EP2467838B1 - Device and method for handling value notes - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for handling bank notes, which comprises a first module and a second module. The modules each have a transport mechanism for the transport of notes of value. The first module is movable relative to the second module and / or the second module relative to the first module in at least one direction. In a first operating state of the device, the transport mechanism of the first module and / or the transport mechanism of the second module transports notes of value from the first module to the second module and / or from the second module to the first module. The second module comprises a guide element for guiding the notes of value when transporting the notes of value from the first module to the second module or from the second module to the first module. The guide element is aligned in the first operating state of the device in an operating position for guiding the notes of value. In a second operating state, the first and the second module are moved relative to one another such that no notes of value can be transported from the first module to the second module or from the second module to the first module. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for handling banknotes.

Known ATMs include a safe in which cash cassettes filled with banknotes are receivable. The vault has an opening through which banknotes taken from the cash cassettes can be fed from the vault to a head module and / or deposited banknotes can be fed from the head module to the vault are. In particular, the head module comprises an input and output module with the aid of which banknotes to be dispensed are issued to an operator and / or banknotes to be deposited are accepted by the operator. Both the head module and the vault each include a transport mechanism for transporting the notes of value. For safe transfer of notes of value between the vault and the head module, the vault comprises two guide elements, between which the banknotes are guided during transport from the vault to the head module and / or from the head module to the vault. The guide elements protrude from the vault in the direction of the head module, in particular in the head module. For assembly, disassembly and maintenance, the head module is designed such that it can be pushed out of the ATM relative to the vault. Since the leading elements of the safe projecting into the head module are rigidly formed in known ATMs and are arranged stationary and rotationally fixed, a corresponding free space must be provided between the vault and the head module or within the head module, so that the head module is movable relative to the vault. without the guide elements catching with elements of the head module and thus prevent a relative movement of the head module to the vault. The disadvantage of this is that this much space is needed, which is therefore not available for other components.

From the document EP 1 209 633 B1 For example, an ATM is known that has a bill transport mechanism that includes a first transport mechanism provided in a removable unit and a port transfer mechanism connected thereto. The terminal transport mechanism is operable upon removal of the removable unit to communicate with the first Transport mechanism and connected to this terminal transport mechanism comprises. The terminal transport mechanism is operable to remove the removable unit so as to control the connection with the first transport mechanism. The terminal transport mechanism includes guide means adapted to engage with the first transport mechanism for guiding the bank notes and provided with a second projection disposed at a location where the guide means is in contact with a first projection provided on the removable unit comes. The first protrusion pushes against the second protrusion to bring the terminal transport mechanism into communication with the first transport mechanism when the removable unit is installed in the apparatus. The guide device is arranged in a non-operating position with the removable unit removed and is not moved until the removable unit is pushed in by the contact between the first and second projections in an operating position in which the notes of value can be transported by means of the transport mechanism. The disadvantage of this is that space is required by the first and the second projection, in particular when removing the removable unit free space for the provided in the removable unit second projection is needed so that it does not get caught with other components. Furthermore, it is disadvantageous that such a complex mechanism for erecting and folding the guide device is error-prone.

From the document EP 0 547 308 A1 is a device for transporting sheet-like media between two displaceable modules known in which elastic elements are arranged on one of the modules, which protrude in the operational orientation in the other module and guide the sheet-like media during transport. If the two modules are displaced relative to one another, the elastic elements are elastically deformed via the contact with the other module.

From the document EP 1 209 633 A2 A device for transporting sheet-like media is also known, which comprises two mutually displaceable modules. On one of the modules comb-like elements are provided with guide fingers, which protrude in the operative position in the other module. When moving the two modules relative to each other, a projection attached to the other module makes contact with the comb-like elements and thereby transfers them, so that the two moudles can be displaced relative to each other.

It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus and a method for handling banknotes, in which two modules in a simple manner to save space relative to each other are movable.

This object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1 and by a method having the feature of the independent method claim. Advantageous developments of the inventions are specified in the dependent claims.

According to the invention, when the modules are moved relative to one another, at least a portion of the guide element is deflected in the direction of the second module by the contact with the first module such that the guide element contacts a surface of the first module facing the second module at least temporarily when the modules are moved relative to one another , As a result, the modules can be moved relative to each other without having to leave a free space between the modules or within the first module, so that the guide element when moving the modules relative to each other not hooked to the first module and thus moving the modules relative prevented each other. In particular, this achieves the result that the guide element, which protrudes into the first module in the first operating position, is displaced relative to each other as far as in the direction of the second module by the contact with the first module, so that it faces the second module surface of the guide element deflecting element of the first module contacted and this is just folded so far that the modules are movable relative to each other. The guide element is in particular folded over by the contact with the components of the first module facing the second module. Alternatively, the first module may also include a boundary wall bounding the first module in the direction of the second module, and the guide element may be folded over by the contact with this boundary wall. When moving the modules relative to each other grinds the guide element in particular on the boundary wall.

Since, according to the invention, the guide element aligns with the operating position of the device in the operating position and does not contact the first module, it is not necessary to provide projections or similar elements on the modules which move the guide elements relative to one another when moving the modules or from an unprotected state set up again in the operating position. This reduces the susceptibility to errors, saves installation space, simplifies the structure of the device and realizes a module separation in a simple manner.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the guide elements are automatically aligned in the operating position in the second operating state of the device. An automatic alignment of the guide element is understood in particular to mean that the guide element is aligned in the operating position without an actuator which is actuated relative to one another when moving modules.

