EP2738746B1 - Cash box with a retention unit comprising a torsion spring - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a cash box, which comprises a receiving area for receiving a value note stack, wherein the notes of value can be fed to the receiving area in a depositing direction by machine. Furthermore, the cashbox has a arranged in the receiving area, movable in the depositing direction and against the storage direction counter-pressure unit for exercising a counter to the deposit direction counter-pressure force on a recordable in the receiving area value note stack. In addition, an elastic element is provided, which biases the counter-pressure unit against the depositing direction for generating the counter-pressure force. Furthermore, the invention relates to such a counter pressure unit for cash boxes.

The notes of value received in cash cassettes are received in the cash cassettes in the form of a value note stack, with the notes of value contacting each other with their front and / or back sides. The notes of value are here supplied by means of supply and / or withdrawal modules from the head of the cashbox the receiving area and / or removed. In this case, newly supplied notes of value are pressed against the face of the value-note stack already received in the cash-box.

In order to enable a secure, reliable depositing of the newly added notes of value, it is necessary that the notes already taken up are held in the stacked form and do not slip or tilt over one another. For this purpose, counter pressure unit are often provided in known cash boxes, with the aid of the already recorded value stack against the deposit direction are fed to the newly added notes of value is biased, so that the value note stack is always kept from both sides under a required pressure, so that the notes of value of the value note stack are bundled together.

For this purpose, it is necessary that this counter-pressure unit is moved in each case according to the amount of recorded notes in the storage direction or against the storage direction. A known possibility for this is to move the counter-pressure unit by means of a drive unit, for example a motor, according to the direction of deposit or against the direction of deposit. The disadvantage of this is that such structures are expensive and require appropriate control. Furthermore, such counter-pressure units moved by drive units require a large number of sensors and actuators in order to reliably apply the necessary counter-pressure force. As a result, the production is costly and expensive.

In addition, the force acting on the counterpressure unit by the value stack increases the more notes of value the value note stack comprises. Is by the drive unit always generates the same counter-pressure force, this has the consequence that the contact pressure, against the newly added notes of value are supplied to the value note stack, the lower, the more notes of value are already included in the receiving area.

Another possibility is to attach the counter-pressure unit via pressure or tension springs on a bottom element of the cashbox, so that the counterpressure force is applied via these tension or compression springs. Such a cashbox is known for example from German patent application 10th 2011 000 790.3 known. The disadvantage of this is that this space-consuming and prone to errors, since the open arranged in the cash box pressure or tension springs can be moved by contact with others in components and / or in the handling of the cashbox from its predetermined position.

From the document US 2012/273378 A1 is known a cashbox whose Andruckwagen is biased by means of a torsion spring.

The document EP 1 465 123 A1 describes a cashbox whose Andruckwagen is biased by a compression spring.

It is an object of the invention to provide a cashbox and a counter pressure unit for cash boxes, with their Help a reliable, safe deposit of notes in the cashbox is possible.

This object is achieved by a cash box having the features of claim 1 and by a counter-pressure unit having the features of claim 15. Advantageous developments of the invention are described in the dependent claims According to the invention, the elastic element comprises a torsion spring, which is arranged on the counter-pressure unit. This has the advantage that the counter-pressure force is applied purely passive, ie that neither a drive unit nor sensors nor an electrical control is necessary. Thus, a particularly cost-effective, space-saving and low-maintenance construction is achieved. In addition, such a spring has the advantage that the counter-pressure force applied by it becomes greater, the more notes of value the recorded value note stack comprises, so that the depositing of the newly supplied notes of value always takes place counter to the same force, so that a particularly secure, reliable and reliable uniform storage of notes of value is ensured in the storage direction.

Compared with compression and tension springs, the provision of a torsion spring directly on the counter-pressure unit has the advantage that a particularly compact and space-saving design is achieved. The torsion spring is always moved together with the counter-pressure unit in the storage direction or against the storage direction and is not, like compression or tension springs, fixed only at one end to the counter-pressure unit and with the other end to the housing. Thus, the error rate is reduced.

The cash box comprises, in particular, a feed unit, via the notes of value supplied in a feed direction of the cash box in the depositing direction to the receiving area be supplied. In this case, in particular via the feed unit, a diversion of the notes of value from the feed direction into the actual depositing direction can take place. The feed unit is arranged in particular in a head region of the cashbox. The counterpressure unit can be moved, in particular, over the entire receiving area, ie, from the feed unit to a housing part of a housing of the cashbox opposite the feed unit.

