JP6369308B2 - Paper sheet identification device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a paper sheet discrimination device that discriminates paper sheets conveyed along a conveyance path.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a paper sheet discriminating apparatus that discriminates paper sheets transported along a transport path is mounted on apparatuses such as an automatic teller machine (ATM), a cash processing machine, and a ticket issuing machine.

  Many paper sheet discrimination devices have a thickness detection mechanism that detects the thickness of a paper sheet. The thickness detection mechanism includes a reference roller, a detection roller, an urging member, a displacement detection sensor, a circuit board on which the displacement detection sensor is mounted (hereinafter referred to as “sensor board”), and a frame that supports these members. It has a member.

  The thickness detection mechanism sandwiches the paper sheet between the reference roller and the detection roller, displaces (moves) the detection roller by the thickness of the paper sheet, and detects the displacement amount of the detection roller. It is configured to detect the thickness of leaves.

  In the thickness detection mechanism, the reference roller and the detection roller are arranged to face each other. The urging member presses the detection roller in the direction of the reference roller so that the detection roller is in close contact with the reference roller.

  The reference roller is rotatably disposed at a predetermined position. On the other hand, the detection roller is movable in the contact / separation direction with respect to the reference roller and is rotatably arranged. A sensor substrate is arranged around the detection roller so that the detection roller and the displacement detection sensor face each other.

  The paper sheet passes between the reference roller and the detection roller. At that time, the paper sheet displaces (moves) the detection roller in a direction away from the reference roller by the thickness of the paper sheet against the pressing of the urging member. At this time, the paper sheet discrimination device detects the displacement amount of the detection roller by the displacement detection sensor. Accordingly, the paper sheet discrimination device detects the thickness of the paper sheet.

  In such a thickness detection mechanism, maintaining the gap between the detection roller and the displacement detection sensor at a value within a presumed allowable gap is extremely effective in improving the accuracy of detecting the thickness of the paper sheet. Become important.

JP 2001-266105 A JP 2013-54446 A

  However, the conventional paper sheet discrimination device has a problem that the accuracy of detecting the thickness of the paper sheet is likely to be lowered, as will be described below.

  In a conventional paper sheet discrimination device, a sensor substrate on which a displacement detection sensor is mounted is fastened to a frame member with a screw, thereby fixing the sensor substrate to the frame member. The sensor substrate is formed in a long rectangular shape having two longitudinal sides (long sides) and two short sides (short sides). The sensor substrate is disposed such that the short side direction is the paper sheet conveyance direction and the long side direction is orthogonal to the paper sheet conveyance direction. The screw fastens one end of the two long sides of the sensor substrate arranged in this manner to the frame member. Therefore, in the sensor substrate, one end side of the two long sides is a fixed end, and the other end side is a free end.

  In such a paper sheet discrimination device, since the sensor substrate is fastened to the frame member with screws, kinking is likely to occur in the sensor substrate at the time of fastening. Here, “twist” means a distortion in which a portion around the screw hole of the sensor substrate is deformed in the rotation direction of the screw.

  Further, in the conventional paper sheet discrimination device, since the other end of the two long sides of the sensor substrate is a free end, warping (warping) is likely to occur in the sensor substrate at the time of fastening. Here, “warping” means a distortion in which the free end side of the sensor substrate is deformed so as to float upward relative to the fixed end side, or is deformed so as to sink downward.

  Furthermore, in the conventional paper sheet discrimination device, the other end side of the two long sides of the sensor substrate is a free end, so that the sensor substrate is deformed due to heat transmitted from the frame member to the sensor substrate or due to aging. As a result, warping, wrinkles, waviness and the like are easily generated on the sensor substrate. Here, “wrinkle” means a strain that deforms the surface portion of the sensor substrate into a wrinkle shape. “Wavy” means a distortion in which a portion between the screws of the sensor substrate is deformed in a wave shape.

  The output of the sensor has a non-linear characteristic. For this reason, the conventional paper sheet discrimination device has a permissible gap that is preliminarily assumed as a gap between the detection roller and the displacement detection sensor when distortion such as kinking, warping, wrinkling, and undulation occurs in the sensor substrate. If it has exceeded, the displacement detection sensor cannot properly detect the displacement amount of the detection roller. In this case, when the conventional paper sheet discrimination device detects the displacement amount of the detection roller, the output of the displacement detection sensor is insufficient or the output fluctuates. Therefore, in the conventional paper sheet discrimination device, the detection accuracy of the thickness of the paper sheet is easily lowered.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and has as its main object to provide a paper sheet discrimination device that suppresses a decrease in the detection accuracy of the thickness of the paper sheet.

  In order to achieve the above object, the first invention is a paper sheet discrimination device for discriminating paper sheets conveyed along a conveyance path, and is arranged to face a reference roller and the reference roller. A detection roller that sandwiches the paper sheet with the reference roller, a displacement detection sensor that detects a displacement amount of the detection roller, a sensor board on which the displacement detection sensor is mounted, and a support for the sensor board And a support portion is disposed between the detection roller and the displacement detection sensor, and an opening for making the detection roller and the displacement detection sensor face each other is provided in the support portion. And a pressing member that presses the sensor substrate, and a fixing member that fixes the sensor substrate. The opening has a width in a longitudinal direction and a width in a short direction of the sensor substrate. Is formed so as to be narrow, and the pressing member is disposed so as to come into contact with a surface opposite to the facing surface facing the support portion of the sensor substrate, and the fixing member is the pressing member. The sensor substrate is arranged so as to abut on the surface opposite to the abutment surface that abuts on the sensor substrate, and the sensor substrate is fixed by pressing the pressing member in the direction of the sensor substrate.

