JP4064137B2

JP4064137B2 - Banknote handling equipment

Info

Publication number: JP4064137B2
Application number: JP2002090693A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 根裕志刀
Original assignee: Glory Ltd
Current assignee: Glory Ltd
Priority date: 2002-03-28
Filing date: 2002-03-28
Publication date: 2008-03-19
Anticipated expiration: 2022-03-28
Also published as: JP2003288630A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、紙幣の搬送経路上に紙幣の金種識別手段を備えた紙幣処理装置（例えば紙幣入出金装置）に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来の紙幣入出金装置は一般に、張設された弾性ベルトによって紙幣を収納部等へ搬送するように構成されている。例えば、本件出願人に係る特開２００１−１４３１２８号公報には、略同径のプーリ間で直線状に張設された弾性ベルトによる紙幣の搬送手段が開示されている。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
上記のようなベルト式の搬送手段を用いる従来の紙幣入出金装置には、以下のような問題点がある。
【０００４】
まず、搬送される紙幣がスリップしないようなグリップ力が得られる程度に、弾性ベルトに張力を加えながら駆動する必要がある。このような張力負荷に抗して弾性ベルトを駆動するためには、かなり高出力の駆動手段（例えばモータ）が必要とされる。このため、駆動手段が大型化してしまうことから、装置全体の小型化が困難になっている。
【０００５】
次に、搬送経路上で紙幣の金種識別を行う場合には、搬送経路の途中に設置した識別手段（例えば光学センサー）の位置を、紙幣がその全長に渡って通過するようにしなければならない。これにより、紙幣の識別手段と収納部との間の搬送経路長さを「最も長い紙幣」の長さ（長手方向の寸法）より長く取るという要件が課されることになる。これに対して、直線状に張設された弾性ベルトによる紙幣の搬送手段では、搬送経路も直線状となるため、上記の要件を満たすには相当のスペースを要し、また装置内のデッドスペースも生じやすくなる。従って、この点からも装置全体の小型化が困難になっている。
【０００６】
この点に関しては、弾性ベルトを直線状に張設せずに屈曲させて張設するという対策も考えられる。しかし、その場合は、多数のアイドルローラ等で弾性ベルトを屈曲支持する必要があり、コストが嵩むだけでなく、搬送負荷の増大により駆動手段の更なる大型化を招くことにもなる。従って、この対策も有効なものとは言えない。
【０００７】
本発明は、このような点を考慮してなされたものであり、従来に比べて装置全体の小型化を図ることができるような紙幣処理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】
本発明の紙幣処理装置は、処理対象の紙幣のうち最も長い紙幣の長さよりも大きい周長を有する搬送ドラムと、この搬送ドラムを回転させる回転駆動手段と、前記搬送ドラムの周方向に間隔を置いて配置され、当該ドラムの外周面に対して押圧される複数の押圧ローラと、前記搬送ドラムの外周に形成された、紙幣の周回搬送路と、この周回搬送路に設けられ、通過する紙幣の金種を識別する識別手段と、前記周回搬送路と接続された少なくとも１つの紙幣の接続搬送路と、前記周回搬送路と前記接続搬送路との間で紙幣の搬送経路を切り換える経路切換手段とを備え、前記接続搬送路のうち少なくとも１つの特定の接続搬送路は、前記識別手段から当該特定の接続搬送路までの前記周回搬送路に沿った搬送方向の距離が、処理対象の紙幣の長さよりも小さくなっている、ことを特徴とする。
本発明のもう１つの紙幣処理装置は、入金紙幣が導入される紙幣導入部と、入金紙幣を金種別に収納する少なくとも１つの紙幣収納部と、入金対象の紙幣のうち最も長い紙幣の長さよりも大きい周長を有する搬送ドラムと、この搬送ドラムを回転させる回転駆動手段と、前記搬送ドラムの周方向に間隔を置いて配置され、当該ドラムの外周面に対して押圧される複数の押圧ローラと、前記搬送ドラムの外周に形成された、紙幣の周回搬送路と、この周回搬送路に設けられ、通過する紙幣の金種を識別する識別手段と、前記導入部および前記収納部と、前記周回搬送路との間をそれぞれ接続する、紙幣の接続搬送路と、前記周回搬送路と各接続搬送路との間で紙幣の搬送経路を切り換える経路切換手段とを備え、前記収納部と接続する前記接続搬送路のうち少なくとも１つの特定の接続搬送路は、前記識別手段から当該特定の接続搬送路までの前記周回搬送路に沿った搬送方向の距離が、入金対象の紙幣の長さよりも小さくなっている、ことを特徴とする。
本発明の更にもう１つの紙幣処理装置は、紙幣を金種別に収納する少なくとも１つの紙幣収納部と、この収納部から取り出された出金紙幣が放出される紙幣放出部と、出金対象の紙幣のうち最も長い紙幣の長さよりも大きい周長を有する搬送ドラムと、この搬送ドラムを回転させる回転駆動手段と、前記搬送ドラムの周方向に間隔を置いて配置され、当該ドラムの外周面に対して押圧される複数の押圧ローラと、前記搬送ドラムの外周に形成された、紙幣の周回搬送路と、この周回搬送路に設けられ、通過する紙幣の金種を識別する識別手段と、前記収納部および前記放出部と、前記周回搬送路との間をそれぞれ接続する、紙幣の接続搬送路と、前記周回搬送路と各接続搬送路との間で紙幣の搬送経路を切り換える経路切換手段とを備え、前記放出部と接続する接続搬送路は、前記識別手段から当該接続搬送路までの前記周回搬送路に沿った搬送方向の距離が、出金対象の紙幣の長さよりも小さくなっている、ことを特徴とする。
【０００９】
これらの紙幣処理装置によれば、回転駆動手段で搬送ドラムを回転させることで、紙幣を搬送ドラムと押圧ローラとの間で挟持しながら周回搬送路に沿って搬送することができる。また、周回搬送路に沿って搬送される紙幣の金種を、識別手段によって識別することができる。さらに、経路切換手段によって紙幣の搬送経路を周回搬送路と接続搬送路との間で切り換えることで、接続搬送路の接続先、例えば導入部、収納部および放出部と周回搬送路との間で紙幣を搬送することができる。これにより、例えば導入部にて導入された入金紙幣を、周回搬送路において金種識別した上で、その金種に応じた収納部に収納することができる。また、例えば収納部から取り出された出金紙幣を、（必要に応じて周回搬送路において金種識別した上で）放出部から放出することができる。
【００１０】
