Medium conveyance device

Abstract

This medium conveyance device improves stability of a roller posture.　Provided is a medium conveyance device comprising: a rotatable roller (22) disposed so as to sandwich a sheet-shaped medium between the roller and an opposing conveyance member; a torsion spring (30) including a coil portion (31), and a first arm and a second arm respectively connected to one end and the other end of the coil portion (31); and a regulating member that regulates the positions of end portions of the first arm and the second arm on the opposite side from the coil portion (31) with respect to a first direction away from the medium. In the medium conveyance device, the coil portion (31) is disposed along the rotation axis of the roller (22) and rotatably supports the roller (22), and the first arm and the second arm bias the roller (22) in a second direction toward the medium.

Description

Media conveying device

[0001] The present invention relates to a media conveying device.

[0002] In a media conveying device that conveys sheet-like media such as banknotes, forms, and slips, the media is conveyed along a conveyance path by the rotation of a drive roller or the travel of a belt wound around a pulley. Further, a driven roller is provided at a position facing the drive roller or pulley. The driven roller is biased in the direction of the opposing drive roller or pulley, and the media is conveyed while being sandwiched between the driven roller and the drive roller or pulley.

[0003] Further, a media conveying device using a torsion spring to bias a driven roller has been proposed. Also, a conveying device using a spring member (coil) as the shaft of the driven roller has been proposed.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-204083 International Publication No. 2016 / 031026

[0005] When a coil is used as the shaft of the driven roller, the driven roller not only displaces in a direction perpendicular to the media (conveyance path), but may also tilt, for example, in an oblique direction. For this reason, there is a problem that the stability of the posture of the driven roller is low.

[0006] On one side, an object of the present invention is to provide a media conveying device with improved stability of the posture of a roller.

[0007] In one aspect, a media conveying device is provided that includes a rotatable roller, a coil portion, a torsion spring including a first arm and a second arm respectively connected to one end and the other end of the coil portion, and a regulating member that regulates the position of the ends of the first arm and the second arm on the side opposite to the coil portion with respect to a first direction away from the media, and is arranged to sandwich a sheet-like media between opposing conveying members. In this media conveying device, the coil portion is arranged along the rotation axis of the roller to rotatably support the roller, and the first arm and the second arm bias the roller in a second direction toward the media.

[0008] In one aspect, the stability of the roller's posture is improved. The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrating preferred embodiments as examples of the present invention.

[0009] This figure shows an example configuration of a media handling device according to the first embodiment. This is a right side view showing an example of the internal configuration of a media transport device. This is a plan view and a right side view showing the roller support structure in the first embodiment. This is a right side view showing the movement of the torsion spring when a load is applied to the roller. This is the first figure showing the method of attaching the torsion spring. This is the second figure showing the method of attaching the torsion spring. This is the third figure showing the method of attaching the torsion spring. This is the fourth figure showing the method of attaching the torsion spring. This figure shows a comparative example of the attachment method when a coil is used as the roller shaft. This is a plan view showing a modified example of the torsion spring. This is a plan view and a right side view showing the roller support structure in the second embodiment. This figure shows the method of attaching the roller. This is a plan view and a front view showing the roller support structure in the third embodiment. This is a front view showing the movement of the torsion spring when a load is applied to the roller. This is a plan view and a right side view showing the roller support structure in the fourth embodiment. This is a front view showing the movement of the torsion spring when a load is applied to the roller. This is a right side view showing another example of the method of fixing the arm.

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. [First Embodiment] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a media handling device according to the first embodiment. The media handling device 10 shown in Figure 1 is an example of a device for handling sheet-like media and is equipped with a media transport device, which will be described later, inside. The media handling device 10 of this embodiment handles banknotes as an example of sheet-like media. For this reason, the media handling device 10 can also be called a banknote deposit and withdrawal machine. Note that banknotes may be made of paper or resin.

