CN111372879A

CN111372879A - Paper sheet handling apparatus

Info

Publication number: CN111372879A
Application number: CN201780097014.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 上冈正
Original assignee: Fujitsu Frontech Ltd
Current assignee: Fujitsu Frontech Ltd
Priority date: 2017-11-30
Filing date: 2017-11-30
Publication date: 2020-07-03
Also published as: EP3718938A1; JP6750130B2; JPWO2019106818A1; EP3718938A4; US20200255240A1; WO2019106818A1

Abstract

The paper sheet processing device comprises a plurality of conveying units (10) connected in the conveying direction of the paper sheet, wherein each of the plurality of conveying units (10) comprises: paper sheet detection sensors (a suction-side bill detection sensor (L11a), a suction-side bill detection sensor (R11b), a discharge-side bill detection sensor (L11c), and a discharge-side bill detection sensor (R11d)) that detect the presence or absence of paper sheets; a conveying mechanism for conveying the paper sheet; a drive unit that drives the conveying mechanism; and a control unit (MPU 14) that controls the drive unit, wherein the control unit (MPU 14) controls the drive unit to convey the paper sheets by the conveyance mechanism based on the detection results of the paper sheet detection sensors 11 (suction-side bill detection sensor (L11a), suction-side bill detection sensor (R11b), discharge-side bill detection sensor (L11c), and discharge-side bill detection sensor (R11 d)).

Description

Paper sheet handling apparatus

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a paper sheet processing apparatus including a plurality of conveyance units each having a control unit.

Background

Conventionally, in a paper sheet handling apparatus such as an ATM (Automated Teller Machine), paper sheets such as banknotes are conveyed by a conveyor belt or a roller and subjected to various kinds of processing such as authentication.

As a paper sheet transport apparatus for transporting paper sheets, there has been proposed a paper sheet transport apparatus including a plurality of transport units, a plurality of transport motors for driving the transport units, and a paper sheet sensor for detecting passage of paper sheets at fixed positions of the transport units, wherein when transport is not performed due to occurrence of an abnormality, the paper sheet transport apparatus stops paper money normally transported at the fixed positions, and presence or absence of the paper money is easily checked (see, for example, patent document 1).

Further, there has been proposed a voting paper classification device in which additional units can be connected to a base unit, wherein a 1 st control unit of the base unit receives information on the connection order from a 2 nd control unit of the additional units, so that the total number of additional units and the connection order do not need to be set (for example, see patent document 2).

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 8-259042

Patent document 2: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2013-186870

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, in the sheet processing apparatus, when the apparatus configuration differs depending on the delivery destination, the sheet processing apparatus can be made to have the same shape as much as possible, but a design depending on the delivery destination is largely retained. In addition, the redesign of the device is required by the change of the external shape of the device, the increase and decrease of components (coin boxes and the like) to be mounted.

Further, when the paper sheet handling apparatus is designed depending on independent specifications, the conveyance path has a unique conveyance path. Therefore, the entire path of the inherent conveyance path is connected by a belt (belt) or the like, and the conveyance path is configured by using a small number of motors having large output. Therefore, even in a portion where no paper sheet exists, the conveyor belt operates, and thus, mechanical loss increases.

The paper sheet feeding apparatus and the voting paper sorting apparatus described above are not apparatuses that perform the following controls: that is, since the independent transport unit itself detects the suction of the paper sheet and starts the transport operation, the transport path cannot be flexibly configured.

The invention aims to provide a paper sheet processing device which can flexibly form a conveying path by using conveying units which are independently controlled.

Means for solving the problems

In one aspect, a sheet processing apparatus includes a plurality of conveyance units coupled in a conveyance direction of a sheet, each of the plurality of conveyance units including: a paper sheet detection sensor that detects whether the paper sheet is present; a conveying mechanism that conveys the paper sheet; a drive unit that drives the conveyance mechanism; and a control unit that controls the drive unit, wherein the control unit controls the drive unit to convey the paper sheet by the conveyance mechanism based on a detection result of the paper sheet detection sensor.

Effects of the invention

According to the above aspect, the conveyance path can be flexibly configured using the conveyance units that are independently controlled.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a right side view showing the internal configuration of the automatic transaction apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a control structure of the conveying unit.

Fig. 3A is a front view showing the internal configuration of the conveying unit.

Fig. 3B is a plan view showing the internal configuration of the conveying unit.

Fig. 4 is a front view showing the internal configuration of two linked conveying units.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart for explaining control of the conveyance unit.

Fig. 6A is a front view showing an internal configuration of the conveyance unit in modification 1.

Fig. 6B is a plan view showing an internal structure of the conveyance unit in modification 1.

Fig. 7 is a front view showing an internal structure of two conveyance units connected obliquely in modification 1.

Fig. 8 is a front view showing an internal structure of two conveyance units connected obliquely using a guide member in modification 2.

Fig. 9 is a front view showing an internal configuration of a plurality of conveying units including a conveying unit having a conveying direction switching guide in modification 3.

Fig. 10 is a front view showing an internal configuration of two conveying units having a conveying direction switching guide in the 4 th modification.

Fig. 11 is a flowchart for explaining control of the conveying unit having the conveying direction switching guide in the 3 rd modification and the 4 th modification.

Fig. 12 is a front view showing an internal structure of two coupled conveyance units in modification 5.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged view of a portion a of fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a bottom view of the 1 st reflecting member and the 2 nd reflecting member in fig. 13 as viewed from the direction C.

Fig. 15A is a front view showing an internal configuration of the conveyance unit in modification 6.

Fig. 15B is a plan view showing an internal structure of the conveyance unit in modification 6.

Fig. 16A is a front view for explaining a positional relationship of the belts of the two adjacent conveying units in the 7 th modification.

Fig. 16B is a plan view for explaining the positional relationship of the belts of the two adjacent conveying units in the modification 7.

Detailed Description

An automatic transaction apparatus as an example of a paper sheet handling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a right side view showing the internal configuration of the automatic transaction apparatus 1.

The automatic transaction apparatus 1 shown in fig. 1 is, for example, an ATM. The automatic transaction apparatus 1 performs processing such as depositing/dispensing, discriminating, and storing of banknotes B as an example of paper sheets. Note that the paper sheet handling apparatus, which is an example of the automatic transaction apparatus 1, may be any paper sheet handling apparatus that performs some kind of handling of paper sheets.

As shown in fig. 1, the automatic transaction apparatus 1 includes an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) 2, a depositing and dispensing Unit 3, a discriminating Unit 4, a temporary holding Unit 5, a rejecting Unit 6,

coin boxes

7 and 8, and a communication power supply cable 9. The automatic transaction apparatus 1 further includes a plurality of transport units 10, and the plurality of transport units 10 are connected in the transport direction of the banknotes B via the depositing and dispensing unit 3, the discriminating unit 4, the temporary holding unit 5, the rejecting unit 6, the

cassettes

7 and 8, and the like.