このように搬送ドラムおよび押圧ローラによって紙幣を搬送することで、ベルト式の搬送手段のような張力負荷が発生しないため、従来のように高出力の駆動手段を用いる必要がなくなる。また、紙幣の識別手段と収納部等の搬送先との間の搬送経路長さを「最も長い紙幣」の長さより長く取るという要件に関しても、環状の周回搬送路において識別手段による紙幣の識別を行うことで、従来の直線状の搬送経路における識別の場合よりも装置内のスペースを有効に利用することが可能となる。従って、駆動手段の小型化や装置内のスペースの有効利用により、従来に比べて装置全体の小型化を図ることができる。
より具体的には、処理対象の紙幣を前記識別手段で識別して、当該紙幣の搬送経路を前記周回搬送路から前記特定の接続搬送路へ切り換える際、前記周回搬送路で当該紙幣を少なくとも１周させて前記識別を行う。
或いは、前記導入部から導入された入金紙幣を前記識別手段で識別して、当該入金紙幣の搬送経路を前記周回搬送路から前記特定の接続搬送路へ切り換える際、前記周回搬送路で当該入金紙幣を少なくとも１周させて前記識別を行う。
或いはまた、前記収納部から取り出された出金紙幣を前記識別手段で識別して、当該出金紙幣の搬送経路を前記周回搬送路から、前記放出部と接続する接続搬送路へ切り換える際、前記周回搬送路で当該出金紙幣を少なくとも１周させて前記識別を行う。
【００１１】
紙幣処理装置が、紙幣を金種別に収納する少なくとも１つの紙幣収納部と、入金紙幣が導入される紙幣導入部および／又は前記収納部から取り出された出金紙幣が放出される紙幣放出部とを更に備える場合、前記収納部と、前記導入部および／又は前記放出部（前記導入部と前記放出部の少なくとも一方）とが、前記搬送ドラムの外周を取り囲むように配置されていることが好ましい。
【００１２】
これにより、装置内のスペースの更なる有効利用を図ることで、装置全体をより一層小型化することができる。
【００１３】
本発明の紙幣処理装置において、前記回転駆動手段は前記搬送ドラムの内部に設けられていることが好ましい。
【００１４】
これにより、搬送ドラム内のスペースを有効に利用して、装置全体のより一層の小型化を図ることができる。
【００１５】
本発明の紙幣処理装置において、前記搬送ドラムは、前記回転駆動手段によって回転される回転ドラムと、この回転ドラムに対して軸線方向に隣接して配置された固定ドラムとを有し、前記識別手段は、互いに前記周回搬送路を挟んで対向配置される２つのセンサー部品を有する共に、当該センサー部品の１つが前記固定ドラム外周に設けられていることが好ましい。
【００１６】
これにより、固定ドラムに設けられたセンサー部品と、これに対向するセンサー部品とによって、回転ドラムの回転で周回搬送路を搬送される紙幣の識別を行うことができる。これにより、環状の周回搬送路に識別手段を配置することが容易となる。
【００１７】
【発明の実施の形態】
次に、図面を参照して本発明の一実施形態について説明する。図１乃至図４は本発明による紙幣処理装置の実施の形態としての紙幣入出金装置を示す図である。以下、本実施形態の構成、動作、作用効果、および変形例について順次説明する。なお、本実施形態における紙幣の移動（導入、搬送、放出その他）は、全て紙幣の長手方向にて行われる。
【００１８】
［構成］
図１に示すように、本実施形態の紙幣入出金装置は、筐体１０内の略中央部に軸線を垂直にして配置された搬送ドラム１を備えている。また、筐体１０内には、入金紙幣繰込ユニット（紙幣導入部）Ａ、紙幣収納部Ｂ，Ｃ，Ｄ、出金紙幣放出ユニット（紙幣放出部）Ｅ、出金リジェクト部Ｆおよび紙幣回収カセットＧが、搬送ドラム１の外周を取り囲むようにして配置されている。そのうち、繰込ユニットＡ、放出ユニットＥ、出金リジェクト部Ｆおよび紙幣回収カセットＧは筐体１０の前面側に配置され、各収納部Ｂ，Ｃ，Ｄは筐体１０の後面側に配置されている。
【００１９】
図２に示すように、筐体１０の前面には、繰込ユニットＡに対応した入金口１２と、放出ユニットＥに対応した出金口１４とが設けられている。また、筐体１０の前面には、出金リジェクト部Ｆおよび紙幣回収カセットＧの前面が露出している。これら出金リジェクト部Ｆおよび紙幣回収カセットＧは、解錠によって筐体１０から前方へ引き出し可能となっている。
【００２０】
図１において、繰込ユニットＡは、入金口１２に挿入された入金紙幣を導入して、それらの紙幣を搬送ドラム１側へ繰り出すためのものである。また、各収納部Ｂ，Ｃ，Ｄは、入金紙幣を金種別に収納するためのものであり、通常は千円札収納部Ｂ、２千円／５千円札（混合）収納部Ｃおよび万円札収納部Ｄとして用いられる。そして、放出ユニットＥは、各収納部Ｂ，Ｃ，Ｄから取り出された出金紙幣を放出し、それらの紙幣を出金口１４からの抜取りに供するためのものである。
【００２１】
出金リジェクト部Ｆは、後述する「出金リジェクト紙幣」を収納するためのものである。また、回収カセットＧは、各収納部Ｂ，Ｃ，Ｄから回収した紙幣を収納するためのものである。この回収カセットＧは、いずれかの収納部Ｂ，Ｃ，Ｄが満杯で対応する入金紙幣を収納できない場合に、その入金紙幣を収納するためにも用いられる。なお、上記放出ユニットＥは、後述する「入金リジェクト紙幣」が放出される入金リジェクト部をも兼ねている。
【００２２】
以上の繰込ユニットＡ、各収納部Ｂ，Ｃ，Ｄ、放出ユニットＥ、出金リジェクト部Ｆおよび紙幣回収カセットＧの内部構成としては周知ないし公知のものを用いることができるので、詳細な説明は省略する。
【００２３】
搬送ドラム１の外周には、環状を成す紙幣の周回搬送路４が形成されている。また、繰込ユニットＡ、各収納部Ｂ，Ｃ，Ｄ、放出ユニットＥ、出金リジェクト部Ｆおよび回収カセットＧと周回搬送路４との間をそれぞれ接続する紙幣の接続搬送路６ａ〜６ｇが形成されている。これらの搬送路４，６ａ〜６ｇは、搬送ドラム１の周囲に設けられたガイド板８によって（周回搬送路４については搬送ドラム１外周面との間で）形成されている。なお、接続搬送路６ｅおよび６ｆが接続される放出ユニットＥおよび出金リジェクト部Ｆの入口部分には、紙幣の集積を補助するためのゴム羽根車９がそれぞれ設けられている。
【００２４】
周回搬送路４の右側部分には、そこを通過する紙幣の金種を識別するための識別センサー（識別手段）５が設けられている。この識別センサー５は、例えば光学センサーとして構成され、互いに周回搬送路４を挟んで対向配置される２つのセンサー部品５ａ，５ｂを有している。
【００２５】
図３に示すように、搬送ドラム１は、回転駆動手段としての駆動モータ２（図１）によって正逆両方向に回転される回転ドラム１ａと、この回転ドラム１ａに対して軸線Ｐ方向の両側に隣接して配置された上部固定ドラム１ｂおよび下部固定ドラム１ｃとを有している。各固定ドラム１ｂ，１ｃは筐体１０に対して固定されており、そのうち上部固定ドラム１ｂの外周側に一方のセンサー部品５ａが埋設されている。
【００２６】
各ドラム１ａ〜１ｃは略同一の周長（直径）を有し、それらの周長は、入出金対象の紙幣のうち最も長い紙幣（この場合は万円札）の長さよりもある程度大きい寸法に設定されている。また、搬送ドラム１全体の高さ（軸線Ｐ方向長さ）は、入出金対象の紙幣の幅に略対応した寸法に設定されている。
【００２７】