[0011] Furthermore, the media handling device 10 in this embodiment is a self-checkout terminal. A self-checkout terminal is a terminal device included in a POS (Point of Sale) system, installed in a store, and is a self-service cash register device in which customers perform the payment operation themselves. Such a self-checkout terminal is also called a self-checkout terminal.

[0012] In the following description, the customer side of the media handling device 10 will be considered the front. Therefore, Figure 1 shows a front view of the media handling device 10. The media handling device 10 includes a barcode scanner 11, a display 12, a coin deposit / withdrawal unit 13, and a banknote deposit / withdrawal unit 14. The barcode scanner 11 reads the barcode indicating the product code attached to the product. The display 12 displays the price of the product whose barcode has been read, the total amount of the purchased items, the amount of change, etc. The coin deposit / withdrawal unit 13 and the banknote deposit / withdrawal unit 14 accept deposits from customers and dispense change. The coin deposit / withdrawal unit 13 handles the deposit and withdrawal of coins, and the banknote deposit / withdrawal unit 14 handles the deposit and withdrawal of banknotes.

[0013] Figure 2 is a right side view showing an example of the internal configuration of a media transport device. The media transport device 20 shown in Figure 2 is mounted inside the media handling device 10 and transports banknotes being deposited and withdrawn. For example, the media transport device 20 is mounted behind the banknote deposit and withdrawal section 14. In Figure 2, solid and dotted arrows indicate the banknote transport paths. Solid arrows indicate transport paths for deposits, and dotted arrows indicate transport paths for withdrawals.

[0014] The media transport device 20 includes a deposit section 14a where banknotes are deposited by customers and a dispensing section 14b where banknotes are dispensed to customers. The media transport device 20 also has rollers 21a, 21b, 22a-22i, 21c, and 21d arranged along the transport path for deposits, and rollers 21e, 21f, 22j-22n, and 21g arranged along the transport path for dispensing.

[0015] Rollers 21a and 21b guide the deposited banknotes along the transport path. Roller 23a is positioned opposite roller 22a across the transport path, and banknotes are transported between rollers 22a and 23a. A belt 24a is positioned on the transport path side of rollers 22b and 22c. The belt 24a is wrapped around pulleys 24b to 24f, and its travel path is restricted by roller 24g. At least one of pulleys 24b to 24d is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown), causing the belt 24a to move. Pulleys 24c and 24d are positioned opposite rollers 22b and 22c, respectively, across the transport path, and banknotes are transported between pulleys 24c and 24d and rollers 22b and 22c according to the movement of the belt 24a.

[0016] Rollers 23b and 23c are positioned opposite rollers 22d and 22e, respectively, across the transport path, and banknotes are transported between rollers 22d and 22e and rollers 23b and 23c. A belt 25a is positioned on the transport path side of rollers 22f to 22i. The belt 25a is wrapped around pulleys 25b to 25e, and its path is restricted by roller 25f. The belt 25a moves when at least one of the pulleys 25b to 25d is rotated by a motor (not shown). The pulleys 25d and 25c are positioned opposite rollers 22f and 22g, respectively, across the transport path, and banknotes are transported between pulleys 25d and 25c and rollers 22f and 22g according to the movement of the belt 25a. Furthermore, a pulley 25b is positioned opposite the rollers 22h and 22i across the transport path, and banknotes are transported between the rollers 22h and 22i and the pulley 25b as the belt 25a moves.

[0017] The pulley 25c is positioned opposite the roller 21c across the transport path. Banknotes are transported between the roller 21c and the pulley 25c as the belt 25a moves, but these banknotes are transported in the direction of the roller 21d. A roller 21e is positioned opposite the roller 21d, and the roller 21e is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown), making it possible to transport banknotes between the roller 21d and the roller 21e. (Not shown) A banknote recycling device and a banknote replenishment device are connected to the lower side of the media transport device 20. The deposited banknotes can be transported through the space between the roller 21d and the roller 21e to the banknote recycling device and the banknote replenishment device for storage.

