JP2023114902A - Paper sheet conveying device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a device configured to convey bank bills to a bank bill storage chamber without needing two conveying pipes as a conveying pipe for using a carrier.SOLUTION: Bank bills ejected from game ball lending machines (21) arranged adjacently to game machines (20) respectively of a plurality of groups (15A-15E) of game machines (20) to first ducts 120 are sent through a relay device (160) to a second duct (120A) and then are conveyed to a bank bill storage chamber (140) finally and stored there. A carrier that carries bank bills on the second duct (120A) is reciprocated in the second duct (120A) by a carrier feeding device (350) and a carrier feeding-back device. The carrier is reciprocated only in the second duct (120A), so that another duct (a conveying pipe) is not needed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a paper sheet conveying apparatus for conveying bills and other sheet-like paper sheets by means of an air flow generated inside a duct.

An example of such a paper sheet conveying device is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2020-168504 (Patent Document 1).
FIG. 58 is a perspective view of an in-store layout of the game arcade 2 in which the paper sheet conveying device 10 described in Patent Document 1 is installed, and FIG. 59 is a perspective view of the paper sheet conveying device 10 .
A plurality of gaming machine islands 3 (an area where a group of gaming machines are arranged is called an "island") are arranged in the game arcade 2 across aisles. On each game machine island 3, a plurality of sets of game ball lending machines 4 for lending game balls (pachinko balls) when bills are inserted and game machines (pachinko machines) 5 are arranged back to back. there is
Inside each game machine island 3, bills ejected from the back of each game ball lending machine 4 are taken in and transported to a relay box 6 installed at one end of each game machine island 3 and functioning as a safe. A banknote transport device 8 is provided.
As shown in FIG. 59, the paper sheet conveying device 10 is connected to a collective safe 11, a carrier relay device 17, and a pipe that starts from the collective safe 11, passes through each relay box 6, and returns to the collective safe 11. and a carrier pipe 12 .

The transport pipe 12 starts from the collective safe 11 and reaches the carrier relay device 17 , and the transport auxiliary body relay device 17 to the collective safe 11 via the take-in devices 14 communicating with the relay boxes 6 . and a return transport pipe 12b leading to.
The collective vault 11 and the carrier relay device 17 each have a blower for generating an air flow. The paper sheet conveying device 10 generates an air flow in the conveying pipe 12 by each blower, and pushes bills from behind with a carrier (not shown) that moves in the conveying pipe 12 by receiving the air flow. Convey downstream. The blower of the collective safe 11 generates an airflow from the starting end of the outgoing conveying pipe 12a toward the carrier relay device 17, and the blower of the carrier relay device 17 generates an airflow from the starting end of the returning conveying pipe 12b toward the collective safe 11. .

The paper sheet conveying device 10 further includes a sub-conveying device 13 that conveys banknotes from each relay box 6 to a backward conveying pipe 12b passing above the relay box 6, and a banknote conveyed from the relay box 6 by the sub-conveying device 13, A take-in device 14 is provided for taking in the return transport pipe 12b in a posture in which the surface of the paper is along the extension direction of the return transport pipe 12b.
The carrier that pushes the banknotes from the rear by the air flow is sent out from the collective safe 11 to the outward transport pipe 12 a and is temporarily held by the carrier relay device 17 when it reaches the carrier relay device 17 . After that, the carrier is sent from the carrier relay device 17 to the return transport pipe 12b, and returns to the collective safe 11 while collecting bills taken into the return transport pipe 12b by the take-in device 14. FIG.
Delivery of the carrier from the collective vault 11 to the outbound transport pipe 12a and delivery of the carrier from the carrier relay device 17 to the inbound transport pipe 12b are performed at the same time.

JP 2020-168504 A

As shown in FIG. 59, the paper sheet conveying apparatus 10 requires two conveying pipes, an outward conveying pipe 12a and a returning conveying pipe 12b, for reciprocating the carrier in order to use the carrier repeatedly.
Therefore, the installation space for the paper sheet conveying device 10 is inevitably large, and furthermore, the structure of the paper sheet conveying device 10 itself is inevitably complicated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the conventional paper sheet conveying apparatus as described above, and provides a paper sheet conveying apparatus that does not require two conveying tubes for using carriers. intended to provide

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a plurality of first ducts, each of which is arranged for each group of a plurality of groups of gaming machines, into which paper sheets are fed, and a plurality of first ducts. a single second duct communicating with each; a paper sheet storage chamber arranged to communicate with the second duct at one end of the second duct; and each of the plurality of first ducts A first carrier that runs inside, a second carrier that runs inside the second duct, and a first carrier that sends out the first carrier toward the second duct inside each of the plurality of first ducts. a carrier feeding device; a first carrier feeding device for feeding back the first carrier fed from the first carrier feeding device to the first carrier feeding device; and a second carrier sending device for sending back the second carrier sent from the second carrier sending device to the second carrier sending device; The carrier sending-out device comprises a first blower for generating an airflow within each of the plurality of first ducts toward the second duct, and the first carrier return device comprises each of the plurality of first ducts. a second blower that generates an air flow in a direction opposite to the air flow generated by the first blower inside the second duct, and the second carrier delivery device moves toward the paper sheet storage chamber inside the second duct and the second carrier return device comprises a fourth blower for generating an air flow inside the second duct in a direction opposite to the air flow generated by the third blower. To provide a paper sheet conveying device which is a thing.

In the paper sheet conveying device described above, the first carrier return device includes a first carrier storage duct branched from the first duct before the second duct, and the first duct It is composed of a first area through which only paper sheets can pass and a second area through which the first carrier can pass, and the first area passes through the center of the second area and extends beyond the second area. Projecting from both sides, the first region extends to the second duct, and the second region branches from the first duct before the second duct to form the first carrier storage duct. It is preferable to be

In the above paper sheet conveying device, the second carrier return device includes a second carrier storage duct branched from the second duct before the paper sheet storage chamber, and the second duct is , a first area through which only the paper sheets can pass, and a second area through which the second carrier can pass, the first area passing through the center of the second area and the second area The first area extends to the paper sheet storage chamber, the second area branches from the second duct before the paper sheet storage chamber, and the second carrier It is preferable that it constitutes a storage duct.
In the paper sheet conveying apparatus described above, it is preferable that the first carrier storage duct is connected to the second blower.

In the paper sheet conveying apparatus described above, it is preferable that the second carrier storage duct is connected to the fourth blower.
In the paper sheet conveying apparatus, the first carrier storage duct or the second carrier storage duct has a length capable of storing two or more of the first carriers or the second carriers. is preferred.
In the above paper sheet conveying device, it is preferable that the first carrier and the second carrier have the same shape with a circular longitudinal section.

In the paper sheet conveying device described above, the first carrier feeding device or the second carrier feeding device includes a carrier container having an opening through which the first carrier or the second carrier can pass; moving the carrier container between a first position and a second position in a space adjacent to the entrance of the duct or the second duct in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the first duct or the second duct extends; and a carrier container moving device capable of moving the air from the first blower or the third blower. In the second position, the carrier housing is positioned below the first duct or the second duct, and the flow is from the first blower or the third blower. air flow does not flow into the opening, and at least one of the first carrier or the second carrier is placed on the carrier container.

In the above paper sheet conveying device, the first carrier feeding device or the second carrier feeding device includes a carrier container having a carrier mounting table on which the first carrier or the second carrier can be placed; A carrier container moving device capable of vertically moving the carrier container in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the first duct or the second duct extends in a space adjacent to the entrance of the first duct or the second duct. and, when the carrier container moving device sends out the first carrier or the second carrier, the uppermost carrier among the plurality of first carriers or second carriers mounted on the carrier mounting table a first carrier or a second carrier positioned adjacent to the entrance of the first duct or the second duct and receiving airflow from the first blower or the third blower; It is preferable that the mounting table is moved up and down.

