JP2014141340A - Paper separation mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To separate paper stably regardless of a state of paper to be separated.SOLUTION: A separation delivery part 4 has a feed member, a gate member, a picker member 12 disposed opposed to a stage 20 and delivering paper accumulated on the stage toward between the feed member and the gate member, and a guide member 16 disposed opposed to the stage, encapsulating at least an end of the picker member 12 and stabilizing posture of the paper by contacting to a surface of the paper positioned on the uppermost position. The guide member has an opening for projecting an outer peripheral part of the picker member from the lower surface of the guide member toward a lower side. The stage has a center 21 for supporting the paper, and ends 22 disposed on both lateral sides of the center. The center and both ends on both lateral sides of the center of the stage, are formed into an approximately plane shape on their upper surfaces. Steps E are disposed between the upper surface of the center and the upper surfaces of both ends so that the upper surface of the center is higher than the upper surfaces of both ends.

Description

  The present invention relates to a paper sheet separation mechanism that ensures stable separation performance regardless of the state of paper sheets to be separated.

  A paper sheet separating mechanism for separating paper sheets is used in a medium processing apparatus such as an automatic transaction apparatus (ATM) installed in a financial institution or a distribution institution, for example. A medium processing apparatus such as an automatic transaction apparatus (ATM) has a storage unit (hereinafter referred to as a “banknote storage unit”) that stores banknotes as paper sheets. The banknote storage unit is configured to store a large number of banknotes stacked in the vertical direction (up and down direction) or the horizontal direction (front and rear direction or left and right direction).

  Here, the case where the banknote storage part is configured to store banknotes stacked in the vertical direction (up and down direction) will be described. Such a bill storage part is provided with a stage that moves in the vertical direction (vertical direction). Bills are stacked on the stage.

  The medium processing apparatus is provided with a paper sheet separating mechanism at a position near the upper limit of the stage movement inside (or around) the bill storage unit. When the banknotes are withdrawn, the medium processing apparatus separates banknotes stacked on the stage by the paper sheet separating mechanism (hereinafter referred to as “stacked banknotes”) one by one into the banknote storage unit. The bill is fed out to a conveyance path provided outside the bill, and a bill (hereinafter referred to as “delivery bill”) fed to the conveyance path by the conveyance mechanism is conveyed to a predetermined portion.

  In such a configuration, in the conventional paper sheet separating mechanism, the upper surface of the stage is uniformly formed in a flat shape, and the picker roller that presses the stacked banknotes against the stage from above is applied over the entire width of the stacked banknotes. It is the structure which touches (for example, refer patent document 1).

  Further, the conventional paper sheet separating mechanism is configured not to have a mechanism for sealing the end portions (both ends in the longitudinal direction of the bill) of the picker roller.

JP 2007-112601 A

  However, the conventional paper sheet separation mechanism has a problem that stable separation performance cannot be ensured depending on the state of the paper sheet to be separated, as described below.

  For example, paper sheets (banknotes) may be creased or wrinkled as they are reused, and as a result, the state may be deteriorated. Paper sheets that are in a poor state are likely to be in a state in which both ends in the longitudinal direction are swollen, particularly when a large number of paper sheets are stacked and stacked on the stage.

  In the conventional paper sheet separating mechanism, the upper surface of the stage is uniformly formed in a flat shape. Therefore, in the conventional paper sheet separating mechanism, a relatively large frictional force is likely to be generated between one or both of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the paper sheet and the upper surface of the stage. The conventional paper sheet separating mechanism cannot secure a stable separating performance when such a non-uniform frictional force is generated at both ends in the longitudinal direction. For this reason, the conventional paper sheet separating mechanism is configured such that when paper sheets (stacked banknotes) stacked on the stage are separated and fed out one by one, both ends in the longitudinal direction depend on the state of the paper sheets to be separated. A non-uniform frictional force is generated in the portion, and the paper sheets cannot be fed straight out and may be skewed.

  Further, since the conventional paper sheet separating mechanism does not have a mechanism for sealing the end portions of the picker roller (both ends in the longitudinal direction of the paper sheets), a space is formed at the end portion of the picker roller. ing. In the conventional paper sheet separating mechanism, when the paper sheets (stacked banknotes) stacked on the stage are separated and fed out one by one, depending on the state of the paper sheets to be separated, the paper sheets Diverged into the space, and as a result, a jam occurred and paper sheets could not be fed out.

  Further, as described above, since the conventional paper sheet separating mechanism does not have a mechanism for sealing the end portion of the picker roller, the posture of the paper sheet (paid banknote) on the stage is difficult to be stabilized. The conventional paper sheet separation mechanism cannot secure stable separation performance when the picker roller is in contact with the paper sheet on the stage in an inappropriate state. Therefore, even in this case, when the conventional paper sheet separating mechanism separates and feeds the paper sheets (stacked banknotes) stacked on the stage one by one, depending on the state of the paper sheets to be separated, A non-uniform frictional force is generated at both ends in the longitudinal direction, and the paper sheets cannot be fed straight out and sometimes skewed.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and has as its main object to provide a paper sheet separation mechanism that ensures stable separation performance regardless of the state of the paper sheets to be separated. .

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a stage that moves in a direction facing the separating and feeding unit in a state where a plurality of paper sheets are stacked in a storage unit that stores paper sheets, and a stacking unit on the stage. A separation mechanism that separates the plurality of sheets that are separated one by one and feeds them out to a conveyance path, wherein the separation and feeding sections are arranged to face each other, and A feed member and a gate member that are fed out to the transport path while separating the paper sheets one by one, and the paper sheets that are arranged opposite to the stage and are stacked on the stage are the feed member and the gate. A picker member that is fed out between the member and a surface of the paper sheet that is disposed opposite to the stage, seals at least the end portion of the picker member, and has a lower surface on the stage. Abut A guide member that stabilizes the posture of the paper sheet, and the guide member is formed such that at least a portion of the lower surface facing the stage is formed in a substantially flat shape, and an outer peripheral portion of the picker member is disposed on the guide member. The stage is configured as a plate-like member that is wider in the vertical and horizontal directions than the paper sheets stacked on the opening. , And is divided into a central portion that supports the paper sheets, and end portions respectively provided on both sides of the central portion, and the central portion of the stage and the end portions on both sides thereof are: The upper surface is formed in a substantially flat shape, and a step is provided between the upper surface of the central portion and the upper surface of the end portion so that the upper surface of the central portion is higher than the upper surface of the end portion. Is configured

  In the paper sheet separating mechanism, a step is provided between the upper surface of the center portion of the stage and the upper surface of the end portion. This level | step difference functions as a clearance gap between the edge part of the longitudinal direction of paper sheets, and the edge part of a stage.

  For this reason, this paper sheet separating mechanism separates the longitudinal end portion of the paper sheet from the end portion of the stage when the paper sheets accumulated on the stage are separated and fed one by one. State (or even if the longitudinal end of the paper sheet and the end of the stage are in contact, the frictional force between the longitudinal end of the paper sheet and the end of the stage is And a state in which the difference between the left and right frictional forces is small).

  As a result, the paper sheet separating mechanism can ensure stable separation performance regardless of the state of the paper sheet to be separated, and as a result, the paper sheet can be straightened without skewing (skewing). You can pay out.

  In this paper sheet separating mechanism, the guide member seals at least the end portion of the picker member (both ends in the longitudinal direction of the paper sheet). Therefore, the paper sheet separating mechanism can prevent the paper sheets from entering the space at the end portion of the picker member and avoid the occurrence of a jam.

  In this paper sheet separating mechanism, the guide member comes into contact with the surface of the uppermost paper sheet on the stage to stabilize the posture of the paper sheet on the stage. Therefore, the paper sheet separating mechanism can bring the picker member into contact with the paper sheets on the stage in a suitable state.

  Also by this, this paper sheet separation mechanism can ensure a stable separation performance regardless of the state of the paper sheet to be separated, and as a result, it is straight without skewing the paper sheet. Can be paid out.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a paper sheet separation mechanism that ensures stable separation performance regardless of the state of the paper sheets to be separated.

It is a schematic perspective view (1) of the paper sheet separation mechanism which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a schematic perspective view (2) of the paper sheet separation mechanism which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a schematic perspective view (3) of the paper sheet separation mechanism concerning Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the paper sheet separating mechanism according to the first embodiment. 3 is a schematic front view of a paper sheet separating mechanism according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic rear view of the paper sheet separating mechanism according to the first embodiment. 3 is a schematic top view of the paper sheet separating mechanism according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic bottom view of the paper sheet separating mechanism according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory view (1) of the paper sheet separating mechanism according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram (2) of the paper sheet separating mechanism according to the first embodiment. It is a state explanatory view of a bill. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a paper sheet separating mechanism according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 6 is a schematic rear view of a paper sheet separating mechanism according to Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory view (1) of the paper sheet separating mechanism according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory diagram (2) of the paper sheet separating mechanism according to the second embodiment. It is a schematic perspective view of the guide roller used in Embodiment 3. FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory diagram of the paper sheet separating mechanism according to the third embodiment. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a paper sheet separating mechanism according to Embodiment 4. FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic rear view of a paper sheet separating mechanism according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory view (1) of the paper sheet separating mechanism according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory diagram (2) of the paper sheet separating mechanism according to the fourth embodiment. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a paper sheet separating mechanism according to Embodiment 5. FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic rear view of a paper sheet separating mechanism according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory view (1) of the paper sheet separating mechanism according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 12 is an operation explanatory diagram (2) of the paper sheet separating mechanism according to the fifth embodiment. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a paper sheet separating mechanism according to Embodiment 6. FIG. It is a schematic rear view of the paper sheet separating mechanism according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory view (1) of the paper sheet separating mechanism according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 12 is an operation explanatory diagram (2) of the paper sheet separating mechanism according to the sixth embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “the present embodiment”) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Each figure is only schematically shown so that the present invention can be fully understood. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated example. Moreover, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the common component and the same component, and those overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

[Embodiment 1]
<Configuration of paper sheet separation mechanism>
Hereinafter, the configuration of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A to 1C and FIGS. 1A to 1C are schematic perspective views of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100 according to the first embodiment, respectively. 2 to 6 are a schematic side view, a schematic front view, a schematic rear view, a schematic top view, and a schematic bottom view, respectively, of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100 according to the first embodiment.

  The paper sheet separating mechanism 100 according to the first embodiment is a mechanism for separating paper sheets. Here, the paper sheets are banknotes, and the paper sheet separating mechanism 100 is used in a medium processing apparatus such as an automatic transaction apparatus (ATM) installed in a financial institution or a distribution institution. An explanation will be given. Hereinafter, the paper sheets may be referred to as “banknotes”. Further, banknotes stacked on a “stage 20” to be described later may be particularly referred to as “stacked banknotes 25”. Furthermore, a bill fed out to a transport path (not shown) may be particularly referred to as a “fed bill”.

