EP2743221A1 - Device for handling banknotes, comprising a one-sided clamping unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus has a transport unit (26) that is configured for transporting a bundle of notes. The transport unit is provided with a belt, which is drivable by a drive unit (36). A clamping element (44) is arranged in first position such that a banknote bundle is located between clamping element and the belt in receiving portion (46) is fed and removed. The clamping element is arranged in second position such that recorded bundles of notes between the belts and the clamping element is clamped in the receiving portion.

Description

The invention relates to a device for handling bank notes, which comprises a transport unit for transporting a security bundle. This transport unit comprises a belt which can be driven by means of a drive unit.

The apparatus for handling banknotes is in particular an ATM, an automatic POS system and / or an automatic cash deposit. In these devices, the banknotes taken from cash boxes are first stacked in a stacking unit to a banknote bundle. Subsequently, this security bundle is transported by means of the transport unit to an output compartment for issuing the notes of value to the operator. If the operator does not remove the notes of value, the note bundle is transported back from the output tray in a so-called retract container.

In the case of most known devices, the transport of the value bundles takes place via bilateral belt arrangements, so that the security bundle is arranged between two belts while it is being transported. Alternatively, the value bundles can also be transported between pairs of rolls and / or a combination of a single-sided roll arrangement and a one-sided belt arrangement. Likewise, the transport between a unilateral belt assembly and fixed plastic elements take place, wherein the banknote bundle is pushed in particular with the aid of a pressure plate in the transport direction.

The problem with these transport units is that notes of value of the value bundle can easily slip relative to each other, so that no orderly bundle of value present more and thus easily loss of value or other disturbances can occur. In particular, in the case of a so-called retract, this can lead to the fanning out of the notes of value of the security bundle.

From the document DE 10247473 A1 a transport unit is known, which comprises a transport cart, in which the security bundle is received for transport. This dolly has a housing and a clamping element, wherein the value bundle is clamped during transport between the housing and the clamping element. Furthermore, the trolley has a drive unit with which it can be moved along different travels within the ATM. The problem with this transport unit is that it is elaborately constructed.

The document US 8146804 B2 describes an ATM and a transport unit, which has a belt attached to a receiving compartment for receiving the value bundle. The problem with this device is that even here the notes of value of the value bundle easily slip to each other and thus may cause interference.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device for handling bank notes, with the help of a security bundle is safe and reliable transportable.

This object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

According to the invention, the transport unit comprises a clamping unit which has a clamping element pivotable about an axis of rotation. In a first position, this clamping element is arranged such that a value bundle can be fed and / or removed from a receiving area located between the clamping element and the belt. In a second position, however, the clamping element is arranged such that a recorded in this receiving area Wertscheinbündel is clamped between the belt and the clamping element.

Thus, when the clamping member is disposed in the first position, a banknote bundle can be surely and easily supplied to the receiving area. If, however, the clamping element is arranged in the second position, a secure transport of the value bundle is ensured. About the clamping element and the belt the bank note bundle is clamped on both sides, so that over the acting contact force a fanning out of the value bundle, ie a slipping of the note relative to each other, is avoided. In particular, therefore, a value bundle, after it was offered in the output tray for removal, in the case of Nichtentnehmens again reliably clamped and thus safely to the retract area be transported back. Alternatively, the bundle of notes may also remain trapped during delivery through the output tray. This has the advantage that it can not fall out unintentionally.

The clamping unit is in particular attached to the belt so that it is moved together with the belt. Alternatively, the clamping unit can also be moved via a separate drive unit, preferably a driven toothed belt. In this case, in particular, the belt and the clamping unit are moved at the same speed, so that the clamping of the value bundle between the belt and the clamping unit is ensured.

The clamping element is in particular designed and mounted such that it is pivoted in the second position relative to the first position by a preset angle about the axis of rotation. This angle has, for example, a value in the range between 5 ° and 20 °, preferably between 6 ° and 10 °. Thus, an adjustment between the first and the second position is achieved in a simple manner, so that can be adjusted over only a short adjustment between the simple recording and secure clamping.

