JP2018092400A - Medium storage apparatus and medium processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To orderly accumulate and store multiple types of media of different sizes.SOLUTION: A stacker unit 20 of a check processing apparatus 1 conveys a check CK along a conveyance path W20 by a conveyance roller pair 46 or the like of a conveyance module 31 so as to make a long side center position CKC coincide with a stacker center position PC and keep it stationary. Subsequently, in the stacker unit 20, the check CK is pushed into a storage space 61S of a stacker 61 from the inside of a conveyance space 41S by a pusher 75 of a pusher module 33, and is accumulated on accumulated checks CKA. As a result, the stacker unit 20 can superimpose the checks CK while aligning their long side center positions CKC, so that the order of conveyance can be maintained while maintaining the orderly accumulated condition.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a medium storage apparatus and a medium processing apparatus, and is suitable for application to a check processing apparatus that performs a deposit process using a medium such as a check.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a check processing apparatus, a financial institution or the like that makes a deposit transaction using a check as a medium with a customer has been widespread. In this check processing apparatus, as a deposit process performed in a deposit transaction, for example, a process of generating image data by imaging the front and back surfaces while conveying a check made of rectangular paper along its long side, or processed A process for printing a character or the like representing that is performed.

  Further, the check processing device conveys the check for which the deposit process has been completed to the stacker unit. As this stacker unit, for example, a storage space for storing a check inside is formed, and a discharge mechanism for discharging the check is provided on the upper side or the upper side of the side (for example, a stacker unit has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1). In this check processing apparatus, checks are discharged from the discharge mechanism into the storage space of the stacker, and the sheets are sequentially stacked and stored in a posture in which the paper surface is directed vertically.

JP 2002-255393 A (FIG. 1)

  However, in the check processing apparatus configured as described above, when various types of checks having different lengths in the longitudinal direction are subjected to deposit processing, various sizes of checks discharged from the discharge mechanism are stored in the stacker storage space. There is a high possibility of stacking at various positions. In such a case, in the stacker of the check processing device, for example, a relatively small check is accumulated to be biased to any one of the peripheral side surfaces, and a relatively large check is discharged on the stacker, for example, so as to be correctly stacked. There is a risk that it will not be able to accumulate in an orderly manner, such as slipping down.

  Then, in the check processing device, for example, when comparing the image data read from each check with the check in the stacker, since the mutual order does not match, a complicated work such as finding a combination of image data and check corresponding to each other There was a problem that would be necessary.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to propose a medium storage device and a medium processing device that can orderly store a plurality of types of media having different sizes.

  In order to solve such a problem, in the medium storage device of the present invention, the first guide surface and the second guide surface respectively facing the both surfaces of the paper-like medium are formed along the conveyance path, and along the conveyance path. A conveyance guide that guides the medium to travel in the conveyance direction, a conveyance force transmission unit that abuts against the paper surface of the medium guided by the conveyance guide and transmits a force in the conveyance direction to the medium, and a conveyance guide A storage portion in which a storage space for storing the medium is formed, and a paper surface of the medium guided by the transfer guide in the storage space. A stage that is movable along the intersecting crossing direction and that accumulates the medium on the accumulation surface formed on the conveyance guide side, and a stage urging unit that urges the stage toward the conveyance guide side A through hole that passes through the first guide surface and the second guide surface of the transport guide and communicates with the storage space of the storage portion, a pusher that moves along the crossing direction in the through hole, and a pusher In addition, a pusher moving portion that moves between the second guide surface side and the inside of the storage portion is provided.

  In the medium processing apparatus of the present invention, a transport unit that advances the sheet-shaped medium in the transport direction along the transport path and a medium storage unit that accumulates and stores the media are provided. A first guide surface and a second guide surface respectively facing the both paper surfaces are formed along the transport path, and a transport guide that guides the medium delivered from the transport section to advance in the transport direction along the transport path; A conveyance force transmitting portion that contacts the paper surface of the medium guided by the conveyance guide and transmits a force toward the medium in the conveyance direction, and a first guide surface side where the conveyance force transmission portion is disposed in the conveyance guide And a storage guide formed in the storage space, and is movable along a crossing direction intersecting a paper surface of the medium guided by the transport guide in the storage space. A stage for accumulating the medium on the accumulation surface formed on the stage, a stage urging portion for urging the stage toward the conveyance guide, and a first guide surface and a second guide surface in the conveyance guide, and accommodating the accommodation unit A through-hole communicating with the space, a pusher that moves along the crossing direction in the through-hole, and a pusher movement that moves the pusher between the second guide surface side of the transport path and the inside of the storage unit Part.

  In the present invention, after the medium is transported to a predetermined position along the transport guide by the transport force transmitting section, the pusher is moved from the second guide surface side into the storage section through the passage hole of the first guide by the pusher moving section. Thus, the medium can be pushed into the storage portion and accumulated on the stage. Accordingly, in the present invention, the respective media in the transport direction can be sequentially stacked on the stacking surface of the stage in a state in which each medium is aligned with a desired position.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the medium storage apparatus and medium processing apparatus which can accumulate and store several types of media different in size can be implement | achieved.

It is a basic diagram which shows the whole structure of a check processing apparatus. It is a basic diagram which shows the structure of the stacker part by 1st Embodiment. It is a basic diagram which shows the structure and state transition of a transmission state transition mechanism. It is an approximate line figure showing accumulation of a check in the accumulation surface of a stage, and inclination of a stage. It is an approximate line figure showing composition of a pusher module by a 1st embodiment, and movement of a pusher. It is a basic diagram which shows the state of a structure of a detection module, and the detection of a check, and conveyance control. It is a basic diagram which shows a detection signal and a control signal. It is a basic diagram which shows the mode of accommodation of the check by a stacker part. It is a basic diagram which shows the mode of accommodation of the check by a stacker part. It is a basic diagram which shows the relationship between the position regarding the left-right direction of each part, and length. It is a basic diagram which shows the structure of a typical stacker part. It is a basic diagram which shows the structure of the stacker part by 2nd Embodiment. It is an approximate line figure showing composition of a pusher module by a 2nd embodiment, and movement of a pusher. It is a basic diagram which shows the structure of the stacker part by 3rd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described with reference to the drawings.

[1. First Embodiment]
[1-1. Check Processing Device Configuration]
As shown in the schematic left side view of FIG. 1, the check processing device 1 according to the first embodiment is incorporated in an automatic transaction device (not shown) installed in a financial institution, for example. , Processing related to a deposit transaction with a user (that is, a customer of a financial institution). A check processing apparatus 1 as a medium processing apparatus has a configuration in which a plurality of processing units for performing various processes related to checks as a medium are incorporated in a frame 2 formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole.

  Below, the customer facing side of the check processing apparatus 1 is the front side, the opposite is the rear side, the left and right sides are the left side and the right side as viewed from the customer facing the front side, respectively, and the upper side and the lower side are further Define and explain.

  In an automatic transaction apparatus (not shown), an overall control unit that controls the entire system, a display unit (not shown) that displays various information for the user, or an operation instruction of the user An operation unit (not shown) that receives and notifies the overall control unit is provided.

  The check processing device 1 is controlled by the control unit 3 as a switching control unit in cooperation with an overall control unit (not shown) of the automatic transaction apparatus. The control unit 3 is configured around a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown), and reads and executes a predetermined program from a ROM (Read Only Memory), a flash memory, etc. (not shown), thereby executing various transactions related to deposit transactions. Perform the process. The control unit 3 includes a storage unit such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a hard disk drive, a flash memory, and the like, and stores various information relating to various programs and deposit transactions.

  In the upper half of the upper part of the frame 2, a bundle part 11 for transferring a check with the user is arranged. An openable / closable shutter 11 </ b> S is provided at the front end of the bundle unit 11. The control unit 3 controls the bundle unit 11 to open the shutter 11S when receiving an operation for instructing the start of the deposit transaction from the user via the operation unit (not shown) described above.

  In response to this, the bundle unit 11 holds the check CK (hereinafter also referred to as a bundle check CKB) accumulated in a bundle for the user, and then closes the shutter 11S to hold it inside. Protect check CK. Incidentally, the check CK is composed of rectangular paper, and information such as the amount of money is displayed on the surface thereof. In addition, the bundle check CKB is inserted with the long side of each check CK along the front and back, the short side along the left and right direction, and the surface on which the amount and the like are written facing upward.

  The bundle unit 11 forms a bundle conveyance path WB along the front-rear direction by a bundle conveyance mechanism provided therein, and conveys the bundle check CKB backward along the bundle conveyance path WB. 11 is made to reach the front side of the separation part 12 provided in the vicinity of the rear end. The separation unit 12 separates the check CK one by one from the upper surface side of the bundle check CKB and sequentially delivers it to the rear aligner unit 13.

  The aligner unit 13 as the width adjusting portion internally includes a first transport path W1 in which the upper end of the transport path mainly along the vertical direction is connected to the rear end of the transport path along the front-rear direction. The check CK received from the separation unit 12 is sequentially conveyed backward and downward along the first conveyance path W1. At this time, the aligner unit 13 brings the check CK to one side in the width direction (that is, the left-right direction) in the first transport path W1, for example, rightward, and delivers it to the first switching unit 14 disposed below. For convenience of explanation, the right direction is also referred to as a width-shifting direction below.

  The first switching unit 14 connects the upper first transport path W1 and the front second transport path W2 by switching the transport path of the check CK based on the control of the control unit 3, or the front second transport The path W2 and the lower third transport path W3 are connected. That is, when the check CK is delivered from the aligner unit 13, the first switching unit 14 connects the upper first conveyance path W1 and the front second conveyance path W2, and delivers the check CK to the front scanner unit 15.

  The scanner unit 15 is located almost directly below the aligner unit 13, and a second conveyance path W <b> 2 along the front-rear direction is formed inside. The scanner unit 15 reads characters of the MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) system from the check CK while conveying the check CK forward along the second conveyance path W2 from the first switching unit 14, and also checks the check CK. Each of the two surfaces is imaged to generate image data, which is then transferred to the second switching unit 16 located on the front lower side. The second switching unit 16 switches the internal conveyance path so as to connect the rear upper side and the front side under the control of the control unit 3, and delivers the check CK received from the scanner unit 15 to the front escrow unit 17.

  The escrow unit 17 is disposed almost directly below the bundle unit 11, and includes a drum that rotates inside the tape, a tape that is wound around the peripheral side surface of the drum, a transport unit for transporting the check CK, and the like. The escrow unit 17 temporarily holds the check CK by conveying the check CK received from the second switching unit 16 to the vicinity of the peripheral side surface of the drum and winding it around the peripheral side surface of the drum together with the tape. For convenience of explanation, a series of processes so far are referred to as a deposit reading process.

  When the control unit 3 finishes reading all the checks CK inserted in the bundle unit 11 by the scanner unit 15, the control unit 3 displays images, characters, and the like representing the read contents on a display unit (not shown), and also to the user. Inquire about whether or not to continue the deposit transaction.

