JP5563883B2 - Conveying pipe connecting member and paper sheet conveying apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a transport pipe connecting member for connecting transport pipes for transporting paper sheets such as banknotes using an air flow generated in the pipe, and a transport pipe connected by the transport pipe connecting member to a transport path. The present invention relates to a paper sheet transport apparatus that transports paper sheets by an air flow.

  Each gaming ball lending machine has a gaming ball lending machine that lends a game ball (pachinko ball) to a player upon receipt of a bill and a plurality of gaming machines such as pachinko machines that are housed in pairs. The inserted banknotes are transported and collected through a banknote transport path provided in the gaming machine island to a safe at the end of the gaming machine island.

  2. Description of the Related Art There is a system for transporting paper sheets by an air flow in a transport apparatus for paper sheets such as banknotes. For example, in this type of conveyance apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, a cylindrical conveyance pipe is used as a conveyance path, and a plurality of conveyance pipes are connected so as not to leak air, thereby causing a long conveyance path or bending. Constitutes a transport path. For connection between the transport pipes, a connecting pipe formed of a flexible material is prepared, and the transport pipes are connected to each other through the connecting pipe. Moreover, the sealing part formed in the cylindrical shape with the soft resin material or the rubber material is covered with the connection part of conveyance pipes, and the air leak is prevented. Specifically, the end of the transport pipe is inserted densely from both ends of the cylindrical seal material, and a ring-shaped projection is provided on the inner wall of the seal material, and this projection abuts the outer wall of the transport pipe. It is designed to be hermetically sealed.

  In addition, when the paper sheets are shifted to any one of the wall surfaces in the transport pipe, the flow velocity of the air increases on the side where the gap with the wall surface becomes narrower, resulting in a negative pressure, and the gap becomes narrower. This phenomenon occurs. For this reason, in the conveyance apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, ribs are provided on the wall surface of the conveyance pipe to reduce the sticking of banknotes to the wall surface.

Japanese Patent No. 4130697

  In the method of covering the sealing portion in order to ensure the airtightness of the connecting portion, it is necessary to further cover the sealing material after connecting with a connecting pipe or the like, and the construction is troublesome. Also, when banknotes are jammed in the middle of the transport path and it becomes necessary to disconnect the transport pipes, the seal material must be peeled off and the connecting pipes must be removed. Can not. In addition, since a connecting pipe and a sealing material are required as connecting parts, there is a problem that the number of parts increases and the cost and management man-hour increase.

  In addition, when transporting by air flow, as described above, since paper sheets tend to be adsorbed to any wall surface of the transport pipe, if there is a step on the wall surface or rib at the connection part between the transport pipes, Paper sheets get caught in the step and hinder smooth transportation.

  The present invention is intended to solve the above-described problem, and provides a conveyance pipe connecting member that can connect conveyance pipes without air leakage and that can be easily connected and detached, and a paper sheet conveyance device using the conveyance pipe connection member. The purpose is to do. It is another object of the present invention to provide a transport pipe connecting member that does not catch paper sheets at the connecting portion and a paper sheet transport apparatus using the transport pipe connecting member.

  The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.

[1] Cylindrical conveyance pipes generated in the pipe form both ends so as to form a conveyance path for conveying paper sheets in a posture along the conveyance direction and an air flow serving as a conveyance force source flows in one direction. Is a cylindrical transport pipe connecting member that is inserted from each to connect them,
A cylindrical receiving portion having a cross-sectional inner edge shape corresponding to the cross-sectional outer edge shape of the transport pipe and having the transport pipe densely inserted therein is provided at both ends, and the cross-section inner edge shape of the transport pipe is between the receiving portions. a tubular-shaped transport path portion having a cross-sectional inner shape corresponding to,
The transport pipe includes a pair of opposing side wall portions facing the front and back sides of the paper sheet, and the cross section has a flat shape with the side wall portion as a longitudinal direction,
The receiving portion is higher in rigidity than the transport pipe, and has a clearance only between a portion corresponding to the side wall portion of the outer peripheral surface of the transport pipe to be inserted,
When the transport pipe is inserted into the receiving portion, the wall portion that forms the short side direction of the cross section of the transport pipe is pressed inward by the inner wall of the portion without the clearance in the receiving portion. The transport pipe connecting member, wherein the side wall portion is deformed so as to bulge outward and abuts against the inner wall of the receiving portion without a gap .

In the above invention, a cylindrical receiving portion having a cross-sectional inner edge shape corresponding to the cross-sectional outer edge shape of the transport pipe and having the transport pipe densely inserted therein is provided at both ends. The conveyance pipe and the conveyance pipe can be connected without leakage. As a result, construction and maintenance are easy and quick, and costs can be reduced. Moreover, since the conveyance path part existing between the receiving parts has a cross-sectional inner edge shape corresponding to the cross-sectional inner edge shape of the conveyance pipe, this part also functions as a conveyance path similar to the conveyance pipe and is completely inserted into the upstream receiving part. A smooth connection is made between the transported pipe and the transport pipe completely inserted into the downstream receiving portion. Further, in the above invention, there is no clearance between the short-side wall part of the transport pipe and the inner wall of the receiving part, and there is a clearance only between the part corresponding to the side wall part. When inserted, the short-side wall portions (for example, a pair of vertically opposed walls) of the transport pipe are pressed inward, and the side wall of the transport pipe is expanded outward by the clearance by the pressing, and the receiving section It just abuts inside. Thereby, airtightness increases more. Further, since the transport pipe is in close contact with the receiving portion when pressed from the zero clearance portion, deformation to other shapes is prevented.
[2] The receiving portion has an elastic body on the inner wall surface.
The conveyance pipe connecting member according to [1], wherein

[ 3 ] The conveyance path portion has a shape in which a step is generated in which an inner edge is outside the inner edge of the conveyance pipe at a connection position with the conveyance pipe that has been inserted into the receiving portion on the upstream side of the air flow. The transport pipe connecting member according to [1] or [2] .

  In the above-described invention, a step where the inner edge of the conveyance path portion is outside the inner edge of the conveyance tube occurs at the connection position between the conveyance tube and the conveyance path portion that have been inserted into the receiving portion on the upstream side. It is possible to prevent the catch of a kind. The step may be provided only at a location such as a rib provided on the inner wall, or may be provided all around the inner edge.

[ 4 ] The conveyance path portion has a shape in which a step is generated in which an inner edge is an inner side of the inner edge of the conveyance pipe at a connection portion with the conveyance pipe that has been inserted into the receiving portion on the downstream side of the air flow. The transport pipe connecting member according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein:

  In the above invention, a step is formed in which the inner edge of the conveyance path portion is located inside the inner edge of the conveyance tube at the connection position between the conveyance tube and the conveyance path portion that have been inserted into the downstream receiving portion. It is possible to prevent the catch of a kind. The step may be provided only at a location such as a rib provided on the inner wall, or may be provided all around the inner edge.

[ 5 ] The transport pipe connecting member according to [ 3 ] or [ 4 ], wherein the transport path portion has a shape in which the step is generated over the entire circumference of the inner edge at the connection location.