  In addition, “upstream” and “downstream” described below are based on the bill feeding direction and the conveyance direction. Further, the “forward direction” described below means the bill feeding direction and the transport direction, and the “reverse direction” means the opposite direction.

  The “banknote storage part 19” to be described later corresponds to a “storage part” described in the claims. The “feed roller 8” described later corresponds to a “feed member” described in the claims. The “gate roller 6” described later corresponds to a “gate member” described in the claims. A “picker roller 12” described later corresponds to a “picker member” recited in the claims. A “picker guide 16” described later corresponds to a “guide member” recited in the claims.

(Schematic configuration of paper sheet separation mechanism)
The paper sheet separating mechanism 100 according to the first embodiment is provided with a picker guide 16 (see FIG. 1A) to be described later, so that it can guide a bill to be fed out, and a longitudinal direction of the stage 20 to be described later. The main feature is that both end portions 22a and 22b (see FIG. 3) are made lower than the central portion 21 (see FIG. 3), and the conveying force of the picker roller 12 is easily transmitted to the bill.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the paper sheet separating mechanism 100 includes a stage 20 and a separating and feeding unit 4.

  The stage 20 faces the separating and feeding unit 4 in a state in which a plurality of banknotes are accumulated in a storage unit (hereinafter referred to as “banknote storage unit 19 (see FIG. 2)”) that stores banknotes as paper sheets. It is a member which moves in the direction to do. 2 shows a configuration of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100 cut along the line AA shown in FIG. The stage 20 is moved inside the banknote storage part 19 in a direction facing the separation / feeding part 4 by a drive mechanism (not shown).

  Here, the case where the banknote storage unit 19 is configured to store a large number of banknotes stacked in the vertical direction (vertical direction) will be described. Therefore, here, the description will be made assuming that the “direction facing the separation feeding portion 4” is the vertical direction (the direction of the arrow D shown in FIG. 1B).

  However, the banknote storage part 19 can also be configured to store a large number of banknotes stacked in the horizontal direction (front-rear direction or left-right direction). In this case, the “direction facing the separation feeding portion 4” is the front-rear direction or the left-right direction.

  In the first embodiment, the stage 20 is configured as a rectangular plate-like member that is wider in the vertical direction (short direction) and the horizontal direction (longitudinal direction) than the banknotes stacked thereon. In the first embodiment, the vertical direction (short direction) of the stage 20 is the bill feeding direction. Moreover, the horizontal direction (longitudinal direction) of the stage 20 is a right-angle direction perpendicular to the bill feeding direction.

  Here, as described above, the case where the banknote storage unit 19 is configured to store a large number of banknotes stacked in the vertical direction (vertical direction) will be described. Further, the bill storage unit 19 will be described as having a configuration including four side walls that surround four sides of the stage 20 in the vertical direction (short direction) and the horizontal direction (longitudinal direction).

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the first embodiment, the banknote storage unit 19 is provided with an opening 19 a at the upper end portion of the lateral (longitudinal) side wall located on the downstream side of the stage 20. The paper sheet separating mechanism 100 feeds the banknote out of the banknote storage unit 19 through the opening 19a.

  The separation feeding unit 4 is a mechanism for separating a plurality of banknotes stacked on the stage 20 one by one from the top and feeding the banknotes from the inside of the banknote storage unit 19 to a conveyance path (not shown) provided outside thereof. is there. When the separation processing unit 4 feeds the banknotes to a transport path (not shown), the medium processing device transports the banknotes (feed banknotes) fed out by a transport mechanism (not shown) to a predetermined part.

  In addition, the conveyance path which is not shown in figure is provided in the right side of the opening part 19a of the banknote accommodating part 19 in the example shown in FIG. On the path of the conveyance path (not shown), there are arranged portions where a small diameter portion and a large diameter portion of the feed roller 8 described later mesh with a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion of the gate roller 6 described later. This meshing portion functions as a gate that prevents two or more banknotes from being simultaneously fed downstream from the position.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, in the first embodiment, the separation / feeding unit 4 includes a gate roller ASSY1, a feed roller ASSY2, two picker rollers ASSY 3a and 3b, and two picker guides 16a and 16b. Here, “ASSY” means “assembled part”.

  The gate roller ASSY1 is an assembly part for preventing two or more bills from being simultaneously drawn out downstream of the position.

  In the gate roller ASSY1, a gate roller shaft 5 (see FIG. 1B) described later of the gate roller ASSY1 and a feed roller shaft 7 (see FIG. 1B) described later of the feed roller ASSY2 are parallel to each other at a position immediately below the feed roller ASSY2. So that it is arranged.

  The feed roller ASSY2 is an assembly part for feeding banknotes downstream from the position.

  The feed roller ASSY <b> 2 is arranged at a position downstream of the banknote storage unit 19 (that is, downstream of the stage 20) so as to have the following configuration. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the feed roller ASSY 2 has a tangential direction at the lowest point of the outer peripheral surface of the later-described auxiliary roller 9 and the later-described feed roller rubber 17 attached to the later-described feed roller rubber 17. Arranged so that the direction (that is, the vertical direction (short direction) of the stacked banknotes 25 and the stage 20) coincides with the outer peripheral surface of the feed roller rubber 17 abuts the surface of the fed banknote. Has been. In the first embodiment, “the outer peripheral surface of the feed roller rubber 17” corresponds to “the outer peripheral portion of the feed member” recited in the claims.

  Picker rollers ASSY 3a and 3b are respectively a feed roller 8a and 8b (see FIG. 1B), which will be described later, and gate rollers 6a and 6b (see FIG. 1B) which will be described later. It is an assembly part for paying out sequentially. Hereinafter, the picker rollers ASSY 3a and 3b are collectively referred to as “picker roller ASSY 3”.

  In the first embodiment, the picker roller ASSY 3 is disposed at a position above the stage 20 so as to face the stage 20 and have the following configuration. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the picker roller ASSY3 is arranged so that the picker roller shaft 11 described later is parallel to the feed roller shaft 7 described later of the feed roller ASSY2. In the picker roller ASSY 3, the tangential direction at the lowest point of the outer peripheral surface of the picker rubber 18, which will be described later, attached to the picker roller 12, which will be described later, is the bill feeding direction (that is, the vertical direction of the stacked banknote 25 and the stage 20 (shorter side). The picker rubber 18 is disposed so that the outer peripheral surface of the picker rubber 18 is in contact with the surface of the uppermost banknote in the stacked banknote 25. In the first embodiment, “the outer peripheral surface of the picker rubber 18” corresponds to “the outer peripheral portion of the picker member” recited in the claims.

  The picker guides 16a and 16b are respectively arranged to face the stage 20, and seal at least end portions (both ends in the longitudinal direction of the stacked bills 25) of picker rollers 12a to 12d (see FIG. 1C) described later. At the same time, it is a guide member for abutting the surface of the uppermost banknote of the stacked banknotes 25 stacked on the stage 20 at its lower surface to stabilize the posture of the stacked banknote 25.

  In the first embodiment, the picker guides 16a and 16b are respectively positioned at the upper side of the stage 20 and directly below the picker brackets 15a and 15b described later, at the end 22 of the stage 20 (see FIG. 3). Opposed to each other. Hereinafter, the picker guides 16a and 16b are collectively referred to as “picker guide 16”.

  The “picker guide 16” is not only configured so that the banknote storage unit 19 stores a large number of banknotes stacked in the vertical direction (vertical direction), but also the banknote storage unit 19 stores a large number of banknotes in the horizontal direction. Even when it is configured to be stored in a state of being stacked in the front-rear direction or the left-right direction, it may be provided in the separation feeding unit 4.

(Detailed configuration of gate roller assembly)
Hereinafter, the detailed configuration of the gate roller ASSY 1 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1B, in the first embodiment, the gate roller ASSY1 includes a gate roller shaft 5 and two gate rollers 6a and 6b.

  The gate roller shaft 5 is a rotating shaft of the gate rollers 6a and 6b. The gate rollers 6a and 6b are rotationally driven together with the gate roller shaft 5 by driving means (not shown).

  The gate roller shaft 5 is held at a position below the feed roller shaft 7 by a bracket (not shown) so that its axial direction is parallel to the feed roller shaft 7. The bracket (not shown) rotates the gate roller shaft 5 only in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 1B (that is, freely rotates in the direction of arrow A, but does not rotate in the opposite direction of arrow A). ),keeping.

  The gate rollers 6a and 6b fixedly arranged on the gate roller shaft 5 rotate together with the gate roller shaft 5 by transmitting a rotational driving force from a driving unit (not shown) via a transmission unit (not shown). .

  Each of the gate rollers 6a and 6b is a roller for forming a gate that prevents two or more banknotes from being simultaneously fed downstream from the position. The gate rollers 6a and 6b are formed to have the same diameter. Hereinafter, the gate rollers 6a and 6b are collectively referred to as “gate roller 6”.

  The gate rollers 6a and 6b are fixedly arranged on the gate roller shaft 5 while being separated by a certain distance. Further, the gate rollers 6a and 6b are respectively disposed immediately below the feed rollers 8a and 8b described later of the feed roller ASSY2.

  In the first embodiment, each of the gate rollers 6a and 6b is provided with one groove (concave portion) on the entire circumference of the central portion. The portion provided with the groove is a portion having a small diameter (that is, a small diameter portion), whereas the portion not provided with the groove is a portion having a large diameter (that is, a large diameter portion). Therefore, each of the gate rollers 6a and 6b has a shape including two large diameter portions on both sides of one small diameter portion.

  On the other hand, in the first embodiment, each of the feed rollers 8a and 8b described later of the feed roller ASSY2 is provided with two grooves (concave portions) on the entire circumference of the central portion. Therefore, feed rollers 8a and 8b described later have shapes in which three large-diameter portions and two small-diameter portions are alternately provided.

  The gate roller 6a has two large diameter portions opposed to two small diameter portions provided in a feed roller 8a described later, and one small diameter portion 3 provided in a feed roller 8a described later. It is arranged directly below the feed roller 8a, which will be described later, so as to face the middle large-diameter portion of the large-diameter portions and to engage with each other by a predetermined depth.

  Similarly, the two large diameter portions of the gate roller 6b face two small diameter portions provided in the feed roller 8b described later, and the one small diameter portion is provided in the feed roller 8b described later. It is arranged directly below the feed roller 8b described later so as to face the middle large diameter portion of the three large diameter portions and to engage with each other by a predetermined depth.

