JP7030309B2 - Bundle counting mechanism and banknote processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a bundle counting mechanism and a bill processing apparatus.

There is known a banknote processing device capable of stacking a plurality of bundled banknotes, so-called small bundles, and storing them in a small bundle storage, and discharging the small bundles unwound from the small bundle storage to the outside of the machine (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-081677

Some conventional banknote processing devices such as Patent Document 1 are provided with a bundle counting mechanism capable of counting the number of bundles in a small bundle storage. This bundle counting mechanism has a bundle counting sensor that can detect a small bundle band by the difference in the amount of reflection between the small bundle bill portion and the band portion. Then, the bundle counting mechanism moves the bundle counting sensor from the lower side, which is the parallel direction of the small bundle, to the upper side, and during this movement, the bundle counting sensor scans the side surface of the bundle of the small bundle to detect the band. As a result, the number of bundles in the small bundle storage is counted.

However, depending on the positional relationship between the small bundle band and the bundle counting sensor, it may be difficult to detect the small bundle band.

An object of the present invention is to provide a bundle counting mechanism and a bill processing apparatus capable of improving the counting accuracy of the number of bundled bills.

In order to achieve the above object, the bundle counting mechanism according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a bundled bill storage unit for storing bundled bills in a parallel state, a first direction along the parallel direction of the bundled bills, and a bundle counting mechanism. It is provided with a sensor unit that moves in a second direction opposite to the first direction, detects a band of bundled banknotes, and counts the number of bundled banknotes. It is characterized in that it travels by a different route from the second direction.

According to the bundle counting mechanism of the first aspect, the sensor unit has a first direction along the parallel direction of the bundled banknotes stored in the bundled banknote storage unit and a second direction opposite to the first direction. It moves in a direction, detects a band of bundled banknotes, and counts the number of bundled banknotes, but at that time, it moves in different routes in the first direction and the second direction. As a result, the possibility that the sensor unit erroneously detects the band of bundled banknotes can be suppressed to a low level. Therefore, it is possible to improve the counting accuracy of the number of bundled banknotes.

In the bundle counting mechanism of the second aspect according to the present invention, in the first aspect, the sensor unit moves in the width direction of the band in the first direction and the second direction. It is a feature.

According to the bundle counting mechanism of the second aspect, the sensor unit moves in the width direction of the band in the first direction and the second direction, so that the influence of the deviation in the width direction of the band can be reduced. ..

In the bundle counting mechanism of the third aspect according to the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the sensor unit includes a sensor substrate having a plurality of sensors provided at a predetermined pitch, and the first aspect thereof. It is characterized in that the direction and the second direction deviate from each other by half the length of the arrangement pitch of the sensor.

According to the bundle counting mechanism of the third aspect, the sensor unit moves by half the length of the arrangement pitch of the plurality of sensors provided on the sensor substrate in the first direction and the second direction. Therefore, it is possible to detect the band of bundled banknotes with the same accuracy as when the arrangement pitch is halved and the number of sensors is doubled.

In any one of the first to third aspects, the bundle counting mechanism according to the fourth aspect of the present invention includes a first width-aligning guide unit that shifts the path of the sensor unit that moves in the first direction. It is further provided with a second width-aligning guide portion that returns the path of the sensor portion that moves in the second direction.

According to the bundle counting mechanism of the fourth aspect, when the sensor unit moves in the first direction, the first width-aligning guide unit shifts its path, and when it moves in the second direction, it is the second. The width-aligned guide portion of 2 returns the route. As a result, the sensor unit can be moved by different routes with a simple structure.

In the bundle counting mechanism of the fifth aspect according to the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the sensor unit slides on the base unit moving in the first direction and the second direction. It is characterized by being movably provided.

According to the bundle counting mechanism of the fifth aspect, the base portion moves in the first direction and the second direction, and the sensor portion slides with respect to the base portion. As a result, the sensor unit can be moved by different routes with a simple structure.

The bundle counting mechanism according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the fifth aspect, the sensor portion and the base portion are provided with engaging portions that can be engaged at two positions. do.

According to the bundle counting mechanism of the sixth aspect, since the sensor portion and the base portion are provided with engaging portions that can be engaged at two positions, the sensor portion that slides with respect to the base portion is used as a base. It can be fixed to the base portion during movement of the portion in the first and second directions.

In the bundle counting mechanism of the seventh aspect according to the present invention, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the sensor unit has a reflection sensor, and the bundled bills are moved when moving in the first direction. It is characterized in that a band of bundled banknotes is detected and the number of bundled banknotes is counted based on the measured outward route data and the return route data obtained by measuring bundled banknotes when moving in the second direction.

According to the bundle counting mechanism of the seventh aspect, the sensor unit having the reflection sensor measures the bundled bills when moving in the first direction and the bundled bills when moving in the second direction. Since the band of the bundled bills is detected and the number of bundles of the bundled bills is counted based on the return route data, it is possible to improve the counting accuracy of the bundled bills with a simple structure.

The banknote processing apparatus according to the eighth aspect according to the present invention is characterized by comprising the bundle counting mechanism according to any one of the first to seventh aspects.

According to the banknote processing apparatus of the eighth aspect, the bundle counting mechanism can reduce the possibility of erroneously detecting the band of the bundled banknotes, so that the counting accuracy of the number of bundled banknotes stored can be improved. It will be possible to increase.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a bundle counting mechanism and a bill processing apparatus capable of improving the counting accuracy of the number of bundled bills.

It is a side view which shows outline the internal structure of the banknote processing apparatus of one Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a partial front view which shows the band of a small bundle processed by the banknote processing apparatus of one Embodiment which concerns on this invention, and the vicinity thereof. It is a perspective view which shows the small bundle storage part and bundle counting mechanism of each type of the banknote processing apparatus of one Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the small bundle storage part and the bundle counting mechanism of the banknote processing apparatus of one Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the bundle counting mechanism of the banknote processing apparatus of one Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the bundle counting sensor part of the banknote processing apparatus of one Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a front view which shows the bundle counting sensor part of the banknote processing apparatus of one Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It shows each of the states in. It is a figure explaining the dimensional relationship between the storage part main body of the banknote processing apparatus of one Embodiment which concerns on this invention, and a small bundle of the minimum width. It is a front view which shows the bundle counting mechanism of the banknote processing apparatus of one Embodiment which concerns on this invention, (A) is the state which the bundle counting sensor part is in the maximum lowering position, (B) is the state that the bundle counting sensor part is the maximum. Each of them shows the state of rising from the descending position. It is a front view which shows the main part of the bundle counting mechanism of the banknote processing apparatus of one Embodiment which concerns on this invention, (A) is the state which the bundle counting sensor part is in the maximum lowering position, (B) is a bundle counting sensor. (C) indicates a state in which the guide roller approaches the first width-aligning guide portion while the portion is ascending, and (C) indicates a state in which the bundle counting sensor portion is raised and is located at the maximum ascending position. It is a front view which shows the main part of the bundle counting mechanism of the banknote processing apparatus of one Embodiment which concerns on this invention, (A) is the state which the bundle counting sensor part is in the maximum rising position, (B) is a bundle counting sensor. (C) indicates a state in which the guide roller is in contact with the second width-aligning guide portion while the portion is descending, and (C) indicates a state in which the bundle counting sensor portion is lowered and located at the maximum descending position. It is a front view which shows the state which the bundle counting sensor part of the banknote processing apparatus of one Embodiment which concerns on this invention is lowered. It is a partial view which shows the detection state of the reflection sensor of the banknote processing apparatus of one Embodiment which concerns on this invention, (A) is the state at the time of the outbound of a bundle counting sensor part, (B) is a bundle counting sensor. It shows the state of the part at the time of the return trip. The detection result of the reflection sensor of the banknote processing apparatus of one embodiment according to the present invention is conceptually shown. In FIG. The detection results on the return trip are shown respectively.