  Here, when the user instructs to stop the deposit transaction, the control unit 3 performs a return process. That is, the control unit 3 conveys and accumulates all the checks CK held in the escrow unit 17 to the separation unit 12, forms a bundle check CKB, and causes the user to take it out. At this time, when the control unit 3 detects that the bundle check CKB has been taken out by the sensor incorporated in the bundle unit 11, the control unit 3 determines that the bundle check CKB has been returned to the user and ends the return process. . On the other hand, if the bundle check CKB is not taken out within the predetermined time in the bundle unit 11, the control unit 3 determines that the user has left without taking out the bundle check CKB, and takes in the bundle check CKB. The inside is taken in by processing, and conveyed to the retracting unit 18 for storage.

  On the other hand, when the user is instructed to continue the deposit transaction in a state where all checks CK are held in the escrow unit 17 by the deposit reading process, the control unit 3 performs a storing process for storing the held check CK. Start. Specifically, the escrow unit 17 feeds the check CK that has been put on hold one by one by rotating the drum in the reverse direction, and delivers it to the scanner unit 15 via the second switching unit 16.

  The scanner unit 15 conveys the check CK sequentially received from the second switching unit 16 to the rear along the second conveyance path W2, and indicates the transaction result for the check CK by a built-in printer or stamp stamping unit. Is printed, the check after printing is imaged to recognize the print state, and then the check CK is delivered to the first switching unit 14.

  At this time, the first switching unit 14 switches the internal conveyance path so as to connect the second conveyance path W2 on the front side and the third conveyance path W3 on the lower side under the control of the control unit 3, and is received from the scanner unit 15. The check CK is handed over to the lower rear middle conveyance section 19. The rear middle conveyance unit 19 forms a third conveyance path W3 along the vertical direction on the rear side of the retracting unit 18, and the check CK received from the first switching unit 14 is moved along the third conveyance path W3. It is conveyed downward and delivered to the lower first stacker unit 20A.

  The first stacker unit 20A includes a transport module that transports the check CK, a stacker module that stores a large number of checks CK in the stacker, and a pusher module that pushes the check CK into the stacker. (Details will be described later). When the first stacker unit 20A receives the check CK from the rear middle conveyance unit 19, the check CK is pushed into the stacker and stored in accordance with the control of the control unit 3, or the check CK is stored. Delivered to the lower lower conveyance unit 21 in front.

  The lower transport unit 21 forms a transport path along the front-rear direction, and is connected to the second stacker unit 20B on the front side thereof. The second stacker unit 20B is configured in the same manner as the first stacker unit 20A. When the check CK is received from the lower transport unit 21, the check CK is pushed into the stacker according to the control of the control unit 3, and stacked. Storing in the state that was done.

  Thus, when the control unit 3 stores all the checks CK held in the escrow unit 17 in the stacker of the first stacker unit 20A or the second stacker unit 20B, the storage process ends. Thereby, the control part 3 completes the payment transaction of the check CK between users.

[1-2. Overall configuration of stacker unit]
Next, the configuration of the first stacker unit 20A and the second stacker unit 20B (hereinafter collectively referred to as the stacker unit 20) will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the stacker unit 20 as a medium storage unit is centered on a case 30 formed in a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is roughly divided into a transport module 31 and a stacker module 32. The pusher module 33 and the detection module 34 are configured.

  2A shows a left side view, and FIG. 2B shows a front view. For convenience of drawing, in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a part is shown by a broken line or omitted. Furthermore, in the following, the front-rear direction is also referred to as the transport direction, and the left-right direction is also referred to as the width direction.

[1-2-1. Conveyor module configuration]
The transfer module 31 is provided slightly above the center in the vertical direction of the housing 30. The transport module 31 includes a transport guide 41, four drive rollers 42, four pressure rollers 43, a transmission state transition mechanism 44, and a detection unit 45.

  The conveyance guide 41 includes an upper conveyance guide 41U and a lower conveyance guide 41L disposed on the upper side and the lower side of the conveyance path W20, respectively. The upper conveyance guide surface 41UF that is the lower surface of the upper conveyance guide 41U and the lower conveyance guide surface 41LF that is the upper surface of the lower conveyance guide 41L are both formed flat and about 5 [mm] formed between each other. Is a conveyance path W20.

  With such a configuration, the conveyance guide 41 guides the check CK along the conveyance path W20 between the upper conveyance guide surface 41UF as the second guide surface and the lower conveyance guide surface 41LF as the first guide surface. Can do. For convenience of explanation, a space sandwiched between the upper conveyance guide surface 41UF and the lower conveyance guide surface 41LF of the conveyance guide 41 is also referred to as a conveyance space 41S below.

  Further, the upper conveyance guide surface 41UF has an upper through hole 41UH penetrating in the vertical direction in a portion that is in a range of about 70 to 95% in the central portion in the front-rear direction and is further to the right than near the center in the left-right direction. It has been drilled. That is, the upper through hole 41UH is a rectangular hole that is long in the front-rear direction. On the left and right sides of the upper through hole 41UH, an upper inner side surface 41US is formed over a predetermined length from the upper conveyance guide surface 41UF upward.

  The lower conveyance guide surface 41LF is provided with a lower through hole 41LH penetrating in the vertical direction at a position directly below the upper through hole 41UH. Further, on the left and right sides of the lower through hole 41LH, a lower inner side surface 41LS is formed over a predetermined length from the lower conveyance guide surface 41LF downward.

  The drive rollers 42 are respectively distributed in four locations that are separated from each other in the front-rear direction at locations below the upper transport guide surface 41UF and at the right side of the lower through-hole 41LH. The drive roller 42 is formed in a flat cylindrical shape with the central axis extending in the left-right direction, and the central axis is positioned below the lower conveyance guide surface 41LF. Further, the peripheral side surface of the drive roller 42 is attached with a predetermined high friction member, so that the friction against the check CK is increased.

  The lower conveyance guide surface 41LF is formed with a through-hole penetrating in the vertical direction at each location corresponding to each drive roller 42. Each drive roller 42 exposes the vicinity of the upper end thereof above the lower conveyance guide surface 41LF, that is, in the conveyance space 41S, through the through hole. Incidentally, the upper end of the drive roller 42 is positioned substantially in the middle between the lower conveyance guide surface 41LF and the upper conveyance guide surface 41UF.

  Each driving roller 42 is transmitted with driving force through a predetermined gear (not shown) as appropriate from a driving motor (not shown) as a driving force source based on the control of the control unit 3 (FIG. 1). Thus, the upper end is advanced forward, that is, rotated clockwise in FIG.

  Each pressure roller 43 as a driven roller is arranged in a front-rear direction at a position almost directly above each drive roller 42, that is, a position above the lower conveyance guide surface 41LF and at a right side from the upper through hole 41UH. Are distributed at four locations apart from each other. Similar to the drive roller 42, the pressure roller 43 is formed in a flat cylindrical shape with the central axis extending in the left-right direction.

  The pressure roller 43 has a cylindrical columnar pressure shaft 43X extending in the left-right direction inserted in the center thereof, and can rotate freely with respect to the pressure shaft 43X. The pressure shaft 43X is positioned above the upper conveyance guide surface 41UF and is urged downward by a pressure spring 43S. Incidentally, the pressure shaft 43X can be moved in the vertical direction while maintaining the position in the front-rear direction by a shaft support portion (not shown).

  Further, a through-hole penetrating in the vertical direction is formed in each portion corresponding to each pressure roller 43 in the upper conveyance guide surface 41UF. Each pressure roller 43 is exposed so that the vicinity of the lower end of each pressure roller 43 is exposed to the lower side of the upper conveyance guide surface 41UF, that is, in the conveyance space 41S, and pressed against the vicinity of the upper end of the drive roller 42 through the through hole. ing.

  With this configuration, the transport module 31 can drive each drive roller 42 by rotating a drive motor (not shown) and rotate each drive roller 42 clockwise, thereby rotating the pressure roller 43 counterclockwise. . At this time, when the check CK is conveyed from the rear side along the conveyance path W20, the conveyance module 31 is configured such that both paper surfaces of the check CK face the upper conveyance guide surface 41UF and the lower conveyance guide surface 41LF, respectively. Thus, it can be sandwiched between the driving roller 42 and the pressure roller 43, and a forward force can be applied.

  As a result, the transport module 31 can advance the check CK forward, that is, transport the check CK in the transport direction along the transport path W20 formed between the upper transport guide surface 41UF and the lower transport guide surface 41LF. For convenience of explanation, a combination of one drive roller 42 and one pressure roller 43 will be hereinafter referred to as a conveyance roller pair 46 or a conveyance force transmission unit. Hereinafter, the vertical direction, which is the direction intersecting the paper surface of the check CK being conveyed, is also referred to as the intersecting direction.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the transmission state transition mechanism 44 as the transmission state transition unit is provided above the upper conveyance guide 41U, and is roughly divided into a transmission state transition frame 51 and a transmission state transition spring 52. And a transmission state transition cam 53.

  The transmission state transition frame 51 includes a horizontal frame 51H along the front-rear direction and a vertical frame 51V along the up-down direction. The horizontal frame 51H is formed in a long and narrow bar shape along the front-rear direction, and is an upper side of a surface opposite to the upper conveyance guide surface 41UF in the upper conveyance guide 41U (hereinafter referred to as an upper conveyance guide upper surface 41UU). , And located under each pressure shaft 43X.

  The lower surface of the horizontal frame 51H is formed flat, and is also in contact with the flat upper transport guide upper surface 41UU. Therefore, when an external force is applied in the front-rear direction, the transmission state transition frame 51 can move in the front-rear direction by a relatively short distance so that the lower surface of the horizontal frame 51H slides on the upper transport guide upper surface 41UU. it can.

  On the upper surface of the horizontal frame 51H, holding portions 51L are provided at four locations slightly on the front side from the four pressure shafts 43X. The upper part 51L is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape whose length in the front-rear direction is sufficiently shorter than the horizontal frame 51H as a whole. Further, the rear surface of the lifting portion 51L is an inclined surface in which the lower side protrudes rearward than the upper side, that is, the normal line faces rearward and obliquely upward.

  The vertical frame 51V is configured as a long and narrow bar in the vertical direction as a whole, and is erected upward from a position slightly ahead of the center in the front-rear direction on the upper surface of the horizontal frame 51H. The vertical frame 51 </ b> V is urged rearward by the transmission state transition spring 52 with respect to the housing 30 (FIG. 2) of the stacker unit 20.

  The transmission state transition cam 53 is formed in a disc shape with the central axis directed in the left-right direction as a whole, and a part of the transmission state transition cam 53 protrudes outward from the periphery (that is, in a direction away from the central axis) in the vicinity of the outer periphery. The protruding portion 53P is formed. The transmission state transition cam 53 is attached to a link gear 73 (details will be described later) of the pusher module 33, and can rotate with the link gear 73 around a link gear shaft 73X. The position of the link gear shaft 73X relative to the housing 30 is fixed on the rear side of the vertical frame 51V.

  For this reason, when the transmission state transition cam 53 rotates around the link gear shaft 73X, the distance from the link gear shaft 73X to the front end thereof, that is, the relative position of the front end of the stacker unit 20 with respect to the housing 30 is changed. Will be displaced in the direction. Further, as described above, the transmission state transition frame 51 is movable in the front-rear direction, and is further urged rearward by the transmission state transition spring 52, that is, toward the transmission state transition cam 53.

