JP6051489B2 - Auxiliary blower for paper sheet transport device, - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an auxiliary blower that enhances an air flow in the middle of a conveyance pipe in a paper sheet conveyance apparatus that conveys paper sheets such as banknotes by the action of an air flow generated in the conveyance pipe.

  Inside the gaming machine island that houses multiple sets of gaming ball lending machines that lend gaming balls (pachinko balls, etc.) to players upon receipt of banknotes and pachinko machines, A transport device is provided along the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island for transporting bills inserted into each gaming ball lending machine to a safe provided at the end of the gaming machine island.

  In addition to the belt type, paper sheets such as banknotes have a conveying apparatus that generates an air flow with a blower inside a cylindrical conveyance pipe and conveys the paper sheets by the action of the air flow (for example, , See Patent Document 1). Also, a conveyance device that conveys a paper sheet by feeding a cylindrical conveyance auxiliary body that moves in response to an air flow generated in the conveyance pipe into the conveyance pipe, and pushing the paper sheet from the rear by the conveyance auxiliary body. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent No. 4130697 JP 2012-82062 A

  When conveying banknotes etc. by generating an air flow, a blower is provided at the start end of the transfer path, and the air flow is generated from the start end of the transfer path toward the end by the blower. However, when the conveyance path is long or curved, it is difficult to reach a strong airflow to the end with only the blower provided at the start end.

The present invention is intended to solve the above problems, the way efficiently enhanced can Ru auxiliary blower to the transport path of air flow which is generated in the transport pipe for transporting the paper sheet The purpose is to provide.

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

[1] An auxiliary blower that reinforces the air flow in the middle of the transport pipe of the paper sheet transport device that transports paper sheets with the air flow generated in the transport pipe,
A blower blower for sending an air flow toward the terminal end side of the transfer pipe from the air merging part provided in the middle of the transfer pipe into the transfer pipe, and provided in the middle of the transfer pipe on the downstream side of the merging part. A suction blower for sucking out air in the transport pipe on the upstream side of the branch portion from the air branch portion,
Each of the blower blower and the suction blower is
An air passage communicating in the middle of the transport pipe;
A fan provided in the middle of the air passage;
A shutter part for opening and closing the air passage;
I have a,
The suction blower opens the shutter part and turns on the fan until the paper sheet to be transported passes through the merge part, and the blower blower closes the shutter part and turns off the fan,
After the paper sheets have passed through the merge part, the blower blower opens the shutter part and turns on the fan, and the suction blower closes the shutter part and turns off the fan. Blower.

In the above invention, the auxiliary blower reinforces the air flow in the transport pipe by blowing air into the transport pipe or sucking the air in the transport pipe through the air passage communicating with the middle of the transport pipe. Further, the air passage can be opened and closed by the shutter portion. For example, the shutter portion is closed when the fan is turned off to prevent air from being blown out.
In the said invention, an air flow is reinforce | strengthened in each downstream from a junction part and upstream from a branch part. Moreover, since the range where the air flow is enhanced overlaps, the air flow is enhanced without a break. In addition, while the paper sheets are upstream from the merge portion, the air flow is enhanced by suction by the suction blower and the air passage on the blower blower side is closed by the shutter portion, so that air does not blow through the blower blower, The suction effect by the suction blower is ensured. On the other hand, after the paper sheets have passed through the merging section, the air flow is enhanced by the air blowing by the blower blower and the air passage on the suction blower side is closed by the shutter part, so that the air does not blow through the suction blower and the The blowing effect by the blower is secured.

[2] The auxiliary blower according to [1], wherein the shutter unit is in an open state while the fan is being driven, and is in a closed state while the fan is stopped.

[3] The auxiliary blower according to [1] or [2], wherein the shutter portion is configured to cause air leakage even in a closed state.

  In the above invention, even when the shutter portion is closed, the air passage is not completely closed, and a small amount of air leaks. Even after the energization of the fan is stopped, the fan rotates due to inertia or the like. For this reason, in the structure in which the shutter portion is hermetically closed, if the control is performed so that the power supply to the fan is turned off and the shutter is closed at the same time, a large load is applied to the fan at the moment when the shutter is closed. Therefore, in order to avoid the generation of the load, the auxiliary blower of the present invention causes a certain amount of air leakage even in the closed state.

[4] The auxiliary blower according to any one of [1] to [3], further including a mesh-like dust mixing prevention unit in the air passage.

[ 5 ] The paper sheet transporting device is configured to transport the paper sheet by pushing the paper sheet from behind with a transport auxiliary body that moves in the transport pipe in response to an air flow. The auxiliary blower according to any one of [1] to [ 4 ].

According to engagement Ru auxiliary blower to the present invention, it is possible to enhance effectively the airflow is generated in the conveying pipe to convey the paper sheet in the middle of the conveying path.

