JP3836975B2 - Media leveling mechanism - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention is installed in financial institutions such as banks, securities companies and post offices, and public institutions such as city halls and convenience stores, etc., and banknotes, transfer sheets, bankbooks, The present invention relates to a medium leveling mechanism built in a terminal device that handles various media such as printing paper.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a conventional example. In the figure, reference numeral 100 denotes a conventional medium leveling mechanism. Reference numerals 101 and 102 denote aluminum nitride cylindrical rollers (hereinafter referred to as heat rollers) having a high thermal conductivity, and have a length of the medium effective width.
Reference numerals 103 and 104 denote heaters which are disposed in the heat rollers 101 and 102 and fixed to an external structure (not shown). The heaters 103 and 104 are configured using a heating element such as a halogen lamp, a ceramic heater, an infrared heater, a far infrared heater, or a near infrared heater.
[0003]
105 and 106 are heat resistant belts, and a heat resistant material such as silicon rubber is used. 108 and 109 are shafts, and 138 and 139 are pulleys each having a cylindrical shape corresponding to the effective width of the medium. A heat-resistant plastic material such as a liquid crystal polymer is used. 110 and 111 are shafts, and 136 and 137 are pulleys each having a cylindrical shape corresponding to the medium effective width, and a heat-resistant plastic material such as a liquid crystal polymer is used.
[0004]
Here, the heat-resistant belts 105 and 106 are wide belts corresponding to the effective width of the medium, and are provided on the heat roller 101 and the shafts 110 and 111 via pulleys 138 and 139 provided on the shafts 108 and 109, respectively. It is wound around the heat roller 102 via the pulleys 136 and 137 and is in pressure contact therewith.
A silicon rubber roller 107 has a cylindrical shape corresponding to the effective width of the medium, and is fixed to the shaft 112.
[0005]
Here, the shafts 108, 109, 110, 111, and 112 are all made of an iron-based metal shaft, and are attached to a frame (not shown) in a rotatable state via a bearing (not shown).
The shafts 108, 110, and 112 are configured to receive power from the outside by a transmission system (not shown) such as a belt and a gear by a motor (not shown).
[0006]
Further, the heat rollers 101 and 102 are arranged in a rotatable state on a frame (not shown) by a large bearing (not shown), and the heaters 103 and 104 are held in a state of being fixed in a hollow state. , 103 is not transmitted.
Reference numerals 113, 114, 115, and 116 denote travel guides that are formed of sheet metal so as not to be thermally deformed. Reference numerals 117, 119, 129, 131, 121, 123, 133, and 135 denote shafts. Reference numerals 116, 118, 120, and 122 denote feed rollers, which are rubber rollers and are made of a heat-resistant material so that they are not melted by the residual heat of the medium.
[0007]
Reference numerals 128, 130, 132 and 134 denote pulleys. Reference numerals 124, 125, 126, and 127 denote conveyor belts, each of which is arranged in the depth direction of the figure, and is wound around the pulleys 128, 130, 132, and 134. Note that power from an external motor is transmitted to a shaft (not shown) that is suspended and opposed to the shafts 123, 119, 131, and 135 via the same belt, thereby obtaining conveyance power. ing.
[0008]
As an operation, when a medium (not shown) enters from M, which is a preceding conveyance system, with respect to the medium leveling mechanism 100, the shafts 123, 119, 131, and 135 are suspended and opposed via the same belt. A shaft (not shown) rotates in the K direction, and the medium is transported in the L direction, which is the transport direction. Further, when the time when the paper sheet flows to the heat rollers 101 and 102 is used as a reference, the heat rollers 101 and 102 start from the time when the heaters 103 and 104 come back from the time when the heater rises more than 1 second. And is held in the heated state.