In the paper sheet conveying device, each of the first carrier feeding device or the second carrier feeding device feeds N (N is an integer equal to or greater than 1) carriers for feeding the first carrier or the second carrier. device, wherein the carrier delivery device includes a carrier container having an opening through which the first carrier or the second carrier can pass, and a space adjacent to an entrance of the first duct or the second duct. a carrier container moving device for moving the carrier container between a first position and a second position in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the first duct or the second duct extends; is the position where the opening communicates with the first duct or the second duct and the airflow from the first blower or the third blower flows into the opening, and the second position is , the carrier housing body is located below the first duct or the second duct, and the air flow from the first blower or the third blower does not flow into the opening, and the N It is preferable that the carrier delivery devices are arranged adjacent to each other along the direction in which the first duct or the second duct extends.
In the above paper sheet conveying device, one of the first carrier or the second carrier adjacent to the entrance of the first duct or the second duct and communicating with the first duct or the second duct A space of length is preferably formed.

Banknotes discharged into the first duct from a game ball dispenser adjacent to each game machine of a plurality of groups of game machines are conveyed to the second duct via the first carrier sent out by the first carrier sending-out device. The first carrier that conveys the banknotes to the second duct is temporarily accommodated in the first carrier sending back device, and then sent back to the first carrier sending device through the first duct by the first carrier sending back device.
Thus, in the banknote conveying apparatus according to the present invention, the first carrier travels in the first duct to convey the banknotes, travels in the first duct and returns. That is, it is possible to reciprocate the first carrier with only one duct (conveyance pipe in the conventional bill conveying device), and unlike the conventional bill conveying device, two conveying pipes (outbound conveying pipe 12a and It is not necessary to provide a return transport pipe 12b).

The same is true for the second duct. The bills conveyed from the first duct are conveyed to the bill storage chamber via the second carrier sent out by the second carrier sending device. The second carrier that has conveyed the banknotes to the banknote storage chamber is temporarily accommodated in the second carrier return device, and then sent back to the second carrier delivery device through the second duct by the second carrier return device.
In this way, the second carrier travels through the second duct to convey bills, travels through the second duct and returns. That is, it is possible to reciprocate the second carrier only with one duct, and unlike the conventional banknote transport device, it is unnecessary to provide two transport pipes (outward transport pipe 12a and return transport pipe 12b). is.
As described above, the bill conveying apparatus according to the present invention does not require two conveying pipes (ducts) such as the forward conveying pipe 12a and the returning conveying pipe 12b, and furthermore, does not reduce bill conveying efficiency. , the carrier can be reciprocated with only one duct, and the structure of the banknote transport device can be simplified and made compact.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is the schematic which shows the structure of the banknote conveying apparatus which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention, and its surrounding environment. It is a perspective view when the carrier used in the banknote conveying apparatus which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention is seen from the front side. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the carrier of FIG. 2 when viewed from the rear side; 1 is a perspective view of a duct used in the banknote conveying device according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the mutual positional relationship among carriers, bills, and ducts in the bill conveying apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the mutual positional relationship among carriers, bills, and ducts in the bill conveying apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 2 is an enlarged view including a partially exploded view of portion 7A surrounded by broken lines in FIG. 1; FIG.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the 1st carrier sending-out apparatus in the banknote conveying apparatus which concerns on 1st embodiment of invention. FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the first carrier delivery device shown in FIG. 8; 1 is a perspective view of a carrier container and a carrier container moving device in the banknote conveying device according to the first embodiment of the invention; FIG. FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the third member of the first carrier delivery device shown in FIG. 8 when viewed from the rear side; FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the hood of the first carrier delivery device shown in FIG. 8 as seen from the rear side; FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing the inside of the hood shown in FIG. 12; FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing the inside of the hood shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a situation when the first carrier is delivered from the first carrier delivery device shown in FIG. 8; FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a situation when the first carrier is delivered from the first carrier delivery device shown in FIG. 8; FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a situation when the first carrier is delivered from the first carrier delivery device shown in FIG. 8; FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a situation when the first carrier is delivered from the first carrier delivery device shown in FIG. 8; FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a situation when the first carrier is delivered from the first carrier delivery device shown in FIG. 8; FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the first carrier is sent back from the first carrier sending back device to the first carrier sending device;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the first carrier is sent back from the first carrier sending back device to the first carrier sending device; It is a perspective view of a first carrier feeding back device in the banknote transport device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which a 1st carrier is sent back to a 1st carrier sending-out apparatus in the banknote conveying apparatus which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which a 1st carrier is sent back to a 1st carrier sending-out apparatus in the banknote conveying apparatus which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which a 1st carrier is sent back to a 1st carrier sending-out apparatus in the banknote conveying apparatus which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which a 1st carrier is sent back to a 1st carrier sending-out apparatus in the banknote conveying apparatus which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention.

It is a partial perspective view of a second carrier delivery device in the banknote transport device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 28 is an exploded perspective view of the second carrier delivery device shown in FIG. 27; 29(A) is a longitudinal sectional view of the second carrier delivery device, FIG. 29(B) is a left side view of the second carrier delivery device, and FIG. 29(C) is a right side view of the second carrier delivery device. FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which second carriers are sequentially delivered from a second carrier delivery device in the banknote conveying device according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which second carriers are sequentially delivered from a second carrier delivery device in the banknote conveying device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which second carriers are sequentially delivered from a second carrier delivery device in the banknote conveying device according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which second carriers are sequentially delivered from a second carrier delivery device in the banknote conveying device according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which second carriers are sequentially delivered from a second carrier delivery device in the banknote conveying device according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which second carriers are sequentially delivered from a second carrier delivery device in the banknote conveying device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which second carriers are sequentially delivered from a second carrier delivery device in the banknote conveying device according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which second carriers are sequentially delivered from a second carrier delivery device in the banknote conveying device according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which second carriers are sequentially delivered from a second carrier delivery device in the banknote conveying device according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which second carriers are sequentially delivered from a second carrier delivery device in the banknote conveying device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which the second carrier is sent back to the second carrier sending-out device at once in the banknote conveying device according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which the second carrier is sent back to the second carrier sending-out device at once in the banknote conveying device according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which the second carrier is sent back to the second carrier sending-out device at once in the banknote conveying device according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which the second carrier is sent back to the second carrier sending-out device at once in the banknote conveying device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which the second carrier is sent back to the second carrier sending-out device at once in the banknote conveying device according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a second duct and a carrier storage duct branched from the second duct in the banknote transport device according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a second duct and a carrier storage duct when viewed from the carrier storage duct side; FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view of the second duct and the carrier storage duct when viewed from the second duct side; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a second carrier is accommodated in a carrier accommodation duct in the banknote conveying device according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a second carrier is accommodated in a carrier accommodation duct in the banknote conveying device according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a second carrier is accommodated in a carrier accommodation duct in the banknote conveying device according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a second carrier is accommodated in a carrier accommodation duct in the banknote conveying device according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a second carrier is accommodated in a carrier accommodation duct in the banknote conveying device according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a second carrier is sent out from a carrier storage duct; FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a second carrier is sent out from a carrier storage duct;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a second carrier is sent out from a carrier storage duct; FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a carrier container used in a modified example of the first carrier delivery device; It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the operation|movement of the modification of a 1st carrier sending-out apparatus. It is a perspective view of the in-store layout of the game arcade in which the conventional paper sheet conveying device is installed. FIG. 59 is a perspective view of the paper sheet conveying device shown in FIG. 58;

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a bill conveying apparatus 100 and its surrounding environment according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
The banknote conveying device 100 according to the present embodiment is arranged for each group of the gaming machines 20 of the plurality of groups 15A to 15E, and five banknotes are fed from the game ball lending machine 21 adjacent to the gaming machine 20, respectively. a single second duct 120A communicating with each of the five first ducts 120; a first carrier 110 running inside each of the five first ducts 120; A second carrier 110R that runs inside the second duct 120A, a banknote storage chamber 140 that is arranged to communicate with the second duct 120A at one end of the second duct 120A, and five first ducts 120. A first carrier delivery device 200 that delivers first carriers 110 toward a second duct 120A inside, and a first carrier delivery device 200 that moves the first carriers 110 delivered from the first carrier delivery device 200 into the first duct 120. a second carrier sending device 350 sending the second carrier 110R toward the banknote storage chamber 140 inside the second duct 120A; and a second carrier return device 138 for returning the second carrier 110R to the second carrier delivery device 350 within the second duct 120A.