[0018] Furthermore, banknotes discharged from the banknote recycling device and banknote replenishment device can be transported in the direction of roller 21f through the space between roller 21d and roller 21e. Pulley 25d is positioned opposite roller 21f across the transport path, and banknotes are transported between roller 21f and pulley 25d in the direction of the dispensing section 14b as the belt 25a moves. Pulley 25e is positioned opposite roller 22j across the transport path, and banknotes are transported between roller 22j and pulley 25e as the belt 25a moves.

[0019] Pulleys 24f, 24e, 24d, and 24b are positioned opposite rollers 22k, 22l, 22m, and 22n, respectively, across the transport path. Banknotes are transported between pulleys 24f, 24e, 24d, and 24b and rollers 22k, 22l, 22m, and 22n as the belt 24a moves. Roller 23d is positioned opposite roller 21g across the transport path, and banknotes are transported between roller 21g and roller 23d in the direction of the dispensing section 14b.

[0020] The media transport device 20 described above may be built into an ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) in addition to a self-checkout terminal. Furthermore, the media handling device equipped with the media transport device 20 may be a device that handles sheet-like media such as forms, slips, and printer paper.

[0021] Incidentally, of the rollers shown in Figure 2, at least rollers 22a to 22n are not driven by a motor and are driven rollers that can move in a direction perpendicular to the transport path (the banknotes being transported). On the other hand, the transport members (pulleys or rollers) positioned opposite these rollers 22a to 22n have their rotation axis positions fixed. Rollers 22a to 22n are biased toward the transport path by an elastic member. As a result, the banknotes are transported while being sandwiched between rollers 22a to 22n and the transport members positioned opposite them.

[0022] In the following description, these rollers 22a to 22n will be collectively referred to as "roller 22". Here, it is conceivable to use a coil as the shaft of roller 22. In this case, the coil passes through a hole formed in roller 22 along its central axis, and both ends of the coil are fixed to a fixing member. In such a configuration, roller 22 is not only biased toward the conveying path by the coil, but is also rotatably supported by the coil. Therefore, it is possible to support and bias roller 22 with a simple structure.

[0023] However, in this structure, the roller 22 can be displaced not only perpendicular to the transport path, but also diagonally, for example. This results in a problem of low stability in the orientation of the roller 22. This can cause variations in the load when gripping banknotes, potentially leading to the banknotes being transported at an angle. Furthermore, the dimensional accuracy of the coil is not very high, which can easily lead to situations where it cannot be inserted into the hole of the roller 22, or where, even if it can be inserted, it is too loose relative to the diameter of the hole.

[0024] To address these problems, in this embodiment, a torsion spring is used as an elastic member that supports and biases the roller 22. The torsion spring also serves the function of holding the rollers 22a to 22n.

[0025] Figure 3 is a plan view and a right side view showing the roller support structure in the first embodiment. For the purposes of the following description, it is assumed that a transport path 26 extending in the front-to-back direction (left-to-right direction in Figure 3) of the media transport device 20 exists above the roller 22 as an example. In this case, transport members such as pulleys and rollers are arranged opposite each other above the roller 22, and the banknotes are transported forward or backward (left or right direction in Figure 3) along the transport path 26 while being sandwiched between the roller 22 and the transport members.

[0026] The torsion spring 30 includes a coil portion 31 and arm portions 32 and 33 connected to one end and the other end of the coil portion 31, respectively. The coil portion 31 is inserted into a hole 22p formed along the central axis of the roller 22. The arm portion 32 extends diagonally forward (to the left in Figure 3) and downward from one end of the coil portion 31, and the position of the tip of the arm portion 32 relative to the downward direction is restricted by the restricting surface 41a of the restricting member. The arm portion 33 extends diagonally backward (to the right in Figure 3) and downward from the other end of the coil portion 31, and the position of the tip of the arm portion 33 relative to the downward direction is restricted by the restricting surface 42a of the restricting member.