It is a top view which shows an example of the installation state of the paper sheet conveying apparatus provided with the auxiliary blower which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows an example of the installation state of the paper sheet conveying apparatus provided with the auxiliary blower which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 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 a perspective view which shows the conveyance pipe of a linear part. It is sectional drawing which shows the conveyance pipe of a linear part. It is a figure which shows the plane and front of a conveyance auxiliary body. It is sectional drawing which passes along the central axis of the conveyance auxiliary body of the state which inserted the conveyance auxiliary body in the conveyance pipe. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the turn part of a conveyance pipe | tube, a 1st auxiliary | assistant airflow generator, and a 2nd auxiliary | assistant airflow generator. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement regarding control of the airflow when a paper sheet conveying apparatus conveys and collect | recovers a banknote. It is a perspective view which shows a suction blower. It is sectional drawing which abbreviate | omits and shows the inside of the suction blower of the state which closed the shutter. It is sectional drawing which abbreviate | omits and shows a part of suction blower of the state which opened the shutter. It is a perspective view which shows a ventilation blower. It is sectional drawing which abbreviate | omits and shows the inside of the ventilation blower of the state which closed the shutter. It is sectional drawing which abbreviate | omits and shows the inside of the ventilation blower of the state which opened the shutter.

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

  FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a schematic configuration of a paper sheet transport apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front view of the paper sheet transport apparatus 10. 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. It is provided in a gaming machine island 2 in which a plurality of sets are housed on the front and back sides, and a bank 5 discharged from the back of each gaming ball lending machine 3 is taken to a safe 5 provided at an end of the gaming machine island 2 It is comprised as a banknote conveying apparatus to convey. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the gaming machine island 2 of this example has a building pillar 8 at the installation position, and therefore the island is widened so that the pillar 8 is taken inward.

  The paper sheet transport apparatus 10 includes a transport pipe 12 that serves as a transport path for banknotes (paper sheets) 6 and an air flow generator 14 that generates an air flow that flows in the transport pipe 12 from the start side toward the end side. And. The paper sheet transport apparatus 10 inserts a transport auxiliary body 16 that can move in the transport pipe 12 by receiving an air flow into the transport pipe 12 upstream from the banknote 6 to be transported. The banknote 6 in the conveyance pipe 12 is pushed from behind and conveyed downstream.

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 2, an air flow generator 14 and a banknote separating / conveying auxiliary body circulation device 11 are provided inside a safe 5 provided at one end of the gaming machine island 2. . The banknote separation / conveyance auxiliary body circulation device 11 includes a function of the conveyance auxiliary body insertion device 11a that sends out the conveyance auxiliary body 16 into the conveyance pipe 12, and the conveyance auxiliary body 16 that has been conveyed by pushing and moving the banknote 6 from behind. In addition to having a function of a separation and recovery device 11b that separates and collects each of them, the recovered transport auxiliary body 16 is returned to the transport auxiliary body insertion device 11a and circulated. The bills 6 collected by the separation and collection device 11b are stored in the bill storage unit 21 (see FIG. 1) in the safe 5.

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a safe 5 is provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island 2 and one side (the front side) in the width direction. In the safe 5, an air flow generator 14, a banknote separating / conveying auxiliary body circulation device 11, and a control unit 23 of the paper sheet conveying device 10 are provided. The separation / collection device 11b of the banknote separation / conveyance auxiliary body circulation device 11 is provided on the conveyance auxiliary body insertion device 11a. The bills 6 collected by the separation and collection device 11b are stored in the bill storage unit 21 (see FIG. 1) in the safe 5.

  The transport pipe 12 of the paper sheet transport device 10 is connected to the transport auxiliary body insertion device 11a in the safe 5 at the beginning, and after exiting the safe 5, the gaming machine island 2 surrounds the pillar 8 of the building. After being extended so as to go around the inside of the box, it returns to the safe 5 again, and its end is connected to the separation and recovery device 11b.

  Specifically, the air blowing side (air blowing passage 14a) of the air flow generating device 14 is connected to the air inlet side of the conveyance auxiliary body insertion device 11a, and the conveyance pipe is connected to the air outlet side of the conveyance auxiliary body insertion device 11a. 12 start ends are connected.

  The transport pipe 12 changes its direction as soon as it exits the safe 5 and extends to the back side of the gaming machine island 2 with a slight upward inclination, and then changes its direction again to the other end in the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island 2. A forward path 12a that extends horizontally and linearly along the back surface of the gaming machine 4 on the back side of the gaming machine island 2, a turn portion 12b that folds back in a U shape while remaining horizontal at the other end portion, and a turn portion After turning back at 12b, the return path 12c extends horizontally and linearly into the safe 5 along the back of the gaming machine 4 on the surface side of the gaming machine island 2. The height difference between the conveyance auxiliary body insertion device 11a and the separation / recovery device 11b superimposed thereon is absorbed by the upwardly inclined portion immediately after coming out of the safe 5.

