JPH10167544A - Passage switching mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify a switching mechanism for a carrier passage and reduce the cost of the device by switching an opening/closing operation of an opening/ closing member and a switching operation of a passage switching means despite of a drive means in a passage switching mechanism which carries a thin medium or articles except it. SOLUTION: A tip part J4c in the bottom side of an opening/closing member J4 is bent inward so as to form an acute angle. The tip part J4c can be engaged with the base part J3c of a switching member J3. Namely, the tip part J4c pressurizes the base part J3c of the switching member J3 so that it rotationally moves the switching member J3 counterclockwise with a rotational shaft J3a set as a rotation center. As a result, the first and second passages J1, J2 are so switched that the first passage J1 is closed and the second passage J2 can be opened. One drive motor J5 can thus switch the opening/closing operation of an opening/closing member J3 and switching operation of the switching member J3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for switching between first and second passages for transporting thin media such as paper, bills, tickets, cards and the like or other articles by using passage switching means. And a passage switching mechanism.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a path switching mechanism for switching a conveying path of a thin medium or other articles has been employed in various devices or machines. It is also used in the paper exit of the machine. This automatic certificate issuing machine is used, for example, when a resident living in the relevant administrative division, such as a city hall where the address is located, wishes to obtain a certificate such as a resident card, marriage certificate, family register abstract, and family register copy. Machine that can be used for
It is a machine that can automatically issue the desired certificate if the user performs a predetermined operation on the certificate issuing machine without directly submitting the application to the person in charge of the city hall. In the case of this issuing machine, the user can take out the issued certificate from the paper taking-out opening of the issuing machine or the like, but sometimes forgets to take it. Therefore, from the viewpoint of privacy protection and the like, it is desirable that the issuing machine performs an operation of collecting the certificate remaining in the sheet take-out port into the apparatus after a predetermined time has elapsed.

For this reason, in the newly developed automatic certificate issuing machine, the paper outlet is configured as follows. That is, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the issuing machine 100 transmits the certificate 108 to the user through the paper ejection port 101.
In addition, when the certificate 108 is issued, the paper issuance door 101 is opened by moving upward to release the paper take-out opening 101, and a drive for moving the paper issuance door 102 up and down to open and close the paper issuance door 102 is closed. And a motor unit 103.
Thus, when the drive motor unit 103 is driven, the pinion 10 attached to the motor shaft of the drive motor unit 103 is driven.
3b is a rack 10 fixed inside the paper issuing door 102.
It rotates clockwise or counterclockwise while meshing with 3c. As a result, when the rack 103c moves up and down integrally with the paper issuing door 102, the paper issuing door 102 can move up and down to open and close the paper take-out opening 101.

The issuing machine 100 further includes an issue / collection switching unit 104 which constitutes a part of a paper path for switching between the two operations of issuing and collecting the certificate 108, and sets the issue / collection switching unit 104 to a solid line position and a virtual line. And a pair of upper and lower transport rollers 106b for transporting the certificate 108 to the paper outlet 101 and pulling it back when collecting the certificate 108, and the like. And a paper collection unit 107 that stores the collected certificate 108 below the issuance / collection switching unit 104.

In normal times, the paper issuing door 102 closes the paper take-out port 101 as shown in FIG. 5, and the issue / collection switching unit 104 is in a horizontal state. Therefore, the switching section 104 is connected to the sheet transport section 106 provided inside the apparatus, and forms a sheet path. On the other hand, when the certificate 108 is issued, as shown in FIG. 5, the pinion 103b attached to the drive motor unit 103 rotates clockwise to open the paper issuing door 102, and the issue / collection switching unit 104
Is kept horizontal. As a result, the transport roller 106b of the paper transport unit 106 rotates in the direction of the arrow to
Is conveyed to the take-out port 101 side, the user can take out the certificate 108 from the paper take-out port 101.