  Accordingly, the gate rollers 6a and 6b are configured such that the large diameter portion and the small diameter portion thereof mesh with the small diameter portion and the large diameter portion of the feed rollers 8a and 8b described later of the feed roller ASSY2. In the portion where the large diameter portion and the small diameter portion of the gate rollers 6a and 6b and the small diameter portion and the large diameter portion of the feed rollers 8a and 8b, which will be described later, are engaged, two or more banknotes are simultaneously fed downstream from the position. It functions as a gate that prevents this.

(Detailed configuration of feed roller assembly)
Hereinafter, a detailed configuration of the feed roller ASSY 2 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1B, in the first embodiment, the feed roller ASSY 2 includes a feed roller shaft 7, two feed rollers 8a and 8b, three auxiliary rollers 9a, 9b and 9c, and two pulleys 10a and 10b. I have.

  The feed roller shaft 7 is a rotation shaft of feed rollers 8a and 8b, auxiliary rollers 9a, 9b and 9c, and pulleys 10a and 10b. The feed roller shaft 7 has an auxiliary roller 9b fixedly arranged at the center thereof, feed rollers 8a and 8b are fixedly arranged at both sides and fixedly arranged on both sides thereof, and auxiliary rollers 9a and 9c are separated by a fixed interval and both outer sides thereof. Further, the pulleys 10a and 10b are separated from each other by a fixed distance and fixedly arranged on both outer sides thereof.

  The feed roller shaft 7 is not shown at a position downstream of the banknote storage 19 so that its axial direction is parallel to the upper surface of the stage 20 and coincides with the lateral direction (longitudinal direction) of the stage 20. Is held by the frame. This frame (not shown) holds the feed roller shaft 7 so as to be rotatable in the forward direction and the reverse direction.

  The feed rollers 8a and 8b, the auxiliary rollers 9a, 9b and 9c, and the pulleys 10a and 10b fixedly disposed on the feed roller shaft 7 are rotated by a driving force from a driving unit (not shown) via a transmission unit (not shown). Is transmitted together with the feed roller shaft 7.

  The feed rollers 8a and 8b are rollers for feeding the bills to a transport path (not shown) on the downstream side of the position. The feed rollers 8a and 8b are formed with the same diameter. The feed rollers 8a and 8b are in contact with the surface of the bill while rotating in the bill feeding direction (in the counterclockwise direction in the example shown in FIG. 2) during bill feeding. And feed roller 8a, 8b pays out a banknote downstream by pressing a banknote. Hereinafter, the feed rollers 8a and 8b are collectively referred to as “feed roller 8”.

  In the first embodiment, the feed rollers 8a and 8b are each provided with two grooves on the entire circumference of the central portion as described above. Therefore, each of the feed rollers 8a and 8b has a shape including alternately three large diameter portions and two small diameter portions as described above.

  The feed roller 8a has a central large-diameter portion at three locations opposed to one small-diameter portion provided on the gate roller 6a, and two small-diameter portions provided on the gate roller 6a. Opposing to the large diameter portion, the gate roller 6a is disposed immediately above the gate roller 6a so as to mesh with each other by a predetermined depth.

  Similarly, in the feed roller 8b, the three large-diameter portions in the middle are opposed to one small-diameter portion provided in the gate roller 6b, and the two small-diameter portions are provided in the gate roller 6b. Is arranged directly above the gate roller 6b so as to mesh with a predetermined depth.

  The auxiliary rollers 9a, 9b, and 9c are rollers for assisting the bill feeding operation by the feed rollers 8a and 8b. The auxiliary rollers 9a, 9b, 9c are formed to have the same diameter as the feed rollers 8a, 8b. The auxiliary rollers 9a, 9b, and 9c abut the surface of the bill while rotating in the bill feeding direction (in the counterclockwise direction in the example shown in FIG. 2) together with the feed rollers 8a and 8b at the time of bill feeding. And auxiliary roller 9a, 9b, 9c pays out a bill downstream by pressing a bill with feed rollers 8a and 8b. Hereinafter, the auxiliary rollers 9a, 9b, and 9c are collectively referred to as “auxiliary roller 9”.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the auxiliary roller 9 has a feed roller rubber 17 attached to a part of its outer periphery. Similarly, the feed roller rubber 17 is attached to a part of the outer periphery of the feed roller 8. Since the feed roller rubber 17 is compressed by elasticity, a relatively high frictional force can be given to the banknotes by the compression force. All the feed roller rubbers 17 are formed to have the same diameter.

  The pulley 10a is a member that stretches the belt 14a together with a picker roller 12a (see FIG. 1C), which will be described later, of the picker roller ASSY 3a. On the other hand, the pulley 10b is a member that stretches the belt 14b together with a picker roller 12b (see FIG. 1C), which will be described later, of the picker roller ASSY 3a. The pulleys 10a and 10b transmit the rotational driving force from the driving means (not shown) to the picker rollers 12a and 12b, which will be described later, via the belts 14a and 14b, respectively.

  The pulleys 10a and 10b are formed with the same diameter. However, the pulleys 10a and 10b are formed with a smaller diameter than the feed rollers 8a and 8b and the auxiliary rollers 9a, 9b and 9c so as not to contact the belts 14a and 14b and the bills. Hereinafter, the pulleys 10a and 10b are collectively referred to as “pulley 10”. The belts 14a and 14b are collectively referred to as “belt 14”.

(Detailed configuration of Picker Roller ASSY)
Hereinafter, the detailed configuration of the picker roller ASSY 3 will be described.
The picker rollers ASSY 3 a and 3 b are respectively disposed on the stage 20.

  As shown in FIG. 1C, the picker roller ASSY 3a includes a picker roller shaft 11a, two picker rollers 12a and 12b, and a pulley 13a.

  The picker roller shaft 11a is a rotation shaft of the picker rollers 12a and 12b and the pulley 13a. The picker roller shaft 11 a is disposed at a position above the stage 20 in parallel with the feed roller shaft 7. The picker roller shaft 11a has a pulley 13a and picker rollers 12a and 12b fixedly arranged in order from the outside. The pulley 13a and the picker roller 12a are disposed so as to be separated from each other for a certain period. Further, the picker roller 12a and the picker roller 12b are also arranged so as to be separated for a certain period.

  On the other hand, the picker roller ASSY 3b includes a picker roller shaft 11b, two picker rollers 12c and 12d, and a pulley 13b. In the first embodiment, the picker roller ASSY 3b has a line-symmetric configuration with respect to the picker roller ASSY 3a.

  The picker roller shaft 11b is a rotation shaft of the picker rollers 12c and 12d and the pulley 13b. The picker roller shaft 11b is disposed in parallel with the feed roller shaft 7 on the stage 20 and at a position beside the picker roller shaft 11a. The picker roller shaft 11b has a pulley 13b and picker rollers 12d and 12c fixedly arranged in order from the outside. The pulley 13b and the picker roller 12d are disposed so as to be separated for a certain period. Further, the picker roller 12d and the picker roller 12c are also arranged so as to be separated for a certain period.

  Hereinafter, the picker roller shafts 11a and 11b are collectively referred to as “picker roller shaft 11”. The picker rollers 12a to 12d are collectively referred to as “picker roller 12”. The pulleys 13a and 13b are collectively referred to as “pulley 13”.

  The picker roller 12 is disposed to face the central portion 21 (see FIG. 3) of the stage 20, and feed gates 8 and gates provided on the downstream side of the stacked banknotes stacked on the stage 20 in order from the top. This is a member that is fed out between the rollers 6. The picker roller 12a to the picker roller 12d are all formed to have the same diameter.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 to 8, picker rubbers 18 a to 18 d are attached to a part of the outer periphery of the picker roller 12 a to the picker roller 12 d. The picker rubbers 18a to 18d are members for applying a relatively high frictional force to the bill. The picker rubbers 18a to 18d are all formed to have the same diameter. Hereinafter, the picker rubbers 18a to 18d are collectively referred to as “picker rubber 18”.

  The pulley 13a is a member that stretches the belt 14a together with the pulley 10a (see FIG. 1B) attached to the feed roller shaft 7. On the other hand, the pulley 13b is a member that stretches the belt 14b together with the pulley 10b (see FIG. 1B) attached to the feed roller shaft 7. The belt 14a transmits power between the pulley 10a and the pulley 13a. The belt 14b transmits power between the pulley 10b and the pulley 13b.

  In the first embodiment, the picker rollers ASSY 3a and 3b are held by the picker brackets 15a and 15b, respectively. The picker brackets 15a and 15b are members that hold the picker rollers ASSY 3a and 3b, respectively. Hereinafter, the picker brackets 15a and 15b are collectively referred to as “picker bracket 15”.

  In the first embodiment, each of the picker brackets 15a and 15b is formed in a U-shape (substantially U-shape), and has a U-shape (substantially U-shape) at a position above the stage 20. The closed side is the upstream side, while the U-shaped (substantially U-shaped) open side is the downstream side.

  Each of the picker brackets 15 a and 15 b is pivotally supported by the feed roller shaft 7 at the downstream end. Therefore, the picker brackets 15a and 15b have the downstream end as a fixed end, the upstream end as a free end, and the feed roller shaft 7 as a center so that the free end changes in the vertical direction. Independently of each other, they are configured to rotate in the directions of arrows B and C shown in FIG. 1B.

  In the first embodiment, the picker brackets 15a and 15b will be described as being biased downward from above by a biasing member (not shown) such as a spring in the vicinity of the free end.

  The picker brackets 15a and 15b are fixedly disposed on the feed roller shaft 7 so as to be positioned on both outer sides of the auxiliary roller 9b.

  In the picker bracket 15a, a feed roller 8a, an auxiliary roller 9a, and a pulley 10a fixedly arranged on the feed roller shaft 7 are arranged in order from the auxiliary roller 9b side between the fixed end and the fixed end of the picker bracket 15a. Has been.

  The picker bracket 15a rotatably holds the picker shaft 11a in the vicinity of the free end inside the picker bracket 15a. Two picker rollers 12a and 12b are fixedly arranged on the picker shaft 11a.

  The picker bracket 15a is urged downward from above by an urging member (not shown) near the free end. Therefore, the picker bracket 15a rotates around the feed roller shaft 7 and is biased downward independently of the picker bracket 15b.

  Accordingly, the picker rollers 12a and 12b provided in the picker bracket 15a rotate about the feed roller shaft 7 independently of the picker rollers 12c and 12d provided in the other picker bracket 15b. Move up and down. Thereby, the picker rollers 12a and 12b preferably come into contact with the surface of the top banknote in the stacked banknote 25 when the stage 20 is raised.

  Here, “preferably contact” means that the outer peripheral surface of the picker roller 12 is in contact with the banknote without hitting it, and the picker roller 12 does not lose rotational force (conveyance force). It means a state to be transmitted.