  The end of the return path 12c is connected to the air inlet side of the separation and recovery device 11b, and the air suction side (air suction passage 14b) of the air flow generator 14 is connected to the air outlet side of the separation and recovery device 11b.

  The air flow generator 14 generates an air flow by rotating a fan with a motor. The air flow generated by the air flow generator 14 flows from the air blowing passage 14a to the starting end of the transport pipe 12 through the transport auxiliary body insertion device 11a, passes through the forward path 12a, the turn portion 12b, and the return path 12c, and then is separated and recovered by the recovery apparatus 11b. Then, the air flows through the air suction passage 14b so as to be drawn into the suction side of the air flow generation device 14.

  Further, an air intake hole (merging portion) is formed in the outer wall portion of the bent portion on the forward path 12a side of the turn portion 12b, and the first auxiliary air flow is generated at the other end of the duct communicating with the hole. A device 50 is provided. An air suction hole (branch portion) is formed in the outer wall portion of the bent portion of the turn portion 12b on the return path 12c side, and the second auxiliary airflow generator is provided at the other end of the duct communicating with the hole. 70 is provided. The first auxiliary airflow generator 50 is a blower that blows air into the turn part 12b toward the return path 12c. On the other hand, the second auxiliary airflow generator 70 is a suction blower that acts to suck out the air in the turn portion 12b. A passage sensor 26 that detects passage of the banknote 6 and the conveyance auxiliary body 16 is provided in the middle of the turn portion 12b.

  In the middle of the forward path 12 a and the return path 12 c of the transport pipe 12, a banknote take-in device 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. 13 is disposed. The banknote taking-in apparatus 13 plays the role which intervenes between the conveyance pipe 12 and the conveyance pipe 12 which comprise the outward path 12a and the inward path 12c, and connects these.

  The banknote 6 taken into the transport pipe 12 from the banknote taking-in device 13 stays at a predetermined take-up completion position in a posture in which the paper surface is along the extending direction of the transport pipe 12. 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 is conveyed by the conveyance auxiliary body insertion device 11 a of the banknote separation / conveyance auxiliary body circulation device 11. It is sent in. The conveyance auxiliary body 16 fed into the conveyance pipe 12 is turned in the forward path 12a under the action of the air flow generated by the air flow generation device 14 and the first and second auxiliary air flow generation devices 50 and 70. After moving toward 12b and making a U-turn at the turn part 12b, the inside of the return path 12c is further moved 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 banknote separating / conveying auxiliary body circulating apparatus 11, the banknote taking-in apparatus 13, the airflow generating apparatus 14, the first auxiliary airflow generating apparatus 50, and the second auxiliary airflow generating apparatus 70 are a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM ( It operates under the control of the control unit 23 whose main parts are a read only memory (RAM) and a random access memory (RAM).

  In this example, the air flow generating device 14 is always operated, and the control unit 23 takes in the bill when the sensor provided in the bill taking-in device 13 detects the bill 6 discharged from the back of the game ball lending machine 3. The apparatus 13 is operated to take the bill 6 into the transport pipe 12. And if this taking-in operation is completed, the conveyance auxiliary body 16 will be sent in into the conveyance pipe 12 from the conveyance auxiliary body insertion apparatus 11a of the banknote separation and conveyance auxiliary body circulation apparatus 11. FIG. 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. When the separation and recovery device 11b of the banknote separating / conveying auxiliary body circulation device 11 detects the arrival of the conveyance auxiliary body 16, the banknote 6 and the conveyance auxiliary body 16 are separated and recovered, and the recovered conveyance auxiliary body 16 is recovered. Is guided to the conveyance auxiliary body insertion device 11a in preparation for the next delivery, and the collected banknote 6 is conveyed to the banknote storage unit 21 in the safe 5 so as to control the operation.

  The air flow generator 14 is operated only when necessary (for example, from the time when the banknote take-in device 13 detects the banknote from the game ball lending machine 3 until the banknote is completely collected in the safe 5). You may control. Further, in order to enhance the air flow, the first auxiliary air flow generator 50 and the second auxiliary air flow generator 70 are controlled. Details of the control will be described later.

  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. Moreover, since the conveyance auxiliary | assistant 16 can obtain a driving force from an air flow more efficiently than the banknote 6, the banknote 6 can be conveyed efficiently.

