JP3581416B2

JP3581416B2 - Card carrier

Info

Publication number: JP3581416B2
Application number: JP04432995A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 常明辻
Original assignee: Ikegami Tsushinki Co Ltd
Current assignee: Ikegami Tsushinki Co Ltd
Priority date: 1995-03-03
Filing date: 1995-03-03
Publication date: 2004-10-27
Anticipated expiration: 2019-10-27
Also published as: JPH08241380A

Description

【０００１】
【産業上の利用分野】
本発明は、情報が記録されるカードに情報を入出力する装置のカード搬送装置に係わり、特に搬送路の切換機構を簡略化した技術に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
主に磁気カード等に代表される情報が書き込まれたカードの情報の読取りや、情報の記録を行なう機器において、カードの投入口と返却口が異なる位置に配設された機器がある。このような形態をもつ機器のカードの搬送装置の一例を図５に示す。
【０００３】
図５の搬送路切換え用ゲート５０１は、カード投入前の状態では投入用搬送路１０３と双方向搬送路１０７とが連通するように予め付勢されており、ソレノイド５０２を駆動回路５０３により励磁したときに搬送路切換用ゲート５０１がソレノイド側に移動し、返却用搬送路１０５と双方向搬送路１０７が連通するように設けられている。
【０００４】
このカード搬送装置にカードを投入した場合、投入口１０２から投入されたカード１０１は、カード搬送の動力源となる投入用搬送路用ガイドローラ１０９により搬送路切換用ゲート５０１位置まで送られる。
そして、ソレノイド５０２を励磁せず搬送路切換用ゲート５０１を投入用搬送路１０３と双方向搬送路１０７とを連通した状態として搬送路切換用ゲート５０１を通過させ、返却用搬送路・双方向搬送路用ガイドローラ１１０により情報処理部１０６に送られる。
【０００５】
情報処理部１０６においてカード１０１に情報の読込・記録を終了した後、カード１０１は、情報処理部１０６の内部から双方向搬送路に戻され、搬送路切換用ゲート５０１に送られる。
そして、ソレノイド５０２を駆動回路５０３により励磁し搬送路切換用ゲート５０１を返却用搬送路１０５と双方向搬送路１０７とを連通した状態として搬送路切換用ゲート５０１を通過させ、返却用搬送路・双方向搬送路用ガイドローラ１１０により返却口１０４に送られる。
【０００６】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、このような従来のカード搬送装置では搬送路切換用ゲートを駆動させるために、ソレノイドなどの摺動部とそれを駆動する駆動機構とを必要とし、またこれらの制御のタイミングや搬送路切換用ゲートの微妙な取付け位置などの調整も必要となる。
【０００７】
このため、カード搬送装置の保守に多大な労力が費やされ、駆動部を有するために装置の小型化が困難となり、さらに、装置の寿命も低下する問題があった。本発明は、このような従来の問題点に着目してなされたもので、搬送方向を変換させるための駆動部を有せず、単純な構成でカードの搬送方向を変換することができるカード搬送装置を提供することを目的とする。
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
請求項１に記載の発明は、投入口から投入されたカードを、該カードに対して情報の入出力処理を行なう情報処理部まで搬送し、前記情報処理部での処理後、該カードを返却口まで搬送するカード搬送装置において、前記投入口から前記情報処理部に至る途中の位置までカードを搬送する投入用搬送路と、前記投入用搬送路から搬送されたカードを受け取って前記情報処理部まで搬送し、処理後カードを逆向きに搬送する双方向搬送路と、前記処理済みのカードを前記双方向搬送路から受け取って前記返却口まで搬送する返却用搬送路とを備え、前記投入用搬送路の出口側端部と、前記双方向搬送路の前記情報処理部とは反対側の端部と、前記返却用搬送路の入口側端部と、を同一点で接続し、前記双方向搬送路は、前記返却用搬送路の入口端部と滑らかに連なるとともに前記情報処理部側が前記返却用搬送路と直角をなすように屈曲させて設けられる一方、前記投入用搬送路は、前記返却用搬送路と前記双方向搬送路との間に位置で、前記返却用搬送路に対して鋭角に設けられ、かつ、前記投入用搬送路の出口部と前記返却用搬送路の入口部の間に、これら出口部と入口部とを分岐する分岐障壁を設けるようにした。
【０００９】
請求項２に記載の発明は、投入口から投入されたカードを、該カードに対して情報の入出力処理を行なう情報処理部まで搬送し、前記情報処理部での処理後、該カードを返却口まで搬送するカード搬送装置において、前記投入口から前記情報処理部に至る途中の位置までカードを搬送する投入用搬送路と、前記投入用搬送路から搬送されたカードを受け取って前記情報処理部まで搬送し、処理後カードを逆向きに搬送する双方向搬送路と、前記処理済みのカードを前記双方向搬送路から受け取って前記返却口まで搬送する返却用搬送路とを備え、前記投入用搬送路の出口側端部と、前記双方向搬送路の前記情報処理部とは反対側の端部と、前記返却用搬送路の入口側端部と、を同一点で接続し、前記双方向搬送路は、前記返却用搬送路の入口端部と滑らかに連なるとともに前記情報処理部側が前記返却用搬送路と鋭角をなすように屈曲させて設けられる一方、前記投入用搬送路は、前記返却用搬送路と前記双方向搬送路との間に位置で、前記返却用搬送路に対して鋭角に設けられ、かつ、前記投入用搬送路の出口部と前記返却用搬送路の入口部の間に、これら出口部と入口部とを分岐する分岐障壁を設けるようにした。