A bundle counting mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention and a bill processing apparatus using the same will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[Constitution]
The bill processing device of the present embodiment deposits and withdraws small bundled bills (hereinafter referred to as small bundles) which are bundled bills. In the following description, "front" is the operator side, "rear" is the side opposite to the operator, "right" is the right side when viewed from the operator, and "left" is the left side when viewed from the operator.

As shown in FIG. 1, the bill processing device 11 includes a small bundle deposit / withdrawal unit 12, a small bundle transport unit 13, a small bundle identification unit 14, and a small bundle storage unit 15 (bundle bill storage unit) for a plurality of denominations. ), One small bundle cassette 16, and a control unit 20 that controls the entire bill processing device 11.

The small bundle deposit / withdrawal unit 12 is provided facing the outside at the upper part of the front end of the bill processing device 11, and the small bundle W is loaded from the outside. The small bundle W is made by accumulating 100 loose bills (hereinafter referred to as bills) S of the same denomination so that the front side faces the same side in the thickness direction and binds them with a band T. The band T is wound at a predetermined position biased to one side of the center in the long side direction so as to extend in the short side direction of the bill S.

The small bundle W is loaded into the small bundle deposit / withdrawal unit 12 in a state where the short side direction of the bill S is along the front-rear direction and the long side direction is along the left and right. Here, the small bundle W is loaded into the small bundle deposit / withdrawal unit 12 with the band T arranged on a predetermined side set in advance and the upper surface facing the surface of the predetermined bill S set in advance. Is ruled. Specifically, it is a rule that all the small bundles W are loaded into the small bundle deposit / withdrawal unit 12 with the band T arranged on the left side and the upper surface facing the front side of the bill S. The same applies when the small bundle W is loaded into the small bundle cassette 16 from the outside.

When a plurality of small bundles are loaded into the small bundle deposit / withdrawal unit 12, the small bundles W are loaded in a state of being stacked vertically. The small bundle deposit / withdrawal unit 12 has a deposit / withdrawal stage 21 on which the small bundle W loaded from the outside is placed. The deposit / withdrawal stage 21 can be raised and lowered up and down, and the small bundle deposit / withdrawal unit 12 can withdraw the small bundle W on the deposit / withdrawal stage 21 one bundle at a time from the uppermost one.

On the rear side of the small bundle deposit / withdrawal unit 12, a small bundle transport unit 13 for reciprocating the small bundle W in the front-rear direction is provided. The small bundle transport unit 13 transports the small bundles W in series in the transport direction. The small bundle transport unit 13 receives the small bundle W that is unwound one by one from the small bundle deposit / withdrawal unit 12 and conveys it backward.

The small bundle deposit / withdrawal unit 12 stacks and places the small bundle W conveyed by the small bundle transfer unit 13 on the deposit / withdrawal stage 21. The small bundle deposit / withdrawal unit 12 can take out the small bundle W on the deposit / withdrawal stage 21 by raising the deposit / withdrawal stage 21.

A small bundle cassette 16 is provided on the front side of the lower side of the small bundle transport unit 13, and a small bundle identification unit 14 is provided on the rear side of the small bundle cassette 16. Further, on the lower side of the small bundle transport unit 13, a plurality of denominations, specifically, four small bundle storage units 15 are provided side by side in the front-rear direction on the rear side of the small bundle identification unit 14. The small bundle cassette 16 is removable from the housing 25 of the bill processing device 11, and the small bundle storage unit 15 by denomination is provided with a fixed position with respect to the housing 25 and is not removable.

The small bundle cassette 16 stores the small bundle W in a state where the short side direction of the bill S is along the front-rear direction and the long side direction is along the left and right. When a plurality of small bundles W are stored in the small bundle cassette 16, the small bundles W are stored in a state of being stacked vertically. The small bundle cassette 16 has a cassette main body 41 having a rectangular cylinder extending in the vertical direction to store the small bundle W, a cassette stage 42 on which the small bundle W stored in the cassette main body 41 is placed, and a cassette main body 41. It has a cassette flapper 43 that can be opened and closed, which is provided at the upper end portion of the above.

In the small bundle cassette 16, the small bundle W conveyed by the small bundle transport unit 13 is placed on the cassette stage 42 with the cassette flapper 43 open, or on the small bundle W already stacked on the cassette stage 42. Place it on. The cassette stage 42 can be raised and lowered up and down. The small bundle cassette 16 stores the small bundle W between the cassette stage 42 and the cassette flapper 43 in the cassette main body 41.

In the small bundle cassette 16, the cassette stage 42 is raised with the cassette flapper 43 open, so that the small bundle W is placed on the small bundle transport unit 13 and the uppermost small bundle W placed on the cassette stage 42. Hand over from. With the cassette flapper 43 of the small bundle cassette 16 closed, the small bundle transport unit 13 moves the small bundle W back and forth on the cassette flapper 43 of the small bundle cassette 16 without storing the small bundle W in the small bundle cassette 16.

The small bundle storage unit 15 for each denomination has small bundles W arranged side by side in the vertical direction, that is, in a laminated state, and both have the same structure. The small bundle storage unit 15 stores the small bundle W in a state where the short side direction of the bill S is along the front-rear direction and the long side direction is along the left and right. When a plurality of small bundles W are stored in the small bundle storage unit 15, the small bundles W are stored in a state of being stacked vertically. The small bundle storage unit 15 includes a storage unit main body 51 that forms a square cylinder extending in the vertical direction and stores the small bundle W, and a storage unit stage 52 on which the small bundle W stored in the storage unit main body 51 is placed. It has a storage section flapper 53 that can be opened and closed provided at the upper end portion of the storage section main body 51.

The small bundle storage unit 15 is a small bundle W that has been conveyed by the small bundle transport unit 13 and is already stacked on the storage unit stage 52 or on the storage unit stage 52 with the storage unit flapper 53 open. Place it on the bundle W. The storage stage 52 can be raised and lowered up and down. The small bundle storage unit 15 stores the small bundle W between the storage unit stage 52 and the storage unit flapper 53 in the storage unit main body 51.