  In the above-described invention, the paper sheets and the like are prevented from being caught everywhere around the inner edge, so that it is possible to reliably prevent the paper sheets from being clogged at the connection location.

[6] The transport pipe connecting member according to any one of [1] to [ 5 ], further including a fixing member that fixes the transport pipe inserted into the receiving unit at the position.

  In the said invention, the conveyance pipe inserted in the receiving part can be fixed in the position, and a shift | offset | difference and omission can be prevented. In addition, air leakage due to deviation is prevented.

[ 7 ] The fixing member includes a locking claw having a base fixed to the receiving portion and biased so that a tip on the conveyance path portion side is inclined toward the inside of the pipe. [ 6 ] The transport pipe connecting member according to 1.

  In the above invention, the locking claw is biased so as to incline into the tube with its tip directed toward the conveyance path, so when the conveyance tube is inserted into the receiving portion, the conveyance tube is against the locking claw. Since it advances in the forward direction, it can be inserted smoothly. On the other hand, in the direction in which the transport pipe is removed, the tip of the locking claw is caught by the outer surface of the transport pipe, so that the transport pipe can be prevented from coming off.

[8] the fixing member, the locking pawl is, you characterized by providing a location for engaging the outer peripheral surface of the lateral direction of the flat shape of the transport pipe inserted into the receiving portion [ 7].

  In the said invention, the effect | action which presses the wall part of the transversal direction of a conveyance pipe inside can be further strengthened with a latching claw.

[9] The paper sheets according to [1] to [8], wherein the paper sheets are transported in the transport pipe by being pushed from the upstream side by a transport auxiliary body that moves in the transport pipe by the air flow. The conveyance pipe connection member as described in any one.

  In the said invention, the conveyance auxiliary body which receives the effect | action of an air flow pushes and moves paper sheets from back, and conveys paper sheets. Also about a conveyance auxiliary body, the connection location of a conveyance pipe and a conveyance path part can pass smoothly.

[10] The transport pipe coupling member according to [9], wherein the transport auxiliary body has a columnar shape and a cross section passing through the central axis thereof corresponds to a cross-sectional inner edge shape of the transport pipe.

  In the said invention, since a conveyance auxiliary body is cylindrical shape, it can pass through the connection location of a conveyance pipe and a conveyance path part more smoothly.

[11] A transport pipe serving as a transport path for paper sheets, and the transport pipe connecting member according to any one of [1] to [10], which connects the transport pipes to each other;
An air flow generator for generating an air flow in the extending direction of the transport pipe in the transport pipe;
A conveyance auxiliary body that is inserted into the conveyance pipe and moves in the conveyance pipe by the air flow;
With
The conveyance auxiliary body that is moved by the air flow by inserting the paper sheet into the conveyance tube with the paper surface in a posture along the extending direction and inserting the conveyance auxiliary body upstream of the paper sheet. A paper sheet conveying apparatus, wherein the paper sheet is pushed and moved in step.

  According to the transport pipe connecting member and the paper sheet transport apparatus according to the present invention, the transport pipes can be connected to each other without air leakage, and connection and removal operations are facilitated. In addition, the paper sheet is prevented from being caught at the connecting portion.

It is a top view which shows schematic structure of the paper sheet conveying apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the paper sheet conveying apparatus shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which a conveyance auxiliary body pushes and moves the banknote in a conveyance pipe from the rear end side of this banknote. It is sectional drawing of the conveyance pipe in a straight part (portion of an outward path and a return path). It is a figure which shows the plane and front of a conveyance auxiliary body. It is sectional drawing which shows a conveyance pipe and a conveyance auxiliary body in the state which inserted the conveyance auxiliary body in the conveyance pipe. It is a front view which shows the turn part of a conveyance pipe. It is a figure which shows the front surface of a connection unit, an upstream side surface, and a downstream side surface. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that a conveyance pipe is inserted in the both ends of a connection unit. It is a figure which shows the front, the upper surface, and the lower surface of the state which connected conveyance pipes 12 with the connection unit. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that a base part and a cover part are combined. It is a figure which shows the front (inner wall surface), upstream side surface, and downstream side surface of a base part. It is a figure which shows the front (inner wall surface), upstream side surface, and downstream side surface of a cover part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the level | step difference of the inner wall and conveyance path part of the conveyance pipe inserted in the connection unit. It is explanatory drawing which is the downstream side surface and upstream side surface of a connection unit, and shows the level | step difference of the inner wall of the inserted conveyance pipe | tube, and a conveyance path part, and the clearance between a receiving part and the conveyance pipe | tube 12. It is a figure which shows the upper surface of a fixing member, a front surface, and a side surface. It is explanatory drawing which shows the effect | action which a fixing member presses and fixes the conveyance pipe | tube 12. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the procedure which removes the connection of the conveyance pipe by a connection unit. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that a banknote and a conveyance auxiliary body pass the connection location of the conveyance pipe by a connection unit. It is explanatory drawing which shows the continuation of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the connection unit which concerns on a modification. It is explanatory drawing which shows the procedure which connects a conveyance pipe by the connection unit which concerns on a modification.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a paper sheet transport apparatus 10 using a transport pipe connecting member (connection unit) according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front view of the paper sheet transport apparatus 10. is there. In the present embodiment, the paper sheet transport device 10 is a set of a gaming ball lending machine 3 that lends a gaming ball (pachinko ball) to a player upon receipt of a bill and a gaming machine 4 such as a pachinko machine. Are provided in a gaming machine island 2 that accommodates a plurality of sets on the front and back surfaces so that they are back-to-back with each other, and the banknotes 6 discharged from the back of each gaming ball lending machine 3 are taken in to end the gaming machine island It is comprised as a banknote conveyance apparatus conveyed to the safe 5 provided in the section.

  The paper sheet transport apparatus 10 includes a transport pipe 12 that serves as a transport path for banknotes (paper sheets) and an air flow generator 14 that generates an air flow that flows in the extending direction in the transport pipe 12. . In the paper sheet transport apparatus 10, a transport auxiliary body 16 that can move in the transport pipe 12 by receiving an air flow is inserted into the transport pipe 12 upstream from the banknote to be transported, and transported by the transport auxiliary body 16. The banknote in the pipe 12 is pushed and moved from the rear to be conveyed downstream.

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 2, an air flow generator 14 and a safe 5 are arranged at one end of the gaming machine island 2, and the transport pipe 12 of the paper sheet transport device 10 A forward path 12a extending from the start end to the other end of the gaming machine island 2 at the end of the gaming machine island 2 on the side where the generator 14 is installed, and the other end A turn part 12b that is folded in a U-shape at the part, and a return path 12c that is folded back at the turn part 12b and then extended to the end part.

  In the transport pipe 12, the forward path 12a and the return path 12c of the transport pipe 12 correspond to a predetermined length, for example, a lateral width corresponding to one set of the gaming machine 4 and the gaming ball lending machine 3 housed together on the gaming machine island 2. The length is divided into units, and by connecting the necessary number of these with the connecting unit 40 (conveying pipe connecting member), the path length can be adjusted according to the length of the gaming machine island 2 in the longitudinal direction. It has become. At the construction site, the transport pipe 12 is cut to the required length and used on the spot.