  This paper sheet discrimination device is configured such that the sensor substrate is not fastened to the frame member with a screw, and the sensor substrate is in close contact with the support portion by pressing the pressing member, and the reference roller of the sensor substrate is pressed by the fixing member. The sensor substrate is fixed so as to regulate the movement in the direction of separation with respect to. Since this paper sheet discrimination device can correct the distortion of the sensor substrate by the pressing of the pressing member, the distortion of the sensor substrate can be suppressed.

  Therefore, this paper sheet discrimination device can suppress the occurrence of a phenomenon in which the gap between the detection roller and the displacement detection sensor exceeds a presumed allowable gap, and as a result, the paper sheet It is possible to suppress a decrease in the thickness detection accuracy.

  Further, the second invention is a paper sheet discrimination device for discriminating paper sheets conveyed along a conveyance path, and is arranged to face the reference roller and the reference roller. A detection roller for sandwiching the paper sheet between them, a displacement detection sensor for detecting a displacement amount of the detection roller, a sensor board on which the displacement detection sensor is mounted, and a support part for supporting the sensor board Is formed so as to be disposed between the detection roller and the displacement detection sensor, and an opening is formed in the support portion for making the detection roller and the displacement detection sensor face each other. An interposition member disposed between the support portion and the sensor substrate, a pressing member that presses the sensor substrate, and a fixing member that fixes the sensor substrate, and the opening includes Sen The substrate is formed to be narrower than the width in the longitudinal direction and the width in the short direction of the substrate, and the pressing member is in contact with a surface opposite to the facing surface facing the support portion of the sensor substrate. The fixing member is disposed so as to contact a surface of the pressing member opposite to a contact surface that contacts the sensor substrate, and presses the pressing member in the direction of the sensor substrate. Thus, the sensor substrate is fixed.

  In this paper sheet discrimination device, the sensor substrate is not fastened to the frame member with a screw, and the sensor substrate is brought into close contact with the interposed member by pressing the pressing member. The sensor substrate is fixed so as to regulate the movement in the separation / contact direction with respect to the roller. Since this paper sheet discrimination device can correct the distortion of the sensor substrate by the pressing of the pressing member, similarly to the paper sheet discrimination device according to the first invention, it is possible to suppress the distortion of the sensor substrate. . Moreover, the paper sheet discrimination device is configured such that the sensor substrate and the frame member do not directly contact each other. Therefore, this paper sheet discrimination device can reduce the heat transmitted from the frame member to the sensor substrate. As a result, this paper sheet discrimination apparatus can suppress the distortion of the sensor substrate more than the paper sheet discrimination apparatus according to the first invention.

  Therefore, in the paper sheet discrimination device, a phenomenon occurs in which the gap between the detection roller and the displacement detection sensor exceeds a presumed allowable gap, as in the paper sheet discrimination device according to the first invention. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the detection accuracy of the thickness of the paper sheet.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the paper sheet discrimination apparatus which suppresses the fall of the detection precision of the thickness of paper sheets can be provided.

It is sectional drawing which shows typically the structure of the front direction of the thickness detection mechanism of the paper sheet discrimination | determination apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the structure of the side direction of the thickness detection mechanism of the paper sheet discrimination | determination apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure (1) which shows the arrangement position of each member which constitutes the thickness detection mechanism concerning Embodiment 1. It is a figure (2) which shows the arrangement position of each member which comprises the thickness detection mechanism which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the structure of the front direction of the thickness detection mechanism of the paper sheet identification device which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the structure of the side direction of the thickness detection mechanism of the paper sheet discrimination | determination apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure (1) which shows the arrangement position of each member which comprises the thickness detection mechanism which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 6B is a diagram (2) illustrating an arrangement position of each member constituting the thickness detection mechanism according to the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the modification of the thickness detection mechanism which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the thickness detection mechanism which concerns on a comparative example.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “the present embodiment”) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Each figure is only schematically shown so that the present invention can be fully understood. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated example. Moreover, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the common component and the same component, and those overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

[Embodiment 1]
<Configuration of thickness detection mechanism of paper sheet discrimination device>
Hereinafter, the configuration of the thickness detection mechanism of the paper sheet discrimination apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration in the front direction of the thickness detection mechanism 2 of the paper sheet discrimination apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the thickness detection mechanism 2 in the side surface direction.

  The paper sheet discrimination apparatus 1 is an apparatus that discriminates paper sheets that are transported along a transport path. Here, description will be made assuming that the paper sheet is a banknote and the paper sheet discrimination device 1 is mounted on an automatic teller machine (ATM). Here, a description will be given assuming that the paper sheet discrimination device 1 transports paper sheets in the short direction of the paper sheets.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the paper sheet discrimination device 1 has a thickness detection mechanism 2 that detects the thickness of the paper sheet. The thickness detection mechanism 2 includes a frame member 10, a reference roller 21, a detection roller 22, a displacement detection sensor 30, a circuit board 40, a sponge 50, and a fixing member 60.

  The frame member 10 is a support member that supports the reference roller 21, the detection roller 22, the circuit board 40, the sponge 50, and the fixing member 60. In the first embodiment, the frame member 10 is formed so as to surround the upper side and the side of the conveyance path 3. The frame member 10 is preferably made of a metal material such as iron, for example, in order to ensure strength.

  The frame member 10 supports the reference roller 21 rotatably at a predetermined position via a rotation shaft 21ax. The reference roller 21 rotates when a rotational force is transmitted from a rotation driving mechanism (not shown).

  The detection roller 22 is provided at a position facing the reference roller 21. The detection roller 22 is urged toward the reference roller 21 by a mechanism (not shown), and is supported so as to be displaceable (movable) in a direction of contact with the reference roller 21 (herein, a vertical direction). The detection roller 22 rotates following the rotation of the reference roller 21 as the reference roller 21 rotates. In addition, the detection roller 22 moves away from the reference roller 21 by the thickness of the paper sheet that passes through when the paper sheet passes between the reference roller 21 and the detection roller 22 (here, the upper side) Direction).

