EP3999460B1 - Device for transporting valuable notes - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for transporting notes of value with an endless circulating belt that is guided around at least two deflection elements. In addition, in one aspect of the invention, a freely rotatable guide roller mounted in the device can be provided for guiding and/or tensioning the belt.

Such a device for transporting notes of value is in particular a component of a device for handling notes of value, such as an automatic safe, an automatic cash register system and/or an automated teller machine, e.g. a deposit machine for depositing banknotes and cheques, a withdrawal machine for withdrawing banknotes or a recycling machine for depositing and withdrawing banknotes.

From document WO2012/110629A1 A device for handling notes of value is known in which endless belts are used to transport individual notes of value or a stack of notes of value, which come into contact with the front and/or back of a banknote in order to then transport the banknote through the static friction between the belt and the note of value when the belt rotates. The notes of value are transported between the belt and pressure and guide elements or between two belts arranged opposite one another.

To ensure safe transport of notes of value using rotating belts, the belts must have a predetermined belt tension, particularly when the opposite belt or the pressure and guide elements are pressed against the belt. To ensure the desired belt tension, guide rollers are known that press against the belt from the inside or the outside, in particular by means of a spring. The problem is that the belt tension decreases over time, particularly due to material fatigue of the belt.

The drive force that can be transmitted to the belt by a driven pulley depends essentially on the angle of wrap of the belt around the pulley and on the shape/structure, pressure force and coefficient of friction of the contacting surfaces of the pulley and the belt. If another pulley attached to the belt is used to drive the belt instead of the pulley or if the other pulley is driven via the belt, the drive force that can be transmitted essentially depends on the angle of wrap of the belt around the pulley and on the shape/structure, pressure force and coefficient of friction of the contacting surfaces of the other pulley and the belt. The problem is that the belt tension and thus the pressure force between the belt and the pulley decreases over time, particularly due to material fatigue of the belt, and/or the coefficient of friction decreases, so that a secure drive of the belt and thus a secure transport of the notes of value using the belt can no longer be guaranteed. For this reason, the belts for transporting notes of value are in devices for handling valuables are replaced regularly and in case of problems.

document US 6 726 620 B1 discloses a belt guided over deflection rollers, which is tensioned by means of a tension roller. The tension roller is spring-mounted by means of a spring and can thus be arranged in different positions relative to the belt 41.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device for transporting notes of value which is simple in construction and can be maintained inexpensively.

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

In a first aspect of the invention, the device for transporting notes of value comprises the features of claim 1.

Due to the different distance between the first receiving position and the second receiving position, the guide roller can only contact the belt in the first receiving position and in the second receiving position tension or deflect it by a first distance in the first receiving position and by a second distance in the second receiving position, so that different tensioning forces for tensioning the belt result between the first receiving position and the second receiving position.

This makes it easy to re-tension the belt by simply removing the connecting section from the receiving opening and inserting the receiving section into the receiving opening. In particular, if the belt becomes longer due to wear or aging, it can simply be re-tensioned and reused. Replacing the belt is therefore no longer absolutely necessary.

It is particularly advantageous if the rotation axis of the tension roller runs parallel to the plane in which the rotation axes of the deflection rollers are arranged. This ensures that the belt is evenly tensioned across the entire belt width.

It is particularly advantageous if the connecting area of the guide roller can be inserted into a slot-shaped receiving opening of the device. The slot-shaped receiving opening is provided in particular in a stationary housing element, a frame or a chassis of the device. It is particularly advantageous if the connecting area of the guide roller can be inserted into the slot-shaped receiving opening from above. Furthermore, it is particularly It is advantageous if the tension roller contacts the outer surface of the belt from the outside, at least in the second position. This allows for a simple structure and easy assembly and disassembly of the guide roller. The contact from the outside pushes the belt inwards, so that the angle of enclosure of adjacent rollers, in particular adjacent deflection rollers, is increased.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the guide roller presses against the outer surface of the belt from the outside, at least in the second position, in such a way that the wrap angle of the belt around at least one deflection roller or around a guide, drive and/or output roller is increased compared to the first position. This can ensure a secure drive of the belt or a secure drive of an output roller.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a further device for transporting notes of value according to claim 5.