The counter-pressure unit preferably has at least one recess in which the torsion spring is at least partially, preferably completely received. In particular, the counter-pressure unit has a housing which surrounds the torsion spring at least partially, preferably completely. Thus, in each case a safer storage of the torsion spring is achieved and avoided that it comes into contact with other elements of the cashbox and / or notes of value when moving the counter-pressure unit. This prevents that the torsion spring could be disturbed, so that a reliable operation of the counter-pressure unit is ensured.

In a very particularly preferred embodiment, the torsion spring is surrounded on all sides by the housing, so that it is protected by the housing and thus is not exposed to environmental influences.

In the receiving area, at least one extending in the storage direction first rack is arranged. The counterpressure unit has at least a first gear whose teeth engage in the toothing of the first rack and with the aid of which the counter-pressure unit is mounted on the first rack.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, at least one second rack is provided in the cash box, wherein the counter-pressure unit has a second gear meshing with the teeth of the second rack and with the first gear. This ensures that the counter-pressure unit is reliably mounted on the housing of the cashbox for a reliable, but on the other hand in a simple manner in the storage direction and against the storage direction is movable.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, in the receiving area on the side opposite to the side on which the first rack is arranged, at least one third rack running in the depositing direction is arranged. The counter-pressure unit comprises at least a third toothed wheel whose toothing engages in the toothing of the third toothed rack and with the aid of which the counterpressure unit is mounted on the third toothed rack.

Furthermore, the cash box may have a fourth rack and the counter-pressure unit a fourth gear, wherein the fourth gear meshes with the teeth of the fourth rack and with the third gear. Thus, a two-sided storage of the counter pressure unit on the two side walls reaches the cashbox, so that the counter-pressure unit is guided uniformly in the storage direction and against the storage direction and in particular a tilting and / or tilting is avoided. By combing the first gear with the second gear and the combing of the third gear with the fourth gear is particularly ensured that the meshing gears are rotated uniformly. The second gear and the fourth gear are in particular connected to each other via a shaft, wherein the two gears are each rotatably mounted on this shaft. Thus, all four gears are engaged with each other, so that they are rotated uniformly and thus the counter pressure unit is moved by the guide on the four racks in the storage direction and against the storage direction, without being able to tilt and / or twist here.

The torsion spring is in particular so coupled to the first gear that the torsion spring is twisted in a first rotational direction upon rotation of the first gear. This ensures that the torsion spring is all the more twisted, the more the first gear is rotated and thus the more the counter-pressure unit is moved in the direction of deposit. Thus, the more counterprints are received in the receiving area, the more the amount of counterprints generated by the weight of the bill stack is compensated for, and the force that must be applied to supply a new bill, regardless of Number of recorded banknotes is always about the same.

It is particularly advantageous if the torsion spring is coupled to the first gear in such a way that the torsion spring is relaxed during a rotation of the first gear in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction. The second direction of rotation is in this case in particular that direction of rotation in which the gearwheel is rotated when the counterpressure unit moves counter to the depositing direction. This ensures that, when a bill of value is removed from the bill of stock, the counterpressure unit is moved back against the deposit direction over the force applied by the torsion spring and thus the bill of stock is raised against the deposit direction, so any time taken more notes of value or fed with the same force can be.

The first rotational direction of the gear is the direction of rotation in which the gear is rotated when a bill of exchange is supplied. When feeding the note of value, the note is pressed against the front of the already recorded value note stack. As a result of the force applied in this case, the counter-pressure unit is moved counter to the restoring force of the torsion spring in the depositing direction, so that the value note can be fed to the receiving area. About the engagement with the first rack while the gear is moved in the first direction of rotation.

In particular, the first gear is engaged with the first rack such that the first gear moves the counter-pressure element is rotated in the direction of deposition in the first direction of rotation and when moving counter to the direction of deposition in the second direction of rotation.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the torsion spring comprises a wound wire having a first end and a second end. The torsion spring is supported on the housing via the first end and is coupled to the first gear via the second end in such a way that the second end is rotated upon rotation of the first gear.

The first gear is in particular rotatably mounted on a shaft, wherein the second end of the wire is fixed to this shaft, so that upon rotation of the first gear and thus a rotation of the shaft, the second end of the wire is rotated, so that the torsion spring accordingly is twisted and thus the counter-pressure force is increased. Thus, a particularly simple and yet reliable construction is given.

In particular, the shaft has a hole into which the second end of the wire is inserted. This allows a particularly simple installation of the counter-pressure unit.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the third gear may be coupled to the torsion spring such that upon rotation of the third gear in the Direction in which the third gear when supplying notes of value, that is rotated when moving the counter-pressure unit in the storage direction, the torsion spring is also twisted and thus the counter-pressure force is increased.