The MPU2 is a processor storing firmware that controls the operations of the banknote processing units (the depositing and dispensing unit 3, the discriminating unit 4, the temporary holding unit 5, the rejecting unit 6, the

cassettes

7 and 8, the transport units 10, and the like) shown in fig. 1, and operates under control from a control unit (a host application) or the like that controls the entire automated transaction apparatus 1. For example, in the deposit process, the banknotes B inserted into the depositing and dispensing unit 3 are controlled by a higher-level application program, and processes such as conveyance, identification, and storage of the banknotes B are executed by firmware via Middleware (Middleware).

The MPU2 notifies an initial timing (wake-up) via the communication power supply cable 9, updates programs read by an MPU14 described later of the conveyance unit 10, self-diagnosis of the conveyance unit 10 (for example, test operations of medium detection sensors 11a to 11d and motors R13a and L13b described later), and the like.

The depositing and dispensing unit 3 deposits the banknotes B by the customer and removes the banknotes B from the inside of the automatic transaction apparatus 1.

The discriminating unit 4 discriminates the banknotes B inserted into the depositing and dispensing unit 3, such as authenticity determination and denomination determination.

The temporary holding section 5 temporarily holds the banknotes B discriminated by the discriminating section 4.

The reject unit 6 stores banknotes B that are damaged and cannot be used for the dispensing process, and banknotes B of a denomination that is not the denomination storable in the

cassettes

7 and 8. For example, in the case where the

coin cassettes

7 and 8 are ten-thousand yen and thousand-yen coin cassettes, respectively, the five thousand yen stored are stored in the reject unit 6.

The

cassettes

7 and 8 store banknotes B of different denominations.

The communication power supply cable 9 is connected to the MPU2 and each of the transmission units 10 for communication connection of the MPU2 and each of the transmission units 10 and power supply to the transmission units 10. The topology of the communication path of the communication power supply cable 9 may be set as appropriate by studying reliability and the like. The communication power supply cable 9 may be any cable that performs power line communication, and a communication signal line does not need to be separately prepared.

Between the plurality of conveyance units 10, a guide member 41 for guiding the banknotes B, a conveyance direction switching guide 42 for branching the conveyance path of the banknotes B, and the like are arranged. However, as will be described in detail later, the guide member 41 may be omitted because the two conveying units 10 may be connected to each other as shown in fig. 4. As shown in fig. 9 and 10, the conveyance direction of the banknotes B can be switched by the conveyance direction switching guides 23 and 24 in the conveyance unit 10(10B and 10C), and therefore the conveyance direction switching guide 42 may be omitted.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a control structure of the conveying unit 10.

Fig. 3A is a front view showing the internal configuration of the conveying unit 10.

Fig. 3B is a plan view showing the internal configuration of the conveying unit 10.

As shown in fig. 2, the transport unit 10 includes a bill detection sensor 11 (in this specification, the suction-side bill detection sensor L11a, the suction-side bill detection sensor R11b, the discharge-side bill detection sensor L11c, and the discharge-side bill detection sensor R11d are collectively referred to as the bill detection sensor 11.), an MPU14, a bill information detection sensor 15, a motor driver L16a, a motor driver R16b, and an interface unit 17. Further, as shown in fig. 3B, the conveying unit 10 has a conveying mechanism 12, a motor L13a, a motor R13B, a power transmission belt L18a, a power transmission gear L18B, a power transmission belt R18c, a power transmission gear R18d, a frame 19, a base plate 20, and a mounting member 21.

The bill detection sensor 11 is an example of a paper sheet detection sensor that detects the presence or absence of a bill B (paper sheet). The bill detecting sensor 11 may be a single sensor, but as shown in fig. 3A and 3B, may be disposed on the upstream side, i.e., the suction side (the suction-side bill detecting sensor L11a, the suction-side bill detecting sensor R11B) and the downstream side, i.e., the discharge side (the discharge-side bill detecting sensor L11c, the discharge-side bill detecting sensor R11d) in the transport direction T of the bill B. Further, the banknote detection sensors 11 may be disposed at different positions in the width direction W, as in the suction-side banknote detection sensor L11a and the discharge-side banknote detection sensor L11c located on the left side in the conveyance direction T, and the suction-side banknote detection sensor R11b and the discharge-side banknote detection sensor R11d located on the right side in the conveyance direction T.

In addition, when the banknotes B are transported in two directions (the forward direction and the reverse direction) in the transport direction T in the transport unit 10, the suction-side banknote detection sensor L11a and the suction-side banknote detection sensor R11B may become the discharge side in the transport direction, and the discharge-side banknote detection sensor L11c and the discharge-side banknote detection sensor R11d may become the suction side in the transport direction. Similarly, when the banknotes B are transported in both directions in the transport direction T in the transport unit 10, the suction-side banknote detection sensor L11a and the discharge-side banknote detection sensor L11c on the left side in the transport direction T may be on the right side in the transport direction T, or the suction-side banknote detection sensor R11B and the discharge-side banknote detection sensor R11d on the right side in the transport direction T may be on the left side in the transport direction T.

In fig. 3A and 3B, each of the banknote detection sensors 11 (the suction-side banknote detection sensor L11a, the suction-side banknote detection sensor R11B, the discharge-side banknote detection sensor L11c, and the discharge-side banknote detection sensor R11d) is illustrated as an example in which two pairs (4 in total) are disposed at different positions in the width direction W so as to face each other vertically (in the thickness direction perpendicular to the transport direction T and the width direction W), but in each of the two pairs (4) of banknote detection sensors 11, two pairs of light-emitting portions that emit detection light toward the transport path of the banknote B and two light-receiving portions that receive the detection light are provided. However, instead of the two pairs of upper and lower bill detection sensors 11, the bill detection sensor 11 may be configured by four light emitting portions that emit the detection light from one of the upper and lower sides (e.g., lower side) toward the other side (e.g., upper side), a reflecting portion that reflects the detection light in the width direction W, a reflecting portion that reflects the reflected light reflected by the reflecting portion toward the one of the upper and lower sides (e.g., lower side), and a light receiving portion that receives the reflected light.

As shown in fig. 3A and 3B, the transport mechanism 12 includes a suction side roller L12a, a suction side roller C12B, a suction side roller R12C, a suction side roller C12d, a discharge side roller L12e, a discharge side roller R12f, a suction side shaft L12g, a suction side shaft R12h, a discharge side shaft L12i, and a discharge side shaft R12j, which are arranged in a pair up and down, respectively, and transports the banknotes B.

A suction-side roller L12a and a suction-side roller C12b are provided on the suction-side shaft L12 g. The suction-side roller R12C and the suction-side roller C12d are provided on the suction-side shaft R12 h. The discharge-side roller L12e is provided on the discharge-side shaft L12 i. The discharge-side roller R12f is provided on the discharge-side shaft R12 j.

The suction-side shaft L12g and the suction-side shaft R12h are coaxially arranged, but are separately arranged from each other because they are rotated by the driving of the motor L13a and the motor R13b which are different from each other. Similarly, the discharge-side shaft L12i and the discharge-side shaft R12j are coaxially arranged, but are arranged apart from each other.