図１に示すように、上記駆動モータ２は、搬送ドラム１の内部に設けられている。なお、駆動モータ２によって回転ドラム１ａを直接回転駆動するように構成してもよく、あるいは任意の減速機構を介して回転駆動するように構成してもよい。また、回転ドラム１ａの外周面に対して弾性的に押圧される複数（この場合は５つ）の押圧ローラ３が、搬送ドラム１の周方向に間隔を置いて配置されている。
【００２８】
周回搬送路４と各接続搬送路６ａ〜６ｇとの間で紙幣の搬送経路を切り換える経路切換手段７ａ〜７ｇが、周回搬送路４に沿って配置されている。これらの切換手段７ａ〜７ｇの構成態様は、接続搬送路６ａ〜６ｄ，６ｆ，６ｇに対応する揺動ガイド部材７ａ〜７ｄ，７ｆ，７ｇと、接続搬送路６ｅに対応する移動ガイド部材７ｅとに分けられる。なお、接続搬送路６ｆは周回搬送路４に直接接続されているわけではなく、接続搬送路６ａを介して接続されている。従って、揺動ガイド部材７ｆによる周回搬送路４から接続搬送路６ｆへの搬送経路の切り換えは、揺動ガイド部材７ａとの連携においてなされることになる。
【００２９】
図４には、揺動ガイド部材の１つ７ｇと移動ガイド部材７ｅとが拡大して示されている。これらのガイド部材７ｇおよび７ｅは、（図３に示す搬送ドラム１のうち回転ドラム１ａを除いた）固定ドラム１ｂ，１ｃに対応して設けられており、固定ドラム１ｂ，１ｃおよびガイド板８の対応部分には切欠きが形成されている（他のガイド部材７ａ〜７ｄ，７ｆについても同様）。
【００３０】
揺動ガイド部材７ｇは、図４に二点鎖線で示す位置から実線で示す位置へ揺動することで、周回搬送路４から接続搬送路６ｇへ搬送経路を切り換えるようになっている。また、移動ガイド部材７ｅは、図４に二点鎖線で示す位置から実線で示す位置へ並進移動することで、周回搬送路４から接続搬送路６ｅへ搬送経路を切り換えるようになっている。この場合、接続搬送路６ｅは、回転ドラム１ａの時計回り（図１）の回転時に出金紙幣を通すための接続搬送路６ｅ−１と、回転ドラム１ａの反時計回り（図１）の回転時に入金リジェクト紙幣を通すための接続搬送路６ｅ−２とに分岐するようになっている。
【００３１】
［動作］
次に、本実施形態の紙幣入出金装置の動作について、図示しないＰＯＳレジスター（販売時点管理用金銭登録機）に接続されて制御される釣銭機として用いる場合を例にとって説明する。
【００３２】
（１）入金動作
まず、顧客から受け取った購入代金としての入金紙幣が、オペレータによって束の状態で入金口１２（図１及び図２）へ挿入される。入金口１２から挿入された紙幣は、図１に示す入金紙幣繰込ユニットＡから接続搬送路６ａを通じて周回搬送路４へ（公知の分離繰出し機構によって）１枚ずつ繰り出される。周回搬送路４へ繰り出された紙幣は、回転ドラム１ａと押圧ローラ３と間で挟持された状態で、回転ドラム１ａの反時計回り（図１）の回転に従って周回搬送路４に沿って搬送される。
【００３３】
周回搬送路４を搬送される紙幣は、１周する間に識別センサー５によって金種を識別され、対応する金種の収納部Ｂ，Ｃ，Ｄに収納される。各収納部Ｂ，Ｃ，Ｄへの入金紙幣の収納は、対応するガイド部材７ｂ，７ｃ，７ｄによる周回搬送路４から各接続搬送路６ｂ，６ｃ，６ｄへの搬送経路の切り換え動作によって行われる。なお、周回搬送路４における紙幣の斜行等によって識別センサー５による金種識別ができなかった場合は、周回搬送路４で当該紙幣をもう１周させることで識別センサー５による識別を再度試みることができる（いわゆる識別リトライ）。
【００３４】
以上のような入金動作に伴って、紙幣入出金装置からＰＯＳレジスターに対して（識別結果に基づいた）入金額が通知される。通知を受けたＰＯＳレジスターは、（例えばバーコードの読み取りで入力される）顧客の購入商品の金額と入金額とを比較して、釣銭が発生するかどうかを判断する。釣銭が発生する場合には、ＰＯＳレジスターから紙幣入出金装置に対して釣銭払出命令が通知される。
【００３５】
（２）出金動作
上記の釣銭払出命令を受けた紙幣入出金装置は、命令された釣銭の額に応じて以下に例示するような出金動作を行う。なお、釣銭払出命令による出金動作に関連するのは、万円札収納部Ｄを除いた、千円札収納部Ｂと２千円／５千円札収納部Ｃのいずれかである。
【００３６】
(2-1)釣銭額３千円の場合
この場合、千円札収納部Ｂから繰り出された３枚の千円札が、接続搬送路６ｂを通じて周回搬送路４へ（公知の分離繰出し機構によって）１枚ずつ繰り出される。周回搬送路４へ繰り出された紙幣は、回転ドラム１ａの時計回り（図１）の回転に従って周回搬送路４に沿って搬送され、ガイド部材７ｅによる周回搬送路４から接続搬送路６ｅ−１（図４）への搬送経路の切り換え動作によって、出金紙幣放出ユニットＥへ送り込まれる。放出ユニットＥは、３枚の千円札が送り込まれた時点で、それらの紙幣を（公知の機構によって）束の状態で出金口１４から突出させるように放出する。出金口１４から突出した紙幣は、オペレータによって抜き取られる。
【００３７】
なお、千円札収納部Ｂには千円札しか収納されていないので、この場合は出金紙幣を周回搬送路４で１周以上させて金種識別を行う必要はない。
【００３８】
(2-2)釣銭額７千円の場合
この場合、まず２千円／５千円札収納部Ｃから最初の紙幣１枚だけが繰り出され、周回搬送路４に沿って時計回り（図１）に搬送される。この紙幣は、周回搬送路４を１周以上する間に識別センサー５による金種識別を受けた上で、上記(2-1)の場合と同様にして放出ユニットＥへ送り込まれる。
【００３９】
最初の紙幣の金種が５千円であった場合は、残りの２千円分として千円札収納部Ｂから千円札が２枚繰り出され、上記(2-1)の場合と同様、金種識別を経ることなく放出ユニットＥへ送り込まれる。
【００４０】
次に、最初の紙幣の金種が２千円であった場合は、２千円／５千円札収納部Ｃから２番目の紙幣１枚だけが繰り出され、周回搬送路４で金種識別を受ける。この２番目の紙幣の金種が５千円であった場合は、その５千円札が放出ユニットＥへ送り込まれた時点で出金動作が完了する。一方、２番目の紙幣の金種が２千円であった場合は、この２千円札が放出ユニットＥへ送り込まれると共に、残りの３千円分として千円札収納部Ｂから千円札が３枚繰り出され、金種識別を経ることなく放出ユニットＥへ送り込まれる。
【００４１】
（３）回収動作
いずれかの収納部Ｂ，Ｃ，Ｄが満杯であるにも拘わらず、対応する金種の紙幣が更に入金された場合、当該入金紙幣は、周回搬送路４から接続搬送路６ｇを通じて紙幣回収カセットＧに収納される。また、１日の営業が終了して収納部Ｂ，Ｃ，Ｄ内の紙幣を全て回収したい場合等には、収納部Ｂ，Ｃ，Ｄから繰り出された紙幣が順次、周回搬送路４から接続搬送路６ｇを通じて紙幣回収カセットＧに収納される。回収紙幣を収納した回収カセットＧは、解錠によって筐体１０から取り出すことができる。
【００４２】
（４）リジェクト動作
入金紙幣の中に汚損等により識別センサー５による金種識別のできない紙幣があった場合、その紙幣は「入金リジェクト紙幣」として、周回搬送路４から接続搬送路６ｅを通じて紙幣放出ユニットＥへ送り込まれる。また、出金紙幣の中に斜行等により（上記「識別リトライ」によっても）識別センサー５による金種識別のできない紙幣があった場合、その紙幣は「出金リジェクト紙幣」として、周回搬送路４から接続搬送路６ｆを通じて出金リジェクト部Ｆへ送り込まれる。