  The frame member 10 is formed with a support portion 10 a for supporting the circuit board 40 so as to be disposed between the detection roller 22 and the displacement detection sensor 30 mounted on the circuit board 40. . The support portion 10a is formed in a dimension wider than the width in the longitudinal direction and the width in the short direction of the circuit board 40 so that the entire lower surface of the circuit board 40 can be supported on the outer peripheral surface of the opening 11 described later. Has been. Moreover, the upper surface and lower surface of the support part 10a are formed as flat surfaces.

An opening 11 for making the detection roller 22 and the displacement detection sensor 30 face each other is formed at the center of the support portion 10a. The opening 11 is a detectable region in which the displacement detection sensor 30 can detect the amount of displacement of the detection roller 22. The opening 11 is formed in a long rectangular shape having a short side direction and a long side direction so as to extend in the same direction as the arrangement direction of the detection roller 22 and the displacement detection sensor 30.
A plurality of screw holes 13 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 3A), which will be described later, are formed in the vicinity of the end of the support portion 10a.

  The reference roller 21 is a roller that abuts on a paper sheet conveyed by a conveyance mechanism (not shown). The reference roller 21 is formed longer than the width in the longitudinal direction of the paper sheet, and is arranged so as to extend in the same direction as the arrangement direction of the detection roller 22. The reference roller 21 is made of, for example, a metal material such as iron so as not to be easily deformed.

  The detection roller 22 is a roller that sandwiches paper sheets with the reference roller 21. The detection roller 22 is disposed to face the reference roller 21. Here, it is assumed that a plurality of detection rollers 22 are arranged along the axial direction of the reference roller 21 above the reference roller 21 so that the entire thickness of the paper sheet can be detected. To explain. Each detection roller 22 is configured to be rotatably supported by a shaft component having a pair of two bearings (not shown). Each of the detection rollers 22 is formed to be shorter than the length of the reference roller 21, and is arranged side by side in a direction orthogonal to the sheet transport direction. Like the reference roller 21, the detection roller 22 is made of, for example, a metal material such as iron so that it is difficult to deform.

  Each detection roller 22 is urged in the direction of the reference roller 21 by a spring (not shown) that is an urging member. A plurality of springs (not shown) are provided corresponding to each detection roller 22. Each detection roller 22 is brought into close contact with the reference roller 21 by being pressed downward by the elastic force of the spring.

  The displacement detection sensor 30 is a detection unit that detects a displacement amount (hereinafter, simply referred to as “displacement amount of the detection roller 22”) of the detection roller 22 in the contact / separation direction (herein, vertical direction) with respect to the reference roller 21. The displacement detection sensor 30 is constituted by, for example, an eddy current coil type sensor in which a coil pattern is formed. The diameter of the coil pattern is smaller than the axial width of a bearing (not shown) used for the detection roller 22 facing the displacement detection sensor 30.

  The circuit board 40 is a board on which the displacement detection sensor 30 is mounted. Hereinafter, the circuit board 40 is referred to as a “sensor board 40”. The sensor substrate 40 is formed in a long rectangular shape having two longitudinal sides (long sides) and two short sides (short sides). The sensor substrate 40 is formed wider than the width in the longitudinal direction (width of the long side) and the width in the short direction (width of the short side) so as to cover the opening 11 of the support portion 10a. (See FIG. 3B). The sensor board 40 has a support portion 10a of the frame member 10 with the surface facing downward so that the short side direction is the paper sheet conveyance direction and the long side direction is perpendicular to the paper sheet conveyance direction. It is mounted on the upper surface of. The “surface” of the sensor substrate 40 corresponds to “an opposing surface facing the support portion of the sensor substrate”. Further, the “back surface” of the sensor substrate 40 corresponds to “a surface opposite to the facing surface facing the support portion of the sensor substrate”.

  In the first embodiment, the sensor substrate 40 is mounted with a plurality of displacement detection sensors 30 so as to face each of a plurality of bearings (not shown) used for the plurality of detection rollers 22. The plurality of displacement detection sensors 30 are mounted on the surface of the sensor substrate 40 that is disposed downward. The plurality of displacement detection sensors 30 are arranged in a line along the longitudinal direction of the sensor substrate 40 at a position near the approximate center of the sensor substrate 40. Therefore, the plurality of displacement detection sensors 30 are arranged in a line along the longitudinal direction at a position near the center of the opening portion 11 in the short direction, by placing the sensor substrate 40 on the upper surface of the support portion 10a. (See FIG. 3B). That is, the plurality of displacement detection sensors 30 are arranged in a row in a direction orthogonal to the paper sheet conveyance direction.

  The sponge 50 is a pressing member that presses the sensor substrate 40 in the direction of the support portion 10 a of the frame member 10. The sponge 50 is made of, for example, an elastic material such as silicon. The sponge 50 is placed on the back surface of the sensor substrate 40.

  The sponge 50 is formed to have a width narrower than the width in the longitudinal direction and the width in the short direction of the sensor substrate 40 so that the sponge 50 can be placed on the back surface of the sensor substrate 40. Further, the sponge 50 has a shape that avoids the protrusion 12 so as not to inhibit the engagement between the protrusion 12 (see FIG. 3C) described later and the positioning hole 41 (see FIG. 3C) described later. Is formed. The upper surface and the lower surface of the sponge 50 are formed as flat surfaces parallel to each other.

  The elastic force of the sponge 50 is preferably such that distortion such as kinking, warping, wrinkling, and undulation may occur on the sensor substrate 40 placed on the upper surface of the support portion 10a of the frame member 10. However, it is preferable that the force is set to such a level that the distortion can be corrected. The material of the sponge 50 is preferably a material whose elastic force lasts at least several years.