【００１０】
【作用】
請求項１に記載の発明では、投入口から投入され投入用搬送路の出口部まで搬送されたカードは、搬送力によって双方向搬送路に移動して、情報処理部に送られ、処理部から双方向搬送路に逆向きに搬送されたカードは、滑らかに連なる返却用搬送路に移動して返却口から返却することができる。
【００１１】
また、この搬送路の切り換えを摺動部および駆動部を有しない簡単な構成で実現することができる。
ここで、双方向搬送路を、その情報処理部側が返却用搬送路と直角となるように屈曲させて配設することにより、カード搬送装置の奥行きを短縮することができる。同時に、投入用搬送を返却用搬送路と双方向搬送路との間の位置で返却用搬送路に対して鋭角に設けるので、カードが双方向搬送路から返却用搬送路に移動する際、返却用搬送路の外側面に弾性変形されたカードが元の平板形状に復元しようとする力が働くため、カードを投入用搬送路に入り込むことなく確実に返却用搬送路に搬送することができる。
【００１２】
請求項２に記載の発明では、双方向搬送路を、返却用搬送路と双方向搬送路とが鋭角になる位置まで投入用搬送路側に屈曲させることにより、カード搬送装置全体の占有体積を削減することができる。同時に、投入用搬送を返却用搬送路と双方向搬送路との間の位置で返却用搬送路に対して鋭角に設けるので、前述と同様にカードの弾性特性と相まって確実にカードを返却用搬送路に搬送することができる。
【００１３】
【実施例】
本発明の具体的な実施例を図１〜図４を用いて説明する。
図１は本発明の第１の実施例を示し、カード１０１が投入される投入口１０２と、
前記カード１０１に情報を入出力処理する情報処理部１０６と、
前記投入口１０２から前記情報処理部１０６に至る途中の位置までカードを搬送する投入用搬送路１０３と、
前記投入用搬送路１０３から搬送されたカードを受け取って前記情報処理部１０６まで搬送し、処理後カードを逆向きに搬送する双方向搬送路１０７と、
処理済みのカードを前記双方向搬送路１０７から受け取って返却口１０４まで搬送する返却用搬送路１０５と、
前記投入用搬送路１０３の出口部と前記返却用搬送路１０５の入口部の間に、これら出口部と入口部が鋭角をなして分岐するように設けられた分岐障壁１０８と、から構成される。
【００１４】
前記投入用搬送路１０３は、上側の既設のローラ１１２およびローラ１１３と、これらローラ１１２およびローラ１１３に対向して下側に配設されたベルト１０９によって構成され、カードを前記ローラ１１２とベルト１０９との間に挟んで搬送する。
前記双方向搬送路１０７は、投入用搬送路１０３の出口点を下側に配設し、また、前記ローラ１１１と該ローラ１１１の側方に隣接して配設された下側のローラ１１４，１１７および、これらローラ１１１，ローラ１１３の上側に対向して配設されるベルト１１０の図において右側部分で構成され、同様に、カードをローラ１１１，ローラ１１４およびローラ１１７と、ベルト１１０との間に挟んで搬送する。尚、これらローラ，ベルトは回転方向を反転することができる。それによって双方向にカードを搬送できるようになっている。
【００１５】
返却用搬送路は、前記上側のベルト１１０の図で左側部分と、その下側に対向して配設されるローラ１１５およびローラ１１６とで構成され、同様にベルト１１０とローラ１１５およびローラ１１６との間にカードを挟んで搬送する。
また、前記分岐障壁１０８は、双方向搬送路１０７から搬送されてきたカードが、投入用搬送路１０３に進入したり、分岐障壁１０８の鋭角部に突き当たることなく返却用搬送路１０５側に進入可能な位置に固定する。具体的には、カード１０１がベルト１１０とローラ１１１と挟まれる水平位置より下側に分岐障壁１０８は配設され、双方向搬送路１０７からカードが搬送されてきたときに、ローラによる押し付け力が失われてカード先端を受け止めることができる位置まで鋭角の先端部を延設すればよい。
【００１６】
この分岐障壁１０８の具体的な作用を図３を用いて説明する。まず、図３（ａ）に示すようにカード１０１が投入用搬送路１０３側から搬送用ローラ１１１側に搬送される場合には、カード１０１がベルト１１０と搬送用ローラ外周面とに挟まれることにより搬送用ローラ１１１に巻き込まれる。
一方、図３（ｂ）に示すように搬送用ローラ１１１側から逆方向に搬送される場合には、カード１０１自体の弾性特性により搬送用ローラ１１１側から離れたカード１０１が元の平板形状に復元されるため、分岐障壁１０８の投入用搬送路１０３側に進入せず、分岐障壁１０８の上側、即ち返却用搬送路１０５側に進入する。
【００１７】
これにより、カード１０１が投入用搬送路１０３から搬送用ローラ１１１に搬送された場合には双方向搬送路１０７に搬送され、また、双方向搬送路１０７から搬送用ローラ１１１に搬送された場合には返却用搬送路に搬送されることができる。
このような分岐障壁１０８により、カード搬送装置は次に示すように機能する。カード１０１を投入口１０２に投入した場合、カード１０１はカード搬送の動力源となる投入用搬送路用ガイドローラ１０９により分岐障壁１０８まで搬送され、搬送用ローラを時計回りに回転させることにより双方向搬送路１０７に搬送される。双方向搬送路１０７においては返却用搬送路・双方向搬送路用ガイドローラ１１０により、カード１０１は情報処理部１０６に搬送される。
