JP2000264489A - Paper sheet separator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a paper sheet separator which accurately separates paper sheet one by one from a plurality of paper sheets at high speed. SOLUTION: This separator 10 is provided with a temperature detector 25 and a humidity detector 26 adjacent to a feed roller 12 and a separation roller 13, and a number detector 27 detecting the number of paper sheets guided between the both rollers. The speed of rotation of the feed roller, reverse rotation torque of the separation roller, and a pinch pressure between the both rollers are appropriately changed based on the detecting results outputted by the respective detectors, so that the inputted paper sheet can be separated one by one at high speed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet separating apparatus for separating a plurality of stacked sheets one by one.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a copying machine, a simple printing machine (page printer) for DTP, a counter device for counting the number of bills and securities, an automatic ticket gate machine for processing sheet-shaped ticket media, etc. It is necessary to separate two or more paper sheets (sheet-like media) in a folded state one by one.

For this reason, a barrier (wall) or a claw-shaped projection or the like is provided at a leading end portion in a direction in which a sheet-shaped medium (hereinafter, referred to as a sheet medium) is conveyed to block all the sheet media,
A method in which the blocked sheet medium is conveyed one by one by a roller body or a friction member, and a plurality of arms (claws) formed to be rotatable or movable in parallel on a sheet medium (group) held at a predetermined position. A method in which the sheet medium is separated so as to be scraped one by one while being inserted, a method in which the sheet medium is dropped one by one in the gap of each wing state while rotating a plurality of wings arranged in an arbitrary gap, or The two roller bodies are arranged so that the rolling surfaces (roller surfaces) of the respective roller bodies are in contact with each other, and the rotation of the one roller body in the direction in which the sheet medium is to be conveyed (forward direction) is applied to the other roller body. In the case where two or more sheet media enter the space between the rolling surfaces by applying reverse rotations smaller than the rotational force in the direction to be conveyed, an undesired sheet medium is used by utilizing the slip between the media. Press To method and the like have been widely used.

The method using two rollers is often used in a paper feeding mechanism in a copying apparatus or an insertion port (take-in portion) of a ticket medium in an automatic ticket gate.

[0005]

In the above-described sheet separating mechanism using two rollers, a separation roller in which the rotation in the direction of returning the medium is given to the feed roller for giving the rotation in the direction of sending the medium to the sheet medium. When the sheet medium does not exist between the rollers due to the rotational force from the feed roller or when only one sheet medium is guided between the rollers, the rolling surface of the roller is the rolling surface of the feed roller. It is rotated in the same direction as the surface (the rotation of the shaft is in the opposite direction to the feed roller).

Further, the torque acting on the rolling surface in contact with the feed roller is smaller than a predetermined magnitude by a torque limiter incorporated in the separation roller. If the sheet media is not affected by the rotation transmitted from the feed roller due to slippage at the mutual contact surface), the sheet medium rotates in the direction opposite to the transport direction (the rotation of the shaft is the same direction as the feed roller) Is done.

However, the above-mentioned method of reversing the rotation direction of the separation roller by using the torque limiter utilizes the slip (frictional resistance) of the torque limiter, and is not suitable for high-speed processing (separation). There is. In addition, if the torque is simply increased for the purpose of increasing the processing speed, there is a problem that the wear of the roller is increased and the cost is increased as a result.

Further, it is needless to say that the size of the friction coefficient defined between the sheet media and the magnitude of the friction coefficient defined between the sheet medium and the separation roller, that is, the height of the friction coefficient is determined by the separation roller. The coefficient of friction between the sheet and the sheet medium must be higher than the coefficient of friction between the sheets.

In order to separate a sheet medium by friction, it is necessary to optimize a coefficient of friction and a sheet conveying speed. In addition, the coefficient of friction varies with changes in ambient temperature and humidity. From this, the coefficient of friction (separation characteristics)
Is set in accordance with the temperature and humidity that are most difficult to separate.

However, there is a problem that the separation characteristics set by this method become excessive for many periods over the whole year, and as a result, the cost of the apparatus increases.
Also, changing the separation characteristics in accordance with changes in the ambient temperature and humidity is not suitable for practical use, because it also increases the cost of the apparatus.