[0027] In the example shown in Figure 3, the arm portion 32 includes an arm region 32a extending diagonally forward and downward from one end of the coil portion 31, and an arm region 32b that bends from the tip of arm region 32a and extends to the right. The entire arm region 32b is in contact with the regulating surface 41a. The arm portion 33 includes an arm region 33a extending diagonally backward and downward from the other end of the coil portion 31, and an arm region 33b that bends from the tip of arm region 33a and extends to the left. The entire arm region 33b is in contact with the regulating surface 42a.

[0028] Figure 4 is a right side view showing the movement of the torsion spring when a load is applied to the roller. In Figure 4, a downward load indicated by arrow A1 is applied to the roller 22. At this time, arm 32 rotates in the direction of arrow A2, and arm 33 rotates in the direction of arrow A3. Note that the restricting surfaces 41a and 42a restrict the downward position of the tips of arm 32 and 33, respectively, but do not restrict their position in the front-to-back direction. Therefore, the rotation of arm 32 and 33 as described above is possible. As a result of the rotation of arm 32 and 33, a restoring force acts on arm 32 and 33 to return them to their original state, and as a result, a force acts to bias the roller 22 upward.

[0029] According to the above configuration, the coil portion 31 of the torsion spring 30 supports the roller 22 in a rotatable state. Furthermore, when a downward load is applied to the roller 22, the load mainly deforms the arm portions 32 and 33, and hardly deforms the coil portion 31. If the lengths of the arm regions 32a and 33a of the arm portions 32 and 33 are the same, the load causes the arm portions 32 and 33 to rotate simultaneously in opposite directions by the same angle, making it less likely for the axis of the coil portion 31 to become oblique. Therefore, compared to the case where the coil portion 31 itself is used as a shaft, the roller 22 becomes more likely to move only in the vertical direction and less likely to tilt in the oblique direction. Consequently, the stability of the roller 22's posture can be improved. As a result, the possibility of banknotes traveling at an angle to the transport path 26 can be reduced.

[0030] Furthermore, manufacturing variations in the restoring force of the arm portions 32 and 33 are less likely to occur, making it easier to manufacture a torsion spring 30 in which the arm portions 32 and 33 have the desired restoring force. As a result, it becomes possible to select a torsion spring 30 with an appropriate restoring force depending on the installation location of the roller 22.

[0031] Next, the method of attaching the torsion spring 30 to the media transport device 20 will be explained using Figures 5 to 8. Figure 5 is the first diagram showing the method of attaching the torsion spring. The media transport device 20 has regulating members 41 and 42 formed thereon. Regulating member 42 is positioned behind regulating member 41 (on the right side in Figure 5). Regulating member 41 has a hole 41b that is open on the left side. Regulating member 42 has a hole 42b that is open on the right side. The openings of holes 41b and 42b are both rectangular. The torsion spring 30 with rollers 22 attached is positioned between regulating member 41 and regulating member 42. At this time, the torsion spring 30 is in its natural state.

[0032] Figure 6 is a second diagram showing the method of installing the torsion spring. The arm portion 33 of the torsion spring 30 is rotated in the direction of arrow B1, and the arm portion 33 is pulled to the right. When the tip of the arm region 33b of the arm portion 33 is positioned in front of the opening of the hole 42b of the regulating member 42, the force pulling the arm portion 33 is released. As a result, the tip of the arm region 33b is inserted into the hole 42b, as shown in Figure 7.

[0033] Figure 7 is a third diagram showing the method of installing the torsion spring. With the tip of the arm region 33b of the arm portion 33 inserted into the hole 42b, the arm portion 32 is rotated in the direction of arrow B2 and pulled to the left. When the tip of the arm region 32b of the arm portion 32 is positioned in front of the opening of the hole 41b of the regulating member 41, the force pulling the arm portion 32 is released. As a result, the tip of the arm region 32b is inserted into the hole 41b, as shown in Figure 8.