It is particularly advantageous if the clamping element is biased by means of at least one elastic element in the second position, and counter to a restoring force of this elastic element from the second to the first position is pivotable. By preloading in the position in which the value bundle is trapped is, it is ensured that the transport of the value bundle this is reliably and securely clamped and thus the slipping of the notes of the value bundle is prevented. In an alternative embodiment, the clamping element may be biased via an elastic element in the first position. In this case, the clamping element for clamping the Wertscheinbündels must be actively moved from the first to the second position and held during the transport of the value bundle in this second position.

The elastic element is designed in particular in the form of at least one spring, for example a torsion spring. Alternatively, a silicone block or a block of another elastic element can be used as the elastic element. Thus, a particularly simple structure is achieved.

In particular, the clamping unit comprises a base element fixedly attached to the belt, on which in turn the clamping element of the clamping unit is arranged pivotable about the axis of rotation. Under the fixed fixing is understood in particular that this basic element is not movable relative to the belt. As a result, when driving the belt, the clamping unit is moved, so that a recorded in the clamping unit value bundle can be easily transported.

The belt is in this case designed in particular as an endless belt, which is guided circumferentially around at least two deflection elements. At least one of these deflectors is powered by the drive unit, so too the belt is driven accordingly. The deflecting elements may in particular be rollers, in the case of the drive unit in particular a motor.

The endless belt is divided due to the guide on the two deflecting elements in a first and a parallel to the first portion extending second portion. The base element is fastened in particular to a first partial region, wherein the clamping element clamps the value bundle received in the receiving region between the clamping element and the second partial region when it is arranged in the second position. As a result, on the one hand, a particularly compact construction of the clamping unit and, on the other hand, a particularly secure reception of the value bundle between the clamping element and the belt is achieved.

Alternatively, the base member may also be attached to a separate toothed belt. The toothed belt can be driven by means of a drive unit, so that the clamping unit can be moved accordingly. The drive unit can be both the same drive unit with which the belt can also be driven and a separate drive unit. The toothed belt preferably runs approximately parallel to the belt and is fastened in particular to an end region of the base element.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the clamping unit is designed in such a way that a first value note arranged on a first end face of the value bundle bundle secures the clamping element and one opposite to one of the first end face second end face arranged second note the second portion of the belt contacted when the clamping member is arranged in the second position.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, at least one roller rotatable relative to the clamping element about its longitudinal axis is arranged on the clamping element, via which the value bundle is guided during feeding to the receiving area and / or during removal from the receiving area. In particular, a plurality of rollers arranged one behind the other are provided, so that the value bundle can slide on it and thus the frictional force between the attached to the clamping element facing side of the Wertscheinbündels value note and the clamping element is reduced, so that slipping of the notes of value of the value bundle each other is avoided.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the value bundle bundle can be transported by means of the transport unit from a first transfer area to a second transfer area and if in the first transfer area and / or in the second transfer area each an adjusting unit for adjusting the clamping element from the second to the first position when the clamping unit is arranged in the respective transfer area, is provided. It is thus achieved that, when the clamping unit is moved into one of the transfer areas, the clamping element prestressed via the elastic element in the second position is automatically moved via the adjusting unit into the first position counter to the restoring force of the elastic element. Thus, it is ensured that, the value bundle the receiving area can be fed when the clamping unit is arranged in the transfer area.

In particular, the adjusting unit may comprise a ramp which, when the clamping unit is moved into the corresponding transfer area, contacts the clamping element and rotates via this contact about the axis of rotation from the second to the first position. Thus, a particularly simple and compact construction is achieved and yet it is ensured that the clamping unit is arranged in the transfer area in the first position.

It is particularly advantageous if the clamping element comprises a first contact area for contacting the value bundle and a second contact area for contacting the ramp. The two contact areas are arranged on opposite sides of the clamping element with respect to the axis of rotation of the clamping element. In the second contact region, ie in the contact region over which the ramp is contacted, in particular a roller for contacting the ramp is provided. Thus, tilting of the clamping element with the ramp when moving the clamping unit is avoided in the transfer area and ensures ease of movement of the device.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, two parallel belts are provided. In this embodiment, the clamping unit in particular has a further clamping element, which also clamps the value bundle together with the other belt. The two clamping elements are in particular of identical construction. The two clamping elements are also preferably attached to the same basic unit of the clamping unit, wherein the base unit is fastened in particular to both belts. Thus, a particularly secure recording of the value bundle and a particularly reliable transport is achieved overall.