  With this configuration, when the position of the front end of the transmission state transition mechanism 44 is displaced in the front-rear direction due to the rotation of the transmission state transition cam 53, the transmission state transition mechanism 44 follows the position of the front end of the transmission state transition cam 53. The transition frame 51 can be displaced in the front-rear direction.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 3A, the transmission state transition mechanism 44 is configured so that the protrusion 53P of the transmission state transition cam 53 is positioned on the front side with respect to the link gear shaft 73X, that is, the protrusion 53P is When contacting the vertical frame 51V of the transmission state transition frame 51, as described above, each holding portion 51L is positioned in front of each pressure shaft 43X. At this time, the pressure roller 43 is urged downward by the action of the pressure spring 43S, and the lower end thereof is brought into contact with the vicinity of the upper end of the driving roller 42. As a result, the conveyance roller pair 46 can hold the check CK and can transmit a driving force to the check CK. For convenience of explanation, the state of the transmission state transition mechanism 44 and the conveyance roller pair 46 shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when the protruding portion 53P of the transmission state transition cam 53 is positioned in a direction other than the front side with respect to the link gear shaft 73X, the transmission state transition mechanism 44 is, for example, on the lower side as shown in FIG. If it is located, the transmission state transition frame 51 is moved rearward by the transmission state transition spring 52 as compared with the transmission state (FIG. 3A). At this time, the transmission state transition frame 51 also moves the holding portion 51L, which is a part of the transmission state transition frame 51, to gradually enter the rear inclined surface to the lower side of the pressure shaft 43X, thereby gradually compressing the pressure spring 43S. Then, the pressure shaft 43X is gradually lifted upward.

  Eventually, the transmission state transition frame 51 causes the upper surface of the holding portion 51L to enter the lower side of the pressure shaft 43X, and lifts the pressure shaft 43X upward from the transmission state (FIG. 3A) by the holding portion 51L. The roller 43 is pulled away from the driving roller 42. As a result, the conveyance roller pair 46 cannot hold the check CK and cannot transmit the driving force to the check CK. Hereinafter, the state of the transmission state transition mechanism 44 and the conveyance roller pair 46 illustrated in FIG. 3B is also referred to as a non-transmission state.

  In this way, the transmission state transition mechanism 44 moves the transmission state transition frame 51 in the front-rear direction in accordance with the rotation of the transmission state transition cam 53, thereby moving the pressure roller 43 together with the pressure shaft 43X in the vertical direction. (FIG. 3 (A)) or a non-transmission state (FIG. 3 (B)).

[1-2-2. Stacker module configuration]
The stacker module 32 (FIG. 2) is provided below the transport module 31. The stacker module 32 mainly includes a stacker 61 and a stage 62, and two sets of a stage shaft 63, a shaft guide 64, and a shaft spring 65.

  The stacker 61 as a storage unit is disposed adjacent to the lower side of the lower conveyance guide 41L and is fixed to the frame 2 (FIG. 1). The stacker 61 has a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a storage space 61S for storing the check CK is formed therein. The length in the front-rear direction of the storage space 61S is longer than the longest of the long sides of the check CK handled by the check processing device 1. The length in the left-right direction in the storage space 61S is longer than the longest of the short sides of the check CK handled by the check processing device 1. Incidentally, the four pairs of transport rollers 46 provided in the transport module 31 described above are all located directly above the storage space 61S.

  The ceiling portion of the stacker 61, that is, the top plate 61A connected to the lower conveyance guide 41L, has a position and size equivalent to the lower through hole 41LH at a position directly below the lower through hole 41LH of the lower conveyance guide 41L. A stacker through-hole 61AH is formed. That is, the storage space 61S of the stacker 61 is communicated with the transfer space 41S of the transfer guide 41 through the stacker through hole 61AH and the lower transfer hole 41LH of the lower transfer guide 41L.

  The stage 62 is formed in a thin plate shape in the vertical direction, and is provided in the storage space 61 </ b> S of the stacker 61. The lengths of the stage 62 in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction are slightly shorter than the lengths of the storage space 61S in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction (that is, inner dimensions). The integration surface 62S, which is the upper surface of the stage 62, is formed in a flat planar shape. As will be described later, the stage 62 is configured such that a plurality of checks CK are sequentially stacked on the stacking surface 62S, that is, stacked.

  The stage shaft 63 is provided on each of the front side and the rear side of the stacker 61. Each stage shaft 63 is formed in an elongated cylindrical shape having a central axis along the vertical direction. The lower end of the stage shaft 63 is fixed to the frame 2 (FIG. 1). The upper end of the stage shaft 63 is fixed to the stacker 61 via a support member (not shown).

  Each shaft guide 64 has a cylindrical shape with the central axis extending in the vertical direction, and is inserted through each stage shaft 63. The inner diameter of the shaft guide 64 is sufficiently larger than the outer diameter of the stage shaft 63. For this reason, the shaft guide 64 can move freely in the vertical direction with respect to the stage shaft 63, and can also change its posture by inclining its central axis with respect to the vertical direction.

  Further, each shaft guide 64 is fixed to the vicinity of the front end and the vicinity of the rear end of the stage 62 via a predetermined mounting member. Incidentally, on the front side surface and the rear side surface of the stacker 61, a vertically long passage hole (not shown) is formed for allowing the attachment member to pass therethrough. Therefore, each shaft guide 64 can move up and down integrally with the stage 62. Further, the stage 62 can incline the accumulation surface 62 </ b> S with respect to the horizontal direction within a range where each shaft guide 64 is regulated by the stage shaft 63.

  Each shaft spring 65 is configured as a coil spring, and is inserted between each stage shaft 63 and sandwiched between the bottom portion of the frame 2 and the lower surface of the shaft guide 64 while being slightly compressed from the natural length. It is.

  With this configuration, in the stacker module 32, an upward biasing force acts on the stage 62 by the shaft spring 65, and the stage 62 can be pressed against the top plate 61 </ b> A of the stacker 61. Further, if a plurality of checks CK are stacked on the stacking surface 62S of the stage 62, the stacker module 32 presses the top surface of the stacked checks CK against the top plate 61A of the stacker 61, that is, the ceiling surface. become.

  Further, in the stacker module 32, if a sufficiently large force is applied to the stage 62 in the downward direction, the shaft guide 64 is displaced downward along the stage shaft 63 and the shaft spring 65 is compressed, so that the storage space The stage 62 can be lowered within 61S. Thereafter, when this force is released in the stacker module 32, the shaft guide 64 and the stage 62 are urged upward by the restoring action of the shaft spring 65, and the stacking surface 62S of the stage 62 or the stack of the check CK is collected. The upper surface is pressed against the top plate 61A of the stacker 61.

  By the way, in the stacker module 32, when a plurality of checks CK (hereinafter referred to as an accumulated check CKA) accumulated on the accumulation surface 62S of the stage 62 include, for example, a check CK having a crease or the like. As shown in FIG. 4A, the length from the uppermost surface to the lowermost surface of the accumulated check CKA, that is, the thickness may be different for each portion.

  In such a case, as shown in FIG. 4B, the stacker module 32 urges the stage 62 upward by the shaft springs 65 while appropriately tilting the accumulation surface 62S of the stage 62. The uppermost surface of the accumulated check CKA can be pressed against the top plate 61A so that the uppermost surface can be aligned substantially horizontally.

[1-2-3. Configuration of pusher module]
The pusher module 33 (FIG. 2) is mainly provided above the transport path W20. The pusher module 33 is mainly composed of a pusher motor 71, a motor gear 72, a link gear 73, a vertical link 74, a pusher 75, two sets of link brackets 76 and 77, and 2 as shown in FIG. It consists of a set of parallel links 78 and 79.

  The pusher motor 71 is attached to the upper side of the right side plate of the housing 30 above the upper conveyance guide 41U and each pressure roller 43 (FIG. 2), and the output shaft extends along the left-right direction. A motor gear 72 configured in the same manner as a general gear is attached to the output shaft.

  The link gear 73 is configured as a disk-shaped gear having a relatively large diameter, and has a central axis along the left-right direction. The link gear 73 can freely rotate around the link gear shaft 73X and meshes with the motor gear 72. The link gear shaft 73 </ b> X is attached to a location on the rear side of the pusher motor 71 with respect to the right side plate of the housing 30. Further, the transmission state transition cam 53 (shown by a broken line in the figure) is attached to the left side surface of the link gear 73.

  Incidentally, the position of the link gear shaft 73X in the front-rear direction is the center position in the front-rear direction in the storage space 61S of the stacker 61 (FIG. 2) (for convenience of explanation, this is hereinafter referred to as the stacker center position PC or the storage unit center position). Match.

  Further, an upper link shaft 81 is erected in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the left side surface of the link gear 73 toward the left direction. The upper link shaft 81 is formed in an elongated cylindrical shape with the central axis extending in the left-right direction, and penetrates the transmission state transition cam 53. The left end of the upper link shaft 81 has reached a position almost directly above the upper through hole 41UH (FIG. 2) in the upper transport guide 41U.

  Incidentally, FIG. 5A shows a state in which the upper link shaft 81 has almost reached the upper end of the link gear 73. Further, the transmission state transition cam 53 is adjusted in the mounting direction and the like with respect to the link gear 73 so that the protruding portion 53P is positioned substantially in front of the link gear shaft 73X at this time.

  The vertical link 74 is formed in a bar shape elongated in the vertical direction, and an upper link hole 74H1 is formed near the upper end thereof, and a lower link hole 74H2 is formed near the lower end thereof. Both the upper link hole 74H1 and the lower link hole 74H2 are formed as round holes that penetrate the vertical link 74 in the left-right direction. Of these, the upper link shaft 81 is inserted into the upper link hole 74H1.

  The pusher 75 is configured in a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape whose upper side is opened by cutting and bending a sheet metal having a predetermined thickness, for example. The lengths of the pusher 75 in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction are slightly shorter than the lengths of the upper through hole 41UH in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, respectively. Further, the left plate 75L and the right plate 75R of the pusher 75 are provided with a central hole 75HC, which is a round hole penetrating in the left-right direction, at a substantially central position in the front-rear direction. A link shaft 82 is inserted. Similar to the upper link shaft 81, the lower link shaft 82 is formed in an elongated cylindrical shape with the central axis extending in the left-right direction, and is also inserted into the lower link hole 74H2 of the vertical link 74.

  Incidentally, in the pusher module 33, when the upper link shaft 81 is positioned substantially at the upper end of the link gear 73 (FIG. 5A), the bottom surface 75B of the pusher 75 is positioned above the upper conveyance guide surface 41UF. The length and arrangement of each part are adjusted.

  Further, a rear hole 75HR and a front hole 75HF are formed in the left side plate 75L and the right side plate 75R of the pusher 75 on the rear side and the front side, respectively. The rear hole 75HR is a round hole penetrating in the left-right direction, like the central hole 75HC. On the other hand, the front hole 75HF is a long hole extending in the front-rear direction and penetrating in the left-right direction.

  The link bracket 76 is formed in a plate shape that is relatively small and thin in the left-right direction. The housing 30 of the stacker unit 20 is located almost directly above the rear end of the left side plate 75L and the right side plate 75R of the pusher 75. It is fixed to. The link bracket 76 is provided with a link bracket hole 76H formed of a round hole similar to the rear hole 75HR at a position almost directly above the rear hole 75HR in the pusher 75.