The first carrier delivery device 200 includes a first blower 150A for generating airflow inside each of the five first ducts 120 toward the second duct 120A, and the first carrier return device 135 is provided with the five first ducts 120A. A second blower 150B is provided inside each of the ducts 120A to generate an air flow in the direction opposite to the air flow generated by the first blower 150A, and the second carrier delivery device 350 is provided inside the second duct 120A with bill storage chambers. 140, and the second carrier return device 138 generates an airflow within the second duct 120A in a direction opposite to the airflow generated by the third blower 150C. It has four blowers 150D.
The first duct 120 arranged for each group 15A to 15E of the game machine 20 is connected to the game ball lending machine 21 adjacent to the game machine 20 in the same manner as the on-island bill transport device 8 of the conventional bill transport device 10. The banknotes inserted and discharged from the back of the game ball lending machine 21 are conveyed to the second duct 120A.

Each first duct 120 and second duct 120A are connected via a relay device 160 . Each relay device 160 changes the direction of the banknotes conveyed from each first duct 120 and sends them out to the second duct 120A.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first carrier 110 used in the banknote conveying apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment when viewed from the front side, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first carrier 110 when viewed from the rear side.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first carrier 110 has a "cannonball" shape, and specifically includes a cylindrical main body portion 110a and a rear side of the main body portion 110a that is continuous with the main body portion 110a. a hemispherically shaped rear portion 110b formed by
The first carrier 110 has a hollow structure for weight reduction.

The first carrier 110 conveys bills by pushing them on the front face 110c of the body portion 110a. A plurality of projections 110d having the same shape are formed at regular intervals along the circumference of the front surface 110c of the body portion 110a. A banknote is sandwiched between two protrusions 110d adjacent to each other to hold the banknote. The projection 110d has, for example, a hemispherical shape.
The length in the central axis direction of the main body portion 110a of the first carrier 110 is set as short as possible. By shortening the length of the body portion 110a, it is possible to smoothly turn a curved duct.
The first carrier 110 moves forward by receiving the airflow (wind) from the first blower 150A at the rear portion 110b.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the first duct 120 used in the bill conveying device 100 according to this embodiment. 5 and 6 are perspective views showing the mutual positional relationship of the first carrier 110, bills 50 and first duct 120. FIG.

The first duct 120 is composed of a first region 120a and a second region 120b, as shown in FIG.
The first region 120a has a vertically long rectangular shape, and its height is such that the short side 50a of the bill 50 having the short side 50a and the long side 50b (see FIG. 5) can pass through, The width is a width that allows the banknote 50 to pass through even if the banknote 50 is folded or curved.
The second region 120b has a circular longitudinal section and is set to a size (radius) that allows the first carrier 110 to pass therethrough.
The first region 120a and the second region 120b partially overlap each other, and the first region 120a passes through the center of the second region 120b and protrudes vertically from the second region 120b by an equal length.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the first carrier 110 pushes the short side 50 a of the bill 50 with its front face 110 c and conveys the bill 50 inside the first duct 120 . The bills 50 pass through the first region 120a of the first duct 120 and the first carrier 110 passes through the second region 120b of the first duct 120. As shown in FIG.
In this way, only banknotes 50 can pass through the first area 120a, and the first carrier 110 cannot pass through the first area 120a (more precisely, the first carrier 110 can move up and down from the second area 120b). cannot pass through the portion of the first region 120a that protrudes in the direction).
The second duct 120A and the second carrier 110R running inside the second duct 120A have the same structure as the first duct 120 and the first carrier 110, respectively.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view including a partially exploded view of the portion 7A surrounded by the dashed line in FIG. 1 (although the game machine 20 is not shown in FIG. game machine 20 is installed).
As shown in FIG. 7, a first carrier delivery device 200 is provided at one end (the right end in FIG. 7) of the first duct 120 in each group 15A-15E of the gaming machine 20. As shown in FIG. The first carrier delivery device 200 delivers the first carrier 110 inside the first duct 120 toward the relay device 160 (or the second duct 120A).
8 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the first carrier feeding device 200, and FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the first carrier feeding device 200. As shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 8 , the first carrier delivery device 200 is composed of a carrier container 210 , a carrier container moving device 220 , and a cover block 230 covering the carrier container 210 .

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the carrier container 210 and the carrier container moving device 220. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 10, the carrier container 210 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a circular opening 211 extends horizontally between a pair of vertical surfaces. The radius of the opening 211 is slightly larger than the radius of the first carrier 110 and is large enough for the first carrier 110 to pass through.
The carrier container moving device 220 includes a rack member 221 extending linearly vertically downward from the carrier container 210 , a pinion 222 , and a motor 222 A that rotates the pinion 222 .
A convex body 221A that can mesh with the pinion 222 is formed on the surface of the rack member 221 .

Pinion 222 is fixed to cover block 230 (see FIG. 9). Therefore, when the pinion 222 rotates clockwise, the rack member 221 and thus the carrier container 210 move downward, and when the pinion 222 rotates counterclockwise, the rack member 221 and thus the carrier container 210 move upward. do.
The operation of the motor 222A that drives the pinion 222 is controlled by a central controller (not shown), and the carrier container moving device 220 moves the carrier container 210 to the first position and the second position in response to commands from the central controller. move up and down between
The first position is a position in which the axis of the opening 211 of the carrier container 210 substantially coincides with the axis of the second region 120 b of the first duct 120 . As will be described later, in the first position, the opening 211 of the carrier container 210 faces the second region 120b of the first duct 120 and communicates with the second region 120b. receives wind pressure from the airflow from the first blower 150A at the rear portion 110b.

The second position is the position where the carrier container 210 is located directly under the second region 120b of the first duct 120. FIG. As will be described later, in the second position, the opening 211 of the carrier container 210 does not face the second region 120b of the first duct 120 and does not communicate with the second region 120b. The first carrier 110 does not receive wind pressure from the air flow from the first blower 150A.
As shown in FIG. 9, the cover block 230 is composed of a first member 231, a second member 232 and a third member 233. As shown in FIG.
The first member 231 consists of a plate 231A and a duct frame 231B standing upright with respect to the plate 231A.
The first duct 120 is positioned by fitting it inside the duct frame 231B. An opening (not shown) having the same shape as the longitudinal section of the first duct 120 is formed in the plate 231A.

The second member 232 consists of a first plate 232A, a second plate 232B, and a hollow box 232C sandwiched between the first plate 232A and the second plate 232B.
The box 232C is open at the bottom, and the carrier container 210 is positioned inside the box 232C so that the rack member 221 of the carrier container moving device 220 is exposed from below the box 232C (see FIG. 8). fixed to
An opening 232AA is formed in the first plate 232A, and an opening (not shown) is formed in the second plate 232B. It communicates with the opening 211 of the carrier container 210 and the opening of the plate 231A.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the third member 233 as seen from the rear side.
As shown in FIG. 11, the third member 233 includes a first plate 233A forming a vertical surface, a second plate 233B fixedly attached to the first plate 233A so as to be orthogonal to the first plate 233A, It consists of a hood 233C attached over both the first plate 233A and the second plate 233B, a third plate 233D attached orthogonally to the first plate 233A inside the hood 233C, and an opening/closing plate 233E. ing.
An opening 233BA communicating with the hood 233C is formed in the second plate 233B. As shown in FIG. 8, a first blower 150A is attached to the second plate 233B. The airflow (wind) generated by the first blower 150A passes through the opening 233BA of the second plate 233B and the interior of the hood 233C, and flows through the opening 233AA formed in the first plate 233A and the second member 232 of the second member 232. It is supplied to the inside of the first duct 120 through the opening of the plate 232B, the opening 211 of the carrier container 210, the opening 232AA of the first plate 232A of the second member 232, and the opening of the plate 231A of the first member 231.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the hood 233C as seen from the rear side.
As shown in FIG. 11, an opening 233CA is formed in the rear surface of the hood 233C. As will be described later, the airflow from the second blower 150B is discharged to the outside through the opening 233CA.
13 and 14 are exploded perspective views showing the inside of the hood 233C.
As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the opening/closing plate 233E has a size that covers the opening 233BA of the second plate 233B, and is attached to the inner wall of the hood 233C via hinges 233EA. Therefore, when the first blower 150A is not operating (when no airflow is generated), the opening 233BA of the second plate 233B is closed by the opening/closing plate 233E as shown in FIG. When the first blower 150A is operating (when an airflow is generated), as shown in FIG. 14, the open/close plate 233E rotates around the hinge 233EA due to the wind pressure of the airflow, and the second plate The opening 233BA of 233B is kept open.