[0034] Figure 8 is a fourth diagram showing the method of mounting the torsion spring. The tip of the arm region 32b is inserted into the hole 41b, and the tip of the arm region 33b is inserted into the hole 42b. At this time, the arm region 32b is in contact with the bottom of the hole 41b (corresponding to the restricting surface 41a), restricting the downward position of the tip of the arm portion 32. Also, the arm region 33b is in contact with the bottom of the hole 42b (corresponding to the restricting surface 42a), restricting the downward position of the tip of the arm portion 33. On the other hand, the position of the arm region 32b in the front-rear direction (left-right direction in Figure 8) is movable within the width of the hole 41b in the front-rear direction. Also, the position of the arm region 33b in the front-rear direction is movable within the width of the hole 42b in the front-rear direction.

[0035] With this configuration, the torsion spring 30 can be attached to the media transport device 20 by a simple operation of deforming the arm portions 32 and 33 of the torsion spring 30 and fitting their tips into the holes 41b and 42b, respectively. Furthermore, when the torsion spring 30 is attached, the upward position of the tips of the arm portions 32 and 33 is restricted by the upper surfaces of the holes 41b and 42b, respectively. Therefore, even if the torsion spring 30 is turned upside down, the torsion spring 30 will not come off the restricting members 41 and 42.

[0036] Figure 9 shows a comparative example of mounting methods when a coil is used as the shaft of the roller. In the comparative example in Figure 9, a coil 51 that forms the shaft is inserted into the hole 22p of the roller 22. Both ends of the coil 51 are attached to the restricting member. Figure 9 illustrates how the right end of the coil 51 is attached to the restricting member 52. The restricting member 52 is made of, for example, a resin material. The restricting member 52 has an insertion portion 52a into which the right end of the coil 51 is inserted. Also, projections 52b and 52c are formed opposite each other on the upper part of the insertion portion 52a. The distance between projections 52b and 52c is smaller than the diameter of the coil 51.

[0037] When attaching the coil 51 to a restricting member 52 with such a configuration, for example, the right end of the coil 51 is pushed downward from above into the gap between the projection 52b and projection 52c, and the right end of the coil 51 is inserted into the insertion portion 52a. Once the right end of the coil 51 is inserted into the insertion portion 52a, its upward movement is restricted by the projections 52b and 52c, preventing the coil 51 from coming off the restricting member 52.

[0038] Thus, when a coil 51 is used as the shaft of the roller 22, a specially shaped restricting member 52 with protrusions 52b and 52c is required to prevent the coil 51 from coming off the media transport device 20, which increases manufacturing costs. Furthermore, the installation process is time-consuming. In contrast, the configuration shown in Figures 5 to 8 allows the torsion spring 30 to be installed in a way that prevents it from falling off, using a simple configuration and simple operation.

[0039] Figure 10 is a plan view showing a modified example of a torsion spring. The shape of the arm of the torsion spring 30 may be modified as shown in Figure 10. In the torsion spring 30 shown in Figure 10, the arm portion 33 includes arm portions 33a and 33b, as well as arm portion 33c. The arm portion 33c extends from the other end of the coil portion 31 in the axial direction of the coil portion 31 (to the right, downward in Figure 10), and the tip of the arm portion 33c is connected to arm portion 33a.

[0040] This configuration makes it easier to insert the coil portion 31 into the hole 22p of the roller 22. Specifically, as shown in the upper part of Figure 10, the tip of the arm region 33b is inserted into the hole 22p of the roller 22, and the roller 22 moves from the arm region 33b to the arm region 33a. Then, as shown in the middle part of Figure 10, the roller 22 reaches the vicinity of the connection between the arm region 33a and the arm region 33c.