  On the other hand, the picker bracket 15b includes a feed roller 8b, an auxiliary roller 9c, and a pulley 10b, which are fixedly disposed on the feed roller shaft 7, between the fixed end inside the picker bracket 15b, in order from the auxiliary roller 9b side. Have been placed.

  The picker bracket 15b rotatably holds the picker shaft 11b in the vicinity of the free end inside the picker bracket 15b. Two picker rollers 12c and 12d are fixedly disposed on the picker shaft 11b.

  The picker bracket 15b is urged downward from above by a urging member (not shown) near the free end. Therefore, the picker bracket 15b rotates around the feed roller shaft 7 and is biased downward independently of the picker bracket 15a.

  Accordingly, the picker rollers 12c and 12d provided in the picker bracket 15b rotate around the feed roller shaft 7 independently of the picker rollers 12a and 12b provided in the other picker bracket 15a. Move up and down. Thereby, the picker rollers 12c and 12d suitably come into contact with the surface of the uppermost banknote in the stacked banknote 25 when the stage 20 is raised.

  As described above, the picker brackets 15 a and 15 b can be brought into contact with the uppermost banknote of the stacked banknotes 25 by rotating independently from each other.

  The picker roller 12 is preferably arranged such that all the picker rollers 12a to 12d are arranged on a central portion 21 (see FIG. 3) described later on the stage 20. Thereby, the picker roller 12 can stably apply a pressing force to the banknote in a well-balanced manner, and can equally apply the conveying force. As a result, the banknote can be fed straight between the feed roller 8 and the gate roller 6 without skewing (skewing).

(Detailed configuration of the picker guide)
Hereinafter, the detailed configuration of the picker guide 16 will be described.
The picker guide 16a is fixedly disposed below the picker bracket 15a. On the other hand, the picker guide 16b is fixedly disposed below the picker bracket 15b.

  The picker guide 16 is formed so that at least a portion of the lower surface facing the stage 20 is substantially planar. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the picker guide 16 has a shape provided with an opening that avoids the picker roller 12, the feed roller 8, and the auxiliary roller 9. As a result, the picker guide 16 does not interfere with the operations of the picker roller 12, the feed roller 8, and the auxiliary roller 9.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the picker roller 18 attached to the outer peripheral surface of the picker roller 12 (see FIG. 2) is connected to the picker guide 16 through an opening (hole) provided in the picker guide 16. It arrange | positions so that it may protrude downward by the protrusion amount F from the lower surface.

  Similarly, the feed roller rubber 17 (see FIG. 2) attached to the outer peripheral surface of the feed roller 8 and the auxiliary roller 9 has a lower surface of the picker guide 16 through an opening provided in the picker guide 16. It is arrange | positioned so that only the protrusion amount F may protrude below. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the feed roller 8 is hidden behind the auxiliary roller 9 and cannot be seen.

(Detailed configuration of stage)
Hereinafter, the detailed configuration of the stage 20 will be described with reference to FIG.
The stage 20 is disposed on the lower side of the picker roller ASSY 3 and is moved in the vertical direction (the direction of the arrow D) by a driving mechanism (not shown).

  The stage 20 is partitioned in the longitudinal direction into a central portion 21 that supports bills and end portions 22a and 22b provided on both sides of the central portion 21, respectively. Hereinafter, the end portions 22a and 22b are collectively referred to as “end portion 22”.

  In the stage 20, the upper surface of the central portion 21 and the upper surfaces of the end portions 22a and 22b on both sides thereof are each formed in a substantially planar shape. The stage 20 is arranged so that the upper surface of the central portion 21 contacts the picker roller 12 when moved upward.

  Further, the stage 20 is provided with a step E between the upper surface of the central portion 21 and the upper surfaces of the end portions 22a and 22b so that the upper surface of the central portion 21 is higher than the upper surfaces of the end portions 22a and 22b. . Therefore, the stage 20 is configured such that the end portions 22 a and 22 b are lower than the central portion 21 by the level difference E.

  In such a stage 20, the central portion 21 facing the picker roller 12 supports the banknote, so that the static frictional force of the end portions 22 a and 22 b with respect to the bottom banknote in the stacked banknote 20 is It becomes weaker than the static friction force. Therefore, the pressure in the vertical direction of the end portions 22a and 22b is reduced in the stage 20, and as a result, the dynamic friction force in the feeding direction can be reduced.

  Therefore, the paper sheet separating mechanism 100 can reduce the frictional force between the longitudinal end portions of the stacked banknote 25 and the end portions 22a and 22b of the stage 20 so that the difference between the left and right frictional forces is small. it can. As a result, the paper sheet separating mechanism 100 can suppress the occurrence of non-uniform frictional force at both ends in the longitudinal direction, and can feed the banknote straight without skewing (skewing). .

  Note that the shape of the stage 20 can be changed if the central portion 21 facing the picker roller 12 can stably support the banknote. For example, if the center part 21 can support a banknote stably, the stage 20 can form the upper surface of edge part 22a, 22b in the shape of a slope.

  In this case, the stage 20 further increases the step E between the upper surface of the central portion 21 and the upper surfaces of the end portions 22a and 22b, and provides an unillustrated elastic member on the upper surfaces of the end portions 22a and 22b. Thus, the vertical pressing force from the end portions 22a and 22b to the stacked banknote 25 can be reduced. The elastic member preferably has a configuration in which the coefficient of friction with the banknote is suppressed.

<Operation of paper sheet separation mechanism>
Hereinafter, the operation of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. 7 and 8 are operation explanatory views of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100 according to the first embodiment, respectively.

In the example shown in FIG. 7A, the stacked banknotes 25 are stacked on the stage 20.
In the state shown in FIG. 7A, the control unit of the medium processing apparatus moves the stage 20 upward (in the direction of the arrow D1) by a drive mechanism (not shown). As a result, the stacked banknotes 25 stacked on the stage 20 come into contact with the picker rubber 18 and push the picker roller 12 upward.

  At this time, the control unit of the medium processing apparatus monitors whether or not the picker roller 12 has reached a predetermined position by a sensor (not shown), and when the picker roller 12 reaches a predetermined position, The drive mechanism (not shown) is stopped, and the stage 20 is stopped. As a result, the stacked banknote 25 is in the state shown in FIG.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 8, the control unit of the medium processing apparatus causes the picker roller 12, the feed roller 8, and the auxiliary roller 9 of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100 to rotate in the normal direction (not shown). Rotate in the direction of arrow G). In the example shown in FIG. 8, the feed roller 8 is hidden behind the auxiliary roller 9 and cannot be seen.

  As a result, in the paper sheet separating mechanism 100, the picker rubber 18 of the picker roller 12 comes into contact with the uppermost banknote, the uppermost banknote is fed out in the direction of arrow H, and the feed roller 8 and the auxiliary roller 9 are further fed. The feed roller rubber 17 comes into contact with the bill and feeds the bill in the direction of arrow H.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 7B, the paper sheet separating mechanism 100 has a gap corresponding to the protrusion amount F of the picker roller 12 from the lower surface of the picker guide 16 at the top of the stacked bills 25. It is formed between the bill and the lower surface of the picker guide 16.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 7B, the paper sheet separating mechanism 100 has a gap corresponding to a step E between the upper surface of the central portion 21 of the stage 20 and the upper surfaces of the end portions 22a and 22b. It is formed between both ends in the longitudinal direction of the lowest banknote in the stacked banknote 25 and the end portions 22 a and 22 b of the stage 20.

  In such a paper sheet separating mechanism 100, the picker guide 16 seals the end portion of the picker roller 12, and therefore prevents the bill from entering the space at the end portion of the picker roller 12 when the bill is fed out. The occurrence of jam can be avoided.

  Further, such a paper sheet separating mechanism 100 is in a state in which both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the stacked banknotes 25 are separated from the upper surfaces of the end portions 22a and 22b of the stage 20 (or temporarily, in the longitudinal direction of the stacked banknotes 25. Even if both end portions are in contact with the upper surfaces of the end portions 22a and 22b of the stage 20, the frictional force between the end portions of the stacked banknote 25 in the longitudinal direction and the end portions 22a and 22b of the stage 20 is reduced. State).

  As a result, the paper sheet separating mechanism 100 can ensure a stable separation performance regardless of the state of the stacked banknotes 25, and without skewing the banknotes when the banknotes are fed, It can be fed straight out.

  As described above, according to the paper sheet separating mechanism 100 according to the first embodiment, stable separation performance can be ensured regardless of the state of the banknotes to be separated.

[Embodiment 2]
As shown in FIG. 9, the paper sheet separating mechanism 100 according to the first embodiment described above has an end portion in the longitudinal direction of the stacked banknote 25 when most banknotes in the stacked banknote 25 are banknotes in a bad state. May come into contact with the lower surface of the picker guide 16, or the end of the stacked banknote 25 in the longitudinal direction may come into contact with the upper surface of the end 22 of the stage 20.

  Here, the “bad banknote” means, for example, a banknote with different left and right thickness, a used banknote, or the like. Hereinafter, the bad banknote is referred to as “banknote 25NG”. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the state of the bill 25NG. In FIG. 9A, the longitudinal end of the bill 25NG having different left and right thickness is in contact with the lower surface of the picker guide 16 (see J portion) and the upper surface of the end portion 22 of the stage 20 (see L portion). It shows the state. In FIG. 9B, the end of the used bill 25NG in the longitudinal direction is the lower surface of the picker guide 16 (see J and K) and the upper surface of the end 22 of the stage 20 (see L and M). The state which is contacting is shown.

  When the paper sheet separating mechanism 100 according to the first embodiment tries to pay out the bill 25NG in such a state, the frictional force is not only from the picker rubber 18 but also from the lower surface of the picker guide 16 and the upper surface of the end portion 22 of the stage 20. Is also added to the bill 25NG. Thereby, the banknote 25NG may generate an abnormal behavior that leads to poor separation.

  For this reason, the paper sheet separating mechanism 100 according to the first embodiment may not skew the bill 25NG straight when bills are fed, and may cause skew (skew).

  Therefore, in the second embodiment, a paper sheet separating mechanism 100B that can feed a banknote straightly without skewing (skewing) the banknote when it is fed out regardless of the state of the stacked banknote 25 is provided.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100B according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100B according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic rear view of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100B according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the paper sheet separating mechanism 100B according to the second embodiment is different from the paper sheet separating mechanism 100 according to the first embodiment (see FIG. 1A) in that the guide rollers 202a and 202b are The difference is that the picker guide 216a is provided and the guide rollers 202c and 202d are provided on the picker guide 216b.