  The fixing member 60 is disposed so as to abut on the surface (here, the upper surface) opposite to the abutting surface that abuts the sensor substrate 40 of the sponge 50, and presses the sponge 50 in the direction of the sensor substrate 40. By this, the sensor substrate 40 is a member that fixes the sensor substrate 40 so as to regulate the movement of the sensor substrate 40 in the direction of separation / contact with the reference roller 21 (here, the vertical direction).

  As shown in FIG. 2, a detection roller 22 is disposed above the reference roller 21 so as to face the reference roller 21 via the conveyance center surface 3CN of the conveyance path 3. A displacement detection sensor 30 is disposed above the detection roller 22 so as to face the detection roller 22 through the opening 11.

  The displacement detection sensor 30 is mounted on the sensor substrate 40. The sensor substrate 40 is placed on the upper surface of the support portion 10 a of the frame member 10. A sponge 50 is placed on the back surface of the sensor substrate 40. Further, a fixing member 60 is disposed on the upper surface of the sponge 50.

The fixing member 60 includes a contact portion 61 and a screw fastening portion 62.
The contact portion 61 is a portion that contacts the upper surface of the sponge 50.
The screwing part 62 is a part fastened by the support part 10 a of the frame member 10 and the screw 70.

  The contact portion 61 is formed to protrude upward from the screwing portion 62 so as to cover the sensor substrate 40 and the sponge 50. A portion of the contact portion 61 that contacts the upper surface of the sponge 50 is formed as a flat surface. Hereinafter, this surface is referred to as a “projection surface”.

  The lower surface of the screwing portion 62 is in contact with the support portion 10 a of the frame member 10. A screw hole 63 is formed in the screwing portion 62. The screw hole 63 is formed at a position overlapping the screw hole 13 formed in the support portion 10 a of the frame member 10. The fixing member 60 is fastened to the support portion 10 a of the frame member 10 with screws 70.

  In the first embodiment, the distance from the lower surface of the screwing portion 62 to the protruding surface of the contact portion 61 is set to a value smaller than the total thickness of the sensor substrate 40 and the sponge 50.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, an arrangement position of each member constituting the thickness detection mechanism 2 will be described. 3 and 4 are diagrams showing the arrangement positions of the members constituting the thickness detection mechanism 2. 3 (a) to 3 (c) and FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (b), each member is arranged on the support portion 10a of the frame member 10, and the thickness detection mechanism 2 is arranged. The assembly process in the case of assembling is shown.

  FIG. 3A shows the configuration of the support portion 10a of the frame member 10 as viewed from above. As shown in FIG. 3A, an opening 11 is formed in the central portion of the support portion 10a so as to penetrate from the upper surface to the lower surface of the support portion 10a. A protrusion 12 and a screw hole 13 are formed around the opening 11.

  The protrusion 12 is a part that is inserted into the positioning hole 41 (see FIG. 3B) of the sensor substrate 40. The protrusion 12 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The protrusion 12 is formed around the opening 11 so as to protrude upward (in the direction of the sensor substrate 40) from the upper surface of the support portion 10a. In addition, the protrusion part 12 can be provided in the member (For example, the plate-shaped member 80 (refer FIG.5 and FIG.6) of Embodiment 2 mentioned later) similar to the support part 10a instead of the support part 10a. Further, the thickness detection mechanism 2 may be configured such that, instead of the protrusion 12, a pin is fitted into the support portion 10 a so that the pin functions similarly to the protrusion 12.

  In the first embodiment, two protrusions 12 are formed. The two protrusions 12 are divided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the support portion 10a so as to face each other through the opening 11, and are formed at positions near the central portion in the short direction of the support portion 10a. Of the two protrusions 12, one protrusion 12a is inserted into a positioning hole 41a (see FIG. 3B) described later, and the other protrusion 12b is positioned in a positioning hole 41b (described later in FIG. b) see).

  The screw hole 13 is formed so as to penetrate from the upper surface to the lower surface of the support portion 10a. In the first embodiment, six screw holes 13 are formed in the support portion 10a. Of the six screw holes 13, two screw holes 13 are formed at positions near one end in the longitudinal direction of the support portion 10a by dividing into both ends in the short direction of the support portion 10a. Two screw holes 13 are divided at both ends in the short direction of the support portion 10a and are formed at positions near the center in the longitudinal direction of the support portion 10a, and two other screw holes 13 are formed in the short portion of the support portion 10a. It is divided into both ends in the hand direction and is formed at a position near the other end in the longitudinal direction of the support portion 10a.

  Thus, the six screw holes 13 form one set with two. The displacement detection sensor 30 mounted on the sensor substrate 40 is disposed at a position at an equal distance from the two screw holes 13 of each set by placing the sensor substrate 40 on the upper surface of the support portion 10a. .

  As shown in FIG. 3B, after the step shown in FIG. 3A, the sensor substrate 40 is placed on the upper surface of the support portion 10a. At this time, the surface of the sensor substrate 40 is in contact with the upper surface of the support portion 10 a of the frame member 10. Further, the projecting portion 12 of the support portion 10 a is inserted into the positioning hole 41 of the sensor substrate 40. The mounting position of the sensor substrate 40 is defined by matching the positions of the protrusion 12 and the positioning hole 41. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the protrusion 12 and the positioning hole 41 are used as reference components that define the mounting position of the sensor substrate 40.