The second module is or in particular includes a safe for receiving money cassettes of an ATM and the first module is or in particular comprises an input and output unit for input and / or output of banknotes comprehensive head module of the ATM. The head module is mounted in particular on rails and displaceable relative to the stationary arranged vault. The first operating state is preferably that operating state the ATM in which the banknotes are payable and / or payable. By moving the head module relative to the vault is achieved that the head module can be mounted and disassembled in a simple manner and that the transport mechanism of the head module in a simple way for maintenance, especially for the elimination of banknote jams, accessible. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the second module may also be a vault of an automatic checkout system or an automatic cash deposit, and the first module may be a head module of the automatic checkout system.

The second module includes a boundary wall that bounds the second module toward the first module. The boundary wall has an opening, in particular a gap, through which the notes of value can be transported during transport of the notes of value from the first module to the second module and / or from the second module to the first module. The guide element is arranged in particular on a lateral boundary of this opening. When the modules are moved relative to one another, the guide element is preferably folded in such a way that it temporarily contacts the surface of the boundary wall facing the first module. This ensures that the guide element is folded over as far as possible, so that only a minimal space is required between the first module and the second module.

It is advantageous if, when moving the modules from the second operating state to the first operating state, at least a partial region of the guide element is folded over in the direction of the second module by the contact with the first module such that the guide element contacts a surface of the first module facing the second module at least temporarily when the modules are moved relative to one another. This ensures that the modules can also be moved counter to the direction in which they are moved from the first to the second operating state, without the guide element hooked to the first module, in particular a component of the first module. The guide element is moved when moving the modules from the second to the first operating state, in particular in the reverse direction as when moving the modules from the first to the second operating state.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the guide element comprises at least two, preferably more than two, mutually spaced guide fingers for guiding the notes of value during transport of the notes of value from the first module to the second module and / or from the second module to the first module and if the transport mechanism of the first Module comprises at least one transport element, which is at least partially disposed between the guide fingers in the first operating state. The arrangement of the transport element of the transport mechanism of the first module between the guide fingers of the guide element of the second module ensures that the notes of value can be transported from the first module to the second module or from the second module to the first module and not from a transport path formed by the transport mechanisms be inadvertently distracted or get caught with the guide fingers. The transport element is in particular likewise a guide finger, a roller or a roller. By providing a plurality of spaced-apart guide fingers and the provision of a plurality of guide fingers in the first module, which are each arranged between the guide fingers of the guide element of the second module, a concavity is achieved, which ensures a reliable transport of the notes of value.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one end region of the guide element facing the first module is elastic, so that the first module at least bends the end region of the guide element when the modules are moved relative to one another by contact with the end region in the direction of the second module. Due to its elastic deformability, the end region in the first and in the second operating state aligns in the operating position. The operating position is in particular the position in which the guide element is erected. When moving the modules relative to each other, the guide element is bent by the contact with the first module from the erect position, in which it is always bent only so far that the first module relative to the second module or vice versa is movable. As soon as the guide element no longer contacts the first module, the guide element automatically aligns itself again in the operating position.

The end region is in particular made of a material which has a high permissible elongation and has no or only low creep behavior. The end region is in particular a Particulate Organic Matter (POM), a Thermoplastic Elastomär (TPU) and / or a spring steel manufactured. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the entire guide element is made of the same material, so that it can be manufactured in a simple manner, in particular by means of a spraying process. This reduces the manufacturing costs.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if at least the end region in the direction of the first module has such a decreasing wall thickness that the mechanical stress in the end region during bending of the guide element when moving the modules relative to each other at each point is the same. This ensures that at least the end regions of the guide element, preferably the entire guide element, form a body of equal strength. In this way, it is ensured that at least the end region of the guide element has a uniform expansion behavior and stress peaks and thus material damage are avoided. Furthermore, this ensures that the material requirement is reduced in the manufacture of the guide element.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the at least one guide element is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation extending transversely to the direction in which the modules are movable relative to one another. The guide element is held by at least one spring in the first operating state and in the second operating state in the operating position. When moving the modules relative to each other, the guide element is rotated by the contact with the first module against the spring force of the spring about the axis of rotation in the direction of the second module and thus folded. In this way it is achieved that the guide element is folded without the guide element is elastically deformed in this case. As a result, creep behavior and other material damage is prevented. The guide element is only folded over as long as it contacts the first module. If there is no contact between the first module and the guide element, the guide element aligns again in the operating position due to the spring force of the spring.