This allows different tensions to be achieved or the belt to be re-tensioned.

In both the device according to the first aspect of the invention and the device according to the second aspect of the invention, the connecting region and the receiving opening are designed such that after the connecting region has been inserted into the receiving opening, the connecting region is held in the receiving opening in a rotationally secure manner. This enables simple assembly. This also ensures that the connecting region does not accidentally move from the first to the second receiving position or vice versa.

In the second position, the connection area is accommodated in the receiving opening rotated by 180° about the rotation axis of the guide roller or the rotation axis of the deflection roller compared to the first position. The receiving area preferably remains unchanged, ie neither an additional component is introduced into the receiving opening nor is a component removed from the receiving opening.

It is also advantageous if the receiving area is designed to be stationary in a frame or in a component of the device. The component can in turn be designed to be movable relative to the frame or the device. This enables a cost-effective construction of the device for transporting notes of value.

It is particularly advantageous if at least one, preferably the second, deflection roller can be driven by means of a drive unit, with the other deflection roller preferably being mounted so as to be freely rotatable. In other embodiments, the second deflection roller serves as an output roller for driving another element or another structural unit. This enables simple and cost-effective assembly and a simple structure of the device for transporting notes of value.

The belt can be a flat belt, a fan belt, a toothed belt or a V-belt. The notes to be transported can rest on the belt individually or as a stack of notes or be arranged between the belt and the tension roller. This allows for a simple structure depending on the application and requirements.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the guide roller or the first deflection roller is a freely rotatable on an axle element roller element. It is advantageous if a connecting element is provided at each end of the axle element that protrudes laterally from the roller element. This means that the guide roller or the first deflection roller can be easily mounted on both sides, which considerably simplifies the structure of the device and the belt can be driven with little oscillation and vibration.

It is particularly advantageous if the roller element is arranged on the axle element so that it cannot be moved axially. The guide roller or the first deflection roller is not displaced even when transverse forces act on the belt, so that the belt is safely guided by the guide roller or the first deflection roller.

It is particularly advantageous if an axle element is made up of at least two parts. The axle element preferably comprises two axle element parts, with one axle element part being insertable into the roller element on each side. This enables a simple structure and easy assembly of the guide roller or the first deflection roller. The two axle element parts are preferably connected to one another in the roller element. This can be done in particular via a plug-in, locking, press-fit, screw and/or welded connection. This enables simple manufacture and easy assembly and, if necessary, disassembly of the guide roller and the first deflection roller. It is particularly advantageous if the roller element is arranged on the axle element so that it can rotate freely via at least one sliding and/or roller bearing. This ensures good running properties of the roller element and thus low-loss rotation of the guide roller or the deflection roller.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments and in conjunction with the attached figures.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zur Handhabung von Wertscheinen;

Fig. 2

eine Seitenansicht einer Transporteinheit zum Transport von Wertscheinen der Vorrichtung nach Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

einen ersten Ausschnitt der Transporteinheit nach Fig. 2;

Fig. 4

einen zweiten Ausschnitt der Transporteinheit nach Fig. 2;

Fig. 5

eine Schnittdarstellung einer Führungsrolle der Transporteinheit nach Fig. 2;

Fig. 6

eine Schnittdarstellung der Führungsrolle nach Fig. 5 in einer um 180° gedrehten Position;

Fig. 7

eine Seitenansicht von Elementen der Transporteinheit nach Fig. 2 mit bekannten Führungsrollen;

Fig. 8

eine schematische Darstellung von insgesamt vier Kontaktpositionen von Führungsrollen;

Fig. 9

eine schematische Darstellung von drei Rollen und einem Riemen mit einer ersten Lage zueinander; und

Fig. 10

eine schematische Darstellung der drei Rollen und des Riemens nach Fig. 9 mit einer zweiten Lage zueinander.