【００４３】
［作用効果］
以上のように構成された本実施形態の紙幣入出金装置によれば、搬送ドラム１（回転ドラム１ａ）および押圧ローラ３によって紙幣を搬送することで、ベルト式の搬送手段のような張力負荷が発生しないため、従来のように高出力の駆動手段を用いる必要がなくなる。また、紙幣の識別手段と収納部との間の搬送経路長さを「最も長い紙幣」の長さより長く取るという要件に関しても、環状の周回搬送路４において識別センサー５による紙幣の識別を行うことで、従来の直線状の搬送経路における識別の場合よりも装置内のスペースを有効に利用することが可能となる。
【００４４】
また、入金紙幣繰込ユニットＡ、各紙幣収納部Ｂ，Ｃ，Ｄ、出金紙幣放出ユニットＥ、出金リジェクト部Ｆおよび紙幣回収カセットＧが、搬送ドラム１の外周を取り囲むようにして配置されているので、装置内のスペースの更なる有効利用を図ることができる。また、回転駆動手段としての駆動モータ２を搬送ドラム１の内部に設けることで、搬送ドラム１内のスペースも有効に利用している。
【００４５】
従って、本実施形態の紙幣入出金装置によれば、駆動手段の小型化や装置内のスペースの有効利用により、従来に比べて装置全体の大幅な小型化を図ることができる。
【００４６】
また、本実施形態においては、固定ドラム１ｂに設けられたセンサー部品５ａと、これに対向するセンサー部品５ｂとを有する識別センサー５によって、回転ドラム１ａの回転で周回搬送路４を搬送される紙幣の識別を行うことができる。これにより、環状の周回搬送路４に識別手段としての識別センサー５を配置することが容易となる。
【００４７】
［変形例］
本実施形態において、日本国通貨としての千円、２千円、５千円および万円札を入出金対象とする場合について説明したが、入出金対象とする紙幣の金種は、外国通貨も含めて任意に設定可能である。また、紙幣収納部の数も必要に応じて任意に設定することができる。例えば２千円札収納部と５千円札収納部とを別個に設けることも可能であり、その場合は、上記のような出金時の金種識別も不要となる。
【００４８】
また、理論的には識別センサー５を単体のセンサー部品で構成することも可能である。その場合、単体のセンサー部品を搬送ドラム１側ではなくガイド板８側に設けることで、少なくともセンサー部品を設ける目的で固定ドラムを備えさせる必要はなくなることになる。
【００４９】
【発明の効果】
本発明によれば、搬送ドラムおよび押圧ローラによって紙幣を搬送することで、ベルト式の搬送手段のような張力負荷が発生しないため、従来のように高出力の駆動手段を用いる必要がなくなる。また、識別手段と収納部との間の搬送経路長さを最も長い紙幣の長さより長く取るという要件に関しても、環状の周回搬送路において識別手段による紙幣の識別を行うことで、従来の直線状の搬送経路における識別の場合よりも装置内のスペースを有効に利用することが可能となる。従って、駆動手段の小型化や装置内のスペースの有効利用により、従来に比べて装置全体の小型化を図ることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明による紙幣処理装置の一実施形態としての紙幣入出金装置を示す水平断面図。
【図２】図１に示す紙幣入出金装置の正面図。
【図３】図１に示す紙幣入出金装置における搬送ドラムの右側面図。
【図４】図１に示す紙幣入出金装置における揺動ガイド部材の１つと移動ガイド部材とを拡大して示す図。
【符号の説明】
Ａ入金紙幣繰込ユニット（紙幣導入部）
Ｂ千円札収納部（紙幣収納部）
Ｃ２千円／５千円札収納部（紙幣収納部）
Ｄ万円札収納部（紙幣収納部）
Ｅ出金紙幣放出ユニット（紙幣放出部）
Ｆ出金リジェクト部
Ｇ紙幣回収カセット
１搬送ドラム
１ａ回転ドラム
１ｂ，１ｃ固定ドラム
２駆動モータ（回転駆動手段）
３押圧ローラ
４周回搬送路
５識別センサー（識別手段）
５ａ，５ｂセンサー部品
６ａ〜６ｇ接続搬送路
６ｅ−１出金紙幣用の接続搬送路
６ｅ−２入金リジェクト紙幣用の接続搬送路
７ａ〜７ｄ，７ｆ，７ｇ揺動ガイド部材（経路切換手段）
７ｅ移動ガイド部材（経路切換手段）
８ガイド板
９ゴム羽根車
１０筐体
１２入金口
１４出金口[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a banknote processing apparatus (for example, a banknote depositing / withdrawing apparatus) provided with banknote denomination identifying means on a banknote transport path.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventional banknote depositing and dispensing devices are generally configured to convey banknotes to a storage unit or the like by a stretched elastic belt. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-143128 related to the applicant of the present application discloses a banknote transport unit using an elastic belt stretched linearly between pulleys having substantially the same diameter.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The conventional banknote depositing / dispensing apparatus using the belt-type conveying means as described above has the following problems.
[0004]
First, it is necessary to drive while applying tension to the elastic belt to such an extent that a gripping force that prevents the conveyed banknote from slipping is obtained. In order to drive the elastic belt against such a tension load, a driving means (for example, a motor) with a considerably high output is required. For this reason, since a drive means will enlarge, the size reduction of the whole apparatus is difficult.