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

  4 is a perspective view of the transport pipe 12 in the straight portion of the forward path 12a and the return path 12c, and FIG. 5 is an extending direction F of the transport pipe 12 in the same section (= banknote transport direction F = air flow direction). It is sectional drawing which shows a cross-sectional shape perpendicular | vertical to. 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 cross-sectional shape of the cross section perpendicular to the extending direction F of the straight portion of the transport pipe 12 is a shape in which the central portions of the left and right side walls of the vertically long rectangle are expanded outwardly into a rectangle. Specifically, the transport pipe 12 includes upper and lower wall portions 31, left and right side wall portions 32, and an extension portion 33 that protrudes outward in a rectangular shape at a central portion in the vertical direction of the left and right side wall portions 32. In the substantially rectangular cross section perpendicular to the extending direction (conveying direction F) of the conveying pipe 12, the short side direction is the X direction (or width direction, left and right direction), and the long side direction is Y direction (or height direction, up and down). Direction). In each of the X direction and the Y direction, the direction toward the center of the transport pipe 12 is referred to as the inside, and the direction from the center toward the inner wall is referred to as the outside.

  The extension part 33 is divided into two parts, upper and lower, by a separation wall 34 erected in the inner direction of the transport pipe 12. The separation wall 34 is formed by attaching a T-shaped member to the inner wall of the extension portion 33.

  A plurality of ribs 35 projecting inward of the transport pipe 12 are formed on the side wall 32 so as to extend along the transport direction. In this example, a rib 35 protruding inward of the transport pipe 12 is formed along the transport direction at the boundary portion between the side wall portion 32 and the extended portion 33. The separation wall 34 has the same height as the rib 35, and the top of the separation wall 34 functions as a rib.

  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 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 interval Dy between the upper and lower wall portions 31 of the transport pipe 12 is slightly longer than the short side of the banknote 6. The distance Dx between the left and right side wall portions 32 (the portion where the rib 35, the extended portion 33, and the separation wall 34 are not formed (referred to as a reference plane portion)) is set to about 21 mm. The extended portions 33 provided on the left and right side wall portions 32 extend about 6 mm outward from the side wall portions 32 (reference plane portions). The tops of the ribs 35 and the separation wall 34 have a height of about 2 mm from the side wall portion 32 (reference plane portion) to the inside. What is necessary is just to set the height of the rib 35 suitably.

  FIG. 6 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 has a shape that is an upper and lower object, and in order from the top, has the same diameter as the head portion 16a, the neck portion 16b having a slightly smaller diameter than the head portion, the large diameter portion 16c having a larger diameter than the head portion 16a, and the neck portion 16b. Thus, it has a constricted portion 16d, a large-diameter portion 16c, a neck portion 16b, and a head portion 16a that are positioned at the upper and lower centers. The conveyance auxiliary body 16 is lightweight and strong, and the inside thereof is formed into a cavity by a plastic or the like. In addition, if it is lightweight and strong, you may form with a polystyrene foam, an extrusion foaming polystyrene, etc.

  FIG. 7 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 and the inner wall. It has a shape that is almost closed 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. Furthermore, the conveyance auxiliary body 16 plays a role of preventing the air flow from the upstream from reaching the downstream side of the conveyance auxiliary body 16 and suppressing 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. 32 is sucked and pressed. If it becomes so, the space | interval by the side of a narrow space | interval will become further narrow, and the phenomenon which the banknote 6 sticks and adsorb | sucks to the side wall part 32 will arise.

  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 reduced, and smooth conveyance is realized.

  The two large diameter portions 16 c included in the conveyance auxiliary body 16 engage with the two expansion portions 33 that are partitioned by the separation wall 34 of the conveyance pipe 12. In this example, the extended portion 33 is divided into two by the separation wall 34, and these extended portions 33 are provided near the center in the Y direction of the transport pipe 12, so that the transport auxiliary body 16 is maintained in a stable posture. Can be moved. Moreover, since the attitude | position of the conveyance auxiliary body 16 is stabilized, the large diameter part 16c of the conveyance auxiliary body 16 can contact | abut appropriately at the rear end of the banknote 6, and the stable conveyance force can be given. Moreover, it becomes difficult for the banknote 6 to be caught between the conveyance pipe 12 and the conveyance auxiliary body 16.

  Moreover, the conveyance auxiliary body 16 can receive the force for moving efficiently because the area of the part which receives the effect | action of an airflow expands by providing the large diameter part 16c. Moreover, since the large diameter part 16c is provided and the effect | action of an airflow is received efficiently, the diameter of the head 16a can be made small by that much. By reducing the diameter of the head, the interval (width (Dx)) between the pair of opposing side wall portions 32 in the transport pipe 12 can be reduced, and the banknote 6 can be prevented from falling.

  Furthermore, the presence of the plurality of ribs 35 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. Further, even when the banknote 6 sticks to the side wall portion 32, the banknote 6 is supported by the tip portion of the rib 35, so that a gap is secured between the side wall portion 32 and the banknote 6 around the rib 35, Sticking force can be kept small. Moreover, since the banknote 6 is supported by the separation wall 34, it is prevented that the banknote 6 falls into the hollow of the expansion part 33.

