JP2021020744A - Paper sheet conveying device and paper sheet conveying method - Google Patents

Abstract

To make a traveling speed of a carrier (conveyance carrier) constant in wind conveyance of a bill.SOLUTION: A control device 500 increases output of a first blower 330a by predetermined ratio (e.g., 5%) every time when predetermined time (e.g., 1 second) has elapsed since start of operation of the first blower 330a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

The present invention relates to a paper leaf transport device for transporting banknotes and other sheet-shaped paper sheets in the duct by an air flow generated in the duct, a paper leaf transport method, and a control program for the paper leaf transport device. ..

As an example of such a paper leaf transport device, there is one described in Japanese Patent No. 5926415 (Patent Document 1).
22 to 27 show the paper leaf transport device described in the patent gazette.
This paper leaf transport device includes a carrier 10 that transports the paper leaves by pushing the paper leaves on the front surface thereof, and a duct 11 that has an internal space that is similar to the outer shape of the carrier 10 and allows the carrier 10 to travel. A pair of first blowers 12a and second blowers 12b for bidirectionally traveling the carrier 10 in the duct 11 and stoppers 13a and 13b for stopping the carrier 10 at predetermined positions in the duct 11 are provided.
FIG. 22 is a schematic view showing an environment in which the paper leaf transport device is used.
As shown in FIG. 22, a plurality of pachinko machines 20 and other amusement machines are arranged in a row in the left-right direction of FIG. 22 (in FIG. 22, only one pachinko machine 20 is shown). A bill insertion device 21 for inserting bills is installed next to the table 20.

On the back side of the pachinko machine 20, a duct 11 which is a component of the paper leaf transport device is installed so as to extend parallel to the arrangement direction of the pachinko machine 20.
FIG. 23 is a partial perspective view (including a partially exploded view) of the duct 11.
As shown in FIG. 23, the duct 11 has a hollow structure extending in a straight line, and its vertical cross section has a shape in which a central portion in the vertical direction protrudes inward in a rectangular shape long in the vertical direction. That is, the central portion in the vertical direction constitutes a protruding portion 11a that protrudes inward of the duct 11 in a rectangular shape.
Further, a slit 11b is formed on the side wall of the duct 11 corresponding to the position of the bill insertion device 21. As will be described later, the banknotes inserted into each banknote insertion device 21 pass through the slit 11b and are sent to the inside of the duct 11.
FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the carrier 10.
The carrier 10 has a central axis 10a extending in the vertical direction, four first wings 10b arranged on one side of the central axis 10a, and four second wings arranged on the other side of the central axis 10a. It consists of 10c.

The first wing 10b is arranged so that the first wing 10b in pairs is V-shaped, starting from the upper end and the lower end of the central axis 10a, respectively. Similarly, the second wing 10c is arranged so that the second wing 10c in a set of two is V-shaped, starting from the upper end and the lower end of the central axis 10a, respectively. As will be described later, the banknotes sent to the inside of the duct 11 are conveyed by being pushed by the outer edges of the four first wings 10b.
FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing a state in which the carrier 10 is housed inside the duct 11.
As shown in FIG. 25, the protruding portion 11a of the duct 11 is formed in the space 10d formed between the upper and lower first wings 10b and the space 10d formed between the upper and lower second wings 10c (see FIG. 24). It fits in.
Further, as shown in FIG. 22, at one end (right end of FIG. 22) of the duct 11, a bill storage chamber 14 for storing bills inserted from the bill insertion device 21 and conveyed by the carrier 10 is arranged.
At both ends of the duct 11, a first blower 12a and a second blower 12b that blow air into the duct 11 are arranged.

Only one of the first blower 12a and the second blower 12b operates, or neither of them operates. Both do not work at the same time. When the first blower 12a operates, the second wing 10c of the carrier 10 housed inside the duct 11 receives wind pressure, and the carrier 10 travels in the direction toward the banknote storage chamber 14 (direction X1). On the other hand, when the second blower 12b is activated, the first wing 10b of the carrier 10 housed inside the duct 11 receives wind pressure, and the carrier 10 travels in a direction away from the banknote storage chamber 14 (direction X2).
Since the bill storage chamber 14 is continuously arranged at one end of the duct 11 (right end in FIG. 22), the second blower 12b is arranged adjacent to the bill storage chamber 14 and provides a bypass passage 12c. It is connected to the duct 11 via.
FIG. 26 is a schematic view showing the internal structure of the bill insertion device 21.
As shown in FIG. 26, the bill insertion device 21 includes a roller unit 21b and a transport path 21c extending in an oblique direction with respect to the duct 11.

The bills inserted from the bill insertion slot 21a of the bill insertion device 21 are conveyed by the roller unit 21b and are inserted into the duct 11 via the transfer path 21c.
FIG. 27 shows stoppers 13a and 13b for stopping the carrier 10 at predetermined positions (specifically, in the vicinity of both ends of the duct 11) in the duct 11.
The stoppers 13a and 13b are made of hook-shaped members extending inside the duct 11. When the first wing 10b of the carrier 10 is caught by the stopper 13a, the carrier 10 stops in front of the bill storage chamber 14. Further, when the second wing 10c of the carrier 10 is caught by the stopper 13b, the carrier 10 is stopped before the first blower 12a.

The paper leaf transport device having the above structure operates as follows.
When a customer of the pachinko machine 20 inserts a bill into the bill insertion slot 21a of the bill insertion device 21, the bill is conveyed by the roller unit 21b and is inserted into the inside of the duct 11 through the slit 11b of the duct 11 via the transport path 21c. Ru.
The bill insertion device 21 is provided with a bill insertion sensor (not shown), and when a bill is inserted into the duct 11, the bill detection sensor sends a bill insertion signal indicating bill insertion to a central control device (not shown). Send to).
The central control device that receives the bill insertion signal operates the first blower 12a. When the first blower 12a starts operating, an air flow (wind) in the direction (direction X1) toward the bill storage chamber 14 is generated inside the duct 11. The carrier 10 travels in the direction toward the banknote storage chamber 14 (direction X1) when the second wing 10c receives the wind pressure due to this air flow. The carrier 10 captures the banknotes inserted in the duct 11 with the first wing 10b before reaching the banknote storage chamber 14. Since the carrier 10 travels in the direction toward the bill storage chamber 14 (direction X1), the carrier 10 that has captured the bill continues to travel while maintaining the state in which the captured bill is pushed, and then is stopped by the stopper 13a. Be done. When the carrier 10 is stopped, the banknotes are separated from the carrier 10 by the action of inertial force and are stored in the banknote storage chamber 14.

The banknotes are conveyed by the carrier 10 while maintaining a posture in which the paper surface is parallel to the traveling direction of the carrier 10 (the length direction of the duct 11) and the short side thereof is parallel to the central axis 10a of the carrier 10. Ru.
A sensor (not shown) for detecting the carrier 10 is arranged in the vicinity of the stopper 13a, and when the carrier 10 is stopped by the stopper 13a, the sensor sends a carrier stop signal indicating that the carrier 10 is stopped by the stopper 13a. Send to the central controller.
Upon receiving the carrier stop signal, the central control device stops the operation of the first blower 12a, and a predetermined time (the time required for the bills to be stored in the bill storage chamber 14) after the carrier 10 is stopped by the stopper 13a. ) Has elapsed, the second blower 12b is operated.

When the second blower 12b starts operating, an air flow (wind) in the direction away from the bill storage chamber 14 (direction X2) is generated inside the duct 11. The carrier 10 travels in a direction away from the banknote storage chamber 14 (direction X2) when the first wing 10b receives wind pressure from this air flow.
After that, the carrier 10 is caught by the stopper 13b and stops. That is, the carrier 10 returns to the initial position.
The above operation is a one-cycle operation from the insertion of the bill into the bill insertion device 21 to the storage in the bill storage chamber 14.
In the paper leaf transport device, it is preferable that the traveling speed of the carrier 10 is constant in order to improve the stability of the operation of the paper leaf transport device and the certainty of catching the banknotes by the carrier 10. In the paper leaf transport device shown in FIGS. 22 to 27, it was difficult or impossible to keep the traveling speed of the carrier 10 constant for the following reasons.