  The air outlet 14a of the air flow generator 14 is connected to the start end side of the transport pipe 12 (outward path 12a), and the suction port 14b of the air flow generator 14 is connected to the terminal end side of the transport pipe 12 (return path 12c). ing. The air flow generator 14 blows air from the start end side into the transport pipe 12 by rotating the fan with a motor, and sucks out the air in the transport pipe 12 from the terminal end side, so that the air flow generator 14 enters the transport pipe 12. An air flow from the start end to the end (flows along the extending direction of the transfer pipe 12) is generated. The air flow generator 14 sends a part of the air in the transport pipe 12 sucked out from the suction port 14b to the transport pipe 12 through the blowout port 14a and circulates it again.

  At the starting end of the transport pipe 12, a transport auxiliary body insertion device 18 that feeds the transport auxiliary body 16 into the transport pipe 12 is provided. Moreover, the banknote separator 20 is arrange | positioned at the terminal part of the conveyance pipe 12, and the conveyance auxiliary body separator 22 is arrange | positioned in the upstream of the banknote separator 20 slightly. Further, in the middle of the return path 12 c of the transport pipe 12, a banknote take-in device 24 that takes the banknote 6 discharged from the back of the game ball lending machine 3 into the transport pipe 12 at a position corresponding to each game ball lending machine 3. Is arranged. The banknote capturing device 24 includes a banknote 6 from the gaming ball lending machine 3 disposed on the front surface side of the gaming machine island 2, and a banknote 6 from the gaming ball lending machine 3 disposed on the back side of the gaming machine island 2. Are provided on both sides of the side wall of the transport pipe 12. The banknote taking-in device 24 also plays a role of interposing between the transport pipe and the transport pipe constituting the return path 12c.

  The banknote 6 taken in from the banknote taking-in device 24 into the return path 12c of the transport pipe 12 stays at the take-up completion position with the paper surface in a posture along the extending direction of the transport pipe 12. The conveyance auxiliary body 16 is fed into the conveyance pipe 12 by the conveyance auxiliary body inserting device 18 in order to convey and collect the bill 6 that has been taken in and stayed in the conveyance pipe 12 to the safe 5. The conveyance auxiliary body 16 sent into the conveyance pipe 12 from the conveyance auxiliary body insertion device 18 moves in the forward path 12a toward the turn portion 12b in response to the action of the air flow generated by the air flow generation device 14, After making a U-turn at the turn part 12b, the inside of the return path 12c further moves toward the terminal part. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, the conveyance auxiliary body 16 pushes and moves the banknote 6 in the conveyance pipe 12 from the rear end side of the banknote 6 toward the end of the conveyance pipe 12 (in the drawing). The bill 6 is transported in the transport direction F).

  The conveyance auxiliary body insertion device 18 (see FIG. 2) includes a standby section for waiting the conveyance auxiliary body 16 and an air flow from the air flow generator 14 to the start end of the conveyance pipe 12 via the standby section. And a switching valve for switching between feeding and blocking the feeding. The switching valve is normally set on the side that blocks the air flow. When the conveyance auxiliary body 16 waiting in the standby section is sent out into the conveyance pipe 12, the air flow from the air flow generator 14 is switched to the side fed into the conveyance pipe 12 via the standby section. At this time, the conveyance auxiliary body 16 that has been waiting in the standby portion is sent into the conveyance pipe 12 from the conveyance auxiliary body insertion port under the action of the air flow. The air flow is continued until at least the conveyance auxiliary body 16 is collected by the conveyance auxiliary body separation device 22.

  The conveyance auxiliary body separating device 22 performs a function of separating the conveyance auxiliary body 16 and the banknote 6 conveyed by the conveyance auxiliary body 16 and collecting the conveyance auxiliary body 16. Specifically, the conveyance auxiliary body separating device 22 does not touch the banknote 6 among the conveyance auxiliary body 16 that has been moved by the action of the air flow and the banknote 6 that has been moved by being pushed by the conveyance auxiliary body 16. And an abutting portion that abuts only on the conveyance auxiliary member 16. The conveyance auxiliary body separating device 22 causes the conveyance auxiliary body 16 to come into contact with the abutting portion to stop it, and the banknote 6 advances as it is downstream to separate the conveyance auxiliary body 16 and the banknote 6.

  In addition, the conveyance auxiliary body 16 that has come into contact with the contact portion and stopped is guided from the collection port provided in the side wall of the conveyance pipe 12 to the standby portion of the conveyance auxiliary body insertion device 18 through the return path. Yes. The air flow of the air flow generator 14 is also used in the recovery of the conveyance auxiliary body 16. More specifically, a switching valve for determining whether or not to communicate between a predetermined location in the return path and the suction port 14b of the airflow generator 14 is provided, and is opened on the side wall of the transport pipe 12 by switching to the communication state. The conveyance auxiliary body 16 is sucked into the return passage from the collection port. The return passage extends from the recovery port to the temporary stop position directly above the standby portion of the conveyance auxiliary body inserting device 18 and then communicates with the standby portion immediately below the temporary stop position. When the transfer auxiliary body 16 reaches the temporary stop position in the return passage and stops, when the switching valve is returned to a state where the communication with the suction port 14b is shut off, the transfer auxiliary body 16 that is no longer affected by the airflow is directly below. It falls to the standby part.

  The banknote 6 separated from the conveyance auxiliary body 16 by the conveyance auxiliary body separating apparatus 22 is separated from the air flow by the banknote separation apparatus 20. The banknotes 6 separated from the air flow are transported to a transport belt driven by a motor and stored in the safe 5.

  The conveyance auxiliary body insertion device 18, the banknote separation device 20, the conveyance auxiliary body separation device 22, and the banknote take-in device 24 operate under the control of a control unit (not shown) including CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like as main parts. In this example, the air flow generator 14 is always operated, and the control unit detects the bill 6 discharged from the back of the game ball lending machine 3 by the sensor provided in the bill pickup device 24. 24 is operated to take the bill 6 into the transport pipe 12. When this taking-in operation is completed, the transfer auxiliary body 16 is fed into the transfer pipe 12 by controlling the switching valve of the transfer auxiliary body inserting device 18. Then, this conveyance auxiliary body 16 receives the effect | action of an air flow, moves the inside of the conveyance pipe 12, and pushes and moves the banknote 6 from back. Then, when the sensor provided in the conveyance auxiliary body separation device 22 detects the conveyance auxiliary body 16 that has come into contact with the contact portion and stops, the conveyance auxiliary body separation device 22 is operated to recover the conveyance auxiliary body 16 and convey the auxiliary body. Guide to the standby section of the insertion device 18. Further, when the banknote separator 20 detects the banknote 6, control is performed such that the transport belt of the banknote separator 20 is driven to transport the banknote 6 to the safe 5. The air flow generator 14 is operated only when necessary (for example, from when the banknote take-in device 24 detects a banknote from the game ball lending machine 3 to when the banknote has been transported to the safe 5). You may control.

  In this way, the conveyance auxiliary body 16 is moved under the action of the airflow, and the banknote 6 is pushed and conveyed from the rear end side by the conveyance auxiliary body 16, so that the banknote 6 itself receives the airflow and propulsion force. No need to get. Therefore, the banknote 6 can be conveyed by the airflow without taking measures such as bending the banknote 6 to receive the airflow.