  The guide rollers 202a to 202d respectively press the end of the stacked banknote 25 in the direction of the stage 20 (in the second embodiment, press down from the top to the bottom), and the stacked banknote 25 is picked up by the picker guides 216a and 216b. It is the separation member made to space apart from the lower surface of this. Hereinafter, the guide rollers 202a to 202d are collectively referred to as “guide rollers 202”. The “guide roller 202” corresponds to “a separating member (on the guide member side)” recited in the claims. The picker guides 216a and 216b are collectively referred to as “picker guide 216”.

  The guide rollers 202a to 202d are each formed in a cylindrical shape, and guide roller shafts 201a to 201d are attached to the center. The guide roller shafts 201a to 201d are members that function as rotation axes of the guide rollers 202a to 202d, respectively.

  The guide roller shafts 201a and 201b are respectively held by a holding mechanism provided at the end of the picker guide 216a so as to be rotatable in the normal rotation direction and the reverse rotation direction. The guide roller shafts 201a and 201b are preferably disposed at positions opposite to the ends of the stacked banknotes 25 in the longitudinal direction and at positions outside the picker bracket 15a (in the direction of arrow N).

  Similarly, the guide roller shafts 201c and 201d are respectively held by a holding mechanism provided at the end of the picker guide 216b so as to be rotatable in the normal rotation direction and the reverse rotation direction. The guide roller shafts 201c and 201d are preferably disposed at positions opposite to the ends of the stacked banknotes 25 in the longitudinal direction and outside the picker bracket 15b (in the direction of arrow P).

  These guide roller shafts 201 a to 201 d are arranged in parallel with the feed roller shaft 7.

  In the example shown in FIG. 10, the two guide roller shafts 201 a and 201 b are arranged in a line in the direction of the arrow H at a constant interval. Similarly, two guide roller shafts 201c and 201d are arranged in a line in the direction of arrow H with a predetermined interval.

  Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 10, the two guide rollers 202a and 202b are arranged in a line in the direction of the arrow H (feeding direction) with a constant interval. Similarly, two guide rollers 202c and 202d are arranged in a line in the direction of arrow H with a predetermined interval.

  As shown in FIG. 11, each of the guide rollers 202a and 202b protrudes downward from the lower surface of the picker guide 216a by a protrusion amount Q through an opening (hole) provided in the picker guide 216a. Has been placed.

  Similarly, the guide rollers 202c and 202d are disposed so as to protrude downward by a protrusion amount Q from the lower surface of the picker guide 216b through an opening (hole) provided in the picker guide 216b. .

  Here, the protrusion amount Q is set to a value satisfying the relationship of “Q ≦ F” with respect to the protrusion amount F of the picker roller 18 from the lower surface of the picker guide 216.

  Note that the paper sheet separating mechanism 100B according to the second embodiment has a configuration in which two guide rollers 202 are arranged in one row on one side, and a total of four guide rollers 202 are arranged in two rows. However, the number and arrangement position of the guide rollers 202 can be freely changed.

  The operation of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100B will be described below with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13 are operation explanatory views of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100B according to the second embodiment.

  Here, the operation different from that of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100 according to the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the same operation as that of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100 according to the first embodiment is related to the above-described first embodiment. The detailed description is omitted as the operation of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100 is replaced with the operation of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100B according to the second embodiment.

  Here, it is assumed that most banknotes in the stacked banknotes 25 are banknotes 25NG in a poor state. Therefore, here, as shown in FIG. 12A, the stacked banknote 25 will be described assuming that both end portions in the longitudinal direction are spread vertically.

  In the state shown in FIG. 12A, the control unit of the medium processing apparatus moves the stage 20 upward (in the direction of the arrow D1) by a driving mechanism (not shown). As a result, the stacked banknotes 25 stacked on the stage 20 come into contact with the picker rubber 18 and push the picker roller 12 upward.

  At this time, the control unit of the medium processing apparatus monitors whether or not the picker roller 12 has reached a predetermined position by a sensor (not shown), and when the picker roller 12 reaches a predetermined position, The drive mechanism (not shown) is stopped, and the stage 20 is stopped. As a result, the stacked banknote 25 is in the state shown in FIG.

  In the example shown in FIG. 12B, both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the top banknote in the stacked banknote 25 are in contact with the guide roller 202. At this time, the both ends in the longitudinal direction of the uppermost banknote are brought into contact with the guide roller 202, so that both ends in the longitudinal direction spreading upward are pressed down from above. Thereby, as for the stack | stacking banknote 25, the banknote of the top and its vicinity becomes a substantially flat state as a whole.

  Therefore, in the stacked banknote 25, a gap corresponding to the protrusion amount Q of the guide roller 202 from the lower surface of the picker guide 216 is formed between the uppermost banknote and the lower surface of the picker guide 216. As a result, the stacked banknotes 25 are in a state in which both ends in the longitudinal direction of the uppermost banknote do not contact the lower surface of the picker guide 216.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 13, the control unit of the medium processing apparatus moves the picker roller 12, the feed roller 8, and the auxiliary roller 9 of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100 </ b> B in the normal rotation direction ( Rotate in the direction of arrow G). In the example shown in FIG. 13, the feed roller 8 is hidden behind the auxiliary roller 9 and cannot be seen.

  As a result, in the paper sheet separating mechanism 100B, the picker rubber 18 of the picker roller 12 comes into contact with the uppermost banknote, the uppermost banknote is fed out in the direction of arrow H, and the feed roller 8 and the auxiliary roller 9 are further fed. The feed roller rubber 17 comes into contact with the bill and feeds the bill in the direction of arrow H.

  At this time, in the paper sheet separating mechanism 100B, as shown in FIG. 12B, a gap corresponding to the protrusion amount Q of the guide roller 202 is formed between the uppermost banknote and the lower surface of the picker guide 216. ing. In the paper sheet separating mechanism 100B, as shown in FIG. 13, the guide roller 202 that is in contact with the uppermost banknote rotates in the forward rotation direction (direction of arrow R).

  Such a paper sheet separating mechanism 100B presses both ends in the longitudinal direction of the stacked banknote 25 spreading upward from the upper side by a rotatable guide roller 202 when the banknote is fed out. As a result, the paper sheet separating mechanism 100B prevents both end portions of the stacked banknotes 25 in the longitudinal direction from coming into contact with the lower surface of the picker guide 216, so that abnormal behavior that leads to poor separation occurs in the banknotes. Is preventing.

  Therefore, the paper sheet separating mechanism 100B does not apply frictional resistance (friction force) to the stacked banknotes 25 from the lower surface of the picker guide 216 when the banknotes are fed, and only the frictional force from the picker rubber 18 removes the top banknote. You can pay out.

  As a result, regardless of the state of the stacked banknotes 25, the paper sheet separating mechanism 100B can feed the banknotes straight without skewing (skewing) the banknotes.

  As described above, according to the paper sheet separating mechanism 100B according to the second embodiment, similarly to the paper sheet separating mechanism 100 according to the first embodiment, stable separation performance is ensured regardless of the state of the banknotes to be separated. be able to.

  Moreover, according to the paper sheet separating mechanism 100B according to the second embodiment, the frictional force (frictional force) is not applied to the stacked banknote 25 from the lower surface of the picker guide 216, and only the frictional force from the picker rubber 18 is applied. Therefore, even if most of the banknotes in the stacked banknote 25 are banknotes 25NG in a poor state, the banknotes are fed out better than the paper sheet separating mechanism 100 according to the first embodiment. be able to.

[Embodiment 3]
The paper sheet separating mechanism 100B according to the second embodiment is configured to use a guide roller 202 (see FIG. 10) formed in a cylindrical shape as a separating member. In the third embodiment, a paper sheet separating mechanism 100C using a guide roller 203 or a guide roller 204 (see FIG. 14B and FIG. 14C) having a different shape instead of the guide roller 202 is used as the separation member. provide.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100C according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view of the guide rollers 203 and 204 used in the third embodiment. FIG. 15 is an operation explanatory diagram of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100C according to the third embodiment.

  FIG. 14A shows the shape of the guide roller 202 used in the second embodiment. The guide roller 202 is formed in a cylindrical shape. On the other hand, FIG. 14B shows the shape of the guide roller 203 used in the third embodiment. The guide roller 203 is formed in an abacus ball shape. Here, the “abacus ball shape” means a shape in which taper is provided on both side surfaces of the guide roller 202 formed in the cylindrical shape shown in FIG. FIG. 14C shows the shape of the guide roller 204 used in the third embodiment. The guide roller 204 is formed in a spherical shape.

  The paper sheet separating mechanism 100B according to the second embodiment uses a guide roller 202 formed in a cylindrical shape. Therefore, the paper sheet separating mechanism 100B according to the second embodiment does not normally occur. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 15A, the stacked banknotes 25 stacked on the stage 20 are temporarily provided. When the situation where the arrangement position shifts occurs, there is a possibility that the side surface of the stacked banknote 25 in the longitudinal direction is in contact with the side surface of the guide roller 202.

  If the stacked banknote 25 is in such a state, it receives frictional resistance (frictional force) from the side surface of the guide roller 202. Thereby, the stacked banknote 25 may generate an abnormal behavior that leads to poor separation.

  Therefore, in this case, the paper sheet separating mechanism 100B according to the second embodiment may not skew the banknotes straightly when feeding the banknotes, and may cause skew (skew).

  Therefore, the sheet separating mechanism 100C according to the third embodiment uses a guide roller 203 formed in an abacus ball shape or a guide roller 204 formed in a spherical shape instead of the guide roller 202.

  As shown in FIG. 15 (b) or FIG. 15 (c), such a paper sheet separating mechanism 100C is configured such that the side surface in the longitudinal direction of the stacked banknote 25 extends along the direction of the arrow S along the guide roller 203 or The roller 204 comes off. Therefore, in the paper sheet separating mechanism 100 </ b> C, the side surface in the longitudinal direction of the stacked banknote 25 is not caught by the guide roller 203 or the guide roller 204. Thereby, the paper sheet separating mechanism 100C prevents the frictional resistance (frictional force) from being applied from the guide roller 203 or the guide roller 204 to the side surface in the longitudinal direction of the stacked banknote 25, thereby causing abnormal behavior leading to poor separation. Is prevented from occurring in banknotes.

  For this reason, the paper sheet separating mechanism 100C skews (delays) the banknotes when the banknotes are fed even if the arrangement position of the stacked banknotes 25 stacked on the stage 20 is shifted. It is possible to feed straight without making it.

  As described above, according to the paper sheet separating mechanism 100C according to the third embodiment, as in the other embodiments, stable separation performance can be ensured regardless of the state of the banknotes to be separated.

