JP2001155118A - Card housing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a card housing device capable of efficiently and stably housing a card. SOLUTION: This card housing device 1 is provided with a container 2 having a an insertion slot 2b to which the card C is inserted, a support plate 3 arranged in the container 2 and supporting the inserted card C, a driving mechanism 4 supporting the plate 3 between the slot 2b and the bottom part 2a of the container 2 in a movable way and a detecting part 5 detecting whether or not the card C exists between the plate 3 and the part 2a. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the decrease of housing quantity due to leaving the card C behind and the damage of each mechanism by detecting the card C even through the card C exists in the bottom part 2a.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a magnetic card and an IC.
The present invention relates to a card storage device for storing various cards such as cards.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a card issuing machine for issuing a magnetic card or an IC card as shown in FIG. The card issuing machine 50 includes a first storage unit 51 and a second storage unit 52 for storing a plurality of cards C to be issued, and a card processing for magnetically or electrically reading and writing information on the cards C. Unit 5
3 and a card collection unit 5 for collecting the defective card C
4 and a transport unit 5 movable in the direction of arrow Y in FIG.
5 is provided. The card C is transported between these units by the transport unit 55.

When issuing a card C, the transport unit 5
5 is moved in front of any one of the first and second storage units 51 and 52 to receive the card C. For example, when unloading the card C from the first storage unit 51, the transport unit 55 moves before the first storage unit 51, and the card C is unreeled from the first storage unit 51 to the transport unit 55. The transport unit 55 that has received the card C moves to the front of the card processing unit 53, and hands over the card C to be processed to the card processing unit 53. Card C passed to card processing unit 53
Is issued from the front side (ticket issuing side) of the card issuing machine 50. On the other hand, the card processing unit 53
Thus, for example, the card C determined to be defective is returned to the transport unit 55 again. Then, the transport unit 55 that has received the defective card C moves in the Y direction and moves in front of the card collection unit 54, and
Into the card collection unit 54.

As shown in FIG. 7, such a card collection unit (card storage device) 54 includes a container 61 for storing the inserted card C, and a card C placed and inserted in the container 61. A support plate 62 for supporting the support plate 62 and a drive mechanism 63 for moving the support plate 62 in a vertical direction in FIG. The driving mechanism 6
3 is a feed screw 64 provided along the moving direction of the support plate 62 and having a male thread groove, and the feed screw 64 is
A motor 67 for rotating through the feed screws 5 and 66;
4 and a nut 68 having a female thread groove to be screwed into the nut 4. At this time, the nut 68 and the support plate 62 are fixed, and the support plate 62 is moved (elevated) by driving the motor 67 and rotating the feed screw 64.

The support plate 62 is provided for stabilizing the attitude of the inserted card C. That is, the container 61 is formed high (deep) in order to be able to store a large amount of cards C. When the card C is inserted into the container 61 from the input port 61a, for example, FIG.
As shown in (a), there may be a state where the container 61 leans against the inner wall. At this time, efficient storage may not be possible, such as a decrease in the storage amount of the container 61. On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
A support plate 62 that can be moved up and down is provided, and when the card C is not (small) in the container 61, the support plate 62 is raised to such an extent that the inserted card C does not lean against the inner wall. The card C is horizontally supported by the support plate 62. By lowering the support plate 62 as the cards C are stacked, a large amount of cards C can be stably supported.

[0006]

By the way, the operation of removing the card C from the container 61 which is full is performed by the container 61.
Is separated from the card issuing machine 50 by an operator or the like. At this time, the drive mechanism 63 is provided outside the container 61 and is fixed to a part of the card issuing machine 50. Further, as described above, the support plate 62 is fixed to the drive mechanism 63 (the nut 68). Therefore, when the operator separates the container 61 from the drive mechanism 63 to remove the card C from the container 61, the container 61 and the support plate 62 are also separated.