As shown in FIG. 11, the third plate 233D is fixedly attached to the center of the width direction of the first plate 233A so as to be perpendicular to the first plate 233A. The third plate 233D has a protrusion 233DA extending outward from the opening 233AA of the first plate 233A, and a semi-cylindrical stopper 233DB attached to face the opening 233AA of the first plate 233A. As shown in FIG. 15, which will be described later, the lower edge of the projecting portion 233DA is on the same horizontal line as the upper edge of the second region 120b of the first duct 120, and the stopper 233DB stops the first carrier 110 sent back. It is.
15 to 19 are longitudinal sectional views showing the situation when the first carrier 110 is sent out from the first carrier sending-out device 200, and FIGS. FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the situation when it is sent back to the device 200;

The operation of the first carrier delivery device 200 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 15 to 21. FIG.
Before the first carrier delivery device 200 delivers the first carrier 110, the carrier container 210 is located at the second position, as shown in FIG. That is, the carrier container 210 is positioned below the second region 120b of the first duct 120 in the space 120S formed adjacent to the entrance of the first duct 120, and the opening 211 of the carrier container 210 is It does not communicate with the second region 120b of the first duct 120. Furthermore, the opening 211 of the carrier container 210 is not at a position where it receives wind pressure from the air flow from the first blower 150A.

One first carrier 110B is loaded inside the opening 211 of the carrier container 210, and another first carrier 110A is placed in the space 120S above the carrier container 210. . The first carrier 110A is positioned facing the first duct 120, and is stopped with its rear portion 110b in contact with the stopper 233DB.
At this stage, the first blower 150A is not operating, so the opening/closing plate 233E keeps the opening 233BA of the second plate 233B closed.
When the bill 50 is inserted into the first duct 120, a sensor (not shown) detects the bill 50 and sends a bill insertion signal to the central controller.
The central control device which received this banknote insertion signal operates the first air blower 150A. When the first blower 150A starts to operate, as indicated by the arrow S in FIG. 16, the air flow from the first blower 150A flips up the opening/closing plate 233E, flows into the hood 233C, and flows into the opening of the first plate 233A. Air pressure is applied to the rear portion 110b of the first carrier 110A placed on the carrier container 210 through 233AA.

The first carrier 110</b>A receives wind pressure from the rear portion 110 b and starts toward the relay device 160 , catches the banknotes 50 on the way, and conveys the banknotes 50 to the relay device 160 . The first carrier 110A that has completed the transportation of the bills 50 to the relay device 160 is temporarily stored in the first carrier return device 135 (described later).
When the first carrier 110A reaches the repeater 160, a sensor (not shown) detects the first carrier 110A and sends a detection signal to the central controller. Upon receiving this detection signal, the central controller stops the operation of the first blower 150A and then rotates the pinion 222 counterclockwise as shown in FIG. As a result, the carrier container 210 moves upward and moves from the second position to the first position. In the first position, the first carrier 110B faces the entrance of the first duct 120. As shown in FIG.

When the carrier container 210 moves to the first position, a sensor (not shown) detects this and sends a detection signal to the central controller. Upon receiving this detection signal, the central controller operates the first blower 150A as shown in FIG.
When the first blower 150A starts to operate, as indicated by the arrow S in FIG. 18, the air flow from the first blower 150A flips up the opening/closing plate 233E, flows into the hood 233C, and flows into the opening of the first plate 233A. Air pressure is applied to the rear portion 110b of the first carrier 110B placed on the carrier container 210 through 233AA.
The first carrier 110</b>B receives wind pressure from the rear portion 110 b and starts toward the relay device 160 , catches the banknotes 50 on the way, and conveys the banknotes 50 to the relay device 160 . The first carrier 110B that has completed transporting the banknotes 50 to the relay device 160 is temporarily stored in the first carrier return device 135 in the same manner as the first carrier 110A.

When the first carrier 110B reaches the repeater 160, a sensor (not shown) detects the first carrier 110B and sends a detection signal to the central controller. Upon receiving this detection signal, the central controller stops the operation of the first blower 150A, as shown in FIG. When the first blower 150A stops operating, the opening/closing plate 233E closes the opening 233BA of the second plate 233B again. Carrier container 210 remains in the first position.
As described above, the two first carriers 110</b>A and 110</b>B start moving toward the relay device 160 , capture banknotes 50 on the way, and transport the captured banknotes 50 to the relay device 160 .

When the two first carriers 110A and 110B have completely conveyed the bills 50, the first carriers 110A and 110B stored in the first carrier return device 135 are moved by the first carrier return device 135 as follows. It is sent back to the first carrier delivery device 200 (the operation of the first carrier delivery device 135 will be described later).
After stopping the operation of the first blower 150A, the central controller starts the second blower 150B.
When the second blower 150B starts to operate, the first carriers 110A and 110B receive the wind pressure of the air flow on their front surfaces 110c, and start traveling toward the first carrier delivery device 200 as a group.

As shown in FIG. 20, the first carriers 110A and 110B hit the stopper 233DB and stop. Since the carrier containing body 210 is stationary at the first position, the leading first carrier 110A is housed inside the opening 211 of the carrier containing body 210 . The airflow from the second blower 150B passes through the inside of the hood 233C from the first duct 120 and is discharged to the outside through the opening 233CA (see FIG. 12) formed in the hood 233C. Since the open/close plate 233E closes the opening 233BA of the second plate 233B, the air flow from the second blower 150B does not flow into the first blower 150A.
When the first carriers 110A and 110B hit the stopper 233DB and stop, a sensor (not shown) that detects this sends a detection signal to the central controller. Upon receiving this detection signal, the central controller rotates the pinion 222 clockwise to lower the carrier container 210 from the first position to the second position, as shown in FIG.

When the carrier housing body 210 housing the first carrier 110A inside the opening 211 descends from the first position to the second position, the first carrier 110B positioned behind the first carrier 110A moves to the second blower. It advances further by the wind pressure of the air flow from 150B and stops by hitting the stopper 233DB.
When the first carrier 110B hits the stopper 233DB and stops, a sensor (not shown) detects this and sends a detection signal to the central controller. Upon receiving this detection signal, the central controller stops the operation of the second blower 150B.
In the above operation, the two first carriers 110A and 110B are sent out from the first carrier sending-out device 200, the bills 50 are conveyed to the relay device 160, and then sent back to the first carrier sending-out device 200 by the first carrier sending-back device 135. This is one cycle of operation until the This operation is repeated each time a bill 50 is inserted into the first duct 120 .

When the first carrier delivery device 200 delivers the first carriers 110A and 110B, the amount of air blown from the first air blower 150A is electrically controlled.
For example, when sending out each of the first carriers 110A and 110B, the initial output of the first blower 150A is set to approximately 50% of the maximum output and gradually approaches 100%. By controlling the output of the first blower 150A in this way, it is possible to reduce the impact on the banknotes 50 when each of the first carriers 110A and 110B starts to push the banknotes 50, which in turn reduces troubles such as banknote jams. can be avoided.