  Next, the shape of the conveyance pipe | tube 12 and the conveyance auxiliary body 16 is demonstrated in detail.

  FIG. 4 shows the shape of a cross section perpendicular to the extending direction F of the transport pipe 12 of the transport pipe 12 (= the banknote transport direction F = the direction in which the airflow flows) in the straight section (the forward path 12a and the return path 12c). Show. The conveyance tube 12 is formed of a resin having a thickness of about 1.5 mm. The conveyance pipe 12 is formed by extrusion molding, for example.

  The straight portion of the transport pipe 12 has a cylindrical shape having the cross-sectional shape of FIG. 4 and extending linearly. The cross section perpendicular to the extending direction of the conveying pipe 12 has a substantially rectangular flat shape, and a pair of opposing side wall portions 32 forming the long side (longitudinal direction) are a plurality of ribs 34 and guide rails 36, extended. A portion 38 is formed to be uneven. The pair of opposing wall portions 33 forming the short side (short direction) side of the substantially rectangular cross section are substantially flat.

  Hereinafter, the short side direction in the substantially rectangular cross section perpendicular to the extending direction of the transport pipe 12 (transport direction F) is defined as the X direction (or width direction), and the long side direction is defined as the Y direction (or height direction).

  The side wall part 32 is a pair of inner walls facing the paper surface of the bill 6 to be conveyed. The banknote 6 has a rectangular shape and is transported in the transport tube 12 with the long side in the direction of the transport direction F. In other words, the paper surface is transported in such a direction that the paper surface faces the side wall portion 32 of the transport pipe 12 and one short side of the banknote 6 is the front end side in the transport direction and the other short side is the rear end side.

  The distance Dy between the pair of opposing wall portions 33 of the transport pipe 12 is slightly longer than the short side of the banknote 6. The distance Dx between the pair of side wall portions 32 where the ribs 34, the guide rails 36, and the extended portions 38 are not formed (referred to as a reference plane portion) is set to about 2 cm.

  The guide rail 36 is formed at the center of the side wall 32 in the Y direction (height direction). The guide rail 36 protrudes from the reference plane portion to the outside of the transport tube 12 in a “U” shape, and also serves as a rectangular expansion portion 38 that expands the internal space of the transport tube 12. The distance between the inner walls of the guide rail 36 in the Y direction is about 23 mm. Further, the protruding amount of the guide rail 36 from the reference flat portion to the outside is about 5 mm.

  A plurality of ribs 34 are formed so as to protrude from the side wall part 32 toward the inside of the transport pipe 12 (opposite side wall part 32). The height from the reference plane portion to the top of the rib 34 is about 2 mm. What is necessary is just to set the height of the rib 34 suitably. The ribs 34 are formed along both edges of the guide rail 36. Further, they are also provided at positions 10 mm away from the center in the Y direction.

  FIG. 5 shows a plane and a front surface of the conveyance auxiliary body 16. The conveyance auxiliary body 16 has a columnar shape with a circular cross section having a different diameter at each portion. The conveyance auxiliary body 16 is used by being inserted into the conveyance pipe 12 so that the central axis of the cylinder is in the Y direction (height direction) of the conveyance pipe 12. The conveyance auxiliary body 16 is light and strong with polystyrene foam, extruded polystyrene foam or the like. The conveyance auxiliary body 16 may be formed with a hollow inside.

  FIG. 6 shows a cross section perpendicular to the extending direction F and passing through the central axis of the conveyance auxiliary body 16 in a state where the conveyance auxiliary body 16 is inserted into the conveyance pipe 12. The diameter of each part of the conveyance auxiliary body 16 corresponds to the inner edge shape of the conveyance pipe 12. That is, the cross-sectional shape passing through the central axis of the conveyance auxiliary body 16 is a shape corresponding to the inner edge shape of the conveyance pipe 12 in the cross section perpendicular to the extending direction F, and the inside of the conveyance pipe 12 is between the inner wall. It has a shape that closes with a predetermined clearance.

  In this way, the conveyance auxiliary body 16 forms a shape corresponding to the inner edge shape of the conveyance pipe 12 (substantially the same shape with a slight clearance) and closes almost the entire cross section of the conveyance pipe 12. Receive and move efficiently. Further, the conveyance auxiliary body 16 serves to block the air flow from the upstream from reaching the downstream and suppress the disturbance of the air flow on the downstream side.

  The banknote 6 tends to stick to the side wall 32 when it receives an action from the air flow in the transport pipe 12. That is, the interval between one paper surface of the banknote 6 and the side wall portion 32 opposite to the paper surface and the interval between the other paper surface and the side wall portion 32 opposite to the paper surface are hardly uniform. When narrower than the other, the flow velocity of the air flow is faster on the narrow interval side than on the wide interval side, so that the air pressure on the narrow interval side is lower than the air pressure on the wide interval side. As a result, the gap on the narrow gap side is further narrowed, and a phenomenon occurs in which the banknote 6 is stuck to the side wall 32 and sucked.

  If the banknote 6 sticks strongly to the side wall part 32, it becomes difficult to push and move the banknote 6 with the transport auxiliary body 16, but the transport auxiliary body 16 blocks the flow of air to the downstream side as described above ( Therefore, the force with which the bill 6 is stuck and attracted is small, and smooth conveyance is realized.

  A portion of the conveyance auxiliary body 16 corresponding to the guide rail 36 is an engaging portion that engages with the guide rail 36. In this example, since the guide rail 36 is provided near the center of the transport pipe 12 in the Y direction, the transport auxiliary body 16 can be moved while being maintained in a stable posture. Moreover, since the attitude | position of the conveyance auxiliary body 16 is stabilized, it can contact | abut to the rear end of the banknote 6 appropriately, can provide the stable conveyance force, and the banknote 6 is caught between the conveyance pipe | tube 12 and the conveyance auxiliary body 16. FIG. It is easy to avoid the situation.

  Further, the guide rail 36 is an extended portion 38 that expands the internal space of the transport pipe 12 to the outside, and the transport auxiliary body 16 also has a shape (engagement portion) corresponding to the shape of the guide rail 36. Yes. Thereby, the area of the part which receives the effect | action of an airflow expands, and the conveyance auxiliary body 16 can receive the force for moving efficiently. Moreover, since the width | variety (Dx) in the conveyance pipe 12 in parts other than the expansion part 38 can be narrowed by providing the expansion part 38, the fall of the banknote 6 can be prevented.

  Furthermore, the presence of the plurality of ribs 34 provided on the side wall portion 32 prevents the banknote 6 from sticking to the side wall portion 32 exactly. That is, the contact area between the bill 6 and the side wall portion 32 is reduced, friction is reduced, and generation of static electricity can be suppressed. Even when the banknote 6 sticks to the side wall portion 32, the banknote 6 is supported by the tip portions of the plurality of ribs 34. A gap is secured between the bill 6 and the sticking force is kept small.