The first blower 12a and the second blower 12b are operated at a constant output. Therefore, the closer to the end of the duct 11 in the traveling direction X1 or X2 of the carrier 10, the lower the wind speed of the air flow (wind) sent from the first blower 12a or the second blower 12b, and the traveling of the carrier 10 accordingly. The speed will inevitably decrease.
By increasing the amount of exhaust air at the start of operation of the first blower 12a and the second blower 12b, it is possible to prevent the traveling speed of the carrier 10 from falling below a certain speed, but the initial traveling speed of the carrier 10 Is extremely large, which causes damage to the bill when the carrier 10 comes into contact with the bill.
For example, Japanese Patent No. 6163228 (Patent Document 2) proposes air volume control of a blower to solve these problems.
Specifically, if a predetermined time elapses after the carrier 10 starts traveling and the predetermined position on the terminal side of the duct 11 is not reached, the air volume sent to the inside of the duct 11 is the air volume up to that point. The operation of the blower is controlled so that it becomes more than.

Japanese Patent No. 5926415 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-160038) Japanese Patent No. 6163228 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2016-147759)

However, since the method described in Patent Document 2 is carried out for the first time after a predetermined time has elapsed since the carrier 10 started traveling, the constant traveling speed of the carrier 10 is performed before the predetermined time elapses. Is not guaranteed.
Further, even if the air volume of the blower is increased after the elapse of a predetermined time, the traveling speed of the carrier 10, which has been reduced up to that point, is only improved again. That is, even if the air volume of the blower is increased, it is not always guaranteed that the traveling speed of the carrier 10 will be constant.
Further, factors that may hinder the realization of a constant traveling speed of the carrier 10 include variations in the output of the blower (blower) and air leakage from the duct 11 (for example, air leakage from the slit 11b). The method described in Patent Document 2 cannot deal with these factors.

In the paper leaf transport device using an air flow, banknotes are inserted into the duct 11 one by one. In order to increase the transport speed, it is necessary to increase the speed of the carrier 10, but if the speed of the carrier 10 is increased too much, it causes damage to banknotes. If the speed of the carrier 10 is lowered more than necessary in order to avoid damage to the banknotes, the transport process takes too much time, and the next bill is inserted into the bill insertion device 21 is delayed, so that the transport efficiency is lowered.
Therefore, in order to carry out the banknote transport process most efficiently, when the banknotes are transported, the maximum constant speed of the carrier 10 is realized within a range that does not damage the banknotes, and further, only the carrier 10 is moved. It is necessary to realize the maximum constant speed of the carrier 10 within a range that does not damage the carrier 10.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems in the conventional paper leaf transport device, and the paper leaf transport that controls the air volume that enables the most efficient transport processing of banknotes. It is an object of the present invention to provide a control program for an apparatus, a method for transporting paper leafs, and a paper leaf transport device.

In order to achieve this object, the present invention relates to a duct, a carrier traveling in the duct, a blowing means for generating an air flow in both directions in the duct, and a control device for controlling the blowing output of the blowing means. In the paper leaf transport device, the carrier is driven in the duct by the air flow generated in the duct, and the paper leaves are transported in the duct through the carrier. Provides a paper leaf transport device characterized in that it controls to increase the blower output of the blower means by a predetermined rate each time a predetermined time elapses from the start of blown by the blower means. To do.
The "predetermined ratio" includes not only a fixed ratio but also an indefinite ratio that is not constant.

Further, the present invention further describes a process of generating an air flow in a duct in one direction and a direction opposite to the one direction by a blowing means, and feeding paper sheets into the duct and using the air flow in the duct. In the paper leaf transport method including the process of transporting the paper leaves, the blower output of the blower means is output by a predetermined ratio every time a predetermined time elapses from the start of blowing by the blower means. Provided is a method for transporting paper sheets, which further comprises a process of increasing.
The present invention further includes a duct, a blowing means for generating an air flow in both directions in the duct, and a control device for controlling the blowing output of the blowing means, and the air flow generated in the duct. In the paper leaf transport device for transporting paper leaves in the duct, a program built into the control device, and a predetermined time elapses from the start of blowing air to the control device by the blowing means. Provided is a program for executing a process of increasing the blower output of the blower means by a predetermined rate each time.

The present invention further comprises a duct, a carrier traveling in the duct, a blowing means for generating an air flow in both directions in the duct, a control device for controlling the blowing output of the blowing means, and the duct. A plurality of carrier sensors arranged along the line and detecting the passage or stop of the carrier are provided, and the carrier is driven in the duct by an air flow generated in the duct, and the carrier is driven through the carrier. In a paper leaf transport device for transporting paper leaves in a duct, each of the carrier sensors transmits a carrier pass signal to the control device when the carrier passes through the carrier sensor, and receives the carrier pass signal. The control device calculates the traveling speed of the carrier from the time when the carrier passes through each of the two adjacent carrier sensors and the distance between the two carrier sensors, and the control device calculates the traveling speed of the carrier. Provided is a paper leaf transport device characterized in that the blower output of the blower means is controlled so that the speed converges to a predetermined target traveling speed.
The blower means a single blower and a switching means for controlling the direction in which the air flow output from the blower flows in the duct to be either one direction in the duct or the opposite direction. , Are preferably provided.

The blower means is composed of, for example, a first blower that generates an air flow in one direction in the duct and a second blower that generates an air flow in the duct in a direction opposite to the one direction. It is preferable that the control device controls the output of at least one of the first blower and the second blower.
The control device outputs at least one of the first blower and the second blower each time a predetermined time elapses from the start of operation of at least one of the first blower and the second blower. It is preferable that the traveling speed of the carrier is converged to the predetermined traveling speed by increasing the above-mentioned traveling speed by a predetermined ratio.
The predetermined time can be set as, for example, a fixed time. Alternatively, the time can be indefinite.

In the paper leaf transport device according to the present invention, a non-ferrous metal sheet is attached to at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the carrier, and each of the carrier sensors detects the non-ferrous metal sheet. It is preferable to detect the passage or stop of the carrier.
As the non-ferrous metal sheet, for example, an aluminum foil can be selected.
It is preferred that each of the carrier sensors is attached to the duct via a sensor attachment, which is slidable along the duct.

The control device is the blower means according to at least one of the total length of the duct, the number of paper leaf throwing devices for feeding the paper leaves into the duct, and the interval between the paper leaf throwing devices. It is preferable to control.
Further, in the present invention, an air flow is generated in a duct in one direction and in a direction opposite to the one direction by a blowing means, and a carrier is allowed to travel in the duct, and paper sheets are fed into the duct. In the paper leaf transport method comprising the process of transporting the paper leaves through the carrier in the duct by the air flow, a plurality of paper leafs are arranged along the duct and detect the passage of the carrier. A first process in which each of the carrier sensors of the above transmits a carrier passing signal to the control device when the carrier passes through the carrier sensor, and two adjacent carriers based on the carrier passing signal. The second process of calculating the traveling speed of the carrier from the time when the carrier passed through each of the sensors and the distance between the two carrier sensors, and the control device, the traveling speed of the carrier was predetermined. Provided is a paper leaf transport method comprising a third process of controlling the blower output of the blower means so as to converge to a traveling speed.

In the third process, the control device increases the blower output of the blower means by a predetermined rate each time a predetermined time elapses from the start of blown by the blower means, thereby causing the carrier. It is preferable that the traveling speed of the above is converged to the predetermined traveling speed.
The present invention further comprises a duct, a carrier traveling in the duct, a blowing means for generating an air flow in both directions in the duct, a control device for controlling the blowing output of the blowing means, and the duct. A plurality of carrier sensors arranged along the line and detecting the passage or stop of the carrier are provided, and the carrier is driven in the duct by an air flow generated in the duct, and the carrier is driven through the carrier. In a paper leaf transport device for transporting paper leaves in a duct, a program built in the control device, and each of the carrier sensors is transmitted to the control device when the carrier passes through the carrier sensor. The first process of calculating the traveling speed of the carrier from the time when the carrier passed each of the two adjacent carrier sensors and the distance between the two carrier sensors based on the carrier passing signal, and the carrier. Provided is a program for executing a second process of controlling the blower output of the blower means so that the running speed of the air blower converges to a predetermined running speed.
In the second process, the control device increases the blower output of the blower means by a predetermined rate each time a predetermined time elapses from the start of operation of the blower means. It is preferable that the traveling speed of the carrier is converged to the predetermined traveling speed.