[0005]
Next, when performing denomination identification of a banknote on a conveyance path | route, you have to make it pass the position of the identification means (for example, optical sensor) installed in the middle of a conveyance path | route over the full length. . This imposes a requirement that the length of the conveyance path between the bill identification means and the storage unit is longer than the length (longitudinal dimension) of the “longest bill”. On the other hand, in the banknote transport means using the elastic belt stretched in a straight line, the transport path is also in a straight line, so that a considerable space is required to satisfy the above requirements, and the dead space in the apparatus Is also likely to occur. Therefore, also from this point, it is difficult to reduce the size of the entire apparatus.
[0006]
With respect to this point, a countermeasure may be considered in which the elastic belt is bent and stretched without being stretched linearly. However, in this case, it is necessary to bend and support the elastic belt with a large number of idle rollers or the like, which not only increases the cost, but also increases the size of the driving means due to an increase in the conveyance load. Therefore, this measure cannot be said to be effective.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in consideration of such points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a banknote processing apparatus capable of reducing the size of the entire apparatus as compared with the prior art.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The banknote handling apparatus of the present invention has a transport drum having a circumferential length larger than the length of the longest banknote among the banknotes to be processed , a rotation driving means for rotating the transport drum, and an interval in the circumferential direction of the transport drum. A plurality of pressing rollers disposed and pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the drum, a banknote circulation path formed on the outer periphery of the conveyance drum, and a banknote provided and passed through the circulation path and identifying means for identifying the denomination of the the circulating transport path and the connection conveying of the connected at least one of the bill path, the path switching means for switching the transport path of the banknote between the circulating transport path and the connection conveying route with the door, at least one specific connection conveying path out of the connection conveying route, the distance in the transport direction along said circulating transport path from said identification means to the specific connection transport path, to be processed for banknotes It is smaller than is, it is characterized.
Another banknote processing apparatus of the present invention includes a banknote introduction section into which a deposited banknote is introduced, at least one banknote storage section that stores the deposited banknote in denomination, and the length of the longest banknote among the banknotes to be deposited. A conveying drum having a larger circumferential length, rotation driving means for rotating the conveying drum, and a plurality of pressing rollers arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the conveying drum and pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the drum And a circulation transport path of banknotes formed on the outer periphery of the transport drum, identification means provided in the circulation transport path for identifying the denomination of banknotes passing, the introduction section and the storage section, A connection transport path for banknotes, each of which is connected to the circulation transport path, and a path switching means for switching the transport path of the banknotes between the circulation transport path and each connection transport path, and is connected to the storage unit. Connection At least one specific connection conveyance path among the transmission paths is such that the distance in the conveyance direction along the circular conveyance path from the identification means to the specific connection conveyance path is smaller than the length of the banknote to be deposited. It is characterized by that.
Still another banknote processing device of the present invention includes at least one banknote storage unit that stores banknotes by denomination, a banknote discharge unit from which a withdrawal banknote taken out from the storage unit is discharged, A conveyance drum having a circumference longer than the length of the longest banknote among the banknotes, a rotation driving means for rotating the conveyance drum, and arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the conveyance drum, on the outer peripheral surface of the drum A plurality of pressing rollers to be pressed against each other, a circulation transport path of banknotes formed on the outer periphery of the transport drum, identification means for identifying the denominations of banknotes provided in the circulation transport path, and A banknote connection conveyance path that connects the storage section, the discharge section, and the circulation conveyance path, and a path switching unit that switches a conveyance path of banknotes between the circulation conveyance path and each connection conveyance path. With the front The connection conveyance path connected to the discharge unit is characterized in that the distance in the conveyance direction along the circumferential conveyance path from the identification means to the connection conveyance path is smaller than the length of the banknote to be dispensed. And
[0009]
According to these banknote processing apparatuses , the banknote can be transported along the circular transport path while being sandwiched between the transport drum and the pressing roller by rotating the transport drum by the rotation driving means. Moreover, the denomination of the banknote conveyed along a circulation conveyance path can be identified by an identification means. Furthermore, by switching the conveyance path of the banknotes between the circulation conveyance path and the connection conveyance path by the path switching means, the connection destination of the connection conveyance path, for example, between the introduction unit, the storage unit and the discharge unit and the circulation conveyance path. Bills can be transported. Thereby, for example, a deposited banknote introduced by the introduction unit can be stored in a storage unit corresponding to the denomination after the denomination is identified in the circulation transport path. Further, for example, a withdrawal banknote taken out from the storage unit can be discharged from the discharge unit (after the denomination is identified in the circulation conveyance path if necessary).
[0010]
By transporting the banknotes by the transport drum and the pressure roller in this way, a tension load unlike the belt-type transport unit is not generated, and thus there is no need to use a high-output drive unit as in the prior art. In addition, regarding the requirement that the length of the conveyance path between the banknote identification means and the conveyance destination such as the storage section is longer than the length of the “longest banknote”, the banknote identification by the identification means is performed in the annular circulation path. By doing so, the space in the apparatus can be used more effectively than in the case of identification in the conventional linear conveyance path. Therefore, the overall size of the apparatus can be reduced as compared with the prior art by downsizing the driving means and effectively using the space in the apparatus.
More specifically, when the banknote to be processed is identified by the identification unit and the conveyance path of the banknote is switched from the circulation conveyance path to the specific connection conveyance path, the banknote is at least 1 in the circulation conveyance path. The identification is performed around the circumference.
Alternatively, when the deposited banknote introduced from the introduction unit is identified by the identification unit and the transport path of the deposited banknote is switched from the circular transport path to the specific connection transport path, the deposited banknote is used in the circular transport path. Is performed at least once.
Alternatively, when the withdrawal banknote taken out from the storage unit is identified by the identification means, and the transport path of the withdrawal banknote is switched from the circulation transport path to the connection transport path connected to the discharge section, the The identification is performed by making at least one turn of the withdrawal banknote in the circular conveyance path.
[0011]
The banknote handling apparatus stores at least one banknote storage section for storing banknotes in denominations, a banknote introduction section for introducing deposited banknotes, and / or a banknote ejection section for discharging withdrawal banknotes taken out from the storage section. If further comprising, said housing portion, said inlet portion and / or the discharge portion (at least one of the emitting portion and the inlet portion), it is preferably arranged so as to surround the outer periphery of the transport drum .
[0012]
Thereby , the whole apparatus can be further reduced in size by further effectively using the space in the apparatus.
[0013]
In the banknote handling apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the rotation driving means is provided inside the transport drum.
[0014]
Thereby , it is possible to further reduce the size of the entire apparatus by effectively using the space in the transport drum.
[0015]
In the banknote handling machine of the present invention, the transport drum includes a rotating drum rotated by the rotation driving unit, and a fixed drum disposed adjacent to the rotating drum in the axial direction, and the identification unit are both have two sensors parts disposed opposite each other across the rotary transporting path together, it is preferred that one of the sensor parts are provided on the stationary drum periphery.