[0041] Since the axial direction of the coil portion 31 is perpendicular to the extending direction of the arm region 33a, if the end of the arm region 33a and the coil portion 31 are directly connected, it is not easy to bend the traveling direction of the roller 22 to pass the coil portion 31 through the hole portion 22p. In contrast, by providing an arm region 33c having a certain length and extending in the axial direction of the coil portion 31 between the end of the arm region 33a and the coil portion 31, the hole portion 22p of the roller 22 reaches the coil portion 31 after once passing through the arm region 33c. In the process of the hole portion 22p passing through the arm region 33c, it becomes possible to bend the traveling direction of the roller 22 to approximate the axial direction of the hole portion 22p to the axial direction of the coil portion 31. As a result, it becomes easier to insert the coil portion 31 into the hole portion 22p.

[0042] [Second Embodiment] Fig. 11 is a plan view and a right side view showing a support structure of a roller in the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the coil portion 31 of the torsion spring 30 is divided near the central portion with respect to the axial direction, and includes the divided coil portions 31a and 31b. The coil portion 31a and the coil portion 31b are separated from each other. And the coil portions 31a and 31b are inserted into the hole portion 22p of the roller 22.

[0043] Also, an arm portion 32 extends from one end (left end portion) of the coil portion 31, and an arm portion 33 extends from the other end (right end portion) of the coil portion 31. These arm portions 32 and 33 extend in the same direction (in the example of Fig. 11, the rear direction, the right direction in Fig. 11) along the conveyance path 26. Further, the tips of the arm portions 32 and 33 are connected via a connecting arm portion 34 extending in the axial direction of the coil portion 31a.

[0044] Also, a regulating member 43 is provided in the medium conveyance device 20. The regulating member 43 includes a fixing member 43a that fixes the tip portions of the arm portions 32 and 33 (that is, the connecting arm portion 34), and a suppressing member 34b that suppresses the movement of the arm portions 32 and 33 at a position on the roller 22 side by a predetermined distance from the fixing member 43a. The suppressing member 43b regulates at least the downward movement of the arm portions 32 and 33 at the position.

[0045] With this configuration, similar to the first embodiment, the coil portion 31 of the torsion spring 30 supports the roller 22 in a rotatable state. Furthermore, when a downward load is applied to the roller 22, the arm portions 32 and 33 deform simultaneously by the same amount in accordance with the load. Therefore, compared to the case where the coil portion 31 itself is used as a shaft, the roller 22 becomes more likely to move only in the vertical direction and less likely to tilt in the diagonal direction. Consequently, the stability of the roller 22's posture can be improved, and the possibility of banknotes traveling diagonally with respect to the transport path 26 can be reduced.

[0046] Figure 12 shows the method for attaching the roller. When attaching the roller 22 to the coil portion 31 of the torsion spring 30 in the second embodiment, the coil portions 31a and 31b are spread apart in the direction indicated by arrow D1. This allows the roller 22 to be positioned between the coil portion 31a and the coil portion 31b. By returning the positions of the coil portions 31a and 31b to their original positions with the roller 22 in place, the right end (lower side in Figure 12) of the coil portion 31a and the left end (upper side in Figure 12) of the coil portion 31b are inserted into the hole 22p of the roller 22. In the second embodiment, the coil portion 31 can be inserted into the roller 22 by this simple operation.

[0047] [Third Embodiment] Figure 13 is a plan view and a front view showing the roller support structure in the third embodiment. In the torsion spring 30 of the third embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the coil portion 31 is inserted into the hole portion 22p of the roller 22, and the coil portion 31 supports the roller 22 in a rotatable state.