The small bundle storage unit 15 is the uppermost portion on which the small bundle W is placed on the small bundle transport unit 13 and the small bundle storage unit 15 is placed on the storage unit stage 52 by raising the storage unit stage 52 with the storage unit flapper 53 open. Handed over from the small bundle W of. With the storage unit flapper 53 of the small bundle storage unit 15 closed, the small bundle transport unit 13 does not store the small bundle W in the small bundle storage unit 15, but the storage unit flapper 53 of the small bundle storage unit 15. Move it back and forth on top.

The small bundle identification unit 14 identifies the image of the small bundle W conveyed by the small bundle transport unit 13 between the adjacent small bundle cassette 16 and the small bundle storage unit 15, and discriminates the denomination and the like.

When withdrawing the small bundle W, the bill processing device 11 delivers the small bundle W of the designated denomination from the small bundle storage unit 15 of the denomination to the small bundle transport unit 13 one by one, and the small bundle is delivered. The transport unit 13 transports the bundles toward the small bundle deposit / withdrawal unit 12. That is, the small bundle storage unit 15 for withdrawing the small bundle W opens the storage unit flapper 53, raises the storage unit stage 52, and sequentially raises the small bundle transport unit 13 from the uppermost small bundle W on the storage unit stage 52. And conveys the small bundle W received by the small bundle transport unit 13 toward the small bundle deposit / withdrawal unit 12.

Then, when the small bundle W conveyed by the small bundle transport unit 13 passes over the small bundle identification unit 14, the small bundle identification unit 14 identifies the image and determines the denomination. If the discrimination result for the small bundle W of the small bundle identification unit 14 is a designated denomination, the small bundle W is further conveyed by the small bundle transport unit 13 toward the small bundle deposit / withdrawal unit 12 to be conveyed to the small bundle deposit / withdrawal unit 12. Extrude to 12. In the small bundle deposit / withdrawal unit 12, the small bundle W extruded from the small bundle transport unit 13 in this way is placed on the deposit / withdrawal stage 21 or on the small bundle W already placed on the deposit / withdrawal stage 21. It will be placed.

On the other hand, if the discrimination result of the small bundle identification unit 14 is different from the designated denomination or the denomination cannot be determined, the small bundle W is transported to the small bundle cassette 16 and stored, or an error is stopped. .. When transporting and storing in the small bundle cassette 16, the small bundle cassette 16 opens the cassette flapper 43 and raises the cassette stage 42, so that the small bundle W from the small bundle transport unit 13 is transferred onto the cassette stage 42 or the cassette. It will be placed on the small bundle W that has already been placed on the stage 42.

Then, when the small bundle deposit / withdrawal unit 12 receives a predetermined number of small bundles W, the deposit / withdrawal stage 21 is raised so that the small bundle W on the deposit / withdrawal stage 21 can be taken out to the outside, and the deposit / withdrawal can be made. The operator takes out the small bundle W on the stage 21.

Further, when depositing the small bundle W from the small bundle deposit / withdrawal unit 12, the operator first sets the small bundle W in the small bundle deposit / withdrawal unit 12. At this time, the small bundle W is aligned in the longitudinal direction and the width direction (horizontal direction) of the bill processing device 11, and if there are a plurality of small bundles W, they are stacked in the vertical direction so that the small bundle deposit / withdrawal unit 12 deposits / withdraws. Set on stage 21. Then, the deposit / withdrawal stage 21 is lowered, and the small bundle deposit / withdrawal unit 12 pushes out the set small bundle W from the uppermost one toward the small bundle transport unit 13, and the small bundle transfer unit 13 pushes the set small bundle W toward the small bundle transport unit 13. It is conveyed toward the small bundle storage unit 15. That is, the small bundle deposit / withdrawal unit 12 delivers to the small bundle transport unit 13 in order from the top small bundle W on the deposit / withdrawal stage 21, and the small bundle W received by the small bundle transport unit 13 is directed toward the small bundle storage unit 15. And transport.

Then, when the small bundle W conveyed by the small bundle transport unit 13 passes over the small bundle identification unit 14, the small bundle identification unit 14 identifies the image, and the denomination, the direction of the band T, and the bill S Determine the front and back of. From this discrimination result, this small bundle W has a band T on the left side, which is a preset predetermined side, and the denomination can be discriminated, and a predetermined lower surface when being transported is preset. When it is the back side of the bill S, the small bundle W is stored in the small bundle storage unit 15 that stores the denomination.

In the small bundle storage unit 15, the small bundle W from the small bundle transport unit 13 is placed on the storage unit stage 52 or on the storage unit stage 52 by opening the storage unit flapper 53. It will be placed on top. Therefore, the small bundle W stored in the small bundle storage unit 15 from the small bundle deposit / withdrawal unit 12 has a band T on the left side, which is a preset predetermined side, and the lower surface of the predetermined bill S is preset. It will be stored in the direction of the back side, which is the side.

On the other hand, from the discrimination result of the small bundle identification unit 14, the small bundle W has no band T on the left side and the lower surface of the bundle W is not the back surface of the bill when it is being conveyed. W is returned to the small bundle deposit / withdrawal unit 12 by the small bundle transport unit 13. Further, if the denomination cannot be determined, the small bundle W is returned to the small bundle deposit / withdrawal unit 12 by the small bundle transport unit 13, or an error is stopped.

Further, when the small bundle W loaded in the small bundle cassette 16 is externally deposited from the small bundle cassette 16, the operator first puts the small bundle cassette 16 loaded with the small bundle W in the housing 25. Set in a cassette housing (not shown). Then, the small bundle cassette 16 delivers the small bundle W to the small bundle transport unit 13, and the small bundle W received by the small bundle transport unit 13 is conveyed toward the small bundle storage unit 15. That is, the small bundle cassette 16 opens the cassette flapper 43, raises the cassette stage 42, and delivers the cassette stage 42 to the small bundle transport unit 13 in order from the uppermost small bundle W on the cassette stage 42, and the small bundle transport unit 13 receives it. The small bundle W is conveyed toward the small bundle storage unit 15.

Then, when the small bundle W conveyed by the small bundle transport unit 13 passes over the small bundle identification unit 14, the small bundle identification unit 14 identifies the image, and the denomination, the direction of the band T, and the bill. The front and back of S are discriminated. From this discrimination result, this small bundle W has a band T on the left side, which is a preset predetermined side, and the denomination can be discriminated, and a predetermined lower surface when being transported is preset. When it is the back side of the bill S, the small bundle W is stored in the small bundle storage unit 15 that stores the denomination.

In the small bundle storage unit 15, the small bundle W from the small bundle transport unit 13 is placed on the storage unit stage 52 or on the storage unit stage 52 by opening the storage unit flapper 53. It will be placed on top. Therefore, the small bundle W stored in the small bundle storage unit 15 from the small bundle cassette 16 has a band T on the left side which is a preset predetermined side, and the lower surface is a predetermined bill S surface which is preset. It will be stored in the direction that is the back side.

On the other hand, from the discrimination result of the small bundle identification unit 14, the denomination is determined depending on whether the small bundle W has no band T on the left side or the lower surface when being conveyed is not the back surface of the bill S. If it cannot be done, it will stop with an error.