  The positioning hole 41 is formed so as to penetrate from the front surface to the back surface of the sensor substrate 40. In the first embodiment, two positioning holes 41 are formed. The two positioning holes 41 are formed at positions where the protrusions 12 formed on the support portion 10a are fitted. Of the two positioning holes 41, one positioning hole 41a is formed as a circular hole, and the other positioning hole 41b is the longitudinal direction of the sensor substrate 40 (that is, the mounting direction of the plurality of displacement detection sensors 30). ) Are formed as elongated holes. The diameter of the positioning hole 41a is substantially the same size (slightly larger size) as the diameter of the protrusion 12a. On the other hand, the diameter of the positioning hole 41b in the short direction is substantially the same size (slightly larger) as the diameter of the protrusion 12b, and the length of the positioning hole 41b in the longitudinal direction is larger than the diameter of the protrusion 12b. Is also a big size.

  As shown in FIG. 3C, after the process shown in FIG. 3B, the sponge 50 is placed on the back surface of the sensor substrate 40. At this time, the sponge 50 is disposed so as to avoid the protrusion 12.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, after the step shown in FIG. 3C, the fixing member 60 is placed on the upper surface of the sponge 50. At this time, the screw hole 63 of the fixing member 60 is disposed on the screw hole 13 (see FIG. 3C) of the support portion 10a.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, after the step shown in FIG. 4A, the screw 70 is attached to the screw hole 63 of the fixing member 60 and the screw hole 13 of the support portion 10a (see FIG. 3C). It is done. As a result, the fixing member 60 is fastened to the support portion 10a.

  At this time, the contact portion 61 (see FIG. 2) of the fixing member 60 presses the sponge 50 in the direction of the sensor substrate 40 to crush the sponge 50. At that time, the sponge 50 presses the sensor substrate 40 in the direction of the support portion 10a with an elastic force that resists pressing (compression force). Accordingly, the sponge 50 fixes the sensor substrate 40 to the support portion 10a by bringing the sensor substrate 40 into close contact with the support portion 10a.

<Operation of thickness detection mechanism of paper sheet discrimination device>
In such a configuration, in the thickness detection mechanism 2, when the conveyance of the paper sheet is started, the displacement detection sensor 30 causes the control unit 9 of the paper sheet discrimination device 1 of the detection signal of the displacement amount of the detection roller 22 (FIG. 1) is started. Here, the “detection signal of the displacement amount of the detection roller 22” means a signal representing the displacement amount of the position of the detection roller 22 in the contact / separation direction (herein, the vertical direction) with respect to the reference roller 21.

  The value of the “detection signal of the displacement amount of the detection roller 22” is “zero” when the detection roller 22 is in contact with the reference roller 21, and when the detection roller 22 is separated from the reference roller 21, The value corresponds to the amount of displacement of the detection roller 22.

  In the thickness detection mechanism 2, the detection roller 22 is in contact with the reference roller 21 immediately after the conveyance of the paper sheet is started. Therefore, at this time, the displacement detection sensor 30 outputs a signal whose value is zero to the control unit 9 of the paper sheet discrimination device 1 as a detection signal of the displacement amount of the detection roller 22.

  Thereafter, when the paper sheet transported by a transport mechanism (not shown) reaches the contact portion between the reference roller 21 and the detection roller 22, the paper sheet pushes up the detection roller 22 and the reference roller 21 and the detection roller. Pass between the two. Therefore, at this time, the detection roller 22 is displaced (moved) upward by the thickness of the paper sheet and is separated from the reference roller 21. As a result, the value of the detection signal output from the displacement detection sensor 30 to the control unit 9 of the paper sheet discrimination device 1 corresponds to the amount of displacement of the detection roller 22 from zero (that is, the thickness of the paper sheet). Fluctuates in value.

  At this time, the control unit 9 recognizes that the value of the detection signal has changed, thereby recognizing that the paper has reached between the reference roller 21 and the detection roller 22, and also detects the detection signal after the change. Based on this value, the displacement amount of the detection roller 22 (that is, the thickness of the paper sheet) is detected.

  Thereafter, when the paper sheet is further transported by a transport mechanism (not shown) and the paper sheet completely passes between the reference roller 21 and the detection roller 22, the detection roller 22 is biased by a spring (not shown). Therefore, it is displaced (moved) downward and comes into contact with the reference roller 21. As a result, the value of the detection signal output from the displacement detection sensor 30 to the control unit 9 of the paper sheet discrimination device 1 is determined based on the displacement amount of the detection roller 22 (that is, the thickness of the paper sheet). Fluctuates to zero.

  At this time, the control unit 9 recognizes that the sheet has completely passed between the reference roller 21 and the detection roller 22 by recognizing that the value of the detection signal has changed.

  In such a thickness detection mechanism 2, maintaining the gap between the detection roller 22 and the displacement detection sensor 30 at a value within a presumed allowable gap improves the accuracy of detecting the thickness of the paper sheet. It becomes very important. The thickness detection mechanism 2 is configured to maintain the gap between the detection roller 22 and the displacement detection sensor 30 at a value within a presumed allowable gap according to the following characteristics.

<Characteristics of thickness detection mechanism of paper sheet discrimination device>
The features of the thickness detection mechanism 2 of the paper sheet discrimination apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described below. Here, in order to explain the characteristics of the thickness detection mechanism 2 in an easy-to-understand manner, first, the configuration and characteristics of the thickness detection mechanism 102 of the paper sheet discrimination apparatus 101 according to the comparative example will be described with reference to FIG. Then, the feature of the thickness detection mechanism 2 of the paper sheet discrimination apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described in comparison with the feature of the thickness detection mechanism 102.

(Configuration and characteristics of thickness detection mechanism of paper sheet discrimination device according to comparative example)
FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of the thickness detection mechanism 102 according to the comparative example. 10A schematically shows a cross-sectional configuration of the thickness detection mechanism 2 in the side surface direction, and FIG. 10B schematically shows a configuration of the thickness detection mechanism 2 in the upper surface direction. ing.