  Further, the plurality of ribs 34 projecting inward from the side wall portion 32 serve to narrow the passage width W of the banknote 6 in the width direction (X direction) of the transport pipe 12 to be smaller than the distance Dx between the reference plane portions. . Thereby, the banknote 6 becomes difficult to fall down in the conveyance pipe 12, and the attitude | position of the banknote 6 is hold | maintained along a Y direction. In particular, by providing a plurality of ribs 34, the banknote 6 can be prevented from falling down and sticking to the side wall 32 of the banknote 6 can be effectively prevented. Note that Dx can be increased by the amount of the ribs 34 provided, thereby increasing the cross-sectional area of the transport pipe 12 and making the transport auxiliary body 16 susceptible to the action of airflow.

  In the case of the conveyance auxiliary body 16 according to the present embodiment, the diameter of the portion corresponding to the guide rail 36 is the largest, so that the maximum diameter portion 16m comes into contact with the rear end of the bill 6 as shown in FIG. It comes to push.

  FIG. 7 is a front view of the turn portion 12b. The turn part 12b has a shape in which the transport pipe 12 is extended so as to draw a 180-degree arc with the Y direction as the radial direction. The rib 34 and the guide rail 36 are also formed in the turn portion 12b. However, the conveyance auxiliary body 16 is not turned on when the conveyance auxiliary body 16 moves in the arc shape in the turn portion 12b. The rib 34 and the guide rail 36 are allowed to escape from the range of the trajectory passing through the arc (the clearance is larger than that of the straight line portion). Thereby, the rotation radius in the turn part 12b can be made small. The relief portion Q such as the rib 34 is larger on the inner side where the turning radius is smaller.

  FIG. 8 shows the front surface, the upstream side surface, and the downstream side surface of the coupling unit 40 that connects the transport tube 12 and the transport tube 12. The connection unit 40 has a cylindrical shape having a cross section similar to that of the transport pipe 12 as a whole. More specifically, the connection unit 40 has a cylindrical inner receiving portion 41 (an upstream receiving portion 41U and a downstream portion) having a cross-sectional inner edge shape corresponding to the outer peripheral cross-sectional shape of the conveying tube 12 and into which the conveying tube 12 is closely inserted. Side receiving portions 41D)) at both ends, and between the upstream receiving portion 41U and the downstream receiving portion 41D, a cylindrical conveying path portion 42 having a cross-sectional inner edge shape corresponding to the cross-sectional inner edge shape of the conveying pipe 12 is provided. It has become.

  As shown in FIG. 9, by inserting the upstream transport pipe 12 into the upstream receiving section 41U of the connecting unit 40 and the downstream transport pipe 12 into the downstream receiving section 41D, these transport pipes 12 are connected to each other. The connection unit 40 is connected and connected. FIG. 10 shows a state in which the two transport pipes 12 are connected by the connecting unit 40. FIG. 10 (a) shows the upper surface, FIG. 10 (b) shows the front surface, and FIG. 10 (c) shows the lower surface. ing. The connecting unit 40 is not upside down, and can be used even if the state shown in FIG.

  Since the cross-sectional inner edge shape of the receiving part 41 (upstream side receiving part 41U and downstream side receiving part 41D) is the same as the cross-sectional outer edge shape of the conveying pipe 12, the conveying pipe 12 inserted into the receiving part 41 There is almost no gap between the outer wall and the inner wall of the receiving portion 41, and the airtightness is achieved. For this reason, the air leak in the connection location in the connection unit 40 is prevented.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, the connecting unit 40 is configured to be disassembled into a base portion 44 and a cover portion 45. The base portion 44 has one side wall (long side portion of the rectangular cross section) and upper and lower wall portions (short side portion of the rectangular cross section) of the connecting unit 40 having a cylindrical shape with a substantially rectangular cross section. Yes. The cover portion 45 forms the other side wall of the long side portion. A cylindrical connecting unit 40 is formed by combining these.

  The base portion 44 has a first protrusion 44 a at an end portion on the cover portion 45 side which is an outer surface of the upper wall portion of the portion that forms the receiving portion 41, and a lower wall portion of the portion that forms the receiving portion 41. A second protrusion 44b is provided on the outer surface at a position slightly away from the end on the cover portion 45 side. The cover portion 45 includes a first hook 45a that has a hole portion that is hooked to the first protrusion 44a at a location corresponding to the first protrusion 44a of the base portion 44 and slightly protrudes toward the base portion 44 side. A second hook 45b is provided at a position corresponding to the second protrusion 44b. The second hook 45b is provided with a hole to be hooked on the second protrusion 44b and protrudes long toward the base portion 44 side. As shown in FIG. 10, the first protrusions 44a, the second protrusions 44b, the first hooks 45a, and the second hooks 45b are provided in the upstream receiving part 41U and the downstream receiving part 41D, respectively.

  When combining the base portion 44 and the cover portion 45, first, as shown in FIG. 11B, first the first hook 45a is hooked on the first protrusion 44a on the upper wall portion. Next, with this point as a fulcrum, the lower wall portion of the base portion 44 and the cover portion 45 are brought close to each other, and the second hook 45b is hooked on the second protrusion 44b. When separating, remove from the bottom.

  FIG. 12 shows the front surface of the base portion 44 (the inner wall surface of the tubular connecting unit 40), the upstream side surface, the downstream side surface, the upper surface, and the lower surface. FIG. 13 shows the front surface of the cover portion 45 (the inner wall surface of the tubular connecting unit 40), the upstream side surface, the downstream side surface, the upper surface, and the lower surface.

  By forming the connecting unit 40 having a cylindrical shape into a base part 44 and a cover part 45, the connecting unit 40 can be easily manufactured as compared with the case where the cylindrical connecting unit is formed with one component. In addition, as described above, the hooks 45a and 45b are hooked on the protrusions 44a and 44b, so that the base portion 44 and the cover portion 45 can be assembled together, so that assembly during construction and disassembly / reassembly during maintenance is possible. It can be done easily.

  Next, the steps provided on the inner wall of the connecting unit 40 will be described.

  FIG. 14 schematically shows a step provided on the inner wall of the connection unit 40. FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a broken line in FIG. At the boundary between the upstream receiving portion 41U and the conveying path portion 42, the conveying path portion 42 is a connection point with the conveying pipe 12 (A) that has been inserted into the upstream receiving portion 41U, and the inner edge of the conveying path portion 42 is conveyed. The tube 12 has a shape in which a step H <b> 1 is formed outside the inner edge of the tube 12. That is, the drop H2 between the inner wall surface of the upstream receiving portion 41U and the inner wall surface at the boundary side end portion between the upstream receiving portion 41U of the conveying path portion 42 is set to be smaller than the thickness D of the conveying pipe 12.

  Thereby, in the connection location of the upstream conveyance pipe 12 (A) and the conveyance path part 42, the inner wall surface of the conveyance path part 42 does not protrude into the pipe from the inner wall surface of the conveyance pipe 12 (A). Even when the banknote 6 is transported along the inner wall of the transport pipe 12 (A) from the side, the banknote 6 is not caught by the transport path section 42 and is transported from the upstream transport pipe 12 (A) to the transport path section 42. You can go on. Further, the conveyance auxiliary body 16 can smoothly travel from the conveyance pipe 12 (A) on the upstream side to the conveyance path portion 42. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the banknotes from being jammed at the connection location and the conveyance auxiliary body 16 from being jammed.