In addition to replenishing the small bundle W loaded in the outside of the bill processing device 11 to the small bundle storage unit 15 in the state of being set in the housing 25, the small bundle cassette 16 also has the small bundle storage unit 15. When the small bundle W is collected to the outside, the small bundle W that has been unwound from the small bundle storage unit 15 and conveyed by the small bundle transport unit 13 is stored, and is removed from the housing 25 in this state.

The small bundle W stored in the small bundle storage unit 15 is a small bundle W deposited from the small bundle deposit / withdrawal unit 12 and a small bundle W replenished from the small bundle cassette 16. Therefore, the small bundle storage unit The small bundle W stored in 15 basically has a band T on the left side which is a preset predetermined side, and the lower surface is a direction which is a back surface which is a predetermined surface of a predetermined bill S. Will be stored in.

Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the band T may have a pattern, a logo, a company name, or the like printed in the center in the width direction. That is, this type of band T has a print area a1 in which a pattern, a logo, a company name, etc. are printed at predetermined intervals or continuously in the longitudinal direction in the center of the band T. On both sides of the print area a1 in the width direction, there are non-print areas a2 on which nothing is printed.

When the small bundle W is deposited and withdrawn from the small bundle storage unit 15 as described above, the bill processing device 11 counts the number of bundles of the small bundle W in each small bundle storage unit 15. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the small bundle storage unit 15 has a bundle counting mechanism 61 for counting the number of bundles of the small bundle W in the storage unit main body 51. The bundle counting mechanism 61 is provided at the rear of each of the small bundle storage portions 15, and all have the same configuration.

The small bundle storage unit 15 exposes the band T of the small bundle W to be stored and the bundle side surface f around the band T to the rear plate portion 71 constituting the rear surface of the storage unit main body 51 rearward from the storage unit main body 51. The opening 72 is formed. Here, the small bundle W stored in the small bundle storage portion 15 is oriented so that the band T is on the left side as described above. Therefore, the opening 72 that exposes the band T of the bundle W is also formed so as to be offset to the left side of the center of the rear plate portion 71 in the left-right direction. The opening 72 is continuously formed in almost the entire range except for both ends in the vertical direction of the rear plate portion 71.

The bundle counting mechanism 61 reciprocates in the parallel direction of the small bundles W stored in the small bundle storage unit 15, that is, in the vertical direction which is the stacking direction, detects the band T of the small bundle W, and detects the small bundle storage unit. It has a bundle counting sensor unit 81 for counting the number of bundles of small bundles W in 15, and a sensor driving unit 82 for raising and lowering the bundle counting sensor unit 81 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

As shown in FIG. 4, the sensor drive unit 82 is arranged on the left side surface side of the storage unit main body 51. The sensor drive unit 82 has a drive base unit 90, a sensor transport unit 91, and a base end sensor guide unit 92. The drive base portion 90 is attached to either the storage portion main body 51 or the housing 25 so as to cover the left side surface of the storage portion main body 51 in a fixed position.

The sensor transport unit 91 includes a pulley 101 rotatably provided on the left upper portion of the left side surface of the storage unit main body 51, and a pulley 102 rotatably provided on the left lower portion of the left side surface of the storage unit main body 51. It has an endless belt 103 wound around the pair of pulleys 101 and 102.

The upper pulley 101 is either the drive base portion 90, the storage portion main body 51, or the housing 25 via the upper fixing portion 106 so that the position of the upper pulley 101 is fixed with the rotation center axis arranged in the front-rear direction. It is attached to. The lower pulley 102 is either the drive base portion 90, the storage portion main body 51, or the housing 25 via the lower fixing portion 107 so that the position is fixed with the rotation center axis arranged in the front-rear direction. It is attached to. The pulleys 101 and 102 are arranged so as to be vertically separated from each other by aligning the front, rear, left and right positions.

The sensor drive unit 82 has a sensor drive motor (not shown) that drives either one of the pulleys 101 and 102, and the sensor drive motor rotates either one of the pulleys 101 and 102 to endlessly. Either the belt 103 or the pulleys 101 or 102 rotates.

The base end sensor guide portion 92 is a rod-shaped member, and is provided on the rear side of the sensor transport portion 91 so as to extend in the vertical direction. The base end sensor guide portion 92 is attached to any of the drive base portion 90, the storage portion main body 51, and the housing 25 via the upper fixing portion 106 and the lower fixing portion 107 so as to fix the position. There is.

The bundle counting sensor unit 81 is fixed to the endless belt 103 of the sensor transport unit 91 of the sensor drive unit 82. The bundle counting sensor unit 81 is slidably supported by the base end sensor guide unit 92. As a result, when the endless belt 103 of the sensor transport unit 91 rotates in one direction, the bundle counting sensor unit 81 is guided by the base end sensor guide unit 92 and rises in synchronization with this, and the endless belt 103 When the belt rotates in the other direction, the bundle counting sensor unit 81 is guided by the base end sensor guide unit 92 and descends in synchronization with the rotation.

A guide groove forming member 111 extending in the vertical direction is attached to the rear surface of the rear plate portion 71 of the storage portion main body 51 on the right side of the opening 72. The guide groove forming member 111 forms a guide groove 112 extending in the vertical direction with the rear plate portion 71 of the storage portion main body 51. The guide groove 112 opens to the opening 72 side, that is, to the left.

The bundle counting sensor portion 81 is slidably supported by the base end sensor guide portion 92 and is formed on the base portion 121 attached to the endless belt 103 of the sensor transport portion 91 and the rear plate portion 71 of the storage portion main body 51. It has a sensor portion 122 provided immediately behind the rear plate portion 71 of the storage portion main body 51 so as to face the opening portion 72. As shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the base portion 121 has a support portion 131, a support base 132, and a tip guide engaging portion 133, and the sensor portion 122 has a movable bracket 141 and a sensor. It has a substrate 142.

As shown in FIG. 6, an insertion hole 151 is formed in the support portion 131 of the base portion 121. The base end sensor guide portion 92 of the sensor drive portion 82 shown in FIG. 4 is inserted through the insertion hole 151. As a result, the bundle counting sensor unit 81 slides up and down along the base end sensor guide unit 92 as described above. In other words, as shown in FIG. 6, the proximal end sensor guide unit 92 slidably supports the bundle counting sensor unit 81 by being inserted into the insertion hole 151 of the support unit 131 of the bundle counting sensor unit 81. ing.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the support portion 131 is provided with a drive connection portion 152. As shown in FIG. 4, the drive connection unit 152 is connected to and fixed to the endless belt 103 of the sensor drive unit 82. As a result, in the bundle counting sensor unit 81, the support unit 131 slides along the proximal end sensor guide portion 92, for example, upward in conjunction with the rotation of the endless belt 103 in one direction, and moves in the other direction. In conjunction with the rotation, the support portion 131 slides along the proximal end sensor guide portion 92 on the other side, for example, downward. That is, the base portion 121 including the support portion 131 has one of the upward and downward directions (first direction) and the opposite upward and downward directions (one of the other directions). Second direction) and.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the support base 132 of the base portion 121 is fixed to the support portion 131 and extends from the support portion 131 in the direction opposite to the drive connection portion 152. Therefore, in the support base 132, the support portion 131 side is the base end side, and the side opposite to the support portion 131 is the tip end side. The bundle counting sensor unit 81 including the support base 132 also has the support portion 131 side on the base end side and the side opposite to the support portion 131 on the tip end side. A tip guide engaging portion 133 is provided at the tip of the support base 132 so as to be convex further toward the tip. The support base 132 is formed with two elongated holes 161 long in the left-right direction separated from each other in the left-right direction. A restricting portion 162 that is recessed upward is formed on the base end side of the lower portion of the support base 132.