  On the other hand, the link bracket 77 is formed in a plate shape that is relatively small and thin in the left-right direction, similar to the link bracket 76, and at a location that is almost directly above the front end of the left side plate 75L and the right side plate 75R of the pusher 75. It is fixed to the housing 30 of the stacker unit 20. In the link bracket 77, a link bracket hole 77H having a long hole similar to the front hole 75HF is formed at a position almost directly above the front hole 75HF in the pusher 75.

  The parallel link 78 is formed in an elongated rod shape along an oblique direction connecting the rear lower side and the front upper side, and then a rear lower link hole 78HR is drilled in the vicinity of the lower end, and the front upper in the vicinity of the front upper end. A link hole 78HF is drilled, and a central link hole 78HC is drilled near the center.

  A rear lower link shaft 83 is inserted through the rear lower link hole 78HR. The rear lower link shaft 83 is also inserted into the rear hole 75HR of the pusher 75, and the position with respect to the pusher 75 is fixed. A front upper link shaft 84 is inserted into the front upper link hole 78HF. The front upper link shaft 84 is also inserted into the link bracket hole 77H of the link bracket 77, and can move in the front-rear direction inside the link bracket hole 77H.

  The parallel link 79 is formed in a slender bar shape along an oblique direction connecting the rear upper side and the front lower side, and thereafter, a rear upper link hole 79HR is formed in the vicinity of the upper end, and the front lower side in the vicinity of the front lower end. A link hole 79HF is drilled, and a central link hole 79HC is drilled near the center.

  Here, the distance from the rear lower link hole 78HR to the central link hole 78HC in the parallel link 78, the distance from the central link hole 78HC to the front upper link hole 78HF, and the rear upper link hole 79HR to the central link hole in the parallel link 79. The distance to 79HC and the distance from the central link hole 79HC to the front lower link hole 79HF are both equal.

  The rear upper link shaft 85 is inserted into the rear upper link hole 79HR. The rear upper link shaft 85 is also inserted into the link bracket hole 76H of the link bracket 76, and the position with respect to the link bracket 76 is fixed. A front lower link shaft 86 is inserted through the front lower link hole 79HF. The front lower link shaft 86 is also inserted into the front hole 75HF of the pusher 75, and can move in the front-rear direction inside the front hole 75HF.

  Further, a parallel link shaft 87 is inserted into the central link hole 78HC of the parallel link 78 and the central link hole 79HC of the parallel link 79. Incidentally, the parallel link 79 is disposed at a position slightly different from the parallel link 78 with respect to the left-right direction so as to avoid collision and interference with the parallel link 78. That is, the parallel links 78 and 79 form a link mechanism like a so-called magic hand.

  With such a configuration, when the pusher module 33 lowers the upper link shaft 81 to its lower end with the rotation of the link gear 73, the pusher module 33 changes the posture of the vertical link 74 as shown in FIG. The vertical link 74 and the pusher 75 are lowered. At this time, the pusher 75 enters the lower through hole 41LH of the lower transport guide 41L from the upper through hole 41UH of the upper transport guide 41U through the transport space 41S, and further enters the storage space 61S of the stacker 61 positioned below the pusher 75. To reach.

  At this time, the pusher module 33 moves the front upper link shaft 84 rearward inside the link bracket hole 77H and moves the front lower link shaft 86 rearward inside the front hole 75HF as the pusher 75 moves downward. While moving, the postures of the parallel links 78 and 79 are changed. Thereby, in the pusher module 33, it is possible to move the pusher 75 substantially right below while keeping the bottom surface 75B substantially horizontal without changing the posture of the pusher 75.

  Further, when the pusher module 33 raises the upper link shaft 81 from the lower end to the upper end in accordance with the rotation of the link gear 73, the pusher module 33 also raises the vertical link 74 and the pusher 75 while appropriately changing the posture of the vertical link 74. . At this time, the pusher 75 starts to rise from within the storage space 61S of the stacker 61, enters the lower through hole 41LH of the lower transport guide 41L positioned above, and further passes through the upper transport guide 41U through the transport space 41S. Return to the hole 41UH.

  At this time, the pusher module 33 moves the front upper link shaft 84 forward in the link bracket hole 77H and moves the front lower link shaft 86 forward in the front hole 75HF as the pusher 75 moves upward. While moving, the postures of the parallel links 78 and 79 are changed. Thereby, in the pusher module 33, the bottom surface 75B can be moved substantially right above while maintaining the bottom surface 75B substantially without changing the posture of the pusher 75.

  For convenience of explanation, each part of the pusher module 33 other than the pusher 75, that is, a pusher motor 71, a motor gear 72, a link gear 73, a vertical link 74, two sets of link brackets 76 and 77, and two sets of parallel parts will be described below. The links 78 and 79 and each link shaft are collectively referred to as a pusher moving mechanism 70.

[1-2-4. Detection module configuration and check transport control]
The detection module 34 (FIG. 2) as a detection unit includes a light emitting unit 91 that emits predetermined detection light and a light receiving unit 92 that receives the detection light. The light emitting unit 91 is disposed near the rear end of the upper conveyance guide 41U, that is, on the rear side of the rear side surface of the stacker 61. The light receiving unit 92 is disposed at a position almost directly below the light emitting unit 91, that is, in the vicinity of the rear end of the lower conveyance guide 41 </ b> L and behind the rear side surface of the stacker 61. In addition, the light receiving unit 92 generates a detection signal having a signal level corresponding to the light intensity of the received detection light as a detection result, and notifies the control unit 3 of the detection signal. Furthermore, the upper conveyance guide surface 41UF and the lower conveyance guide surface 41LF are each formed with a light passage hole (not shown) for allowing detection light to pass therethrough.

  The light emitting unit 91 emits detection light downward. This detection light travels into the transport space 41S through the light passage hole of the upper transport guide surface 41UF. Here, the detection light reaches the light receiving unit 92 through the light passage hole of the lower conveyance guide surface 41LF unless it is blocked by the check CK or the like in the conveyance space 41S. At this time, the light receiving unit 92 supplies a detection signal SD (for example, a high level) indicating that the detection light has been received to the control unit 3 (FIG. 1). On the other hand, when the detection light is blocked by a check CK or the like in the transport space 41S, the detection light does not reach the light receiving unit 92. At this time, the light receiving unit 92 supplies a detection signal SD (for example, a low level) indicating that the detection light is not received to the control unit 3 (FIG. 1).

  In response to this, the control unit 3 determines whether or not the check CK blocks the optical path of the detection light in the transport space 41S based on the obtained detection signal SD, that is, near the rear end of the transport guide 41. It can be determined whether a portion is located. For convenience of explanation, hereinafter, the position of the optical path of the detection light in the front-rear direction is referred to as a detection position PD.

  Further, the control unit 3 can grasp the passage of the check CK at the detection position PD based on the change with time of the detection signal SD. For example, as schematically shown in FIG. 6A, when the leading end of the check CK reaches the detection position PD at a predetermined time T1 in the stacker unit 20, the detection light of the detection module 34 is blocked by the check CK. The At this time, the detection signal SD falls from the high level to the low level at time T1, as shown in the schematic waveform diagram of FIG. From this, when the detection signal SD falls from the high level to the low level, the control unit 3 can determine that the tip of the check CK being conveyed has passed the detection position PD.

  As schematically shown in FIG. 6B, in the stacker unit 20, when the end of the check CK reaches the detection position PD at time T2, the detection light of the detection module 34 is not shielded by the check CK. At this time, as shown in FIG. 7A, the detection signal SD rises from a low level to a high level at time T2. From this, when the detection signal SD rises from the low level to the high level, the control unit 3 can determine that the end of the check CK being conveyed has passed the detection position PD.

  Here, the control unit 3 follows the traveling direction of the check CK based on the elapsed time from when the detection signal SD falls from the high level to the low level until it rises again to the high level and the conveyance speed of the check CK. The length, that is, the length of the long side can be calculated. For example, the elapsed time from the time T1 when the detection signal SD falls from the high level to the low level to the time T2 when the detection signal SD rises again to the high level is TE [s], and the check CK has a constant conveyance speed V [m / s]. , The long side length L1, which is the length of the long side of the check CK, can be calculated by calculation according to the following equation (1).

  L1 = TE × V [m] (1)

  Incidentally, the control unit 3 gives a control signal whose waveform is shown in FIG. 7B to a conveyance motor (not shown) that supplies driving force to the drive roller 42 (FIG. 2) of the conveyance module 31 in the stacker unit 20. SC is supplied. If the control signal SC is at a high level, the transport motor generates a driving force, supplies the driving force to each driving roller 42, and rotates. If the control signal SC is at a low level, the transport motor does not generate a driving force and keeps the driving rollers 42 stopped.

  Next, the control unit 3 calculates a long side half length L2 representing the length of half the long side of the check CK by halving the calculated long side length L1. The long side half length L2 represents the length from the center of the long side of the check CK (hereinafter referred to as the long side center CKC) to the tip or end.

  Further, the control unit 3 has previously measured a detection distance L0 (FIG. 6B), which is a distance from the stacker center position PC to the detection position PD, and stores the value. Therefore, the control unit 3 can calculate the additional conveyance distance L3 by subtracting the long side half length L2 from the detection distance L0 according to the following equation (2).

  L3 = L0−L2 [m] (2)

  This additional conveyance distance L3 is a difference between the long side half length L2 of the check CK and the detection distance L0. Therefore, when the check CK is conveyed forward by an additional conveyance distance L3 from the state where the end of the check CK is located at the detection position PD (FIG. 6B), the long side center CKC is set to the stacker center position PC. Can be reached. Further, as shown in the following equation (3), this additional transport distance L3 can be converted into an additional transport time TA [s] by dividing by the transport speed V [m / s] of the check CK.

  TA = L3 / V [s] (3)

  That is, when the control unit 3 transports the check CK forward at the transport speed V for the additional transport time TA from the state where the end of the check CK is positioned at the detection position PD (FIG. 6B), FIG. As shown in FIG. 6C, the long side center CKC of the check CK can be made to reach the stacker center position PC.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7B, the control unit 3 changes the control signal SC from the high level to the low level at the time T3 when the additional conveyance time TA has elapsed from the time T2 when the end of the check CK has passed the detection position PD. By falling to the level, supply of driving force from the transport motor is stopped, and each driving roller 42 is stopped. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 6C, the control unit 3 can make the long side center CKC of the check CK coincide with the stacker center position PC in the stacker unit 20 and can be stopped in the transport space 41S.

[1-3. Check storage in the stacker]
Next, the storing operation of the check CK in the stacker unit 20 will be described. In the stacker unit 20, the transmission state transition mechanism 44 of the transport module 31 is in a transmission state (FIG. 3A) in advance, and the check CK can be held by the transport roller pair 46. In addition, the stacker unit 20 previously positions the bottom surface 75B of the pusher 75 in the pusher module 33 (FIG. 5A) in the upper through hole 41UH, that is, slightly above the upper conveyance guide surface 41UF.

  When the check processing device 1 (FIG. 1) completes the deposit reading process in the deposit transaction and subsequently performs the storing process, the control signal SC (FIG. 7B) is set to the high level to control the transport motor (see FIG. 1). (Not shown) is operated, the driving roller 42 and the like are rotated, and the check module CK is conveyed along the conveyance path W20 by the conveyance module 31.