  On the other hand, at the boundary between the downstream side receiving portion 41D and the transport path portion 42, the transport path portion 42 is the connection point with the transport pipe 12 (B) that has been inserted into the downstream side receiving portion 41D, and the inner edge of the transport path portion 42. Has a shape in which a step H3 is formed on the inner side of the inner edge of the transport pipe 12 (B). That is, the drop H4 between the inner wall surface of the downstream receiving portion 41D and the inner wall surface at the boundary side end portion between the downstream receiving portion 41D of the transport path portion 42 is set to be larger than the thickness D of the transport pipe 12.

  Thereby, the inner wall surface of the conveyance pipe 12 does not protrude into the pipe from the inner wall surface of the conveyance path section 42 at the connection point between the conveyance pipe 12 (B) and the conveyance path section 42 on the downstream side, It is possible to proceed from the transport path 42 to the downstream transport pipe 12 (B) without being caught by the end of the downstream transport pipe 12 (B). Moreover, the conveyance auxiliary body 16 can also advance smoothly from the conveyance path part 42 to the conveyance pipe 12 (B) on the downstream side. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the banknotes from being jammed at the connection location and the conveyance auxiliary body 16 from being jammed.

  Further, the conveyance path portion 42 connects the end portion on the upstream receiving portion 41U side to the end portion on the downstream receiving portion 41D side without any step. Here, they are connected by a certain inclined surface. Thereby, the banknote 6 and the conveyance auxiliary body 16 can pass along the conveyance path part 42 smoothly.

  The sizes of the steps H1 and H3 may be set as appropriate, but it is preferable to suppress the inclination of the wall surface of the transport path portion 42 from the upstream receiving portion 41U toward the downstream receiving portion 41D. H1 and H3 are made smaller than the thickness D, and more preferably half or less of the thickness D.

  If accuracy is ensured, the steps H1 and H3 may be set to “0”. That is, if the inner wall surface of the conveyance path portion 42 does not protrude inward from the inner wall surface of the conveyance pipe 12 at the connection point between the upstream conveyance tube 12 and the conveyance path portion 42, H1 is 0 or 0. A value close to may be used. If the inner wall surface of the conveyance pipe 12 does not protrude inward from the inner wall surface of the conveyance path section 42 at the connection point between the conveyance pipe 12 and the conveyance path section 42 on the downstream side, H3 is set to 0 or 0. It may be a close value.

  Here, the connecting unit 40 has a shape in which the above-described steps H1 and H3 are generated over the entire circumference of the inner edge of the transport path portion 42 at the connection portion between the transport pipe 12 and the transport path portion 42. Thereby, the banknote 6 and the conveyance auxiliary body 16 can be prevented from being caught at all locations on the inner edge, and the banknote clogging and the conveyance auxiliary body 16 can be reliably prevented from being connected at the connection location.

  15A shows a state in which the transport pipe 12 is connected to the connecting unit 40 as viewed from the downstream side in the transport direction, and FIG. 15B shows a state in which the transport pipe 12 is connected to the connection unit 40 in the upstream in the transport direction. The state seen from the side is shown. However, in FIG. 15B, only the inner wall surface of the transport pipe 12 is drawn.

  In FIG. 15B, the hatched portion indicates a step H <b> 1 between the inner wall surface K of the transport pipe 12 and the inner edge of the transport path section 42 at the connection point between the upstream transport pipe 12 and the transport path section 42. .

  In FIG. 15A, the hatched portion indicates a step H <b> 3 between the inner wall surface K of the transport pipe 12 and the inner edge of the transport path section 42 at the connection location between the transport pipe 12 and the transport path section 42 on the downstream side. .

  In the connection unit 40, the transport path 42 is interposed without directly contacting the end of the upstream transport pipe 12 and the end of the downstream transport pipe 12. This is because the transport pipe 12 may be cut and used on site, and the end of the transport pipe 12 may not be accurately cut at right angles, but may be cut obliquely or the cut surface may be uneven. is assumed. In the configuration in which the end portions of the transport pipes 12 are in direct contact with each other, the end portions that are obliquely cut or the end portions with unevenness are in contact with each other, so that a gap is generated and the bill 6 or the transport auxiliary body 16 is caught. End up. If the conveyance path portion 42 is interposed, at least the end portion on the conveyance path portion 42 side is finished with high accuracy, so that a gap generated at the connection location can be reduced.

  Further, when the steps H1 and H3 are provided, the bills 6 and the conveyance auxiliary body 16 that pass over the steps pass so as to jump over the step (connection portion), so that there is a slight gap at the connection portion. But I won't get caught in this.

  Next, the clearance between the outer peripheral surface of the transport pipe 12 and the inner wall of the receiving portion 41 will be described. The connection unit 40 is configured to be sufficiently rigid and difficult to be deformed as compared to the transport pipe 12. For example, the transport pipe 12 is made of vinyl chloride, and the connecting unit 40 is made of a harder material such as ABS resin or polycarbonate. Further, the clearance between the inner wall of the receiving portion 41 (the upstream receiving portion 41U and the downstream receiving portion 41D) and the outer wall of the transport pipe 12 inserted therein is the side wall 32 of the transport pipe 12 (long side having a substantially rectangular cross section). The clearance is set to zero between the short side wall portion (upper and lower wall portions 33). A region C in FIG. 15A is a range in which a clearance is provided, and a region Z in FIG. 15A indicates a range in which the clearance is set to zero.

  When inserting the conveyance pipe 12 into the receiving part 41, since the clearance of the area | region Z is zero, the wall part 33 of the conveyance pipe 12 which contact | connects this part is slightly pressed inside. Since the region C has a clearance and the connecting unit 40 is more rigid than the conveyance tube 12, the conveyance tube 12 is slightly deformed by this pressing so that the side wall 32 corresponding to the region C swells outward. . Thereby, the conveyance pipe | tube 12 contact | abuts just inside the receiving part 41, and airtightness improves more. Further, since the transport pipe 12 is in close contact with the receiving portion 41 by pressing from a portion where the clearance is zero, the transport pipe 12 is difficult to be removed from the receiving portion 41 and is prevented from being deformed into other shapes. The conveyance pipe 12 can be connected while preventing deformation.

  The inner size of the receiving portion 41 in the Y direction (height direction) may be configured to be slightly smaller than the outer size of the transport pipe 12 in the Y direction to increase the pressing force in the region Z. .

  Further, an elastic body (for example, rubber) that is softer than the transport pipe 12 is attached to the area C provided with a clearance in the inner wall surface of the receiving section 41, and the outer surface of the side wall section 32 of the transport pipe 12 inserted into the receiving section 41. May be configured such that the airtightness is increased by pressing the elastic body outward. Due to the presence of the elastic body, the transfer tube 12 is firmly inserted, and displacement and disconnection are prevented.

  In addition, you may affix said elastic body to the perimeter of the inner wall of the receiving part 41 (it goes around). The range where the elastic body is pasted may be almost the entire region from the end side where the transport pipe 12 is inserted to the vicinity of the transport path portion 42, or only a part of the range. In some cases, the place where the elastic body is affixed may be the end of the inner wall of the receiving portion 41 where the transport pipe 12 is inserted, or may be close to the boundary with the transport path portion 42. For example, a narrow elastic body may be pasted around the inner wall of the receiving portion 41 in the vicinity of the boundary with the conveyance path portion 42.