  Moreover, according to the paper sheet separating mechanism 100C according to the third embodiment, the frictional force (frictional force) is not applied to the stacked banknote 25 from the lower surface of the picker guide 216, and only the frictional force from the picker rubber 18 is applied. Therefore, most of the banknotes in the stacked banknotes 25 are similar to the paper sheet separating mechanism 100B according to the second embodiment, as compared with the paper sheet separating mechanism 100 according to the first embodiment. Even if the banknote 25NG is in a bad state, the banknote can be fed out satisfactorily.

  Furthermore, according to the paper sheet separating mechanism 100C according to the third embodiment, compared with the paper sheet separating mechanism 100B according to the second embodiment, the paper sheets are separated on the stage 20 regardless of the state of the stacked banknotes 25. Even when a situation occurs in which the arrangement position of the stacked banknotes 25 is shifted, frictional resistance (friction force) is prevented from being applied to the side surface in the longitudinal direction of the stacked banknotes 25 from the guide roller 203 or the guide roller 204, Thus, it is possible to prevent the banknote from generating an abnormal behavior that leads to poor separation.

[Embodiment 4]
The paper sheet separating mechanism 100B according to the second embodiment is configured to use a guide roller 202 (see FIG. 10) as a separating member. In the fourth embodiment, a paper sheet separating mechanism 100D that uses a guide belt 303 (see FIG. 16) instead of the guide roller 202 is provided as a separation member.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100D according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view of a paper sheet separating mechanism 100D according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 17 is a schematic rear view of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100D according to the fourth embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, in the paper sheet separating mechanism 100D, pulleys 302a and 302b and a guide belt 303a are provided on a picker guide 316a, and pulleys 302c and 302d and a guide belt 303b are provided on a picker guide. 316b is provided.

  Each of the guide belts 303a and 303b is a separation member that pushes down the end of the stacked banknote 25 downward from above and separates the stacked banknote 25 from the lower surface of the picker guides 316a and 316b. Hereinafter, the guide belts 303a and 303b are collectively referred to as “guide belt 303”. The “guide belt 303” corresponds to “a separating member (on the guide member side)” recited in the claims. The picker guides 316a and 316b are collectively referred to as “picker guide 316”.

  The guide belt 303a is stretched by two pulleys 302a and 302b provided on the picker guide 316a so as to be able to run in the forward direction and the reverse direction. Similarly, the guide belt 303b is stretched by two pulleys 302c and 302d provided on the picker guide 316b so as to be able to run in the forward direction and the reverse direction.

  The pulleys 302a to 302d are each formed in a cylindrical shape, and pulley shafts 301a to 301d are attached to the center. The pulley shafts 301a to 301d are members that function as rotational axes of the pulleys 302a to 302d, respectively.

  The pulley shafts 301a and 301b are respectively held by a holding mechanism provided at the end of the picker guide 316a so as to be rotatable in the normal rotation direction and the reverse rotation direction. In addition, it is preferable that the arrangement | positioning position of pulley shaft 301a, 301b is a position which opposes the edge part of the longitudinal direction of the banknote 25, and is an outer side (direction of arrow N) rather than the picker bracket 15a.

  Similarly, the pulley shafts 301c and 301d are respectively held by a holding mechanism provided at the end of the picker guide 316b so as to be rotatable in the normal rotation direction and the reverse rotation direction. In addition, it is preferable that the arrangement | positioning position of the pulley shafts 301c and 301d is a position which opposes the edge part of the longitudinal direction of the stack | stacking banknote 25, and is an outer side (direction of arrow P) rather than the picker bracket 15b.

  These pulley shafts 301 a to 301 d are arranged in parallel with the feed roller shaft 7.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the guide belt 303a is disposed so as to protrude downward by a protrusion amount Q from the lower surface of the picker guide 316a through an opening (hole) provided in the picker guide 316a. .

  Similarly, the guide belt 303b is disposed so as to protrude downward by a protrusion amount Q from the lower surface of the picker guide 316b through an opening (hole) provided in the picker guide 316b.

  Here, the protrusion amount Q is set to a value that satisfies the relationship of “Q ≦ F” with respect to the protrusion amount F of the picker roller 18 from the lower surface of the picker guide 316.

  The operation of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100D will be described below with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19 are operation explanatory views of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100D according to the fourth embodiment, respectively.

  Here, the operation different from that of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100B according to the second embodiment will be mainly described, and the same operation as that of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100B according to the second embodiment is related to the above-described second embodiment. The detailed description is omitted as the operation of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100B is replaced with the operation of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100D according to the fourth embodiment.

  Here, it is assumed that most banknotes in the stacked banknotes 25 are banknotes 25NG in a poor state. Therefore, here, as shown in FIG. 18A, the stacked banknote 25 will be described as having both ends in the longitudinal direction spread vertically.

  In the state shown in FIG. 18A, the control unit of the medium processing apparatus moves the stage 20 upward (in the direction of the arrow D1) by a drive mechanism (not shown). As a result, the stacked banknotes 25 stacked on the stage 20 come into contact with the picker rubber 18 and push the picker roller 12 upward.

  At this time, the control unit of the medium processing apparatus monitors whether or not the picker roller 12 has reached a predetermined position by a sensor (not shown), and when the picker roller 12 reaches a predetermined position, The drive mechanism (not shown) is stopped, and the stage 20 is stopped. As a result, the stacked banknote 25 is in the state shown in FIG.

  In the example shown in FIG. 18B, both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the top banknote in the stacked banknote 25 are in contact with the guide belt 303. At this time, both ends in the longitudinal direction of the uppermost banknote are brought into contact with the guide belt 303, so that both ends in the longitudinal direction spreading upward are pressed down from above. Thereby, as for the stack | stacking banknote 25, the banknote of the top and its vicinity becomes a substantially flat state as a whole.

  Therefore, in the stacked banknote 25, a gap corresponding to the protrusion amount Q of the guide belt 303 from the lower surface of the picker guide 316 is formed between the uppermost banknote and the lower surface of the picker guide 316. As a result, the stacked banknotes 25 are in a state in which both ends in the longitudinal direction of the uppermost banknote do not contact the lower surface of the picker guide 316.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 19, the control unit of the medium processing apparatus causes the picker roller 12, the feed roller 8, and the auxiliary roller 9 of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100 </ b> D to rotate in the normal direction (not shown). Rotate in the direction of arrow G). In the example shown in FIG. 19, the feed roller 8 is hidden behind the auxiliary roller 9 and cannot be seen.

  As a result, in the paper sheet separating mechanism 100D, the picker rubber 18 of the picker roller 12 comes into contact with the top banknote, the top banknote is fed out in the direction of arrow H, and the feed roller 8 and the auxiliary roller 9 are further fed. The feed roller rubber 17 comes into contact with the bill and feeds the bill in the direction of arrow H.

  At this time, in the paper sheet separating mechanism 100D, as shown in FIG. 18B, a gap corresponding to the protrusion amount Q of the guide belt 303 is formed between the top banknote and the lower surface of the picker guide 316. ing. Further, as shown in FIG. 19, the paper sheet separating mechanism 100D is configured such that the two pulleys 302 that stretch the guide belt 303 rotate in the normal rotation direction (direction of arrow R), and the top banknote. The guide belt 303 in contact with the vehicle travels in the forward rotation direction (the direction of the arrow T).

  Such a paper sheet separating mechanism 100D presses both ends in the longitudinal direction of the stacked banknotes 25 spreading upward from the upper side by a guide belt 303 that can run freely when the banknotes are fed out. As a result, the paper sheet separating mechanism 100D prevents both end portions of the stacked banknotes 25 in the longitudinal direction from coming into contact with the lower surface of the picker guide 316, and thus abnormal behavior that leads to poor separation occurs in the banknotes. Is preventing.

  Therefore, the paper sheet separating mechanism 100D does not apply frictional resistance (friction force) from the lower surface of the picker guide 316 to the stacked banknotes 25 when the banknotes are fed, and only the frictional force from the picker rubber 18 removes the top banknote. You can pay out.

  As a result, regardless of the state of the stacked banknotes 25, the paper sheet separating mechanism 100D can feed the banknotes straight without skewing (skewing) the banknotes.

  As described above, according to the paper sheet separating mechanism 100D according to the fourth embodiment, as in the other embodiments, stable separation performance can be ensured regardless of the state of the banknotes to be separated.

  Moreover, according to the paper sheet separating mechanism 100D according to the fourth embodiment, the frictional force (frictional force) is not applied to the stacked banknote 25 from the lower surface of the picker guide 316, and only the frictional force from the picker rubber 18 is the top. Therefore, most of the banknotes in the stacked banknotes 25 are similar to the paper sheet separating mechanism 100B according to the second embodiment, as compared with the paper sheet separating mechanism 100 according to the first embodiment. Even if the banknote 25NG is in a bad state, the banknote can be fed out satisfactorily.

[Embodiment 5]
The paper sheet separating mechanism 100 (see FIG. 1A) according to the first embodiment is a case where both ends in the longitudinal direction of the stacked banknotes 25 stacked on the stage 520 are likely to hang down. And when the both ends of the longitudinal direction of the bottom banknote in the stacked banknotes 25 are in contact with the upper surfaces of the end portions 22a and 22b of the stage 20, the picker roller 12 When fed out, frictional resistance (frictional force) is applied from the upper surface of the end portions 22a and 22b of the stage 20 to the back surface of the bottom banknote.

  Therefore, in this case, the paper sheet separating mechanism 100 according to the first embodiment may not skew the bottom banknote straight and may cause skew (skew). Note that the lowest banknote is the last banknote to be delivered last in the stacked banknote 25.

  Therefore, in the fifth embodiment, a paper sheet separating mechanism configured to separate both longitudinal ends of the bottom banknote from the upper surfaces of the end portions 22a and 22b of the stage 520 according to the fifth embodiment. 100E is provided.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100E according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 20 is a schematic perspective view of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100E according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 21 is a schematic rear view of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100E according to the fifth embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the paper sheet separating mechanism 100E according to the fifth embodiment is different from the paper sheet separating mechanism 100 according to the first embodiment (see FIG. 1A) in that the guide rollers 522a and 522b are The difference is that the guide rollers 522c and 522d are provided at the end 22b of the stage 520, and the guide rollers 522c and 522d are provided at the end 22b of the stage 520.

  Each of the guide rollers 522a to 522d presses the end of the stacked banknote 25 in the direction of the separating and feeding section 4 (in the fifth embodiment, presses up from the bottom upward), and the stacked banknote 25 is moved to the end of the stage 520. It is a separating member that separates from the upper surfaces of 22a and 22b. Hereinafter, the guide rollers 522a to 522d are collectively referred to as “guide rollers 522”. “Guide roller 522” corresponds to “a separation member (on the stage side)” recited in the claims.