  The stacker unit 20 sets the detection signal SD to a high level when the tip of the check CK reaches the detection position PD and the detection light of the detection module 34 is shielded (FIG. 6A) as at the time T1 described above. Then, the signal falls to the low level (FIG. 7A). Subsequently, the stacker unit 20 detects the detection signal SD when the end of the check CK reaches the detection position PD and the detection light of the detection module 34 is not shielded (FIG. 6B) as at the time T2 described above. Is lowered from the low level to the high level (FIG. 7A).

  Here, the control unit 3 calculates the additional transport distance L3, the additional transport time TA, and the like by performing arithmetic processing such as the above-described formulas (1), (2), and (3). In addition, the control unit 3 lowers the control signal SC to the low level at the time when the additional transport time TA has elapsed since the detection signal SD has risen to the high level (that is, from the time T2), that is, at the time T3 described above. The conveyance of the check CK by the conveyance module 31 is stopped.

  As a result, the stacker unit 20 is stopped in a state where the long side center CKC of the check CK is made coincident with the stacker center position PC (FIG. 6C). Further, as shown in the schematic front view of FIG. 8A, the stacker unit 20 holds the check CK in a state where the right end of the check CK is in contact with or close to the right side surface of the conveyance space 41S. 46 is sandwiched from above and below.

  Next, the stacker unit 20 starts the rotation operation of the pusher motor 71 of the pusher module 33 under the control of the control unit 3. As a result, the link gear 73 and the transmission state transition cam 53 attached to the link gear 73 start to rotate in a predetermined rotation direction (for example, clockwise in FIG. 2A) around the link gear shaft 73X.

  Accordingly, the stacker unit 20 first operates the transmission state transition mechanism 44 (FIG. 3) of the transport module 31 to move the pressure rollers 43 upward as shown in FIG. It separates from 42 and makes a transition to the non-transmission state (FIG. 3B). As a result, the check CK is not pinched by the transport roller pair 46, in other words, can be freely moved in the horizontal direction.

  At the same time, the stacker unit 20 starts to lower the pusher 75 in the pusher module 33. As a result, the pusher 75 first brings the bottom surface 75B into the transport space 41S from the upper through hole 41UH of the upper transport guide 41U as shown in FIG. 8B, and makes contact with the upper surface of the check CK. For convenience of explanation, the portion of the check CK that is pressed against the bottom surface 75B will be referred to as a pressing portion CKP, and the left and right sides thereof will be referred to as side portions CKS.

  Subsequently, the pusher 75 presses the check CK downward by the bottom surface 75B and causes the pressing portion CKP to enter the lower through hole 41LH of the lower conveyance guide 41L as shown in FIG. 8C. At this time, the check CK is pulled by the pressing portion CKP, and the left and right side portions CKS also enter the lower through hole 41LH. Further, since the side portion CKS is sandwiched between the lower inner side surface 41LS of the lower conveyance guide 41L and the pusher 75, the side portion CKS is pushed and bent upward with respect to the pressing portion CKP.

  Further, the pusher 75 continues to press the pressing portion CKP of the check CK downward as it is by the bottom surface 75B, thereby causing the pressing portion CKP to reach the storage space 61S of the stacker 61 as shown in FIG. It is brought into contact with the uppermost surface of the accumulated check CKA accumulated in the storage space 61S.

  Incidentally, when the check CK is not accumulated in the storage space 61S of the stacker 61, the pusher 75 causes the pressing portion CKP to directly contact the accumulation surface 62S of the stage 62. The pusher 75 continues to descend in the storage space 61S, thereby lowering the pressing portion CKP of the check CK together with the accumulated check CKA and the stage 62 while compressing the shaft spring 65 (FIG. 2).

  Eventually, the pusher 75 causes the side portion CKS of the check CK to completely enter the storage space 61S as shown in FIG. 9B. Then, the check CK lowers the portion that is pushed upward and bent with respect to the pressing portion CKP (that is, the left and right side portions CKS) by the action of elastic force and restoring force, and has a substantially flat shape as a whole. Return. As a result, the check CK becomes a part of the accumulated check CKA and is accumulated on the accumulation surface 62S of the stage 62.

  Thereafter, the pusher 75 starts to rise as the link gear 73 rotates, and rises in the storage space 61S. At this time, the accumulated check CKA and the stage 62 rise while the uppermost surface of the accumulated check CKA is in contact with the bottom surface 75B of the pusher 75 by the extension action of the shaft spring 65 (FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 9C, the uppermost surface of the accumulated check CKA is brought into contact with the top plate 61A of the stacker 61. As a result, the accumulated check CKA is sandwiched from above and below by the top board 61A and the stage 62.

  Furthermore, the stacker unit 20 continues to raise the pusher 75 by the rotation of the link gear 73, and as shown in FIG. 9C, the bottom surface 75B reaches the upper through hole 41UH of the upper conveyance guide 41U. At this time, the stacker unit 20 returns the transmission state transition mechanism 44 and the conveyance roller pair 46 to the transmission state (FIG. 3A) by positioning the protrusion 53P of the transmission state transition cam 53 forward, and the next state The check CK can be transported.

  In this way, the stacker unit 20 stores the check CK transported to the transport space 41 </ b> S in the storage space 61 </ b> S of the stacker 61 in a state where the checks CK are stacked on the stacking surface 62 </ b> S of the stage 62 in an orderly manner. can do.

[1-4. Length of each part in the stacker part]
By the way, the check processing apparatus 1 is assumed to handle checks CK of various sizes as described above. Therefore, the stacker unit 20 needs to store checks CK having different sizes not only in the long side direction but also in the short side direction. For convenience of explanation, the check CK having the longest short side is referred to as the shortest longest check CKmax, and the check CK having the longest short side is referred to as the shortest shortest check CKmin.

  In the check processing apparatus 1, as described above, the aligner unit 13 (FIG. 1) brings the check CK into contact with the right side surface (that is, the reference surface) of the conveyance path or approaches the right and left sides of the check CK. The conveyance is continued while maintaining the position in the direction, and the stacker unit 20 is reached. Therefore, in the transport module 31 of the stacker unit 20, when the left end of the check CK is closest to the right side as shown in FIG. 8A, that is, when the shortest shortest check CKmin is transported, Must be transported without dropping from the lower through hole 41LH of the lower transport guide 41L.

  In the stacker unit 20, when the pusher 75 pushes the shortest longest check CKmax deeply into the storage space 61S of the stacker 61 (FIG. 9B), the left end and the right end are positioned lower than the top plate 61A. It is necessary to completely enter the storage space 61S.

  Furthermore, in the stacker unit 20, if the bottom surface 75B of the pusher 75 is positioned directly above the center of gravity MC of each check CK, the check CK in the transport space 41S can be stably pushed down and the stage 62 A force can be applied downward from the bottom surface 75B to the center of gravity of each check CK that constitutes the accumulated check CKA accumulated on the bottom.

  Therefore, in the stacker unit 20, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the length of each unit is appropriately set. Specifically, in the stacker unit 20, the length L11 from the right side surface of the transport space 41S to the left end of the lower through hole 41LH in the lower transport guide 41L is shorter than the short side length L12 in the shortest shortest check CKmin. Yes.

  Further, in the stacker portion 20, the shortest longest check CKmax has a ceiling from the bottom surface 75 </ b> B when the pusher 75 is lowered most than the lengths L <b> 13 and L <b> 14 of the left and right side portions CKS that do not contact the bottom surface 75 </ b> B of the pusher 75. The length L15 up to the plate 61A is longer.

  Further, in the stacker unit 20, the center of gravity MC of the shortest longest check CKmax and the center of gravity MC of the shortest shortest check CKmin that are in contact with or very close to the right side surface of the transport space 41 </ b> S represent the range where the pusher 75 exists. It is within the pusher range R75.

  As described above, in the stacker unit 20, since the lengths of the respective units are appropriately set, the checks CK having different sizes can be reliably conveyed, and the pusher 75 can surely enter the storage space 61 </ b> S of the stacker 61. Can be pushed into.

[1-5. Effect]
In the above configuration, in the check processing device 1 according to the first embodiment, the stacker unit 20 is provided with the transport module 31, the stacker module 32, the pusher module 33, and the detection module 34 (FIG. 2). In addition, the stacker unit 20 is pushed and accumulated in the storage space 61S of the stacker 61 by the pusher 75 at a position where the long side center CKC of the check CK coincides with the stacker center position PC (FIGS. 6, 8, and FIG. 9).

  Here, a stacker unit 120 having a typical configuration is shown in FIG. 11 for comparison with the stacker unit 20. The stacker unit 120 is configured to store a check CK in a stacker 161 corresponding to the stacker 61, and is not provided with a stage 62 (FIG. 2 and the like), a shaft spring 65, and the like. Further, the stacker unit 120 is not provided with the transport module 31 and the pusher module 33 (FIG. 2) immediately above the stacker 161. On the other hand, the stacker unit 120 is provided with a discharge unit 136 that discharges the check into the stacker 161 at the end portion of the conveyance path disposed on the rear side.

  In this typical stacker unit 120, it is expected that the check CK discharged from the discharge unit 136 is accumulated in the stacker 161. However, in the stacker unit 120 having such a configuration, since the respective centers of gravity of the checks CK having different sizes are overlapped in a state of being largely shifted in the front-rear direction, the stacker unit 120 may become unstable and may collapse after stacking, or may be newly stacked. The check CK may slip off. As a result, in the stacker unit 120, it is difficult to orderly stack the checks CK, and it is also difficult to stack while maintaining the order in which the checks are conveyed.

  On the other hand, in the stacker unit 20 (FIG. 2) according to the present embodiment, the transport module 31 is disposed above the stacker 61, the check CK is transported by the transport roller pair 46, and the check module CK is transported by the pusher module 33. It was pushed into the stacker 61. Under the control of the control unit 3, the stacker unit 20 transports the check CK until the long side center CKC coincides with the stacker center position PC by the transport module 31, and then stops the checker CK. It can be surely adjusted to the stacker center position PC (FIG. 6C).

  As a result, the stacker unit 20 accumulates the long side centers CKC of each check CK in the storage space 61S of the stacker 61 in a state where all the long side centers CKC are aligned with the stacker center position PC. Can be stacked. As a result, in the stacker unit 20, the check CK can be stacked on the stacking surface 62S of the stage 62 in a state where the positions of the centers of gravity coincide with each other in the long side direction and are extremely resistant to collapse.

  Further, since the stacker unit 20 can reliably stack a new check CK on the uppermost surface of the existing accumulated check CKA, each check CK is moved from the lower side to the upper side while maintaining the order of conveyance. Can be stacked sequentially. As a result, the check processing apparatus 1 can reliably match the order of the image data generated by the scanner unit 15 in the deposit reading process and the stacking order of the actual checks CK accumulated in the stacker unit 20. The collation work can be executed very smoothly.

  In particular, in the stacker unit 20, the long side center CKC of the newly stored check CK is aligned with the stacker center position PC on the upper side of the existing accumulated check CKA, and then the check CK is pushed right below by the pusher 75. Therefore, the stacker unit 20 can reliably match the long side center CKC of each new check CK with the long side center CKC of each check CK in the accumulated check CKA.