  Next, the fixing member will be described.

  The connection unit 40 may have a configuration in which the receiving member 41 is provided with a fixing member 50 that fixes the transport pipe 12 inserted into the receiving unit 41 at the position. FIG. 16 shows an example (upper surface, front surface, side surface) of the fixing member 50. As shown in FIG. 12, the fixing member 50 is attached so as to be embedded in a recess provided in the inner wall of the receiving portion 41. In addition, the fixing member 50 is provided on each of the upstream side receiving portion 41U and the conveyance path portion 42, and is provided on each of the upper and lower inner walls facing the outer surface of the wall portion 33 on the short side of the conveyance tube 12. It may be provided only on one of the upper and lower inner walls.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the fixing member 50 includes a base 51 that is attached to the recess of the receiving portion 41, and a latch in which one end serving as a fulcrum is supported by the base 51 and the other end is urged away from the base 51. A claw 52 is provided. Here, a U-shaped cut is made inside a rectangular leaf spring, the outer portion of the cut is used as a base 51, and the inner portion of the cut is raised to form a locking claw 52.

  As shown in FIG. 17A, the fixing member 50 is attached to the recess of the inner wall of the receiving portion 41 so that the front end of the locking claw 52 is directed toward the conveying path portion 42 and inclined toward the inside of the pipe. It is done.

  When the transport pipe 12 is inserted into the receiving portion 41, the forward direction is inclined with respect to the inclination of the locking claw 52, so that the locking claw 52 does not hinder the insertion of the transport pipe 12 and smooth insertion is ensured. .

  Since the direction in which the conveyance tube 12 is pulled out from the receiving portion 41 is opposite to the inclination of the locking claw 52, the tip of the locking claw 52 bites into the outer surface of the conveyance tube 12 as shown in FIG. As a result, the conveyance tube 12 is difficult to come off. Thereby, position shift of the conveyance pipe | tube 12, the air leak resulting from this, and the clogging of the banknote 6 and the conveyance auxiliary body 16 can be prevented.

  Further, since the fixing member 50 (particularly the locking claw 52) presses the outer surface of the wall portion 33 in the short direction of the transport pipe 12 in the pipe inner direction, the same effect as the case where the clearance of the above-described region Z is made zero. That is, the side wall portion 32 in the longitudinal direction of the transport pipe 12 bulges outward and comes into close contact with the inner wall of the transport pipe 12, thereby exhibiting effects such as improving airtightness and preventing deformation.

  Providing the fixing member 50 as described above makes it difficult for the transport pipe 12 to come off. Therefore, when removing the transport pipe 12 from the connection unit 40 during maintenance or the like, the cover portion 45 is first removed as shown in FIG. Then, if the transport pipe 12 is pulled out to the side opened by the removal of the cover portion 45 (front side in the figure), the catch of the locking claw 52 of the fixing member 50 is reduced, and the transport pipe 12 can be easily removed. Can do.

  FIG. 19 shows a state in which the bill 6 passes through a connecting portion by the connecting unit 40, and FIG. 20 shows a state in which the conveyance auxiliary body 16 passes through the connecting portion. In FIGS. 19 and 20, the cover portion 45 is shown in a removed state so that the inside of the connecting unit 40 can be easily seen.

  FIG. 19A shows a state before the bill 6 reaches the connection unit 40, and FIG. 19B shows a state where the tip of the bill 6 has advanced from the upstream receiving portion 41U to the transport path portion 42. FIG. 19 (c) shows a state in which the conveyance auxiliary body 16 that is pushing the banknote 6 has advanced from the upstream side receiving portion 41 </ b> U to the conveyance path portion 42. 20A shows a state where the conveyance auxiliary body 16 passes over the conveyance path portion 42, and FIG. 20B shows that the banknote 6 passes through the conveyance path portion 42 and proceeds through the downstream receiving portion 41D. Indicates the state.

  Since the step H1 (see FIG. 14) is provided so that the inner wall surface of the transport path portion 42 is located outside the pipe from the inner wall of the transport pipe 12 at the connection point between the upstream receiving portion 41U and the transport path section 42. 6 and the conveyance auxiliary body 16 can pass smoothly, without being caught in a connection location. Further, at the connection point between the conveyance path portion 42 and the downstream receiving portion 41D, a step H3 (see FIG. 14) is provided so that the inner wall surface of the conveyance path portion 42 is located inside the pipe from the inner wall of the conveyance pipe 12. The bill 6 and the conveyance auxiliary body 16 can pass smoothly without being caught at the connection point. Furthermore, since the conveyance path portion 42 is gently inclined inward from the end on the upstream receiving portion 41U side to the end on the downstream receiving portion 41D side, the banknote 6 and the conveyance auxiliary body 16 are smooth. Can pass through the transport path 42.

  Next, a modified example of the connecting unit will be described.

  FIG. 21 shows a connection unit 70 according to a modification. The connection unit 70 has a cylindrical shape as a whole, like the connection unit 40. The in-tube shape of the connection unit 70 is the same as that of the connection unit 40. The connecting unit 70 includes a first cylindrical portion 71 that forms the upstream receiving portion 41U and the conveyance path portion 42 in the connecting unit 40, and a second cylindrical portion 72 that forms the downstream receiving portion 41D in the connecting unit 40. The second cylindrical portion 72 is configured by combining a front wall portion 72a and a back wall portion 72b (see FIG. 10C).

  A flange 73 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first cylindrical portion 71 in the vicinity of the end portion on the connection side with the second cylindrical portion 72, and the end of the second cylindrical portion 72 on the first cylindrical portion 71 side. The part is provided with an engaging part 74 having a groove 74a for engaging with the flange 73 and covering the flange 73 from the outside.

  FIG. 22 illustrates a work flow when the transport pipe 12 is coupled by the coupling unit 70. The transport pipe 12 is inserted into the upstream side receiving portion 41U of the first cylindrical portion 71 (FIGS. 4A and 4B). Next, the groove 74a of the engaging portion 74 of the front wall portion 72a is fitted into the flange 73 of the first cylindrical portion 71 ((c) in the same figure), and in this state, the downstream transport pipe 12 is fitted to the front wall portion 72a. Place it ((d) in the figure). Finally, the front wall portion 72a and the back wall portion 72b are combined such that the groove 74a of the engaging portion 74 of the back wall portion 72b is fitted into the flange 73 of the first tubular portion 71. Thus, the state shown in FIG.

  Since the connecting unit 70 includes the first cylindrical portion 71 that is configured by a single component, the connecting unit 70 maintains the cylindrical shape with high rigidity. Moreover, if the 2nd cylindrical part 72 side is decomposed | disassembled, without removing the 1st cylindrical part 71 side, the connection of the conveyance pipes 12 can be removed. For example, the connecting unit 70 can be disassembled and maintained even in a narrow place or an obstacle where the base unit 44 and the cover unit 45 cannot be disassembled in the connecting unit 40.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to that shown in the embodiment, and there are changes and additions within the scope of the present invention. Are also included in the present invention.