It is known that when the number of sheet media conveyed at one time between the rollers exceeds a predetermined number, the separation ability is reduced. In this case, it can be improved by increasing the pinch force defined between the feed roller and the separation roller, but is not suitable for practical use because the abrasion of the roller surface is accelerated.

An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet processing apparatus capable of separating a plurality of sheet media at a high speed.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made based on the above problems, and includes a feed roller that rotates in a first direction to convey paper sheets in a predetermined direction, and a feed roller that rotates in a first direction. A first driving means for rotating, and a separation which is brought into contact with the feed roller at one point on an outer peripheral surface of the feed roller and is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction with the rotation of the feed roller. A roller, second driving means for applying a rotational torque in a first direction to the separation roller, and detecting the number of the paper sheets guided to a conveyance area where the feed roller and the separation roller are in contact with each other. Means for detecting the number of sheets, and the first
And a separation control unit for controlling the number of rotations of the feed roller to increase or decrease the number of rotations of the feed roller.

Further, the present invention provides a feed roller which rotates in a first direction for carrying a torque of a sheet in a predetermined direction, a first driving means for rotating the feed roller, A separation roller that is brought into contact with the feed roller at one point on an outer peripheral surface and is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction with the rotation of the feed roller; Second driving means for applying a rotational torque in a direction, pinch pressure changing means for changing a pinch pressure applied to the feed roller and the separation roller,
A sheet number detecting means for detecting the number of the paper sheets guided to a transport area where the feed roller and the separation roller are in contact with each other, and the pinch pressure and the pinch pressure by the pinch pressure changing means based on a detection result of the sheet number detecting means. Separation control means for controlling at least one of the rotation torques of the second drive means to increase or decrease.

Further, the present invention provides a feed roller that rotates in a first direction to carry a torque of a sheet in a predetermined direction, a first driving unit that rotates the feed roller,
A separation roller which is brought into contact with the feed roller at one point on an outer peripheral surface of the feed roller, and which is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction with the rotation of the feed roller; A second driving unit that applies a rotational torque in the first direction; a pinch pressure changing unit that changes a pinch pressure applied to the feed roller and the separation roller; and at least one of the separation roller and the feed roller. A temperature detecting unit provided near one of the rollers, for detecting a temperature near both rollers, and the pinch pressure by the pinch pressure changing unit based on the temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit and the temperature by the second driving unit. And a separation control means for controlling at least one of the rotation torques to increase or decrease.

Still further, the present invention provides a feed roller that rotates in a first direction to carry a torque of a sheet in a predetermined direction, a first driving unit that rotates the feed roller, and the feed roller. At one point on the outer peripheral surface of the first roller, and the first roller is rotated by rotation of the first roller.
A separation roller rotated in a second direction opposite to the direction of the second direction, a second driving means for applying a rotation torque in the first direction to the separation roller, and the feed roller and the separation roller. A pinch pressure changing unit for changing the applied pinch pressure, a humidity detecting unit provided near at least one of the separation roller and the feed roller, and detecting humidity near both rollers, and the humidity detecting unit detects the humidity. Separation control means for controlling increase or decrease of at least one of the pinch pressure and the rotational torque by the second drive means by the pinch pressure change means based on the obtained humidity. Is provided.

Still further, the present invention provides a feed roller which rotates in a first direction for carrying a torque of a sheet in a predetermined direction, a first driving means for rotating the feed roller, and the feed roller. At one point on the outer peripheral surface of the first roller, and the first roller is rotated by rotation of the first roller.
A separation roller rotated in a second direction opposite to the direction of the second direction, a second driving means for applying a rotation torque in the first direction to the separation roller, and the feed roller and the separation roller. Pinch pressure changing means for changing the applied pinch pressure; temperature detecting means provided near at least one of the separation roller and the feed roller to detect a temperature near both rollers; and the separation roller and the feed roller. A humidity detection unit provided near at least one of the rollers and configured to detect humidity near both rollers; and the pinch pressure changing unit based on the temperature and humidity detected by the temperature detection unit and the humidity detection unit, respectively. Separation control means for increasing or decreasing at least one of the pinch pressure and the rotational torque by the second drive means. There is provided a paper sheet separating apparatus.