However, when the user operates the
If the certificate is left for a certain period of time without taking out the certificate 108, the automatic certificate issuing machine determines that it has been forgotten and performs the following operation. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the transport roller 106b of the paper transport unit 106 first rotates in the direction of the arrow,
Certificate 108 issued from paper outlet 101
Is pulled back to the sheet transport unit 106. Next, the pinion 103 attached to the drive motor unit 103
b rotates to the left, lowers the opened paper door 102,
The paper outlet 101 is closed. And the driving unit 10
When the fifth solenoid 105b and the link mechanism 105c move to the position indicated by the imaginary line, the issue / collection switching unit 104 also moves to the position indicated by the imaginary line. Then, the transport roller 1
When the certificate 06b rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 5 and conveys the certificate 108 toward the paper ejection port 101, the leading end 108b of the certificate 108 is guided to the lower surface side of the issue / collection switching unit 104, and Collected inside.

[0007]

However, the automatic certificate issuing machine 100 as an example of the passage switching mechanism drives the paper issuing door 102 and the issuance / recovery switching unit 104.
Each has a drive motor section 103, 105, etc.,
This issuer became very expensive. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. For example, when a thin medium or another article is conveyed along a conveyance path, a path switching for switching the conveyance path is performed. An object of the present invention is to make a mechanism using the mechanism extremely inexpensive by extremely simplifying the mechanism.

[0008]

In order to attain this object, a passage switching mechanism of the present invention uses a conveying means to convey a thin medium or other articles on a first path and a first medium. In a passage switching mechanism that transports a thin medium or other articles based on a switching operation of a passage switching unit that switches between the first and second passages, in a second passage that branches from the passage, An opening / closing member disposed on the downstream side of the passage switching means in the article transport direction in the first passage for opening and closing the passage, and a driving means for opening and closing the opening / closing member; and a driving force of the driving means The switching operation of the passage switching means is performed using Thereby, the driving unit can perform the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing member and the switching operation of the passage switching unit.

According to the passage switching mechanism of the second aspect,
In conjunction with the opening and closing member opening the first passage, the passage switching means closes the second passage and connects to the first passage, and when the opening and closing member closes the first passage. In conjunction therewith, the passage switching means may close the first passage and open the second passage. Thereby, when the opening / closing member opens the first passage, the passage switching means closes the second passage and is connected to the first passage. Also,
When the opening / closing member closes the first passage, the passage switching means performs a switching operation to close the first passage and open the second passage.

According to the passage switching mechanism of the third aspect,
The opening and closing member opens and closes the apparatus housing opening, and the second passage communicates with a collection and storage unit for a thin medium or other articles. Thereby,
When the opening / closing member opens the opening, the article can be taken out. When the opening / closing member closes the opening, the article cannot be taken out, and the article passes through the second passage and is collected and stored. Transported to

[0011] According to the passage switching mechanism of the fourth aspect,
It is characterized in that it is attached to an article transport path provided inside the article providing device. Accordingly, the article providing apparatus can perform the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing member and the switching operation of the passage switching unit with one driving unit. In this case, as an example, it is desirable to adopt the following mode. That is, when the article is not taken out of the article providing apparatus even after a certain period of time, the article is pulled back into the apparatus and the opening of the apparatus housing is closed by the opening / closing member. At this time, the passage switching unit is pushed by the opening / closing member to close the first passage and open the second passage, and the second passage communicates with the collection and storage unit. Thereby, the article is conveyed into the apparatus by the conveying means, and then collected in the collection storage unit via the second passage.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to an automatic certificate issuing machine. FIG. 1 is an external view of an automatic certificate issuing machine embodying the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automatic certificate issuing machine 1 according to the present embodiment. As described above, the issuing machine 1 is provided to the issuing machine 1 when a resident wants to obtain the certificate. If a predetermined operation is performed, a certificate can be issued automatically. Therefore, if the issuing machine 1 is installed, the certificate can be acquired without waiting time without increasing the number of persons in charge, and the issuing machine 1 can be operated on holidays or off hours. However, from the viewpoint of protecting the privacy of the inhabitants, a person who can use the issuing machine 1 has a magnetic card (or an IC chip) provided with a magnetic tape for recording information such as a personal identification number (that is, a user ID identification code). ID card) or the like (hereinafter also referred to as a user).

On the front panel of the housing 1a of the automatic certificate issuing machine 1, there is provided a card insertion slot 2a for inserting a magnetic card (or ID card) owned by each user who desires to issue a certificate. This card insertion slot 2a is provided
Inside the machine, a card reader for reading information recorded on the magnetic tape is provided. A sensor (not shown) for detecting a card and a transport section (not shown) for transporting the card from the card insertion port 2a to the position of the card reader 2 (see FIG. 3) are provided inside the card insertion slot 2a. The card can be transported to the card reader 2 by driving the transport unit based on the detection of the card by the sensor. Thereby, the card owner can be confirmed by detecting the coincidence between the data read by the card reader 2 and the input dark place number.