【００１８】
情報処理部１０６においてカード１０１に情報の読込・記録を終了した後、カード１０１は情報処理部１０６から双方向搬送路１０７に戻される。ここにおいて、返却用搬送路・双方向搬送路用ガイドローラ１１０を逆回転させることにより、カード１０１は搬送用ローラ１１１に搬送される。
さらに、搬送用ローラ１１１も反時計方向に回転させ、また先述の分岐障壁１０８の作用と相まってカード１０１は返却用搬送路１０５に搬送される。そして、返却用搬送路１０５においても逆回転されている返却用搬送路・双方向搬送路用ガイドローラ１１０によりカード１０１は返却口１０４に搬送される。
【００１９】
尚、以上説明したカード搬送は滑らかな動きにより連続的に行なわれる。
このようなカード搬送装置により、従来例にみられる搬送路の切換のための駆動部を必要とせず、簡単な構成で自動的にカードの搬送経路を変化させることができる。そのため、このカード搬送装置自体は勿論、このカード搬送装置を用いた機器においては装置を小型化および省電力化することができ、製造コスト等を低減することができる。また、駆動部を有しないため、搬送機構の調整が容易となり装置の耐久性も向上する。
【００２０】
また、搬送用回転体の外周にカードが弾性変形により巻着可能な柔軟性のあるカードを用いることにより、双方向搬送路から搬送されたカードが搬送用回転体に巻着され、この搬送用回転体を離れた後にカードが元の平板形状に復元する。そのため、カード先端部を返却用搬送路側に導くことができ、カード全体を返却用搬送路に搬送させることができる。
【００２１】
次に、本発明の第２の実施例を図２に基づいて説明する。第２の実施例では情報処理部１０６を搬送用ローラ１１１を中心として直角に屈曲させた位置に固定することにより、水平方向の設置長さを短縮することができる。
また、図３（ｃ）に示すように、カード１０１が搬送用ローラ１１１に接触する面積が増加し、カード１０１が分岐障壁１０８部を通過する際にカード１０１がカードの弾性特性により、返却用搬送路１０５の側面に押し付けられるため、確実に返却用搬送路１０５に搬送することができる。
【００２２】
図４は本発明の第３の実施例を示した。図４に示すように情報処理部１０６を搬送用ローラ１１１を中心として投入用搬送路１０３側に屈曲させることにより、図１に示す実施例より水平方向の設置長さを短縮でき、且つ図３に示す実施例より垂直方向の設置長さを短縮することができる。その結果、装置のコンパクト化を図ることができる。
【００２３】
また、第２の実施例と同様に、カードの弾性特性と相まってカードを確実に返却用搬送路１０５に搬送することができる。
【００２４】
【発明の効果】
請求項１に記載の発明では、投入口から投入されたカードを投入用搬送路の出口部まで搬送されたカードは、搬送力によって双方向搬送路に移動して、情報処理部に送り、処理部から双方向搬送路に逆向きに搬送されたカードは、滑らかに連なる返却用搬送路に移動して返却口から返却することができる。また、このときのカードの搬送路の切換を摺動部および駆動部を有しない簡単な構成で実現することができる。その結果、カード搬送装置をコンパクトな構成とすることができ、さらに搬送路切換の微妙な調整作業を要さない構成とすることができる。また、消費電力を低減することができる。
【００２５】
また、カード搬送装置の奥行きを短縮することができるため、カード搬送装置を内蔵したカード処理機器の小型化に寄与することができる。また、カードが双方向搬送路から返却用搬送路に移動する際、返却用搬送路の投入用搬送路に対する外側面に、弾性変形されたカードが元の平板形状に復元しようとする力が働くため、カードを投入用搬送路に入り込むことなく確実に返却用搬送路に搬送することができる。
【００２６】
請求項２に記載の発明では、カード搬送装置全体を小型化することができるため、カード搬送装置を内蔵したカード処理機器をコンパクト化することができる。また、カードの弾性特性と相まって、カードを確実に双方向搬送路から返却用搬送路に搬送することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の全体構成図
【図２】該搬送路切換部の作用を説明する図
【図３】双方向搬送路の形状を９０°屈曲させた一例を示す図
【図４】双方向搬送路の形状を返却用搬送路と双方向搬送路が鋭角をなすように屈曲させた一例を示す図
【図５】従来のカード搬送装置を示した図。
【符号の説明】
１０１カード
１０２投入口
１０３投入用搬送路
１０４返却口
１０５返却用搬送路
１０６情報処理部
１０７双方向搬送路
１０８分岐障壁[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The present invention relates to a card transport device for inputting / outputting information to / from a card on which information is recorded, and more particularly to a technique for simplifying a transport path switching mechanism.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Among devices for reading information on a card on which information represented by a magnetic card or the like is written and for recording information, there are devices in which a card insertion port and a return port are arranged at different positions. FIG. 5 shows an example of a card transport device of a device having such a configuration.