[0009]
When a medium (not shown) enters the medium leveling mechanism 100, the medium is clamped by the roller 107 and the belt 106 facing the heat roller 102, heated and pressurized, and sent to the next heat roller 101. Then, it is clamped on the belt 105 facing the heat roller 101, further heated and pressurized, drawn in a large S-shaped curve, and sent out to N which is a subsequent transport system. Here, by increasing the diameter of the heat roller, the contact flatness (nip) that affects the heating time is increased for a medium that travels at a high speed, thereby realizing stabilization of the medium flat after passing.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional apparatus having the above-described configuration, it is possible to correct the state of the medium being bent or curled in the case of low-speed conveyance, but the apparatus for handling a medium at a high speed such as a banknote depositing and dispensing machine. In case there was a problem. In other words, in medium leveling with high temperature and high pressure, if the medium is transported at high speed, the time for contacting the medium with the high temperature and high pressure environment is limited to a short time, and if the contact width (nip) is increased, the apparatus becomes larger. There was a problem that.
[0011]
Moreover, since heating and pressurization are performed, there is a problem that power consumption is large and running cost is high.
Further, when a medium jam occurs in the conveyance path, there is a problem that care is required in handling because the heat roller is at a high temperature.
There is also a problem that the number of parts is large and the cost is high.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention is installed in the apparatus for processing and transporting the medium, the mechanism to if medium for leveling medium, the medium by a pair of entire conveyor belt having a size capable of covering the entire width and entire length of the medium A conveyance path for nipping and conveying is formed, and the conveyance path passes the pair of full-surface conveyance belts between two rotatable shafts, and a rotatable lever arm attached to one shaft in the first direction. By rotating and moving the other shaft, the pair of full-surface conveyance belts is formed in an S shape to form an S-shaped corner portion, and the radius of curvature of the corner portion is equal to or greater than the yield stress with respect to the medium. to be equal to or smaller than the radius of curvature empowering, and planarize the tension of each said pair of entire conveyor belt by rotating the lever arm in a second direction opposite the first direction Together, by returning the other shaft to the original position, characterized in that the openable conveying surface to separate the pair of entire conveyor belt.
[0014]
Also, both of the portion for discharging the parts and media accept media bodies, provided by parallel pairs of rotatable shaft, through the entire conveyor belt between a pair of the shafts, the conveying surface of the entire conveyor belt By winding the back surface so that it contacts the shaft, the entrance gate and the exit gate are configured, and the curvature radius of the conveyance surface of the entire conveyance belt wound around the shaft is kept flat by the medium itself. It is characterized in that the radius of curvature is less than or equal to the possible radius of curvature.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing the embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the main part showing the embodiment.
In the figure, reference numeral 60 denotes a medium leveling mechanism, which is divided into an upper mechanism portion corresponding to the frame 41 and a lower mechanism portion corresponding to the frame 42.
[0016]
Reference numerals 1 and 2 denote extremely thin full-surface conveyance belts, which are wide belts having a medium effective conveyance width, and are made of a rubber material having a high friction coefficient, such as a conveyance belt generally used.
3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, and 14 indicate shafts. Reference numerals 4, 6, 8, and 10 are pulleys, which are arranged to wind and feed the belts 1 and 2 and have crowning portions on the left and right so that the belts 1 and 2 do not slide laterally. The belts 1 and 2 are pulled to both sides to prevent the belt from coming off.
[0017]
Reference numerals 43 and 44 denote shafts, and the belts 1 and 2 are directly wound and conveyed in the same manner as the shafts 11, 12, 13, and 14. By winding the belts 1 and 2 around the shafts 43 and 44, an S-shaped corner portion E is formed. Since the belts 1 and 2 operate while taking the S shape, it is preferable to use an ultrathin belt of 1 mm or less, for example, so that the power for conveyance does not need to be increased. Also, if the thickness is extremely thin, the displacement of the belt itself in the thickness direction is small when the medium is passed as will be described later, and the stress applied to the medium from the shafts 43 and 44 is transmitted to the medium without being absorbed. be able to. In addition, the difference in load on the inside and outside of the bent portion can be reduced, and the difference in load on the inside and outside of this portion can be reduced by curing the belt at low temperatures. , Belt damage can be suppressed. Therefore, desired medium correction performance can be maintained.
[0018]
Bearings 45 (45L, 45R) are attached to both sides of the shaft 43, and bearings 46 (46L, 46R) are also attached to both sides of the shaft 44, and are arranged in a rotatable state.