It is advantageous if the guide element comprises a shaft whose longitudinal axis coincides with the axis of rotation, and at least two guide fingers which are connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the shaft. The shaft rotatably mounted about the axis of rotation is held by the spring such that the guide fingers and thus the entire guide element is aligned in the operating position. In this way it is achieved that all guide fingers are held in the operating position by means of only one spring. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the shaft can also be arranged rotationally fixed and each guide finger can be resiliently arranged by its own spring, so that the guide fingers move when moving the modules relative to each other by the contact to the first module.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the spring is a first spring and if a second spring is provided, which holds the guide element in the operating position. The second spring is in particular a leaf spring, wherein the leaf spring is preferably designed such that it causes only a slight irritation of the guide element in the operating position. By this second spring is achieved that the guide element does not move even at low forces from its operating position. Such low forces can occur, for example, in the transport of notes of value.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the guide element is a first guide element, the second module comprises a second guide element for guiding the notes of value when transporting the notes of value from the first module to the second module and / or from the second module to the first module, if the transport mechanism of the first module and / or the transport mechanism of the second module transports the notes of value when transporting the notes of value from the first module to the second module and / or from the second module to the first module between the first guide element and the second guide element, if at least one area of the second guide element in the first operating state protrudes into the device of the first module, when the first module at least a portion of the second guide element when moving the modules relative to each other by the contact with the guide element so in the direction of the second module umgelegt that the second guide element when moving the modules relatively at least temporarily contacts a surface of the first module facing the second module when the second guide element no longer contacts the first module in the second operating state of the device, and when the second guide element aligns in the second operating state of the device in the operating position. This ensures that the notes of value to be transported are guided on both sides by a respective guide element during transport from the first module to the second module and / or from the second module to the first module. The first guide element and the second guide element are in particular independently foldable.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the first module comprises a third guide element for guiding the notes of value when transporting the notes of value from the first module to the second module and / or from the second module to the first module, if the third guide element in the first operating state of the device in an operating position for Guiding the notes of value is aligned when at least a portion of the third guide member protrudes in the first operating state of the device in the second module that the second module at least a portion of the third guide element when moving the modules relative to each other by the contact with the guide member so in the direction folded around the first module that the third guide element when moving the modules relative to each other at least temporarily contacted a surface of the second module facing the first module, when in the second operating state of the device, the third guide element no longer ko the second module ntaktiert, and when the third guide element in the second operating state of the device aligns in the operating position. By providing such a third guide element, the reliability of the guidance of the notes of value during transport between the modules is increased.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the first module comprises a fourth guide element for guiding the notes of value when transporting the notes of value from the first module to the second module and / or from the second module to the first module, if the fourth guide element in the first operating state of the device is aligned in an operating position for guiding the notes of value, if at least a portion of the fourth guide element protrudes in the first operating state of the device, the second module, when the second module at least a portion of the fourth guide member when moving the modules relative to each other by the contact with the guide member so in the direction of the first module deflects that the fourth guide member when moving the modules relative to each other at least one first module facing surface of the second module contacted, when in the second operating state of the device, the fourth guide member no longer contacted the second module, and if the fourth guide element in the second operating state of the device aligns in the operating position. The provision of such a fourth guide element ensures that the notes of value are reliably transported between the third and the fourth guide element.

The second, the third and / or the fourth guide element are in particular designed as previously stated for the first guide element. In particular, both the second, the third and the fourth guide element each comprise a plurality of guide fingers. The first and third guide elements as well as the second and fourth guide elements are in particular configured and arranged relative to one another such that a respective guide finger of the third guide element is arranged between two guide fingers of the first guide element and one guide finger of the fourth guide element between two guide fingers of the second guide element is arranged. This results in a mating between the first and the third guide element or the achieved second and fourth guide element and thus ensures a secure management of the notes of value. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the guide elements can also be designed differently.

The method specified by the independent method claim can be developed in the same way as the device according to claim 1. In particular, the method can be developed with the features or corresponding method features specified in the dependent claims dependent on the device.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which explains the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings with reference to exemplary embodiments.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung eines Schnitts durch einen Ausschnitt eines Geldautomaten in einem ersten Betriebszustand;

Fig. 2

eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung einer Übergabetransporteinheit eines Tresors des Geldautomaten;

Fig. 3

eine schematische Seitenansicht der Übergabetransporteinheit nach Figur 2;

Fig. 4

eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung eines Führungselements der Übergabetransporteinheit nach den Figuren 1 und 2;

Fig. 5

eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung des Führungselements nach Figur 4 und eines weiteren Führungselementes zur Führung von Banknoten;

Fig. 6

eine schematische Seitenansicht eines Führungsfingers des Führungselementes nach den Figuren 4 und 5;

Fig. 7

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung eines Ausschnitts des Geldautoamten nach Figur 1 beim Herausziehen eines Kopfmoduls;

Fig. 8

eine weitere schematische Schnittdarstellung eines Ausschnitts des Geldautomaten nach den Figuren 1 und 7 beim Herausziehen des Kopfmoduls;

Fig. 9

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung eines Ausschnitts des Geldautomaten nach den Figuren 1, 7 und 8 in einem zweiten Betriebszustand;

Fig. 10

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung eines Ausschnitts des Geldautomaten nach den Figuren 1, 7 bis 9 beim Hereinschieben des Kopfmoduls;

Fig. 11

eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung eines Führungselements gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Erfindung;

Fig. 12

eine weitere schematische perspektivische Darstellung des Führungselements nach Figur 11;

Fig. 13

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung eines Ausschnitts eines Geldautomaten mit einem Führungselement nach den Figuren 11 und 12 im ersten Betriebszustand;

Fig. 14

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung eines Ausschnitts des Geldautomaten nach Figur 13 beim Herausziehen des Kopfmoduls; und

Fig. 15

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung eines Ausschnitts des Geldautomaten nach den Figuren 13 und 14 im zweiten Betriebszustand.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of a section through a section of an ATM in a first operating state;

Fig. 2

a schematic perspective view of a transfer transport unit of a vault of the ATM;

Fig. 3

a schematic side view of the transfer transport unit according to FIG. 2 ;