  By the way, in the check processing device 1, for example, it is conceivable to calculate the correct long side length L1 of the check CK based on the image data obtained in the scanner unit 15, for example. However, in the check processing device 1 according to the present embodiment, the control unit 3 calculates the long side length L1 (FIG. 6B) in the check CK using the detection signal SD obtained by the detection module 34, and calculates this. Based on this, the additional transport distance L3 and the additional transport time TA are calculated, and the control signal SC (FIG. 7B) is changed.

  In practice, in the check processing device 1, for example, in the rear middle conveyance unit 19 on the downstream side of the scanner unit 15, the posture changes during conveyance of the check CK, and the long side is inclined with respect to the traveling direction. There is. In such a case, the long side length of the check CK detected by the detection module 34 (hereinafter also referred to as the detection long side length LD1) is different from the long side length L1 of the actual check CK.

  In such a situation, in the check processing device 1, when the long side length L1 of the check CK obtained from the image data obtained by the scanner unit 15 is used, the additional transport distance L3 and the additional transport time TA are appropriate values. In other words, the check CK is stopped in a state where the long side center CKC is aligned with the position shifted from the stacker center position PC. As a result, in the check processing apparatus 1, the check CK is stacked with the center of gravity shifted from the accumulated check CKA, which may lead to the collapse of the accumulated check CKA.

  On the other hand, in the actual check processing device 1, in order to calculate the additional conveyance distance L3 and the additional conveyance time TA using the long side length of the check CK detected by the detection module 34 (that is, the detection long side length LD1), Appropriate additional transport distance L3 and additional transport time TA can be calculated, and the long side center CKC can be brought to rest in accordance with the stacker center position PC.

  That is, the check processing device 1 calculates the additional transport distance L3 and the additional transport time TA using the detection signal SD (FIG. 7A) even if the long side of the check CK is inclined with respect to the traveling direction. Thus, the check CK can be neatly accumulated in a state where the center of gravity position in the front-rear direction matches the accumulated check CKA.

  Further, in the transport module 31 of the stacker unit 20, a non-transmission state in which the pressure roller 43 is lifted and separated from the driving roller 42 by the transmission state transition mechanism 44 and a transmission state in which the pressure roller 43 is pressed against the driving roller 42. Switching was made (FIG. 3).

  Therefore, in the case of transporting the check CK, the stacker unit 20 switches the transmission state transition mechanism 44 to the transmission state, thereby applying a forward force from the pair of transport rollers 46 to the check CK, and the check CK. Can be reliably conveyed to the stacker center position PC (FIG. 3A).

  On the other hand, in the stacker unit 20, when the check CK is pushed into the storage space 61 </ b> S of the stacker 61 by the pusher 75, the pressure roller 43 and the transport roller pair 46 in the transport roller pair 46 are switched by switching the transmission state transition mechanism 44 to the non-transmission state. A gap can be formed between the drive rollers 42. Thereby, in the stacker unit 20, the side portion CKS of the check CK can be smoothly moved in the left-right direction and pulled into the lower through hole 41LH (FIG. 3B).

  Further, in the stacker unit 20, the transmission state transition cam 53 of the transmission state transition mechanism 44 is attached to the link gear 73 of the pusher module 33 (FIG. 2 and the like). For this reason, the stacker unit 20 does not provide a driving force source such as a motor in the transmission state transition mechanism 44, but simply rotates the link gear 73 in order to move the pusher 75 in the pusher module 33 in the vertical direction. The mechanism 44 can be switched to a transmission state or a non-transmission state.

  In addition, in the stacker unit 20, when the pusher 75 is moved up most, the projecting portion 53P of the transmission state transition cam 53 faces forward, and the transmission state transition frame 51 of the transmission state transition mechanism 44 is positioned forward ( FIG. 3). Therefore, the stacker unit 20 completes the conveyance by aligning the long side center CKC of the check CK with the stacker center position PC, starts rotation of the link gear 73, and immediately after the pusher 75 starts to descend, The transmission state transition mechanism 44 can be switched from the transmission state to the non-transmission state. In the stacker unit 20, after the check CK is pushed into the storage space 61S of the stacker 61 by the pusher 75, the transfer state transition is performed at an optimum timing for raising the pusher 75 again to prepare for storing the next check CK. The mechanism 44 can be returned to the transmission state again.

  Furthermore, in the stacker unit 20, in the stacker module 32, the inner diameter of the shaft guide 64 is made sufficiently larger than the outer diameter of the stage shaft 63 so that the accumulation surface 62S of the stage 62 can be inclined with respect to the horizontal plane (FIG. 4B )). Therefore, in the stacker unit 20, when the length from the uppermost surface to the lowermost surface of the accumulated check CKA, that is, the thickness is locally different, the stacking surface 62S of the stage 62 (that is, the lowermost surface of the accumulated check CKA) is used. By inclining, the top surface can follow the top plate 61A of the stacker 61 and can be made almost horizontal.

  Thus, in the stacker unit 20, when the pusher 75 is lowered and a new check CK is pushed into the stacker 61, the pressing portion CKP of the check CK can be pressed in parallel with the uppermost surface of the accumulated check CKA. . In other words, even if the thickness of the stacked check CKA is not uniform, the stacker unit 20 has a relatively wide surface from the bottom surface 75B of the pusher 75 to the stacked check CKA instead of a point or a line. Thus, it is possible to apply a downward force, so that it is possible to reliably prevent the accumulated check CKA from being unbalanced by applying an unbalanced force to the accumulated check CKA.

  Further, in the stacker unit 20, the center of gravity MC is within the range of the pusher range R75 with the right end of either the shortest longest check CKmax and the shortest shortest check CKmin being in contact with or very close to the right side of the transport space 41S. It was made to fit in (FIG. 10 (A)). For this reason, the stacker unit 20 can apply a force from directly above the center of gravity of each check CK constituting the accumulated check CKA from the pusher 75 in the left-right direction (that is, the direction along the short side of the check CK). Therefore, it is possible to reliably avoid breaking the accumulated check CKA by the pusher 75 in the left-right direction.

  According to the above configuration, the stacker unit 20 of the check processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment transports the check CK along the transport path W20 by the transport roller pair 46 and the like of the transport module 31, and the center of the long side thereof The CKC is made to coincide with the stacker center position PC and stopped. Subsequently, the stacker unit 20 pushes the check CK into the storage space 61S of the stacker 61 from the transport space 41S by the pusher 75 of the pusher module 33, and accumulates it on the accumulated check CKA. As a result, the stacker unit 20 can stack the checks CK with the respective long side centers CKC aligned with each other, can maintain an orderly stacked state, and can also maintain the order of conveyance.

[2. Second Embodiment]
The check processing device 201 (FIG. 1) according to the second embodiment is different from the check processing device 1 according to the first embodiment in that the stacker unit 220 (220A and 220B) is replaced with the stacker unit 20 (20A and 20B). ), But the other points are configured similarly.

  12A and 12B corresponding to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the stacker unit 220 includes a stacker module 32 and a stacker unit 20 as compared with the stacker unit 20 according to the first embodiment. The difference is that a stacker module 232 and a pusher module 233 are provided instead of the pusher module 33. On the other hand, the stacker unit 220 includes a transport module 31 and a detection module 34 having the same configuration as the stacker unit 20. In FIG. 12, the transmission state transition mechanism 44 is omitted for the sake of drawing.

  The stacker module 232 is different from the stacker module 32 according to the first embodiment in that it has a stage spring 265 instead of the shaft spring 65, but the stacker 61 and the stage 62 are similarly configured. The stacker module 232 is provided with a plurality of stage rollers 266 while the stage shaft 63 and the shaft guide 64 are omitted.

  The stage spring 265 is disposed below the stage 62 in the storage space 61 </ b> S of the stacker 61, a lower end thereof is fixed to the upper surface of the bottom of the stacker 61, and an upper end thereof is fixed to the lower surface of the stage 62. This stage spring 265 is compressed from the natural state, like the shaft spring 65 in the first embodiment, and biases the stage 62 upward.

  Further, stage rollers 266 are rotatably attached to the front, rear, left and right side surfaces of the stage 62 in the vicinity of the front end and the rear end, or near the left end and the right end, respectively. Each stage roller 266 has a part protruding forward or rearward from each of the left and right side surfaces of the stage 62, and a part protruding leftward or rightward from the front and rear side surfaces. Accordingly, the stage 62 can smoothly move upward or downward with the stage roller 266 abutting against the inner surface of the stacker 61 or with a slight gap formed therebetween.

  With such a configuration, the stacker module 232 can stack the check CK on the stacking surface 62S of the stage 62 to form the stacked check CKA, as in the first embodiment, and the stacked check CKA can be used as the stage spring 265. Can be pressed against the top plate 61A of the stacker 61.

  The stacker module 232 does not have a mechanism for horizontally holding the stacking surface 62S of the stage 62. The stacker module 232 has a storage space and each stage roller 266 attached to the stage 62 in either the front-rear direction or the left-right direction. A gap can be formed between 61S. For this reason, the stacker module 232 can incline the stacking surface 62S of the stage 62 with respect to the horizontal direction, as in the first embodiment.

  Further, since the stacker module 232 has the stage spring 265 disposed inside the stacker 61, there is no need to arrange other parts such as the stage shaft 63 (FIG. 2) before and after the stacker 61. For this reason, the stacker module 232 can be reduced in size in the front-rear direction compared to the stacker module 32 according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 13 corresponding to FIG. 5, the pusher module 233 has the pusher motor 71 and the motor gear 72 configured in the same manner as the pusher module 33 according to the first embodiment, while the link gear 73. The vertical links 74, the link brackets 76 and 77, and the parallel links 78 and 79 are omitted. On the other hand, the pusher module 33 includes a pusher 275 in place of the pusher 75, and further includes an upper pulley 273, a lower pulley 274, a timing belt 276, a pusher shaft 277, and a sliding support portion 278.

  The upper pulley 273 is configured in a disc shape with the central axis extending in the left-right direction, and a pulley gear (not shown) is attached to the right side so as to match the central axis. The pulley gear meshes with the motor gear 72, and when the driving force is transmitted from the motor gear 72, the pulley gear rotates together with the upper pulley 273. Similar to the upper pulley 273, the lower pulley 274 is configured in a disc shape having a central axis along the left-right direction, and can freely rotate about the central axis as a rotation center. The timing belt 276 is stretched around the upper pulley 273 and the lower pulley 274.

  The pusher shaft 277 is formed in an elongated cylindrical shape along the vertical direction, like the stage shaft 63 in the first embodiment, and the vicinity of the upper end and the vicinity of the lower end of the pusher shaft 277 with respect to the casing 30 of the stacker unit 220. Each is fixed. A sliding support portion 278 is inserted through the pusher shaft 277. The sliding support portion 278 includes a sliding portion 278A, a belt attachment portion 278B, and a pusher attachment portion 278C.

  Similar to the shaft guide 64 in the first embodiment, the sliding portion 278A is configured in a cylindrical shape with the central axis extending in the vertical direction. The sliding portion 278A has an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the pusher shaft 277, and can slide smoothly with respect to the pusher shaft 277 in the vertical direction.