  The guide rollers 522a to 522d are each formed in a cylindrical shape, and guide roller shafts 521a to 521d are attached to the center. The guide roller shafts 521a to 521d are members that function as rotation axes of the guide rollers 522a to 522d, respectively. Here, the case where the guide roller 522 is formed in a cylindrical shape will be described, but the guide roller 522 may be formed in an abacus ball shape or a spherical shape.

  The guide roller shafts 521a and 521b are respectively held by a holding mechanism provided at the end 22a of the stage 520 so as to be rotatable in the normal rotation direction and the reverse rotation direction. The arrangement positions of the guide roller shafts 521a and 521b are preferably positions on the end portion 22a of the stage 520 and facing the end portion of the stacked banknote 25 in the longitudinal direction.

  Similarly, the guide roller shafts 521c and 521d are respectively held by a holding mechanism provided at the end portion 22b of the stage 520 so as to be rotatable in the forward rotation direction and the reverse rotation direction. The arrangement positions of the guide roller shafts 521c and 521d are preferably positions on the end portion 22b of the stage 520 and facing the end portion of the stacked banknote 25 in the longitudinal direction.

  These guide roller shafts 521a to 521d are arranged in parallel with the feed roller shaft 7, respectively.

  In the example shown in FIG. 20, the two guide roller shafts 521a and 521b are arranged in a line in the direction of the arrow H at a constant interval. Similarly, two guide roller shafts 521c and 521d are arranged in a line in the direction of the arrow H at a predetermined interval.

  Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 20, the two guide rollers 522a and 522b are arranged in a line in the direction of the arrow H at regular intervals. Similarly, two guide rollers 522c and 522d are arranged in a line in the direction of arrow H with a constant interval.

  As shown in FIG. 21, the guide rollers 522a and 522b are arranged so as to protrude upward by a protrusion amount U from the upper surface of the end 22a of the stage 520, respectively.

  Similarly, the guide rollers 522c and 522d are arranged so as to protrude upward by a protrusion amount U from the upper surface of the end portion 22b of the stage 520, respectively.

  Here, the protrusion amount U is set to a value that satisfies the relationship “U ≦ E” with respect to the step E between the central portion 21 and the end portions 22a and 22b of the stage 520.

  The paper sheet separating mechanism 100E according to the fifth embodiment has a configuration in which two guide rollers 522 are arranged in one row on one side, and a total of four guide rollers 522 are arranged in two rows. However, the number and arrangement position of the guide rollers 522 can be freely changed.

  Moreover, the guide roller 522 may be formed in the abacus ball shape shown in FIG.14 (b), or the spherical shape shown in FIG.14 (c).

  Hereinafter, the operation of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100E will be described with reference to FIGS. 22 and 23 are operation explanatory views of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100E according to the fifth embodiment, respectively.

  Here, the operation different from that of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100 according to the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the same operation as that of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100 according to the first embodiment is related to the above-described first embodiment. The detailed description is omitted as the operation of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100 is replaced with the operation of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100E according to the fifth embodiment.

  Here, description will be made assuming that both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the stacked banknotes 25 stacked on the stage 520 are in a state in which they are likely to hang down. As shown in FIG. 22 (a), the stacked banknote 25 is in a state where both ends in the longitudinal direction of the bottom banknote are in contact with the guide roller 522 as both longitudinal ends hang down. Become. As a result, the stacked banknotes 25 are pushed upward from below by the guide rollers 522 at both ends in the longitudinal direction depending on the lower side. As a result, the stacked banknote 25 is almost flat as a whole.

  The control unit of the medium processing apparatus moves the stage 520 upward (in the direction of the arrow D1) by a driving mechanism (not shown). As a result, the stacked banknotes 25 stacked on the stage 520 come into contact with the picker rubber 18 and push up the picker roller 12 upward.

  At this time, the control unit of the medium processing apparatus monitors whether or not the picker roller 12 has reached a predetermined position by a sensor (not shown), and when the picker roller 12 reaches a predetermined position, A drive mechanism (not shown) is stopped, and the stage 520 is stopped. As a result, the stacked banknote 25 is in the state shown in FIG.

  At this time, as described above, the stacked banknotes 25 are in a substantially flat state as a result of the longitudinally opposite ends of the stacked banknotes 25 being pushed upward from below by the guide rollers 522. Therefore, the stacked banknote 25 is in a state in which both end portions in the longitudinal direction do not come into contact with the picker guide 16 disposed on the upper side.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 23, the control unit of the medium processing apparatus causes the picker roller 12, the feed roller 8, and the auxiliary roller 9 of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100E to rotate in the forward direction (not shown). Rotate in the direction of arrow G). In the example shown in FIG. 23, the feed roller 8 is hidden behind the auxiliary roller 9 and cannot be seen.

  As a result, in the paper sheet separating mechanism 100E, the picker rubber 18 of the picker roller 12 comes into contact with the uppermost banknote, the uppermost banknote is fed out in the direction of arrow H, and the feed roller 8 and the auxiliary roller 9 are further fed. The feed roller rubber 17 comes into contact with the bill and feeds the bill in the direction of arrow H.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 22B, the paper sheet separating mechanism 100E has a gap corresponding to the protruding amount U of the guide roller 522 between the bottom banknote and the upper surfaces of the end portions 22a and 22b of the stage 520. Is formed between. In addition, when the paper sheet separating mechanism 100E finally feeds the bottom banknote as the final banknote, as shown in FIG. 23, the guide roller 522 that is in contact with the bottom banknote that is the final banknote is provided. It rotates in the forward direction (direction of arrow V).

  Such a paper sheet separating mechanism 100E pushes up both ends in the longitudinal direction of the stacked banknotes 25 which are likely to hang down by a rotatable guide roller 522 when the banknotes are fed. Thereby, the paper sheet separating mechanism 100E prevents the both end portions of the stacked banknotes 25 in the longitudinal direction from coming into contact with the upper surfaces of the end portions 22a and 22b of the stage 520, and thus has an abnormal behavior that leads to poor separation. It prevents it from occurring on banknotes.

  Therefore, the paper sheet separating mechanism 100E causes the frictional resistance (friction force) from the upper surfaces of the end portions 22a and 22b of the stage 520 when the banknote is fed out (particularly when the bottom banknote is the final banknote). Without adding to the bottom banknote, the banknote can be fed out only by the frictional force from the picker rubber 18.

  As a result, the paper sheet separating mechanism 100E has the lowest position when the bottom banknote as the final banknote is fed out, even if both ends in the longitudinal direction of the stacked banknote 25 are likely to hang down. The bills can be fed straight without skewing.

  As described above, according to the paper sheet separating mechanism 100E according to the fifth embodiment, as in the other embodiments, stable separation performance can be ensured regardless of the state of the banknotes to be separated.

  In addition, according to the paper sheet separating mechanism 100E according to the fifth embodiment, both end portions of the stacked banknotes 25 in the longitudinal direction are separated from the end portions 22a and 22b of the stage 520 by the guide roller 522. Compared with the paper sheet separating mechanism 100, even if both ends in the longitudinal direction of the stacked banknotes 25 are likely to hang down, the lowermost banknote as the final banknote is fed out. The banknotes can be fed straight without skewing.

[Embodiment 6]
The paper sheet separating mechanism 100E according to the fifth embodiment is configured to use a guide roller 522 (see FIG. 20) as a separating member. In the sixth embodiment, a paper sheet separating mechanism 100F using a guide belt 623 (see FIG. 24) instead of the guide roller 522 as a separating member is provided.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100F according to the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 24 is a schematic perspective view of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100F according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 25 is a schematic rear view of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100F according to the sixth embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the paper sheet separating mechanism 100F includes pulleys 622a and 622b and a guide belt 623a provided at an end 22a of the stage 620, and pulleys 622c and 622d and a guide belt 623b. Is provided at the end 22 b of the stage 620.

  Each of the guide belts 623a and 623b is a separating member that pushes up the end of the stacked banknote 25 from the bottom upward and separates the stacked banknote 25 from the upper surfaces of the ends 22a and 22b of the stage 620. Hereinafter, the guide belts 623a and 623b are collectively referred to as “guide belts 623”. The “guide belt 623” corresponds to “a separating member (on the guide member side)” recited in the claims.

  The guide belt 623a is stretched by two pulleys 622a and 622b provided at the end 22a of the stage 620 so as to be able to run in the forward direction and the reverse direction. Similarly, the guide belt 623b is stretched by two pulleys 622c and 622d provided at the end 22b of the stage 620 so as to be able to run in the forward direction and the reverse direction.

  The pulleys 622a to 622d are each formed in a cylindrical shape, and pulley shafts 621a to 621d are attached to the center. The pulley shafts 621a to 621d are members that function as rotational axes of the pulleys 622a to 622d, respectively.

  The pulley shafts 621a and 621b are respectively held by a holding mechanism provided at the end 22a of the stage 620 so as to be rotatable in the forward rotation direction and the reverse rotation direction. The arrangement positions of the pulley shafts 621a and 621b are preferably positions on the end portion 22a of the stage 520 and facing the end portion of the stacked banknote 25 in the longitudinal direction.

  Similarly, the pulley shafts 621c and 621d are respectively held by a holding mechanism provided at the end 22b of the stage 620 so as to be rotatable in the forward rotation direction and the reverse rotation direction. The arrangement positions of the pulley shafts 621c and 621d are preferably positions on the end portion 22b of the stage 520 and facing the end portion of the stacked banknote 25 in the longitudinal direction.

  These pulley shafts 621a to 621d are arranged in parallel with the feed roller shaft 7, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 25, the guide belt 623a is disposed so as to protrude upward by a protrusion amount U from the upper surface of the end 22a of the stage 620.

  Similarly, the guide belt 623b is disposed so as to protrude upward by a protrusion amount U from the upper surface of the end 22b of the stage 620.

  Here, the protrusion amount U is set to a value that satisfies the relationship “U ≦ E” with respect to the step E between the central portion 21 and the end portions 22a and 22b of the stage 520.

  Note that the paper sheet separating mechanism 100F according to the sixth embodiment has a configuration in which one row of guide belts 623 is arranged on one side of the stage 620, and a total of two rows of guide belts 623 are arranged on the stage 620. However, the quantity and arrangement position of the guide belt 623 can be freely changed.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100F will be described with reference to FIGS. 26 and 27 are operation explanatory views of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100F according to the sixth embodiment, respectively.

  Here, the operation different from that of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100E according to the fifth embodiment will be described mainly, and the same operation as that of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100E according to the fifth embodiment will be described in accordance with the above-described fifth embodiment. The detailed description is omitted as the operation of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100E is replaced with the operation of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100F according to the sixth embodiment.