[0003]
The transfer path switching gate 501 in FIG. 5 is pre-energized so that the insertion transfer path 103 and the bidirectional transfer path 107 communicate with each other before the card is inserted, and the solenoid 502 is excited by the drive circuit 503. Sometimes, the transfer path switching gate 501 moves to the solenoid side, and the return transfer path 105 and the two-way transfer path 107 are provided so as to communicate with each other.
[0004]
When a card is inserted into the card transport device, the card 101 inserted through the slot 102 is fed to the transport path switching gate 501 position by the input transport path guide roller 109 serving as a power source for card transport.
Then, the transfer path switching gate 501 is made to pass through the transfer path switching gate 501 while the solenoid 502 is not energized, and the transfer path switching gate 501 is connected to the input transfer path 103 and the bidirectional transfer path 107, and the return transfer path / bidirectional transfer is performed. It is sent to the information processing unit 106 by the road guide roller 110.
[0005]
After the information processing unit 106 finishes reading and recording information on the card 101, the card 101 is returned to the bidirectional transport path from inside the information processing unit 106 and sent to the transport path switching gate 501.
Then, the solenoid 502 is excited by the drive circuit 503, and the transport path switching gate 501 is passed through the transport path switching gate 501 with the return transport path 105 and the bidirectional transport path 107 in communication with each other. The sheet is sent to the return port 104 by the guide roller 110 for the bidirectional conveyance path.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, such a conventional card transport device requires a sliding portion such as a solenoid and a drive mechanism for driving the sliding portion in order to drive the transport route switching gate. It is also necessary to adjust the subtle mounting position of the gate.