On the side of the card insertion slot 2a, when a trouble occurs in the automatic certificate issuing machine 1 such as out of paper, for example, a call button 22 for calling a maintenance person to solve the trouble. Is provided. Above the call button 22, a CRT display device 3 is provided as a display means for displaying, for example, an operation method and guidance, and the screen of the CRT display device 3 displays a user. The touch panel 4 serves as input means for inputting predetermined information by directly touching a part of the part where the user is.

On the side of the touch panel 4, a coin insertion slot 5a for paying a fee and a bill insertion slot 6a are formed, and these can store a coin mech 5 for storing coins and a bill. Building Bali 6
(See FIG. 3). These coin slots 5
A takeout opening 8 for taking out change and receipts is provided below a and the bill insertion slot 6a. In addition, a certificate outlet 7 for discharging a certificate such as a resident's card, a family register, or the like printed by a laser printer 11 (see FIG. 3) is formed on the side of the outlet 8. Thus, if the user performs a predetermined operation while touching the touch panel 4, a desired certificate is issued from the certificate outlet 7.

Below the call button 22, a person using a wheelchair can use this automatic certificate issuing machine 1.
Is provided, an assist bar 42 is provided so as to be easily operated. Further, under the assist bar 42, a part of the housing 1a is dug in a size enough to fit below a knee of a person in a wheelchair so that a user of the wheelchair can easily use it. 43 is formed, and a shock absorbing sheet 44 for absorbing a shock when a part of a wheelchair collides is provided on an inner surface of the dug 43.

The height of the automatic certificate issuing machine 1 is set to, for example, 130 so that a user of a wheelchair can easily use it.
cm. Above the touch panel, there is provided an operation display 10 for displaying whether the automatic certificate issuing machine 1 is usable or unusable.

Next, an electrical configuration of the automatic certificate issuing system including the automatic certificate issuing machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The automatic certificate issuing machine 1 according to the present embodiment operates according to a command from the CPU 13 connected to the host computer 31. The CPU 13 includes the card reader 2 described above, the CRT display device 3, the touch panel 4 displayed on the screen of the CRT display device 3, and the coin mech 5.
And a bill button 6, a call button 22 for calling a maintenance person, a receipt printer 12 for printing a receipt for a receipt, an utterance device 16 for explaining operation methods and the like by voice, and a CPU 13. A hard disk (HDD) 17 for controlling the automatic certificate issuing machine 1 to operate according to a predetermined process and issuing an operation program for issuing a certificate, and a maintenance remote from the certificate automatic issuing machine 1 A remote operation panel 3 installed near a staff member to notify the maintenance staff of the operating status of the certificate issuing machine 1 and the pressing of the call button 22.
3, a laser printer 11 as a recording device in the automatic certificate issuing machine 1, a transport unit 51 for transporting a document printed by the laser printer 11, and a touch panel 4
, A stapler 14 for binding the ends of the documents, a marking machine 15 for marking the documents, and transporting the documents to the certificate outlet 7 A paper discharge unit 71, a RAM 49 in which an operation program for operating the automatic certificate issuing machine 1 according to a predetermined process is loaded, and a ROM 5 for storing a program for operating the automatic certificate issuing machine 1
0. The programs required to operate the automatic certificate issuing machine 1, for example, the programs for controlling the paper path switching mechanism J 0 and the paper discharge unit 71 according to the present invention, are the same as those stored in the ROM 50, except for those stored in the ROM 50. Is automatically transferred to the RAM 49, and the automatic certificate issuing machine 1 operates based on the program. The RAM 49 can further store data and the like necessary for operating the automatic certificate issuing machine 1.
The CPU 13 has a timer function for measuring time,
A predetermined time after the sensor S1 described later detects the sheet Y1,
If the user does not remove the sheet Y1, it can be detected.

The host computer 31 is connected to a database 32 for storing certificate data such as a resident's card and a copy of a family register for all residents in the relevant administrative division. The database 32 is searched based on the obtained user ID identification code and the data selected by the user, such as a certificate of a resident's card, a copy of a family register, and the necessary number of copies, and creates a necessary certificate from the base 32. The certificate data can be extracted and the certificate creation data can be transmitted to the CPU 13.