In the case where only one motor is disposed in the transport unit 10, two shafts, i.e., a shaft in which the suction-side shaft L12g is integrated with the suction-side shaft R12h and a shaft in which the discharge-side shaft L12i is integrated with the discharge-side shaft R12j, may be used. In the present embodiment, a total of 4 suction-side rollers of the suction-side roller L12a, the suction-side roller C12b, the suction-side roller R12C, and the suction-side roller C12d, and a total of two discharge-side rollers of the discharge-side roller L12e and the discharge-side roller R12f are disposed at different positions in the transport direction T, but if only a single roller is disposed at a single position along the transport direction T, the number of shafts may be 1. Further, 3 or more shafts may be arranged at positions different from each other in the transport direction T.

A motor L13a, which is an example of a driving means for driving the transport mechanism 12, is disposed only above the transport unit 10, for example, and rotates the discharge-side shaft L12i via a power transmission belt L18a, and rotates the intake-side shaft L12g via a gear provided on the discharge-side shaft L12i, a power transmission gear L18b, and a gear provided on the intake-side shaft L12 g.

Further, a motor R13b, which is an example of a drive unit that drives the transport mechanism 12, is disposed only above the transport unit 10, for example, and rotates the discharge-side shaft R12j via a power transmission belt L18c, and rotates the suction-side shaft R12h via a gear provided on the discharge-side shaft R12j, a power transmission gear R18d, and a gear provided on the suction-side shaft L12 g.

Alternatively, instead of disposing the power transmission gear L18b, the power transmission belt L18a may be provided so as to span not only the discharge-side shaft L12i but also the intake-side shaft L12g, or a belt different from the power transmission belt L18a may be provided so as to span the discharge-side shaft L12i and the intake-side shaft L12g, whereby the discharge-side shaft L12i and the intake-side shaft L12g rotate integrally. Similarly, instead of disposing the power transmission gear R18d, the power transmission belt R18c may be bridged not only on the discharge-side shaft R12j but also on the intake-side shaft R12h, or a belt different from the power transmission belt R18c may be bridged on the discharge-side shaft R12j and the intake-side shaft R12h, whereby the discharge-side shaft R12j and the intake-side shaft R12h may be rotated integrally. The output shafts of the motor L13a and the motor R13b may be the discharge-side shaft L12i and the discharge-side shaft R12 j.

In the case where the motor L13a and the motor R13b are provided only on the upper side of the conveyance unit 10, the suction-side roller L12a, the suction-side roller C12b, the suction-side roller R12C, the suction-side roller C12d, the discharge-side roller L12e, and the discharge-side roller R12f disposed on the upper side of the conveyance unit 10 function as drive rollers. On the other hand, the power transmission belt L18a, the power transmission gear L18b, the power transmission belt R18C, and the power transmission gear R18d are not disposed below the conveyance unit 10, and the lower suction side roller L12a, the suction side roller C12b, the suction side roller R12C, the suction side roller C12d, the discharge side roller L12e, and the discharge side roller R12f function as driven rollers. Therefore, the lower rollers (driven rollers) rotate together with the upper rollers by being in direct contact with the upper rollers (driving rollers) or by being disposed with gaps therebetween, through which the banknotes B can be held.

In addition, when the motor L13a and the motor R13B are stepping motors or the like that can rotate in both the forward and backward directions, the banknotes B can be conveyed in both the conveying directions T as described above.

The MPU14 may set the rotation speed of each roller, that is, the conveyance speed of the banknotes B in advance, or may calculate the conveyance speed from the time difference in which the banknotes B are detected by the banknote detection sensors 11 of the plurality of conveyance units 10 on the upstream side in the conveyance direction T.

The MPU14 shown in fig. 2 is an example of a processor (control unit) that controls the conveyance unit 10. For example, the MPU14 reads a predetermined control program from a ROM (Read only Memory), not shown, disposed in the conveyance unit 10 and executes the control program, and uses a RAM (Random Access Memory), not shown, disposed in the conveyance unit 10 as a storage area for executing the control program.

MPU14 controls motor L13a via motor driver L16a, and controls motor R13b via motor driver R16 b. For example, the MPU14 controls the motor L13a based on the detection results of the suction-side banknote detection sensor L11a and the discharge-side banknote detection sensor L11c, and controls the motor R13b based on the detection results of the suction-side banknote detection sensor R11b and the discharge-side banknote detection sensor R11 d.

In addition, in order to simplify the control, if the MPU14 performs the individual control of the motor L13a and the motor R13B only in the transport unit 10 disposed at a position where the diagonal movement of the bill B is hardly allowed, such as the transport unit 10 immediately before the differentiating section 4, and the like, and the MPU14 detects the bill B by at least one suction-side bill detection sensor without distinguishing the suction-side bill detection sensor L11a from the suction-side bill detection sensor R11B in the transport unit 10 disposed at a position where the diagonal movement is allowed, the MPU14 may control the motor 13a and the motor R13B in a lump.

Alternatively, as shown in fig. 3B, the motors (motor L13a, motor R13B) and the bill detection sensors 11 may be disposed on the left and right sides in the width direction W only in the transport unit 10 disposed at a position where skew allowance for the bills B is difficult, and the sensors may be disposed only in the center in the width direction W with one motor in the transport unit 10 disposed at a position where skew allowance is possible.

The MPU14 may control the motor L13a and the motor R13b by acquiring not only the detection result of the banknote detection sensor 11 of the transport unit 10 having the MPU14 but also the detection result of the banknote detection sensor 11 of another transport unit 10.

The bill information detection sensor 15 is an example of a paper sheet information detection sensor, and is used for detecting information (for example, the thickness of the bill B) different from the presence or absence of the bill B to determine authenticity or the like, instead of detecting the presence or absence of the bill B as in the bill detection sensor 11. The bill information detection sensor 15 may be an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor, an infrared sensor, or the like, as in the bill detection sensor 11. Note that, although two banknote information detection sensors 15 are shown in fig. 3B, information of the banknotes B may be detected by a set of two banknotes, or 1 or 3 or more banknote information detection sensors 15 may be arranged. Alternatively, since the authentication unit 4 is disposed in the automatic transaction apparatus 1 as described above, the bill information detection sensor 15 may be omitted.

As shown in fig. 2, the interface unit 17 communicates with the MPU 2. The interface unit 17 may be used to acquire the detection result of the presence or absence of the banknote B from another transport unit 10 such as the transport unit 10 on the upstream side in the transport direction T.

The frame 19 shown in fig. 3A and 3B includes: flat plate-

like guide plates

19a, 19a provided in a pair of upper and lower positions and guiding the banknotes B; and flat plate-

like side plates

19b, 19b provided at both ends in the width direction W.

As described above, the bill detecting sensor 11 emits the detection light toward the conveyance path of the bill B. Further, the suction side roller L12a, the suction side roller C12B, the suction side roller R12C, the suction side roller C12d, the discharge side roller L12e, and the discharge side roller R12f are in contact with the banknote B and convey the banknote B. Therefore, the

guide plates

19a and 19a are provided with notches and holes, not shown, for avoiding interference with the detection light and the rollers.

As shown in fig. 3B, a step portion 19B-1 is provided on one end side of the side plate 19B in the conveying direction T, and the step portion 19B-1 is provided for avoiding interference with the side plate 19B of the adjacent conveying unit 10. The step portion 19B-1 is parallel to the other portion of the side plate 19B and has the same thickness, but is provided so as to be offset in the width direction W from the banknote B.