[0007]
For this reason, a great deal of labor is required for maintenance of the card transport device, and it is difficult to reduce the size of the device due to the presence of the driving unit, and further, there is a problem that the life of the device is shortened. The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem, and has no drive unit for changing the conveying direction, and is capable of changing the conveying direction of the card with a simple configuration. It is intended to provide a device.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, a card inserted from an insertion slot is transported to an information processing unit that performs information input / output processing on the card, and after the processing by the information processing unit, the card is returned. in the card conveying apparatus for conveying to the mouth, and turned transport path for transporting the card from the inlet to a position of the way to the information processing unit, the information processing unit receives the card conveyed from the closing conveyance path And a return transport path for receiving the processed card from the bidirectional transport path and transporting the processed card to the return port. and an outlet side end portion of the transport path, wherein an end portion opposite to the information processing unit of the two-way carrier path, and connected to the inlet end of the return conveyance path, at the same point, the bidirectional The transport path is the entrance of the return transport path And the information processing unit side is provided so as to be bent so as to form a right angle with the return transport path, while the input transport path is between the return transport path and the bidirectional transport path. At the position, provided at an acute angle with respect to the return transport path, and, between the outlet section of the input transport path and the entrance section of the return transport path , branch these outlet section and inlet section. A branch barrier was provided.
[0009]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, a card inserted from an insertion slot is transported to an information processing unit for performing information input / output processing on the card, and after the processing by the information processing unit, the card is returned. A card conveying device that conveys a card from the insertion port to a position halfway to the information processing unit, and a card that conveys the card conveyed from the insertion conveyance path, and And a return transport path for receiving the processed card from the bidirectional transport path and transporting the processed card to the return port. An exit end of the transport path, an end of the bidirectional transport path opposite to the information processing unit, and an entrance end of the return transport path are connected at the same point, The transport path is the entrance of the return transport path And the information processing unit side is provided so as to be bent so as to form an acute angle with the return transport path, while the input transport path is between the return transport path and the bidirectional transport path. At the position, provided at an acute angle with respect to the return transport path, and, between the outlet section of the input transport path and the entrance section of the return transport path, branch these outlet section and inlet section. A branch barrier was provided .
[0010]
[Action]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the card inserted from the input port and conveyed to the exit of the input conveyance path moves to the bidirectional conveyance path by the conveyance force, is sent to the information processing section, and is sent from the processing section. The card conveyed in the opposite direction to the two-way conveyance path can be smoothly moved to the continuous return conveyance path and returned from the return port.
[0011]
Further, the switching of the transport path can be realized with a simple configuration having no sliding portion and no driving portion.
Here, the depth of the card transport device can be shortened by arranging the bidirectional transport path so that its information processing section side is perpendicular to the return transport path. At the same time, the loading transport is provided at an acute angle to the return transport path at a position between the return transport path and the bidirectional transport path, so that when the card moves from the bidirectional transport path to the return transport path, the return A force is applied to the outer surface of the transfer path to restore the elastically deformed card to its original flat shape, so that the card can be reliably transferred to the return transfer path without entering the input transfer path.
[0012]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the volume occupied by the entire card transport device is reduced by bending the bidirectional transport path toward the loading transport path until the return transport path and the bidirectional transport path are at an acute angle. can do. At the same time, the transfer for insertion is provided at an acute angle to the return transfer path at a position between the return transfer path and the bidirectional transfer path. Can be transported to the road.
[0013]
【Example】
A specific embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention, in which an insertion slot 102 into which a card 101 is inserted,
An information processing unit 106 for inputting and outputting information to and from the card 101;
An input conveyance path 103 for conveying a card from the insertion port 102 to a position on the way to the information processing unit 106;
A bidirectional transport path 107 that receives the card transported from the loading transport path 103, transports the card to the information processing unit 106, and transports the processed card in the reverse direction;
A return transport path 105 for receiving the processed card from the bidirectional transport path 107 and transporting the processed card to the return port 104;
A branch barrier 108 is provided between the exit of the loading conveyance path 103 and the entrance of the return conveyance path 105, such that the exit and the entrance are branched at an acute angle. .
[0014]
The feeding path 103 is constituted by the existing rollers 112 and 113 on the upper side and a belt 109 disposed on the lower side opposite to the rollers 112 and the rollers 113. And transported.