As shown in FIG. 4, the sensor portion 122 faces the opening portion 72 of the rear plate portion 71 of the storage portion main body 51 in a state where the support portion 131 is supported by the base end sensor guide portion 92 and connected to the endless belt 103. Extend to the right as if to. At this time, the tip guide engaging portion 133 of the sensor portion 122 is engaged with the guide groove 112 formed by the rear plate portion 71 of the storage portion main body 51 and the guide groove forming member 111.

As described above, in the bundle counting sensor unit 81, the support portion 131 on the proximal end side is guided by the proximal end sensor guide portion 92 and moves up and down. The 133 is guided by the guide groove 112 and moves up and down. This prevents the base end side and the tip end portion of the bundle counting sensor unit 81 from swinging in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction when the bundle counting sensor unit 81 slides up and down.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the movable bracket 141 of the sensor unit 122 has two positions, a movable bracket main body 171 arranged on the rear side of the support base 132 and a movable bracket main body 171 attached to the movable bracket main body 171. It has two guide pins 172 that are slidably fitted in the elongated hole 161. The movable bracket 141 slides on the support base 132, that is, the base portion 121 by the guide pin 172 sliding on the elongated hole 161.

As shown in FIG. 6, the movable bracket 141 extends forward from the movable bracket main body 171 and is rotatably supported by a support pin 175 arranged in the regulation portion 162 of the support base 132 and a front end portion of the support pin 175. It has a guide roller 176 and a guide roller 176. The sliding range of the movable bracket 141 is restricted by the support pin 175 coming into contact with the regulation portion 162. In other words, the support base 132 is provided with a regulation unit 162 that regulates the movement of the movable bracket 141.

As shown in FIG. 7, two sets of engaging portions 181 that can be engaged at two positions are provided on the movable bracket main body 171 of the sensor portion 122 and the support base 132 of the base portion 121 so as to be separated from each other in the left-right direction. Has been done. The engaging portion 181 includes a concave first base side sensor fixing portion 182 and a second base side sensor fixing portion 183 provided on the support base 132, and these first base side sensor fixing portions provided on the movable bracket main body 171. It has one convex bracket-side sensor fixing portion 184 that selectively engages the portion 182 and the second base-side sensor fixing portion 183.

The first base side sensor fixing portion 182 and the second base side sensor fixing portion 183 are aligned in the sliding direction with respect to the support base 132 of the movable bracket main body 171, and the first base side sensor fixing portion 182 is on the second base side. It is arranged on the support portion 131 side of the sensor fixing portion 183, that is, on the base end side of the support base 132.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the position where the bracket side sensor fixing portion 184 engages with the first base side sensor fixing portion 182 is set as a fixed position in the width direction of the sensor portion 122 with respect to the base portion 121, and is shown in FIG. 7B. ), The position where the bracket side sensor fixing portion 184 engages with the second base side sensor fixing portion 183 is set as the width-aligned position of the sensor portion 122 with respect to the base portion 121. The sensor unit 122 at the fixed position in the width direction has a shorter distance from the support unit 131 than the sensor unit 122 at the Tailgating position.

By providing the engaging portion 181, it is possible to prevent the sensor portion 122 including the movable bracket 141 from swinging in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction with respect to the base portion 121 when the bundle counting sensor portion 81 slides up and down. Contrary to the above, one base-side sensor fixing portion is provided in a convex shape, and the bracket-side sensor fixing portion is provided in two concave shapes, so that the sensor portion 122 has a fixed position in the width direction and a width-aligned position with respect to the base portion 121. It may be engaged at two places with.

As shown in FIG. 6, the sensor board 142 has a sensor board main body 191 arranged and fixed to the movable bracket main body 171 of the movable bracket 141 on the rear side thereof, and a reflection sensor 192 (sensor) attached to the front surface of the sensor board main body 191. ) And. A plurality of reflection sensors 192, specifically eight, are provided side by side in the left-right direction at a predetermined equal pitch by aligning the positions of the top, bottom, front and back. In other words, the sensor unit 122 includes a sensor substrate 142 having a plurality of reflection sensors 192 provided at a predetermined pitch.

The plurality of reflection sensors 192 are all arranged above the movable bracket 141 and the support base 132 so that the front surface is not covered by the movable bracket 141 and the support base 132. All the reflection sensors 192 are arranged within the range in the left-right direction and the up-down direction of the opening 72 of the storage portion main body 51 shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, all the reflection sensors 192 face the band T of the small bundle W stored in the storage unit main body 51 or the bundle side surface f in the vicinity of the band T. The sensor board 142 is communicably connected to the relay board 145 attached to the housing 25 via a tape-shaped easily deformable wiring portion 146.

As shown in FIG. 7, the reflection sensor 192 specifically detects the reflected light from the object of the light emitted by the LED or the like which is a light emitting element by the light receiving element, and has eight in the horizontal direction at equal pitches. It is installed. Thereby, the band T of the bundle side surface f, which is the rear surface of the small bundle W, and the periphery around which the band T is wound can be scanned (measured).

Here, as shown in FIG. 8, the banknotes stored in the storage unit main body 51 having an inner width of L1 in the left-right direction are a small bundle W of 1000-yen bills having the smallest width L2 of the small bundles W. In the case of, there is a possibility that L3 will move. The central position of the band T in the width direction is L4 from the end of the bundle W on the width direction of the band T, and the band width L5 allows the band deviation to be left and right by L6. Therefore, the distance L7 from the center of the band T in the width direction to the maximum position of the band shift, the minimum possible distance L8 from the band T to the end of the band T on the band T side in the width direction, and the width of the band T to the small bundle W. The maximum distance L9 that can be taken to the end on the band T side in the direction, and the maximum distance L10 that can be taken between the inner end on the band T side in the width direction of the storage unit main body 51 and the band T. Under such conditions, the band width L5 is always seen regardless of whether the small bundle W of the 1000-yen bill is at the end of the storage unit body 51 on the band T side or at the end opposite to the band T. In order to do so, a sensor width of L0 (L10-L8) is required.

As shown in FIG. 9, the drive base 90 of the sensor drive unit 82 abuts on the upper portion of the guide roller 176 of the bundle counting sensor unit 81 that moves upward and is located at a predetermined position near the maximum rising position. The guide roller 176 is moved to the right side as shown in FIGS. 10 (A) and 10 (B) to 10 (C), and the traveling position of the sensor unit 122 is shifted from the fixed position in the width direction to the aligned position. The width adjusting guide portion 201 is integrally provided. The first width-aligning guide portion 201 is inclined so that its lower edge portion is located on the right side toward the upper side.