The substrate 20 is provided with, for example, two upper and lower pairs, and the bill detection sensor 11 and the like are mounted thereon.

The mounting member 21 is a member such as a screw for connecting the transport unit 10 to the adjacent transport unit 10 or for fixing the transport unit 10 inside the automatic transaction apparatus 1.

Fig. 4 is a front view showing the internal configuration of the two linked conveying

units

10, 10.

As shown in fig. 4, two

conveyor units

10, 10 adjacent to each other are fixed to the side plates 19B, 19B at both ends in the width direction W of the frame 19 shown in fig. 3B at one position above and below each other by mounting members 21.

In addition, in the case where the two transport units 10 are the same article (the same configuration), the automatic transaction apparatus 1 can be configured simply, but the transport units 10 may be configured differently from each other as long as they include the bill detection sensor 11, the transport mechanism 12, at least one driving unit (the motor L13a, the motor R13b), the MPU14, and the like.

As shown in fig. 4, the interval P1 in the transport direction T between the rollers (shafts) at the two front and rear positions in the transport unit 10 is preferably shorter than the length BL in the transport direction T of the banknote B. Further, the interval P2 in the conveying direction T of the rollers (shafts) of the two conveying

units

10, 10 adjacent to each other is also preferably shorter than the length BL in the conveying direction T of the banknote B. Although not shown, the length of the transport unit 10 itself in the transport direction T may be shorter than the length BL of the bill B in the transport direction T.

In order to avoid interference between the

guide plates

19a, 19a of the two

conveyor units

10, 10 adjacent to each other, the guide plates 19a may be provided with convex portions and concave portions (portions other than the convex portions) protruding in the conveying direction T as in an inclined portion 19a-1 shown in fig. 6 described later alternately over the entire range in the width direction W at both ends in the conveying direction T, and the convex portions of one conveyor unit 10 may be inserted into the concave portions of the other conveyor unit 10 adjacent to each other.

Here, control of the MPU14 in the above-described conveyance unit 10 will be described.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart for explaining control of the conveyance unit 10.

Each process shown in fig. 5 represents a process performed by the MPU14 by executing a program stored in a storage unit such as a ROM.

First, the MPU14 repeatedly determines whether or not the suction-side banknote detection sensor L11a and the suction-side banknote detection sensor R11B detect the suction of the banknote B, for example, whether or not the detection light of the suction-side banknote detection sensor L11a and the suction-side banknote detection sensor R11B is blocked, until the banknote B is detected (step S11).

When the intake of the bill B is detected (YES in step S11), the MPU14 determines whether or not there is a time difference (whether or not the time difference is equal to or longer than a predetermined time) between the detections by the suction-side bill detecting sensor L11a and the suction-side bill detecting sensor R11B (step S12). The determination process is a determination process as to whether or not the bill B is sucked in a skewed state.

When it is determined that there is no time difference (no in step S12), the MPU14 controls both the motor L13a and the motor R13B via the motor driver L16a and the motor driver R16B to convey the bill B by the conveyance mechanism 12 (step S13).

On the other hand, if the MPU14 determines that there is a time difference (YES in step S12), it controls the motors L13a and R13B to correct the skew of the bill B (step S14). For example, in the case where the suction-side bill detecting sensor L11a detects the bill B before the suction-side bill detecting sensor R11B, the MPU14 makes the rotation speed of the motor L13a slower than that of the motor R13B. Further, in the case where the suction-side bill detecting sensor R11B detects the bill B before the suction-side bill detecting sensor L11a, the MPU14 makes the rotation speed of the motor R13B slower than that of the motor L13 a.

Next, the MPU14 repeatedly determines whether or not the discharge-side banknote detection sensor L11c and the discharge-side banknote detection sensor R11d detect the discharge of the banknote B, for example, whether or not the detection light of the discharge-side banknote detection sensor L11c and the discharge-side banknote detection sensor R11d is not blocked, until the discharge of the banknote B is detected (step S15). In addition, when the discharge-side bill detecting sensor L11c and the discharge-side bill detecting sensor R11d are not disposed in the transport unit 10, a process of determining whether or not a predetermined drive time has elapsed may be performed instead of the process of determining whether or not discharge is detected.

When the discharge of the bill B is detected (YES in step S15), the MPU14 controls the motor L13a and the motor R13B to stop the conveyance of the bill B by the conveyance mechanism 12 (step S16).

The MPU14 of each transport unit 10 transports the banknotes B within the automatic transaction apparatus 1 by performing the above-described processing.

Fig. 6A is a front view showing an internal configuration of the conveyance unit 10A in modification 1.

Fig. 6B is a plan view showing an internal structure of the conveyance unit 10A in modification 1.

In the present modification 1, the difference from the transport unit 10 shown in fig. 3A and 3B is that inclined portions 19a-1 are provided at both ends of the pair of upper and

lower guide plates

19a, 19a in the transport direction T, and the inclined portions 19a-1 are used to increase the interval between the pair of upper and lower guide plates 19a so that the banknotes B are easily sucked, and the other points are the same. Therefore, detailed description is omitted.

The inclined portion 19a-1 is a portion inclined so that convex portions intermittently provided in the width direction W and protruding in the conveying direction T are separated from the opposed guide plate 19a at both ends of the guide plate 19a in the conveying direction T. The inclined portion (convex portion) 19a-1 may be a convex portion provided to avoid interference of the guide plates 19a of the two conveyor units 10 adjacent to each other as described above.

By providing the inclined portion 19a-1 on the guide plate 19a in this manner, as shown in fig. 7, even if the two conveyance units 10A are connected obliquely with an inclination (an inclination centered on the width direction W), it is possible to suppress the bill B from falling off from the gap between the

conveyance units

10A, 10A.

Fig. 8 is a front view showing an internal structure of two

conveyance units

10A, 10A that are obliquely coupled using

guide members

31, 32 in modification 2.

As shown in fig. 8, when the angle (angle centered on the width direction W) formed by the two

adjacent transport units

10A, 10A is larger than that shown in fig. 7 and the banknote B may fall off from the gap between the transport units 10A, the gap may be filled with the

guide members

31, 32 disposed independently of the transport unit 10A.

The upper guide member 31 shown in fig. 8 is, for example, U-shaped when viewed in the transport direction T, and guides the bill B on the bottom surface. The guide member 31 may be fixed to span the two

adjacent conveyor units

10A and 10A by the mounting member 21. The lower guide member 32 is, for example, in an inverted U shape when viewed in the transport direction T, and guides the banknotes B on the upper surface.

Fig. 9 is a front view showing an internal configuration of the plurality of

conveyance units

10, 10B, 10 including the conveyance unit 10B having the conveyance direction switching guide 23 in the modification 3.