  As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the thickness detection mechanism 102 according to the comparative example is the same as the thickness detection mechanism 2 according to the first embodiment (see FIGS. 2 and 4B). In comparison, the difference is that the frame member 110 and the sensor substrate 140 are used instead of the frame member 10 and the sensor substrate 40.

  The frame member 110 is different from the frame member 10 of the first embodiment in the following points.

  The support portion 10a of the frame member 10 according to the first exemplary embodiment has a width in the longitudinal direction and a widthwise direction of the sensor substrate 40 so that the entire surface of the sensor substrate 40 can be supported by the outer peripheral surface of the opening 11. The dimensions are wider than the width.

  On the other hand, the support portion 110a of the frame member 110 of the comparative example is formed with a dimension narrower than the width of the sensor substrate 140 in the short direction so as to support only one end side of the surface of the sensor substrate 140. Has been.

  Further, the sensor substrate 140 is different from the sensor substrate 40 of the first embodiment in the following points.

  The sensor substrate 40 of the first embodiment is placed on the upper surface of the support portion 10 a of the frame member 10 together with the fixing member 60, and the sponge 50 is disposed in the space between the sensor substrate 40 and the fixing member 60. When the fixing member 60 is fastened to the support portion 10 a with the screw 70, the sensor substrate 40 is pressed and fixed to the support portion 10 a by the elastic force of the sponge 50. Such a sensor substrate 40 does not have a portion to be a free end, and has a fixed end as a whole.

  On the other hand, the sensor substrate 140 of the comparative example is fastened to the support portion 110a of the frame member 110 by screws 170 on one end side of the two long sides. Therefore, in the sensor substrate 140, one end side of the two long sides is a fixed end, and the other end side is a free end.

  In the thickness detection mechanism 102 according to such a comparative example, the sensor substrate 140 is fastened to the frame member 110 with the screws 170, so that kinking is likely to occur in the sensor substrate 140 at the time of fastening.

  In addition, since the thickness detection mechanism 102 is free at the other end of the two long sides of the sensor substrate 140, warpage is likely to occur in the sensor substrate 140 during fastening. Further, the thickness detecting mechanism 102 is deformed so that the sensor substrate 140 is warped in the short direction due to heat transmitted from the frame member 110 to the sensor substrate 140 or due to aging, or the surface portion is deformed in a wrinkle shape. When the portion between the screw 170 and the screw 170 is deformed in a wave shape, warping, wrinkles, waviness and other distortions are likely to occur in the sensor substrate 140.

(Characteristics of the thickness detection mechanism of the paper sheet discrimination apparatus according to Embodiment 1)
(1) The thickness detection mechanism 2 mounts the sensor substrate 40 by aligning the positions of the protrusions 12a and 12b (see FIG. 3B) and the positioning holes 41a and 41b (see FIG. 3B). Defines the position.

  (2) When the fixing member 60 is fastened to the support portion 10a with the screw 70, the thickness detection mechanism 2 is fastened by crushing the sponge 50 with the contact portion 61 (see FIG. 2) of the fixing member 60. ing. Such a thickness detection mechanism 2 presses the sensor substrate 40 in the direction of the support portion 10a by the elastic force of the sponge 50, thereby bringing the sensor substrate 40 into close contact with the support portion 10a, and thereby attaching the sensor substrate 40 to the support portion 10a. It is fixed to. That is, the thickness detection mechanism 2 applies a force in the direction of pressing the sensor substrate 40 using the elastic force of the sponge 50 sandwiched between the sensor substrate 40 and the fixing member 60.

  (3) The thickness detection mechanism 2 has the sensor substrate 40 in close contact with the support portion 10a. For this reason, the sensor substrate 40 does not have a portion to be a free end, and the whole is a fixed end. Such a thickness detection mechanism 2 can correct distortion even if distortion such as kinking or warping occurs in the sensor substrate 40. Therefore, the thickness detection mechanism 2 can keep the gap between the detection roller 22 and the displacement detection sensor 30 within a value that is assumed in advance.

  Thereby, the thickness detection mechanism 2 can suppress the occurrence of a phenomenon in which the output of the displacement detection sensor 30 is insufficient or the output fluctuates when detecting the displacement amount of the detection roller 22. Therefore, the thickness detection mechanism 2 can suppress a decrease in the detection accuracy of the thickness of the paper sheet.

  (4) Of the two positioning holes 41 of the sensor substrate 40, the positioning hole 41a is formed as a circular hole, and the positioning hole 41b is the longitudinal direction of the sensor substrate 40 (that is, the plurality of displacement detection sensors 30). It is formed as a long hole extending in the mounting direction. Such positioning holes 41a and 41b prevent the sensor substrate 40 from being deformed so as to warp in the lateral direction. The positioning hole 41b enables the sensor substrate 40 to be deformed so as to extend in the longitudinal direction. In such a thickness detection mechanism 2, even if the sensor substrate 40 may be deformed due to the influence of heat, the sensor substrate 40 may be deformed so as to warp in the short direction or the surface portion. It is deformed so as to extend in the longitudinal direction without being deformed into a wrinkle shape or a portion between the screws 70 being deformed into a wave shape. Therefore, the thickness detection mechanism 2 can suppress distortions such as warpage, wrinkles, and undulations from occurring on the sensor substrate 140. In addition, the portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the sensor substrate 40 slides toward the end portion of the sensor substrate 40 along the longitudinal direction of the positioning hole 41b so as not to hit a member disposed around. As a result, the thickness detection mechanism 2 can prevent further deformation of the sensor substrate 40 due to the sensor substrate 40 hitting a member disposed around.

  Therefore, even with such a configuration, the thickness detection mechanism 2 can keep the gap between the detection roller 22 and the displacement detection sensor 30 at a value within an allowable gap that is assumed in advance. Therefore, the thickness detection mechanism 2 can further suppress a decrease in the detection accuracy of the thickness of the paper sheet.