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

Figur 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zur Handhabung von Wertscheinen;

Figur 2

eine schematische Darstellung einer Transporteinheit der Vorrichtung nach Figur 1 gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform mit einem in einer ersten Position angeordneten Klemmelement einer Klemmeinheit;

Figur 3

eine schematische Darstellung der Transporteinheit nach Figur 2 mit einem in einer zweiten Position angeordneten Klemmelement;

Figur 4

eine schematische, perspektivische Darstellung der Klemmeinheit nach den Figuren 2 und 3;

Figur 5

eine weitere schematische, perspektivische Darstellung der Klemmeinheit nach Figur 4;

Figur 6

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung der in der ersten Position befindlichen Klemmeinheit;

Figur 7

eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung der Klemmeinheit in der zweiten Position und eines eingeklemmten Wertscheinbündels; und

Figur 8

eine schematische Darstellung einer Transporteinheit gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform.

Show it:

FIG. 1

a schematic representation of a device for handling bank notes;

FIG. 2

a schematic representation of a transport unit of the device according to FIG. 1 according to a first embodiment with a clamping element arranged in a first position of a clamping unit;

FIG. 3

a schematic representation of the transport unit according to FIG. 2 with a clamping element arranged in a second position;

FIG. 4

a schematic perspective view of the clamping unit according to the FIGS. 2 and 3 ;

FIG. 5

a further schematic perspective view of the clamping unit according to FIG. 4 ;

FIG. 6

a schematic sectional view of the clamping unit located in the first position;

FIG. 7

a schematic perspective view of the clamping unit in the second position and a clamped Wertscheinbündels; and

FIG. 8

a schematic representation of a transport unit according to a second embodiment.

In FIG. 1 a schematic representation of a device 10 for handling banknotes is shown. The device 10 comprises a vault 12, in which four cash boxes 14 to 20 are accommodated. To issue notes to an operator of the device 10 notes of value are taken from the cash box 14 to 20 and fed along a transport path 22 of a stacking unit 24, in which they are stacked to a banknote bundle. Here, the notes of value are in particular with their front and / or back to each other.

The value bundle is then fed by means of a transport unit 26 to an input and / or output tray 28 and presented to the operator via this. If the operator does not remove the value bundle from the input and / or output tray 28, this is transported back via the transport unit 26 again and, for example, fed to a so-called retract cassette 30.

The device 10 is in particular an ATM, an automatic POS system and / or an automatic cash deposit. In an alternative embodiment, more or less than four cash boxes 14 to 20 may be provided.

In an alternative embodiment, the entire device 10 may be formed as a safe. In this case, no partition between the vault 12 and the head module is provided accordingly.

In FIG. 2 a schematic representation of the transport unit 26 is shown. At least one roller 32, 34 is drivable via a drive unit, such as a motor, so that the belt 36 is driven accordingly.

On the belt 36, a clamping unit 38 is attached. This has a base member 40 which is fixedly secured to the above the two rollers 32, 34 located portion of the belt 36. In turn, a clamping element 44 is arranged pivotably about an axis of rotation 42 on the base element 40.

In FIG. 2 this clamping element 44 is shown in a first position. In FIG. 3 In contrast, the clamping element 44 is shown in a second position, in which it is a Preset angle is pivoted about the axis of rotation 42 relative to the first position.

When the clamping member 44 is disposed in the second position, it clamps a not shown value bundle between the clamping member and the lower part of the belt 36 so that it is securely received in a receiving area formed between the clamping member 44 and the belt 36 and thus can be transported reliably.

On the other hand, if the clamping element 44 is in the first position, as in FIG FIG. 2 shown, the distance to the belt 36 is so large that the value bundle is not clamped. For feeding the value bundle to the receiving area 46, the value bundle is raised by an unillustrated element in the direction of the belt 36, in particular so far that the value bundle is pressed against the belt 36, so that the belt 36 deforms slightly. Subsequently, the clamping unit 38 is moved in the direction of the value bundle, so that it is received in the receiving area 46 and clamped. During the transport of the value bundle by means of the transport unit 26, the clamping element 44 is arranged in the second position, so that a secure transport is achieved. About the entrapment between the clamping element 44 and the belt 36 is particularly ensured that the banknotes of the value bundle can not slip relative to each other and thus a reliable transport is possible and Wertscheinstaus or other disturbances are avoided.