Still further, according to the present invention, there is provided a feed roller which rotates in a first direction in order to convey paper sheets in a predetermined direction, first driving means for rotating the feed roller, A separation roller that is brought into contact with the feed roller at one point on an outer peripheral surface and is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction with the rotation of the feed roller; Second driving means for applying a rotational torque in the direction, sheet number detecting means for detecting the number of the sheets guided to a transport area where the feed roller and the separation roller are in contact, and detection by the sheet number detecting means. And a separation control means for controlling increase / decrease of the transport speed by the feed roller based on the result.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a paper sheet separating mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the separating mechanism 10
It has a first roller (feed roller) 12 rotated by a feed roller motor 11 in a first direction indicated by an arrow A, and a rotation shaft 13a defined substantially parallel to a rotation shaft 12a of the first roller 12. Further, a second roller (separation roller) 13 is arranged such that the outer peripheral surface of the first roller 12 and the outer peripheral surface of the first roller 12 are at least partially in contact with each other.

The separation roller 13 includes a separation roller motor 14
Accordingly, in the state where the sheet-shaped medium (sheets) does not exist between the two rollers, the direction of the arrow B is the same as the first direction (the direction of movement of the outer peripheral surface at the position where the outer peripheral surfaces of both rollers are close to each other is opposite) ) Is rotated. Note that the stacked sheet-like media (sheets) 1a, 1b,..., 1n are arranged at respective outer circumferences from a direction shown by an arrow C via a not-shown inlet (or insertion section). Separation area 1 where the surfaces are in contact
Guided to 5a.

The separation roller motor 14 has a separation area 15a.
In this case, the outer peripheral surfaces of the feed roller and the separation roller are fixed to a base member (not shown) by a pinch arm 15 capable of adjusting a pressure (pinch pressure) defined by being pressed against each other. Also, the pinch arm 15
Is formed so as to be rotatable around a shaft 18 supported by bearings 16 and 17. Therefore, when the pinch arm 15 is rotated, the pinch pressure applied to the separation region 15a can be arbitrarily set. The pinch arm 15 is provided with a spring 19 that provides a force in the direction of pressing the separation roller 13 (supported by the pinch arm 15) against the feed roller 12, and guides the roller 19 between the rollers, that is, the separation area 15a. The degree to which the separation roller 13 is pressed against the feed roller 12 can be changed according to the number of sheet media to be performed. As a result, problems such as a sudden change in the pinch pressure and locking of the roller when a card or the like having a large thickness is guided are reduced.

An end of the spring 19 opposite to the pinch arm 15 has a pinch pressure adjusting mechanism for adjusting the magnitude of the pinch pressure applied to the separation area 15a (the contact strength between the outer peripheral surfaces of both rollers). The worm wheel 2 meshed with the worm gear 22 provided on the motor 21
3 is connected to an adjustment arm 24 attached to the control arm 3.
Thus, the amount of rotation of the pinch arm 15 can be controlled by changing the force applied to the spring 19 from the adjustment arm 24, and the outer peripheral surface of the separation roller 13 and the feed roller 12 can be changed by changing the rotation of the motor 21. , That is, the size of the separation region 15a can be arbitrarily set.

The separation mechanism 10 also has a speed control circuit 31 for controlling the rotation of the feed roller motor 11 for rotating the feed roller 12, and a torque control circuit for controlling the torque generated by the separation roller motor 14 for rotating the separation roller 13. 32, the amount of rotation of the pinch arm 15, that is, the separation region 15
a phase control circuit 33 for operating the motor 21 for driving the adjusting arm 24 in order to change the magnitude of the tension applied to the spring 19 for the purpose of changing the pinch pressure applied to the a, and a speed control circuit 31; Each of the circuit 32 and the phase control circuit 33 is provided with a separation condition control device 34 for outputting a predetermined control command.

The separation condition control device 34 includes a temperature detector 25 for detecting the temperature in the peripheral area of the separation mechanism 10 (the separation roller 13 and the feed roller 12), and a humidity detector 26 for detecting the humidity in the peripheral area. , And 1n inserted into an inlet or an insertion portion (not shown) toward the separation region 15a. The number of sheet-like media detected by the number-of-sheets detector 27 that detects the number of sheet-like media 1a, 1b,. Is entered.