Next, the internal mechanism of the automatic certificate issuing machine 1 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing a paper transport path and the like inside the automatic certificate issuing machine 1. A laser printer 11 is installed in a lower part of the issuing machine 1, and a paper Y1 printed by the laser printer 11 is provided on an upper part of the printer 11.
The upper discharge port 11a is formed to discharge the outside of the issuer 1. A paper guide 54 is formed on the upper surface of the laser printer 11, and the paper guide 54 can transport the paper Y1 discharged from the upper discharge port 11a to the downstream side of the transport path.

On the upper side of the paper guide 54, a paper Y
A transport unit 51 for transporting No. 1 is provided. The transport unit 51 has a paper guide 55 provided therein, and the paper Y1 sent out from the paper guide 54 can be transported along the paper guide 55 in one direction (to the right in FIG. 2). In addition, a width aligning tray 56 is formed above the paper guide 55 in the transport unit 51. When the paper guide 55 travels toward the width aligning tray 56, the transport path changes its transport direction by approximately 180 degrees U-turn. Then, head in the opposite direction (left side in FIG. 2). A sheet discharge unit 7 is located on the side of the transport unit 51 (left side in FIG. 2).
The paper discharge unit 71 can convey the paper Y1 toward the certificate discharge port 7.

Specifically, inside the transport unit 51, a paper guide 55 is formed as a transport path that runs along the upper surface of the laser printer 11 and goes upward at the end (right end in FIG. 2). Feed rollers 55a and 55b for transporting the sheet Y1 sent from the sheet guide 54 are provided above and below the sheet guide 55.
Are installed. Between the feed rollers 55a and 55b, a light transmission type or light reflection type double feed detection sensor HS for detecting double feed of the sheet Y1 is provided.

At the upper end side of the paper guide 55 (upper right side in FIG. 2), the transport direction is set to 180 degrees U so as to return to the upper surface side of the laser printer 11 when the paper Y1 is multi-fed.
The evacuation guide 55c to be turned is formed as one of the branch paths, and by switching the position of the switching bar 55d, the multi-fed sheet Y1 is conveyed to the evacuation guide 55c as an evacuation unit. Thus, the paper transport unit 5
1, the reason why the multi-fed paper Y1 is conveyed to the evacuation guide 55c is that the printer 11 records on falsification-prevented paper for preventing duplication (copying). This is to prevent the unnecessary paper Y1 from being output to the outside of the apparatus 1.

The paper guide 55 is bent approximately 90 degrees in the transport direction at the upper right side of the branch point with the evacuation guide 55c and is directed toward the paper discharge unit 71 (left side in FIG. 2). To the left of the folded paper guide 55,
A width aligning tray 56 for aligning the width of the sheet Y1 that has passed through the sheet guide 55 is formed. One end (right end in FIG. 2) of the width alignment tray 56 is provided with the width alignment tray 5.
A claw 57a for pushing out the rear end of the sheet Y1 placed on the sheet 6 is provided. Specifically, the claw 57a is fixed to the pushing guide 57 and arranged. Above the paper discharge unit 71, a stapler 14 for binding the width-aligned paper Y1 is provided.
Above the, a marking machine 15 capable of pressing a marking is installed.

One end (right end in FIG. 2) of the width aligning tray 56 is provided adjacent to the claw 57a and a support shaft 56c.
The support shaft 56c is provided in the width alignment tray 5
6 serves as a fulcrum for swinging between an upper position shown by a dotted line and a lower position shown by a solid line in FIG. That is,
When a plurality of sheets Y1 are placed on the width aligning tray 56, the width aligning tray 56 is moved to an upper position indicated by a dotted line, and the width-aligned paper Y1 is inserted into the stapler 14 and bound, and the inserted paper is inserted. Marker 15 for Y1
Can press the tally.

At the other end (left end in FIG. 2) of the width alignment tray 56, feed rollers 58a, 5a for feeding the sheet Y1 on the width alignment tray 56 to the sheet discharge unit 71 are provided.
8b is installed. Then, the feed rollers 58a,
A discharge tray confirmation sensor 59 is attached in the vicinity of 58b.
U13 can determine whether or not the sheet Y1 has been sent onto the discharge tray 72 of the sheet discharge unit 71. In the middle of the width alignment tray 56, a width alignment claw 84 for aligning the width of a plurality of sheets of paper Y1 is provided.