Show it:

Fig.1

a schematic representation of a device for handling notes of value;

Fig. 2

a side view of a transport unit for transporting notes of value of the device according to Fig.1 ;

Fig.3

a first section of the transport unit after Fig.2 ;

Fig.4

a second section of the transport unit after Fig.2 ;

Fig.5

a sectional view of a guide roller of the transport unit according to Fig.2 ;

Fig.6

a sectional view of the guide roller according to Fig.5 in a position rotated by 180°;

Fig.7

a side view of elements of the transport unit after Fig.2 with known leadership roles;

Fig.8

a schematic representation of a total of four contact positions of guide rollers;

Fig.9

a schematic representation of three rollers and a belt with a first layer to each other; and

Fig.10

a schematic representation of the three rollers and the belt according to Fig.9 with a second layer to each other.

In Figure 1 a schematic representation of a device 10 for handling notes of value is shown. The device 10 is in particular an automatic safe, an automatic cash register system and/or an automated teller machine, such as a deposit machine for depositing banknotes and checks.

The device 10 comprises a head module 12 and a safe 14. Four security note cassettes 16a to 16d are arranged in the safe 14, in which the security notes can be stored. In particular, one of the security note cassettes 16a to 16d is intended for storing checks and the other three security note cassettes 16a to 16d for storing banknotes. The banknotes are stored in a single type, i.e. only banknotes of one denomination are stored in a security note cassette 16a to 16d. Alternatively, mixed storage can also be used. ie that in a security note cassette 16a to 16d, notes of different denominations are accommodated mixed. In an alternative embodiment, more than four or fewer than four, in particular two, security note cassettes 16a to 16d can be provided in the safe 14. In particular, a so-called reject cassette can be provided in which notes of value are accommodated that are suspected of being counterfeit and/or have damage. In a preferred embodiment, two security note cassettes 16a to 16d are provided, namely one for accommodating checks and one for accommodating banknotes.

The notes of value can be stored in the note cassettes 16a to 16d either in a stacked form in a storage area or wound up between two foil strips on a roll storage unit. Different types of note cassettes can also be used within the safe 14.

In the present embodiment, the device 10 can be designed as a pure deposit device in which only notes of value can be received. Alternatively, it can also be designed as a recycling device in which notes of value can be both inserted and dispensed.

The head module 12 has an input and output unit 36, via which the notes of value can be entered in the form of a stack of notes of value. Furthermore, individual notes of value and/or stacks of notes of value can also be issued to the operator of the device 10 via this input and output unit 36. The input and output unit 36 has in particular a so-called shutter 38, via which an opening for feeding and dispensing the notes of value can be opened and closed.

The safe 14 has a transfer slot 18 through which the notes of value are fed from the head module 12 to the safe 14. From the transfer slot 18, the notes of value are transported to the note cassettes 16a to 16d via a transport path designated by the reference numeral 22. The transport path 22 is formed by several transport units 24 to 28.

The head module 12 further comprises a control unit for controlling the components of the device 10, in particular for controlling drive units of the transport units 24 to 28: Furthermore, the head module 12 comprises an output unit 32 connected to the control unit 30, which serves in particular to display information, and an input unit 34, which serves in particular to input of information. The input unit 34 and the output unit 32 serve as a human-machine interface.

Fig.2 shows a side view of the transport unit 24 for transporting notes of value of the device 10 to Fig.1 .