Next, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the sheet-like media 1a, 1b,... Conveyed to the separation area 15a by the separation mechanism 10 shown in FIG.
, 1n will be described.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the feed roller 12 is rotated in the direction of arrow A by the first torque supplied from the feed roller motor 11. Separation roller 13
Is rotated in the direction of arrow B by a second torque smaller than the first torque provided to the feed roller 12 from the feed roller motor 11, but the difference between the second torque and the first torque is As a result, the outer peripheral surface of the feed roller 12 is rotated in the direction of rotation, that is, in the direction of arrow D, which is the direction opposite to the direction indicated by arrow B.

In this state, a not-shown insertion port (insertion section)
Then, when one sheet-shaped medium 1x is supplied, the sheet-shaped medium 1x is conveyed by a conveying force provided from the feed roller 12 toward a not-shown conveyance path at a later stage. At this time, the separation roller 13 is rotated in the direction in which the rotation of the shaft is reversed (the direction of the arrow D) as described above by the frictional force between the separation roller 13 and the sheet-shaped medium (FIG. 2B). .

On the other hand, two or more sheet media 1a, 1b,..., 1n and at least two sheet media 1y and 1z are fed to an input port (insertion section) not shown. Separation area 15 between separation roller 12 and separation roller 13
When the sheet is conveyed in a state where it is overlapped with a (FIG. 3A),
Due to the difference in the frictional force between the sheet-like medium and each roller with respect to the frictional force between the sheet-like media, the feed roller 12
Slip occurs between the sheet medium 1y in contact with the sheet medium and the sheet medium 1z in contact with the separation roller 13, that is, between the sheet medium, so that the separation roller 13 is rotated by the separation roller motor 14 in the direction ( The feed roller 12 is rotated in the direction of arrow A, which is the rotation direction of the feed roller 12, but its speed is reduced, or the rotation is temporarily stopped by speed balance (balance). .

That is, the sheet medium 1y in contact with the feed roller 12 is transported downstream in the direction in which the feed roller 12 is rotated, and the remaining sheet medium 1z (or a plurality of sheet media) may be removed. 3 is temporarily stopped by being pushed back to the input port side by the separation roller 13 or slipping against the sheet-like medium 1y at that position.
(B)).

In the state where the sheet-like medium 1z is stopped by the separation roller 13 or the conveyance speed is reduced, the sheet-like medium 1y in contact with the feed roller 12 is separated from the separation area 1.
When only one sheet medium (only 1z) exists in the separation area 15a after being transported downstream of the separation roller 15a, the separation roller 13 is again rotated in the direction of arrow B with the rotation of the feed roller 12. (FIG. 3C).

In other words, the separation roller 13 is given a torque by the separation roller motor 14 in a direction in which the rotation direction is opposite to that of the feed roller 12 at a position in contact with the outer periphery of the feed roller 12. Only when two or more sheet-shaped media are guided in the gap between them, the medium is rotated in the rotation direction defined by the separation roller motor 14, the rotation is stopped, or the rotation is The plurality of sheet-like media are separated one by one by reducing the rotation speed in the direction.

Incidentally, as described above, it is known that the friction coefficient, which is one of the elements of the separation characteristics in the separation region 15a, fluctuates due to changes in ambient temperature and humidity. Also, it is known that the separation ability rapidly decreases as the number of sheet media guided to the separation area 15a increases to three or four.

The relationship between the pinch pressure defined between the separation roller 13 and the feed roller 12 and the torque applied to the separation roller 13 (the reverse torque applied in the direction of arrow D) is shown in FIG. As shown, when considering the variation range of the friction coefficient μα defined between the sheet-shaped media and the variation range of the friction coefficient μβ defined between the sheet-shaped medium and the roller, When the condition sandwiched by μαmax which is the maximum value of the friction coefficient between the sheet-like media and μmin which is the minimum value of the variation range of the friction coefficient defined between the sheet-like medium and the roller is satisfied, Will provide isolation. FIG.
In, the speed at which the sheet-shaped medium is conveyed is constant.

Under the conditions required by FIG. 4, it is recognized that if the number of sheet-like media guided simultaneously in the separation area 15a is large, the magnitude of the pinch pressure required between the rollers increases. Can be This suggests that if the number of sheet media guided to the separation area 15a exceeds a predetermined number, the speed at which the sheet media is conveyed should be reduced. Note that the relationship between the speed at which the sheet medium is conveyed and the number of sheet media capable of separating the simultaneously guided sheet medium is inversely proportional to the conveyance speed, as shown in FIG.