The transport unit 10B shown in fig. 9 has a transport direction switching guide 23, and the transport direction switching guide 23 switches the transport direction T of the banknotes B to a different angle (an angle centered on the width direction W). The conveyance direction switching guide 23 may be movable between a switching position shown in fig. 9 where the conveyance direction T of the banknotes B is switched and a retracted position where the conveyance direction T is not switched by being retracted from the switching position, but may not be movable when the conveyance direction T is switched at a fixed switching angle, that is, when the banknotes B are not branched. Further, the conveying direction switching guide 23 is disposed as a part of the conveying unit 10, but may be disposed between two adjacent conveying

units

10, 10 independently of the conveying unit 10 as in the conveying direction switching guide 42 shown in fig. 1.

In the transport unit 10B shown in fig. 9, the suction-side bill detection sensor L11a and the suction-side bill detection sensor R11B are not arranged in a pair of upper and lower positions as shown in fig. 3A, but are arranged only above the transport unit 10B and emit the detection light L1 downward. The detection light L1 is reflected by the prism unit 22, transmitted through the prism unit 22 (transmitted light L2) in the transport direction T, and reflected upward again by the prism unit 22, and the prism unit 22 is disposed so as to face the suction-side banknote detection sensor L11a and the suction-side banknote detection sensor R11b in the vertical direction. The reflected light L3 is received by only the discharge-side bill detecting sensor L11c and the discharge-side bill detecting sensor R11d disposed above the transport unit 10B. The prism portion 22h is disposed so as to be separated from the conveyance path so as not to cut the conveyance path of the bill B. Thus, when the detection light L1 from the suction-side banknote detection sensor L11a and the suction-side banknote detection sensor R11B is not received by the discharge-side banknote detection sensor L11c and the discharge-side banknote detection sensor R11d, it can be determined that the banknote B is located in the transport unit 10B.

In the transport unit 10B, when the banknote B is transported in the transport direction T, the upper roller rotates counterclockwise in fig. 9, and the lower roller rotates clockwise in fig. 9. However, in the case where the conveying direction T of the banknote B is switched to the lower side by the conveying direction switching guide 23, when the lower right roller of the conveying unit 10B comes into contact with the lower left roller, it is necessary to rotate in the counterclockwise direction in fig. 9. In this way, in order to avoid the contact between the lower right roller and the lower left roller, the conveyance direction switching guide 23 is formed so that the bill B does not directly contact the lower right roller.

The conveying direction switching guide 23 is position-controlled by the MPU14 via a motor and a motor driver, not shown. The MPU14 moves the conveyance direction switching guide 23 in accordance with a movement instruction for the conveyance direction switching guide 23 by the MPU2 shown in fig. 1, for example.

As shown in fig. 9, an off-unit banknote detection sensor 33 (an example of an off-unit paper sheet detection sensor) that detects the presence or absence of a banknote B independently of the

conveyance units

10, 10B may be disposed between the two

adjacent conveyance units

10, 10B. Alternatively, the off-unit banknote detection sensor 33 may be used to determine authenticity or the like by detecting information (for example, the thickness of the banknote B) different from the presence or absence of the banknote B, as in the banknote information detection sensor 15 shown in fig. 2 and 3B.

The off-unit bill detection sensor 33 is merely an example, and is a line sensor extending in the width direction W. The MPU2 may also perform a movement instruction of the conveyance direction switching guide 23 based on the conveyance destination of the banknote B determined based on the detection result of the off-unit banknote detection sensor 33.

A guide member 34 for guiding the bill B may be disposed on the opposite side (lower side) of the unit-outside bill detection sensor 33 with the conveyance path of the bill B therebetween. In addition, when the pair of upper and lower guide members 34 disposed with the banknote B interposed therebetween is disposed between the two adjacent conveying units 10, the distance between the two adjacent conveying

units

10, 10 and the length of the conveying path formed by the plurality of conveying units 10 can be adjusted.

Fig. 10 is a front view showing an internal configuration of two conveying

units

10C, 10C having a conveying direction switching guide 24 in the 4 th modification.

The conveyance direction switching guide 24 according to the present modification 4 is the same as the conveyance direction switching guide 23 according to the above modification 3, except that the conveyance direction T of the banknotes B is switched vertically. Therefore, detailed description is omitted.

The conveyance direction switching guide 24 of the conveyance unit 10C vertically switches the conveyance direction T of the banknotes B. Therefore, the conveying direction switching guide 24 of the first conveying unit 10C switches the conveying direction T, which is the right direction in fig. 10, to the lower direction. Then, the conveying direction switching guide 24 of the second conveying unit 10C switches the conveying direction of the banknotes B from the lower direction to the left direction in fig. 10. Thereby, the conveyance direction T of the bill B is switched to the opposite direction. The second conveyance unit 10C is arranged in a direction in which the first conveyance unit 10C is rotated 90 degrees clockwise in fig. 10.

Similarly to the conveyance direction switching guide 23 of the conveyance unit 10B shown in fig. 9, the conveyance direction switching guide 24 may be movable between a switching position shown in fig. 10 where the conveyance direction T of the banknotes B is switched and a retracted position where the conveyance direction T is not switched by being retracted from the switching position. In the case where the conveying direction T is switched at a fixed switching angle, that is, in the case where the banknotes B are not branched, the conveying direction switching guide 24 may not be movable.

Fig. 11 is a flowchart for explaining control of the conveying

units

10B, 10C having the conveying direction switching guides 23, 24 in the 3 rd modification and the 4 th modification. The description of the details overlapping with the description of the flowchart shown in fig. 5, the conveying unit 10B shown in fig. 9, and the conveying unit 10C shown in fig. 10 is appropriately omitted.

Each process shown in fig. 11 represents a process performed by the MPU14 by executing a program stored in a storage unit such as a ROM.

First, the MPU14 determines whether or not the branching instruction, that is, the above-described movement instruction of the conveyance direction switching guides 23 and 24 is received from the MPU2 (step S21). The instruction to move may be performed based on, for example, the result of the discrimination by the discriminator 4 or the result of the detection by a sensor outside the

transport units

10B and 10C, such as the off-unit banknote detection sensor 33 shown in fig. 9.

Upon receiving the movement instruction of the conveying direction switching guides 23, 24, the MPU14 moves the conveying direction switching guides 23, 24 to the above-described switching positions (step S22).

Then, the MPU14 determines whether or not the suction-side banknote detection sensor L11a and the suction-side banknote detection sensor R11B detect the suction of the banknote B (step S23).

When the suction of the bill B is not detected (no in step S23), the MPU14 performs the determination process of the movement instruction of the conveyance direction switching guide 23 and the conveyance direction switching guide 24 again (step S21).

When the intake of the bill B is detected (YES in step S23), the MPU14 determines whether or not there is a time difference (whether or not the time difference is equal to or longer than a predetermined time) between the detections by the suction-side bill detecting sensor L11a and the suction-side bill detecting sensor R11B (step S24).

When it is determined that there is no time difference (no in step S24), the MPU14 controls both the motor L13a and the motor R13B via the motor driver L16a and the motor driver R16B to convey the bill B by the conveyance mechanism 12 (step S25).

On the other hand, if the MPU14 determines that there is a time difference (YES in step S24), it controls the motors L13a and R13B to correct the skew of the bill B (step S26).

Next, the MPU14 repeatedly determines whether or not the discharge-side banknote detection sensor L11c and the discharge-side banknote detection sensor R11d detect the discharge of the banknote B until the discharge of the banknote B is detected (step S27).