As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, a state in which the sensor portion 122 is in a fixed position in the width direction and the bracket side sensor fixing portion 184 is engaged with the first base side sensor fixing portion 182. Then, when the bundle counting sensor unit 81 is driven by the sensor transport unit 91 of the sensor drive unit 82 and rises, and the guide roller 176 abuts on the lower edge portion of the first width-aligning guide unit 201 and rises further, FIG. As shown in (C), due to the inclination of the lower edge portion of the first width-aligning guide portion 201, the guide roller 176 receives a force in the right direction, and the sensor portion 122 is right with respect to the support base 132 of the base portion 121. Sliding in the direction. At this time, due to the length of the first width-aligning guide unit 201 in the left-right direction, the sensor unit 122 engages the bracket-side sensor fixing portion 184 with the second base-side sensor fixing portion 183 and stops at the width-aligning position. .. In other words, the first width alignment guide unit 201 shifts the path of the sensor unit 122 that moves upward from the width direction fixed position to the width alignment position at a predetermined position near the terminal position.

As shown in FIGS. 11B, 11C and 12, the drive base 90 of the sensor drive 82 moves downward and is located at a predetermined position near the maximum descent position under the drive base 90 of the sensor drive unit 82. The guide roller 176 comes into contact with the guide roller 176 of the bundle counting sensor unit 81 and is moved to the left side as shown in FIGS. 11 (A) and 11 (B) to 11 (C) to move the traveling position of the sensor unit 122. A second width-aligning guide portion 202 that shifts from the width-aligning position to a fixed position in the width direction is provided. The second width-aligning guide portion 202 is inclined so that its upper edge portion is located on the left side toward the lower side. The second width-aligning guide portion 202 is provided on the drive base portion 90 so as to fix the position.

As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the sensor portion 122 is in the width-aligned position, and the bracket side sensor fixing portion 184 is engaged with the second base side sensor fixing portion 183. When the bundle counting sensor unit 81 is driven by the sensor transport unit 91 of the sensor drive unit 82 and descends, and the guide roller 176 abuts on the upper edge portion of the second width-aligning guide unit 202 and further descends, FIG. As shown in C), due to the inclination of the upper edge portion of the second width-aligning guide portion 202, the guide roller 176 receives a force in the left direction, and the sensor portion 122 moves to the left with respect to the support base 132 of the base portion 121. Sliding. At this time, due to the length of the second width-aligning guide portion 202 in the left-right direction, the sensor portion 122 engages the bracket-side sensor fixing portion 184 with the first base-side sensor fixing portion 182 and stops at a fixed position in the width direction. .. In other words, the second width-alignment guide unit 202 returns the path of the sensor unit 122 that moves downward from the width-alignment position to the fixed position in the width direction at a predetermined position near the terminal position.

As described above, when the sensor unit 122 is slid from the fixed position in the width direction shown in FIG. 7 (A) toward the tip end side with respect to the support base 132 as shown in FIG. 7 (B), the traveling position is moved to the width-aligned position. It will be shifted to. Here, the sensor unit 122 is provided on the tip end side of the support base 132 with respect to the juxtaposed direction of the reflection sensors 192 so as to be able to shift P / 2 by half the arrangement pitch P of the reflection sensor 192. Further, when the sensor unit 122 is slid from the width-aligned position shown in FIG. 7B toward the base end side of the support base 132 as shown in FIG. 7A, the traveling position is set to a fixed position in the width direction. It will be shifted, that is, restored.

As described above, the sensor unit 122 moves in different routes in the upward direction and the downward direction, which are the parallel arrangement directions of the small bundle W in the small bundle storage unit 15 that stores the small bundle W in the parallel arrangement state. In the upward direction and the downward direction, the band T is displaced by half the length P / 2 of the arrangement pitch P of the reflection sensor 192 in the width direction of the band T.

[motion]
When counting the number of bundles of the small bundle W in the small bundle storage unit 15 by the bundle counting mechanism 61, the control unit 20 first displays the bundle counting sensor unit 81 in FIGS. 9 (A) and 10 (A). From the standby state at the maximum descending position (fixed position in the height direction) as shown, the sensor drive unit 82 raises the voltage as shown in FIG. The band T of the bundle W and the side surface f of the bundle around it are scanned, that is, an outward measurement process for measuring the amount of light reflection is performed. At this time, as shown in FIG. 10A, the sensor unit 122 including the movable bracket 141 of the bundle counting sensor unit 81 is located at a fixed position in the width direction aligned with the base end side of the support base 132, and the sensor unit is located. 122 travels in a fixed position in the width direction. At this time, the engaging portion 181 is maintained in a state in which the bracket side sensor fixing portion 184 is engaged with the first base side sensor fixing portion 182.

Then, as shown in FIG. 10B, the sensor unit 122 of the bundle counting sensor unit 81 rises further after passing through all the small bundles W stacked in the small bundle storage unit 15, and then rises to the maximum rising position. When located at a predetermined position in the vicinity, as shown in FIG. 10C, the guide roller 176 of the movable bracket 141 of the sensor unit 122 comes into contact with the first width-aligning guide unit 201 and moves to the tip end side of the support base 132. Then, integrally with it, the sensor substrate 142 of the sensor unit 122 slides toward the tip end side of the support base 132. Then, the sensor unit 122 of the bundle counting sensor unit 81 is displaced toward the tip end side of the support base 132 by half the length P / 2 of the arrangement pitch P of the reflection sensor 192, and is arranged from the fixed position in the width direction to the width-aligned position. Will be done. At this time, the engaging portion 181 is in a state in which the bracket side sensor fixing portion 184 engages with the second base side sensor fixing portion 183.

After that, when the bundle counting sensor unit 81 rises until it is detected by the maximum rising position detection sensor (not shown) provided in the storage unit main body 51 of the sensor driving unit 82 or the small bundle storage unit 15, control is performed based on this. The unit 20 stops the bundle counting sensor unit 81 at the maximum ascending position at the upper end to end the outbound measurement process.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11A, the control unit 20 sensors the bundle counting sensor unit 81 from the maximum ascending position in a state where the sensor unit 122 of the bundle counting sensor unit 81 is provided at the width-aligned position. As shown in FIG. 12, the drive unit 82 scans the band T of the small bundle W and the bundle side surface f around it by the reflection sensor 192 while lowering the bundle, that is, a return path measurement process for measuring the amount of light reflected. That is, the sensor unit 122 of the bundle counting sensor unit 81 travels in the width-aligned position instead of the fixed position in the width direction. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the engaging portion 181 is maintained in a state in which the bracket side sensor fixing portion 184 engages with the second base side sensor fixing portion 183.