  The belt attaching portion 278B is attached to the front side of the sliding portion 278A, and the front surface thereof is formed flat. A part of the timing belt 276 is fixed to the front surface of the belt mounting portion 278B by a predetermined mounting screw or the like. The pusher attachment portion 278C is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape or plate shape that is long in the front-rear direction and short in the left-right direction, and is attached to the rear side of the sliding portion 278A. The left side surface of the pusher mounting portion 278C is formed flat.

  The pusher 275 includes a pusher lower part 275L and a pusher upper part 275U. The pusher lower portion 275L has a shape in which the vicinity of the front end and the vicinity of the rear end of a thin plate-like member that is thin in the vertical direction and long in the front-rear direction is bent upward, and is mainly formed by the pusher 75 in the first embodiment. Corresponds to the bottom part.

  The pusher upper portion 275U is formed in a plate shape that is long in the vertical direction and thin in the left-right direction, and its lower end is connected to the right end of the pusher lower portion 275L. Further, the pusher upper portion 275U is in contact with the left side surface of the pusher mounting portion 278C in the vicinity of the upper end of the right side surface thereof, and is fixed to the pusher mounting portion 278C with a predetermined mounting screw or the like.

  With this configuration, when the pusher motor 71 is rotated, the pusher module 233 rotates the upper pulley 273 via the motor gear 72 and causes the timing belt 276 to travel accordingly. As a result, the pusher module 233 moves the sliding support portion 278 upward or downward along the pusher shaft 277. At this time, the pusher 275 fixed to the sliding support portion 278 also moves upward or downward. Move. At this time, since the sliding support portion 278 slides along the pusher shaft 277, the pusher 275 can move up and down without changing its posture and with its bottom face being almost horizontal.

  That is, when the check CK is transported into the transport space 41S by the transport module 31, the pusher module 233 lowers the pusher 275 to store the check CK in the stacker 61, as in the first embodiment. It can be pushed into the space 61S and accumulated.

  For convenience of explanation, components other than the pusher 275 in the pusher module 233, that is, the pusher motor 71, the motor gear 72, the upper pulley 273, the lower pulley 274, the timing belt 276, the pusher shaft 277, and the sliding support portion 278 will be described below. Collectively, it is also referred to as a pusher moving mechanism 270.

  In other respects, the check processing device 201 can achieve the same effects as the check processing device 1 according to the first embodiment.

  According to the above configuration, the stacker unit 220 of the check processing apparatus 201 according to the second embodiment transports the check CK by the transport module 31 and stacks the long side center CKC as in the first embodiment. It is made to stand still in accordance with the center position PC. Subsequently, the stacker unit 220 pushes the check CK into the storage space 61S of the stacker 61 from the transport space 41S by the pusher 275 of the pusher module 233, and accumulates it on the accumulated check CKA. As a result, the stacker unit 220 can also stack the respective checks CK in a state where the long side centers CKC are aligned with each other, as in the first embodiment, and can maintain a well-organized and accumulated state. The order of conveyance can be maintained.

[3. Third Embodiment]
The check processing device 301 (FIG. 1) according to the third embodiment is different from the check processing device 1 according to the first embodiment in that the stacker unit 320 (320A and 320B) replaces the stacker unit 20 (20A and 20B). ), But the other points are configured similarly.

  14A and 14B corresponding to FIGS. 2A and 2B and FIGS. 12A and 12B, the stacker unit 320 is a stacker unit according to the first embodiment. 20 in that it has a stacker module 332 instead of the stacker module 32. On the other hand, the stacker unit 320 includes a transport module 31, a pusher module 33, and a detection module 34 having the same configuration as the stacker unit 20.

  The stacker module 332 is different from the stacker module 32 according to the first embodiment in that it has two sets of stage shafts 363 and shaft guides 364 instead of the two sets of stage shafts 63 and shaft guides 64. On the other hand, the stacker module 332 has the same stacker 61 and stage 62 as in the first embodiment, and has the same stage spring 265 as in the second embodiment instead of the shaft spring 65. ing.

  The two stage shafts 363 are respectively provided on the right side of the stacker 61 at positions near the front end and the rear end of the stacker 61. As with the stage shaft 63 according to the first embodiment, the lower end of the stage shaft 363 is fixed to the frame 2 (FIG. 1), and the upper end thereof is fixed to the stacker 61 via a predetermined support member (not shown). Has been.

  Each of the two shaft guides 364 is configured in the same manner as the shaft guide 64 according to the first embodiment. Each shaft guide 364 is inserted through each stage shaft 363 and attached to the vicinity of the front end and the vicinity of the rear end at the right end of the stage 62 via a predetermined attachment member. Incidentally, on the right side surface of the stacker 61, a vertically long passage hole (not shown) is formed for allowing the attachment member to pass therethrough.

  With this configuration, the stacker module 332 can form the accumulated check CKA by accumulating the check CK on the accumulation surface 62S of the stage 62, as in the first and second embodiments. Can be pressed against the top plate 61A of the stacker 61 by the stage spring 265.

  Further, the stacker module 332 is provided with two sets of the stage shaft 363 and the shaft guide 364, so that the stacking surface 62S of the stage 62 can be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, as in the first embodiment. Thereby, even if the thickness of the accumulated check CKA accumulated on the accumulation surface 62S of the stage 62 is different for each part, the stacker module 332 moves the stage 62 in the same manner as shown in FIG. By tilting appropriately, the uppermost surface of the accumulated check CKA can be aligned almost horizontally with the top plate 61A and the bottom surface 75B of the pusher 75.

  In other respects, the check processing device 301 can achieve the same effects as the check processing device 1 according to the first embodiment.

  According to the above configuration, the stacker unit 320 of the check processing device 301 according to the third embodiment transports the check CK by the transport module 31 and stacks the long side center CKC as in the first embodiment. It is made to stand still in accordance with the center position PC. Subsequently, the stacker unit 320 pushes the check CK into the storage space 61S of the stacker 61 from the transport space 41S by the pusher 75 of the pusher module 33, and accumulates it on the accumulated check CKA. As a result, the stacker unit 320 can also stack the respective checks CK with the respective long side centers CKC aligned with each other, similarly to the first embodiment, and can maintain a well-ordered state. The order of conveyance can be maintained.

[4. Other Embodiments]
In the first embodiment described above, the check module CK is transported by the transport module 31 of the stacker unit 20 to the position where the long side center CKC coincides with the stacker center position PC (FIG. 6C). The case of pushing into the stacker 61 by the pusher 75 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a check CK is conveyed so that a position that is a predetermined distance away from the stacker center position PC in the forward or backward direction is used as a reference position and the long side center CKC is aligned with the reference position. In this state, it may be pushed into the stacker 61 by the pusher 75. In short, it is only necessary that the checks CK can be sequentially stacked in a state where the long side centers CKC of the checks CK constituting the accumulated check CKA coincide with each other in the front-rear direction. As a result, the centers of gravity of the respective checks CK constituting the accumulated check CKA can be substantially aligned with respect to the front-rear direction, so that the possibility that the accumulated check CKA is collapsed can be extremely low, and an orderly accumulated state can be maintained. The same applies to the second and third embodiments.

  Further, in the first embodiment described above, the case where the transport module 31 transports the long side center CKC of the check CK so as to coincide with the stacker center position PC based on the control of the control unit 3 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various other positions on the check CK may be conveyed so as to coincide with the stacker center position PC. For example, when it is determined that a part of the check CK is missing and the position of the center of gravity in the front-rear direction is deviated from the long side center CKC based on the image data obtained in the scanner unit 15, this missing The center of gravity position in the front-rear direction of the check CK may be calculated from the position, area, and the like of the check portion, and conveyed so that the center of gravity position coincides with the stacker center position PC. The same applies to the second and third embodiments.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the transmission state transition mechanism 44 moves the transmission state transition frame 51 provided with the holding portion 51L in the front-rear direction, thereby bringing the pressure roller 43 into the transmission state or the non-transmission state. The case where transition is made has been described (FIG. 3). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various known configurations may be provided instead of the transmission state transition mechanism 44. Further, the driving force of the transmission state transition mechanism 44 is not limited to the configuration in which the force of the pusher motor 71 is used by the transmission state transition cam 53. For example, a motor or an actuator dedicated to the retraction operation may be separately provided. The same applies to the second and third embodiments.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the transfer roller pair is moved by moving the pressure roller 43 upward, that is, in the direction away from the drive roller 42, by the transmission state transition mechanism 44 provided on the upper side of the conveyance space 41S. The case where 46 is changed from the transmission state to the non-transmission state has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a transmission state transition mechanism 44 is provided below the conveyance space 41S, and the drive roller 42 is moved downward, that is, in a direction away from the pressure roller 43, whereby the conveyance roller pair 46 is moved. You may make it change from a transmission-like body to a non-transmission state. The same applies to the second and third embodiments.

  Further, in the first embodiment described above, the transfer state transition mechanism 44 is provided in the transport module 31, and when the check CK in the transport space 41S is pushed downward by the pusher 75, the pressure roller 43 is pulled away from the drive roller 42. The case where each of the conveying roller pairs 46 is changed to the non-transmission state has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the transmission state transition mechanism 44 is omitted, and instead of each pressure roller 43, a spherical roller and a roller holder that holds the roller so as to rotate in a plurality of directions are provided. May be provided. In this configuration, when the check CK is pushed downward by the pusher 75 while the check CK is sandwiched between the spherical roller and the driving roller 42, the spherical roller is centered on the rotation axis along the front-rear direction. Since it rotates, the side portion CKS of the check CK can be smoothly drawn into the lower through hole 41LH. Alternatively, for example, when at least one of each pressure roller 43 and each driving roller 42 is configured to be rotatable about a rotation axis along the front-rear direction, or at least one circumference of each pressure roller 43 and each driving roller 42 The same effect can be obtained when a mechanism or material that reduces friction in the left-right direction is provided on the side surface. The same applies to the second and third embodiments.

  Further, in the above-described first embodiment, the case where the driving roller 42 is disposed below the conveyance space 41S and the pressure roller 43 is disposed above the conveyance space 41S has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the driving roller 42 may be disposed above the conveyance space 41S and the pressure roller 43 may be disposed below the conveyance space 41S. In this case, the horizontal frame 51H of the transmission state transition frame 51 in the transmission state transition mechanism 44 may be disposed below the transport space 41S. The same applies to the second and third embodiments.

  Further, in the above-described first embodiment, the case where the check CK is sandwiched from above and below by the combination of the four pairs of conveying rollers 46, that is, the driving roller 42 and the pressure roller 43 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and three or less pairs or five or more pairs of conveyance rollers 46 may be provided, and various conveyance mechanisms may be provided. For example, instead of the driving roller 42, a configuration similar to the conveyance belt, that is, the upper pulley 273, the lower pulley 274, and the timing belt 276 (FIG. 13) in the second embodiment may be provided. In short, it is only necessary to apply a force in the traveling direction, that is, the forward direction, to the check CK in the transport space 41S. The same applies to the second and third embodiments.

  Further, in the first embodiment described above, the pusher 75, the lower through-hole 41LH, etc. are taken into consideration that the check CK is conveyed while being brought close to the right reference surface in the aligner 13 (FIG. 1). The case where the conveyance roller pair 46 is provided only on the right side of the above is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the conveyance roller pair 46 may be provided on the left side of the pusher 75, the lower through hole 41LH, and the like. In this case, the driving force can be transmitted to the check CK from both sides sandwiching the center of gravity MC (FIG. 10), so that the check can be transported more stably. The same applies to the second and third embodiments.