According to the paper leaf transport device according to the present invention, the control device controls the output of the first blower or the second blower, and the traveling speed of the carrier in the duct is short after the start of traveling by this output control. It is maintained at a constant speed over almost the entire section of the duct except during the hours. As a result, the operating performance of the paper leaf transport device can be stabilized, the certainty of catching the paper leaf by the carrier can be improved, and the banknote transport process can be performed most efficiently. Will be possible. Specifically, when the banknotes are transported through the carrier, the carrier is driven at a maximum constant speed within a range that does not damage the banknotes, and when only the carrier is moved, the carrier is not damaged. Can be run at a maximum constant speed.
Similar effects can be obtained by the paper leaf transport method or program according to the present invention.

It is the schematic which shows the environment in which the paper leaf transport apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention is used. It is a perspective view of the carrier which forms one component of the paper leaf transfer apparatus shown in FIG. 3 (A) is a front view of the carrier shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3 (B) is a plan view when the carrier is viewed from above, FIG. 3 (C) is a bottom view of the carrier, and FIG. 3 (D) is a bottom view. It is a side view of a carrier. It is a perspective view of the first carrier member which is a component component of the carrier shown in FIG. It is a perspective view of the 2nd carrier member which is a component component of the carrier shown in FIG. It is a perspective view of the duct which forms one component of the paper leaf transport device shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows a part of the structure of the paper leaf transport apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the output control which the control device of the paper leaf transport device which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention performs on a 1st blower. It is a figure which shows the comparison of the traveling speed of a carrier in the conventional paper leaf transport device and the paper leaf transport device which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the modification of the paper leaf transfer apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a partial schematic diagram of the paper leaf transfer apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view when the carrier used in the paper leaf transport apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention is seen from the bottom. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the paper leaf transporting apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this Akira. It is a process chart of the output control carried out to the first blower by the device of the paper leaf transport device according to the second embodiment of the control book. It is a perspective view of the sensor attachment device used in the paper leaf transport device which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. FIG. 5 is a front view showing a state in which the sensor mounting device shown in FIG. 15 is fitted into the duct shown in FIG. This is an example of blower output control of the first blower and the second blower implemented in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. This is an example of blower output control of the first blower and the second blower implemented in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. This is an example of blower output control of the first blower and the second blower implemented in the fifth embodiment of the present invention. This is an example of blower output control of the first blower and the second blower implemented in the sixth embodiment of the present invention. This is an example of blower output control of the first blower and the second blower implemented in the sixth embodiment of the present invention. It is the schematic which shows the environment in which the conventional paper leaf transport device is used. FIG. 22 is a partial perspective view (including a partially exploded view) of a duct which is a component of the conventional paper leaf transport device shown in FIG. 22. It is a perspective view of the carrier which is one component of the conventional paper leaf transport apparatus shown in FIG. 22. It is a perspective view which shows the state which the carrier shown in FIG. 24 is housed in the duct shown in FIG. It is the schematic which shows the internal structure of the banknote insertion apparatus which is one component of the conventional paper leaf transport apparatus shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the stopper which is one component of the conventional paper leaf transport apparatus shown in FIG. 22.

(First Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an environment in which the paper leaf transport device 300 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is used.
The paper leaf transport device 300 has a carrier 310 that transports banknotes by pushing the banknotes on the front surface thereof, a duct 320 that has an internal space that is similar to the outer shape of the carrier 310 and allows the carrier 310 to travel, and a duct 320. A pair of first blower 330a and a second blower 330b for bidirectionally traveling the carrier 310, and a pair of stoppers (not shown) for stopping the carrier 310 at a predetermined position in the duct 320. There is.
As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of pachinko machines 400 and other amusement machines are arranged in a row in the left-right direction of FIG. 1 (however, in FIG. 1, only one pachinko machine 400 is shown). A game medium rental machine 401 is installed next to each pachinko machine 400. When a bill is inserted, the game medium lending machine 401 pays out a number of game media according to the amount of the bill.

On the back surface side of the pachinko machine 400, a duct 320, which is a component of the paper leaf transport device 300, is installed so as to extend parallel to the arrangement direction of the pachinko machine 400 (left-right direction in FIG. 1).
2A and 2B are perspective views of the carrier 310, FIG. 3A is a front view of the carrier 310, FIG. 3B is a plan view of the carrier 310 when viewed from above, and FIG. 3C is a view of the carrier 310. The bottom view and FIG. 3D are side views of the carrier 310.
The carrier 310 is composed of a first carrier member 311 and a second carrier member 312.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the first carrier member 311 and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the second carrier member 312.

Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 2, the direction in which the short side of the first carrier member 311 extends (the left-right direction in FIG. 2) is the direction orthogonal to the first direction D1 and the first direction D1, and the first carrier member 311. The direction in which the long side extends (the vertical direction in FIG. 2) is defined as the second direction D2, and the direction orthogonal to both the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 is defined as the third direction D3.
As shown in FIG. 4, the first carrier member 311 is made of a frame-shaped plate material, and its cross section when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the plate material is substantially rectangular. The width of the plate material constituting the first carrier member 311 is constant.
As shown in FIG. 3D, arc-shaped reinforcing members 313 are provided at the four corners of the inner wall of the first carrier member 311 over two sides adjacent to each other.
As shown in FIG. 5, the second carrier member 312 is made of a frame-shaped plate material, and the cross section when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the plate material is substantially a rectangle. The width of the plate material constituting the second carrier member 312 is constant.

The second carrier member 312 is formed with recesses 314 from the outside to the inside of the second carrier member 312 on a pair of opposite sides (sides corresponding to the short sides of the rectangle).
Each of the recesses 314 is a pair of first member 314A extending parallel to each other from the outside to the inside of the second carrier member 312, and one end of each of the pair of first member 314A (second carrier member 312). It is composed of a second member 314B connecting (ends located inside the) and a pair of third members 314C extending so as to be close to each other from the other end of each of the pair of first members 314A. There is.
As shown in FIG. 2, the second carrier member 312 is fitted into the first carrier member 311 from the inside of the first carrier member 311 via the recess 314. At this time, the first carrier member 311 is in a state of being fitted between the second member 314B of the recess 314 and the pair of third members 314C. That is, since the first carrier member 311 is sandwiched between the second member 314B of the recess 314 and the pair of third members 314C on the front surface side and the back surface side, respectively, the first carrier member 311 and the second carrier member It is strongly connected to and from the 312, and the first carrier member 311 does not easily come off from the second carrier member 312.

All or some of the corners of the first carrier member 311 and the second carrier member 312 are chamfered or formed in a curved shape.
Further, as shown in FIG. 3D, of the portions constituting the second carrier member 312, both side edges (side edges above and below FIG. 3D) of the portion 312A extending in the first direction D1 are curved. A tapered 312B is formed. The taper 312B is formed over a certain length from both ends of the portion 312A (both ends in the left-right direction of FIG. 3D), and the width of the portion 312A (the length in the second direction D2) is formed at both ends of the portion 312A. The closer it is, the smaller it is set.

By forming the taper 312B in the portion 312A of the second carrier member 312, the resistance of the carrier 310 to the upper and lower inner walls of the second space 322 (see FIG. 6) of the duct 320 when traveling in the duct 320 is reduced. Therefore, the traveling of the carrier 310 can be stabilized.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the duct 320.
As shown in FIG. 6, the duct 320 is similar to the outer shape of the carrier 310 and has an internal space having a minimum cross-sectional area within a range in which the carrier 310 can travel.
Specifically, the internal space of the duct 320 has a first space 321 having a rectangular cross section having a long side extending in the second direction D2 and a third direction from the center to the outside in the second direction D2 of the first space 321. It consists of a pair of second spaces 322 extending to D3. Each of the second space 322 has a rectangular cross section, and the lengths of the second space 322 in the third direction D3 are equal to each other.

