands due to its elastic nature, so that the expanded reinforcement 66 holds the locking device 60 in its locked state. In the locked state of the locking device 60, the fastening element 52 forms a continuous ring and is therefore in its closed state.

[0046] The second free end, or hook 64, associated with the hook 64 has a rod-shaped extension 68, which may be further tapered toward its end 69. Since only limited space is available in the immediate vicinity of the shaft 20 or the installation location of the impeller 50 when installed in the device 10, thus complicating the installation of the impeller 50, the installation of the impeller 50 can thus be further facilitated or accelerated.

[0047] Figures 4A and 4B show a second embodiment of an impeller 50 in different views. Figure 5 shows another embodiment of the impeller 50 in a perspective view.

[0048] The impellers 50 shown in Figures 4A, 4B, and 5 each have a fastening element 52 and, for example, two vanes 54a, 54b. The fastening element 52 shown in Figures 4A and 4B is shown in its closed state, while the fastening element 52 shown in Figure 5 is shown in its open state.

[0049] In the example shown, the fastening element 52 has two components 52', 52", which are fixed to a shaft 20 of the device and each span half of the shaft 20. The components 52', 52" are connected to one another in an articulated manner by means of a connecting device 58. The wings 54a, 54b are formed from an elastic material, for example HNBR, wherein at least one of these wings 54a, 54b can be vulcanized to the fastening element 52. Accordingly, the components 52', 52" are formed from temperature-resistant hard plastic, for example polyamide.

[0050] The fastening element 52 has a raised portion 56, for example made of an elastic material, which extends in the direction of the rotational axis 50' of the impeller 50. When the fastening element 52 is closed and fixed to the shaft 20, this raised portion 56 engages in a recess 22 of the shaft 20, creating a positive connection between the shaft 20 and the impeller 50.

[0051] Alternatively, the fastening element 52 can have a recess in the surface 70 formed in the direction of the rotation axis 50', which is intended for contact with the shaft 20. Accordingly, the shaft 20 can have a raised portion, which recess engages the recess of the fastening element 52 for a positive connection between the shaft 20 and the fastening element 52. Furthermore, the surface 70 can be at least partially coated with an elastic material to increase the friction between the shaft 20 and the fastening element 52, thereby enabling a reduction in slippage between the shaft 20 and the fastening element 52.

[0052] The fastening element 52 has an exemplary locking device 60 in the form of a hinge joint, which is explained in more detail in the description of Figure 6 below. The locking device 60 has two locking elements 62, 64. A first of these locking elements 62 is arranged at a first free end of the fastening element 52. A second of these locking elements 64 is arranged at a second free end of the fastening element 52. For example, the first locking element 62 is formed by a receptacle and the second locking element 64 is essentially formed by a bolt, which bolt engages in the receptacle when the fastening element 52 is transferred into its closed state, i.e. when the locking device 60 is transferred into its locked state.

[0053] The components 52', 52" shown in Figure 5 are of identical construction. It should be emphasized, firstly, that the fastening element 52 consequently has two elevations 56 directed in the direction of the rotation axis 50', wherein one of these elevations 56, as already mentioned, can be provided for engagement in a recess 22 of the shaft 20 for a positive connection of the shaft 20 to the fastening element 52. The second elevation 56 can, for example, only press onto the shaft 20 without interacting with a recess 22 machined into the shaft 20. Consequently, the elevation 56 pressing against the shaft 20 causes the shaft 20 to be pressed with increased pressure against an opposite surface 70 of the fastening element 52 facing the shaft 20.

[0054] Secondly, it should be emphasized that the connecting device 58 and the locking device 60 are also structurally identical. This means that in the locked state of the locking device 60 or in the closed state of the fastening element 52, the locking device 60 and the connecting device 58 are essentially indistinguishable.

[0055] The impeller shown in Figure 2 may be fixed to the shaft 20 and replaced within an installation procedure with one of the impellers 50 shown in Figures 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, and 5. Alternatively, a worn impeller 50 shown in Figures 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, and 5 may be replaced with a similar but intact impeller 50.

[0056] Figure 6 shows an exemplary locking device 60 of a fastening element 52, designed as a hinge joint. The locking device 60 is shown in its unlocked state and has two locking elements 62, 64. A first of the locking elements 62 is essentially formed by two spaced-apart receptacles 82', 82". A second of the connecting elements 64 is essentially formed by two bolts 84', 84" pointing away from a central element 86 in opposite directions.

[0057] By means of a locking movement E, the central element 86 can be inserted between the receptacles 82', 82". The bolts 84', 84" can be chamfered on their outer surfaces 88 for easier handling such that the receptacles 82', 82" are spread during the locking movement E until the bolts 84', 84" engage in their associated receptacles 82', 82", whereby the locking device 60 assumes its locked state and the fastening element of the impeller assumes its closed state. The engagement can be recognized by an exemplary click by the service technician who attaches the impeller to the shaft installed in the device.