When the discharge of the bill B is detected (YES in step S27), the MPU14 controls the motor driver L16a and the motor driver R16B so as to stop the conveyance of the bill B by the conveyance mechanism 12 (step S28).

By performing the above processing by the MPU14 of each of the

transport units

10B and 10C, the banknotes B are transported in the automatic transaction apparatus 1 while appropriately switching the transport direction T.

Fig. 12 is a front view showing an internal structure of two coupled

conveyance units

10D and 10E in modification 5.

The conveyance unit 10D and the conveyance unit 10E, which are examples of the 1 st conveyance unit and the 2 nd conveyance unit disposed adjacent to each other shown in fig. 12, are different from the conveyance unit 10 shown in fig. 2, 3A, and 3B described above only in that a bill detection sensor 25 (in this specification, a suction-side bill detection sensor L25a, a suction-side bill detection sensor R25B, a discharge-side bill detection sensor L25c, and a discharge-side bill detection sensor R25D are collectively referred to as a bill detection sensor 25) and a 1 st reflecting member 26 and a 2 nd reflecting member 27 are disposed instead of the bill detection sensor 11. Therefore, detailed description is omitted.

The banknote detection sensors 25 are arranged in a pair of upper and lower sensors, the lower sensor being an example of a light emitting unit that emits detection light upward toward the conveyance path of the banknote B, and the upper sensor being an example of a light receiving unit that receives the detection light.

The 1 st reflecting member 26 is disposed around the sensors above the discharge-side bill detecting sensor L25c and the discharge-side bill detecting sensor R25 d. The 2 nd reflecting member 27 is disposed around the sensors above the suction-side banknote detection sensor L25a and the suction-side banknote detection sensor R25 b.

In fig. 12, although the example is shown in which only the 1 st reflecting member 26 is disposed on the transport unit 10D and only the 2 nd reflecting member 27 is disposed on the transport unit 10E, the 2 nd reflecting member 27 may be further disposed around the suction-side banknote detection sensor L25a and the suction-side banknote detection sensor R25b of the transport unit 10D, and the 1 st reflecting member 26 may be further disposed around the discharge-side banknote detection sensor L25c and the discharge-side banknote sensor R25D of the transport unit 10E.

Note that, the 1 st reflecting member 26 is disposed in each of the discharge-side banknote detection sensor L25c and the discharge-side banknote detection sensor R25D, but in the case where only a single discharge-side banknote detection sensor is disposed in the

transport units

10D and 10E, only one 1 st reflecting member 26 may be disposed around the single discharge-side banknote detection sensor. Similarly, the 2 nd reflecting member 27 is disposed in each of the suction-side banknote detection sensor L25a and the suction-side banknote detection sensor R25b, but when only a single suction-side banknote detection sensor is disposed in the

transport units

10D and 10E, only one 2 nd reflecting member 27 may be disposed around the single suction-side banknote detection sensor.

As shown in fig. 13 (the enlarged view of the portion a in fig. 12), the upper sensors of the discharge-side banknote detection sensor L25c and the discharge-side banknote detection sensor R25D of the transport unit 10D receive part of the detection light L11 and L21 emitted from the lower sensors.

As shown in fig. 14 (bottom views of the 1 st and 2

nd reflecting members

26, 27 when viewed from the direction C in fig. 13), the 1 st reflecting member 26 of the transport unit 10D is a prism having a rectangular planar inclined surface 26a, the inclined surface 26a is provided so as to surround the periphery of the optical path 26b of the detection light L21, the detection light L21 is directed to the sensor above the discharge-side bill detection sensor L25C or the discharge-side bill detection sensor R25D, and the detection lights L11 and L21 (reflected lights L21 and L22) escaping from the discharge-side bill detection sensor L25C or the discharge-side bill detection sensor R25D are reflected on the inclined surface 26a toward the transport unit 10E. Instead of the planar inclined surface 26a of the 1 st reflecting member 26, a reflecting surface having another shape such as a curved surface or a convex surface may be used. The 1 st reflecting member 26 is not limited to a prism, and may be another member such as a half mirror disposed at the position of the inclined surface 26 a. The half mirror can be disposed on the optical path of the detection light L21.

The upper sensors of the discharge-side bill detecting sensor L25c and the discharge-side bill detecting sensor R25d of the transport unit 10E receive the detection light L30 emitted from the lower sensor.

As shown in fig. 14, the 2 nd reflecting member 27 of the transport unit 10E is a prism having a rectangular planar inclined surface 27a, the inclined surface 27a is provided so as to surround the optical path 27b of the detection light L30, the detection light L30 is directed to the sensor on the upper side of the suction-side banknote detection sensor L25a or the suction-side banknote detection sensor R25b, and the above-described reflected lights L21 and L22 are reflected on the inclined surface 27a toward the suction-side banknote detection sensor L25a or the suction-side banknote detection sensor R25 b. Further, the MPU14 may stop the light-emitting unit of the conveyance unit 10E from emitting the detection light when the light-receiving unit of the conveyance unit 10E receives the reflected light of the detection light L21 emitted by the light-emitting unit of the conveyance unit 10D.

In addition, the inclined surface 27a of the 2 nd reflecting member 27 may be a reflecting surface having another shape such as a curved surface or a convex surface instead of the flat inclined surface 27 a. The 2 nd reflecting member 27 is not limited to a prism, and may be another member such as a half mirror disposed at the position of the inclined surface 27 a.

With the above-described 1 st and 2

nd reflecting members

26, 27, the light receiving portions (upper sensors) of the suction-side banknote detection sensor L25a and the suction-side banknote detection sensor R25b of the transport unit 10E can receive the detection light L (part of the detection light L11, L21) emitted from the light emitting portions (lower sensors) of the discharge-side banknote detection sensor L25c and the discharge-side banknote detection sensor R25D of the transport unit 10D adjacent on the upstream side in the transport direction T.

Fig. 15A is a front view showing an internal configuration of the conveyance unit 10F in the 6 th modification.

Fig. 15B is a plan view showing an internal structure of the conveyance unit 10F in modification 6.

The present modification 6 differs from the above-described conveyance mechanism 12 mainly in the following points: the transport mechanism 28 uses the transport belts 28a to 28c as transport means for transporting the banknotes B in contact with the banknotes B, instead of the rollers such as the suction-side roller L12a of the transport mechanism 12 described above. Therefore, detailed description is omitted.

As shown in fig. 15A and 15B, the transport mechanism 28 includes a pair of upper and lower transport belts 28a to 28c, transport belt suction-side rollers 28d to 28f, transport belt discharge-side rollers 28g to 28i, a suction-side shaft 28j, and a discharge-side shaft 28k, respectively, and transports the banknotes B.

The conveyors 28a to 28c are mounted on the conveyor suction-side rollers 28d to 28f and the conveyor discharge-side rollers 28g to 28 i.

The conveyor suction-side rollers 28d to 28g are provided on the suction-side shaft 28 j. The conveyor discharge rollers 28g to 28i are provided on the discharge-side shaft 28 k.