Reference numeral 40 denotes a lever arm that winds the shaft 44 around the shaft 43. The lever arm 40 has a structure centered on a bearing 46 for winding the belts 1 and 2 in an S shape, has an opening 40d, and holds the bearings 46 provided on both sides of the shaft 44. Accordingly, it can be rotated in the first direction (1) and the second direction (2) shown in FIG.
[0019]
In the frames 41 and 42, guide groove portions 41a and 42a are provided on both sides. Reference numeral 40b denotes a handle for operation, and 40c denotes a rotation fixing portion, which is fixed to the frame 41 via the outer periphery of the bearing 46, and the lever arm 40 is rotatably attached to the rotation fixing portion 40c. A tension spring 39 is suspended between a spring mounting portion 40a of the lever arm 40 and a post portion 42b fixed to the frame 42, and the lever arm 40 rotates in the direction (1) or (2). At that time, the lever arm 40 is held at a position where both the rotation limits are reached.
[0020]
The frames 41 and 42 are divided vertically by a boundary line 49, and the frame 41 can rotate about the shaft 5 in the directions (3) and (4).
15, 16, 17, and 18 are travel guides that are disposed to guide a medium (not shown). Reference numerals 19, 21, 31, 33, 23, 25, 35, and 37 denote shafts. Reference numerals 20, 22, 24, and 26 denote rollers made of a rubber material having a high friction coefficient. Reference numerals 32, 34, 36, and 38 denote pulleys that are wound around the belts 27, 28, 29, and 30 for driving. The pulleys 32, 34, 36, and 38 are crowned with a large outer diameter at the center so that the belt does not come off.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 2, three belts 27, 28, 29, and 30 are arranged in the depth direction. That is, the belt is composed of 27L, 27M, 27R; 28L, 28M, 28R; 29L, 29M, 29R; 30L, 30M, 30R belts.
These are wound around pulleys 32L, 32M, 32R; 34L, 34M, 34R; 36L, 36M, 36R; 38L, 38M, 38R, respectively.
[0022]
The shafts 33, 21, 25, 37, and 9 are adapted to receive power from the motor by a transmission system such as a belt or gear (not shown) from the outside to obtain conveyance power. In FIG. 1, there is an arrow in the direction A, which is the transport direction, but it can also be rotated in the reverse direction.
The shafts 31, 33, 19, 21, 3, 11, 7, 13, 5, 9, 12, 14, 23, 25, 35, and 37 are shown in a state where both sides can be rotated by bearings (not shown). And the frame 41 and 42 are fixed.
[0023]
The operation of this embodiment will be described below.
First, when a command for urging the conveyance of the medium is issued by an external controller (not shown), a motor (not shown) is rotated, and a belt or gear of a transmission system (not shown) is rotated in conjunction with this, and the shaft 33, Rotational power is transmitted to the driven shafts 21, 9, 25, and 37. Then, each shaft starts to rotate in the direction A shown in FIG. 1, and the flow in the direction B starts as the transport system.
[0024]
Thus, the medium entering from C shown in FIG. 1 while being guided by the guides 15 and 16 enters the medium leveling mechanism 60, passes through the position F, and further passes through the S-shaped corner portion E. While being guided by the guides 17 and 18 after passing through the position, it is sent to D which is a subsequent transport system.
Next, the behavior of the medium before and after passing through the medium leveling unit 60 and during the passage will be described in detail. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 50 denotes the medium being passed. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0025]
First, the medium 50 fed from C travels in a state where the end surfaces thereof are pressed by the guide gaps by the guide portions 15 and 16. In the medium 50 the position of F, so as to wrap the media full width by a belt 1, the gate portion of the shaft 11,1 3 O Li Cheng inlet, Yuki entered so as to be sucked reliably by the belt 1, 2 It is clamped to and is fed further.
[0026]
Next, when entering the S-shaped corner portion E, the medium 50 passes through the S-shaped corner with a small diameter R while the entire width of the medium is securely clamped to the belts 1 and 2 as shown in FIG. This R is determined by the diameters of the shafts 43 and 44 and the belt thickness, and is set to have a small radius of curvature.
The determination of the value of R will be described. For paper sheets and other media to be transported, the yield stress of the media can be calculated according to the thickness and the longitudinal elastic modulus (Young's modulus) specific to the media. When a stress exceeding the yield stress is applied, the medium is bent or curled, so that when the medium passes through the S-shaped corner portion, the stress exceeding the yield stress is applied to the medium. The R value is determined by material mechanics theory.