However, all the cards C are not removed from the container 61, and the container 61 is again removed from the card issuing machine 50 (the driving mechanism 6) while the card C remains at the bottom of the container 61.
When installed in 3), the support plate 62 is arranged above the remaining card C as shown in FIG. Due to the remaining cards C, the support plate 62 is not sufficiently lowered, and the collection amount (storage amount) of the cards C is reduced. Furthermore, when the container 61 is installed, the support card 62 may damage the remaining card C, or the remaining card C may damage each mechanism such as the drive mechanism 63, so that the card can be efficiently and stably collected. Work (card storage work) cannot be performed.

Further, since the nut 68 and the support plate 62 are fixed, if this fixation is inclined even a little, the perpendicularity with the feed screw 64 cannot be maintained, and a load is applied to the feed screw 64. Therefore, the feed screw 64 and the nut 68 are likely to be deteriorated, and a desired feed speed and a drive current of the motor cannot be maintained, so that stable driving may not be performed.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and has as its object to provide a card storage device capable of efficiently and stably storing a card.

[0010]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the following configuration is adopted. The card storage device of the present invention, in a card storage device provided with a container capable of storing a plurality of cards in a stacked state, provided in the container, an input port into which a card is inserted, and disposed in the container, A support plate that supports the inserted card, a drive mechanism that movably supports the support plate between the insertion port and the bottom of the container, and a drive mechanism that is provided at the bottom, and the support plate and the bottom A detection unit for detecting whether or not a card is present between them.

According to the present invention, it is possible to detect whether or not a card is present between the support plate and the bottom by the detection unit provided on the bottom. Therefore, if there is a card at the bottom, the operation of removing the card can be reliably performed, so that a reduction in the storage amount due to the presence of the card and damage to each mechanism can be prevented. Therefore, efficient and stable work can be performed.

The detecting portion is provided at an opening formed in the bottom portion, a detecting member projecting into the container from the opening, and provided outside the container so as to project the detecting member inside the container. A member support portion for supporting the member while energizing; and a detection sensor for detecting movement of the detection member to the bottom side. In this case, if there is a card at the bottom,
Since the detection member moves toward the bottom of the container due to the weight of the card, it is possible to detect whether or not the card exists at the bottom by detecting this movement with the detection sensor.

Further, a second detection unit is provided at a predetermined position near the insertion slot and detects whether a card is present at the predetermined position, and a detection result of at least one of the detection unit and the second detection unit And a control unit for controlling the driving mechanism based on the above, for example, when the cards are stacked to a predetermined position, the support plate can be lowered by a predetermined amount. Can be supported. Therefore, workability and storage efficiency are improved.

The drive mechanism includes a feed screw extending in the direction of movement of the support plate, a drive source for rotating the feed screw, a female screw member screwed to the feed screw, and an integral part of the support plate. And a holding member that holds the female screw member with a predetermined clearance between the female screw member and the female screw member, and the female screw member moves by rotating the feed screw. Accordingly, the holding member and the support plate move. At this time, for example, even if the holding member has a slight inclination, the inclination is absorbed by the clearance provided between the female screw member and the holding member. Can move stably.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A card storage device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing an embodiment of the card storage device of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of FIG. Note that the card storage device 1 includes the card collection unit 5 shown in FIG.
4, the card processing unit 53
The card C determined to be defective is collected.

In these figures, a card storage device (card collection unit) 1 includes a container 2 for stacking and storing cards C, a support plate 3 disposed in the container 2 for supporting the cards C, and A drive mechanism 4 for moving the support plate 3 in the container 2, a detection unit 5 provided on the bottom 2 a of the container 2, and a control unit 9 for controlling the operation of the entire card storage device 1 are provided.

The container 2 stores a card C determined to be defective in the card processing unit 53 shown in FIG. 6, and has a predetermined depth (height) for storing a large amount of cards C. Is formed. Also, in FIG.
An opening 2b into which a card C is inserted is formed at the upper part of the opening, and the card C determined to be defective is inserted from the insertion opening 2b by the transport unit 55.