  In addition, the tops of the plurality of ribs 35 and the separation wall 34 protruding inward from the side wall portion 32 have the passage width W of the banknote 6 in the width direction (X direction) of the transport pipe 12 and the reference inter-planar portion distance Dx. It plays a role of narrowing. Thereby, it becomes difficult for the banknote 6 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 35, 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 35 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, since the diameter of the large-diameter portion 16c is the largest, the large-diameter portion 16c abuts against the rear end of the banknote 6 and moves as shown in FIG. Become.

  FIG. 8 shows the turn portion 12b, the first auxiliary airflow generator 50, and the second auxiliary airflow generator 70. An air intake hole 43 is formed in the outer peripheral wall portion of the bent portion of the turn portion 12b on the forward path 12a side. A duct 51 extending from the first auxiliary airflow generator 50 is connected to the air intake hole 43. The first auxiliary airflow generator 50 is a blower that blows air into the turn part 12 b toward the return path 12 c, and opens and closes a fan 52 and an air passage 53 in the blower blower 50 that communicates with the duct 51. 54.

  An air suction hole 44 is formed in a wall portion on the outer peripheral side of the bent portion on the return path 12c side of the turn portion 12b. A duct 71 extending from the second auxiliary airflow generator 70 is connected to the air suction hole 44. The second auxiliary airflow generator 70 is a suction blower that sucks out the air in the turn part 12 b to the outside, and includes a fan 72 and a shutter part 74 that opens and closes an air passage 73 in the suction blower 70 that communicates with the duct 71. Yes. The shutter portions 54 and 74 are configured so that slight air leakage occurs even when both are closed.

  The turn part 12b is configured so as to be able to transport the bill 6 and the transport auxiliary body 16 without breaking the posture even in the part where the air intake hole 43 and the air suction hole 44 are opened. Specifically, holes 43 and 44 are formed in the side wall portion of the extended portion 33 on the outer peripheral side of the curved portion, and the top of the side wall portion 32 and the separation wall 34 and the rib 35 are left.

  In the middle of the turn part 12b (between the place where the air intake hole 43 is located and the place where the air suction hole 44 is located), a passage sensor 26 for detecting the passage of the bill 6 and the conveyance auxiliary body 16 is provided. is there.

  Next, the operation (mainly control relating to airflow) of the paper sheet transport apparatus 10 including control of the first auxiliary airflow generation device 50 and the second auxiliary airflow generation device 70 will be described. Hereinafter, the first auxiliary airflow generator 50 is also referred to as a blower blower 50, and the second auxiliary airflow generator 70 is also referred to as a suction blower 70.

  FIG. 9 shows a flow of operations (control) performed when the paper sheet transport device 10 transports and collects the bills 6. In the initial state and the standby state, the air flow generator 14, the fan 52 of the blower blower 50, and the fan 72 of the suction blower 70 are all off, and the shutter part 54 of the blower blower 50 and the shutter part 74 of the suction blower 70 are both closed. The state is controlled (step S101).

  When the bill 6 is discharged from the bill take-in device 13 to the transport pipe 12 in the standby state (step S102; Yes), the air flow generator 14 is turned on, the fan 52 of the blower blower 50 is turned off, and the shutter portion of the blower blower 50 54 is closed, the fan 72 of the suction blower 70 is turned on, and the shutter portion 74 of the suction blower 70 is controlled to be opened (step S103). This control state is a suction assist operation.

  In this state, the conveyance auxiliary body 16 is sent out from the conveyance auxiliary body inserting apparatus 11a. The conveyance auxiliary body 16 receives the air flow generated by the air flow generation device 14 from the rear and is sucked from the front by the air flow drawn by the suction blower 70 and travels downstream in the forward path 12a (toward the turn portion 12b). Moving. Further, since the shutter 54 on the blower blower 50 side which is turned off is closed, there is no inflow of air through the blower blower 50 (inflow of external air through the air intake hole 43), and the suction blower 70 The effect of suction is ensured without reduction.

  Thereafter, when the passage sensor 26 detects the passage of the conveyance auxiliary body 16 or the banknote 6 (step S104; Yes), that is, when the conveyance auxiliary body 16 or the banknote 6 arrives at a position downstream of the blower blower 50, the control unit. 23, the fan of the air flow generator 14 is turned on, the fan 52 of the blower blower 50 is turned on, the shutter unit 54 is opened, the fan 72 of the suction blower 70 is turned off, and the shutter unit 74 is closed (step S105). ). This control state is referred to as a push assist operation.

  Thereby, the banknote 6 and the conveyance auxiliary body 16 receive both the airflow which the airflow generation apparatus 14 generate | occur | produces, and the airflow from the ventilation blower 50 from back, and move the conveyance pipe 12 (mainly return path 12c) downstream. . Further, since the shutter portion 74 on the suction blower 70 side that is turned off is closed, the air flow does not blow through the suction blower 70 and flow out to the outside, and the air flow generator 14 and the blower blower 50 are generated. The air flow thus made can efficiently reach the end of the transport pipe 12. The banknote 6 and the conveyance auxiliary body 16 can be efficiently conveyed to the end by this enhanced air flow.