In a further alternative embodiment, it is also possible that a plurality of torsion springs are provided, wherein the torsion springs are each coupled to one of the gears.

In particular, a torsion spring is used, the characteristic of which is such that the increase of the applied counterpressure force by supplying a bill of exchange approximately corresponds to the weight of this bill of exchange, so that the force which must be applied for supplying further banknotes to the receiving area always is about the same force. This means that the feeder unit must always press the new banknotes to be delivered against the front of the banknote stack with the same force.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a counter-pressure unit for cash boxes, comprising an elastic member for biasing the counter-pressure unit against a depositing direction for generating a counter-pressure force when the counter-pressure unit is inserted in a cash box. The elastic element comprises at least one arranged on the counter-pressure unit torsion spring.

The counterpressure unit can in particular be further developed with the features previously described in connection with the counterpressure unit of the cashbox.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which explains the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

Figur 1

eine schematische, perspektivische Darstellung einer Geldkassette;

Figur 2

eine schematische, perspektivische Darstellung eines Ausschnitts der Geldkassette nach Figur 1;

Figur 3

eine schematische, perspektivische Darstellung eines weiteren Ausschnitts der Geldkassette nach den Figuren 1 und 2;

Figur 4

eine schematische, perspektivische Darstellung einer Gegendruckeinheit;

Figur 5

eine schematische, perspektivische Darstellung der Gegendruckeinheit nach Figur 4 mit teilweise ausgeblendetem Gehäuse; und

Figur 6

eine schematische, perspektivische Darstellung eines Ausschnitts der Gegendruckeinheit nach den Figuren 4 und 5.

Show it:

FIG. 1

a schematic, perspective view of a cashbox;

FIG. 2

a schematic, perspective view of a section of the cashbox after FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3

a schematic perspective view of another section of the cashbox after the FIGS. 1 and 2 ;

FIG. 4

a schematic, perspective view of a counter-pressure unit;

FIG. 5

a schematic, perspective view of the counter-pressure unit according to FIG. 4 with partially hidden housing; and

FIG. 6

a schematic, perspective view of a section of the counter-pressure unit according to the FIGS. 4 and 5 ,

In FIG. 1 is a schematic, perspective view of a cashbox 10 for receiving notes of value shown. Here, parts of the housing 12 of the cashbox 10 are hidden, so that the internal components are more visible.

At the in FIG. 1 shown cashbox 10 is a pure depository cassette, that is, that the cashbox 10 is used exclusively for depositing banknotes and the stored banknotes are not removed again by machine for a payment of the cashbox 10. Alternatively, however, the cash box 10 can also be a recycling cassette, ie the cash box 10 can be supplied with notes of value as well as withdrawn again. Furthermore, the cashbox 10 can also be a pure cashout cassette, ie the recorded banknotes are taken exclusively but no new banknotes are mechanically fed. The banknotes can be both banknotes and checks, with the Size of the cashbox can be adjusted according to the recorded notes of value.

The cash box 10 comprises a supply unit 14, via which notes of value mechanically fed to the cash box 10 can be supplied to a receiving area 16 of the cash box 10 for receiving a value note stack. The feed unit 14, which is shown purely schematically, is in this case designed such that it moves the notes of value in a depositing direction P1 into the receiving area 16, wherein the notes of value are moved forward with their front or rear side into the receiving area 16, so that the notes of value are at an operational level Arrangement of the cashbox 10, as this in FIG. 1 is shown, rest with their front and back sides on each other. The cash box 10 is particularly intended for vertical use in a bill handling apparatus.

A counter-pressure unit 100 is provided in the receiving area 16, the value-added stack accommodated in the receiving area 16 being accommodated in the area between this counter-pressure unit 100 and the feed unit 14. By the counter-pressure unit 100, as will be described in more detail below, a counter-pressure P1 directed against the direction of deposit P1 is exerted on the value-dept stack. By contrast, the feed unit 14 exerts a feed force directed into the depositing direction onto the newly supplied notes of value and thus the value note stack, so that the counterpressure unit 100 advances the advances against the counterpressure force applied by it is moved in the storage direction P1, the more notes of value are received in the receiving area 16.

Thus, it is achieved by the counter-pressure force applied by the counter-pressure unit 100 that the banknotes of the banknote stack are always held together by a predetermined contact pressure and thus slippage of the banknotes against each other and / or tilting of the banknotes is avoided. This ensures that new banknotes can be fed safely via the feed unit 14.