[0016]
Thereby , the banknote conveyed by a rotation conveyance path by the rotation of a rotating drum can be identified by the sensor component provided in the fixed drum, and the sensor component facing this. Thereby, it becomes easy to arrange | position an identification means in a cyclic | annular circumference conveyance path.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 are views showing a banknote depositing and dispensing apparatus as an embodiment of a banknote handling apparatus according to the present invention. Hereinafter, the configuration, operation, operational effects, and modifications of the present embodiment will be described in order. In addition, the movement (introduction, conveyance, discharge, etc.) of the banknote in this embodiment is all performed in the longitudinal direction of the banknote.
[0018]
[Constitution]
As shown in FIG. 1, the banknote depositing / withdrawing apparatus of this embodiment is provided with the conveyance drum 1 arrange | positioned in the approximate center part in the housing | casing 10 by making an axis line perpendicular | vertical. Moreover, in the housing | casing 10, the deposit banknote feeding unit (banknote introduction part) A, banknote storage part B, C, D, withdrawal banknote discharge unit (banknote ejection part) E, withdrawal rejection part F, and banknote collection | recovery A cassette G is arranged so as to surround the outer periphery of the transport drum 1. Among them, the feeding unit A, the discharge unit E, the withdrawal rejection unit F, and the banknote collection cassette G are arranged on the front side of the casing 10, and the storage units B, C, and D are arranged on the rear side of the casing 10. ing.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 2, a depositing port 12 corresponding to the feeding unit A and a dispensing port 14 corresponding to the discharging unit E are provided on the front surface of the housing 10. Further, on the front surface of the housing 10, the front surfaces of the withdrawal rejection unit F and the banknote collection cassette G are exposed. The withdrawal reject part F and the banknote collection cassette G can be pulled forward from the housing 10 by unlocking.
[0020]
In FIG. 1, the transfer unit A is for introducing the deposited banknotes inserted into the deposit port 12 and feeding the banknotes to the transport drum 1 side. Each of the storage units B, C, and D is for storing deposited banknotes by denomination, and is usually a thousand yen bill storage unit B, a 2,000 yen / 5,000 yen bill (mixed) storage unit C, and Used as the 10,000 yen bill storage part D. And the discharge | release unit E discharge | releases the withdrawal banknote taken out from each accommodating part B, C, D, and is for using those banknotes for extraction from the withdrawal port 14. FIG.
[0021]
The withdrawal reject unit F is for storing “withdrawal reject banknote” to be described later. The collection cassette G is for storing banknotes collected from the storage units B, C, and D. This collection cassette G is also used to store the deposited banknote when any of the storage portions B, C, D is full and cannot accommodate the corresponding deposited banknote. The discharge unit E also serves as a deposit reject unit from which a “deposit reject banknote” described later is discharged.
[0022]
As the internal structures of the feeding unit A, the storage units B, C, D, the discharge unit E, the withdrawal reject unit F, and the banknote collection cassette G, well-known or publicly known ones can be used. Is omitted.
[0023]
On the outer periphery of the transport drum 1, a circular transport path 4 for a banknote having an annular shape is formed. Moreover, the connection conveyance paths 6a-6g of the banknote which respectively connect between the carrying unit A, each accommodating part B, C, D, discharge | release unit E, the withdrawal rejection part F, and the collection | recovery cassette G and the circulation conveyance path 4 are respectively. Is formed. These conveyance paths 4, 6 a to 6 g are formed by a guide plate 8 provided around the conveyance drum 1 (between the circumferential conveyance path 4 and the outer circumferential surface of the conveyance drum 1). In addition, rubber impellers 9 for assisting the accumulation of banknotes are respectively provided at the entrance portions of the discharge unit E and the withdrawal reject part F to which the connection transport paths 6e and 6f are connected.
[0024]
An identification sensor (identification means) 5 for identifying the denomination of the banknote passing there is provided on the right side portion of the circulation transport path 4. The identification sensor 5 is configured as an optical sensor, for example, and includes two sensor components 5a and 5b that are arranged to face each other with the circumferential conveyance path 4 interposed therebetween.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 3, the transport drum 1 includes a rotating drum 1a that is rotated in both forward and reverse directions by a drive motor 2 (FIG. 1) as a rotation driving means, and both sides of the rotating drum 1a in the axis P direction. It has the upper fixed drum 1b and the lower fixed drum 1c which are arrange | positioned adjacently. Each fixed drum 1b, 1c is fixed to the housing 10, and one sensor component 5a is embedded on the outer peripheral side of the upper fixed drum 1b.
[0026]
Each of the drums 1a to 1c has substantially the same circumference (diameter), and the circumference is somewhat larger than the length of the longest banknote (in this case, 10,000 yen bill) among the banknotes to be deposited and withdrawn. Is set. Moreover, the height (length in the direction of the axis P) of the entire transport drum 1 is set to a dimension that substantially corresponds to the width of the banknote to be deposited / withdrawn.
[0027]
As shown in FIG. 1, the drive motor 2 is provided inside the transport drum 1. The rotary drum 1a may be directly driven to rotate by the drive motor 2, or may be configured to be driven to rotate via an arbitrary speed reduction mechanism. A plurality of (in this case, five) pressing rollers 3 that are elastically pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the rotating drum 1 a are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the transport drum 1.
[0028]
Route switching means 7 a to 7 g for switching the banknote transport path between the circulation transport path 4 and the connection transport paths 6 a to 6 g are arranged along the circuit transport path 4. These switching means 7a to 7g are composed of swing guide members 7a to 7d, 7f and 7g corresponding to the connection transport paths 6a to 6d, 6f and 6g, and a moving guide member 7e corresponding to the connection transport path 6e. It is divided into. The connection conveyance path 6f is not directly connected to the circumferential conveyance path 4, but is connected via the connection conveyance path 6a. Therefore, switching of the conveyance path from the circumferential conveyance path 4 to the connection conveyance path 6f by the swing guide member 7f is performed in cooperation with the swing guide member 7a.
[0029]
In FIG. 4, one of the swing guide members 7g and the moving guide member 7e are shown enlarged. These guide members 7g and 7e are provided corresponding to the fixed drums 1b and 1c (excluding the rotating drum 1a of the transport drum 1 shown in FIG. 3), and the fixed drums 1b and 1c and the guide plate 8 A cutout is formed in the corresponding portion (the same applies to the other guide members 7a to 7d and 7f).
[0030]
The swing guide member 7g swings from the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 4 to the position indicated by the solid line, thereby switching the transport path from the circumferential transport path 4 to the connection transport path 6g. Further, the movement guide member 7e translates from the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 4 to the position indicated by the solid line, thereby switching the conveyance path from the circumferential conveyance path 4 to the connection conveyance path 6e. In this case, the connection conveyance path 6e is connected to the connection conveyance path 6e-1 for passing the withdrawal bill when the rotation drum 1a rotates clockwise (FIG. 1), and the counterclockwise rotation (FIG. 1) of the rotation drum 1a. Sometimes it branches to a connection conveyance path 6e-2 for passing a deposit reject banknote.