Also, when the first duct 120 stands upright, the output is set to 100% of the maximum output, and the first carriers 110A, 110B are pushed with the maximum output so that the first carriers 110A, 110B It enables it to go up inside the first duct 120 reliably.
In one group of the gaming machines 20 of the plurality of groups 15A to 15E, the plurality of game ball lending machines 21 accept banknotes 50, and the order in which each game ball lending machine 21 delivers the banknotes 50 to the first duct 120 is determined. When waiting, bills 50 are sent out to the first duct 120 from the game ball dispenser 21 having a predetermined bill acceptance order earlier. After that, the first carrier feeding device 200 feeds the first carriers 110A and 110B and feeds the banknotes 50 to the relay device 160 . The banknotes 50 are sequentially delivered to the first duct 120 according to the banknote acceptance order and sent to the relay device 160 by the first carriers 110A and 110B. When there are no more banknotes 50 waiting for their turn to be transported to the relay device 160, the operation of the first carrier delivery device 200 is stopped.

Even if the first carrier 110A conveys the bills 50 to the relay device 160, if there are still bills 50 waiting for their turn to be conveyed, the output is reduced to about 50% of the maximum output. The first blower 150A is operated. After that, bills 50 are sent out from a plurality of game ball lending machines 21 to the first duct 120, the output of the first blower 150A is gradually increased to 100%, and the second carrier 110B is sent to the first duct 120. send out. By firing the two first carriers 110A and 110B in rapid succession in this way, the state of waiting for the paper money 50 to be transported can be eliminated.
Normally, the blast output is gradually increased from 0% to 100%. It is possible to eliminate the time required to raise from 50% to shorten the interval between cycles of banknote transport.

22 is a perspective view of the first carrier return device 135. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 22, the first carrier return device 135 includes a carrier storage duct 130 branching from the first duct 120 before the relay device 160, and a second blower connected to the tip of the carrier storage duct 130. 150B, a sensor 131a provided in the first duct 120 at the branch point between the first duct 120 and the carrier storage duct 130, and two sensors 131b and 131c provided in the carrier storage duct 130. It is
23 to 26 are sectional views showing the state in which the first carrier 110 is sent back to the first carrier delivery device 200. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 23, of the first region 120a and the second region 120b that constitute the first duct 120, the first region 120a extends to the relay device 160, and the second region 120b extends in front of the relay device 160. It branches to the left from the first region 120a. The branched second region 120b constitutes the carrier storage duct 130. As shown in FIG.

The carrier storage duct 130 (second region 120 b ) branches off from the first region 120 a at an angle (obtuse angle) exceeding 90 degrees with respect to the direction toward the relay device 160 .
The tip of the carrier storage duct 130 is tapered, and the first carrier 110 delivered from the first carrier delivery device 200 hits the tip of the carrier storage duct 130 and stops.
Each of the three sensors 131a, 131b, 131c detects the passing of the first carrier 110 and emits a carrier passing signal to the central controller when the first carrier 110 passes.

The operation of the first carrier return device 135 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 23 to 26. FIG.
The two first carriers 110A and 110B delivered from the first carrier delivery device 200 respectively capture the banknotes 50 and travel toward the relay device 160 . When the first carriers 110A and 110B reach the branching point between the first duct 120 and the carrier storage duct 130, the banknotes 50 running in the first area 120a of the first duct 120 move in the direction in which the first area 120a continues. continue running. That is, the banknote 50 continues to travel toward the relay device 160 and is finally accommodated in the relay device 160 .
On the other hand, the second region 120b of the first duct 120 is curved before the relay device 160, and the first carriers 110A and 110B can only pass through the second region 120b. , 110B are guided by the curved second region 120b (carrier storage duct 130) and introduced into the carrier storage duct 130. As shown in FIG. First, the first carrier 110A and then the first carrier 110B hit the tip of the carrier storage duct 130 and stop.

As shown in FIG. 23, the two first carriers 110A and 110B delivered from the first carrier delivery device 200 are accommodated inside the carrier accommodation duct 130. As shown in FIG.
When both sensor 131a and sensor 131b send a second over signal to the central controller, the central controller activates the second blower 150B.
As shown in FIG. 24, the two first carriers 110A and 110B, which are subjected to the wind pressure of the air flow (wind) from the second blower 150B, are grouped together, pass through the first duct 120 from the carrier storage duct 130, and move to the second carrier. It is sent back toward the one-carrier delivery device 200 .
As shown in FIG. 25, when it is detected that the two first carriers 110A and 110B are sent out from the carrier storage duct 130, and the second first carrier 110B sent out hits the stopper 233DB and stops ( 21), the central controller stops the operation of the second blower 150B. At this point in time, as shown in FIG. It is placed on top (see FIG. 15).

As described above, the two first carriers 110A and 110B fed into the first duct 120 toward the relay device 160 by the first carrier feeding device 200 convey the banknotes 50 to the relay device 160, and then The carrier sending-back device 135 sends the carrier back through the first duct 120 to the first carrier sending-out device 200 .
As described above, the banknote transport device 100 according to the present embodiment includes the first carrier sending-out device 200 and the first carrier sending-back device 135, so that unlike the conventional banknote transport device 10, the outbound transport pipe 12a and the inbound transport pipe Carriers 110A and 110B can be reciprocated using only one transport pipe (first duct 120) without requiring two transport pipes 12 of 12b.

Banknotes 50 sent by the first carrier 110 from the game ball lending machine 21 corresponding to each group 15A to 15E of the game machine 20 are sent to the second duct 120A through the relay device 160. FIG. Therefore, it is necessary that the number of banknotes 50 that can be transported in the second duct 120</b>A is larger than the number of banknotes 50 that can be transported in the first duct 120 . In order to enable the transportable number of banknotes 50 in the first duct 120 to be greater than the transportable number of banknotes 50, the second carrier feeding device 350 feeding the second carriers 110R to the second duct 120A has a larger number than the first carrier feeding device 200. It is configured to be able to send out a number of carriers.
The second carrier delivery device 350 is arranged at the end (right end in FIG. 1) opposite to one end (left end in FIG. 1) of the second duct 120A where the banknote storage chamber 140 is arranged.

27 is a partial perspective view of the second carrier delivery device 350, and FIG. 28 is an exploded perspective view of the second carrier delivery device 350. FIG.
The first carrier delivery device 200 is configured with a single carrier container 210 and a single carrier container moving device 220, while the second carrier delivery device 350 has five carrier containers. 210A-210E and five carrier container movers 220A-220E, configured to deliver six second carriers 110S, 110A-110E. Each of the carrier containers 210A to 210E has the same structure as the carrier container 210 in the first carrier feeding device 200, and each of the carrier containing body moving devices 220A to 220E has the carrier containing body moving device in the first carrier feeding device 200. It has the same structure as 220.

29(A) is a longitudinal sectional view of the second carrier delivery device 350, FIG. 29(B) is a left side view of the second carrier delivery device 350, and FIG. 29(C) is a right side view of the second carrier delivery device 350. is.
The second carrier delivery device 350 includes five carrier containers 210A-210E, five carrier container moving devices 220A-220E, and a third blower 150C.
As shown in FIG. 29A, in the second carrier delivery device 350, the five carrier containers 210A to 210E and the carrier container moving devices 220A to 220E are arranged adjacent to the second duct 120A. are arranged adjacent to each other along the second duct 120A immediately below the second region 120b.

Carriers 110A to 110E are accommodated in respective openings 211 of five carrier accommodating bodies 210A to 210E.
A space 111 having the length of one carrier is formed adjacent to the entrance of the second duct 120A. The space 111 faces the second area 120b of the second duct 120A and communicates with the second area 120b. A carrier 110S is accommodated in the space 111 in contact with the stopper 233DB.
30 to 39 are vertical cross-sectional views showing how the second carriers 110S and 110A to 110E are sequentially delivered from the second carrier delivery device 350, and FIGS. 40 to 44 are the second carriers 110S and 110A to 110E. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which are sent back at once from a second carrier sending-back device 138 (described later) to a second carrier sending-out device 350. FIG.