The first carrier member 311 of the carrier 310 runs inside the first space 321 and the portion of the second carrier member 312 of the carrier 310 that protrudes outward from the first carrier member 311 passes through the inside of each second space 222. Run. The banknotes inserted into the duct 320 are pushed by the first carrier member 311 of the carrier 310 and travel inside the first space 321.
The duct 320 is made of, for example, transparent plastic.
As shown in FIG. 1, at one end (the right end of FIG. 1) of the duct 320, a bill taking device (not shown, a device corresponding to the bill insertion device 21 shown in FIG. 26) is installed from the game medium lending machine 401. A banknote storage chamber 340 that is inserted into the duct 320 via the duct 320 and stores the banknotes conveyed by the carrier 310 is arranged.
The first blower 330a and the second blower 330b that send the air flow into the duct 320 are arranged at both ends of the duct 320.

Only one of the first blower 330a and the second blower 330b operates, or neither of them operates. Both do not work at the same time. When the first blower 330a is activated, the carrier 310 housed inside the duct 320 receives the wind pressure and travels in the direction toward the banknote storage chamber 340 (direction X1). On the other hand, when the second blower 330b is activated, the carrier 310 housed inside the duct 320 receives the wind pressure and travels in the direction away from the banknote storage chamber 340 (direction X2).
The first blower 330a is connected to one end of the duct 320 (the left end in FIG. 1), but the other end of the duct 320 (the right end in FIG. 1) is continuously connected to the end of the bill storage chamber 340. Is arranged, the second blower 330b is arranged adjacent to the bill storage chamber 340 and is connected to the duct 320 via the bypass passage 330c.

The paper leaf transport device 300 having the above structure operates as follows.
When a customer of the pachinko machine 400 inserts a bill into the game medium lending machine 401, a number of game media corresponding to the amount of the bill is paid out from the game medium lending machine 401. The bills inserted into the game medium lending machine 401 are ejected from the back surface of the game medium lending machine 401, taken into the bill taking-in device, and then put into the inside of the duct 320 from the bill taking-in device.
The game medium lending machine 401 is provided with a bill detection sensor (not shown), and when a bill is inserted into the duct 320, the bill detection sensor sends a bill insertion signal indicating the bill insertion to the central control device (FIG. (Not shown) to send.
The central control device that receives the bill insertion signal operates the first blower 330a. When the first blower 330a starts operating, an air flow in the direction (direction X1) toward the bill storage chamber 340 is sent to the inside of the duct 320. The carrier 310 receives the wind pressure from this air flow and starts traveling in the direction toward the bill storage chamber 340 (direction X1).

The carrier 310 catches the bills inserted into the duct 320 via the bill taking-in device on the front surface of the first carrier member 311 before reaching the bill storage chamber 340. The carrier 310 that has captured the banknotes continues to travel in the direction (direction X1) toward the banknote storage chamber 340 while maintaining the state in which the captured banknotes are pushed, and is then stopped by a stopper (not shown). When the carrier 310 is stopped, the banknotes are separated from the carrier 310 by the action of inertial force and are stored in the banknote storage chamber 340.
A sensor (not shown) for detecting the carrier 310 is arranged in the vicinity of the stopper, and when the carrier 310 is stopped by the stopper, the sensor transmits a carrier stop signal indicating the stop of the carrier 310 to the central control device.
Upon receiving the carrier stop signal, the central control device stops the operation of the first blower 330a and a predetermined time after the carrier 310 is stopped by the stopper (time required for the bills to be stored in the bill storage chamber 340). When the time has passed, the second blower 330b is operated.

When the second blower 330b starts operating, an air flow in a direction away from the bill storage chamber 340 (direction X2) is sent to the inside of the duct 320. The carrier 310 receives the wind pressure from this air flow and starts traveling in the direction away from the bill storage chamber 340 (direction X2).
After that, the carrier 310 is caught by a stopper (not shown) installed in the vicinity of the first blower 330a and stopped. That is, the carrier 310 returns to its original position. After that, the operation of the second blower 330b is stopped in the same manner as in the case of the first blower 330a.
The above operation is a one-cycle operation from when the banknotes are inserted into the game medium lending machine 401 to when they are stored in the banknote storage chamber 340.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a part of the structure of the paper leaf transport device 300 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the paper leaf transport device 300 according to the present embodiment includes a control device 500 that controls each output (that is, air volume) of the first blower 330a and the second blower 330b.
As shown in FIG. 7, the control device 500 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 501, a first memory 502 composed of a ROM, a second memory 503 composed of a RAM, a keyboard, a mouse, and other input means (not shown). ), An input interface 504 for transferring various instructions and data input via the central processing unit 501 to the central processing unit 501, an output interface 505 for outputting the result of processing executed by the central processing unit 501 to the outside, and the passage of time. A timer 506 that measures and transmits a progress signal to the central processing unit 501 at regular time intervals, and each of the central processing unit 501, the first memory 502, the second memory 503, the input interface 504, the output interface 505, and the timer 506. It is composed of a bus 507 that connects the two.

The first memory 502 stores various control programs executed by the central processing unit 501 and other non-rewritable data.
The second memory 503 stores various data and parameters and provides an operating area for the central processing unit 501, that is, is temporarily required for the central processing unit 501 to execute various control programs. Stores the data to be generated.
The central processing unit 501 reads a program from the first memory 502 and executes the program. That is, the central processing unit 501 operates according to the program stored in the first memory 502.
In the paper leaf transport device 300 according to the present embodiment, the first memory 502 stores a program for causing the central processing unit 501 to execute output control (air volume control) of the first blower 330a and the second blower 330b. The central processing unit 501 executes output control of the first blower 330a and the second blower 330b according to this program, as will be described later.

Specifically, the control device 500 controls to increase the output of the first blower 330a by a predetermined ratio every time a predetermined time elapses from the start of operation of the first blower 330a.
The control device 500 also performs output control, that is, air volume control, on the second blower 330b in the same manner as on the first blower 330a.
FIG. 8 shows an example of output control performed by the control device 500 on the first blower 330a (or the second blower 330b).
As shown in FIG. 8, the control device 500 sets the output of the first blower 330a to a value of 40% of the maximum output at the start of operation of the first blower 330a (elapsed time = 0 seconds). ..
Then, when a progress signal indicating that 1 second has passed from the start of operation of the first blower 330a is received from the timer 506, the control device 500 increases the output of the first blower 330a from 40% to 50%.

After that, every time 1 second elapses, the control device 500 sequentially increases the output of the first blower 330a by a constant ratio, specifically, by 5%. That is, the output of the first blower 330a is sequentially increased to 55%, 60%, and 65% 2 seconds, 3 seconds, and 4 seconds after the start of operation of the first blower 330a. When the output of the first blower 330a reaches 65%, the control device 500 ends the output control of the first blower 330a. That is, after the output of the first blower 330a reaches 65%, the carrier 310 reaches the end of the duct 320 while the output of the first blower 330a is maintained at 65%. It is also possible to stop the output of the first blower 330a at an appropriate position before the carrier 310 reaches the end of the duct 320. In this case, after the output of the first blower 330a is stopped, the carrier 310 continues to travel to the end of the duct 320 due to the action of inertial force.

As described above, in the output control of the first blower 330a by the control device 500, every time a predetermined time elapses from the start of operation of the first blower 330a, that is, the distance between the first blower 330a and the carrier 310 is large. Each time, the output (air volume) of the first blower 330a is gradually increased. Therefore, the carrier 310 can travel at a substantially constant speed from the start of traveling to the end of the duct 320.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a comparison of the traveling speeds of the carriers 310 in the conventional paper leaf transport device and the paper leaf transport device 300 according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 9A shows the output (ratio to the maximum output) 511 of the first blower 12a in the conventional paper leaf transport device, the wind speed 512 in the duct 11, and the traveling speed 513 of the carrier 10 in the duct 11. The left end of FIG. 9A shows the start end of the duct 11 (the end on the side where the first blower 12a is located), and the right end shows the end of the duct 11 (the end on the side where the second blower 12b is located). ing.