  Thereafter, when the banknote 6 or the conveyance auxiliary body 16 reaches the separation and recovery device 11b (step S106; Yes), the process returns to step S102. That is, it is determined whether or not the bill to be transported next is already waiting in any one of the bill taking-in devices 13 (step S102), and if not waiting (step S102 ;; No), the airflow generator 14 Then, the fan 52 of the blower blower 50 and the fan 72 of the suction blower 70 are all turned off, and the shutter unit 54 of the blower blower 50 and the shutter unit 74 of the suction blower 70 are both controlled to be closed (step S101).

  Next, when the banknote 6 to be conveyed is already waiting in any banknote taking-in device 13 (step S102; Yes), the process proceeds to step S103 and the above-described processing is performed.

  In addition, between the installation location of the blower blower 50 and the installation location of the suction blower 70, the blower blower 50 and the suction blower 70 are switched on and off, and the shutters 54 and 74 are opened and closed to ensure the pushing assist operation to the push assist operation. In order to switch, it is desirable to install the passage sensor 26 near the blower blower 50. That is, since there is a time lag associated with the stop / start of the fan motor in switching from the suction assisting operation to the pushing assisting operation, it is ensured that the above switching is completed before the bill 6 or the like passes through the suction blower 70. The installation position of the passage sensor 26 may be installed closer to the first auxiliary airflow generator (blower blower) 50 (or upstream as necessary from the blower blower 50).

  In the above example, the blower blower 50 and the suction blower 70 are used in the normal transfer operation. However, the blower blower 50 and the suction blower 70 may be used as assistance when there is an abnormality in transfer by the transfer auxiliary body 16.

  In a normal transport operation, the air flow generator 14 is turned on, the blower blower 50 and the suction blower 70 are turned off, and the shutter unit 54 and the shutter unit 74 are closed. When the transport auxiliary body 16 is not detected by the separation and recovery device 11b at the end of the transport pipe 12 even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the transport auxiliary body 16 is sent out from the transport auxiliary body inserting apparatus 11a into the transport pipe 12 (outward path 12a). (When time is over), the suction assisting operation or the pushing assisting operation is performed using the blower blower 50 and the suction blower 70.

  More specifically, the control unit 23 passes the passage sensor 26 even if a predetermined time has elapsed after the conveyance auxiliary body 16 is sent from the conveyance auxiliary body insertion device 11a into the conveyance pipe 12 (outward path 12a) (time is over). However, when the conveyance auxiliary body 16 is not detected, it is determined that the conveyance auxiliary body 16 is stagnant on the upstream side of the passage sensor 26. Then, the suction blower 70 is turned on, and the shutter portion 74 is opened to perform a suction assisting operation, thereby enhancing the air flow in the transport pipe 12 upstream of the suction blower 70. Thereafter, when the passage sensor 26 detects the conveyance auxiliary body 16, the suction blower 70 is turned off and the shutter unit 74 is closed. In addition, after the passage sensor 26 detects, a push assist operation may be performed.

  On the other hand, when the time is over, if the passage sensor 26 has already detected the passage of the conveyance auxiliary body 16, it can be determined that the conveyance auxiliary body 16 is stagnant downstream of the passage sensor 26. Therefore, in this case, the blower blower 50 is turned on, and the shutter portion 54 is opened to perform a push assist operation, thereby enhancing the air flow in the transport pipe 12 on the downstream side of the blower blower 50. Thereafter, when it is detected that the conveyance auxiliary body 16 has reached the separation and recovery device 11b, the blower blower 50 is turned off and the shutter portion 54 is closed.

  Further, when the power supply is restored after the power supply of the paper sheet transport apparatus 10 is turned off during business due to the influence of a power failure or the like, the following control may be performed. When recovering from a power failure, first, suction assistance is performed. Thereafter, when the passage sensor 26 detects the banknote 6 or the conveyance auxiliary body 16, or when the banknote 6 or the conveyance auxiliary body 16 cannot be detected even after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the suction auxiliary operation, the operation is switched to the push auxiliary operation. .

  Next, the mechanical configuration of the blower blower 50 and the suction blower 70 will be described.

  FIG. 10 shows the appearance of the suction blower 70, and FIGS. 11 and 12 show the internal structure of the suction blower 70 with a part omitted. FIG. 11 shows a state where the shutter unit 74 is closed, and FIG. 12 shows a state where the shutter unit 74 is opened. The suction blower 70 includes an air passage 73 having an air suction port 76 at one end and an air discharge port 77 at the other end. Connected to the suction port 76 is a duct 71 that leads to an air suction hole 44 provided in the turn portion 12 b of the transport pipe 12. In the middle of the air passage 73, a shutter portion 74, a mesh-like dust mixture preventing member 78, and a fan 72 that is rotationally driven by a fan motor 72a are provided in the order closer to the suction port 76.