[0048] On the other hand, unlike the first embodiment, an arm portion 32 extends from one end (left end portion) of the coil portion 31 in the axial direction (left direction) of the coil portion 31. Further, an arm portion 33 extends from the other end (right end portion) of the coil portion 31 in the axial direction (right direction) of the coil portion 31. Further, the tip of the arm portion 32 is fixed to the regulating member 44, and the tip of the arm portion 33 is fixed to the regulating member 45. In the example of FIG. 13, the tip portions 32d and 33d of the arm portions 32 and 33 are circular. By inserting a screw 44a into the circular tip portion 32d, the tip portion 32d is fixed to the upper surface of the regulating member 44, and by inserting a screw 45a into the circular tip portion 33d, the tip portion 33d is fixed to the upper surface of the regulating member 45.

[0049] FIG. 14 is a front view showing the movement of the torsion spring when a load is applied to the roller. In FIG. 14, the case where a downward load indicated by an arrow E1 is applied to the roller 22 is shown. At this time, the arm portions 32 and 33 are deformed elastically and the roller 22 is displaced downward. Due to the deformation of the arm portions 32 and 33, a restoring force that tries to return to the original state acts on the arm portions 32 and 33, and as a result, a force that biases the roller 22 upward acts.

[0050] According to the above configuration, when a downward load is applied to the roller 22, the arm portions 32 and 33 are deformed simultaneously by the same amount along with the load. Therefore, compared with the case where the coil portion 31 itself is used as a shaft, the roller 22 is more likely to move only in the vertical direction and less likely to tilt in the diagonal direction. Therefore, the stability of the posture of the roller 22 can be improved, and the possibility that the banknote obliquely travels with respect to the conveyance path 26 can be reduced.

[0051] 〔Fourth Embodiment〕FIG. 15 is a plan view and a right side view showing a roller support structure in the fourth embodiment. In the torsion spring 30 of the fourth embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the coil portion 31 is inserted into the hole portion 22p of the roller 22, and the coil portion 31 supports the roller 22 in a rotatable state.

[0052] On the other hand, unlike the first embodiment, the diameter of the region of one turn at both ends of the coil portion 31 is formed to be larger than the diameter of the main body portion of the coil portion 31, and this region forms the arm portions 32 and 33. In other words, the arm portion 32 is formed by extending one end (left end) of the coil portion 31 in a curved shape that draws a circle with a larger diameter than the coil portion 31. Similarly, the arm portion 33 is formed by extending the other end (right end) of the coil portion 31 in a curved shape that draws a circle with a larger diameter than the coil portion 31.

[0053] The positions of the tips of the arm portions 32 and 33 are fixed. In the example shown in Figure 15, the tips 32e and 33e of the arm portions 32 and 33 are circular. The tip 32e is fixed to the left side of the regulating member 46 by inserting a screw 46a into the circular tip 32e, and the tip 33e is fixed to the right side of the regulating member 46 by inserting a screw 46b into the circular tip 33e.

[0054] Figure 16 is a front view showing the movement of the torsion spring when a load is applied to the roller. In Figure 16, a downward load indicated by arrow F1 is applied to the roller 22. Since the arm portions 32 and 33 have a larger diameter than the main body portion of the coil portion 31, their elastic modulus is higher than that of the main body portion of the coil portion 31. Therefore, when a downward load is applied, the arm portions 32 and 33 deform elastically, causing the roller 22 to be displaced downward. Due to the deformation of the arm portions 32 and 33, a restoring force acts on the arm portions 32 and 33 to return them to their original state, and as a result, a force acts that biases the roller 22 upward.

[0055] With the above configuration, when a downward load is applied to the roller 22, the arm portions 32 and 33 deform simultaneously by the same amount in response to the load. Therefore, compared to the case where the coil portion 31 itself is used as a shaft, the roller 22 becomes more likely to move only in the vertical direction and less likely to tilt in the diagonal direction. Consequently, the stability of the roller 22's posture can be improved, and the possibility of banknotes traveling diagonally with respect to the transport path 26 can be reduced.