As shown in FIG. 9 (A), in the conventional paper leaf transport device, the output 511 of the first blower 12a is constant except for a short time after the start of operation, regardless of the position of the duct 11. Therefore, output 511 is shown as a horizontal line). Therefore, the wind speed 512 in the duct 11 reaches the maximum value at the start end of the duct 11, and the wind speed 512 decreases as the distance from the start end increases and reaches the minimum value at the end. Further, the traveling speed 513 of the carrier 10 in the duct 11 is accelerated by the air flow sent from the first blower 12a in the initial stage, so that the traveling speed 513 rises to the middle point of the duct 11 but passes through the point. (That is, when the distance from the start end of the duct 11 is a certain distance), the air volume reaching from the first blower 12a decreases, so that the traveling speed 513 of the carrier 10 gradually decreases and reaches the minimum value at the end of the duct 11. Become.

As shown in FIG. 9A, in the conventional paper leaf transport device, the output 511 of the first blower 12a is constant, so that the traveling speed 513 of the carrier 10 in the duct 11 increases and then decreases. That is, the traveling speed 513 of the carrier 10 in the duct 11 was not constant at any time zone or in any region in the duct 11.
FIG. 9B shows the output (ratio to the maximum output) 521 of the first blower 330a in the paper leaf transport device 300 according to the present embodiment, the wind speed 522 in the duct 320, and the traveling speed 523 of the carrier 310 in the duct 320. Is shown.
As shown in FIG. 9B, in the paper leaf transport device 300 according to the present embodiment, the output 521 of the first blower 330a is increased by a predetermined rate at predetermined time intervals. Therefore, the wind speed 522 in the duct 320 is maintained at a constant value. That is, the carrier 310 travels under a constant wind speed 522 at any position in the duct 320. Therefore, when the traveling speed of the carrier 310 in the duct 320 reaches a constant speed after accelerating from the start of traveling, the constant speed is maintained thereafter.

As described above, in the paper leaf transport device 300 according to the present embodiment, as a result of the control device 500 performing output control on the first blower 330a, the traveling speed of the carrier 310 in the duct 320 is set after the traveling is started. The speed is maintained at a constant speed over almost the entire section in the duct 320 except for a short time zone (time zone in which the carrier 310 accelerates).
As described above, according to the paper leaf transport device 300 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to maintain the traveling speed of the carrier 310 constant over almost the entire section of the duct 320. As a result, when transporting banknotes, the carrier 310 is moved at a maximum constant speed within a range that does not damage the banknotes, and only the carrier 310 is moved (when the carrier 310 returns without transporting the banknotes). ), The carrier 310 can be moved at a maximum constant speed within a range that does not damage the carrier 310, and by extension, the banknote transport process can be performed most efficiently.

The structure of the paper leaf transport device 300 according to the present embodiment is not limited to the above structure, and various modifications can be made.
For example, in the example of output control of the first blower 330a or the second blower 330b shown in FIG. 8, the control device 500 outputs the output of the first blower 330a or the second blower 330b at a constant ratio every time a certain time elapses. Although the control for increasing by (5% in the example shown in FIG. 8) is performed, the output control of the first blower 330a or the second blower 330b is not limited to this example.
For example, the elapsed time for increasing the output is not limited to a fixed time. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the output is increased every second, but the elapsed time can be set to an indefinite time. For example, it is possible to set the output control to be performed every 1 second, 1.5 seconds, 1.7 seconds, and 2.1 seconds after the first blower 330a or the second blower 330b starts operating. ..

Alternatively, the rate at which the output is increased is not limited to a constant value. In addition to output control such as uniformly increasing at a constant rate of increase (%) (in the example of FIG. 8, uniformly increasing by 5%), or uniformly increasing by 10% with respect to the previous output value. It is also possible to perform output control such as changing the numerical value of the increase rate (%) every time the output is changed, or changing the increase rate (%) with respect to the previous output value every time the output is changed.
The paper leaf transport device 300 according to the present embodiment is configured to include two blowers 330a and 330b, but may be configured to include a single blower instead of the two blowers 330a and 330b. It is possible.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the structure of the paper leaf transport device 300 when the paper leaf transport device 300 includes a blowing means for generating an air flow in both directions in the duct 320.
As shown in FIG. 10, the blowing means includes a single blower 330d, an air flow direction switching device 331 connected to the blower 330d via a blower pipe 331a, and one end of the direction switching device 331 and the duct 320. It is composed of a first blower pipe 332a that connects the left end of FIG. 10) and a second blower pipe 332b that connects the direction switching device 331 and the other end of the duct 320 (the right end of FIG. 10).
Since the bill storage chamber 340 is arranged at the other end of the duct 320, the second blower pipe 332b is connected to the duct 320 so as not to interfere with the bill storage chamber 340, like the bypass passage 330c.
The blower 330d and the direction switching device 331 are connected to the control device 500, and the operation is controlled by the control device 500.

When the banknotes are sent to the banknote storage chamber 340 via the carrier 310 (that is, when the first blower 330a is operated in the first embodiment), the control device 500 operates the blower 330d and from the blower 330d. The direction switching device 331 is controlled so that the air flow is sent only to the first blower pipe 332a and not to the second blower pipe 332b.
When only the carrier 310 is moved (that is, when the second blower 330b is operated in the first embodiment), the control device 500 operates the blower 330d, and the air flow from the blower 330d is the second blower. The direction switching device 331 is controlled so that the air is sent only to the pipe 332b and not to the first air pipe 332a.
As described above, the paper leaf transport device 300 according to the present embodiment can be operated by one blower 330d.

The stop control of the first blower 330a, the second blower 330b and the blower 330d can be freely determined according to the situation. For example, each blower may be stopped when the carrier 310 is stopped by the stoppers 13a and 13b, or the carrier 310 passes through a carrier passage sensor arranged at a predetermined position (for example, a position where the carrier 310 should stand by). It is also possible to stop each blower when this happens.
(Second embodiment)
FIG. 11 is a partial schematic view of the paper leaf transport device 600 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
The paper leaf transport device 600 according to the present embodiment further includes 10 carrier sensors 610a-610j as compared with the paper leaf transport device 300 according to the first embodiment. The paper leaf transport device 600 according to the present embodiment is the same as the paper leaf transport device 300 according to the first embodiment, except that the carrier sensors 610a-610j are further provided and the structure of the carrier 310 is different. It has the structure of.

The ten carrier sensors 610a-610j are attached to the outer peripheral surface of the bottom wall of the duct 320 at equal intervals in the length direction of the duct 320, and in each carrier sensor 610a-610j, the carrier 310A described later is the carrier sensor 610a-. After passing over the 610j, the passage of the carrier 310A is detected, and the carrier passage signal is transmitted to the control device 500.
The positions of the carrier sensors 610a-610j are input in advance to the control device 500 and stored in the first memory 502. Further, the distance between the adjacent carrier sensors 610a-610j is also stored in the first memory 502 in advance.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the carrier 310A used in the paper leaf transport device 600 according to the present embodiment when viewed from below.

The carrier 310A further comprises an aluminum foil 602 as compared to the carrier 310 in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, the aluminum foil 602 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the bottom wall of the first carrier member 311. The thickness of the aluminum foil 602 is, for example, about 10 microns.
When the carrier 310A passes above each carrier sensor 610a-610j, each carrier sensor 610a-610j detects the aluminum foil 602 and transmits a carrier passing signal to the control device 500. As a result, the control device 500 can grasp at which point in the duct 320 the carrier 310A is traveling or which carrier sensor 610a-610j has passed.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the paper leaf transport device 600 according to the present embodiment.
Hereinafter, the operation of the paper leaf transport device 600 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

It is assumed that the carrier 310A receives the air flow generated from the first blower 330a and travels in the direction toward the second blower 330b (direction from left to right in FIG. 11 = direction X1 in FIG. 1).
When the carrier 310A runs inside the duct 320 and passes over each carrier sensor 610a-610j, or stops on each carrier sensor 610a-610j, each carrier sensor 610a-610j is made of aluminum foil 602 of the carrier 310A. Is detected, and a carrier passing signal is transmitted to the control device 500 (step S110).
The control device 500 stores the time when each carrier passing signal is received.