Fig. 4

a schematic perspective view of a guide element of the transfer conveyor unit according to the Figures 1 and 2 ;

Fig. 5

a schematic perspective view of the guide element of Figure 4 and a further guide element for guiding banknotes;

Fig. 6

a schematic side view of a guide finger of the guide element after the FIGS. 4 and 5 ;

Fig. 7

a schematic sectional view of a section of the Geldautoamten after FIG. 1 when pulling out a head module;

Fig. 8

a further schematic sectional view of a section of the ATM after the FIGS. 1 and 7 when pulling out the head module;

Fig. 9

a schematic sectional view of a section of the ATM after the FIGS. 1 . 7 and 8 in a second operating state;

Fig. 10

a schematic sectional view of a section of the ATM after the FIGS. 1 . 7 to 9 when pushing in the head module;

Fig. 11

a schematic perspective view of a guide member according to another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 12

a further schematic perspective view of the guide element according to FIG. 11 ;

Fig. 13

a schematic sectional view of a detail of an ATM with a guide element according to Figures 11 and 12 in the first operating state;

Fig. 14

a schematic sectional view of a section of the ATM after FIG. 13 when pulling out the head module; and

Fig. 15

a schematic sectional view of a section of the ATM after the FIGS. 13 and 14 in the second operating state.

In FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a section of an ATM 10 shown in a first operating state. The ATM 10 comprises a safe 12 and a head module 14. In the safe 12 a plurality of cash boxes for receiving banknotes are receivable. Each cashbox is associated with a separating and feeding module via which banknotes of the cashbox can be supplied and banknotes of the cashbox can be removed and fed to a transport mechanism of the safe 12.

The head module 14 comprises an input and output unit for dispensing banknotes to be dispensed to an operator and for input of banknotes deposited by an operator. Both the safe 12 and the head module 14 each have an opening through which banknotes can be fed from the head module 14 to the safe 12, or vice versa, from the safe 12 to the head module 14 can be fed. The safe 14 includes a transport mechanism that connects the opening of the head module 14 with the input and output unit. The transport mechanism of the vault 12 connects the in the vault 12 recorded cash boxes with the opening of the vault 12th

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the ATM 10 can also serve only for the disbursement of banknotes. In this case, only banknotes can be supplied from the vault 12 via the opening of the vault 12 and the opening of the head module 14 to the head module 14. In a further alternative embodiment of the invention, the safe 12 and the head module 14 may also be a safe and a head module of an automatic checkout system or an automatic cash deposit.

At the in FIG. 1 illustrated first operating state of the ATM 10, the vault 12 and the head module 14 are arranged to each other such that the opening of the vault 12 and the opening of the head module 14 are opposite to each other, so that banknotes between the vault 12 and the head module 14 are transportable. Furthermore, the ATM 10 comprises a transfer transport unit 16, which serves to guide the banknotes when transferring the banknotes from the head module 14 to the vault 12 or from the vault 12 to the head module 14.

In FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of such a transfer transport unit 16 is shown. Elements with the same structure or the same function have the same reference numerals. The transfer transport unit 16 is inserted into the opening of the vault 12 and comprises a housing unit 18 which is fixedly connected to the vault 12. The housing unit 18 has a slot 20 having cover member 22 through which the opening of the safe 12 is at least partially covered. The banknotes are transported through the slot 20 during transport from the safe 12 to the head module 14 or during transport from the head module 14 to the safe 12. In this case, the banknotes are in particular transported aligned such that their long side is aligned transversely to the transport direction, ie in a so-called "long side first" orientation.

Furthermore, the transfer transport unit 16 comprises two guide elements 24, 26 for guiding the banknotes during transport of the banknotes from the vault 12 to the head module 14 and from the head module 14 to the vault 12. In this case, the banknotes are transported between the guide elements 24, 26, so that the banknotes open Both sides are guided by a respective guide element 24, 26. This ensures a secure transfer of banknotes from the head module 14 to the safe 12 or from the safe 12 to the head module 14 and prevents banknote jams.

In FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the transfer conveyor unit 16 after FIG. 2 shown. The transfer transport unit 16 further comprises two sliding elements 28, 30, which are each arranged on one side of the gap 20 and between which the banknotes are transported through, being guided by the sliding elements 28, 30.

In FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the first guide member 24 after the Figures 2 and 3 shown. The second guide element 26 is preferably identical to the first guide element 24.

The first guide element 24 comprises a shaft 32 and eight guide fingers, one of which is designated by the reference numeral 34 by way of example. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the guide member 24 may also include more or fewer than eight guide fingers 34. The guide fingers 34 of the guide member 24 are formed in particular identical. Alternatively, however, the guide fingers 34 can also be designed differently. In a further alternative embodiment of the invention, instead of a plurality of guide fingers 34, the guide element 24 may also comprise a continuous plate-shaped element for guiding the bank notes.

The guide fingers 34 are rotatably connected to the shaft 32. For this purpose, the shaft 32 has a groove 36 extending in the axial direction, in each of which a protrusion 38 of a guide finger 34 protrudes, so that the guide fingers 34 via the elevations 38 with the groove 36 are engaged and thus not relative to the shaft 32 are rotatable ,

In FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the first guide member 24 according to FIG. 4 and the slider 30. The guide member 24 is rotatably supported relative to the sliding member 30, whereas the sliding member 30 is fixedly connected to the housing unit 18 and thus fixed to the safe 12. The guide element 24 is in this case in particular mounted such that it is rotatable in both directions about the longitudinal axis of the shaft 32.