As shown in FIG. 2, an opening 6 is formed in the bottom 2b of the container 2. A plurality (two in this embodiment) of the openings 6 are provided, and each is formed in a rectangular shape. The size of each opening 6 is formed at least smaller than the inserted card C. In addition, a take-out hole 20 which is largely opened in the vertical direction in FIG. 2 is formed in a part of the side wall of the container 2. Further, a parting plate 20a is detachably provided in a part of the takeout hole 20 to prevent the inserted card C from being released to the outside.

The support plate 3 supports the card C inserted in the container 2, and is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction in FIG. This support plate 3
In order to support the inserted card C horizontally and stably,
The size of the card C is substantially the same as that of the card C.
At this time, the inside of the container 2 is formed slightly larger than the size of the support plate 3 so as not to interfere with the moving support plate 3 and to the extent that the card C does not fall off between the support plate 3 and the container. Further, the support plate 3 is disposed in the container 2 so that a part (connection portion) 3a thereof is taken out and the hole 20a is taken out.
From the outside. The support plate 3 has a cutout 3c corresponding to the partition plate 20a, and is disposed inside the container 2 by providing the cutout 3c from outside the container 2 so as to be inserted into the partition plate 20a.

The drive mechanism 4 moves the support plate 3 horizontally in the container 2 while holding the support plate 3 horizontally. The support plate 3 is movably supported in the container 2 between the inlet 2b and the bottom 2a while being held in a horizontal state by the drive mechanism 4.

The drive mechanism 4 is provided along the direction of movement of the support plate 3 and has a feed screw 7 having a male screw groove, a first gear 8 provided at an upper end of the feed screw 7,
A second gear 10 meshing with the gear 8 and a motor (drive source) coupled to the second gear 10 for rotating the second gear 10
11, a nut (female screw member) 12 having a female screw groove to be screwed with the feed screw 7, and a predetermined clearance 3 fixed integrally with the connecting portion 3 a of the support plate 3 and the nut 12.
And a holding member 31 that holds the nut 12 with a zero.

The connecting portion 3a of the support plate 3 exposed from the take-out hole 20 of the container 2 is formed with an insertion hole 3b through which the feed screw 7 is inserted.
The feed screw 7 is inserted through b. As shown in FIG. 3, the holding member 31 is formed so as to cover the nut 12, and has an insertion hole 31a through which the feed screw 7 is inserted. The skirt 31b of the holding member 31 and the connecting portion 3a of the support plate 3 are fixed, for example, by arc welding, and the nut 12 and the holding member 31 are provided so as to have a predetermined clearance 30. At this time, the nut 12 is held by the holding member 31 by sliding the nut 12 relative to the holding member 31 in the horizontal direction in FIG.

When the motor 11 is driven, the driving force is transmitted to the feed screw 7 via the second gear 10 and the first gear 8, and the feed screw 7 is rotated. The lower end of the feed screw 7 is connected to a part of the card issuing machine, and the rotation of the feed screw 7 causes the nut 12 and the holding member 31 holding the nut 12 to move vertically.
With this, the support plate 3 moves up and down. In addition, the support plate 3 is guided by the guide portion 13. At this time, the support plate 3 and the guide portion 13 are connected by the guide rail 13a, and the load of the support plate 3 is applied to the guide rail 13a. And while the support plate 3 is guided by the guide part 13,
It is supported by the drive mechanism 4 so as to be able to move up and down.

Further, since the support plate 3 is arranged so that the notch 3c is inserted into the partition plate 20a from outside, the support plate 3 is connected to the container 2 and the drive mechanism 4 by pulling out the support plate 3 from the partition plate 20a. It can be separated from the supporting plate 3.