[0031]
[Operation]
Next, the operation of the banknote depositing / withdrawing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described by taking as an example a case of using as a change machine connected to and controlled by a POS register (sales point management cash register) (not shown).
[0032]
(1) Depositing operation First, a deposit bill as a purchase price received from a customer is inserted into the deposit port 12 (FIGS. 1 and 2) in a bundled state by an operator. The banknotes inserted from the deposit port 12 are fed out one by one (by a known separating and feeding mechanism) from the deposited banknote feeding unit A shown in FIG. 1 to the circulation transport path 4 through the connection transport path 6a. The banknotes fed out to the circulation conveyance path 4 are conveyed along the circulation conveyance path 4 according to the counterclockwise rotation (FIG. 1) of the rotation drum 1a while being sandwiched between the rotation drum 1a and the pressing roller 3. The
[0033]
The banknotes transported in the circulation transport path 4 are identified by the identification sensor 5 during one round and stored in the corresponding denomination storage units B, C, D. Storage of the deposited banknotes in the storage units B, C, and D is performed by switching the transport path from the circulation transport path 4 to the connection transport paths 6b, 6c, and 6d by the corresponding guide members 7b, 7c, and 7d. . In addition, when the denomination identification by the identification sensor 5 cannot be performed due to the skew of the banknote in the circulation transport path 4, the identification sensor 5 tries again by making the banknote one more turn in the circulation transport path 4. (So-called identification retry).
[0034]
With the deposit operation as described above, the deposit amount (based on the identification result) is notified from the banknote deposit / withdrawal device to the POS register. Upon receiving the notification, the POS register compares the amount of the purchased product of the customer (inputted, for example, by reading a barcode) with the amount of money received, and determines whether or not change occurs. When change occurs, a change payout command is notified from the POS register to the banknote deposit and withdrawal device.
[0035]
(2) Withdrawing operation The banknote depositing / withdrawing apparatus that has received the change dispensing instruction performs a dispensing operation as exemplified below according to the amount of change instructed. Note that the withdrawal operation according to the change payout instruction is one of the thousand yen bill storage unit B and the 2,000 yen / 5,000 yen bill storage unit C excluding the 10,000 yen bill storage unit D.
[0036]
(2-1) In the case of change amount of 3,000 yen In this case, three thousand yen bills fed out from the thousand yen bill storage part B are transferred to the circulation conveyance path 4 through the connection conveyance path 6b (by a known separating and feeding mechanism). ) It is fed out one by one. The banknotes fed out to the circular conveyance path 4 are conveyed along the circular conveyance path 4 according to the clockwise rotation (FIG. 1) of the rotary drum 1a, and are connected from the circular conveyance path 4 by the guide member 7e to the connection conveyance path 6e-1 ( It is sent to the withdrawal banknote discharge unit E by the switching operation of the transport path to FIG. When the three thousand yen bills are fed, the discharge unit E discharges the bills so as to protrude from the dispensing port 14 in a bundled state (by a known mechanism). The banknote protruding from the dispensing port 14 is extracted by the operator.
[0037]
Since only the thousand yen bill is accommodated in the thousand yen bill storage part B, in this case, it is not necessary to identify the denomination by making the withdrawal banknote one or more rounds in the circulation transport path 4.
[0038]
(2-2) In the case of a change amount of 7,000 yen In this case, first, only the first banknote is drawn out from the 2,000 yen / 5,000 yen bill storage part C, and it is rotated clockwise along the circulation path 4 (FIG. 1). ). This banknote is sent to the discharge unit E in the same manner as in the case of (2-1) above after receiving the denomination identification by the identification sensor 5 during one or more rounds of the circulation transport path 4.
[0039]
If the denomination of the first banknote is 5,000 yen, two thousand yen bills are paid out from the thousand yen bill storage part B as the remaining 2,000 yen, as in (2-1) above. It is sent to the discharge unit E without denomination identification.
[0040]
Next, when the denomination of the first banknote is 2,000 yen, only one second banknote is paid out from the 2,000 yen / 5,000 yen bill storage part C, and the denomination is identified by the circulation transport path 4. Receive. When the denomination of the second banknote is 5,000 yen, the dispensing operation is completed when the 5,000 yen bill is sent to the discharge unit E. On the other hand, if the denomination of the second bill is 2,000 yen, the 2,000 yen bill is sent to the discharge unit E and the remaining 3,000 yen is sent from the thousand yen bill storage part B to the thousand yen bill. Are fed out and sent to the discharge unit E without denomination identification.
[0041]
(3) Collecting operation When any banknote of the corresponding denomination is further deposited even though one of the storage units B, C, D is full, the deposited banknote is connected from the circulation conveyance path 4 to the connection conveyance path. It is stored in the bill collection cassette G through 6g. In addition, when it is desired to collect all banknotes in the storage units B, C, D after the end of the day, the banknotes drawn out from the storage units B, C, D are sequentially connected from the circulation transport path 4. It is stored in the banknote collection cassette G through the transport path 6g. The collection cassette G storing the collected banknotes can be taken out from the housing 10 by unlocking.
[0042]
(4) Reject operation When there is a banknote that cannot be denominated by the identification sensor 5 due to contamination or the like, the banknote is discharged as a “payment reject banknote” from the circulation transport path 4 through the connection transport path 6e. Sent to unit E. In addition, when there is a banknote that cannot be denominated by the identification sensor 5 due to skew or the like (by the above-mentioned “identification retry”), the banknote is referred to as a “withdrawal reject banknote” and the circulation conveyance path. 4 is sent to the withdrawal rejection part F through the connection conveyance path 6f.
[0043]
[Function and effect]
According to the banknote depositing / dispensing apparatus of the present embodiment configured as described above, a tension load such as a belt-type transporting unit is applied by transporting the banknotes by the transport drum 1 (the rotating drum 1a) and the pressing roller 3. Since it does not occur, there is no need to use a high output driving means as in the prior art. In addition, regarding the requirement that the length of the conveyance path between the banknote identification means and the storage unit is longer than the length of the “longest banknote”, the banknote is identified by the identification sensor 5 in the annular circulation path 4. Thus, the space in the apparatus can be used more effectively than in the case of identification in the conventional linear conveyance path.
[0044]
Also, the deposited banknote transfer unit A, each banknote storage unit B, C, D, the withdrawal banknote discharge unit E, the withdrawal reject unit F, and the banknote collection cassette G are arranged so as to surround the outer periphery of the transport drum 1. Therefore, the space in the apparatus can be used more effectively. Further, by providing the drive motor 2 as the rotation drive means inside the transport drum 1, the space in the transport drum 1 is also effectively used.
[0045]
Therefore, according to the banknote depositing / withdrawing apparatus of the present embodiment, the entire apparatus can be significantly reduced in size as compared with the conventional apparatus by downsizing the driving means and effectively using the space in the apparatus.