  The shutter portion 74 includes two identical fixed slit plates 81, each having a plurality of slits S arranged side by side at a predetermined interval, with the slits S facing each other, and the two fixed slit plates. A movable slit plate 82 having a similar slit S is sandwiched between 81. The fixed slit plate 81 is provided at a predetermined location of the air passage 73 so as to cover the entire cross section of the air passage 73. The movable slit plate 82 has an open position (see FIG. 12) where the slit S of the movable slit plate 82 and the slit S of the fixed slit plate 81 communicate with each other, and the slit S of the movable slit plate 82 and the fixed slit plate 81. It is driven by the solenoid 83 and slides to a closed position (see FIG. 11) where the slit S is displaced and no longer communicates.

  The shutter portion 74 is in an open state in which the slit S of the fixed slit plate 81 and the slit S of the movable slit plate 82 overlap each other at the open position, and the slit S of the fixed slit plate 81 is the slit of the movable slit plate 82 at the closed position. It is closed at a place where there is no S, and it is in a closed state that hardly allows air to pass through. However, because of such an opening and closing method, the shutter portion 74 allows air to pass to some extent even in the closed state. The control unit 23 of the paper sheet transport apparatus 10 controls the shutter unit 74 to close when the fan motor 72a is turned off from on. However, even if the energization of the fan motor 72a is stopped, the fan 72 is not affected by inertia. Try to rotate for a while. At this time, even if the shutter portion 74 is in the closed state, air is allowed to pass to some extent and the air passage 73 is not closed tightly, so the burden on the fan 72 is reduced.

  The dust mixture preventing member 78 is provided on the suction port 76 side of the fan 72 so that the foreign object does not damage the fan 72 when the foreign object is sucked out from the transport pipe 12.

  13 shows the appearance of the blower blower 50, and FIGS. 14 and 15 show the blower blower 50 with a part of the internal structure omitted. 14 shows a state in which the shutter portion 54 is closed, and FIG. 15 shows a state in which the shutter portion 54 is opened.

  The blower blower 50 includes an air passage 53 having an air outlet 56 at one end and an air inlet 57 at the other end. A duct 51 that leads to an air intake hole 43 provided in the turn portion 12 b of the transport pipe 12 is connected to the air outlet 56. In the middle of the air passage 53, a shutter portion 54 and a fan 52 that is rotationally driven by a fan motor are provided in the order closer to the air outlet 56. Further, the intake port 57 is provided with a net-like dust mixing prevention unit 58.

  The shutter unit 54 has the same structure as the shutter unit 74 of the suction blower 70. In other words, a plurality of slits S are arranged side by side with a predetermined interval, and the same two fixed slit plates 61 are arranged so that the slits S face each other, and between the two fixed slit plates 61. In addition, a movable slit plate 62 having a similar slit S is provided so as to be sandwiched. The fixed slit plate 61 is fixed at a predetermined position of the air passage 53 and is provided so as to cover the entire cross section of the air passage 53. The movable slit plate 62 includes an open position (see FIG. 14) where the slit S of the movable slit plate 62 and the slit S of the fixed slit plate 61 communicate with each other, and the slit S of the movable slit plate 62 and the fixed slit plate 61. The slit 63 is driven by the solenoid 63 to slide to a closed position (see FIG. 15) where the slit S is displaced and no longer communicates.

  The shutter portion 54 is in an open state in which the slit S of the fixed slit plate 61 and the slit S of the movable slit plate 62 overlap each other at the open position, and the slit S of the fixed slit plate 61 is the slit of the movable slit plate 62 at the closed position. It is closed at a place where there is no S, and it is in a closed state that hardly allows air to pass through. However, because of such an open / close method, the shutter portion 54 allows air to pass to some extent even in the closed state. The control unit 23 of the paper sheet transport apparatus 10 controls the shutter unit 54 to close when the fan motor of the blower blower 50 is turned off from on, but the fan 52 does not stop even if the energization of the fan motor is stopped. Try to rotate for a while due to inertia. At this time, even if the shutter portion 54 is in the closed state, air is allowed to pass to some extent and the air passage 53 is not closed tightly, so the burden on the fan 52 is reduced.

  The dust mixing prevention unit 58 removes foreign matter so that the foreign matter is not sent into the transport pipe 12 from the outside. The dust mixture preventing portion 58 is provided closer to the intake port 57 than the fan 52 so that foreign matter flowing in from the intake port 57 does not damage the fan 52.

  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.

  The configuration of the shutter portions 54 and 74 shown in the embodiment is merely an example, and other structures may be used as long as they can be switched between an open state that allows air to pass sufficiently and a closed state that closes in a low airtight manner.