The transport unit 24 comprises a first driven deflection roller 40 and a second non-driven deflection roller 42, around which a circulating transport belt 44 is guided for transporting notes of value (not shown). The transport unit 24 further comprises a plurality of freely rotating guide rollers 46 to 56, which contact the circulating belt 44 on its inside, as well as freely rotating guide rollers 58 to 62, which contact the outside of the endless belt 44 at least when no notes of value are being transported in the transport path 22 formed by the belt 44 and the guide rollers 58 to 62 and by guide elements 64, 66. The transport unit 24 has a frame comprising the guide elements 64, 66. Depending on the arrangement of the guide rollers 58 to 62 in the receiving openings 68 to 72 provided in the frame of the transport unit 24, the guide rollers 58 to 62 only contact the outer circumferential surface of the belt 44 or tension the belt 44 by a corresponding deflection of the belt 44. In the figure 2 In the arrangement of the guide rollers 58 to 62 shown, they deflect the belt 44 through the contact of the guide rollers 58 to 62 on the outside of the belt 44 towards the interior enclosed by the belt 44, so that the belt 44 is tensioned. As a result of the deflection of the belt 44, it is pressed by the guide roller 58 into the area between the guide rollers 46 and 48, by the guide roller 60 into the area between the guide rollers 48 and 50, and by the guide roller 62 into the area between the guide rollers 54 and 56, so that the angle of enclosure of the belt 44 is increased both for the inner guide rollers 46, 48, 50, 54, 56, and for the outer guide rollers 58, 60, 62.

The transport unit 24 further comprises a first removal unit 74 for removing notes of value from the cassette 16d and a removal unit 76 for removing notes of value from the cassette 16c.

If, in other embodiments, only notes of value are to be deposited with the aid of the device 10, the units 74, 76 are designed as feed units and, if the device 10 is designed as a recycling device for depositing notes of value and for repaying these notes of value, as feed and removal units for feeding notes of value into the respective cassette 16c, 16d and for removing notes of value from the respective cassette 16c, 16d.

Figure 3 shows a first section of the transport unit 24 after Figure 2 , in which the guide rollers 54, 56, 62 and the belt 44 are shown. The guide rollers 58 to 62 each have a roller element that can rotate freely on an axle element, with an axle end of the axle element protruding laterally from the roller element serving as a connection area. The roller elements are arranged in particular on the axle element so that they cannot be moved axially. The axle ends are designed in such a way that they can be inserted into the receiving openings 68 to 72 of the frame of the transport unit 24 both in the Figures 2 and 3 shown position as well as in a position rotated by 180° about the rotation axis 78. In the position rotated by 180°, the rotation axis 78 is arranged further away from the belt 44, so that the outer surface of the guide roller 62 is also arranged further away from the rotation axes 80, 82 of the guide rollers 54, 56. As a result, the guide roller 62 does not press the belt 44 into the area between the guide rollers 54, 56, whereby the belt 44 is less tensioned.

Figure 4 shows a second section of the transport unit after Figure 2 , the guide roller 62 is shown in a perspective view without the belt 44. In Figure 4 It is clearly visible that the connecting areas of the guide roller 62 formed by the axle ends 84, 86 are arranged in the receiving areas 72, 88. The guide roller 62 can be removed from the receiving areas 72, 88 can be removed. The connecting areas, ie the axle ends 84, 86, can then be rotated together by 180° and then reinserted into the receiving openings 72, 88, whereby the guide roller 62 is then arranged deeper in the guide element 66, so that the outer surface of the guide roller 62 then only contacts the outer circumferential surface of the belt 44 and no longer tensions the belt 44. Each of the guide rollers 58 to 62 can either be in the Figure 2 shown position, in which the respective guide roller 58 to 62 tensions the belt 44, as well as in a position with connection areas rotated by 180°, in which it merely contacts the belt 44. In this way, a total of four different belt tensions can be achieved with the three guide rollers 58 to 62.

Figure 5 shows a sectional view of the guide roller 62. The structure of the guide roller 62 corresponds to the structure of the guide rollers 58, 60. A roller element 96 is arranged freely rotatably on an axle element 98, wherein the axle element 98 is composed of two axle element parts 89, 90. A shoulder 92, 94 is formed in each of the axle element parts 89, 90, by which an axial displacement of the roller element 96 is prevented. To assemble the guide roller 62, the axle element parts 89, 90 are inserted into the hollow roller element 96 from one side each and preferably connected to one another. Alternatively the axle element parts 89, 90 can also be loosely inserted into one another and, after being received in the receiving openings 72, 88, held in these in such a way that they cannot move out of the roller element 96 in the direction of the rotation axis 78.