[0027]
In this way, by creating a state that exceeds the yield stress, it is possible to almost completely correct a fold that has entered the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the medium. In addition, since the sheet is conveyed in an S-shape, bidirectional folding and curling can be corrected.
Further, by passing through the S-shaped corner portion with the R value set as described above, it is possible to correct folds and curls parallel to the traveling direction. Experiments for parallel curled or folded with respect to the traveling direction, the bending height and mosquito Lumpur height, has been confirmed to be a 1/2 or less.
[0028]
When the medium passes through the S-shaped corner portion, no pressing force exceeding the normal feed force is applied. That is, it is possible to realize flattening of the medium only by passing through the S-shaped corner portion without heating or applying special pressure. Even when applied to a high-speed conveyance system, the medium can be corrected with a compact configuration.
[0029]
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the R value and the correction force. FIG. 3A shows a case where the R value is large, and FIG. 3B shows a case where the R value is small. The larger the R value is, the smaller the force for correcting the folding or curling of the medium is. On the contrary, the smaller the R value is, the larger the correcting force is. In the present embodiment, as described above, a desired R value is set by winding a belt around a small-diameter shaft.
[0030]
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of correction and bending back. As shown in FIG. 4 (a), simply pressing a medium with folds or curls in a flat state will cause folds or return of curls due to springback, but as shown in (b), By positively bending in the opposite direction, the springback effect works to keep the medium flat and the medium can be flattened to an appropriate state. Since the S-shaped corner portion E performs a process of bending the medium 50 in both directions, the spring back effect also works and the medium 50 is surely corrected.
[0031]
Next, the subsequent operation of the medium 50 that has passed through the S-shaped corner E as described above will be described in detail. Medium 50, at the position of G in FIG. 1, passes through the discharge gate as the shaft 12, 1 4 by Li Cheng outlet. The shafts 12 and 14 are also small R. (The entrance shafts 11 and 13 may be the same.)
[0032]
Since the medium 50 sent to the subsequent conveyance system D is flattened as described above, the conveyance and various processes can be stably performed.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing the opening / closing operation.
Even if the medium 50 is jammed at the position shown in FIG. 2, the mechanism of the present embodiment can easily remove the medium 50.
[0033]
As shown in FIG. 5, the frame 41 is an open frame, and the frame 42 is a fixed frame. The frame 41 opens with the shaft 5 as the center of rotation. When a jam occurs, the handle 40b of the lever arm 40 is held and rotated in the direction (2) in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the shaft 44 enters and is held by the guide groove 41 a of the frame 41 due to the tension of the belt 1. The lever arm 40 is fixed by a limiter (not shown) provided on the frame 42 so as to be held at the upper surface position by the tension spring 39.
[0034]
In this state, the frame 41 is in a free state and can be opened in the direction (3) in FIG. Further, the belt 2 side is also stabilized in the state of FIG. 5 due to the tension as the shaft 44 moves to the frame 41 side. At this time, the medium 50 is exposed on the belt 2 and thus can be easily removed.
On the contrary, after removing the jam, if the frame 41 side is rotated in the direction (4), the belts 1 and 2 are pressed, and the lever arms 40 on both sides are rotated in the direction (1), the bearings 46 on both sides of the shaft 44 are obtained. Is guided by the guide groove 42a of the frame 42 to the lowermost position, and is pulled and fixed by the tension spring 39. Through the above operation, the frame 41 can be fixed in contact with the frame 42. The tension spring 39 is set to a traction force that does not move even when the medium 50 passes through the S-shaped corner portion E.
[0035]
As described above, the belts 1 and 2 are made of a rubber material having a high friction coefficient and are thin. When the shaft 9 is driven by external power, the belt 2 rotates and the belt 2 passes through the belt 2. Thus, the belt 1 is driven by the frictional force of the contact surface, and the belts 1 and 2 operate substantially synchronously.
As described above, in the present embodiment, since the S-shaped corner portion set so as to apply a force equal to or greater than the yield stress to the medium is provided, a normal feed force can be obtained without special heating or pressurization. It is possible to properly correct creases and curls. As a result, it is difficult for transport jamming, accumulation jamming, and the like to occur in the latter stage mechanism.