The bidirectional transport path 107 is provided with an exit point of the input transport path 103 below, and the roller 111 and a lower roller 114 disposed adjacent to the side of the roller 111. 117 and a belt 110 disposed on the upper side of the rollers 111 and 113 so as to be opposed to the belt 110. Similarly, the card is moved between the belt 110 and the rollers 111, 114 and 114. And transport it. These rollers and belts can be rotated in the reverse direction. This allows the card to be transported in both directions.
[0015]
The return transport path is composed of a left portion of the upper belt 110 in the drawing and rollers 115 and 116 disposed opposite to the lower portion. Similarly, the belt 110 and the rollers 115 and 116 Between the cards.
Further, the branch barrier 108 allows the card transported from the bidirectional transport path 107 to enter the insertion transport path 103 or to enter the return transport path 105 without hitting the acute angle of the branch barrier 108. In a proper position. Specifically, the branch barrier 108 is provided below the horizontal position where the card 101 is sandwiched between the belt 110 and the roller 111, and when the card is conveyed from the bidirectional conveyance path 107, the pressing force by the roller is reduced. It is sufficient to extend the acute-angled end portion to a position where it can be lost and can receive the card end.
[0016]
The specific action of this branch barrier 108 will be described with reference to FIG. First, when the card 101 is conveyed to the conveying roller 111 side from the feeding conveyance path 103 side as shown is that the card 101 is sandwiched between the conveying roller outer peripheral surface and the belt 110 FIGS. 3 (a) Is wound around the transport roller 111.
On the other hand, if it is transported in the opposite direction from the conveying roller 111 side as shown in FIG. 3 (b), the plate-shaped card 101 away from the conveying roller 111 side of the former by the elastic properties of the card 101 itself Because of the restoration, the vehicle does not enter the branching barrier 108 on the side of the loading conveyance path 103 but enters the upper side of the branching barrier 108, that is, on the side of the return transportation path 105.
[0017]
Thereby, when the card 101 is transported from the loading transport path 103 to the transport rollers 111, it is transported to the bidirectional transport path 107, and when the card 101 is transported from the bidirectional transport path 107 to the transport rollers 111, Can be transported to the return transport path.
With such a branching barrier 108, the card transport device functions as follows. When the card 101 is inserted into the insertion slot 102, the card 101 is conveyed to the branch barrier 108 by the input conveyance path guide roller 109 serving as a power source of the card conveyance, and is rotated bidirectionally by rotating the conveyance roller clockwise. The sheet is transported to the transport path 107. In the bidirectional transport path 107, the card 101 is transported to the information processing unit 106 by the return transport path / bidirectional transport path guide roller 110.
[0018]
After the information processing unit 106 finishes reading and recording information on the card 101, the card 101 is returned from the information processing unit 106 to the bidirectional transport path 107. Here, the card 101 is transported to the transport roller 111 by reversing the rotation of the guide roller 110 for the return transport path / bidirectional transport path.
Further, the transport roller 111 is also rotated counterclockwise, and the card 101 is transported to the return transport path 105 in combination with the above-described operation of the branch barrier 108. Then, the card 101 is transported to the return port 104 by the return transport path / bidirectional transport path guide roller 110 which is also rotated in the reverse transport path 105.
[0019]
Note that the above-described card conveyance is continuously performed by a smooth movement.
With such a card transport apparatus, a drive unit for switching the transport path as in the conventional example is not required, and the transport path of the card can be automatically changed with a simple configuration. Therefore, not only the card transport device itself, but also the equipment using the card transport device, the device can be reduced in size and power consumption, and the manufacturing cost and the like can be reduced. Further, since there is no drive unit, the adjustment of the transport mechanism is facilitated, and the durability of the apparatus is improved.
[0020]
In addition, by using a flexible card on which the card can be wound by elastic deformation around the outer periphery of the transport rotary body, the card transported from the bidirectional transport path is wound around the transport rotary body, After leaving the rotating body, the card is restored to the original flat plate shape. Therefore, the leading end of the card can be guided to the return transport path, and the entire card can be transported to the return transport path.
[0021]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the second embodiment, the horizontal installation length can be reduced by fixing the information processing unit 106 at a position bent at a right angle around the transport roller 111.