Next, the control device 500 is the difference (passing time) between the time when the carrier passing signal is received from a certain carrier sensor (for example, carrier sensor 610a) and the time when the carrier passing signal is received from the next carrier sensor (carrier sensor 610b). Is calculated, and the traveling speed of the carrier 310A between the two carrier sensors is calculated by using the distance between the two carrier sensors (carrier sensors 610a and 610b) (step S120).
The traveling speed of the carrier 310A is calculated according to the following formula.
Running speed V = D / T
D: Distance between adjacent carrier sensors 610a-610j T: Passing time between adjacent carrier sensors

Next, the control device 500 compares the calculated traveling speed of the carrier 310A with the preset target traveling speed (step S130).
When the calculated traveling speed of the carrier 310A is substantially equal to the target traveling speed (YES in step S130), or when the traveling speed of the carrier 310A is larger than the target traveling speed, the output control for the first blower 330a is not executed. (Step S140).
On the other hand, when the calculated traveling speed of the carrier 310A is not equal to the target traveling speed, specifically, when the traveling speed of the carrier 310A is lower than the target traveling speed (NO in step S130), the first blower 330a Output control is performed (step S150).

The output control performed on the first blower 330a is basically the same as the output control in the first embodiment.
Hereinafter, an example of output control performed by the control device 500 on the first blower 330a when the traveling speed of the carrier 310A is lower than the target traveling speed (NO in step S130) will be described. In the following example, the target traveling speed of the carrier 310A is 3.5 m / sec.
The times when the carrier 310A passes through the third carrier sensor 610c and the fourth carrier sensor 610d are set to 0.55 seconds and 1.15 seconds, respectively. The time required for passing between the two carrier sensors is 1.15 to 0.55 = 0.60 seconds. The distance between the third carrier sensor 610c and the fourth carrier sensor 610d is known and stored in the first memory 502. Here, assuming that this distance is set to 1.8 m, the traveling speed of the carrier 310A between the third carrier sensor 610c and the fourth carrier sensor 610d is 1.8 / 0.60 = 3. .0 [m / sec]
Therefore, the target running speed of 3.5 m / sec has not been reached.

Next, the shortage rate of the actual running speed with respect to the target running speed is calculated.
The shortage rate is calculated based on the following equation.
Shortage rate = (target running speed-actual running speed) / target running speed Therefore, the shortage rate in the above example is calculated as follows.
Deficiency rate = (3.5-3.0) /3.5=14.3 [%]
FIG. 14 is a process chart of output control performed by the control device 500 on the first blower 330a.
For example, as described above, when the shortage rate is 14.3%, the control device 500 controls to increase the output of the first blower 330a by 14.3%.

If the output of the first blower 330a scheduled at that time is 55%, the output of the first blower 330a is 55 × 1.143 = 62.9 [%].
Change to.
For example, if the shortage rate of the actual running speed with respect to the target running speed is 10.5% and the planned output of the first blower 330a at that time is 60%, the output of the first blower 330a is 60 × 1.105. = 66.3 [%]
Change to.
Alternatively, if the shortage rate of the actual traveling speed with respect to the target traveling speed is 8.2% and the planned output of the first blower 330a at that time is 65%, the output of the first blower 330a is 65 × 1.082. = 70.3 [%]
Change to.

From step S110 above, even after the control device 500 controls the output of the first blower 330a as described above, or even after the control device 500 does not control the output of the first blower 330a. The process up to step S150 is repeated. That is, the control device 500 receives the carrier passing signal from the carrier sensors after the fifth carrier sensor 610e, and if necessary, performs output control on the first blower 330a (step S150).
In the above example, the rate of increase in the output of the first blower 330a is set equal to the shortage rate of the actual traveling speed of the carrier 310A with respect to the target traveling speed, but the rate of increase in the output of the first blower 330a is set by another method. It is also possible to set.

For example, it is possible to measure in advance how much the increase rate of the traveling speed will be achieved when a specific increase rate is executed for a specific output time, and perform output control based on the measurement result. is there.
Alternatively, the rate of increase in the output of the first blower 330a can be set to M times (M> 1) the shortage rate.
According to the paper leaf transport device 600 according to the present embodiment, since the actual traveling speed of the carrier 310A is measured by each carrier sensor 610a-610j, it is compared with the paper leaf transport device 300 according to the first embodiment. As a result, it becomes possible to perform output control more realistically, and it becomes possible to more accurately converge the traveling speed of the carrier 310A to the target traveling speed.

The structure of the paper leaf transport device 600 according to the present embodiment is not limited to the above structure, and various modifications can be made.
The aluminum foil 602 can be attached to the outer peripheral surface of the ceiling wall instead of the outer peripheral surface of the bottom wall of the first carrier member 311. In that case, each carrier sensor 610a-610j is arranged above the duct 320. Will be done.
Alternatively, the aluminum foil 602 can be attached to both the outer peripheral surface of the bottom wall and the outer peripheral surface of the ceiling wall of the first carrier member 311. Since the carrier 310 has a vertically symmetrical shape, it is not necessary to consider the vertical orientation of the carrier 310A by attaching it to both the bottom wall and the ceiling wall. That is, each carrier sensor 610a-610j may be arranged either above or below the duct 320, and it is not necessary to consider the vertical orientation of the carrier 310 when arranging the carrier 310 in the duct 320. ..

The metal foil attached to the carrier 310A can be any metal as long as it is a non-ferrous metal, but for the detection of the carrier 310A by each carrier sensor 610a-610j, in order to increase the sensitivity and reduce the weight. , Aluminum is most preferred.
Further, the number of carrier sensors 610a-610j is not limited to the number of the present embodiment, and any number can be selected as needed.
Further, it is not always necessary to make the distance between each carrier sensor 610a-610j constant, and it is also possible to make the distance between each carrier sensor 610a-610j random.
Further, the carrier sensor that detects the passage of the carrier 310A is not necessarily limited to two adjacent carrier sensors. For example, it is possible to detect the passage of the carrier 310A for every other carrier sensor (for example, carrier sensors 610a and 610c) or every N carrier sensors (N is an integer of 2 or more).

(Third embodiment)
As described above, in the paper leaf transport device 600 according to the second embodiment, the distances between the carrier sensors 610a and 610j are set to be equal, but the distance between the carrier sensors 610a and 610j is set. It can also be random.
However, if each carrier sensor 610a-610j is fixedly attached to the outer peripheral surface of the bottom wall of the duct 320 via, for example, an adhesive, it becomes difficult to change the distance between each carrier sensor 610a-610j.
In the paper leaf transport device according to the present embodiment, a sensor mounting device 620 is used in order to make it possible to easily change the position of each carrier sensor 610a-610j.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the sensor mounting device 620.

As shown in FIG. 15, the sensor mounting device 620 includes a bottom wall 621, a pair of first side walls 622a and 622b that stand upright from both side edges of the bottom wall 621, and outer sides of the upper edges of the first side walls 622a and 622b, respectively. A pair of first side walls 623a and 623b extending vertically upward from the tips of the first side walls 623a and 623b, and a pair of second side walls 624a and 624b extending vertically upward from the tips of the first side walls 623a and 623b. It is composed of a pair of second lateral walls 625a and 625b extending in.
The bottom wall 621, the first side wall 622a and 622b, the first side wall 623a and 623b, the second side wall 624a and 624b, and the second side wall 625a and 625b are all rectangular plate members having a constant thickness.
Each carrier sensor 610a-610j is fixedly attached to the inner peripheral surface of the bottom wall 621 (the upper surface of the bottom wall 621 in FIG. 15). By attaching each carrier sensor 610a-610j to the inner peripheral surface of the bottom wall 621, each carrier sensor 610a-610j is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the bottom wall of the first carrier member 311 aluminum foil 602 (see FIG. 12). ) Can be closest.