A detector 5 provided on the bottom 2a of the container 2
Is a detection member 1 formed along the shape of the opening 6.
4 and the detection member 14 provided outside the container 2 and in FIG.
The apparatus includes a member support portion 15 rotatably supported in the direction of the arrow r and a detection sensor 16 provided at a predetermined position outside the container 2. At this time, one end 14a of the detection member 14 is provided so as to project into the container 2 from the opening 6 by rotating, while the other end 14b is connected to the detection sensor 16 according to the rotation of the detection member 14. It moves in the direction of contact and separation. The detection sensor 16 is constituted by, for example, a laser type optical sensor, and the other end 14b
Is provided to detect the other end 14b depending on whether or not exists on the measurement optical path of the detection sensor 16.

The member supporting portion 15 is provided with a coil spring, and supports the one end 14a of the detecting member 14 while urging it toward the inside of the container 2. That is, the detecting member 1
When no force is applied to one end 14 a of the detection member 4, the one end 14 a of the detection member 14 is disposed so as to protrude into the container 2, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1. At this time, the other end 1
4b is arranged at a position where the detection sensor 16 does not detect. On the other hand, when a downward force is applied to one end 14a, the detection member 14 rotates as shown by a solid line in FIG.
a moves to the outside of the container 2. At this time, the other end 14b moves to a position detected by the detection sensor 16.

In addition, a second detection sensor (second detection unit) 17 that detects the stacked cards C inserted into the container 2 and disposed near the insertion port 2b above the container 2 is disposed. The second detection sensor 17 is installed at a predetermined position near the insertion port 2b, and detects whether the card C stacked at the predetermined position exists.

The detection signals from the detection sensor 16 and the second detection sensor 17 are sent to the control unit 9, and the control unit 9 uses the drive mechanism 4 based on the detection result.
Is controlled.

The card storage device 1 having such a configuration
The operation of will be described. Card C determined to be defective
Is charged into the container 2 from the charging port 2b by the transport unit 55. When the card C is not present (small) in the container 2, as shown in FIG. 4A, the support plate 3 is raised to a predetermined upper position in the container 2 by the drive mechanism 4. As described above, this position is set so that the inserted card C does not lean on the inner wall of the container 2.
Is supported horizontally. By supporting the card C horizontally, the container 2 can efficiently store the card C without reducing the storage amount of the card C.

When the cards C are stacked to some extent, the cards C are detected by the second detection sensor 17 arranged at a predetermined position. The detection signal of the second detection sensor 17 is sent to the control section 9, and the control section 9 lowers the support plate 3 by a predetermined distance in order to stably store the card C to be inserted next. Instruct 4 The descending amount at this time is set so that the card C to be inserted next is stably stored in the container 2 horizontally without leaning against the inner wall or the like of the container 2. By repeating the insertion of the card C and the lowering of the support plate 3, the card C is stably
Is stored inside.

The lowering amount at this time may be a value which is set in advance and stored in the control unit 9, or a plurality of detection sensors may be provided in the vertical direction, and the supporting plate 3 on which each sensor is lowered may be used. The lowering may be stopped when it is detected.

At this time, the card C does not exist between the support plate 3 and the bottom 2a.
As shown in FIG. 4A, one end 14a of the detection member 14 protrudes into the container 2 through the opening 6.

Then, by repeating the insertion of the card C and the lowering of the support plate 3, the support plate 3 approaches the detection member 14 provided on the bottom 2a, and eventually, as shown in FIG. 4B. It contacts one end 14a of the detection member 14. Then, the one end 14 a of the detection member 14 moves outward from the bottom 2 a of the container 2 by being pushed by the support plate 3.
Accordingly, the detection member 14 rotates, and the other end 14 b is detected by the detection sensor 16. Then, when a predetermined number of cards C are stored, the second detection sensor 17 also detects the cards C.

The detection signals from the detection sensors 16 and 17 are sent to the control unit 9. The control unit 9 determines that the support plate 3 has reached the bottom 2a based on the detection signals of both the detection sensors 16 and 17, and determines that the card C in the container 2 is full. Then, the control unit 9 notifies an operator or the like that the card C is full using, for example, a display device or the like installed outside the device.