[0056] Furthermore, in order to stabilize the posture of the roller 22, it is desirable to fix the tip portions 32e and 33e of the arm portions 32 and 33 at the same position in the vertical direction. Moreover, it is desirable to fix the tip portions 32e and 33e at positions opposite each other at the same distance P (see Figure 15) with respect to the banknote transport direction, with respect to the axis of the coil portion 31.

[0057] Figure 17 is a right side view showing another example of how the arm portion is fixed. The tips of the arm portions 32 and 33 may be fixed to the restricting member 47 in the manner shown in Figure 17. The restricting member 47 shown in Figure 17 has holes 47a and 47b that open to the top surface. Inside hole 47a, a housing portion 47a1 is formed, having walls on the front (left side in Figure 17), top, and bottom. Inside hole 47b, a housing portion 47b1 is formed, having walls on the rear (right side in Figure 17), top, and bottom.

[0058] The tip of the arm portion 32 of the torsion spring 30 is inserted into the hole 47a and pushed into the interior of the housing portion 47a1. The tip may abut against the front wall surface of the housing portion 47a1. The tip of the arm portion 33 of the torsion spring 30 is inserted into the hole 47b and pushed into the interior of the housing portion 47b1. The tip may abut against the rear wall surface of the housing portion 47b1.

[0059] This configuration makes it possible to fix the arm portions 32 and 33 of the torsion spring 30 without using screws. Furthermore, the arm portions 32 and 33 can be fixed to the regulating member 47 with a simple operation.

[0060] The above merely illustrates the principle of the present invention. Furthermore, numerous modifications and changes are possible for those skilled in the art, and the present invention is not limited to the exact configurations and applications shown and described above. All corresponding modifications and equivalents are considered to be within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0061] 10 Media handling device 20 Media transport device 22 Roller 22p Hole 26 Transport path 30 Torsion spring 31 Coil section 32, 33 Arm section 32a, 32b, 33a, 33b Arm area 41a, 42a Restricting surface

Claims

1. A medium conveying device comprising: a rotatable roller positioned to sandwich a sheet-like medium between opposing conveying members; a torsion spring including a coil portion and a first arm and a second arm connected to one end and the other end of the coil portion, respectively; and regulating members that restrict the position of the ends of the first arm and the second arm opposite to the coil portion with respect to a first direction away from the medium, wherein the coil portion is positioned along the rotation axis of the roller to rotatably support the roller, and the first arm and the second arm bias the roller in a second direction toward the medium.

2. The media conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the first arm extends diagonally from one end of the coil portion in a first direction and in a third direction along the conveying direction of the medium, the second arm extends diagonally from the other end of the coil portion in a fourth direction opposite to the first and third directions, and the regulating member restricts the position of the ends of the first arm and the second arm with respect to the first direction and supports them so as to be movable in a direction along the conveying path of the medium.

3. The medium conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the first arm extends from one end of the coil portion in a third direction along the medium conveying path, and the second arm includes a first arm region extending from the other end of the coil portion in the direction of the rotation axis, and a second portion connected to the first arm region and extending in a fourth direction opposite to the third direction.

4. The medium conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the coil section is divided into a first coil section and a second coil section, the first arm and the second arm extend in the same direction along the medium conveying path, and the ends of the first arm and the second arm are connected via a fixed-position connecting section.

5. The media conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the first arm extends from one end of the coil portion in a fifth direction along the axis of the coil portion, and the position of the end of the first arm is fixed, and the second arm extends from the other end of the coil portion in a sixth direction along the axis of the coil portion, and the position of the end of the second arm is fixed.

6. The media transport device according to claim 1, wherein the first arm and the second arm are formed by extending from one end and the other end of the coil portion in a curved shape that draws a circle with a diameter larger than that of the coil portion.

7. The media transport device according to claim 1, wherein the ends of the first arm and the second arm are fixed at the same position with respect to the first direction and at the same distance from the axis of the coil portion with respect to the transport direction of the medium.

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