The operation of the second carrier delivery device 350 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 30 to 44. FIG.
Before the second carrier delivery device 350 delivers each of the second carriers 110S and 110A-110E, as shown in FIG. The carrier 110S is in a state of being housed in the space 111. FIG.
When bills 50 are fed into the second duct 120A from the first duct 120 through the relay device 160, the third blower 150C is activated, and as shown in FIG. The carrier 110S receives the wind pressure of the airflow from the third blower 150C and is sent out into the second duct 120A.

When the second carrier 110S conveys the banknotes 50 to the banknote storage chamber 140 and stores them in the second carrier return device 138 (described later), as shown in FIG. 32, the operation of the third blower 150C is stopped. The carrier container moving device 220A is raised to move the carrier container 210A from the second position to the first position.
After that, as shown in FIG. 33, the third blower 150C starts to operate, and the second carrier 110A housed in the opening 211 of the carrier housing body 210A is sent out. Carrier container 210A is parked in the first position. When the second carrier 110A conveys the banknotes 50 to the banknote storage chamber 140, the second carrier 110A is stored in the second carrier return device 138 (described later), and the operation of the third blower 150C is stopped.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 34, the carrier container moving device 220B is raised to move the carrier container 210B from the second position to the first position. After that, the third blower 150C starts to operate, and the second carrier 110B housed in the opening 211 of the carrier housing 210B is sent out. FIG. 35 is an exploded perspective view showing the state when the carrier container 210B is raised to the first position.
Thereafter, similarly, the second carrier 110C is sent out (FIG. 36), then the second carrier 110D is sent out (FIG. 37), and finally the second carrier 110E is sent out (FIG. 38).
In this way, all of the second carriers 110A-110E are delivered, and as shown in FIG. In this state, all carrier housing bodies 210A-210E are located in the first position.

After transporting the bills 50, the second carriers 110A-110E are stored in a second carrier return device 138 (described later). When the second carriers 110A-110E complete the transportation of the banknotes 50, the fourth blower 150D, which is a component of the second carrier return device 138, starts operating, and all the second carriers 110A-110E are discharged from the fourth blower 150D. , and run in a group in the direction toward the second carrier delivery device 350 inside the second duct 120A.
After that, as shown in FIG. 40, the second carriers 110A-110E hit the stopper 233DB and stop. The airflow from the fourth blower 150D is discharged outside from the opening 233CA of the hood 233C.

In this state, the leading second carrier 110S is housed inside the space 111 in contact with the stopper 233DB. The remaining second carriers 110A-110E are in a state of entering openings 211 of carrier containers 210A-210E, respectively.
When all the second carriers 110S, 110A-110E have been sent back to the second carrier delivery device 350, the operation of the fourth blower 150D is stopped. Next, as shown in FIG. 41, the carrier container moving device 220A is lowered to lower the carrier container 210A from the first position to the second position.
Thereafter, the carrier container moving device 220B lowers the carrier container 210B to the second position (FIG. 42), the carrier container moving device 220C lowers the carrier container 210C to the second position (FIG. 43), and the carrier The carrier container moving device 220D lowers the carrier container 210D to the second position (FIG. 44), and finally the carrier container moving device 220E lowers the carrier container 210E to the second position.

In this way, the state before the second carriers 110S, 110A to 110E were delivered from the second carrier delivery device 350 is restored (FIG. 30).
The above operation is the operation of one cycle from when the second carrier sending device 350 sends out all the second carriers 110S, 110A to 110E until all the second carriers 110S, 110A to 110E are sent back to the second carrier sending device 350. is. After that, this operation is repeated.
When the second carrier delivery device 350 delivers the second carriers 110S, 110A to 110E, the amount of air blown from the third blower 150C is electrically controlled.

For example, when sending out each of the second carriers 110S, 110A-110E, the initial output of the third blower 150C is set to approximately 50% of the maximum output and gradually approaches 100%. By controlling the output of the third blower 150C in this way, it is possible to reduce the impact on the banknotes 50 when each of the second carriers 110S, 110A to 110E starts to push the banknotes 50. trouble can be avoided.
When three or more relay devices 160 are waiting for their turn to send the banknotes 50 to the second duct 120A, the waiting for their turn to be transported is canceled, for example, as follows.
(a) One of the plurality of relay devices 160 waiting for their turn to convey bills 50 is delivered to the second duct 120A. The third blower 150</b>C is operated, and the output of the third blower 150</b>C is initially suppressed to about 50% of the maximum output and gradually increased to 100% to convey the bills 50 to the bill storage chamber 140 .

(b) Decrease the output of the third blower 150C to about 50% of the maximum output, and send the bills 50 from the next relay device 160 to the second duct 120A. The output of the third blower 150</b>C is gradually increased to 100%, and the banknotes 50 are conveyed to the banknote storage chamber 140 .
(c) The above operations (a) and (b) are repeated according to the banknote acceptance order until there are no banknotes 50 waiting for their turn to be conveyed.
(d) If all of the second carriers 110S, 110A to 110E are sent from the second carrier sending device 350 to the second carrier sending back device 138 during the operation of (c) above, the second carrier sending back The second carriers 110S, 110A to 110E are sent back from the device 138 to the second carrier delivery device 350, and the above operations (a) and (b) are repeated according to the banknote acceptance order until there are no more banknotes 50 waiting for their turn to be transported. .

The second carrier delivery device 350 can use a total of six second carriers 110S, 110A-110E, and can efficiently transport a large number of banknotes 50 sent from the first duct 120. is.
The number of usable carrier containers and carrier container moving devices is not limited to 5, and any number can be selected as required.
Also, the space 111 formed to face the second region 120b of the second duct 120A is not necessarily required, and can be omitted.
The second carrier return device 138 includes a carrier storage duct 130D branched from the second duct 120A before the bill storage chamber 140, a fourth blower 150D connected to the tip of the carrier storage duct 130D, and the second duct. 120A and a sensor 131 provided at the branch point of the carrier storage duct 130D.

FIG. 45 is a partial cross-sectional view of the second duct 120A and the carrier storage duct 130D branched from the second duct 120A, and FIG. 46 is the second duct 120A and the carrier storage duct viewed from the carrier storage duct 130D side. 130D, and FIG. 47 is a partial perspective view of the second duct 120A and the carrier storage duct 130D when viewed from the second duct 120A side.
As shown in FIGS. 45 to 47, of the first area 120a and the second area 120b forming the second duct 120A, the first area 120a extends to the banknote storage chamber 140, and the second area 120b extends to the banknote storage chamber 140. Before the chamber 140, it branches leftward from the first region 120a. This branched second region 120b constitutes a carrier storage duct 130D.

The carrier storage duct 130D (second region 120b) curves from the first and second ducts 120A at an angle (obtuse angle) exceeding 90 degrees with respect to the direction toward the bill storage chamber 140 (Θ > 90°). It branches from one region 120a. The carrier storage duct 130D is connected at its tip to the fourth blower 150D.
48 to 52 are cross-sectional views showing the state in which the second carriers 110S, 110A to 110E are accommodated in the carrier accommodation duct 130D, and FIGS. -110E is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which it is delivered.

As shown in FIG. 48, the carrier storage duct 130D is composed of a first portion 130a that curves and then straightly extends from the second duct 120A, and a second portion 130b that curves and then straightly extends from the first portion 130a. It is The second portion 130b extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first region 120a.
A circular stopper 130c for stopping the second carriers 110S, 110A to 110E is fitted inside the second portion 130b of the carrier storage duct 130D. The second carriers 110S, 110A-110E pass through the first portion 130a and the second portion 130b of the carrier storage duct 130D from the second duct 120A, and then hit the stopper 130c and stop.
As shown in FIG. 45, at the position where the carrier storage duct 130D starts bending from the second duct 120A, a sensor detects the passage of the second carriers 110S, 110A to 110E and transmits a carrier passage signal to the central control unit. 131 are arranged.

The operation of the second carrier return device 138 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 48-55.
The second carrier 110S sent out first from the second carrier sending device 350 captures the banknotes 50 sent from the first duct 120 to the second duct 120A via the relay device 160, and moves toward the banknote storage chamber 140. , and as shown in FIG. 48, it reaches just before the carrier storage duct 130D.
As the second carrier 110S continues to travel, as shown in FIG. 49, the second carrier 110S reaches a branch point between the second duct 120A and the carrier storage duct 130D. The banknotes 50 traveling in the first area 120a of the second duct 120A continue traveling in the direction in which the first area 120a continues. That is, the banknotes 50 continue traveling toward the banknote storage chamber 140 and are finally accommodated in the banknote storage chamber 140 .