The guide fingers 34 are arranged on the shaft 32 such that two adjacent guide elements 34 are each spaced from each other. The sliding member 30 has a plurality of sliding surfaces 40, wherein the sliding surfaces 40 are each arranged between two guide fingers 34. In this way, it is achieved that the guide fingers 34 are rotated upon rotation of the shaft 32, without being prevented by the sliding surfaces 40 of the sliding member 30 therefrom. The second sliding element 28 is in particular formed identically to the first sliding element 30.

In FIG. 6 a side view of a guide finger 34 is shown. The guide finger 34 comprises an approximately hollow cylindrical base body 42, a first guide portion 44 and a second guide portion 46. The main body 42 and the guide portions 44, 46 are in particular integrally formed. The guide finger 34 is mounted on the main body 42 on the shaft 32, wherein the guide finger 34 is placed in particular on the shaft 32, that the shaft 32 extends through the opening of the hollow cylindrical body 42. The main body 42 is in particular made of an at least slightly elastic material and has an inner diameter which is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the shaft 32, so that an axial slippage of the guide finger 34 is avoided.

The guide elements 24, 26 and thus the guide fingers 34 are arranged in the operating state of the ATM 10 in an operating position in which between the guide elements 24, 26 banknotes are transported, which are guided during transport through the guide fingers 34. In the operating position, the guide fingers are in particular aligned such that the first guide portion 44 extends approximately parallel to the sliding surfaces 40 of the sliding elements 28, 30. The second guide portion 46 is angled relative to the first guide portion 44 at an angle away from the transport path on which the bills are transported. This ensures that the distance between two opposing guide fingers 34 at the end of the guide fingers 34 facing away from the shaft 32 is greater than the distance between the first guide portions 44 opposing guide elements 34. Thus, from the head module 14 banknotes fed to the vault 12 safely between The guide elements 24, 26 are transported and not misjudged with the head module 14 facing ends of the guide fingers 34th

As already mentioned, the guide elements 24, 26 in the in FIG. 1 shown first operating state of the ATM 10 in the operating position aligned. The operating position is in particular the position in which the guide fingers 34 are erected. In the operating position, at least one area of each guide finger 34, 48 projects into the head module 14. In this way a secure transfer of banknotes between the transport mechanism of the safe 12 and the transport mechanism of the head module 14 is ensured. The transport mechanism of the head module 14 comprises in particular transport elements, which are each arranged between the projecting into the head module 14 areas of two adjacent guide fingers 34, 48 of a guide element 24, 26. In this way, it is achieved that the banknotes to be transported are guided laterally at any time. Furthermore, this avoids that the banknotes to be transported can be misjudged with the ends of the guide elements 34, 48.

At each one end region of the shafts 32, 50 of the guide elements 24, 36 is in each case a rotatably connected to the shaft 32, 50 attachment 52, 54 are arranged. The attachments 52, 54 each have an engagement member 56, 58 which is respectively engaged with a first end of a tension spring 60, 62. The second ends of the tension springs 60, 62 opposite the first end are fixed to the housing unit 18 and thus connected to the safe 12. The guide elements 24, 26 are held by the tension springs 60, 62 in the operating position. For this purpose, the tension springs 60, 62 in particular slightly biased in the first operating state of the ATM 10 are arranged.

Furthermore, the attachments 52, 54 each have a flattening 64, 66, on which a leaf spring 68 rests in the operating position of the guide elements 24, 26. Via the leaf spring 68, the guide elements 24, 26 held in addition to the tension springs 60, 62 in the operating position. To the guide elements 24, 26 from the operating position to pivot by a rotation of the shafts 32, 50, the leaf spring 68 must be slightly deformed or raised against its spring force, so that by the leaf spring 68 is a slight Arretiertung the guide elements 24, 26 in the operating position. This avoids that the guide elements 24, 26 inadvertently, from the operating position, for example, due to the forces caused by the bank notes to be transported between them, rotate. In an alternative embodiment of the invention can also be dispensed with a leaf spring 68 and the orientation of the guide elements 24, 26 in the first operating state of the ATM 10 in the operating position exclusively via the tension springs 60, 62 done.

In a further alternative embodiment of the invention, the shafts 32, 50 may also be non-rotatably connected to the housing unit 18 and each guide finger 34, 48 individually resiliently connected via a respective tension spring with the shaft 32, 50, wherein each guide finger 34, 48 through the respective spring is held in the operating position. The head module 14 is mounted in particular on rails and movable in the direction of the double arrow P1 relative to the stationary arranged vault 12. In this way, a simple assembly and disassembly of the head module 14 is achieved and simplifies the maintenance of the cash machine 10. Occurring banknote jams can be easily removed by the head module 14 is pulled out in the direction of arrow P2 from the ATM 10 at least partially.

In FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view of a section of the ATM 10 when pulling out the head module 14 is shown. When the head module 14 is moved relative to the safe 12, the guide fingers 34, 48 are deflected by the contact with the head module 14 about the axis of rotation of the shaft 32 or 50 in the direction of the arrow P2 such that they no longer protrude into the head module 14. The guide fingers 34, 48 are in this case in particular folded so that they contact the vault 12 facing surface 70 of the head module 14 and in particular grind on the surface 70. In this way it is achieved that between the head module 14 and the vault 12 only a minimal space for the guide fingers 34, 48 is required when moving the head module 14 relative to the vault 12 and thus saves valuable space that can be used for other elements. The guide elements 34, 48 are deflected so far that at least the guide fingers 34 of the seen in the direction of displacement P2 front guide element 24 are folded so far that they contact the head module 14 facing surface 72 of the vault 12.