Further, as shown in FIG. 3 (c), the elastic properties card 101 of card when the card 101 increases the area in contact with the conveying roller 111, the card 101 passes through the branch barrier 108 parts, for return Since it is pressed against the side surface of the transport path 105, it can be reliably transported to the return transport path 105.
[0022]
FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, by bending the information processing unit 106 toward the feeding conveyance path 103 around the conveyance roller 111, the installation length in the horizontal direction can be reduced as compared with the embodiment shown in FIG. The installation length in the vertical direction can be reduced as compared with the embodiment shown in FIG. As a result, the size of the device can be reduced.
[0023]
Further, similarly to the second embodiment, the card can be reliably transported to the return transport path 105 in combination with the elasticity of the card.
[0024]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the card transported from the loading slot to the exit of the loading transport path is moved to the bidirectional transport path by the transport force and sent to the information processing section. The card conveyed in the opposite direction from the unit to the two-way conveyance path can be smoothly moved to the continuous conveyance path for return and returned from the return port. Further, the switching of the card transport path at this time can be realized with a simple configuration having no sliding portion and no driving portion. As a result, the card transport device can be made compact, and further, it is possible to have a configuration that does not require a delicate adjustment operation for switching the transport path. Further, power consumption can be reduced.
[0025]
Further , since the depth of the card transport device can be reduced, it is possible to contribute to downsizing of a card processing device having the card transport device built therein. In addition, when the card moves from the bidirectional transport path to the return transport path, a force acts on the outer surface of the return transport path with respect to the input transport path to restore the elastically deformed card to its original flat shape. Therefore, the card can be reliably transported to the return transport path without entering the loading transport path.
[0026]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the size of the entire card transport device can be reduced, so that the card processing device incorporating the card transport device can be reduced in size. Also, in combination with the elasticity of the card, the card can be reliably transported from the bidirectional transport path to the return transport path.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a view for explaining the operation of the transport path switching unit; FIG. 3 is a view showing an example in which the shape of a bidirectional transport path is bent by 90 °; FIG. FIG. 5 is a view showing an example in which the shape of a directional transport path is bent so that the return transport path and the bidirectional transport path form an acute angle. FIG. 5 is a view showing a conventional card transport apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
101 Card 102 Input port 103 Input transfer path 104 Return port 105 Return transfer path 106 Information processing unit 107 Bidirectional transfer path 108 Branch barrier

Claims

In a card transport device that transports a card inserted from an insertion slot to an information processing unit that performs input / output processing of information on the card, and after processing in the information processing unit, transports the card to a return slot.
A feeding path for feeding a card from the insertion port to a position on the way to the information processing unit,
A two-way carrier path the closing for receiving the transported card from the transport path and transported to the processing unit, for conveying the post-processing card in the opposite direction,
A return transport path for receiving the processed card from the bidirectional transport path and transporting the processed card to the return port,
Wherein the charged carrier path of the outlet end, connected with the two-way carrier path the information processing unit and the opposite end portions of the inlet end of the return conveyance path, at the same point,
The two-way transport path, while smoothly connected to the entrance end of the return transport path and the information processing unit side is provided to be bent so as to form a right angle with the return transport path,
The charging transport path is located between the return transport path and the bidirectional transport path, and is provided at an acute angle with respect to the return transport path,
A card transport device, wherein a branch barrier is provided between the outlet of the loading transport path and the entrance of the return transport path to branch off the outlet and the inlet.

In a card transport device that transports a card inserted from an insertion slot to an information processing unit that performs input / output processing of information on the card, and after processing in the information processing unit, transports the card to a return slot.
A feeding path for feeding a card from the insertion port to a position on the way to the information processing unit,
A bidirectional transport path that receives the card transported from the loading transport path, transports the card to the information processing unit, and transports the processed card in the reverse direction,
A return transport path for receiving the processed card from the bidirectional transport path and transporting the processed card to the return port,
The exit side end of the input conveyance path, the end of the bidirectional conveyance path opposite to the information processing unit, and the entrance side end of the return conveyance path are connected at the same point,
The two-way transport path, while smoothly connected to the entrance end of the return transport path and the information processing unit side is provided to be bent so as to form an acute angle with the return transport path,
The charging transport path is located between the return transport path and the bidirectional transport path, and is provided at an acute angle with respect to the return transport path,
A card transport device, wherein a branch barrier is provided between the outlet of the loading transport path and the entrance of the return transport path to branch off the outlet and the inlet .