  Further, in the above-described first embodiment, the case where the bottom surface 75B of the pusher 75 is formed in a flat planar shape has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the bottom surface 75B may be processed to increase the frictional force against the check CK, or a member having a high frictional force may be attached. Thus, even if the force acting on the check CK becomes unbalanced on the left and right due to the difference in the length of the side portion CKS in the check CK on the left and right of the lower through-hole 41LH, the check CK is placed on the bottom surface 75B. Without slipping, it can be satisfactorily pushed into the lower through-hole 41LH.

  Furthermore, in the above-described first embodiment, the case where the accumulation surface 62S of the stage 62 is configured to be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction has been described (FIG. 4). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the bottom surface 75B of the pusher 75 may be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. Also in this case, the bottom surface 75B can be pressed against the uppermost surface of the accumulated check CKA accumulated on the accumulation surface 62S by a surface instead of a point or a line, and the possibility that the accumulated check CKA will collapse is greatly reduced. it can. The same applies to the second and third embodiments.

  Further, in the first embodiment described above, the restoring force of the shaft spring 65 disposed below the shaft guide 64, that is, the elastic force that expands from the compressed state to return to the original natural state is used. The case where the stage 62 is urged upward together with the shaft guide 64 has been described (FIGS. 2 and 4). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the shaft spring 65 is disposed above the shaft guide 64, and the stage 62 is moved upward by using an elastic force that is contracted from the expanded state to return to the original natural state. The stage 62 may be urged upward using various known elastic members such as rubber or other mechanisms. The same applies to the second and third embodiments.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the case where the length of each part is determined so that the center of gravity MC of the shortest longest check CKmax and the center of gravity MC of the shortest shortest check CKmin are within the pusher range R75 has been described. (FIG. 10). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the length of each part may be determined so that at least one of the center of gravity MC of the shortest longest check CKmax and the center of gravity MC of the shortest shortest check CKmin is outside the pusher range R75. good. In this case, it is desirable to determine the length of each part so that the center of gravity MC located outside the pusher range R75 is located as close as possible to the pusher range R75. However, in any case, the left end of the shortest shortest check CKmin that is in contact with or very close to the right side surface of the transport space 41S is supported by a portion on the left side of the lower through hole 41LH in the lower transport guide 41L. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent falling into the lower through hole 41LH during conveyance. The same applies to the second and third embodiments.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the long side length L1 of the check CK in the control unit 3 based on the detection signal SD (FIG. 7A) obtained by the detection module 34 (FIG. 6B). The case of calculating is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the long side length L1 may be acquired by other various methods. For example, the long side length L1 of the check CK may be recognized based on the image data of the check CK obtained by the scanner unit 15. The same applies to the second and third embodiments.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the control unit SC (FIG. 1) calculates the long side length L1, the additional transport distance L3, and the like based on the detection signal SD, and then generates the control signal SC. The case where the conveyance of the check CK by the conveyance module 31 is controlled has been described (FIG. 7). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a control module that performs arithmetic processing or the like may be provided in the stacker unit 20 and the control signal SC may be generated by the control module. The same applies to the second and third embodiments.

  Further, in the above-described first embodiment, the case where the stacker 61 is fixed to the frame 2 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the stacker 61 may be detachable from the frame 2. In this case, although the stage 62 needs to be detachable together with the stacker 61, the stage shaft 63, the shaft guide 64, the shaft spring 65, and the like may be attached to and detached from the frame 2 integrally with the stacker 61. Alternatively, a part or all of it may be left on the frame 2 side. The same applies to the second and third embodiments.

  Further, in the above-described first embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the check processing apparatus 1 that handles checks has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention may be applied to various apparatuses that handle various paper-like media such as banknotes, securities, and gift certificates. In particular, the present invention is suitable for collecting and storing a plurality of types of media having different sizes. The same applies to the second and third embodiments.

  Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and other embodiments. That is, the scope of the present invention extends to embodiments in which some or all of the above-described embodiments and other embodiments described above are arbitrarily combined, and embodiments in which some are extracted. It is.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the upper conveyance guide 41U and the lower conveyance guide 41L as the conveyance guide, the driving roller 42 and the pressure roller 43 as the conveyance force transmission unit, the stacker 61 as the storage unit, and the stage as the stage The medium is stored by the stage 62, the shaft spring 65 as the stage urging unit, the upper through hole 41UH and the lower through hole 41LH as the through holes, the pusher 75 as the pusher, and the pusher moving mechanism 70 as the pusher moving unit. The case where the stacker unit 20 as an apparatus is configured has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and includes a conveyance guide, a conveyance force transmission unit, a storage unit, a stage, a stage urging unit, a through-hole, a pusher, and a pusher moving unit having various other configurations. A medium storage device may be configured.

  The present invention can be used in, for example, a check processing apparatus that collects and stores a plurality of types of checks having different sizes in a stacker.

  1, 201, 301: Check processing device, 3: Control unit, 13: Aligner unit, 15: Scanner unit, 19: Rear middle transport unit, 20, 220, 320 ... Stacker unit, 21 ... Lower transport section, 30 ... housing, 31 ... transport module, 32, 232, 332 ... stacker module, 33, 233 ... pusher module, 34 ... detection module, 41 ... transport guide, 41L ... bottom Transport guide, 41LF ... Lower transport guide surface, 41LH ... Lower through hole, 41U ... Upper transport guide, 41UF ... Upper transport guide surface, 41UH ... Upper through hole, 41S ... Transport space, 42 ... Drive Roller, 43 ... Pressure roller, 44 ... Transmission state transition mechanism, 45 ... Detection unit, 46 ... Conveying roller pair, 51 ... Transmission state transition frame, 51L ... Holding part, 53 ... Transmission State transition cam, 61... Stacker, 61S... Storage space, 62... Stage, 62S... Integration surface, 65... Shaft spring, 70, 270 ... pusher moving mechanism, 71. …… Pusher, 75B …… Bottom surface, 265 …… Stage spring, 266 …… Stage roller, CK …… Check, CKA …… Accumulated check, CKC …… Center of long side, L0 …… Detection distance, L1… Long Side length, L2: Half length of long side, L3: Additional transport distance, TA: Additional transport time, MC: Center of gravity, PC: Stacker center position, PD: Detection position, R75: Pusher range, SC ... Control signal, SD ... Detection signal, W20 ... Conveying path.

Claims (12)

A first guide surface and a second guide surface respectively facing the both paper surfaces of the sheet-like medium are formed along the transport path, and a transport guide for guiding the medium to advance in the transport direction along the transport path; ,
A conveyance force transmitting unit that contacts a paper surface of the medium guided by the conveyance guide and transmits a force in the conveyance direction to the medium;
A storage section provided on the first guide surface side of the transport guide where the transport force transmission section is disposed, and a storage space for storing the medium formed therein;
A stage that is movable along a crossing direction intersecting a paper surface of the medium guided by the transport guide in the storage space, and that stacks the medium on a stacking surface formed on the transport guide side;
A stage urging unit that urges the stage toward the conveyance guide;
A through-hole penetrating the first guide surface and the second guide surface in the transport guide and communicating with the storage space of the storage unit;
A pusher that moves along the crossing direction inside the through hole;
A medium storage device comprising: a pusher moving unit that moves the pusher between the second guide surface side of the transport path and the inside of the storage unit. When the medium is advanced along the conveyance guide, the medium is changed to a transmission state in which force is transmitted from the conveyance force transmission unit to the medium, and the pusher moving unit moves the pusher to the inside of the storage unit. 2. The medium storage device according to claim 1, further comprising: a transmission state transition unit configured to transition to a non-transmission state in which no force is transmitted from the conveyance force transmission unit to the medium. The conveying force transmission unit includes a driving roller that is rotated by a driving force supplied from a predetermined driving force source, and a driven roller that is freely pressed against the driving roller and rotates. The driving roller and the driven roller Transmitting the force in the transport direction to the medium with the medium sandwiched therebetween,
The said transmission state transition part presses the said driven roller toward the said driving roller in the said transmission state, and separates the said driven roller and the said driving roller in the said non-transmission state. Medium storage device. A detection unit that detects a position in the transport direction of the medium that travels along the transport path while being guided by the transport guide;
And a control unit that controls the transport force transmitting unit so as to match a position in the transport direction of the medium with a predetermined reference position in the storage unit based on a detection result of the detection unit. Item 4. The medium storage device according to Item 1. The transport guide guides the plurality of types of media having different lengths in the transport direction,
The control unit controls the transport force transmitting unit based on a length in the transport direction of the medium so that a center of gravity position in the transport direction of the medium is matched with the reference position of the storage unit. The medium storage device according to claim 4. The controller is
The medium storage device according to claim 5, wherein a storage unit center position, which is a center position in the transport direction of the storage unit, is set as the reference position, and a center position in the transport direction of the medium is set as the gravity center position. The detection unit detects that the front end and the end of the medium have passed through a predetermined detection position in the transport path,
The medium storage device according to claim 5, wherein the control unit recognizes a length related to a conveyance direction of the medium based on a detection result by the detection unit. The stage can tilt the accumulation surface with respect to a horizontal direction,
The stage urging unit urges the stage toward the conveyance guide, thereby pressing the top surface of the medium accumulated on the accumulation surface against the ceiling surface of the storage unit to be substantially horizontal. The medium storage device according to claim 1. The medium storage device according to claim 8, wherein the stage urging unit urges the conveyance guide side while maintaining the posture of the stage. The conveyance guide guides the plurality of types of media having different lengths in the width direction, which is a direction intersecting the conveyance direction, in the plane of the first guide surface, and in the medium having the shortest length in the width direction. The medium storage device according to claim 1, wherein a position and a length of the through hole in the width direction are determined so that an end portion in the width direction does not fall into the through hole. A transport unit that advances the paper-like medium in the transport direction along the transport path;
A medium storage unit for storing and storing the medium;
The medium storage unit is
A first guide surface and a second guide surface respectively facing the both paper surfaces of the medium are formed along the transport path, and the medium delivered from the transport section is advanced in the transport direction along the transport path. A conveyance guide for guiding
A conveyance force transmitting unit that contacts a paper surface of the medium guided by the conveyance guide and transmits a force in the conveyance direction to the medium;
A storage section provided on the first guide surface side of the transport guide where the transport force transmission section is disposed, and a storage space for storing the medium formed therein;
A stage that is movable along a crossing direction intersecting a paper surface of the medium guided by the transport guide in the storage space, and that stacks the medium on a stacking surface formed on the transport guide side;
A stage urging unit that urges the stage toward the conveyance guide;
A through-hole penetrating the first guide surface and the second guide surface in the transport guide and communicating with the storage space of the storage unit;
A pusher that moves along the crossing direction inside the through hole;
A medium processing apparatus comprising: a pusher moving unit that moves the pusher between the second guide surface side of the transport path and the inside of the storage unit. A width-shifting portion that moves the medium in a width-shifting direction that is one of the width directions with respect to the width direction that is a direction intersecting the transport direction on the paper surface of the medium;
The medium processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the transport force transmission unit transmits a force toward the transport direction with respect to the medium on a side closer to a width of the medium than the through hole.

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