To remove the card C from the full container 2, the container 2 is separated from the card issuing machine (drive mechanism 4). At this time, since the drive mechanism 4 and the support plate 3 are connected, only the container 2 containing the card C is separated. The container 2 separated from the card issuing machine has the card C removed, and is set again on the card issuing machine (drive mechanism 4). The support plate 3 automatically rises after the container 2 is separated, and returns to the initial position (up end).

At this time, if the card C is not removed completely and remains at the bottom 2a of the container 2,
As shown in (1), one end 14a moves to the outside of the container 2 due to the weight of the card C remaining on the bottom 2a. Accordingly, the detection member 14 is rotated, and the other end 14b is detected by the detection sensor 16 (at this time, the card C is not detected by the second detection sensor 17). That is, the card C present on the bottom 2 a is detected by the detection unit 5.

The detection sensor 16 that has detected the left card C sends a detection signal to the control unit 9. The control unit 9 notifies the operator or the like that the card C remains without being removed using a display device or the like. And container 2
Is again separated from the card issuing machine, and the remaining card C is removed.

When the card C is present on the bottom 2a, the control section 9 can instruct the drive mechanism 4 not to lower the support plate 3. In this case, the same control can be performed not only in the case of the card C but also in the case where, for example, a foreign matter other than the card exists in the bottom 2a. That is, the control unit 9 includes the detection sensor 16 and the second detection sensor 1
7 based on at least one of the detection results.
Control.

As described above, since the detection unit 5 capable of detecting the presence or absence of the card C is provided on the bottom 2a, the card C is removed from the full container 2 and the container 2 is installed on the card issuing machine again. , The card C existing between the support plate 3 and the bottom 2a can be detected. Therefore, if the card C is present, an appropriate operation such as removing the card C can be performed, so that a decrease in the storage amount due to the presence of the card C, damage to each device, and the like can be prevented. . Therefore, efficient and stable work can be performed.

The detecting section 5 is provided with an opening 6 formed in the bottom 2a, a detecting member 14 projecting into the container 2 from the opening 6, and a detecting member 14 provided outside the container 2, and
A member supporting portion 15 for supporting while urging to protrude inward
And the detection sensor 16 for detecting the movement of the detection member 14 to the bottom 2a side, so that if the card C is present on the bottom 2a, the detection member 14 is moved outside the container 2 by the weight of the card C. Is detected by the detection sensor 16 so that the bottom 2
It is possible to stably detect whether or not the card C exists in a. When the card C is full, the bottom 2a
The support plate 3 which has been lowered can also be detected. As described above, the detection unit 5 can detect whether or not the card C is full in the container 2 and can also detect whether or not the card C to be removed exists in the bottom 2a.

That is, an optical sensor capable of detecting the presence or absence of the card C can be provided as the detection unit 5 on the back side of the support plate 3 (the side facing the bottom 2a) or the like. With such a configuration, it is possible to detect both the information on the amount of the card C stored in the container 2 and the information on the card C to be removed.

Although it is possible to directly install a detection sensor on the bottom 2a, as in the present embodiment, a member support portion 15 for supporting the detection member 14 and the detection sensor 16 are provided outside the container 2. This makes it easier to separate the container 2 from the card vending machine (drive mechanism 4). That is, when the detection sensor is provided on the container 2 side, when separating the card issuing machine from the container 2, workability may be reduced, for example, a harness connected to the detection sensor may interfere with each member. However, the workability is improved by providing the detection unit 5 outside the container 2 as in the present embodiment.

By providing the support plate 3 which can be moved up and down by the drive mechanism 4, the inserted card C is always stably placed on the support plate 3 horizontally without leaning against the inner wall of the container 2. Since the upper position of the stacked cards C can be detected by providing the second detection sensor 17 at a predetermined position near the insertion port 2b, the support plate 3 is lowered by a predetermined amount based on the detection result. Thus, the inserted cards C are stably stacked on the support plate 3. Therefore, workability is improved.