The sensor mounting device 620 is made of elastic resin or other material as a single member. Therefore, when each component other than the bottom wall 621 is bent outward, a repulsive force, that is, a restoring force, which tends to move inward is generated, and the sensor mounting device 620 tries to return to the original shape.
The inner shape of the sensor mounting device 620 is set so that it can be fitted into the duct 320 from the outside of the duct 320.
FIG. 16 is a front view showing a state in which the sensor mounting device 620 is fitted into the duct 320.
As shown in FIG. 16, the bottom wall 621 and the first side walls 622a and 622b form a structure that fits into the first space 321 of the duct 320, and the first side walls 623a and 623b, the second side walls 624a and 624b and The second side walls 625a and 625b form a structure that fits into each second space 322 of the duct 320. Since the sensor mounting device 620 is made of an elastic material, once the sensor mounting device 620 is fitted into the duct 320, the sensor mounting device 620 generates a restoring force that tries to return to its original shape. Since this restoring force acts as a force to bring the sensor mounting device 620 into close contact with the duct 320, the sensor mounting device 620 cannot be easily detached from the duct 320.

Further, since the second lateral walls 625a and 625b are located above the wall portion forming the second space 322 of the duct 320, at least the sensor mounting device 620 does not fall from the duct 320.
Since the sensor mounting device 620 is only fitted into the duct 320 (because it is not fixed), the sensor mounting device 620 is slidable with respect to the duct 320 along the length direction of the duct 320. .. That is, the position of each carrier sensor 610a-610j can be changed by sliding the sensor mounting device 620 with respect to the duct 320.
As described above, according to the paper leaf transport device according to the present embodiment, the position of each carrier sensor 610a-610j with respect to the duct 320 can be easily changed, and the output control for each of the blowers 330a and 330b can be performed. Each carrier sensor 610a-610j can be easily arranged at a suitable position.

(Fourth Embodiment)
When the banknotes are sent out to the inside of the duct 320, the inside of the duct 320 is momentarily ventilated to the outside. The bills are fed into the duct 320 via the bill insertion device 21 (see FIG. 22), and the bill insertion devices 21 are arranged along the duct 320 at regular intervals. Therefore, the air leakage from the duct 320 to the outside increases as the distance from the first blower 330a increases. In other words, as the total length of the duct 320 increases, the number of bill insertion devices 21 also increases, so that the amount of air leaking from the inside to the outside of the duct 320 increases.
Further, when the carrier 310 is returned to the initial position after the banknotes are conveyed, it is necessary to shorten the time to the maximum.
The paper leaf transport device according to the fourth embodiment addresses such a problem.

In the paper leaf transport device according to the present embodiment, the control device 500 changes the blow output control of the first blower 330a and the second blower 330b according to the total length of the duct 320. Generally, the control device 500 performs control so that the blower output of the first blower 330a and the second blower 330b increases as the total length of the duct 320 increases.
17 and 18 are examples of blower output control of the first blower 330a and the second blower 330b implemented by the control device 500 in the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 17, for example, the total length L of the duct 320 is divided into four stages according to the lengths L ₁ , L ₂ , L ₃ and L ₄ . The control device 500 controls the blower output of the first blower 330a and the second blower 330b according to these categories. Specifically, the control device 500 has mode A ₁ when the total length L of the duct 320 is 0 <L ≦ L ₁ , and modes B ₁ and L ₂ <L ≦ when L ₁ <L ≦ L _2. In the case of L ₃ , the output control of mode C ₁ is performed, and in the case of L ₃ <L ≦ L ₄ , the output control of mode D ₁ is performed.

FIG. 18 is a table showing an example of the control contents of each mode.
For example, in mode A ₁ , when transporting banknotes (traveling in the X1 direction in FIG. 22), the control device 500 first operates the first blower 330a for 1 second at 42% of the maximum output of the first blower 330a. (The unit of "time" in FIG. 18 is 100 milliseconds). Next, the first blower 330a is operated at 47% of the maximum output of the first blower 330a (“0” in “time” in FIG. 18 means “continue 47%”).
If the first blower 330a is continuously operated until the carrier 310 reaches the end of the duct 320, the carrier 310 will collide with the stopper at the end of the duct 320 with a relatively large impact force. In order to avoid such a situation, the control device 500 stops the operation of the first blower 330a, for example, when the carrier 310 passes through the carrier passage sensor two before the end of the duct 320 (“FIG. 18”. The "stop position" is "2", which means this).

Further, when the carrier 310 is returned to the initial position after the banknotes are conveyed (traveling in the X2 direction in FIG. 22), the control device 500 first sets the second blower 330b at 47% of the maximum output of the second blower 330b for 1 second. To operate. The second blower 330b is then operated at 57% of the maximum output of the first blower 330a until the carrier 310 returns to its original position.
In all modes A ₁ , B ₁ , C ₁ and D ₁ , the output ratio of the blower is larger when the carrier 310 returns to the initial position than when the carrier 310 carries banknotes. This is because when the carrier 310 returns to the initial position, since the banknotes are not conveyed, the running resistance is small and the running speed of the carrier 310 can be increased.

Further, in mode C ₁ , when transporting banknotes, the first blower 330a is first operated at 52% of the maximum output of the first blower 330a for 1 second. Then, after operating the first blower 330a at 57% of the maximum output of the first blower 330a for 1 second and at 62% for 1 second, the first blower 330a is operated at 65% of the maximum output of the first blower 330a. In mode C ₁ , the control device 500 stops the operation of the first blower 330a when the carrier 310 passes through the carrier passage sensor four before the end of the duct 320 (stop position = 4).
When returning the carrier 310 to its original position after transporting banknotes, the control device 500 first operates the second blower 330b at 62% of the maximum output of the second blower 330b for 1 second, and then at 67% for 1 second. Let me. The second blower 330b is then operated at 72% of the maximum output of the first blower 330a until the carrier 310 returns to its original position.

As described above, according to the paper leaf transport device according to the present embodiment, the output of each blower is controlled according to the total length of the duct 320, which is one of the factors of air leakage from the duct 320.
In the conventional banknote transfer device, it is unavoidable that the traveling speed of the carrier 310 decreases when the end of the duct 320 is approached as the total length of the duct 320 increases. On the other hand, in the paper leaf transport device according to the present embodiment, the output of each blower is controlled according to the total length of the duct 320. Specifically, the control device 500 increases the output ratio of each blower as the total length of the duct 320 increases. Therefore, even if the total length of the duct 320 is increased, the traveling speed of the carrier 310 near the end of the duct 320 does not decrease, and the carrier 310 can be traveled while maintaining a substantially constant traveling speed.

(Fifth Embodiment)
In the fourth embodiment, the control device 500 controls the output of each blower according to the total length of the duct 320. The output control of each blower shall be performed instead of the total length of the duct 320, or according to the total length of the duct 320, the number of bill insertion devices 21, or the distance (pitch) between the adjacent bill insertion devices 21. Is also possible.
The pitch P (constant value) of the bill insertion device 21 is defined by the following equation.
P = L / N
L: Overall length of duct 320 N: Number of bill insertion devices 21 arranged along the duct 320 FIG. 19 shows the blow output control of the first blower 330a and the second blower 330b implemented by the control device 500 in the present embodiment. This is an example.

As shown in FIG. 19, for example, the arrangement pitch P of the bill insertion device 21 is divided into four stages according to the lengths P ₁ , P ₂ , P ₃ and P ₄ . The control device 500 controls the blower output of the first blower 330a according to these categories. Specifically, the control device 500, mode B ₁ represents the case the arrangement pitch P of the banknote 21 is 0 <a P ≦ mode A ₁ in the case of P _1, P ₁ <P ≦ P _2, P ₂ implements a power control mode D ₁ in the case of mode _{C 1, P 3 <P ≦} P 4 in <for P ≦ P _3.
As described above, in the paper leaf transport device according to the present embodiment, the control device 500 is a blower according to the total length of the duct 320, the number of bill insertion devices 21, or the arrangement pitch of the bill insertion devices 21. Perform output control. Since the amount of air leaking from the duct 320 depends on the number of bill insertion devices 21 per unit length of the duct 320, that is, the arrangement pitch of the bill insertion devices 21, each blower uses the arrangement pitch of the bill insertion devices 21 as a factor. By controlling the output of, it is possible to perform accurate output control according to the actual situation of air leakage.