Next, the separation control of the sheet-like media 1a, 1b,..., 1n by the separation mechanism 10 shown in FIG. 1 will be described in detail.

A plurality of sheet-like media 1a, 1b, at least partially overlapping each other at an arbitrary conveying speed.
., 1n, the pinch pressure applied to the separation area 15a between the feed roller 12 and the separation roller 13, the torque of the rotation of the separation roller 13 in the reverse direction, The given transport speed is usually set based on data held in the ROM 35, for example, as a preset initial value. The outer peripheral surfaces of the feed roller 12 and the separation roller 13 are
Normally, by arranging an elastic body, particularly a rubber material by a predetermined thickness, a predetermined friction coefficient μβ is secured with the sheet-like medium, but the friction coefficient μβ depends on the surrounding temperature, As shown in FIG. 6, since it is known to fluctuate about twice between the maximum value and the minimum value, as described below, the pinch pressure or the transport speed is optimized according to the ambient temperature. Is done. Note that the friction coefficient μ
Is changed, but the change is smaller than the change with respect to the temperature change, and therefore, the description is omitted here.

For example, when the temperature detector 26 detects that the ambient temperature has decreased, the friction coefficient μα between the sheet-like medium and the roller tends to increase as shown in FIG. As can be seen, the pinch pressure may be increased. That is, under the control of the phase control circuit 33 corresponding to the control command from the separation condition control device 34, the motor 21 is rotated by a predetermined angle, the adjustment arm 24 is rotated by the worm gear 22 and the worm wheel 23, and the pinch arm 15 is rotated. As a result, the pinch pressure is increased by displacing the pinch pressure in the increasing direction. When the ambient temperature increases, for example, the torque control circuit 32 increases the reverse rotation torque applied to the separation roller 13 by the separation roller motor 14.

Thus, even when the temperature changes within a predetermined range, the sheet-like medium can be appropriately separated without lowering the transport speed.

If, for example, the number of simultaneously inserted sheet-shaped media is rapidly increased by the number-of-sheets detector 27, the speed control circuit 31 rotates the number of rotations of the transport roller 12, that is, the sheet-shaped media. Although the processing capacity is reduced by temporarily lowering the transport speed at which the sheet is transported, it is possible to prevent the sheet-shaped medium from being clogged in the separation area or interrupting the subsequent processing due to separation failure.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing an automatic ticket gate to which the sheet separating apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 can be applied.

As shown in FIG. 7, the automatic ticket gate 10
Reference numeral 1 denotes a plurality of ticket media, that is, a plurality of sheet-like media in which a plurality of sheet-like media including a combination of a ticket, an express ticket, a commuter pass, and a ticket provided with a magnetic recording layer may be simultaneously inserted. It is an automatic ticket gate.

The automatic ticket gate 101 has an insertion slot 112 into which a ticket medium is inserted when entering or leaving the station yard, and an ejection slot through which the ticket medium received at the insertion slot 112 is discharged. 114 are provided respectively. In some cases, a plurality of ticket media may be inserted into the insertion slot 112 in a stacked state.

The discharge port 114 is formed so as to collectively discharge all tickets except for collected (ticket collection) tickets in a stacked state when a plurality of ticket media are loaded at once.

At a predetermined position on the side of the automatic ticket gate 101, a user who has inserted the ticket medium passes through based on the state of the inserted ticket medium (conditions recorded on the ticket medium). A door unit 120 is provided to prevent such a situation.

At a predetermined position above the automatic ticket gate 101, there is provided a frame 122 for partitioning a passage defined between the automatic ticket gate 101 and an adjacent automatic ticket gate 101. The frame 122 is provided with a display 26 for notifying that a child ticket (discount ticket) has been inserted, that an abnormal ticket has been inserted, or that an abnormality has occurred in a device. The frame 122 is also provided with a plurality of detection sensors 124 for detecting that the user is passing through the passage and has reached the door 120.

In the vicinity of the slot 112, there is provided a shutter 128 for temporarily preventing a ticket medium from being continuously inserted by a subsequent user.

At the downstream side of the shutter 128, the input port 11
A separation mechanism 130 is provided for separating the ticket media (sheet-shaped media) inserted into the tray 2 into individual ones. In addition,
The separation mechanism 130 has the same operation principle as the separation mechanism 10 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, and thus a detailed description is omitted.