One axle end 84, 86 of each of the axle element parts 89, 90 protrudes laterally from the roller element 96. The axle ends 84, 86 each form a connection area of the axle element 98.

The connecting areas 84, 86 are designed in such a way that they can be connected both in the Figures 2 to 5 shown position in the receiving openings 72, 88 as well as in a Figure 6 shown position rotated by 180° around the axis of rotation 78.

In Figure 7 a side view of the transport unit 24 is shown, wherein guide rollers 100, 102, 104 known from the prior art are inserted into the receiving openings 68 to 72, which can be removed from the receiving openings 68, 70, 72 in the direction of the arrows P1, P2 and P3 and replaced with the guide rollers 58, 60, 62 in order to increase the belt tension of the belt 44, as shown in Figure 2 is shown.

Figure 8 shows a schematic representation of a total of four contact positions of guide rollers 62, 106, which can be inserted, for example, into the receiving openings 72, 88. In variant 4, the guide roller 62 is in the Figure 6 shown position, in which the guide roller 62 only contacts the belt 44 and in variant 2 in the position shown in the Figures 2 , 3 and 5 shown position in which it tensions the belt 44. The guide roller 62 can be replaced with another guide roller 106 with a larger outer diameter, as shown in variants 1 and 3. In variant 3, the guide roller 106 tensions the belt 44 in contrast to variant 4, but not as strongly as in variant 2. If the position of the guide roller 106 is changed by rotating the connecting areas of the guide roller 106 by 180°, the belt 44 is tensioned more strongly than in variants 2 and 3. With the help of the two guide rollers 62, 106, each of which can be changed in position, a total of four different contact levels L1 to L4 are created, so that four tension states of the belt 44 can be created.

In variants 3 and 4, the position of the axis of rotation is shifted by the amount Δx compared to variants 1 and 2.

Figure 9 shows the schematic arrangement of three guide rollers and a belt in a first layer according to variant 3 according to Figure 8 to each other. Guide rollers 54, 56 and 106 as well as the belt 44 have been selected as examples. Figure 9 In the position of the guide rollers 54, 56, 106 relative to one another as shown, the belt 44 of the guide roller 54 has a contact area 110 with the guide roller 56, a contact area 112 and with the guide roller 106, a contact area 114.

Figure 10 shows a schematic representation of the three rollers 54, 56, 106 and the belt 44 according to Figure 9 , in which the leadership role 106 in the Figure 8 shown variant 1, so that the belt 44 is opposite Figure 9 is further tensioned. As a result, the contact areas 110 to the guide roller 54, 112 to the guide roller 56 and 114 to the guide roller 106 are also enlarged, whereby the wrap angles of the respective rollers 54, 56, 106 are also enlarged.

List of reference symbols

10

contraption

12

Head module

14

safe

16a to 16d

Cash cassettes

18

Transfer slot

22

Transport path

24, 26, 28

Transport purity

30

Control unit

32

Output unit

34

Input unit

36

Input and output unit

38

Shutter

40, 42

Deflection pulley

44

belt

46 to 62

Leadership role

64, 66

Guide element

68 to 72, 88

Receiving openings

74, 76

Withdrawal unit

78, 80, 82

Rotary axes

89, 90

Axle element part

92, 94

shoulder

96

Roller element

98

Axle element

100, 102, 104, 106

Leadership roles

110, 112, 114

Contact areas

P1, P2, P3

Direction arrows

L1, L2, L3, L4

Altitude level

Claims (15)