  For example, in the embodiment, the steps H1 and H3 are provided over the entire circumference of the inner edge, but the steps may be provided only in a part, and the other parts may be configured so that the joints are flat. In this case, the step may be only the rib portion or only the side wall portion. For example, the priority order of the steps may be rib> side wall portion> lower wall portion <upper wall portion, and the steps may be provided only in some parts from the highest priority order.

  The fixing means is not limited to the one shown in the embodiment. For example, a female screw hole that penetrates the upper and lower wall portions of the receiving portion 41 is provided, and the conveying tube 12 is connected to the tip of the male screw screwed into the female screw hole. You may make it fix the conveyance pipe 12 by pressing (it is good to make it bite).

    In the embodiment, the cross section of the transport pipe 12 is substantially rectangular. However, the cross section is preferably a flat shape with the thickness direction of the banknote as the short side, although it may be other shapes such as a circle or an ellipse.

  In addition, the method of conveying the banknote 6 with an air flow is not limited to the one using the conveyance auxiliary body 16 as shown in the embodiment. For example, a system in which the bill 6 is directly conveyed by an air flow may be used.

  In the embodiment, the bill 6 is described as an example of the paper sheets, but other types of paper sheets such as tickets and cards may be used. Moreover, the shape of paper sheets is not limited to a rectangle. Further, the paper sheet transporting apparatus 10 is not limited to the one installed in the gaming machine island 2, and may be configured to go around a plurality of gaming machine islands 2 or a management room in the game hall, for example.

  The conveyance auxiliary body insertion device 18, the banknote separation device 20, the conveyance auxiliary body separation device 22, the banknote take-in device 24 and the like are not limited to the configurations exemplified in the embodiment. Further, the bill 6 may be inserted or collected manually by an operator.

  In addition, the gaming machine island is not limited to the configuration that accommodates the pachinko machine and gaming ball lending machine exemplified in the embodiment, and may be a gaming machine island that accommodates medal lending machines and slot machines.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Game machine island 3 ... Game ball lending machine 4 ... Game machine 5 ... Safe 6 ... Banknote 10 ... Paper sheet conveyance apparatus 12 '... Conveyance pipe 12a ... Outward path 12b ... Turn part 12c ... Return path 14 ... Airflow generator 14a ... Blow-out port 14b ... Suction port 16 ... Transport auxiliary body 16m ... Maximum diameter portion of the conveyance auxiliary body 18 ... Transport auxiliary body insertion device 20 ... Bill separation device 22 ... Transport auxiliary body separation device 24 ... Bill intake device 32 ... Side wall 33 ... Wall portion 34 ... Rib 36 ... Guide rail 37 ... Connecting wall portion 38 ... Expansion portion 40 ... Connection unit 41 ... Receiving portion 41D ... Downstream receiving portion 41U ... Upstream receiving portion 42 ... Conveyance path portion 44 ... Base portion 44a ... 1st protrusion 44b ... 2nd protrusion 45 ... Cover part 45a ... 1st hook 45b ... 2nd hook 50 ... Fixing member 51 ... Base 52 ... Locking claw 70 ... Connection unit 71 of a modification 71 ... 1st 72--second wall portion 72a--front wall portion 72b--back wall portion 73--flange 74--engagement portion 74a--groove Dx--the distance between the reference flat surface portions of the transfer tube Dy--the inner dimension of the transfer tube in the Y direction F: Extension direction of the transfer pipe Q: Relief part W: Passage width X: Passage width direction of the transfer pipe Y: Height direction of the transfer pipe

Claims (11)

Cylindrical transport pipes generated in the pipe are inserted from both ends so that the paper surface forms a transport path for transporting paper sheets in a posture along the transport direction and the air flow as a transport force source flows in one direction. It is a cylindrical transport pipe connecting member that connects these,
A cylindrical receiving portion having a cross-sectional inner edge shape corresponding to the cross-sectional outer edge shape of the transport pipe and having the transport pipe densely inserted therein is provided at both ends, and the cross-section inner edge shape of the transport pipe is between the receiving portions. a tubular-shaped transport path portion having a cross-sectional inner shape corresponding to,
The transport pipe includes a pair of opposing side wall portions facing the front and back sides of the paper sheet, and the cross section has a flat shape with the side wall portion as a longitudinal direction,
The receiving portion is higher in rigidity than the transport pipe, and has a clearance only between a portion corresponding to the side wall portion of the outer peripheral surface of the transport pipe to be inserted,
When the transport pipe is inserted into the receiving portion, the wall portion that forms the short side direction of the cross section of the transport pipe is pressed inward by the inner wall of the portion without the clearance in the receiving portion. The transport pipe connecting member, wherein the side wall portion is deformed so as to bulge outward and abuts against the inner wall of the receiving portion without a gap . The receiving part has an elastic body on the inner wall surface.
  The conveyance pipe connecting member according to claim 1 characterized by things. The transport path portion has a shape in which a step is generated in which an inner edge is outside the inner edge of the transport pipe at a connection position with the transport pipe that has been inserted into the receiving section on the upstream side of the air flow. The transport pipe connecting member according to claim 1 or 2 . The conveyance path section has a shape in which a step is generated in which an inner edge is an inner side of an inner edge of the conveyance pipe at a connection portion with the conveyance pipe that has been inserted into the receiving section on the downstream side of the air flow. The transport pipe connecting member according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . The transport path section, the conveyance pipe connecting member according to claim 3 or 4, the step in the connection portion is characterized by having a shape that occurs over the entire circumference of the inner edge. The transport pipe connecting member according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , further comprising a fixing member that fixes the transport pipe inserted into the receiving portion at the position. The fixing member, the base portion to the receiving portion is fixed, according to claim 6, the distal end of the feeding path portion side and having a locking claw which is biased so as to be inclined toward the tube Conveying pipe connecting member. 8. The fixing member according to claim 7, wherein the locking claw is provided at a location where the locking claw is locked to the outer peripheral surface in the short direction of the flat shape of the transport pipe inserted into the receiving portion. Transport pipe connecting member. 9. The paper sheet according to claim 1, wherein the paper sheet is transported in the transport pipe by being pushed from the upstream side by a transport auxiliary body that moves in the transport pipe by the air flow. The conveying pipe connecting member according to the description. The conveyance pipe connecting member according to claim 9, wherein the conveyance auxiliary body has a cylindrical shape and a cross section passing through a central axis thereof corresponds to a cross-sectional inner edge shape of the conveyance pipe. A transport pipe connecting member according to any one of claims 1 to 10, which connects a transport pipe serving as a transport path for paper sheets, and the transport pipes.
An air flow generator for generating an air flow in the extending direction of the transport pipe in the transport pipe;
A conveyance auxiliary body that is inserted into the conveyance pipe and moves in the conveyance pipe by the air flow;
With
The conveyance auxiliary body that is moved by the air flow by inserting the paper sheet into the conveyance tube with the paper surface in a posture along the extending direction and inserting the conveyance auxiliary body upstream of the paper sheet. A paper sheet conveying apparatus, wherein the paper sheet is pushed and moved in step.

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