  As described above, according to the paper sheet discrimination apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, by having the thickness detection mechanism 2, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the detection accuracy of the thickness of the paper sheet.

[Embodiment 2]
In the first embodiment, the thickness detection mechanism 2 of the paper sheet discrimination device 1 is configured such that the sensor substrate 40 contacts the upper surface of the support portion 10a of the frame member 10.

  On the other hand, in the second embodiment, a paper sheet discrimination apparatus 1A having a thickness detection mechanism 2A in which the sensor substrate 40 is separated from the upper surface of the support portion 10a of the frame member 10 is provided. is there.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the thickness detection mechanism 2A of the paper sheet discrimination apparatus 1A according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration in the front direction of the thickness detection mechanism 2A of the paper sheet discrimination apparatus 1A according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration in the side surface direction of the thickness detection mechanism 2A.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the thickness detection mechanism 2 </ b> A according to the second embodiment supports the frame member 10 as compared with the thickness detection mechanism 2 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) according to the first embodiment. The difference is that a plate-like member 80 is disposed between the upper surface of the portion 10 a and the sensor substrate 40.

  The plate member 80 is a flat plate-like interposed member disposed between the support portion 10 a of the frame member 10 and the sensor substrate 40. The plate-like member 80 is made of, for example, a metal material such as iron or a resin material such as plastic. The upper and lower surfaces of the plate member 80 are formed as flat surfaces parallel to each other. The plate-like member 80 sets the distance from the detection roller 22 to the displacement detection sensor 30 to a predetermined distance depending on the thickness thereof.

  The plate-like member 80 is formed with a through hole 81 so as to penetrate from the upper surface to the lower surface. The through hole 81 is formed with a through hole 81 that is wider than the width in the longitudinal direction and the short direction of the opening 11 and narrower than the width in the longitudinal direction and the short direction of the sensor substrate 40. (See FIG. 7B). The plate member 80 is arranged so as to surround the periphery of the opening 11 by the through hole 81.

  In the second embodiment, the distance from the lower surface of the screwing portion 62 of the fixing member 60 to the protruding surface of the contact portion 61 is based on the total thickness of the sensor substrate 40, the plate-like member 80, and the sponge 50. It is set to a small value.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the arrangement positions of the respective members constituting the thickness detection mechanism 2A will be described. 7 and 8 are diagrams showing the arrangement positions of the respective members constituting the thickness detection mechanism 2A. 7A to FIG. 7C and FIG. 8A to FIG. 8C, each member is arranged on the support portion 10a of the frame member 10, and the thickness detection mechanism 2A is arranged. The assembly process in the case of assembling is shown.

FIG. 7A is the same as FIG. 3A of the first embodiment.
In this Embodiment 2, as shown in FIG.7 (b), the plate-shaped member 80 is mounted on the upper surface of the support part 10a after the process shown to Fig.7 (a).
Then, as shown in FIG. 7C, the sensor substrate 40 is placed on the upper surface of the plate-like member 80.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8A, the sponge 50 is placed on the back surface of the sensor substrate 40 as in the process shown in FIG. 3C of the first embodiment.
Next, as illustrated in FIG. 8B, the fixing member 60 is placed on the upper surface of the sponge 50, as in the process illustrated in FIG. 4A of the first embodiment.
Next, as shown in FIG. 8C, as in the step shown in FIG. 4B of the first embodiment, the screw 70 is screwed into the screw hole 63 of the fixing member 60 and the screw hole 13 of the support portion 10a (see FIG. 8B). 3 (c)). As a result, the fixing member 60 is fastened to the support portion 10a.

  Such a thickness detection mechanism 2 </ b> A fixes the sensor substrate 40 to the frame member 10 via the plate-like member 80 by pressing the sponge 50 without fastening the sensor substrate 40 to the frame member 10 with the screws 70. Yes.

  In such a configuration, the thickness detection mechanism 2 </ b> A separates the sensor substrate 40 from the frame member 10 by the plate-like member 80. Therefore, the thickness detection mechanism 2A can reduce the amount of heat transferred from the frame member 10 to the sensor substrate 40. Accordingly, the thickness detection mechanism 2A can efficiently suppress the occurrence of distortion such as warpage, wrinkles, and undulations in the sensor substrate 40.

  In the second embodiment, the plate member 80 and the frame member 10 are described as separate members. However, the plate-like member 80 can be molded integrally with the frame member 10. For example, the plate-like member 80 may be molded by molding so that the edge portion forming the opening 11 of the frame member 10 protrudes upward from the support portion 10a.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the thickness detection mechanism 2 </ b> A may use a plurality of rod-shaped members 90 as an interposed member instead of the plate-shaped member 80. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a modified example of the thickness detection mechanism 2A.

  The bar-shaped member 90 is a bar-plate-shaped interposed member that is disposed between the support portion 10 a of the frame member 10 and the sensor substrate 40. Similar to the plate-like member 80, the rod-like member 90 is made of, for example, a metal material such as iron or a resin material such as plastic. The plurality of rod-shaped members 90 are disposed around the opening 11 on either or both sides in the longitudinal direction (longitudinal direction) and the lateral direction (short direction) of the opening 11. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the two rod-shaped members 90 are arranged on both sides of the opening 11 in the lateral direction (short direction). The upper surface and the lower surface of each rod-shaped member 90 are formed as flat surfaces parallel to each other.

  As described above, according to the paper sheet discrimination apparatus 1A according to the second embodiment, by having the thickness detection mechanism 2A, the thickness of the paper sheet is similar to that of the paper sheet discrimination apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. A decrease in the accuracy of detection can be suppressed.