1. Apparatus for transporting notes of value,

   having a first deflecting roller (40) mounted in the apparatus (24) and having at least one second deflecting roller (42) mounted in the apparatus (24),

   having an endless belt (44), which circulates around the deflecting rollers (40, 42), and

   having a freely rotatable guide roller (62), which is mounted in the apparatus (24) and has at least one connecting region (84, 86) for accommodating in an accommodating opening (72, 88) of the apparatus (24),

   wherein, in a first accommodating position of the connecting region (84, 86) in the accommodating opening (72, 88), the axis of rotation (78) of the guide roller (62) is at a first orthogonal distance from a plane in which the axes of rotation of the deflecting rollers (40, 42) run, and

   wherein, in a second receiving position of the connecting region (84, 86) in the receiving opening (72, 88), the axis of rotation (78) of the guide roller (62) is at a second orthogonal distance from the plane,

   characterized in that, in the second position, the connecting region (84, 86) is accommodated in the accommodated opening (72, 88) in a state in which it has been rotated by 180° about the axis of rotation (78) of the guide roller (62) in relation to the first position.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the axis of rotation (78) of the guide roller (62) runs parallel to the plane.
3. Apparatus according to either of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting region (84, 86) of the guide roller (62) can be inserted into a slotlike accommodating opening (72, 88) preferably from above, and wherein, at least in the second position, the guide roller (62) is in contact with the lateral surface of the belt (44) from the outside.
4. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, at least in the second position, the guide roller (62) pushes against the lateral surface of the belt (44) from the outside such that the wraparound angle of the belt (44) around at least one deflecting roller (40, 42) or around a guide roller and/or drive roller (46 to 56) is increased in relation to the first position.
5. Apparatus for transporting notes of value,

   having a first deflecting roller (40) mounted in the apparatus (24) and having at least one second deflecting roller (42) mounted in the apparatus, and having an endless belt (44), which circulates around the deflecting rollers (40, 42),

   wherein the first deflecting roller (40) has at least one connecting region for accommodating in an accommodating opening of the apparatus (24), wherein, in a first accommodating position of the connecting region in the accommodating opening, the axis of rotation of the first deflecting roller (42) is at a first distance from the axis of rotation of the second deflecting roller (40), and

   wherein, in a second accommodating position of the connecting region in the accommodating opening, the axis of rotation of the first deflecting roller (42) is at a second distance from the axis of rotation of the second deflecting roller (40),

   characterized in that, in the second position, the connecting region (84, 86) is accommodated in the accommodating opening in a state in which it has been rotated by 180° about the axis of rotation (78) of the deflecting roller (42) in relation to the first position.
6. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the connecting region (84, 86) is accommodated in a rotationally secure manner in the accommodating opening (72, 88).
7. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the accommodating region (72, 88) is unchanged.
8. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the accommodating region (72, 88) is formed at a fixed location in a framework of the apparatus (24) .
9. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one, preferably the second, deflecting roller (40) can be driven with the aid of a drive unit, wherein the other deflecting roller (42) is mounted in a freely rotatable manner.
10. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the belt (44) is a flat belt or a pocket belt or a toothed belt or a V belt, wherein the notes of value which are to be transported rest on the belt (44), and/or are arranged between the belt (44) and the guide roller, individually or in the form of a stack of notes of value.
11. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide roller (62) or the first deflecting roller (42) comprises a roller element (96), which is freely rotatable on a spindle element (98), wherein a respective connecting element (84, 86) is provided by a respective spindle end (84, 86) of the spindle element (98), the spindle end projecting on a respective laterally from the roller element (96).
12. Apparatus according to Claim 11, wherein the roller element(96)is arranged in an axially nondisplaceable manner on the spindle element (98).
13. Apparatus according to Claim 11 or 12, wherein the spindle element (98) is of at least two-part design, and wherein a respective spindle-element part (89, 90) can be introduced into one side of the roller element (96).
14. Apparatus according to Claim 13, wherein the two spindle-element parts (89, 90) are connected to one another in the roller element (96), preferably via a plug-in, latching, press-fit, screw-fit and/or welded connection.
15. Apparatus according to one of Claims 11 to 14, wherein the roller element (96) is arranged in a freely rotatable manner on the spindle element (98) via at least one plain and/or rolling bearing.

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