A main transport path 132 for transporting the ticket medium separated by the separating mechanism 130 to the outlet 114 is formed between the separating mechanism 130 and the outlet 114.

In the main transport path 132, a plurality of feed rollers and transport belts for sequentially transporting the ticket media are arranged.

In the main transport path 132, the ticket media separated one by one by the separation mechanism 130 is used as a transport direction with a predetermined direction of the ticket media inserted into the insertion slot 112 and an arbitrary side as a reference. Alignment unit 1 for arranging ticket media as
34 are provided.

At the downstream side of the arranging section 134, a ticket medium is inserted with the surface on which the entrance station information, the fee, and the like are printed facing up or facing down. Even in this case, a pair of first and second pairs sandwiching the main transport path 132 for reading the recorded magnetic information
Reading heads 136 a and 136 b are provided along the main transport path 132. That is, when the ticket medium is loaded on the front side, the magnetic recording unit of the ticket medium is
In order to face downward, the read head 136b reads the magnetic information, and when the ticket medium is inserted on the back side, the read head 136b moves the magnetic recording portion of the ticket medium to above the main transport path 132. The magnetic information can be read by 136a.

On the downstream side of the reading heads 136a and 136b, a ticket which is conveyed on the main conveying path 132 to enable writing of a predetermined item by only one set of recording (printing) heads provided at the subsequent stage. It includes a reversing unit 138a for aligning the front and back of the medium, and checks the validity of the ticket medium by combining a plurality of sheets, for example, whether or not the available sections are continuous, to insert the insertion port 112 (separation mechanism 13).
A first holding unit 138 is provided for temporarily holding all the ticket media inserted in 0).

Downstream of the first holding section 138, a write head 140 for recording predetermined magnetic information in a magnetic recording area provided on the back surface of the ticket medium discharged from the first holding section 138, A read head 142 for confirming information recorded by the write head 140; a punch device 144 for punching a hole indicating that a ticket has been passed at a predetermined position when the currently conveyed ticket medium is a normal ticket or the like; When the present ticket medium is a multiple-time ticket or the like, a thermal transfer printing head 146 or the like for printing the name of the boarding station or the like is arranged in order.

On the further downstream side of the main transport path 132, all of the boarding transported on the main transport path 132 is used to collectively discharge the ticket media conveyed toward the discharge port 114 to the discharge port 114. Second holding unit 1 for temporarily holding a ticket medium
48 are provided.

The second holding unit 148 is provided with a holding unit (not shown), a sorting gate, a ticket detection sensor, and the like.
While all the ticket media to be ejected to 14 are temporarily held, the to-be-recovered, for example, ordinary tickets or number-of-times tickets are directed to the conveyance path 150 to a collection unit that follows the subsequent stage and is not described in detail. Branch.

Hereinafter, an arbitrary number of sheet-like media (tickets) are inserted into the slot 112 of the automatic ticket gate 101 shown in FIG.
Is inserted in a stacked state, the temperature and humidity and the number of tickets simultaneously inserted are detected, and the transport speed,
The torque of the rotation of the separation roller in the reverse direction and the pinch pressure between the separation roller and the conveyance roller are optimally set, and the sheets are separated and conveyed one by one.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing an example of a banknote processing apparatus to which the sheet separating apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 is applied.

As shown in FIG. 8, the bill processing device 201
Is a card / passbook handling device 202, a bill handling device 203
And a control unit (not shown).

An entrance 206 for receiving an account confirmation medium such as a card 204 or a passbook 205 is provided on the upper front part of the banknote handling machine 201, and a liquid crystal display device 207 with a touch panel is provided on the lower operation surface part on the upper front part. Have been.

A cash port 208 is provided below the entrance 206, and cash 209 can be dispensed from the cash port 208 or can be deposited.

Below the cash slot 208, there is provided a hopper 211 for temporarily storing inserted bills 209.

The hopper section 211 includes a separation mechanism 220 formed so as to provide the same function as that described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, and a plurality of sheets are often supplied simultaneously in a stacked state. The banknote group is separated and supplied one by one toward a first transport path 212a described below.