When folding over the guide fingers 34, 48, the guide elements 24, 26 are rotated counter to the spring forces of the tension springs 60, 62. When moving the head module 12 in the direction of displacement P2, the shafts 32, 50 of the guide elements 24, 26, as in FIG. 7 shown, turned clockwise in the direction of arrows P3 and P4. By the rotation of the guide elements 24, 26, the tension springs 60, 62 are tensioned, so that the spring force is greater the further the guide elements 24, 26 are rotated from the operating position.

In FIG. 8 is a further schematic sectional view of a section of the ATM 10 when pulling the head module 14 in the direction of displacement P2 shown. At the in FIG. 8 As shown, the alignment of the guide elements 34, 48 when pulling out the head module 14 is shown. The guide finger 48 is rotated in the direction of the arrow P4 far enough that it contacts the guide finger 34. The guide finger 34 has been turned out of the operating position so far that its end facing away from the shaft 32 contacts the surface 72 of the safe 12. The cover 22 of the housing part 18 has a plurality of recesses, of which in an in FIG. 2 is denoted by the reference numeral 74 by way of example. The recesses 74 are arranged such that the guide fingers 34, 48 can be rotated as far as possible from the operating position, without being hindered by the cover 22.

In FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view of a section of the Geldautoamten 10 shown in a second operating state. In the second operating state, the head module 14 is pulled out of the ATM 10 relative to the safe 12 so far that the guide elements 24, 26 no longer contact the head module 14. In the second operating state no notes of value can be transported between the head module 14 and the safe 12. The second operating state is in particular that operating state in which the ATM 10 is accessible for maintenance.

Due to the spring forces of the tension springs 60, 62, the guide elements 24, 26 are directed in the second operating state of the ATM 10 automatically back to the operating position, since they no longer have contact with the head module 14. Due to the spring forces, this raising of the guide elements 24, 26 takes place automatically, without the need for actuation of an actuator.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the head module 14, unlike in FIG FIG. 9 shown, in the second operating state only so far shifted relative to the vault 12 that the guide fingers 34, 36 still protrude into the head module 14, but are no longer folded by the head module 14. In a further alternative embodiment of the invention, the head module 14 may also have no boundary wall in the direction of the safe 12. In this case, the guide elements 24, 26 are not folded by the contact with the vault 12 facing the boundary wall of the head module 14, but by the vault 12 facing surfaces of components of the head module 14. Here, the guide elements 24, 26 in particular turned over so far that they contact the vault 12 facing surfaces of the components and align themselves after contact with one of these components again as far as it allows the next adjacent component of the head module 14. It is thus achieved, in particular, that the guide fingers 34, 48 grind at any time on the components of the head module 12 facing the safe 12, so that a displacement of the head module 14 relative to the safe 12 is possible.

In FIG. 10 is a schematic sectional view of a section of the ATM 10 while pushing the Head module 14 from the second operating state in the first operating state in the direction of arrow P5 shown. When moving the head module 14 in the direction of the arrow P5, the guide fingers 34, 48 are folded in the direction of the arrow P5 by the contact with the head module 14. In this case, the guide elements 24, 36 and thus the shafts 32, 50 are rotated counterclockwise in the direction of the arrows P6 and P7 against the spring forces of the tension springs 60, 62. After the head module 14 is again shifted so far in the direction of the arrow P5 that the head module 14 is arranged in the first operating state, the guide elements 24, 26 are automatically re-established in the operating position by the spring forces of the tension springs 60, 62, ie the guide elements 24, 26 reappear.

In FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of a guide member 100 according to another embodiment of the invention shown. In FIG. 12 is a further schematic perspective view of the guide member 100 according to FIG. 11 shown. The guide element 100 comprises eight guide fingers, one of which is designated by the reference numeral 102 by way of example. Alternatively, the guide member 100 may also include more or less than eight guide fingers 102. Further, the guide member 100 has a plurality of guide walls, one of which is designated by the reference numeral 104 by way of example. The guide walls 104, like the guide fingers 102, serve to guide the bank notes during the transport of the bank notes.

When installed in the safe 12, the guide walls 104 are remote from the head module 14, whereas the guide fingers 102 protrude into the head module 14. The guide fingers 102 are so elastic that they are elastically deformable at least in the direction of the double arrow P8. The entire guide element 100 is in particular formed in one piece and made of the same material. The guide element 100 is preferably made by means of a spraying process of a material having a high allowable elongation and a low or no creep behavior. In this way, a simple and inexpensive production of the guide element 100 is achieved. Particulate Organic Matters (POM), thermoplastic elastomers (TPU) and / or spring steel are used in particular as material for the guide element 100.

In FIG. 13 is a schematic sectional view of a section of the ATM 10 shown in the first operating state. At the vault 12 of the ATM 10, two guide elements 100, 106 are arranged, wherein the banknotes are transported between the guide elements 100, 102 in the transfer of banknotes between the vault 12 and the head module 14 therethrough. The guide elements 100 and 106 are formed in particular identical. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the guide elements 100 and 106 may also be designed differently. The guide fingers 102, 108 are arranged in an operating position in the first operating state and protrude into the head module 14 in this operating position. In the operating position, banknotes can be transported between the head module 14 and the safe 12. The guide fingers 102, 108 are in the operating position in particular aligned so that they are erected.