The drive mechanism 4 includes a feed screw 7 extending in the direction of movement of the support plate 3 and a motor 1 for driving the feed screw 7 to rotate.
1, a nut 12 screwed to the feed screw 7, and a holding member 31 integrally fixed to the support plate 3 and holding the nut 12 with a predetermined clearance 30 between the nut 12. Therefore, for example, even if the holding member 31 has a slight inclination, the inclination is absorbed by the clearance 30, so that a load is not applied to the feed screw 7 and the perpendicularity to the feed screw 7 is maintained. The support plate 3 can be moved stably. When the holding member 31 holds the nut 12, the nut 12 is held by the holding member 31.
Can be slid from the side, and the workability during assembly is improved. Further, the provision of the clearance 30 can reduce the load on the feed screw 7 even when the support plate 3 is slightly inclined during assembly.

In the above embodiment, the optical sensors are used as the detection sensors 16 and 17, but other types of sensors can be used as long as the card C or the detection member 14 can be detected. In addition, the card C is transported to the card storage device by the transport unit 55.
It is not limited to this. For example, the installation position of the card storage device 1 may be set below the transport unit 55, and the card C may be dropped from the transport unit 55 into a lower container. Further, instead of the transport unit 55, the card C may be sent by a roller, for example.
Further, the configuration other than the card storage device 1 may be any configuration. For example, the overall configuration of the card issuing machine, the configuration of each unit, and the like can be other configurations. Of course, it is also possible to apply the card storage device 1 to something other than a card issuing machine.

[0046]

According to the present invention, it is possible to detect whether or not a card is present between the support plate and the bottom by the detection unit provided at the bottom. Therefore, if there is a card at the bottom, the operation of removing the card can be reliably performed, so that a reduction in the storage amount due to the presence of the card and damage to each mechanism can be prevented. Therefore, efficient and stable work can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating an embodiment of a card storage device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view illustrating a holding member.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a card is stored in a card storage device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining how a card is present at the bottom of a container.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram for explaining the entire card issuing machine.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a conventional card storage device.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a support plate.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a problem of a conventional card storage device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Card storage device 2 Container 2a Bottom 2b Slot 3 Support plate 4 Drive mechanism 5 Detector 6 Opening 7 Feed screw 9 Control unit 11 Motor (drive source) 12 Nut (female screw member) 14 Detecting member 14a One end 14b Other end Reference Signs List 15 member support section 16 detection sensor 17 second detection section (second detection sensor) 30 clearance 31 holding member C card

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A card storage device provided with a container capable of storing a plurality of cards in a stacked state, wherein the card is provided in the container, and an insertion slot into which a card is inserted; A support plate for supporting a card, a drive mechanism for movably supporting the support plate between the input port and the bottom of the container, a card provided at the bottom, and a card between the support plate and the bottom. And a detecting unit for detecting whether or not the card is present. 2. The card storage device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is provided outside the container, an opening formed in the bottom, a detection member projecting from the opening into the container, and a detection member. A card storage device, comprising: a member support portion that urges and supports the detection member so as to protrude to the inside of the container; and a detection sensor that detects movement of the detection member to the bottom side. 3. The card storage device according to claim 1, wherein the second storage unit is provided at a predetermined position near the insertion slot, and detects whether a card is present at the predetermined position. A card storage device comprising: a control unit that controls the driving mechanism based on a detection result of at least one of a detection unit and a second detection unit. 4. The card storage device according to claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism includes a feed screw extending in a direction in which the support plate moves, and a drive source that rotates the feed screw. A female screw member screwed into the feed screw; and a holding member integrally fixed to the support plate and having a predetermined clearance between the female screw member and holding the female screw member. A card storage device.