A first transport path 212a is provided on the bottom surface of the hopper section 211, and the entrance side of the inspection section 213 for judging the authenticity and bill type of the bills transported by the first transport path 212a is connected to the first transport path 212a. Have been. On the discharge side of the inspection unit 213,
A second transport path 212b is provided, and the second transport path 212b is provided.
A temporary storage 214 for accumulating genuine bills is connected to the downstream side of b.

The discharge side of the temporary storage 214 is connected to the entrance side of the inspection unit 213 through the third transport path 212c. The lower transport path 12e is branched from the middle of the second transport path 212b via a fourth transport path 212d.

At the lower side of the lower conveying path 212e, there are a safe 215 for storing 10,000-yen notes and a safe 21 for storing 1,000-yen notes.
6. A safe 217 for storing other bills is provided.

Hereinafter, when an arbitrary number of sheet-like media (banknotes) are loaded in a stacked state from the cash slot 208 of the banknote processing apparatus 201 shown in FIG. The approximate number (one or more) of the banknotes is detected, the transport speed, the torque of the reverse rotation of the separation roller, and the pinch pressure between the separation roller and the transport roller are optimally set, and one sheet at a time. And transported.

The above-described sheet separating apparatus can also be used for a sheet feeding mechanism of a copying apparatus or a page printer.

[0070]

As described above, the paper sheet separating apparatus according to the present invention is capable of simultaneously changing the temperature and humidity of a sheet medium (sheets) that has been simultaneously inserted in a state where two or more sheets are stacked. The reverse rotation torque applied to the separation roller, the rotation speed of the feed roller,
Since the pinch pressure between the separation roller and the feed roller is optimally controlled independently or in combination, the sheet-like media can be separated one by one at a high speed.

As a result, it is possible to prevent the subsequent processing from being interrupted due to the sheet-shaped medium clogging the separation area or being unable to be separated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a sheet separating apparatus to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a rotation characteristic of a separation roller when one sheet is guided between a separation roller and a transport roller of the sheet separation apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a rotation characteristic of a separation roller when two or more sheets are guided between a separation roller and a conveyance roller of the sheet separation apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows the magnitude of the reverse rotation torque applied to the separation roller, the pinch pressure between the separation roller and the conveyance roller, and the stackable layers that can be separated in the paper sheet separation apparatus shown in FIG. 6 is a graph for explaining the relationship between the number of sheets in the state.

FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating a relationship between a transport speed and the number of sheets that can be separated in the sheet separating apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating a relationship between a friction coefficient and a temperature between a rubber material used for a separation roller or a conveyance roller and a sheet in the sheet separating apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an automatic ticket gate to which the sheet separating apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is applied.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a bill processing apparatus to which the paper sheet separating apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 separation mechanism, 11 feed roller motor, 12 feed roller (first roller), 13 separation roller (second roller), 14 separation roller motor, 15 pinch arm, 15a separation area, 20 ... a pinch pressure adjusting mechanism, 25 ... a temperature detector, 26 ... a humidity detector, 27 ... a number detector, 31 ... a speed control circuit, 32 ... a torque control circuit, 33 ... a phase control circuit, 34 ... a separation condition control device.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 3E026 FA01 FA02 3F049 DA12 EA13 EA17 EA22 EA27 LA02 LA07 LA08 LA09 LB04 3F343 FA04 FB02 FB04 FB07 FB09 FC01 FC04 GA01 GB01 GC01 GD01 HA12 HA33 JA01 JD03 KB05 LA05 LC07 LC09 LC19 LC22 LD10 MA03 MA14 MA15 MA22 MA47 MB03 MB14 MB15 MC09 MC21

Claims (8)