In FIG. 14 is a schematic sectional view of a section of the ATM 10 after FIG. 13 when moving the head module 14 from the first operating state to the second operating state in the direction of the arrow P2. When moving the head module 14 relative to the vault 12, the guide fingers 102, 108 are elastically deformed by the contact with the head module 14 so that they no longer protrude into the head module 14, but on a surface facing in the vault 12 or on the surfaces of the vault 12 facing components of the head module 14 when moving the head module 14 along. The guide fingers 102, 108 are in particular designed such that they are deformed only elastically and not plastically.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the guide fingers 102, 108 are formed as a body of equal strength, so that at each point of the guide fingers 102, 108 when moving the head module 14 relative to the vault 12, the same voltages act. As a result, a uniform expansion behavior of the guide fingers 102, 108 is effected over the cross section of the guide fingers 102, 108, whereby damage to the guide fingers 102, 108 is prevented. In order to achieve a body of equal strength, the guide fingers 102, 108 are designed in particular such that the wall thickness of the guide fingers 102, 108 increases from the ends of the guide fingers 102, 108 facing away from the guide walls 104 to the guide walls 104.

In FIG. 15 is a schematic sectional view of a section of the ATM 10 after the FIGS. 13 and 14 shown in the second operating state. In the second operating state, the head module 14 is shifted relative to the safe 12 in the direction of the arrow P2 so far that the guide fingers 102, 108 no longer contact the head module 14. Due to their elasticity, the guide fingers 102, 108 align themselves again in the operating position in the second operating state, ie the guide fingers 102, 108 align themselves again.

When the head module 14 is pushed in against the direction P2, the guide fingers 102, 108 are compared with FIG FIG. 14 in the opposite direction elastically bent so that they contact the vault 12 facing surface 70 of the head module 14. If the head module 14 is again shifted from the second operating state into the first operating state, then the guide fingers 102, 108 again align themselves with the operating position, so that banknotes can again be transported between the head module 14 and the safe 12. The alignment of the guide fingers 102, 108 in the operating position takes place automatically both in the first and in the second operating state due to the elasticity of the guide fingers 102, 108th

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the vault 12 can also be movable relative to the head module 14 and the head module 14 can be arranged in a stationary manner. Likewise, alternatively, both the head module 14 and the vault 12 may be arranged to be movable.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

ATM

12

safe

14

head module

16

Transfer transport unit

18

housing unit

20

slot

22

cover

24, 26, 100, 106

guide element

28, 30

Slide

32, 50

wave

34, 48, 102, 108

guide fingers

36

groove

38

survey

40

sliding surface

42

body

44, 46

guide region

52, 54

essay

56, 58

engaging member

60, 62

mainspring

64, 66

flattening

68

leaf spring

70, 72

surface

74

recess

104

guide wall

P1, P2, P5

shift direction

P3, P4, P6, P7

direction of rotation

P8

bending direction

Claims (13)