On the other hand, the second region 120b of the second duct 120A is curved in front of the bill storage chamber 140, and the second carrier 110S can only pass through the second region 120b. Second carrier 110S is guided by curved second region 120b (carrier storage duct 130D) to carrier storage duct 130D, and travels inside carrier storage duct 130D. At this time, the sensor 131 detects the passing of the second carrier 110S and transmits a first carrier passing signal to the central control unit. Upon receiving the carrier passage signal, the central controller temporarily stops the operation of the third blower 150C.
After that, as shown in FIG. 51, the second carrier 110S hits the stopper 130c and stops. The second carrier 110S remains at this stop position.

When the transportation of the first banknote 50 to the banknote storage chamber 140 is completed, the central controller operates the third blower 150C while leaving the first second carrier 110S inside the carrier storage duct 130D. , the second carrier 110</b>A is moved toward the banknote storage chamber 140 . Similarly to the first second carrier 110S, the second second carrier 110A also catches bills 50 on the way and conveys the bills 50 toward the bill storage chamber 140 .
When the second second carrier 110A reaches the branch point between the second duct 120A and the carrier storage duct 130D, just like the first second carrier 110S, only the bills 50 are placed in the first position of the second duct 120A. It travels in the area 120a toward the banknote storage chamber 140 and is finally stored in the banknote storage chamber 140. - 特許庁The second carrier 110A is guided by the branched second region 120b (carrier storage duct 130D), travels inside the carrier storage duct 130D, and stops by hitting the already stopped first second carrier 110S.

After that, the third to sixth second carriers 110B to 110E convey the banknotes 50 to the banknote storage chamber 140 and store them in the carrier storage duct 130D in the same manner as the first second carrier 110S. be done. At this point, as shown in FIG. 52, the six second carriers 110S, AE are stored inside the carrier storage duct 130D, and the sensor 131 has so far stored the six carriers. It sends a pass-through signal to the central controller. Also, six banknotes 50 are stored in the banknote storage chamber 140 .
When the central controller receives the sixth carrier passing signal from the sensor 131, it activates the fourth blower 150D. A hole is formed in the stopper 130c to pass the air flow, and when the fourth blower 150D is operated, the air flow generated by the fourth blower 150D passes through the hole of the stopper 130c to the second carriers 110S, 110A-110E. exert wind pressure.

As shown in FIGS. 53 and 54, the six second carriers 110S, 110A to 110E, which are subjected to the wind pressure of the airflow (wind) from the fourth blower 150D, are grouped together from the carrier storage duct 130D to the second carrier. It is sent back toward the second carrier delivery device 350 via the duct 120A.
When the leading second carrier 110S reaches the second carrier delivery device 350, a sensor (not shown) detects the arrival of the second carrier 110S and transmits a carrier arrival signal to the central controller.
When the central controller receives the carrier arrival signal, it stops the operation of the fourth fan 150D. At this point, as shown in FIG. 55, there are no second carriers 110S, 110A-110E left in the carrier storage duct 130D.
The six second carriers 110S, 110A-110E are housed in the spaces 111 and carrier housings 210A-210E, respectively, as described above.

The above operation is one cycle operation until the six second carriers 110S, 110A to 110E sent from the second carrier sending device 350 are sent back to the second carrier sending device 350 by the second carrier sending back device 138. is.
According to the banknote transport device 100 according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
Banknotes discharged into the first duct 120 from the game ball dispenser 21 adjacent to each gaming machine 20 of the gaming machines 20 of the plurality of groups 15A to 15E pass through the first carrier 110 delivered by the first carrier delivery device 200. Then, it is transported to the relay device 160 . The first carrier 110 that has conveyed the bills 50 to the relay device 160 is sent back to the first carrier delivery device 200 through the first duct 120 by the first carrier return device 135 .

As described above, in the banknote transport device 100, the first carrier 110 travels in the first duct 120 to transport the banknotes 50, travels in the first duct 120 and returns. That is, it is possible to reciprocate the first carrier 110 with only one duct (conveyance pipe in the conventional bill conveying device), and unlike the conventional bill conveying device, two conveying pipes (outbound conveying pipe 12a and the return conveying pipe 12b) are unnecessary.
The same applies to the second duct 120A. The bills 50 conveyed from the first duct 120 via the relay device 160 are conveyed to the bill conveying device 140 via the second carriers 110S, 110A to 110E sent out by the second carrier sending device 350. FIG. The second carriers 110S, 110A to 110E that have transported the banknotes 50 to the banknote transport device 140 are sent back to the second carrier delivery device 350 through the second duct 120A by the second carrier return device 138. FIG.

Thus, in the banknote transport apparatus 100, the second carriers 110S, 110A to 110E run in the second duct 120A to transport the banknotes 50, run in the second duct 120A and return. That is, it is possible to reciprocate 110S and 110A-110E with only one duct, and unlike the conventional banknote transport device, two transport pipes (outward transport pipe 12a and return transport pipe 12b) are provided. is unnecessary.
As described above, the banknote transport apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment can reciprocate the carrier using only one duct without providing two ducts and without lowering the banknote transport efficiency. , and the structure of the banknote transport device can be simplified and made compact.

The banknote transport device 100 according to the present embodiment is not limited to the structure described above, and various modifications are possible.
The shape of the carrier used in this embodiment is not limited to the shapes of the first carrier 110 and second carrier 110R (second carriers 110S, 110A-110E). Any shape carrier can be selected, and the shape of the first duct 120 and the second duct 120A can be changed according to the shape of the carrier. However, in the banknote transport device 100 according to the present embodiment, the first carrier 110 and the second carrier 110R (the second carriers 110S, 110A to 110E) move from the first duct 120 or the second duct 120A to the carrier storage duct 130, A shape with a circular longitudinal section is suitable because it is necessary to turn a curve (curved road) when changing course to 130D.

In this embodiment, the carrier storage duct 130D is set to have a length that can accommodate the six second carriers 110S and 110A to 110E, but the length of the carrier storage duct 130D is not limited to this. For example, it is possible to set the length to accommodate seven or more second carriers. The carrier storage duct 130D must be set to a length that can accommodate at least two second carriers.
A magnetic medium such as a metal foil or a metal tape is attached to the inner wall of the main body portion 110a of the first carrier 110 and the second carrier 110R (the second carriers 110S, 110A to 110E), and the first carrier 110 and the second carrier 110R (the second carrier 110R). It is also possible to detect the position of the two carriers 110S, 110A-110E) with a magnetic sensor. For example, if the position of the first carrier 110 can be grasped, the bills 50 inserted from the game ball lending machine 21 closest to the current position of the first carrier 110 can be caught in the shortest time.

Although first carrier delivery apparatus 200 was configured to use two first carriers 110A, 110B, it is possible to use more than two first carriers 110. FIG.
The first carrier feeding device 200 (including modifications described below) and the second carrier feeding device 350 are interchangeable, and similarly, the first carrier returning device 135 and the second carrier returning device 138 are mutually can be substituted for
FIG. 56 is a perspective view of a carrier container 300 used in a modified example of the first carrier delivery device 200. FIG.
While the carrier housing body 210 in the first carrier feeding device 200 has a box shape with an opening 211 formed therein, the carrier housing body 300 in the modified example of the first carrier feeding device 200 has the first carrier 110. It has a carrier mounting table 310 on which it can be mounted.

A semicircular groove 311 is formed in the carrier mounting table 310, the first carrier 110 is mounted on the groove 311, and a plurality of first carriers 110 are stacked on the first carrier 110. It's like
FIG. 57 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the operation of the modification of the first carrier delivery device 200. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 57, the first carrier 110A is placed on the carrier table 310, and four first carriers 110B, 110C, 110D and 110E are stacked on the first carrier 110A. ing. A total of five first carriers 110A to 110E are stacked on the carrier table 310. As shown in FIG.