  In addition, according to the paper sheet discrimination apparatus 1A, the amount of heat transferred from the frame member 10 to the sensor substrate 40 can be reduced as compared with the paper sheet discrimination apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. It is possible to efficiently suppress the occurrence of distortion such as undulations in the sensor substrate 40.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  For example, the above-described embodiment has been described in detail in order to easily understand the gist of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the one having all the configurations described. Further, according to the present invention, a part of the configuration of one embodiment can be added to or replaced with the configuration of another embodiment. In the present invention, a part of the configuration can be deleted from the configuration of an embodiment.

  For example, in Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2, it was assumed that the paper sheet is a banknote and the paper sheet discrimination device 1 is provided in an automatic teller machine (ATM). However, the apparatus provided with the paper sheet discrimination apparatus 1 is used in, for example, a cash processing machine mainly used in a financial institution other than an automatic teller machine (ATM) or a distribution institution. The cash register may be a device such as a ticket vending machine used mainly for transportation. The paper sheets may be media other than banknotes.

  For example, in Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2, the case where the sponge 50 comprised by elastic materials, such as a silicon | silicone, was used as a press member was demonstrated. However, the pressing member may be formed of a viscoelastic material (an elastic material having viscosity) such as “α-gel (registered trademark)” instead of the sponge 50.

  In this case, the pressing member can obtain good vibration absorption. Therefore, the paper sheet discrimination apparatus 1 can suppress vibrations that occur when the paper sheet passes between the reference roller 21 and the detection roller 22. Thereby, since the paper sheet discrimination device 1 can suppress the vibration transmitted to the displacement detection sensor 30, the influence of the vibration can be reduced when the displacement amount of the detection roller 22 is detected. The detection accuracy of the quantity (that is, the thickness of the paper sheet) can be improved.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Paper sheet discrimination apparatus 2 Thickness detection mechanism 3 Conveyance path 3CN Conveyance center surface 9 Control part 10 Frame member 10a Support part 11 Opening part 12 (12a, 12b) Protrusion part 13 Screw hole 21 Reference | standard roller 21ax Rotating shaft 22 Detection roller 30 Displacement detection sensor 40 Circuit board (sensor board)
41 (41a, 41b) Positioning hole 50 Sponge (pressing member)
60 fixing member 61 contact part 62 screwing part 63 screw hole 70 screw 80 plate-like member (interposition member)
81 Through-hole 90 Bar-shaped member (intervening member)

Claims (7)

In the paper sheet discrimination device for differentiating paper sheets conveyed along the conveyance path,
A reference roller;
A detection roller that is disposed opposite to the reference roller and sandwiches the paper sheet with the reference roller;
A displacement detection sensor for detecting a displacement amount of the detection roller;
A sensor board on which the displacement detection sensor is mounted;
A support portion for supporting the sensor substrate is formed so as to be disposed between the detection roller and the displacement detection sensor, and an opening portion for allowing the detection roller and the displacement detection sensor to face each other. A frame formed on the support part;
A pressing member that presses the sensor substrate;
A fixing member for fixing the sensor substrate;
The opening is formed narrower than the width in the longitudinal direction and the width in the short direction of the sensor substrate,
The pressing member is disposed so as to contact a surface opposite to the facing surface facing the support portion of the sensor substrate,
The fixing member is disposed so as to contact a surface of the pressing member opposite to a contact surface that contacts the sensor substrate, and presses the pressing member in the direction of the sensor substrate, thereby A paper sheet discriminating apparatus characterized by fixing the paper. In the paper sheet discrimination device for differentiating paper sheets conveyed along the conveyance path,
A reference roller;
A detection roller that is disposed opposite to the reference roller and sandwiches the paper sheet with the reference roller;
A displacement detection sensor for detecting a displacement amount of the detection roller;
A sensor board on which the displacement detection sensor is mounted;
A support portion for supporting the sensor substrate is formed so as to be disposed between the detection roller and the displacement detection sensor, and an opening portion for allowing the detection roller and the displacement detection sensor to face each other. A frame formed on the support part;
An interposition member disposed between the support portion and the sensor substrate;
A pressing member that presses the sensor substrate;
A fixing member for fixing the sensor substrate;
The opening is formed narrower than the width in the longitudinal direction and the width in the short direction of the sensor substrate,
The pressing member is disposed so as to contact a surface opposite to the facing surface facing the support portion of the sensor substrate,
The fixing member is disposed so as to contact a surface of the pressing member opposite to a contact surface that contacts the sensor substrate, and presses the pressing member in the direction of the sensor substrate, thereby A paper sheet discriminating apparatus characterized by fixing the paper. In the paper sheet discrimination apparatus according to claim 2,
The intervention member is a flat plate-like member,
The plate-shaped member is wider than the width in the longitudinal direction and the width in the short direction of the opening and extends in the length and width of the sensor substrate so as to penetrate from one main plane to the other main plane. A paper sheet discrimination apparatus, wherein a through-hole narrower than a width in a hand direction is formed, and is arranged so as to surround the periphery of the opening by the through-hole. In the paper sheet discrimination apparatus according to claim 2,
The interposition member is a plurality of rod-like rod-shaped members,
The sheet discriminating apparatus, wherein the plurality of rod-shaped members are arranged around the opening on either or both sides of the opening in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. In the paper sheet discrimination apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The paper pressing device, wherein the pressing member is made of an elastic material or a viscoelastic material. In the paper sheet discrimination apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The frame includes a columnar protrusion protruding from the support in the direction of the sensor substrate,
The paper sheet discrimination device, wherein the sensor substrate includes a positioning hole into which the protrusion is inserted. In the paper sheet discrimination apparatus according to claim 6,
The frame includes the two protrusions disposed to face each other through the opening,
The sensor substrate includes two positioning holes corresponding to the two protrusions,
One of the two positioning holes is formed in a circular shape, and the other is formed in a long hole shape extending in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the paper sheet. Identification device.

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