  In the embodiment, the blower blower 50 and the suction blower 70 are provided at the inlet portion and the outlet portion of the turn portion 12 b of the transport pipe 12, but these may be provided at other locations along the transport pipe 12. It doesn't matter. Alternatively, only one of the blower blower 50 and the suction blower 70 may be provided. For example, you may provide the ventilation blower 50 which sends out an air flow toward the termination | terminus side in one or several places in the middle of the conveyance pipe | tube 12.

  The shape of the conveyance auxiliary body 16 is not limited to that shown in the embodiment. For example, it is good also as columnar shapes, such as a cross-sectional rectangle and a polygon. Moreover, although the conveyance auxiliary body 16 was made into the object shape with respect to the Y direction center part, you may make it an asymmetrical shape in a Y direction. Furthermore, the structure which conveys paper sheets, such as the banknote 6 directly by ventilation, without using the conveyance auxiliary body 16 may be sufficient.

  The gaming machine island 2 is not limited to a configuration that accommodates pachinko machines and game ball lending machines, and may be a gaming machine island that accommodates medal lending machines and slot machines. Moreover, the paper sheet transport 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, a management room, and the like in the game hall, for example.

  In the embodiment, an example in which only one sheet is conveyed is shown in FIG. 3 and the like. However, when the conveyance auxiliary body 16 is inserted in a state where a plurality of banknotes 6 exist in the middle of the conveyance tube 12. It is also possible to transport the plurality of banknotes 6 at a time.

  In the embodiment, the bill 6 is described as an example of the paper sheet, but other types of paper sheets such as a ticket and a card may be used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Game machine island 3 ... Game ball lending machine 4 ... Game machine 5 ... Safe 6 ... Banknote 8 ... Building pillar 10 ... Paper sheet conveyance apparatus 11 ... Banknote separation and conveyance auxiliary body circulation apparatus 11a ... conveyance auxiliary body insertion apparatus DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11b ... Separation | collection collection apparatus 12 ... Conveyance pipe 12a ... Outward path 12b ... Turn part 12c ... Return path 13 ... Banknote taking-in apparatus 14 ... Air flow generator 14a ... Air blowing passage 14b ... Air suction passage 16 ... Conveyance auxiliary body 16a ... Head 16b ... neck part 16c ... large diameter part 16d ... constriction part 21 ... banknote storage part 23 ... control part 26 ... passage sensor 31 ... wall part 32 ... side wall part 33 ... expansion part 34 ... separation wall 35 ... rib 43 ... for air intake Hole 44 ... Air suction hole 50 ... First auxiliary airflow generator (blower blower)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 51 ... Duct 52 ... Fan 53 ... Air passage 54 ... Shutter part 56 ... Outlet 57 ... Inlet 58 ... Dust mixing prevention part 61 ... Fixed slit board 62 ... Movable slit board 63 ... Solenoid 70 ... 2nd auxiliary airflow generator (Suction blower)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 71 ... Duct 72 ... Fan 72a ... Fan motor 73 ... Air passage 74 ... Shutter part 76 ... Suction port 77 ... Discharge port 78 ... Dust mixing prevention member 81 ... Fixed slit plate 82 ... Movable slit plate 83 ... Solenoid F ... Conveyance direction S ... Slit W ... Passage width X ... Passage passage width direction Y ... Conveyance pipe height direction Dx ... Reference plane portion spacing Dy ... Upper and lower wall spacings

Claims (5)

An auxiliary blower that enhances the air flow in the middle of the transport pipe of the paper sheet transport device that transports paper sheets with the air flow generated in the transport pipe,
A blower blower for sending an air flow toward the terminal end side of the transfer pipe from the air merging part provided in the middle of the transfer pipe into the transfer pipe, and provided in the middle of the transfer pipe on the downstream side of the merging part. A suction blower for sucking out air in the transport pipe on the upstream side of the branch portion from the air branch portion,
Each of the blower blower and the suction blower is
An air passage communicating in the middle of the transport pipe;
A fan provided in the middle of the air passage;
A shutter part for opening and closing the air passage;
I have a,
The suction blower opens the shutter part and turns on the fan until the paper sheet to be transported passes through the merge part, and the blower blower closes the shutter part and turns off the fan,
After the paper sheets have passed through the merge part, the blower blower opens the shutter part to turn on the fan, and the suction blower closes the shutter part and turns off the fan. Blower. The auxiliary blower according to claim 1, wherein the shutter unit is in an open state while the fan is being driven and is in a closed state when the fan is stopped. The auxiliary blower according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the shutter portion is configured to cause air leakage even in a closed state. The auxiliary blower according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a mesh-like dust mixing prevention unit in the air passage. 2. The paper sheet conveying device is configured to convey the paper sheet by pushing the paper sheet from behind with a conveyance auxiliary body that moves in the conveyance pipe in response to an air flow. The auxiliary blower as described in any one of thru | or 4 .

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