In the present modification 6, the single motor L13a disposed above the conveyance unit 10 rotates the discharge-side shaft 28k via the power transmission belt L18a, thereby rotating the conveyor-belt discharge-side rollers 28g to 28 i. Thereby, the conveyors 28a to 28c bridged over the conveyor discharge-side rollers 28g to 28i rotate.

However, as shown in fig. 3B, in the case where the motor R13B is further provided, the skew can be corrected as described above by coaxially dividing the suction-side shaft 28j into two parts like the suction-side shaft L12g and the suction-side shaft R12h, coaxially dividing the discharge-side shaft 28k into two parts like the discharge-side shaft L12i and the discharge-side shaft R12j, and bridging, for example, a single belt on each of the divided shafts.

Fig. 16A is a front view for explaining the positional relationship of the conveyor belts 28a to 28c, 29a, and 29b of the two

adjacent conveyor units

10F and 10G in the 7 th modification.

Fig. 16B is a plan view for explaining the positional relationship of the conveyors 28a to 28c, 29a, and 29B of the two

adjacent conveyor units

10F and 10G in the 7 th modification.

As described above in the 6 th modification, the conveyors 28a to 28c of the conveyor unit 10F as an example of the 3 rd conveyor unit are disposed so as to be adjacent to the 3 rd conveyor unit (conveyor unit 10F), and the conveyors 29a and 29B of the conveyor unit 10G as an example of the 4 th conveyor unit are disposed so as to be bridged over the suction-

side shafts

28j and 28k shown in fig. 15A and 15B, for example, at positions shifted in the width direction W from the conveyors 28a to 28 j. When a large number of the conveyance units 10 are connected, the

conveyance units

10F and 10G may be connected to be alternately arranged. The number of belts is different between the conveying unit 10F and the conveying unit 10G, but the same number may be used as long as the belts are arranged at different positions in the width direction W.

The positions of the rear ends 28a-1, 28b-1, 28c-1, which are the ends of the conveyors 28a to 28c of the conveying unit 10F located on the conveying unit 10G side (downstream side in the conveying direction T), in the conveying direction T coincide with the front ends 29a-1, 29b-1, which are the ends of the

conveyors

29a, 29b of the conveying unit 10G located on the conveying unit 10F side (upstream side in the conveying direction T). That is, the rear ends 28a-1, 28b-1, 28c-1 of the conveyors 28a to 28c and the front ends 29a-1, 29b-1 of the

conveyors

29a, 29b are located on the same plane S.

The rear ends 28a-1, 28b-1, 28c-1 of the conveyors 28a to 28c may be arranged at positions on the downstream side in the transport direction T than the front ends 29a-1, 29b-1 of the

conveyors

29a, 29b (portions where the conveyors 28a to 28c overlap the

conveyors

29a, 29b in the transport direction T).

Further, as the conveying means, rollers may be disposed without the conveyors 28a to 28c, 29a, and 29b, and the positions of the ends of the rollers in the conveying direction T may be matched or overlapped on the same plane S between the adjacent conveying units 10 as described above.

In the present embodiment described above, the automatic transaction apparatus 1, which is an example of a paper sheet handling apparatus, includes a plurality of transport units 10 connected in the transport direction T of the banknotes B, which are an example of paper sheets. Each of the plurality of conveyance units 10 includes: a bill detecting sensor 11 (a suction-side bill detecting sensor L11a, a suction-side bill detecting sensor R11B, a discharge-side bill detecting sensor L11c, and a discharge-side bill detecting sensor R11d) as an example of the paper sheet detecting sensor, which detects whether or not the bill B is present; a transport mechanism 12 that transports the banknotes B; a motor L13a and a motor R13b as examples of driving means for driving the conveyance mechanism 12; the MPU14, which is an example of the control unit, controls the motor L13a and the motor R13 b. The MPU14 controls the motor L13a and the motor R13B according to the detection result of the bill detection sensor 11 to convey the bill B by the conveyance mechanism 12.

In this way, since the plurality of transport units 10 detect the banknotes B by the banknote detection sensor 11, and the MPU14 controls the motor L13a and the motor R13B based on the detection results to transport the banknotes B, each transport unit 10 can actively perform the transport operation as long as the banknotes B are present. Further, a large-sized conveyance path can be configured simply by appropriately connecting the conveyance units 10. In addition, even when the large-sized automated transaction apparatus 1 is configured, the division design can be very easily studied.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the conveyance path can be flexibly configured using the conveyance units 10 that are independently controlled.

Further, since the transport units 10 transport the banknotes B by the determination of the MPUs 14 and the power of the motors L13a and R13B, it is not necessary to always drive a drive belt that connects the transport path of the entire automatic transaction apparatus 1 in advance. Thus, since only the power of the part of the bill B is used, the mechanical inertia force is small, and the mechanical loss can be reduced. Further, since it is not necessary to prepare a large-capacity motor drive circuit as in the case of using a drive belt connecting the entire transport path of the automatic transaction apparatus 1, it is possible to eliminate the necessity of using a component capable of receiving a large-capacity drive force.

Further, since the performance of the transport unit 10 is ensured, the design can be performed without being strongly aware of the life of the individual components.

Further, even in an ATM or the like which is produced in a small amount, since the transport units 10 are simply manufactured and combined in a large amount, the effect of mass production is very high, and even if a customized member is used, the number of the transport units 10 can be produced in a large amount, and therefore, the influence on the cost can be reduced.

Further, since the conveyance paths having various shapes can be formed only by combining the conveyance units 10, it is possible to flexibly and short-term respond to the request of the specification of the delivery destination. Further, the mounting member 21 can be integrated with the conveying unit 10 at the timing when mass production is determined, and the conveying unit 10 can also be recycled.

In addition, in the 5 th modification of the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 12 and 13, the plurality of conveyance units 10 include

conveyance units

10D and 10E, which are one example of the 1 st conveyance unit and the 2 nd conveyance unit disposed adjacent to each other. The banknote detection sensors 25 (the suction-side banknote detection sensor L25a, the suction-side banknote detection sensor R25b, the discharge-side banknote detection sensor L25c, and the discharge-side banknote detection sensor R25D) of the

transport units

10D and 10E include: a light emitting unit (lower bill detection sensor 25) that emits detection light L11, L21, and L30 toward the conveyance path of the bill B; and a light receiving unit (upper bill detection sensor 25) that receives the detection light. The light receiving unit (upper bill detection sensor 25) of the transport unit 10E receives the detection light emitted from the light emitting unit (lower bill detection sensor 25) of the transport unit 10D.

Thus, the banknote detection sensor 25 of the conveyance unit 10E can optically detect whether or not the banknote B is present in the conveyance unit 10D on the upstream side in the conveyance direction T. Therefore, the MPU14 does not acquire the detection result from the transport unit 10D via the signal line, and can reliably control (start) the motors L13a and R13B when the banknotes B are sucked even if the banknotes B are transported at a particularly high speed.