Then, as shown in FIG. 11B, the sensor unit 122 of the bundle counting sensor unit 81 passes through all the small bundles W stacked in the small bundle storage unit 15, and then further lowers to the maximum lowering position. When located at a predetermined position in the vicinity, as shown in FIG. 11C, the guide roller 176 of the movable bracket 141 of the sensor unit 122 comes into contact with the second width-aligning guide unit 202 and its base with respect to the support base 132. It moves to the end side, and together with it, the sensor substrate 142 of the sensor unit 122 slides toward the base end side with respect to the support base 132. Then, the sensor unit 122 of the bundle counting sensor unit 81 is shifted to the base end side of the support base 132 by half the length P / 2 of the arrangement pitch P of the reflection sensor 192, and is moved from the width-aligned position to the width direction fixed position. Be placed. At this time, the engaging portion 181 is in a state in which the bracket side sensor fixing portion 184 engages with the first base side sensor fixing portion 182.

After that, when the bundle counting sensor unit 81 descends until it is detected by the maximum descending position detection sensor (not shown) provided in the storage unit main body 51 of the sensor drive unit 82 or the small bundle storage unit 15, control is performed based on this. The unit 20 stops the bundle counting sensor unit 81 at the maximum descending position (fixed position in the height direction) to end the return path measurement process.

As described above, the bundle counting mechanism 61 sets the traveling position of the sensor unit 122 of the bundle counting sensor unit 81 from the maximum descending position (fixed position in the height direction) to the maximum ascending position as shown in FIG. 13 (A). As shown in FIG. 13 (B), P / which is half of the arrangement pitch P of the reflection sensor 192 during the outward trip to move to the front and the return trip to move from the maximum ascending position to the front of the maximum descending position. With a shift of 2, the amount of light reflected from the band T of the small bundle W and the side surface f of the bundle around the band T is measured by a plurality of reflection sensors 192 of the sensor unit 122.

Next, the control unit 20 outputs the outputs of the eight reflection sensors 192 of the sensor unit 122 as shown in FIGS. 14 (A) and 14 (B) with the horizontal axis in the parallel direction of the reflection sensors 192 as a small bundle. The vertical direction of the storage unit 15 is set as the vertical axis, and the light and shade data in the small bundle storage unit 15 is created by arranging them side by side. Note that FIG. 14A is data on the outward trip for the plurality of bundles W stored in the bundle storage unit 15, and FIG. 14B is data on the return trip for the same plurality of bundles W. In each case, 40 small bundles W are provided in the small bundle storage portion 15.

Next, the control unit 20 detects the band T of the small bundle W from the shading data in the small bundle storage unit 15, and counts the number of bundles of the small bundle W in the small bundle storage unit 15. That is, the sensor unit 122 has the outward path data in which the small bundle W is measured when the bundle counting sensor unit 81 moves upward, and the return path data in which the small bundle W is measured when the bundle counting sensor unit 81 moves downward. The band T of the small bundle W is detected based on the above, and the number of bundles of the small bundle W is counted.

As the first counting method, the average of eight shades of the reflection sensor 192 in the lateral direction (row by row) is calculated from the data on the outward trip and the data on the return trip, respectively, and the shade is lighter (white) than the average. , Calculate the difference in shade from the calculated average shade. When the difference in shading is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the light (white) shading portion is determined to be the non-printing area a2 of the band T. Then, when it is determined that there is a non-printing area a2 of the band T on either the outbound route or the return route, the band T of the small bundle W is present at that position, and the small bundle W is located. Judge that there is. On the other hand, if there is no difference in shade between the outward trip and the return trip, it is determined that there is no band T of the small bundle W, that is, the small bundle W at that position. Then, the number of bundles of the small bundle W in the small bundle storage portion 15 is calculated from the band T of the small bundle W, that is, the number of rows determined to have the small bundle W.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 14 (A) and 14 (B), when there is a difference in shades of a predetermined value or more except for the second row (step) from the top on the outward trip, the second row from the top on the outward trip is the shade. There is no difference of more than a predetermined value, but there is a difference in shade in the second line from the top on the return trip, so there is a band T of the small bundle W at the position of the second line from the top, and the small bundle W is Judge that there is. Then, since there is a difference in shades of more than a predetermined value except for the second row from the top, it is determined that there is a band T of the small bundle W at these positions as well, and that there is a small bundle W. Therefore, the band T of the small bundle W, that is, the number of rows determined to have the small bundle W is 40, and it can be seen that there are 40 small bundles W in the small bundle storage portion 15.

That is, if there is no difference in the shade of the p-th row from the top on the outward trip, but there is a difference in the shade of the p-th row from the top on the return trip, a small bundle is located at the position of the p-th row from the top. It is determined that there is a band T of W, that is, a small bundle W.

In addition, if there is a difference in the shade of the qth line from the top on the outward trip more than a predetermined value, but there is no difference in the shade on the qth line from the top on the return trip, a small bundle is located at the position of the qth row from the top. It is determined that there is a band T of W, that is, a small bundle W.

Then, when the difference in the shade of the r-th row from the top on the outward trip is not more than the predetermined value and the difference in the shade of the r-th row from the top on the return trip is not more than the predetermined value, the small bundle W is located at the position of the r-th row from the top. It is determined that there is no band T, that is, a small bundle W.

Naturally, if there is a difference in shade between the upper and s lines on the outward trip more than a predetermined value, and the difference in shade on the s row from the top on the return trip is more than a predetermined value, a small bundle W is located at the position of the s row from above. It is determined that there is a band T, that is, a small bundle W.

As a second method, the average of eight shades of the reflection sensor 192 in the lateral direction (row by row) is calculated from the data at the time of the outward trip, and the shade (white) lighter than the average and the calculated average shade are calculated. Calculate the difference in shades. When the difference in shading is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the light (white) shading portion is determined to be the non-printing area a2 of the band T, and the band T of the small bundle W is present at that position. Judge that there is. If there is no difference in shading more than a predetermined value, it is determined that there is neither a band T of the small bundle W nor a small bundle W at that position.

Next, the average of the eight shades on the return trip was calculated only for the rows where it was judged that the difference in shades did not exceed the predetermined value on the outward trip, and the shades (white) lighter than the average and the calculated average shades were calculated. Calculate the difference between. When the difference in shading is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the light (white) shading portion is determined to be the non-printing area a2 of the band T. Then, even if it is determined that there is no band T of the small bundle W on the outward trip, that is, the small bundle W is not present, if it is determined that the non-printing area a2 of the band T is on the return trip, the small bundle is located at that position. It is determined that there is a band T of W and there is a small bundle W. On the other hand, if there is no difference in shading more than a predetermined value even on the return trip, it is determined that there is no band T of the small bundle W, that is, the small bundle W at that position.

Then, the number of bundles of the small bundle W in the small bundle storage portion 15 is calculated from the band T of the small bundle W, that is, the number of rows determined to have the small bundle W.

According to the bundle counting mechanism 61 and the bill processing device 11 having the bundle counting mechanism 61 of the above-described embodiment, the sensor unit 122 is located in the small bundle storage unit 15 in the upward direction along the parallel arrangement direction of the small bundles W. It moves in the opposite downward direction, and while moving in both directions, the band T of the small bundle W is detected and the number of bundles of the small bundle W is counted. Let's move on a different route. As a result, the possibility that the sensor unit 122 erroneously detects the band T of the bundle W can be suppressed to a low level. Therefore, it is possible to improve the counting accuracy of the number of bundles of the small bundle W. Therefore, for example, even in the case of the small bundle W bundled by the band T having the print area a1 in the substantially central portion in the width direction as described above, the number of bundles of the small bundle W can be counted more reliably. ..