The clamping element 44 is held in particular in the second position via at least one elastic element, so that it is ensured that it is arranged during transport in this second position and thus the entrapment of the value bundle is guaranteed. The elastic element is in particular a torsion spring 48 (FIG. FIG. 4 ).

In the transfer areas, i. in those areas in which the clamping unit 38 is arranged when it is a Wertscheinbündel fed and / or removed, in particular an adjusting unit 50 is provided in each case over which the clamping element 44 against the restoring force of the elastic member 48 from the second to the first Position is moved when the clamping unit 38 is moved into this transfer area. The adjusting unit 50 has a ramp 52 on which a roller 54 of the clamping element 44 runs when the clamping unit 38 is moved in the direction of the arrow P1 in the transfer area. Due to the ascending course of the ramp 52 seen in the direction P1, the clamping element 44 is rotated around the rotation axis 42 in accordance with the arrow P2 and thus moved from the second to the first position. Thus, a particularly safe, reliable and yet simple adjustment of the clamping unit 38 is achieved from the second to the first position when the clamping unit 38 is moved into the transfer area.

The transfer area is, in particular, the area in which the security bundle is supplied by the stacking unit 24 to the transport unit 26. Alternatively, the transfer area can also be the area in which the Wertscheinbündel between the transport unit 26 and the input and / or output tray 28 is passed. Furthermore, the transfer area can also be a feed area to the retract cassette 30.

In the region of the receiving region 46, a plurality of rollers 56 are provided on the clamping element 44, wherein these rollers 56 are rotatably mounted in particular about their longitudinal axis. The rollers 56 contact the arranged on the front side of the bank note bundle, so that a safe and easy feeding and removal of the value bundle with the lowest possible frictional forces is possible and slipping the notes of value of the bundle of values relative to each other is avoided during feeding and / or removal.

In the FIGS. 4 and 5 in each case a schematic perspective view of the clamping unit 38 and the adjusting unit 50 is shown.

FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of the arranged in the first position clamping unit 38th FIG. 7 shows a schematic, perspective view of the arranged in the second position clamping unit 38 and a clamped in her Wertscheinbündels 58th

On the base member 40, two clamping elements 44 are arranged. The two clamping elements 44 and the units attached to them are in particular of identical design and mirror-symmetrical to a median plane of the clamping unit 38, which is why in the FIGS. 4 to 7 for both clamping elements 44 and the other corresponding elements, the same reference numerals have been used.

The transport unit 26 has in this embodiment in particular two mutually parallel belts 36, 60, wherein the base member 40 is fixedly secured to both belts 36, 60. The one clamping element 44 clamps the value bundle together with the one belt 60 and the other clamping element 44 together with the other belt 36 when the two clamping elements 44 are each arranged in the second position. Thus, a particularly secure entrapment and a particularly secure transport is ensured, as in FIG. 7 is shown. The value bundle 58 is here clamped over the two clamping elements 44 and the two belts 36, 60 in two places, so that slipping of the notes of value of the value bundle 58 is reliably prevented.

The ramp 52 points, as in FIG. 6 shown, a rising in the feed direction P1 region 62 and a flat portion 64, seen in the feed direction P1 downstream of the region 62, on. When moving the clamping unit 38 in the transfer position, ie when moving in the feed direction P1, the clamping member 44 with its roller 54 first contacted the rising portion 62 and is thus pivoted from the second to the first position. Subsequently, the roller 54 runs on the flat area 64, so that the clamping element 44 is held in the first position without further pivoting. This achieves in particular that the clamping element 44 is reliably arranged in the transfer region in the first position, without that in the feed direction P1 a completely exact positioning must be done. Likewise, no forces directed counter to the feed direction P1 are exerted on the clamping unit 38 via the flat region 64, in contrast to the rising region 62.

In FIG. 8 is a schematic, perspective view of a section of a transport unit 26 shown according to a second embodiment. This second embodiment differs from that in the FIGS. 2 to 7 shown embodiment in that the clamping unit 38 is not attached to the belt 36, 60. Instead, a toothed belt 70 is provided, which is connected in an edge region with the clamping unit 38 and driven by a drive unit, not shown. Thus, the clamping unit 38 is moved via the toothed belt 70 independently of the belts 36, 60.