The paper discharge unit 71 includes a plurality of (four) lower rollers 73 disposed on the lower side, a plurality (four) upper rollers 74 disposed on the upper side, and these rollers 73. Timing belts 75, 7 for rotating pulleys 73b, 74b fixed to a roller shaft supporting
6, 77, and a step motor 78 for rotating the timing belts 75, 76, 77. Thus, when the pair of upper and lower rollers 73, 74 are in contact with each other via the sheet Y1, and the timing belts 75, 76, 77 are rotated by driving the step motor 78, these lower and upper rollers 73 , 74 rotate to convey the paper Y1 to the certificate outlet 7.

Next, the paper path switching mechanism J0 attached to the paper transport path will be described with reference to FIG. 4. The paper path switching mechanism J0 is located at the exit side of the paper discharge unit 71 (left side in FIG. 2). Attached to. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the paper path switching mechanism J0 transports the paper Y1 transported by the transport rollers 73 and 74 on a first path J1 that forms a part of the paper transport path. The first passage J1 branches off from the second passage J2, and a switching member J3 as a passage switching means is provided based on the switching operation to convey the sheet Y1 into the second passage J2. The first and second passages J1 and J2 can be switched.

More specifically, the second passage J2 is located below the first passage J1, and the switching member J3 is normally in the horizontal state (the imaginary line in FIG. 4). And a part of the second passage J2. In response to the state, the switching member J3 rotates counterclockwise about the rotation axis J3a on the base end J3c side (solid line in FIG. 4) based on the switching operation, and the distal end J3b. Is located on the upper side, first,
The second passages J1 and J2 are switched to close the first passage J1 and open the second passage J2. In the case of this embodiment, the first passage J1 is a passage in the sheet passage switching mechanism J0 provided after the transport rollers 73 and 74 and connecting to the certificate outlet 7. Further, the transport rollers 73 and 74 constitute a transport unit, but any other transport unit such as a transport belt may be employed.

An opening / closing member J serving as a door is located downstream of the switching member J3 in the sheet conveyance direction in the first passage J1.
The opening / closing member J4 opens and closes the passage J1. Further, as a driving means for opening and closing the opening and closing member J4, for example, a driving motor J5 such as a step motor is provided in the apparatus, and the switching operation of the switching member J3 can be performed using the driving force of the driving motor J5. In the case of this embodiment, the opening / closing member J4 is connected to the first passage J1.
The switching member J3 is connected to the second passage J
2, the switching member J3 closes the first passage J1, and the switching member J3 closes the first passage J1 in conjunction with the opening and closing member J4 closing the first passage J1. Is opened in some cases.

Specifically, a rack J4b is fixed inside the opening / closing member J4, and the rack J4b is attached to the opening / closing member J4.
4 can be moved up and down integrally. A pinion J5b meshes with the rack J4b, and the pinion J5b is attached to a motor shaft of a drive motor unit J5 for moving the opening / closing member J4. And
When the drive motor unit J5 is driven and the pinion J5b attached to the motor shaft rotates clockwise while meshing with the rack J4b, the opening / closing member J4 moves upward as shown by the phantom line in FIG. On the other hand, when it is rotated counterclockwise, it moves downward as shown by the solid line in FIG. Therefore, the opening / closing member J4 opens and closes the certificate outlet 7 as an opening of the apparatus casing. When the certificate is issued, if the certificate outlet 7 is moved upward to release the certificate outlet 7, the user can use the sheet Y1 ( Certificate)
Can be taken out, while the others are closed and the paper Y1 (certificate) cannot be taken out.

The distal end J4c at the lower end of the opening / closing member J4 is bent inward so as to form an acute angle, and the distal end J4c can engage with the proximal end J3c of the switching member J3. . That is, the distal end portion J4c rotates the switching member J3 counterclockwise around the rotation axis J3a by pressing the base end portion J3c of the switching member J3, and moves the distal end side J3b upward. (Solid line in FIG. 4). As a result, as described above, the first and second passages J1 and J2 are switched, and the first passage J
1 can be closed and the second passage J2 can be opened. Therefore, the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing member J4 and the switching operation of the switching member J3 can be performed by one drive motor J5.