In the Figures 2 and 3 is schematic, perspective views of a section of the cashbox 10 after FIG. 1 shown. In this case, housing parts and also other elements of the cashbox 10 are not shown in order to better represent the storage of the counter-pressure unit 100 described below on the housing 12 of the cashbox 10.

The back pressure unit 100 is in FIG. 4 shown isolated. The back pressure unit 100 includes a first gear 102 and a second gear 104 that mesh with each other. Further, on one of the side on which the first gear 102 and the second gear 104 are arranged, opposite side a third gear 106 and the third gear 106 meshing fourth gear 108 is provided.

The cash box 100 includes a first rack 20, a second rack 22, a third rack 24, and a fourth rack 26 that are parallel to each other. Here, the racks 20 to 26 are all directed in the direction of deposit P1. The first gear 102 is engaged with the first rack 20, the second gear 104 with the second rack 22, the third gear 106 with the third rack 24 and the fourth gear 108 with the fourth rack 26 in engagement. The second gear 104 and the fourth gear 108 are each rotationally fixed on a common shaft 110 (FIG. FIG. 5 ), so that all four gears 102 to 108 are engaged with each other and thus always rotated uniformly. This ensures that the counter-pressure unit is moved uniformly in the depositing direction P1 and against the depositing direction P1 and can not tilt it. In particular, it is thus achieved that a value unit stack contacting contact unit 30 always has the same orientation within the cashbox 10, so that a secure concern of the value note stack is ensured on the contact unit 30 and thus also on the counter-pressure unit 100. The contact unit 30 is in this case attached in particular via a plurality of compression springs on the counter-pressure unit 100 and is moved together with the counter-pressure unit 100 in the direction of deposit P1 and against the deposit direction P1.

The counterpressure unit 100 comprises a housing 112, which has a first housing part 114 and a second housing part 116. In FIG. 5 the first housing part 114 is hidden so that the internal components of the back pressure unit 100, which are protected by the housing 112, are more visible.

In the housing 112, a torsion spring 118 is arranged, which has a wound wire 120 having a first end 122 and a second end 124. In this case, the torsion spring 118 is supported with its first end 122 on the housing 112, so that this first end 122 of the torsion spring 118 is mounted in a rotationally fixed relative to the housing 112.

The first gear 102 is rotatably mounted on a shaft 130, so that the shaft 130 is rotated accordingly with a rotation of the gear 104. The second end 124 of the torsion spring 120 is also secured to the shaft 130 by being inserted into a hole 132 of the shaft 130. In FIG. 6 This portion of the back pressure unit 100 is shown enlarged in detail.

Now, if a bill of exchange is fed by the feed unit 100 in the storage direction P1 to the value-added stack already received in the receiving area 16, then this is pressed against the end of the value-note stack facing the feed unit 14 with a feed force against the delivery note. As a result, the force exerted on the counter-pressure unit 100 is increased so that it is also moved in the direction of deposit P1. By the engagement of the first gear 102 in the first rack 20 and the engagement of the other gears 104 to 108 in the other racks 22 to 26 and the engagement of the gears 102 to 108 with each other, the first gear 102 is rotated in a first rotational direction P2. Thus, the shaft 130 is rotated in the second rotational direction P2, so that the torsion spring 118 is twisted. By this torsion of the torsion spring 118, the required for the safe storage of notes of value in the receiving area 16 counter-pressure force is applied.

The more notes of value already received in the receiving area 16, the greater the weight force which is exerted on the counterpressure unit 100 by the value note stack. Conversely, however, the torsion spring 118 is all the more twisted, the more notes of value are received in the receiving area 16, since the counter-pressure unit 100 is further moved in accordance with the deposit direction P1. Thus, the more counterprints the recorded value note stack comprises, the greater the applied counterpressure force. The characteristic of the torsion spring 118 is chosen in particular such that the weight force additionally acting by feeding new notes of value is approximately compensated by the corresponding greater counterpressure force due to the further twisting of the torsion spring 118, so that the feed force to be applied by the feed unit 14 is independent of the number the already recorded notes are about the same.

Furthermore, the previously described embodiment with a torsion spring 118 has the advantage that the counter-pressure force is applied purely passive, ie that no drive unit for moving the counter-pressure unit 100 is necessary. The Moving the counter pressure unit 100 in the storage direction P1 is effected exclusively by the force applied by the feed unit 14, moving counter to the feed direction P1 by the force applied via the torsion spring 118 counter-pressure force, if notes of value are removed and thus the force acting on the counter-pressure unit 100 force is reduced.