1. Device for handling notes of value,
   comprising a first module (14) having a transport mechanism for transporting notes of value, and comprising a second module (12) having a transport mechanism for transporting notes of value,
   the first module (14) being movable relative to the second module (12) and/or the second module (12) being movable relative to the first module (14) in at least one direction (P1, P2, P5),
   in a first operating state of the device (10), the transport mechanism of the first module (14) and/or the transport mechanism of the second module (12) being set up in such a way as to transport notes of value from the first module (14) to the second module (12) and/or from the second module (12) to the first module (14),
   the second module (12) comprising at least one guide element (24, 26, 100, 106) for guiding the notes of value during the transport of the notes of value from the first module (14) to the second module (12) and/or from the second module (12) to the first module (14),
   in the first operating state of the device (10), the guide element (24, 26, 100, 106) being aligned in an operating position for guiding the notes of value,
   in the first operating state of the device (10), at least one region of the guide element (24, 26, 100, 106) projecting into the first module (14), the first module (14) being set up in such a way that during the movement of the modules (12, 14) relative to each other, as a result of the contact with the guide element (24, 26, 100, 106), it tilts at least a sub region of the guide element (24, 26, 100, 106) over in the direction of the second module (12) in such a way that, during the movement of the modules (12, 14) relative to each other, the guide element (24, 26, 100, 106) at least temporarily contacts a surface (70) of the first module (14) that faces the second module (12),
   the first module (14) and the second module (12) being set up in such a way that, in a second operating mode, they are moved relative to each other in such a way that no note of value is transportable from the first module (14) to the second module (12) and/or from the second module (12) to the first module (14),
   the guide element (24, 26, 100, 106) being set up in such a way that, in the second operating state of the device (10), it does not contact the first module (14) and is not aligned in the operating position,
   the second module (12) comprising a boundary wall, which bounds the second module (12) in the direction of the first module (14), and
   the boundary wall having an opening, through which the notes of value can be transported during the transport of the notes of value from the first module (14) to the second module (12) and/or from the second module (12) to the first module (14), characterized in that
   the guide element (24, 26, 100, 106) is set up in such a way that, during the movement of the modules (12, 14) relative to each other, it is tilted over in such a way that it temporarily contacts the surface (72) of the boundary wall that faces the first module (14).
2. Device (10) according to Clean 1, characterized in that the guide element (24, 26, 100, 106) is set up in such a way that, in the second operating state of the device (10), it is automatically aligned in the operating position.
3. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second module (12) is a safe for receiving cash boxes of an automatic teller machine (10), and in that the first module (14) is a head module of the automatic teller machine (10) comprising an input and output unit for the input and/or output of notes of value.
4. Device (10) according to Claim 3, characterized in that the safe (12) is arranged in a stationary manner, in that the head module (14) is displaceable relative to the safe (12), and in that the first operating state is that operating state of the automatic teller machine (10) in which notes of value can be deposited and/or withdrawn.
5. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first module (14) is set up in such a way that, during the movement of the modules (12, 14) from the second operating state to the first operating state, the first module (14) tilts at least a sub region of the guide element (24, 26, 100, 106) over in the direction of the second module (12) in such a way that during the movement of the modules (12, 14) relative to each other, as a result of the contact with the guide element (24, 26, 100, 106), the guide element (24, 26, 100, 106) at least temporarily contacts a surface (70) of the first module (14) that faces the second module (12).
6. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide element (24, 26, 100, 106) comprises at least two, preferably more than two, guide fingers (34, 48, 102, 108) spaced apart from one another for guiding the notes of value during the transport of the notes of value from the first module (14) to the second module (12) and/or from the second module (12) to the first module (14), and in that the transport mechanism of the first module (14) comprises at least one transport element which, in the first operating state, is at least partly arranged between the guide fingers (34, 48, 102, 108) .
7. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one end region of the guide element (100, 106) that faces the first module (14) is formed elastically in such a way that during the movement of the modules (12, 14) relative to each other, as a result of the contact with the first module (14), the end region of the guide element (100, 106) is bent over in the direction of the second module (12), and in that the end region is set up in such a way that because of its elasticity, it is aligned in the operating position in the first operating state and in the second operating state.
8. Device (10) according to Claim 7, characterized in that at least the end region, preferably the entire guide element (100, 106), is made of a particulate organic matter (POM), a thermoplastic elastomer (TPU) and/or spring steel.
9. Device (10) according to either of Claims 7 and 8, characterized in that at least the end region in the direction of the first module (14) has a wall thickness decreasing in such a way that during the bending of the guide element (100, 106) during the movement of the modules (12, 14) relative to each other, the mechanical stress in the end region is the same at every point.
10. Device (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the at least one guide element (24, 26) is mounted such that it can rotate about an axis of rotation extending transversely with respect to the direction (P1, P2, p5) in which the modules (12, 14) are movable relative to each other, in that the guide element (24, 26) is held in the operating position by at least one spring (60, 62) in the first operating state and the second operating state, and in that the first module (14) is set up in such a way that during the movement of the modules (12, 14) relative to each other, as a result of the contact with the guide element (24, 26), it rotates the guide element (24, 26) about the axis of rotation in the direction of the second module (12) counter to the spring force of the spring (60, 62).
11. Device (10) according to Claim 10, characterized in that the guide element (24, 26) comprises a shaft (32, 50), the longitudinal axis of which coincides with the axis of rotation, and at least two guide fingers (34, 48) rotationally fixedly connected to the shaft (32, 50).
12. Device (10) according to Claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the spring (60, 62) is a first spring, and in that a second spring (68), preferably a leaf spring, is provided, which is set up in such a way that it holds the guide element (24, 26) in the operating position.
13. Method for handling notes of value,
    in which, in a first operating mode, with the aid of a transport mechanism of a first module (14) and/or with the aid of a transport mechanism of a second module (12), notes of value are transported from the first module (14) to the second module (12) and/or from the second module (12) to the first module (14),
    during the transport from the first module (14) to the second module (12) and/or from the second module (12) to the first module (14), the notes of value being guided by at least one guide element (24, 26, 100, 106) of the second module (12), which is aligned in an operating position in the first operating state, to guide the notes of value during the transport of the notes of value from the first module (14) to the second module (12) and/or from the second module (12) to the first module (14), a region of the guide element (24, 26, 100, 106) projecting into the first module (14) in the first operating state,
    the first module (14) being moved relative to the second module (12) and/or the second module (12) being moved relative to the first module (14) in at least one direction (P1, P2, P5) in a second operating state,
    in the second operating state, no notes of value being transported from the first module (14) to the second module (12) and/or from the second module (12) to the first module (14),
    during the movement of the modules (12, 14) relative to each other, as a result of the contact with the first module (14), at least one sub region of the guide element (24, 26, 100, 106) being tilted over in the direction of the second module (12) in such a way that, during the movement of the modules (12, 14) relative to each other, the guide element (24, 26, 100, 106) at least temporarily contacts a surface of the first module (14) that faces a second module (12), and in which, in the second operating state, because of its inherent elasticity and/or with the aid of an elastic element (60, 62), the guide element (24, 26, 100, 106) is aligned in the operating position,
    in which, during the transport of the notes of value from the first module (14) to the second module (12) and/or from the second module (12) to the first module (14), notes of value are transported through an opening in a boundary wall of the second module (12), which bounds the second module (12) in the direction of the first module (14),
    characterized in that
    during the movement of the modules (12, 14) relative to each other, the guide element (24, 26, 100, 106) is tilted over in such a way that it temporarily contacts the surface (72) the boundary wall that faces the first module (14) which bounds the second module (12) in the direction of the first module (14).

Images