Since the second passage J2 communicates with the collection and storage section J6 for the paper Y1, the paper Y1 is transferred to the second passage J2.
The paper Y1 is conveyed to the collection storage J6 through the collection storage J6. Specifically, the switching member J3 is configured as shown in FIG.
When held at the position indicated by the solid line, the lower surface side J3d of the switching member J3 serves as a guide member for guiding the sheet Y1 to the collection storage J6. Further, when the certificate discharge port 7 is in the open state shown by the broken line in the figure, the switching member J3 pressed by the tip portion J4c of the opening / closing member J4 is released from the pressing, and the switching member J3 is broken by its own weight by the broken line in the figure. Move to the position shown
It is connected to the paper Y1 conveyance path. In addition, the lower end (left side in FIGS. 2 and 4) Q1 of the paper discharge unit 71 on the discharge side.
Is also a stopper for the switching member J3,
In the vicinity of the discharge side of the roller 73, a sensor S1 for detecting that the sheet Y1 has been extracted by the user is provided. Further, the collection and storage unit J6 is provided vertically inside the housing 1a, and from the viewpoint of privacy protection and the like,
The issuing machine 1 collects the paper Y1 (certificate) remaining in the certificate outlet 7 into the collection storage J6 after a predetermined time has elapsed.
The sheet Y1 (certificate) in the collection and storage unit J6 can be taken out only by a maintenance person.

Next, the operation of the paper path switching mechanism J0 will be described. When the sheet Y1 is sent from the sheet transport unit 51 to the sheet discharge unit 71, the drive motor J5 drives the pinion J5b to rotate clockwise, and the opening / closing member J4
Is moved upward as indicated by the solid line in FIG. Then, the switching member J3 moves to the position shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 4 due to its own weight, and becomes a sheet conveyance path between the certificate ejection port 7 and the sheet ejection unit 71. Thus, the sheet Y1 conveyed in the sheet discharge unit 71 is further conveyed by the pair of rollers 73 and 74 on the discharge side of the sheet discharge unit 71, and is issued to the certificate discharge port 7 through the upper surface of the switching member J3. You. At this time, if the user does not take out the paper Y1 (certificate) from the automatic certificate issuing machine 1, it must be collected in the apparatus 1.
Reference numerals 3 and 74 sandwich the rear end of the sheet Y1.

Then, the user of the automatic certificate issuing machine 1
If the sheet Y1 issued from the certificate discharge port 7 is not taken out after a certain period of time, the pair of rollers 73 and 74 at the tip of the sheet discharge unit 71 pulls the sheet Y1 back into the sheet discharge unit 71. Thereafter, the drive motor J5 rotates the pinion J5b counterclockwise to move the opening / closing member J4 downward as indicated by the solid line in the figure. At this time, the switching member J3
The base end J3c is a front end J on the lower end side of the opening / closing member J4.
4c, the switching member J3 moves to the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 4, closes the first passage J1, opens the second passage J2, and communicates with the collection / storage portion J6. Thereby, the sheet Y1 in the sheet discharge unit 71 is
Are a pair of rollers 73, 74 at the tip of the paper discharge unit 71.
And is collected by the collection storage unit J6 along the lower surface side J3d of the switching member J3.

As described above, according to the paper path switching mechanism J0 of the present embodiment, the paper Y1 is transported on the first path J1 by the transport rollers 73 and 74, and is branched from the first path J1. In the paper path switching mechanism J0 that transports the paper Y1 based on the switching operation of the switching member J3 that switches between the first and second paths J1 and J2 in the second path J2, The path J1 is disposed downstream of the switching member J3 in the sheet conveying direction in the path J1.
Opening / closing member J4 for performing opening / closing operation 1;
And a drive motor J5 for opening and closing the switch. The switching operation of the switching member J3 is performed using the driving force of the drive motor J5. Thereby, the opening / closing member J is driven by one drive motor J5.
Since the switching operation of the switching member J3 and the switching operation of the switching member J3 can be performed, an inexpensive paper path switching mechanism J0 can be provided.