In a further alternative embodiment, at least two toothed belts 70 may also be provided for moving the clamping unit 38. The two toothed belts 70 are then attached to this at particular on opposite edge regions of the clamping unit 38.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

contraption

12

safe

14, 16, 18, 20

cashbox

22

transport path

24

stacker

26

transport unit

28

Input and / or output tray

30

Retractkassette

32, 34

role

36, 60

belt

38

terminal unit

40

basic element

42

axis of rotation

44

clamping element

46

reception area

48

torsion spring

50

adjustment

52

ramp

54, 56

role

58

Bundles of notes

62.64

Area

70

toothed belt

P1, P2

direction

Claims (15)

Apparatus for handling notes of value,
with a transport unit (26) for transporting a security billet,
wherein the transport unit (26) comprises at least one belt (36, 60) which can be driven by means of a drive unit,
characterized in that the transport unit (26) comprises a clamping unit (38), and
in that the clamping unit (38) comprises a clamping element (44) which is pivotable about an axis of rotation (42) and is arranged in a first position in such a way that a security bundle (58) can move between the clamping element (44) and the belt (36, 60). arranged receiving area (46) can be fed and / or removed, and which is arranged in a second position such that a recorded in the receiving area (46) Wertscheinbündel between the belt (36, 60) and the clamping element (44) is clamped. Device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamping element (44) is pivoted in the second position relative to the first position by a preset angle, in particular an angle between 5 ° and 20 °, about the axis of rotation (42). Device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the clamping element (44) by means of at least one elastic element (48), preferably by means of at least one spring, in particular by means of at least one torsion spring, is biased in the second position, and that the clamping element (44) against a restoring force of this elastic element (48) from the second position to the first position is pivotable. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping unit (38) is fixedly secured to the drivable belt (36, 60). Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the belt (36, 60) is a first belt (36, 60) that at least one drivable by means of a drive unit second belt (70), in particular at least one toothed belt (70 ), it is provided that the clamping unit (38) is fixedly secured to the second belt (70), and that the clamping element (44) in the second position a recorded in the receiving area (46) Wertscheinbündel not between the second belt (70) and the clamping element (44) clamped. Device (10) according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the clamping unit (38) comprises a fixedly attached to the first belt (36, 60) and / or the second belt (70) base member (40) on which the clamping element (44) is pivotably mounted about the axis of rotation (42). Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the belt (36, 60) as an endless belt (36, 60) is guided circumferentially around at least two deflecting elements (32, 34). Device (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that the endless belt (36, 60) is divided due to the guide on the two deflecting elements (32, 34) in a first portion and a parallel to the first portion extending second portion that the base member (40) is attached to the first portion, and that the clamping member (44) clamps the bundle (58) received in the receiving portion (46) between the clamping member (44) and the second portion when in the second position is. Device (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that the clamping unit (38) is formed such that a at a first end side of the value bundle (58) arranged first value certificate, the clamping element (44) and one on one of the first end face opposite the second end face arranged second note the second portion of the belt (36, 60) contacted when the clamping element (44) is arranged in the second position. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the clamping element (44) at least one relative to the clamping element (44) about its longitudinal axis rotatable roller (56) is arranged, via which the value bundle (58) when feeding to the receiving area (46) and / or removal from the receiving area (46) is guided. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the value bundle (58) by means of the transport unit (26) from a first transfer area to a second transfer area is transportable, and that in the first transfer area and / or in the second transfer area one each Adjusting unit (50) for adjusting the clamping element (44) from the second to the first position, when the clamping unit (38) is arranged in the respective transfer region, is provided. Device (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that the adjusting unit (50) comprises a ramp (52) which contacts the clamping element (44) when moving the clamping unit (36) into the corresponding transfer area and via this contact about the axis of rotation (FIG. 42) from the second to the first position. Device (10) according to claim 12, characterized in that the clamping element (44) comprises a first contact region for contacting the value bundle (58) and a second contact region for contacting the ramp (52), and that the two contact regions with respect to the axis of rotation ( 42) are arranged on opposite sides of the clamping element (44). Device (10) according to claim 13, characterized in that in the second contact region, a roller (54) for contacting the ramp (52) is provided. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping unit (38) comprises a further clamping element (44) which is in particular identical in construction to the one clamping element (44).

Images