In the present embodiment, the transport unit 10D includes the 1 st reflecting member 26, and the 1 st reflecting member 26 reflects part of the detection light beams L11 and L21 emitted from the light emitting portion (lower bill detection sensor 25) of the transport unit 10D toward the transport unit 10E. The transport unit 10E further includes a 2 nd reflecting member 27, and the 2 nd reflecting member 27 reflects the reflected lights L12, L22 reflected by the 1 st reflecting member 26 toward the light receiving portion (the upper bill detecting sensor 25) of the transport unit 10E. Thus, the banknote detection sensor 25 of the transport unit 10E can detect the presence or absence of the banknote B in the transport unit 10D, with a simple configuration using the 1 st reflecting member 26 and the 2 nd reflecting member 27.

In the present embodiment, the transport mechanism 12 includes a plurality of transport members (a suction side roller L12a, a suction side roller C12B, a suction side roller R12C, a suction side roller C12d, a discharge side roller L12e, and a discharge side roller R12f) which are rollers or conveyor belts that contact the banknotes B at different positions in the width direction W perpendicular to the transport direction T and transport the banknotes B. Further, the conveyance unit 10 includes: a plurality of bill detecting sensors 11 (a suction-side bill detecting sensor L11a, a suction-side bill detecting sensor R11B, a discharge-side bill detecting sensor L11c, a discharge-side bill detecting sensor R11d) that detect the presence or absence of a bill B at different positions in the width direction W; and a motor L13a and a motor R13b as an example of the plurality of driving units, which drive the plurality of conveying members. The MPU14 controls the motors L13a and R13B based on the detection results of the paper sheet detection sensors 11 to correct the skew of the banknotes B. Therefore, the skew of the banknotes B can be corrected in each of the transport units 10.

In addition, in the 7 th modification of the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 16A and 16B, the plurality of transport units include

transport units

10F and 10G as an example of the 3 rd transport unit and the 4 th transport unit disposed adjacent to each other, the

transport units

10F and 10G have transport members (transport belts 28a to 28c, 29a, 29B) as rollers or transport belts that come into contact with the banknotes B and transport the banknotes B, and the positions of rear ends 28a-1 to 28c-1 in the transport direction T, which are the ends of the transport belts 28a to 28c of the transport unit 10F located on the transport unit 10G side (the downstream side in the transport direction T), and front ends 29a-1 and 29B-1, which are the ends of the transport belts 29a and 29B of the transport unit 10G located on the transport unit 10F side (the upstream side in the transport direction T), or are located more than the front ends 29a-1, 29b-1 toward the conveying unit 10G. Therefore, between the plurality of

conveyance units

10F and 10G, a gap of the conveyance member is not generated in the conveyance direction T, and the jam of the banknotes B and the dropping of the banknotes B from the conveyance unit 10 can be suppressed.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be embodied by modifying the components in the implementation stage without departing from the scope of the present invention. Further, various inventions can be formed by appropriate combinations of a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, all the constituent elements shown in the embodiments may be appropriately combined. Thus, various modifications and applications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Description of the reference symbols

1 automatic transaction device

2MPU

3 depositing and withdrawing part

4 authentication part

5 temporary holding section

6 reject part

7. 8 coin box

9 communication power supply cable

10 (10A-10G) conveying unit

11 paper money detecting sensor

11a suction side bill detecting sensor L

11b suction side bill detecting sensor R

11c discharge side paper money detection sensor L

11d discharge side paper money detecting sensor R

12 conveying mechanism

12a suction side roller L

12b suction side roller C

12c suction side roller R

12d suction side roller C

12e discharge side roller L

12f discharge side roller R

12g suction side shaft L

12h suction side shaft R

12i discharge side shaft L

12j discharge-side shaft R

13a Motor R

13b Motor L

14MPU

15 paper money information detection sensor

16a motor driver L

16b Motor driver R

17 interface part

18a power transmission belt L

18b Power Transmission Gear L

18c Power Transmission Belt R

18d Power Transmission Gear R

19 frame

19a guide plate

19a-1 inclined part

19b side plate

19b-1 step part

20 base plate

21 mounting component

22 prism part

23 conveying direction switching guide

24 conveying direction switching guide

25 paper money detecting sensor

25a suction side bill detecting sensor L

25b suction side bill detecting sensor R

25c discharge side bill detecting sensor L

25d discharge side paper money detecting sensor R

26 st reflective member

26a reflecting surface

26b light path

27 nd 2 nd reflecting member

27a reflective surface

27b light path

28 conveying mechanism

28 a-28 c conveyor belt

28a-1, 28b-1, 28c-1 rear end

Suction side roller for 28 d-28 f conveyor belt

28 g-28 i discharge side roller for conveyor belt

28j suction side shaft

28k discharge side shaft

29a, 29b conveyor belt

29a-1, 29b-1 front end

31 guide member

32 guide member

33-unit external paper money detection sensor

34 guide member

41 guide member

42 conveying direction switching guide

B paper currency

T direction of conveyance

W width direction

Claims

1. A paper sheet handling apparatus having a plurality of transport units connected in a transport direction of paper sheets,

the plurality of transport units each have:

a paper sheet detection sensor that detects whether the paper sheet is present;

a conveying mechanism that conveys the paper sheet;

a drive unit that drives the conveyance mechanism; and

a control section that controls the drive unit,

the control unit controls the drive unit to convey the paper sheet by the conveying mechanism based on a detection result of the paper sheet detection sensor.

2. The paper sheet handling device according to claim 1,

the plurality of conveyance units include a 1 st conveyance unit and a 2 nd conveyance unit disposed adjacent to each other,

the paper sheet detection sensor of the 1 st transport unit and the 2 nd transport unit includes: a light emitting unit that emits detection light toward a conveyance path of the sheet; and a light receiving part for receiving the detection light,

the light receiving unit of the 2 nd conveying unit receives the detection light emitted by the light emitting unit of the 1 st conveying unit.

3. The paper sheet handling device of claim 2, wherein the paper sheet handling device is configured to handle paper sheets

The 1 st transport unit has a 1 st reflecting member that reflects a part of the detection light emitted by the light emitting portion of the 1 st transport unit toward the 2 nd transport unit,

the 2 nd transport unit includes a 2 nd reflecting member, and the 2 nd reflecting member reflects the reflected light reflected by the 1 st reflecting member toward the light receiving unit of the 2 nd transport unit.

4. The paper sheet handling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

the conveying mechanism includes a plurality of conveying members that are rollers or conveyor belts that contact the paper sheet at different positions in a width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction and convey the paper sheet,

the conveying unit has: a plurality of the paper sheet detection sensors that detect presence or absence of the paper sheet at different positions in the width direction; and a plurality of driving units which drive the plurality of conveying members,

the control unit controls the plurality of drive units to correct skew of the paper sheets based on detection results of the plurality of paper sheet detection sensors.

5. The paper sheet handling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

the plurality of conveyance units includes a 3 rd conveyance unit and a 4 th conveyance unit disposed adjacent to each other,

the transport mechanisms of the 3 rd transport unit and the 4 th transport unit include transport members that are rollers or conveyor belts that contact the paper sheets and transport the paper sheets,

the end portion of the conveying member of the 3 rd conveying unit on the 4 th conveying unit side is positioned at a position in the conveying direction that coincides with the end portion of the conveying member of the 4 th conveying unit on the 3 rd conveying unit side, or is positioned closer to the 4 th conveying unit side than the end portion of the conveying member of the 4 th conveying unit.