Since the torsion spring 118 is completely received in the housing 116, it is ensured that it does not come into contact with other components of the cashbox 100 or with the banknotes, so that a particularly simple, space-saving and reliable construction is provided.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, more than one torsion spring 118 may be provided. In particular, two torsion springs 118 may be provided, wherein one torsion spring 118 is connected to the first gear 102 and the other torsion spring 118 to the third gear 106.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

cashbox

12

casing

14

feed

16

reception area

20 to 26

rack

30

Contact unit

100

Contrast unit

102 to 104

gear

112

casing

114, 116

housing part

118

torsion spring

120

wire

122, 124

The End

130

wave

132

hole

P1

Shift direction

P2

direction of rotation

Claims (13)

1. A cash box, comprising
   a receiving area (16) for receiving a value note stack, wherein notes of value are mechanically feedable to the receiving area (16) in a deposit direction (P1),
   a counter-pressure unit (100) arranged in the receiving area (16) and movable in deposit direction (P1) and opposite to the deposit direction (P1) for exerting a counter-pressure force directed opposite to the deposit direction (P1) onto a value note stack receivable in the receiving area (16), and
   an elastic element which biases the counter-pressure unit (100) opposite to the deposit direction (P1) for generating the counter-pressure force,
   wherein the elastic element comprises at least one torsion spring (118) arranged on the counter-pressure unit (100),
   characterized in that the counter-pressure unit (110) comprises a housing (112), and that the torsion spring (118) is arranged completely within this housing (112), and
   that the torsion spring (118) is enclosed by the housing (112) on all sides.
2. The cash box (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the counter-pressure unit (100) has a recess in which the torsion spring (118) is received at least in part, preferably completely.
3. The cash box (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the receiving area (16) at least a first gear rack (20) extending in deposit direction (P1) is arranged and that the counter-pressure unit (100) comprises at least a first gearwheel (102), the toothing of which engages with the toothing of the first gear rack (20) and by means of which the counter-pressure unit (100) is mounted on the first gear rack (102).
4. The cash box (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the cash box (10) has a second gear rack (22) extending in deposit direction (P1), that the counter-pressure unit (100) has a second gearwheel (104) which meshes with the toothing of the second gear rack (22) and with the first gearwheel (102).
5. The cash box (10) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that in the receiving area (16) on the side which is opposite to the side at which the first gear rack (20) is arranged at least a third gear rack (24) extending in deposit direction (P1) is arranged and that the counter-pressure unit (100) comprises at least a third gearwheel (106), the toothing of which engages with the toothing of the third gear rack (24) and by means of which the counter-pressure unit (100) is mounted on the third gear rack (24).
6. The cash box (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the cash box (10) has a fourth gear rack (26) extending in deposit direction (P1), that the counter pressure unit (100) has a fourth gearwheel (108) which meshes with the toothing of the fourth gear rack (26) and with the third gearwheel (106).
7. The cash box (10) according to one of the claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the torsion spring (118) is coupled to the first gearwheel (102) such that the torsion spring (118) is twisted when the first gearwheel (102) is rotated in a first direction of rotation (P2).
8. The cash box (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that the torsion spring (118) is coupled to the first gearwheel (102) such that the torsion spring (118) is relaxed when the first gearwheel (102) is rotated in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation (P2).
9. The cash box (10) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the first gearwheel (102) is engaged with the first gear rack (20) such that the first gearwheel (102) is rotated in the first direction of rotation (P2) when the counter-pressure unit is moved in the deposit direction (P1) and is rotated in the second direction of rotation when it is moved opposite to the deposit direction (P1).
10. the cash box (10) according to one of the claims 3 to 9, characterized in that the torsion spring (118) comprises a wound wire (120) with a first end (122) and a second end (124), that the torsion spring (118) is supported via the first end (122) on the housing (112), and that the second end (124) is coupled to the first gearwheel (102) such that it is rotated when the first gearwheel (102) is rotated.
11. The cash box (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that the first gearwheel (102) is mounted on a shaft (130) in a rotationally fixed manner, and that the second end (124) of the wire (120) is fixed on the shaft (130).
12. The cash box according to claim 11, characterized in that the shaft (130) has a hole (132) into which the second end (124) of the wire (120) is inserted.
13. A counter-pressure unit for cash boxes, comprising an elastic element for biasing the counter-pressure unit opposite to the deposit direction (P1) for generating a counter-pressure force when the counter-pressure unit (100) is inserted into a cash box (10),
    wherein the elastic element comprises at least one torsion spring (118),
    characterized in that the counter-pressure unit (110) comprises a housing (112), and that the torsion spring (118) is arranged completely within this housing (112), and
    that the torsion spring (118) is enclosed by the housing (112) on all sides.

Images