[0046]
Moreover, in this embodiment, the banknote conveyed by the rotation conveyance path 4 by rotation of the rotating drum 1a by the identification sensor 5 which has the sensor component 5a provided in the fixed drum 1b, and the sensor component 5b which opposes this. Can be identified. Thereby, it becomes easy to arrange | position the identification sensor 5 as an identification means in the cyclic | annular circumference conveyance path 4. FIG.
[0047]
[Modification]
In the present embodiment, the case where 1,000 yen, 2,000 yen, 5,000 yen and ten thousand yen bills as the currency of Japan are subject to deposit / withdrawal has been described. It can be set arbitrarily including. Moreover, the number of banknote storage parts can also be set arbitrarily as needed. For example, it is possible to separately provide a 2,000 yen bill storage unit and a 5,000 yen bill storage unit, and in this case, it is not necessary to identify the denomination at the time of withdrawal.
[0048]
Theoretically, the identification sensor 5 can be constituted by a single sensor component. In this case, by providing a single sensor component on the guide plate 8 side instead of the conveyance drum 1 side, it is not necessary to provide a fixed drum at least for the purpose of providing the sensor component.
[0049]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, since the bill is conveyed by the conveying drum and the pressing roller, a tension load unlike the belt-type conveying unit is not generated, and thus it is not necessary to use a high-output driving unit as in the related art. In addition, regarding the requirement that the length of the conveyance path between the identification unit and the storage unit be longer than the length of the longest banknote, the conventional linear shape can be obtained by identifying the banknote by the identification unit in the annular circulation conveyance path. The space in the apparatus can be used more effectively than in the case of identification in the transport path. Therefore, the overall size of the apparatus can be reduced as compared with the prior art by downsizing the driving means and effectively using the space in the apparatus.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a horizontal sectional view showing a banknote depositing / withdrawing apparatus as an embodiment of a banknote handling apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the banknote deposit and withdrawal device shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a right side view of a transport drum in the banknote depositing / dispensing apparatus shown in FIG.
4 is an enlarged view showing one of swing guide members and a movement guide member in the banknote depositing / withdrawing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
A Deposit banknote transfer unit (banknote introduction part)
B Thousand yen bill storage (banknote storage)
C 2,000 yen / 5,000 yen bill storage part (banknote storage part)
D Ten thousand yen bill storage (banknote storage)
E Withdrawal banknote release unit (banknote release unit)
F Withdrawal rejection part G Bill collection cassette 1 Conveying drum 1a Rotating drum 1b, 1c Fixed drum 2 Driving motor (rotation driving means)
3 Pressing roller 4 Circulating conveyance path 5 Identification sensor (identification means)
5a, 5b Sensor parts 6a-6g Connection conveyance path 6e-1 Connection conveyance path 6e-2 for withdrawal banknotes Connection conveyance paths 7a-7d, 7f, 7g for deposit-rejection banknotes Swing guide members (path switching means)
7e Movement guide member (route switching means)
8 Guide plate 9 Rubber impeller 10 Housing 12 Deposit port 14 Withdrawal port

Claims

A transport drum having a circumference greater than the length of the longest banknote among the banknotes to be processed ;
A rotation driving means for rotating the transport drum;
A plurality of pressing rollers arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the transport drum and pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the drum;
A circulation path for banknotes formed on the outer periphery of the transport drum;
An identification means for identifying the denomination of the bill that is provided in the circular conveyance path and passes;
A connection conveyance path of at least one bill connected to the circulation conveyance path ;
And a path switching means for switching the transport path of the banknote between the circulating transport path and the connection conveying route,
At least one specific connection conveyance path among the connection conveyance paths has a conveyance direction distance along the circular conveyance path from the identification means to the specific connection conveyance path smaller than the length of the bill to be processed. The banknote processing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned.

When the banknote to be processed is identified by the identification unit and the conveyance path of the banknote is switched from the circulation conveyance path to the specific connection conveyance path, the identification is performed by making the banknote at least one turn in the circulation conveyance path. The bill processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bill processing apparatus performs the bill processing .

At least one bill storage section for storing bills by denomination,
A banknote introduction part into which a deposited banknote is introduced and / or a banknote release part from which a withdrawal banknote taken out from the storage part is released;
Further comprising
The banknote processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the storage unit, the introduction unit, and / or the discharge unit are arranged so as to surround an outer periphery of the transport drum .

A bill introduction part into which a deposited bill is introduced;
At least one banknote storage unit for storing deposited banknotes by denomination ,
A transport drum having a circumference greater than the length of the longest banknote among the banknotes to be deposited ;
A rotation driving means for rotating the transport drum;
A plurality of pressing rollers arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the transport drum and pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the drum;
A circulation path for banknotes formed on the outer periphery of the transport drum;
An identification means for identifying the denomination of the bill that is provided in the circular conveyance path and passes;
A connection conveyance path for banknotes that connects between the introduction section and the storage section, and the circulation conveyance path, respectively.
Path switching means for switching the banknote transport path between the circulation transport path and each connection transport path ,
At least one specific connection conveyance path of the connection conveyance paths connected to the storage unit has a distance in the conveyance direction along the circular conveyance path from the identification unit to the specific connection conveyance path. The banknote processing apparatus characterized by being smaller than the length of a banknote.

When the deposited banknote introduced from the introduction unit is identified by the identification unit and the transport path of the deposited banknote is switched from the circular transport path to the specific connection transport path, at least the deposited banknote is transferred in the circular transport path. The banknote processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the identification is performed by making one round.

At least one bill storage section for storing bills by denomination,
A bill discharge portion dispensed banknotes taken out from the housing section is released,
A transport drum having a circumference longer than the length of the longest banknote among the banknotes to be withdrawn ;
A rotation driving means for rotating the transport drum;
A plurality of pressing rollers arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the transport drum and pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the drum;
A circulation path for banknotes formed on the outer periphery of the transport drum;
An identification means for identifying the denomination of the bill that is provided in the circular conveyance path and passes;
A connection conveyance path for banknotes, each connecting between the storage section and the discharge section, and the circulation conveyance path;
Path switching means for switching the banknote transport path between the circulation transport path and each connection transport path ,
The connection conveyance path connected to the discharge unit is such that the distance in the conveyance direction along the circumferential conveyance path from the identification means to the connection conveyance path is smaller than the length of the banknote to be dispensed. A banknote processing apparatus.

When the withdrawal banknote taken out from the storage unit is identified by the identification unit, the circulation path of the withdrawal banknote is switched from the circulation path to the connection conveyance path connected to the discharge section. The banknote processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the identification is performed by rotating the withdrawal banknote at least once.

Banknote handling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the rotary drive means is provided inside the conveyance drum, it is characterized.

The transport drum includes a rotating drum rotated by the rotation driving unit, and a fixed drum disposed adjacent to the rotating drum in the axial direction.
The identification means includes two sensor parts arranged opposite to each other with the circumferential conveyance path interposed therebetween, and one of the sensor parts is provided on the outer periphery of the fixed drum. The banknote processing apparatus in any one of 8 .