[0036]
This medium leveling mechanism can have a smaller configuration than that using a conventional heat roller, and achieves low cost, low running cost, and energy saving.
In addition, since the belt which has the area covering the whole medium is used, even when the medium passes through the S-shaped corner portion, no jamming or damage to the medium occurs.
[0037]
FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a modification of the embodiment.
A modification of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to this figure.
FIG. 6A shows a first modification. Here, as in the above example, the belt is wound around two shafts, but the winding angle θ is reduced. As the medium passes through it, it deforms along the shaft and belt, but this θ value should be small enough to apply a force above the yield stress to the medium. Can do. In this configuration, the same effect can be obtained.
[0038]
FIG. 6B shows a second modification. In this example, three shafts are used, and the belt is clamped around the central shaft so as to wrap around a U-shape.
In these modified examples (a) and (b), an opening / closing mechanism similar to that shown in FIG. 5 can be provided.
FIG. 6C shows a third modification. In this example, a zigzag route is constituted by n shafts, and the medium is passed through this route. The mechanism for removing the medium may be configured so that it can be rotated forward and backward with a hand-knob.
[0039]
In any case, it is possible to reduce the crease, the curl, and the like to ½ or less of the fold height or the curl height.
In the above description, a single-leaf medium is mainly assumed as the medium. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a continuous medium may be handled in the same manner. For example, folding continuous paper having a perforation used for a printer or the like, and a booklet-like medium having a centerfold portion such as a passbook can be handled. In particular, the crushing and leveling of the opening / closing unit can be performed on the booklet-shaped medium.
[0040]
In the printer and the passbook handling device, the print quality can be improved by performing the medium leveling.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, the medium is conveyed by a small diameter shaft and a full-surface conveyance belt so as to apply a force equal to or higher than the yield stress to the medium. This has the effect of making it possible to properly correct the crease and curl.
[0042]
As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a failure due to a jam or the like when performing various processes on the medium.
Furthermore, since heating and pressurization are unnecessary, the apparatus can be miniaturized, and there is an effect of realizing low cost, low running cost and energy saving.
In addition, since a full-surface conveyance belt having an area covering the entire medium is used, the medium can be conveyed safely and normally regardless of the conveyance path formed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view of an essential part showing an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an essential part showing an embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a relationship between an R value and a correction force. Explanatory drawing [FIG. 5] Explanatory drawing showing opening / closing operation [FIG. 6] Explanatory drawing showing a modification of the embodiment [FIG.
1, 2 Full-surface conveyor belts 11, 12, 13, 14 Shaft 40 Lever arms 43, 44 Shaft 50 Medium 60 Medium leveling mechanism

Claims (2)

In a medium leveling mechanism that is installed in an apparatus that transports and processes media, and performs medium leveling,
Forming a conveyance path for nipping and conveying the medium by a pair of full-surface conveyance belts having a size capable of covering the entire width and length of the medium;
The conveyance path is formed by passing the pair of full-surface conveyance belts between two rotatable shafts and rotating a rotatable lever arm attached to one shaft in a first direction to move the other shaft. And forming the S-shaped corner portion with the pair of the entire surface conveying belts as an S-shape, and making the radius of curvature of the corner portion equal to or less than the radius of curvature that gives a force greater than the yield stress to the medium ,
Further, by rotating the lever arm in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the pair of full-surface conveyor belts are flattened by the respective tensions, and the other shaft is returned to the original position. The medium leveling mechanism is characterized in that the conveyance surface can be opened by separating the entire conveyance belt pair . Oite to claim 1,
A pair of rotatable shafts are provided in parallel on both the part for receiving the medium and the part for discharging the medium,
An entrance gate and an exit gate are configured by passing a full-surface conveyor belt between the pair of shafts and winding the back surface of the conveyance surface of the full-surface conveyor belt so as to contact the shaft,
A medium leveling mechanism characterized in that a radius of curvature of a conveyance surface of a full-surface conveyance belt wound around the shaft is equal to or less than a radius of curvature at which the medium can maintain a flat state by a strain of the medium itself.

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