As an embodiment of the present invention, the paper path switching mechanism J employed in the automatic certificate issuing machine 1 is described.
However, the path switching mechanism of the present invention is not necessarily limited to this embodiment. For example, the path switching mechanism may be used in a paper transport mechanism employed in a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printing machine, a printer, a ticket vending machine, and the like. May be used.
Further, without being limited to this embodiment, the passage switching mechanism J0 may be provided, for example, on a transport path other than the sheet discharge port and used for separating a plurality of documents. Further, a thin medium other than the sheet Y1, for example, a bill, a ticket, a transport device such as a card,
The passage switching mechanism of the present invention may be employed, or may be employed as a passage switching mechanism for articles other than the thin medium, for example, a luggage passage switching mechanism.

Also, in conjunction with the opening and closing member opening the first passage, the passage switching means closes the second passage and connects to the first passage, and when the opening and closing member closes the first passage. It is preferable that the passage switching means closes the first passage and opens the second passage in conjunction with the closing, but it is not limited to this. In addition, the opening / closing member preferably opens and closes the opening of the device housing, and the second passage desirably communicates with the collection and storage unit for the thin medium or other articles, but is not necessarily limited to this mode. . Further, it may be attached to a part other than the article transport path provided inside the article providing apparatus.

[0039]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the passage switching mechanism of the first aspect, the conveying means conveys the thin medium or other articles on the first passage. A path switching unit that conveys a thin medium or other articles based on a switching operation of a path switching unit that switches between the first and second paths in a second path branched from the first path. An opening / closing member disposed on the downstream side of the passage switching means in the article conveying direction in the first passage, for opening and closing the passage, and a driving means for opening and closing the opening / closing member; Since the switching operation of the passage switching means is performed using the driving force of (1), the opening and closing operation of the opening / closing member and the switching operation of the passage switching means can be performed by one driving means. The pole By simplifying Te, it can be made inexpensive devices using that mechanism.

According to the passage switching mechanism of the second aspect,
In conjunction with the opening and closing member opening the first passage, the passage switching means closes the second passage and connects to the first passage, and when the opening and closing member closes the first passage. In some cases, the passage switching means closes the first passage and opens the second passage, so that the passage can be smoothly switched.

According to the passage switching mechanism of the third aspect,
The opening and closing member opens and closes the device housing opening, and the second passage communicates with the collection and storage unit for the thin medium or other articles, so when the opening and closing member opens the opening,
When the article can be taken out and the opening / closing member closes the opening, the article cannot be taken out. Further, the article is conveyed to the collection and storage section through the second passage, and the article can be provided through the apparatus housing opening or can be collected in the collection and storage section.

According to the passage switching mechanism of the fourth aspect,
Since the article providing apparatus is attached to the article transport path provided inside the article providing apparatus, the article providing apparatus can perform the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing member and the switching operation between the path switching unit with one driving unit. Thus, an inexpensive device can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the appearance of an automatic certificate issuing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a paper feed path of the automatic certificate issuing machine in the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a certificate automatic issuing machine and a system including the issuing machine according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view showing the passage switching mechanism of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a passage switching mechanism developed by the applicant before.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a configuration of a passage switching mechanism developed by the applicant.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Certificate automatic issuing machine 7 Certificate ejection port 73, 74 Conveyance roller J0 Paper path switching mechanism J1 First path J2 Second path J3 Switching member J4 Opening / closing member J5 Drive motor J6 Collection / storage section

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A transport device for transporting a thin medium or other articles on a first path and a first path and a second path in a second path branched from the first path. In a path switching mechanism for transporting a thin medium or other articles based on a switching operation of a path switching means for performing the switching of the first path, the path switching mechanism is disposed downstream of the path switching means in the article transport direction in the first path. An opening / closing member for opening / closing the passage; and a driving unit for opening / closing the opening / closing member, wherein the switching operation of the passage switching unit is performed using the driving force of the driving unit. mechanism. 2. The passage switching mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the passage switching unit closes the second passage in response to the opening and closing member opening the first passage. And the passage switching means closes the first passage and opens the second passage in conjunction with the closing of the first passage by the opening / closing member. Passage switching mechanism. 3. The passage switching mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the opening and closing member opens and closes an opening of the apparatus housing, and the second passage collects a thin medium or other articles. A passage switching mechanism which is in communication with a storage unit. 4. The path switching mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the path switching mechanism is attached to an article transport path provided inside the article providing apparatus.