  Here, description will be made assuming that both ends in the longitudinal direction of the stacked banknotes 25 stacked on the stage 620 are likely to hang down. As shown in FIG. 26 (a), the stacked banknote 25 is in a state where both ends in the longitudinal direction of the bottom banknote are in contact with the guide belt 623, as both longitudinal ends hang down. Become. As a result, the stacked banknotes 25 are pushed upward from below by the guide belt 623 at both ends in the longitudinal direction depending on the lower side. As a result, the stacked banknote 25 is almost flat as a whole.

  The control unit of the medium processing apparatus moves the stage 620 upward (in the direction of arrow D1) by a driving mechanism (not shown). As a result, the stacked banknotes 25 stacked on the stage 620 abut against the picker rubber 18 and push up the picker roller 12 upward.

  At this time, the control unit of the medium processing apparatus monitors whether or not the picker roller 12 has reached a predetermined position by a sensor (not shown), and when the picker roller 12 reaches a predetermined position, A drive mechanism (not shown) is stopped, and the stage 620 is stopped. As a result, the stacked banknote 25 is in the state shown in FIG.

  At this time, as described above, the stacked banknotes 25 are in a substantially flat state as a result of the longitudinally opposite end portions depending on the lower side being pushed upward from the bottom by the guide belt 623. Therefore, the stacked banknote 25 is in a state in which both end portions in the longitudinal direction do not come into contact with the picker guide 16 disposed on the upper side.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 27, the control unit of the medium processing apparatus causes the picker roller 12, the feed roller 8, and the auxiliary roller 9 of the paper sheet separating mechanism 100F to rotate in the forward direction (not shown). Rotate in the direction of arrow G). In the example shown in FIG. 27, the feed roller 8 is hidden behind the auxiliary roller 9 and cannot be seen.

  As a result, in the paper sheet separating mechanism 100F, the picker rubber 18 of the picker roller 12 comes into contact with the top banknote, the top banknote is fed out in the direction of arrow H, and the feed roller 8 and the auxiliary roller 9 are further fed. The feed roller rubber 17 comes into contact with the bill and feeds the bill in the direction of arrow H.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 26B, the paper sheet separating mechanism 100F has a gap corresponding to the protruding amount U of the guide belt 623 between the bottom banknote and the upper surfaces of the end portions 22a and 22b of the stage 620. Is formed between. Further, in the paper sheet separating mechanism 100F, when the bottom banknote is finally drawn out as the final banknote, as shown in FIG. 27, the two pulleys 622 stretching the guide belt 623 are rotated in the forward direction ( While rotating in the direction of arrow V), the guide belt 623 that is in contact with the bottom banknote, which is the final banknote, travels in the forward direction (direction of arrow W).

  Such a paper sheet separating mechanism 100F pushes up both ends in the longitudinal direction of the stacked banknotes 25, which are likely to hang down, by a guide belt 623 that can freely run when the banknotes are fed. As a result, the paper sheet separating mechanism 100F prevents the both end portions of the stacked banknotes 25 in the longitudinal direction from coming into contact with the upper surfaces of the end portions 22a and 22b of the stage 620, thereby causing abnormal behavior that leads to poor separation. It prevents it from occurring on banknotes.

  Therefore, the paper sheet separating mechanism 100F causes the frictional resistance (friction force) to be applied from the upper surface of the end portions 22a and 22b of the stage 620 when the banknote is fed out (particularly when the bottom banknote is the final banknote). Without adding to the bottom banknote, the banknote can be fed out only by the frictional force from the picker rubber 18.

  As a result, the paper sheet separating mechanism 100F has the lowest position when the bottom banknote, which is the final banknote, is fed out, even if both ends in the longitudinal direction of the stacked banknote 25 are likely to hang down. The bills can be fed straight without skewing.

  As described above, according to the paper sheet separating mechanism 100F according to the sixth embodiment, as in the other embodiments, stable separation performance can be ensured regardless of the state of the banknotes to be separated.

  Moreover, according to the paper sheet separating mechanism 100F according to the sixth embodiment, both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the stacked banknotes 25 are separated from the end portions 22a and 22b of the stage 520 by the guide belt 623. Similar to the paper sheet separating mechanism 100E, even if both longitudinal ends of the stacked banknotes 25 are more likely to hang down than the paper sheet separating mechanism 100 according to the first embodiment, the final banknote When the lowermost banknote is fed out, the lowermost banknote can be fed out straight without skewing.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  For example, in the embodiment, the case where the paper sheet separating mechanism 100 is used in a medium processing apparatus such as an automatic transaction apparatus (ATM) installed in a financial institution or a distribution institution is described. However, the present invention can also be applied to a medium processing apparatus such as a cash processing machine, a change machine placed in a cash register, or a cash voucher handling apparatus that handles cash vouchers.

  Further, for example, in the fifth embodiment, the guide roller 522 used as the separating member on the stage 520 side can have any shape of a cylindrical shape, an abacus ball shape, and a spherical shape.

  Further, the paper sheet separating mechanism includes a separating member (guide roller 202, guide belt 303, etc.) on the guide member (picker guides 16, 216, 316) side and a separating member (guide roller 522) on the stage (stages 20, 520620) side. , Guide belt 623 and the like).

1 Gate Roller ASSY1
2 Feed roller ASSY2
3 (3a, 3b) Picker Roller ASSY
4 Separating and feeding portion 5 Gate roller shaft 6 (6a, 6b) Gate roller 7 Feed roller shaft 8 (8a, 8b) Feed roller 9 (9a, 9b, 9c) Auxiliary roller 10 (10a, 10b), 13 (13a, 13b) ), 302 (302a, 302b, 302c, 302d), 622 (622a, 622b, 622c, 622d) Pulley 11 (11a, 11b) Picker shaft 12 (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) Picker roller 14 (14a, 14b) Belt 15 (15a, 15b) Picker bracket 16 (16a, 16b), 216 (216a, 216b), 316 (316a, 316b) Picker guide 17 Feed roller rubber 18 (18a, 18b, 18c, 18d) Picker rubber 19 Bill storage part 19a opening 2 , 520, 620 Stage 21 Central portion 22 (22a, 22b) End portion 25, 25NG Stacked banknote 100, 100B, 100C, 100D, 100E, 100F Paper sheet separating mechanism 201 (201a, 201b, 201c, 201d), 521 ( 521a, 521b, 521c, 521d) Guide roller shaft 202 (202a, 202b, 202c, 202d), 203, 204, 522 (522a, 522b, 522c, 522d) Guide roller 301 (301a, 301b, 301c, 301d), 621 (621a, 621b, 621c, 621d) Pulley shaft 303 (303a, 303b), 623 (623a, 623b) Guide belt

Claims (11)

A stage that moves in a direction facing the separating and feeding unit in a state in which a plurality of paper sheets are stacked in a storage unit that stores paper sheets, and one sheet of the plurality of paper sheets stacked on the stage In the paper sheet separating mechanism having the separation and feeding unit that separates and feeds it to the conveyance path at a time,
The separation feeding portion is
A feed member and a gate member which are arranged to face each other and feed out to the transport path while separating the paper sheets one by one;
A picker member that is disposed opposite to the stage and feeds the paper sheets accumulated on the stage between the feed member and the gate member;
It is disposed opposite to the stage, seals at least the end portion of the picker member, and contacts the surface of the uppermost sheet on the stage with the lower surface so that the posture of the sheet is A stabilizing guide member,
The guide member has at least a portion of the lower surface facing the stage formed in a substantially planar shape, and is provided with an opening that projects the outer peripheral portion of the picker member downward from the lower surface of the guide member. ,
The stage is configured as a plate-like member that is wider in the vertical and horizontal directions than the paper sheets that are stacked on the stage, and a central portion that supports the paper sheets, It is divided into end portions provided on both sides, and
The center portion of the stage and the end portions on both sides thereof are each formed such that the top surface is formed in a substantially planar shape, and the center portion has a top surface higher than the top surface of the end portion. A paper sheet separating mechanism, wherein a step is provided between the upper surface of the portion and the upper surface of the end portion. In the paper sheet separating mechanism according to claim 1,
The picker member is divided into a plurality of parts,
Each of the divided picker members is disposed to face the center portion of the stage,
The paper sheet separating mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the guide member is disposed to face the end of the stage. In the paper sheet separating mechanism according to claim 2,
A plurality of picker brackets for supporting each of the divided picker members;
A biasing member that biases each of the picker brackets independently to the stage side;
Each of the plurality of picker brackets is pivotally supported by a feed shaft that pivotally supports the feed member, and supports the picker member. In the paper sheet separating mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The paper sheets are formed in a rectangular shape having a longitudinal direction and a short direction,
The picker member is configured to feed out the paper sheets in the short direction of the paper sheets,
The guide member is a separation member that presses the paper sheets in the direction of the stage at positions opposed to both longitudinal ends of the paper sheets to separate the paper sheets from the lower surface of the guide member. A paper sheet separating mechanism comprising: In the paper sheet separation mechanism according to claim 4,
When the protrusion amount of the spacing member from the lower surface of the guide member is “Q” and the protrusion amount of the picker member from the lower surface of the guide member is “F”, the protrusion amount Q and the protrusion amount F Is a paper sheet separation mechanism characterized by having a relationship of “Q ≦ F”. In the paper sheet separating mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The paper sheets are formed in a rectangular shape having a longitudinal direction and a short direction,
The picker member is configured to feed out the paper sheets in the short direction of the paper sheets,
The stage presses the paper sheets in the direction of the separating and feeding portion at positions facing both ends in the longitudinal direction of the paper sheets, thereby separating the paper sheets from the upper surface of the end portion of the stage. A paper sheet separating mechanism comprising a separating member to be moved. In the paper sheet separating mechanism according to claim 6,
When the protruding amount of the separation member from the upper surface of the end portion of the stage is “U” and the height of the step of the stage is “E”, the protruding amount U and the height E are , “U ≦ E”, a paper sheet separating mechanism. In the paper sheet separation mechanism according to any one of claims 4 to 7,
The paper sheet separating mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the separation member is configured by a roller that is rotatable in a feeding direction of the paper sheet. In the paper sheet separating mechanism according to claim 8,
The paper sheet separating mechanism, wherein the roller has a cylindrical shape, an abacus ball shape, or a spherical shape. In the paper sheet separation mechanism according to any one of claims 4 to 7,
The paper sheet separating mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the separating member is constituted by a belt stretched by a plurality of pulleys so as to be able to run in the feeding direction of the paper sheet. In the paper sheet separating mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
The guide member seals not only the picker member but also the end portion of the feed member, and an opening is provided to project the outer peripheral portion of the feed member downward from the lower surface of the guide member. A paper sheet separating mechanism characterized by that.

Images