[0058] Figure 7 shows an exemplary shaft 20 with a region 24 spanning the shaft 20. The region 24 is provided for the attachment of a previously mentioned impeller. The shaft 20 can have a plurality of such regions 24 spanning the shaft 20 along its rotational axis 20'. A component of such a region 24 can be a recess 22, which is provided for engagement with a raised portion of a fastening element of the impeller. The raised portion of the fastening element and the recess 22 of the region 24 or the shaft 20 enable a positive connection of the impeller to the shaft 20.

[0059] Figure 8 shows the shaft 20 shown in Figure 7 with an impeller 50. The impeller 50 has a fastening element 52 comprising two identically designed components 52', 52". The fastening element 52 is shown in its open state. In the open state of the fastening element 52, the impeller 50 can be removed from the shaft 20 or arranged on the shaft 20.

[0060] Each of the components 52', 52" can have a raised portion 56', 56". Accordingly, the fastening element 52 shown in Figure 8 has two raised portions 56', 56". A first of the raised portions 56' engages or can be brought into engagement with the recess 22 of the shaft 20. In addition, the shaft 20 can have a second recess (not shown) in order to be able to accommodate a second of the raised portions 56".

[0061] Alternatively, such a second recess is not provided, and the second elevation 56" is pressed against the shaft 20 in the closed state of the fastening element 52 in order to additionally achieve a force-locking connection between the impeller 50 and the shaft 20. For this purpose, the second elevation 56" can have a different shape than the first elevation 56'. For example, the second elevation 56" can be flatter than the first elevation 56'. In the closed state of the fastening element 52, in the absence of such a second recess, the second elevation 56" presses against the surface of the shaft 20.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Impeller (50) for fixing on a rotatably mounted shaft (20) of a device (10) for stacking at least one note of value (1) on a support surface (8), the impeller (50) having a fastening element (52) for fixing the impeller (50) to the shaft (20) and a vane (54a, 54b) fixed to the fastening element (52) for exerting a force on a note of value (1) when the shaft (20) rotates, wherein the fastening element (52) is in a closed state of the fastening element (52) for fixing the impeller (50) to the shaft (20), the shaft (20) can be continuously clamped around, and the fastening element (52) does not form a continuous ring when the fastening element (52) is in an open state.

2. Impeller according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening element has at least one elevation or depression for positive and / or non-positive connection to the shaft, so that slippage between the shaft and the impeller during rotation of the shaft can be substantially prevented when the impeller is fixed to the shaft.

3. Impeller according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening element has a locking device, wherein the locking device is designed such that the locking device in its locked state effects the closed state of the fastening element and in its unlocked state effects or enables the open state of the fastening element, wherein the fastening element in its open state has two free ends.

4. The impeller of claim 3, wherein the locking device comprises a hook and an eyelet, the hook being disposed at a first of the two ends and the eyelet being disposed at a second of the two ends.

5. Impeller according to claim 4, wherein the first free end of the fastening element assignable to the hook has a rod-shaped extension, which rod-shaped extension can be inserted into the eyelet for guiding the hook, wherein the extension can be removed in the locked state of the locking device while maintaining the locked state of the locking device.

6. Impeller according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening element and the vane are elastic.

7. Impeller according to claim 3, wherein the locking device is designed as a latchable joint, for example as a ball or hinge joint.

8. Impeller according to claim 7, wherein the fastening element comprises at least two components, each of which only partially spans the shaft.

9. Impeller according to claim 8, wherein the components are substantially identical in construction.

10. Device for stacking at least one note of value on a support surface, with a feed unit for feeding the note of value onto the support surface, the feed unit having a rotatably mounted shaft and an impeller fixed on the shaft, the impeller having a fastening element for fastening the impeller to the shaft and a vane fixed to the fastening element for exerting a force on the note of value when the shaft rotates, wherein the fastening element continuously surrounds the shaft in a closed state of the fastening element when the impeller is fixed to the shaft, and the fastening element does not form a continuous ring in an open state of the fastening element.

11. Device according to claim 10, comprising a container having the support surface.

12. A method for installing an impeller which is installed in a device for stacking at least one note of value, the device comprising a shaft rotatably mounted on rotary bearings of the device, the method comprising: Clamping the shaft with a fastening element of the impeller, so that the fastening element does not have a closed ring around the shaft in its open state, Fixing the impeller to the shaft mounted in the device so that the shaft is continuously spanned by the fastening element and the fastening element assumes its closed state.

13. The method according to claim 12, comprising the step of: Removing the impeller or a second impeller from the shaft mounted in the device by cutting the fastening element of the impeller or the second impeller.

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