That is, when a print area a1 on which a pattern, a logo, or the like is printed is provided at a substantially central portion in the width direction of the band T of the small bundle W, such a print area a1 is a portion of the bill S of the small bundle W. Similarly, the amount of reflection is low, but since the amount of reflection of the portion of the bill S and the printed area a1 of the band T is different from that of the non-printed area a2 of the band T, the small bundle W bound by the band T is used. Even if the print area a1 is on the bundle side surface f scanned by the bundle counting sensor unit 81, the band T of the small bundle W can be detected, and the number of bundles of the small bundle W can be counted. However, since the small bundle storage unit is provided so as to store the small bundle W of the largest banknote such as 10,000 yen, when the small bundle W of the smaller bill S such as 1,000 yen is stored. , The band T of the small bundle W may shift in the width direction of the band T with respect to the bundle counting sensor. Therefore, depending on the positional relationship between the bundle counting sensor and the band T of the small bundle W, it is difficult to understand the difference in the amount of reflection between the printed area a1 of the bill S portion and the band T and the non-printed area a2 of the band T, and the small bundle. It may be difficult to detect the band T of W. On the other hand, in the embodiment, when the sensor unit 122 of the bundle counting sensor unit 81 detects the band T of the small bundle W while moving upward and downward, and counts the number of bundles of the small bundle W. Since the movements occur in different routes in the upward direction and the downward direction, the possibility of erroneously detecting the band T of the bundle W can be suppressed to a low level.

Further, according to the bundle counting mechanism 61 of the embodiment and the bill processing device 11 having the same, the sensor unit 122 moves in the width direction of the band T in the upward and downward directions, so that the sensor unit 122 moves in the width direction of the band T. The effect of deviation can be reduced.

Further, according to the bundle counting mechanism 61 and the bill processing device 11 having the bundle counting mechanism 61, the sensor unit 122 has half of the arrangement pitch P of the plurality of reflection sensors 192 provided on the sensor substrate 142 in the upward direction and the downward direction. Since the movement is shifted by the length P / 2, the band T of the bundle W can be detected with the same accuracy as when the arrangement pitch P is halved and the number of reflection sensors 192 is doubled.

Further, according to the bundle counting mechanism 61 and the bill processing device 11 having the bundle counting mechanism 61, when the sensor unit 122 moves upward, the first width-aligning guide unit 201 comes into contact with the sensor unit 122 in the vicinity of the maximum ascending position. When the route is moved downward, the second width-aligning guide unit 202 abuts on the sensor unit 122 and returns the route in the vicinity of the maximum descending position. As a result, the sensor unit 122 can be moved by different routes with a simple structure.

Further, according to the bundle counting mechanism 61 and the bill processing device 11 having the same, the base portion 121 moves upward and downward, and the sensor portion 122 slides with respect to the base portion 121. As a result, the sensor unit 122 can be moved by different routes with a simple structure.

Further, according to the bundle counting mechanism 61 and the bill processing device 11 having the bundle counting mechanism 61, since the sensor unit 122 and the base unit 121 are provided with an engaging portion 181 that can be engaged at two positions, the base unit 121 is provided with an engaging portion 181. The sensor portion 122 that slides against the base portion 121 can be fixed to the base portion 121 at a fixed position in the width direction and a position close to the width while moving upward and downward of the base portion 121.

Further, according to the bundle counting mechanism 61 and the bill processing device 11 having the bundle counting mechanism 61, the sensor unit 122 having the reflection sensor 192 measures the small bundle W when moving upward and when moving downward. Since the band T of the small bundle W is detected and the number of bundles of the small bundle W is counted based on the return path data obtained by measuring the small bundle W, the counting accuracy of the number of bundles of the small bundle W is improved with a simple structure. It becomes possible.

The above embodiment can be changed as in the following modifications 1 to 3.

<Modification 1>
The bundle counting mechanism 61 is not limited to being provided in the small bundle storage unit 15, and may be provided in the small bundle cassette 16 to count the number of bundles W in the small bundle cassette 16. good.

<Modification 2>
The bill processing device 11 further includes a loose bill deposit / withdrawal unit, a loose bill transport unit, a loose bill identification unit, a loose bill storage unit, and a binding unit for creating a small bundle W, from the loose bill deposit / withdrawal unit. A small bundle W may be created at the binding unit from the deposited loose bills or the loose bills drawn out from the loose bill storage unit, and the small bundle may be stored in the small bundle storage unit 15.

<Modification 3>
The small bundle deposit / withdrawal unit 12, the small bundle transport unit 13, the small bundle identification unit 14, the small bundle storage unit 15, and the small bundle cassette 16 are used as a small bundle processing device, and the loose bills are taken in and out. The gold unit, the loose banknote transport section, the loose banknote identification section, the loose banknote storage section, and the binding section are used as a loose banknote processing device. Then, the bill processing apparatus may be configured to include a small bundle processing apparatus and a loose bill processing apparatus juxtaposed with the small bundle processing apparatus. In that case, the small bundle processing device may receive the small bundle W created by the loose bill processing device and store the small bundle W in the small bundle storage unit 15.

11 ... Banknote processing device, 15 ... Small bundle storage unit (bundle bill storage unit), 61 ... Bundle counting mechanism, 121 ... Base unit, 122 ... Sensor unit, 142 ... Sensor board, 181 ... Engagement unit, 192 ... Reflection sensor (Sensor), 201 ... first width-aligning guide unit, 202 ... second width-aligning guide unit, W ... small bundle (bundle bill), T ... band.

Claims (8)

A bundled banknote storage unit that stores bundled banknotes side by side,
It is provided with a sensor unit that moves in a first direction along the parallel direction of bundled banknotes and a second direction opposite to the first direction, detects a band of bundled banknotes, and counts the number of bundled banknotes. ,
The sensor unit is a bundle counting mechanism characterized in that it moves in different paths in the first direction and the second direction. The bundle counting mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the sensor unit moves in the width direction of the band in the first direction and the second direction. The sensor unit includes a sensor substrate having a plurality of sensors provided at a predetermined pitch, and moves in the first direction and the second direction with a deviation of half the length of the arrangement pitch of the sensors. The bundle counting mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bundle counting mechanism is characterized in that. A first width-aligning guide portion that shifts the path of the sensor portion that moves in the first direction, and a first width-aligning guide portion.
The bundle counting mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a second width-aligning guide portion for returning the path of the sensor portion moving in the second direction. The bundle counting mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sensor unit is slidably provided on a base unit that moves in the first direction and the second direction. .. The bundle counting mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the sensor portion and the base portion are provided with engaging portions that can be engaged at two positions. The sensor unit has a reflection sensor, and is based on outbound data measuring bundled banknotes when moving in the first direction and return path data measuring bundled banknotes when moving in the second direction. The bundle counting mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the band of bundled banknotes is detected and the number of bundled banknotes is counted. A banknote processing apparatus comprising the bundle counting mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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