(Sixth Embodiment)
In the fourth embodiment, the output control of each blower was performed according to the total length of the duct 320, and in the fifth embodiment, according to the arrangement pitch of the bill insertion device 21, but the total length of the duct 320 and the bill insertion were performed. It is also possible to control the output of each blower according to both the arrangement pitches of the devices 21.
20 and 21 are examples of blower output control of the first blower 330a and the second blower 330b implemented by the control device 500 in the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 20, the total length L of the duct 320 is divided into four stages with the lengths L ₁ , L ₂ , L ₃ and L ₄ as boundaries, and the arrangement pitch P of the bill insertion device 21 is predetermined. It is divided into two stages with the standard pitch Pa as the boundary. The control device 500 controls the blower output of the first blower 330a and the second blower 330b according to these two types of classification. For example, when the total length L of the duct 320 is 0 <L ≦ L ₁ and the arrangement pitch P of the bill insertion device 21 is P <Pa, the control device 500 outputs the output of each blower according to the mode A _1. Implement control. Alternatively, when the total length L of the duct 320 is L ₂ <L ≦ L ₃ , and the arrangement pitch P of the bill insertion device 21 is Pa ≦ P, the control device 500 sets the control device 500 of each blower according to the mode C _2. Perform output control.

FIG. 21 is a table showing an example of the control contents of each mode.
As described above, in the paper leaf transport device according to the present embodiment, the output control of each blower is performed according to both the total length of the duct 320 and the arrangement pitch of the bill insertion device 21. Therefore, it is possible to perform output control more realistically as compared with the case where the output control of each blower is performed according to only one of the total length of the duct 320 and the arrangement pitch of the bill insertion device 21. ..
In the fourth to sixth embodiments, the numerical values of the total length L of the duct 320, the number of divisions of the arrangement pitch P of the bill insertion device 21, and the output ratio of each mode are examples, and paper leaf transport. It is possible to change it according to the environment in which the device is used.

In the paper leaf transport device according to the present invention, since the output of each blower is controlled so that the traveling speed of the carrier becomes constant, it is possible to realize suitable wind transport of banknotes.
The target of transportation is not limited to banknotes. In addition to banknotes, any sheet-shaped paper leaves such as slips, cards, tickets, and various bills can be transported.

300 Paper leaf transport device according to the first embodiment of the present invention 310, 310A Carrier 320 Duct 330a First blower 330b Second blower 340 Bill storage room 400 Pachinko machine 401 Game medium lending machine 500 Control device 600 No. 1 of the present invention Paper leaf transport device according to the second embodiment 602 Aluminum foil 620 Sensor mounting device

Claims (17)

With the duct
A carrier running in the duct and
An air blowing means that generates an air flow in both directions in the duct,
A control device that controls the blower output of the blower means and
In the paper leaf transport device, the carrier is driven in the duct by the air flow generated in the duct, and the paper leaves are transported in the duct through the carrier.
The control device is
A paper leaf transport device characterized in that the blower output of the blower means is controlled to be increased by a predetermined rate each time a predetermined time elapses from the start of blown by the blower means. The process of generating airflow in the duct in one direction and in the direction opposite to the one direction by the blowing means, and
The process of feeding the paper leaves into the duct and transporting the paper leaves in the duct by the air flow, and
In the paper leaf transport method including
A method for transporting paper leaves, further comprising a process of increasing the blowing output of the blowing means by a predetermined ratio each time a predetermined time elapses from the start of blowing by the blowing means. With the duct
An air blowing means that generates an air flow in both directions in the duct,
A control device that controls the blower output of the blower means and
In a paper leaf transport device for transporting paper leaves in the duct by an air flow generated in the duct.
A program built into the control device
In the control device
A program for executing a process of increasing the blowing output of the blowing means by a predetermined ratio every time a predetermined time elapses from the start of blowing by the blowing means. With the duct
A carrier running in the duct and
An air blowing means that generates an air flow in both directions in the duct,
A control device that controls the blower output of the blower means and
A plurality of carrier sensors arranged along the duct to detect the passage or stop of the carrier, and
In the paper leaf transport device, the carrier is driven in the duct by the air flow generated in the duct, and the paper leaves are transported in the duct through the carrier.
Each of the carrier sensors transmits a carrier passage signal to the control device as the carrier passes through the carrier sensor.
Upon receiving the carrier passing signal, the control device calculates the traveling speed of the carrier from the time when the carrier passed each of the two adjacent carrier sensors and the distance between the two carrier sensors.
The control device is a paper leaf transport device for controlling the blower output of the blower means so that the running speed of the carrier converges to a predetermined target running speed. The ventilation means
With a single blower,
A switching means for controlling the direction in which the air flow output from the blower flows in the duct so as to be either one direction in the duct or the opposite direction.
The paper leaf transport device according to claim 1 or 4, wherein the paper leaf transport device is provided. The ventilation means
The first blower that generates an air flow in one direction in the duct,
A second blower that generates an air flow in the duct in the direction opposite to the one direction,
Consists of
The paper leaf transport device according to claim 1, wherein the control device controls the output of at least one of the first blower and the second blower. The ventilation means
The first blower that generates an air flow in one direction in the duct,
A second blower that generates an air flow in the duct in the direction opposite to the one direction,
Consists of
The paper leaf transport device according to claim 4, wherein the control device controls the output of at least one of the first blower and the second blower. The control device outputs at least one of the first blower and the second blower each time a predetermined time elapses from the start of operation of at least one of the first blower and the second blower. The paper leaf transport device according to claim 7, wherein the traveling speed of the carrier is converged to the predetermined traveling speed by increasing the above-mentioned traveling speed by a predetermined ratio. The paper leaf transport device according to claim 1, 4, 7, or 8, wherein the predetermined time is a fixed time. A non-ferrous metal sheet is attached to at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the carrier.
According to any one of claims 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9, each of the carrier sensors detects the passage or stop of the carrier by detecting the non-ferrous metal sheet. The described paper leaf transport device. The paper leaf transport device according to claim 10, wherein the non-ferrous metal sheet is an aluminum foil. Each of the carrier sensors is attached to the duct via a sensor mounting device.
The paper leaf transport device according to any one of claims 4 to 11, wherein the sensor mounting device is slidable along the duct. The control device is the blower means according to at least one of the total length of the duct, the number of paper leaf throwing devices for feeding the paper leaves into the duct, and the interval between the paper leaf throwing devices. The paper leaf transport device according to any one of claims 1 and 3 to 12, wherein the paper leaf transport device is characterized. The process of generating an air flow in the duct in one direction and in the direction opposite to the one direction by the blowing means, and running the carrier in the duct.
The process of feeding the paper sheets into the duct and transporting the paper sheets through the carrier in the duct by the air flow, and
In the paper leaf transport method including
A first process in which each of the plurality of carrier sensors arranged along the duct and detecting the passage of the carrier transmits a carrier passage signal to the control device when the carrier passes through the carrier sensor.
A second method in which the control device calculates the traveling speed of the carrier from the time when the carrier passes each of the two adjacent carrier sensors and the distance between the two carrier sensors based on the carrier passing signal. The process and
A third process in which the control device controls the blowing output of the blowing means so that the traveling speed of the carrier converges to a predetermined traveling speed.
A method for transporting paper leaves, which comprises. In the third process, the control device increases the blowing output of the blowing means by a predetermined ratio each time a predetermined time elapses from the start of blowing by the blowing means, thereby causing the carrier. The paper leaf transport method according to claim 14, wherein the traveling speed of the above is converged to the predetermined traveling speed. With the duct
A carrier running in the duct and
An air blowing means that generates an air flow in both directions in the duct,
A control device that controls the blower output of the blower means and
A plurality of carrier sensors arranged along the duct to detect the passage or stop of the carrier, and
In the paper leaf transport device, the carrier is driven in the duct by the air flow generated in the duct, and the paper leaves are transported in the duct through the carrier.
A program built into the control device
In the control device
Based on the carrier passing signal transmitted by each of the carrier sensors when the carrier passes through the carrier sensor, the time when the carrier passed through each of the two adjacent carrier sensors and the distance between the two carrier sensors The first process of calculating the traveling speed of the carrier from
A second process of controlling the blower output of the blower means so that the running speed of the carrier converges to a predetermined running speed.
A program to execute. In the second process, the control device increases the blower output of the blower means by a predetermined rate each time a predetermined time elapses from the start of operation of the blower means. The program according to claim 16, wherein the traveling speed of the carrier is converged to the predetermined traveling speed.