[Claims] A first sheet transporting section for transporting a sheet in a predetermined direction;
A feed roller that rotates in the direction of the arrow; first drive means that rotates the feed roller; and a point on the outer peripheral surface of the feed roller that contacts the feed roller. A separation roller rotated in a second direction opposite to the direction, a second drive unit for applying a rotation torque in a first direction to the separation roller, and a conveyance in which the feed roller and the separation roller are in contact with each other. Number detection means for detecting the number of the paper sheets guided to the area; separation control for increasing or decreasing the number of rotations of the feed roller by the first drive means based on the detection result of the number detection means Means for separating paper sheets. 2. The separation control means controls the rotation number to be decreased if the number is larger than a predetermined number as a result of the detection by the number detection means, and if the number is smaller than the predetermined number, the separation number is controlled. 2. The sheet separating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is controlled to increase the number of sheets. 3. A feed roller that rotates in a first direction to transfer a sheet of paper in a predetermined direction with torque, a first driving unit that rotates the feed roller, and one point on an outer peripheral surface of the feed roller. A separation roller that is brought into contact with the feed roller and is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction with the rotation of the feed roller; and a rotational torque in the first direction with respect to the separation roller. A second driving means for applying a force; a pinch pressure changing means for changing a pinch pressure applied to the feed roller and the separation roller; and the guide being guided to a transport area where the feed roller and the separation roller are in contact with each other. Sheet number detecting means for detecting the number of paper sheets, and at least the pinch pressure by the pinch pressure changing means and the rotational torque by the second driving means based on the detection result of the sheet number detecting means. Paper sheet separating apparatus characterized by comprising: a separating control means for increasing or decreasing control one, the. 4. A feed roller that rotates in a first direction to transport a sheet of paper in a predetermined direction with torque, a first drive unit that rotates the feed roller, and one point on an outer peripheral surface of the feed roller. A separation roller that is brought into contact with the feed roller and is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction with the rotation of the feed roller; and a rotational torque in the first direction with respect to the separation roller. Second driving means for applying a force; a pinch pressure changing means for changing a pinch pressure applied to the feed roller and the separation roller; and a pinch pressure change means provided near at least one of the separation roller and the feed roller. Temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature in the vicinity of the roller; and the pinch pressure by the pinch pressure changing means and the rotation by the second driving means based on the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means. Paper sheet separating apparatus characterized by having a separation control means for increasing or decreasing control at least one of the torque. 5. A feed roller that rotates in a first direction to transport a sheet of paper in a predetermined direction by torque, a first driving unit that rotates the feed roller, and one point on an outer peripheral surface of the feed roller. A separation roller that is brought into contact with the feed roller and is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction with the rotation of the feed roller; and a rotational torque in the first direction with respect to the separation roller. Second driving means for applying a force; a pinch pressure changing means for changing a pinch pressure applied to the feed roller and the separation roller; and a pinch pressure change means provided near at least one of the separation roller and the feed roller. Humidity detecting means for detecting humidity near the roller; and the pinch pressure by the pinch pressure changing means and the rotation by the second driving means based on the humidity detected by the humidity detecting means. Paper sheet separating apparatus characterized by having a separation control means for increasing or decreasing control at least one of the torque. 6. A feed roller that rotates in a first direction to transport a sheet of paper in a predetermined direction, a first driving unit that rotates the feed roller, and a point on an outer peripheral surface of the feed roller. A separation roller that is brought into contact with the feed roller and is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction with the rotation of the feed roller; and a rotational torque in the first direction with respect to the separation roller. Second driving means for applying a force; a pinch pressure changing means for changing a pinch pressure applied to the feed roller and the separation roller; and a pinch pressure change means provided near at least one of the separation roller and the feed roller. Temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature near the roller; humidity detecting means provided near at least one of the separation roller and the feed roller for detecting humidity near both rollers; Separation control for increasing or decreasing at least one of the pinch pressure by the pinch pressure changing unit and the rotational torque by the second driving unit based on the temperature and humidity detected by the temperature detecting unit and the humidity detecting unit, respectively. Means for separating paper sheets. 7. A first sheet for transporting a sheet in a predetermined direction.
A feed roller that rotates in the direction of the arrow; first drive means that rotates the feed roller; and a point on the outer peripheral surface of the feed roller that contacts the feed roller. A separation roller rotated in a second direction opposite to the direction, a second drive unit for applying a rotation torque in the first direction to the separation roller, and the feed roller and the separation roller are in contact with each other. A sheet number detecting means for detecting the number of the paper sheets guided to the conveying area; and a separation controlling means for controlling increase and decrease of a conveying speed by the feed roller based on a detection result of the sheet number detecting means. Paper sheet separation device. 8. The separation control means controls the conveyance speed of the feed roller to be slower as the number of sheets is larger as a result of the detection by the sheet number detection means, and increases the conveyance speed of the feed roller as the number of sheets is smaller. 8. The sheet separating apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control is performed in such a manner.