The carrier container moving device 220 moves the carrier table 310 up and down while one or more (two to five) first carriers 110 are stacked on the carrier table 310 . The front and rear of each first carrier 110A-110E are supported by boxes 232C.
The operation of the modification of the first carrier delivery device 200 to deliver each of the first carriers 110A-110E is basically the same as the carrier delivery operation of the first carrier delivery device 200, as described below.
Before the modification of the first carrier feeding device 200 feeds out the first carriers 110A to 110E, as shown in FIG. The first carrier 110E is positioned so as to face the second region 120b of the first duct 120 within the space 120S formed adjacent to the entrance of the first duct 120. As shown in FIG.

From this state, the first blower 150A is activated to send out the first carrier 110E. After the first carrier 110E conveys the bills 50 to the relay device 160, the carrier container moving device 220 raises the carrier table 310 by the height of one carrier. Thereby, the next first carrier 110D is positioned at the top and faces the second region 120b of the first duct 120. As shown in FIG. Next, the first blower 150A is activated to send out the first carrier 110D.
Thereafter, this operation is repeated, and the first carrier 110C, the first carrier 110B, and the first carrier 110A are delivered in this order.

When the five first carriers 110A to 110E have completely conveyed the banknotes 50, the five first carriers 110A to 110E are sent together through the first duct 120 by the second blower 150B of the first carrier return device 135. sent back to
When the five first carriers 110A to 110E sent back hit the stopper 233DB and stop, the carrier container moving device 220 lowers the carrier mounting table 310 by the height of one carrier. Only the leading first carrier 110A is lowered while being placed on the carrier platform 310 .
When the leading first carrier 110A descends, the first carriers 110B to 110E following the first carrier 110A are pushed forward by the wind pressure of the air flow from the second blower 150B and stop by hitting the stopper 233DB. After that, the carrier container moving device 220 lowers the carrier mounting table 310 by the height of one carrier. As a result, the first carrier 110B positioned at the front among the first carriers 110B to 110E descends, and the first carrier 110A and the first carrier 110B are placed on the carrier table 310. .

Thereafter, similar operations are performed for the first carriers 110C and 110D. The final first carrier 110E hits the stopper 233DB and remains stopped. In this way, the five first carriers 110A-110E are returned to the stage before they were dispatched. After that, the above operation is repeated.
The number of usable carriers is not limited to 5, and any number can be selected as required.
It is also possible to apply the carrier container 210 in the first carrier delivery device 200 to this modified example. That is, instead of the carrier mounting table 310, the carrier container 210 in the first carrier delivery device 200 is formed, the first carrier 110A is accommodated in the opening 211 of the carrier container 210, and the second carrier 110A is placed on the carrier container 210. It is also possible to stack one carrier 110B-110E.

20 game machine 21 game ball lending machine 100 banknote conveying device 110 according to the first embodiment of the present invention first carrier 110R second carrier 120 first duct 120A second duct 135 first carrier return device 138 second carrier return device 140 banknote storage chamber 150A first blower 150B second blower 150C third blower 150D fourth blower 200 first carrier delivery device 350 second carrier delivery device

Claims (11)

a plurality of first ducts each arranged for each group of a plurality of groups of gaming machines and into which paper sheets are sent;
a single second duct communicating with each of the plurality of first ducts;
a paper sheet storage chamber arranged to communicate with the second duct at one end of the second duct;
a first carrier traveling inside each of the plurality of first ducts;
a second carrier running inside the second duct;
a first carrier delivery device for delivering the first carrier toward the second duct inside each of the plurality of first ducts;
a first carrier return device for returning the first carrier sent from the first carrier delivery device to the first carrier delivery device;
a second carrier delivery device for delivering the second carrier toward the paper sheet storage chamber inside the second duct;
a second carrier sending back device for sending back the second carrier sent from the second carrier sending device to the second carrier sending device;
with
The first carrier delivery device includes a first blower for generating an air flow toward the second duct inside each of the plurality of first ducts,
The first carrier return device includes a second blower for generating an air flow in each of the plurality of first ducts in a direction opposite to the air flow generated by the first blower,
The second carrier delivery device includes a third blower that generates an air flow toward the paper sheet storage chamber inside the second duct,
The paper sheet conveying apparatus, wherein the second carrier return device includes a fourth blower for generating an air flow in the second duct in a direction opposite to the air flow generated by the third blower. The first carrier return device comprises a first carrier storage duct branched from the first duct before the second duct,
The first duct comprises a first area through which only the paper sheets can pass and a second area through which the first carrier can pass,
The first region protrudes from both sides of the second region through the center of the second region,
the first region extends to the second duct;
2. A paper sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second area branches from said first duct before said second duct and constitutes said first carrier storage duct. The second carrier return device includes a second carrier storage duct branched from the second duct in front of the paper sheet storage chamber,
The second duct comprises a first area through which only the paper sheets can pass, and a second area through which the second carrier can pass,
The first region protrudes from both sides of the second region through the center of the second region,
The first region extends to the paper sheet storage chamber,
3. The paper sheet according to claim 1, wherein the second area branches off from the second duct before the paper sheet storage chamber and constitutes the second carrier storage duct. A kind of transport device. 3. A paper sheet storage device according to claim 2, wherein said first carrier storage duct is connected to said second blower. 4. A paper sheet storage device according to claim 3, wherein said second carrier storage duct is connected to said fourth blower. 6. The duct for accommodating the first carrier or the duct for accommodating the second carrier has a length capable of accommodating two or more of the first carriers or the second carriers. The paper sheet conveying device according to any one of . 7. The paper sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first carrier and the second carrier have the same shape having a circular longitudinal section. The first carrier feeding device or the second carrier feeding device is
a carrier container having an opening through which the first carrier or the second carrier can pass;
In a space adjacent to the entrance of the first duct or the second duct, the carrier container is moved between the first position and the second position in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the first duct or the second duct extends. a carrier container moving device capable of being moved;
with
The first position is a position where the opening communicates with the first duct or the second duct and air flow from the first blower or the third blower flows into the opening,
The second position is a position where the carrier housing body is positioned below the first duct or the second duct and the airflow from the first blower or the third blower does not flow into the opening. and
8. The paper sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least one of said first carrier or said second carrier is placed on said carrier container. Conveyor. The first carrier feeding device or the second carrier feeding device is
a carrier container having a carrier mounting table on which the first carrier or the second carrier can be mounted;
Carrier container movement capable of vertically moving the carrier container in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the first duct or the second duct extends in a space adjacent to the entrance of the first duct or the second duct a device;
with
When the first carrier or the second carrier is sent out, the carrier container moving device moves the first carrier, which is the highest among the plurality of first carriers or the second carriers placed on the carrier table, to the first carrier. The carrier or the second carrier is positioned adjacent to the entrance of the first duct or the second duct, and moves the carrier mounting table up and down so as to receive the air flow from the first blower or the third blower. 8. A paper sheet conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the paper sheet conveying apparatus Each of the first carrier delivery device or the second carrier delivery device comprises N (N is an integer equal to or greater than 1) carrier delivery devices for delivering the first carrier or the second carrier,
The carrier delivery device is
a carrier container having an opening through which the first carrier or the second carrier can pass;
In a space adjacent to the entrance of the first duct or the second duct, the carrier container is moved between the first position and the second position in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the first duct or the second duct extends. a carrier container moving device for moving;
with
The first position is a position where the opening communicates with the first duct or the second duct and air flow from the first blower or the third blower flows into the opening,
The second position is a position where the carrier housing body is positioned below the first duct or the second duct and the airflow from the first blower or the third blower does not flow into the opening. and
8. The N carrier feeding devices are arranged adjacent to each other along the direction in which the first duct or the second duct extends. paper sheet conveying device. A space having a length corresponding to one of the first carrier or the second carrier communicating with the first duct or the second duct is formed adjacent to the entrance of the first duct or the second duct. The paper sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 10, characterized by:

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