JP7162826B2 - Paper sheet holding device - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a paper sheet holding device for holding paper sheets such as banknotes and releasing (releasing) the holding of paper sheets .

In amusement arcades, there are amusement machine islands that house multiple sets of pachinko machines and game ball lending machines that lend out game balls (pachinko balls, etc.) to players after receiving banknotes. is installed. Inside the game machine island, a transport device is provided along the longitudinal direction of the game machine island for transporting banknotes inserted into each game ball lending machine to a safe provided at the end of the game machine island.

Inside the arcade, there are multiple islands of gaming machines, and after the store is closed, the banknotes accumulated in the safes of each gaming island are collected by employees, etc., and stored in the office's main safe. work is done.

Patent Literature 1 below discloses a paper sheet collecting and conveying system for collecting banknotes stored in cashboxes of game machine islands dispersed in a game arcade to a main cashbox in an office of a store. This system consists of a transport pipe that goes out from the main vault of the office and returns to the main vault via the installation location of the vault on each game machine island, and each game machine island on the way of the transport pipe. Equipped with a pick-up device installed near the location where the safe is installed to take paper sheets discharged from the safe into the conveying pipe, and an air flow generating device for generating an air flow from upstream to downstream in the conveying pipe. , Paper sheets discharged from the safes of each game machine island and waiting in the conveying pipe are pushed from behind by the auxiliary conveying body that moves under the action of the air flow to the main safe. transport. The auxiliary transport body is delivered from the main safe, goes around the game hall, returns to the main safe, and is reused for the next delivery.

JP 2014-188102 A

In a system in which banknotes are collected to a store's collective cashbox through the cashboxes of each game machine island distributed in the game arcade, the transportation route becomes considerably long. For example, an auxiliary transportation body sent out from a collective safe installed in an office on the second floor of a store descends to the game floor on the first floor, and then goes around the safes of each game machine island installed on the first floor in order. After the banknotes are collected by the banknotes, it is a long transport route such as climbing up to the second floor and returning to the collective vault. For this reason, it takes a long time for one collection operation until the auxiliary transportation body sent out from the collective safe goes around the transportation path and returns. As a result, if banknotes are evenly collected from each machine island, the safes on the machine islands with high operating rates, where many popular machines are installed, will be filled with banknotes during business hours, causing players to lose their ability to play games. It becomes impossible to insert banknotes into the ball lending machine, and the game must be interrupted.

Not limited to amusement arcades, a paper sheet collection and transport system in which a secondary collection device collects paper sheets such as banknotes from storage units of a plurality of primary collection devices (equivalent to safes on game machine islands in amusement arcades). Also, when the storage section of the primary collecting device becomes full, the primary collecting device cannot collect paper sheets, and various problems occur.
In addition, in the safes on each game machine island of the game hall where the paper sheet collection system is applied, bills transported on the island are transported from the posture (vertical posture with the paper surface upright) when transported on the island to the storage unit. After converting to a posture suitable for storage (horizontal posture with the paper surface lying down), holding it in the holding unit and conveying it to the storage unit, it is released from the holding unit and stored in the storage unit, and the bills that are stored are drawn out from the storage unit and delivered to the transport path of the paper sheet collection system at an appropriate timing. In the former operation, if the posture of the banknote is lost when it is released from the holding unit, the banknote may be stored in the storage unit in a disorderly manner, and the banknote may be jammed when the banknote is fed out from the storage unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to solve the above problems and to provide a paper sheet holding device capable of releasing a paper sheet held thereon without disturbing its posture .

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

[1] a receiving plate;
a pressing plate capable of holding paper sheets between the receiving plate;
an opening provided in the receiving plate through which the pressing plate can pass;
a first elastic body provided on the side of the receiving plate holding the paper sheet and protruding into the opening;
a second elastic body provided on the surface of the presser plate on the sheet holding side and protruding outward;
a moving mechanism for moving the receiving plate and the pressing plate;
a control unit;
has
The control unit moves the presser plate and the presser plate so that the presser plate passes through the opening when the sheet held between the presser plate and the presser plate is detached from the receiver plate. move relative to
The paper sheet undergoes a process in which the projecting portion of the first elastic body and the protruding portion of the second elastic body are bent by being pushed by the paper sheet passing through the opening. , and the paper sheet holding device, which is separated from the receiving plate.

It is a figure which shows an example of the in-store layout of the game arcade in which the paper sheet collection|recovery conveyance system which uses the conveyance assistance body relay apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention was installed. It is a figure which shows the whole paper sheet collection|recovery conveyance system. FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the auxiliary transport body pushes and moves the banknotes in the transport tube from the trailing end side of the banknotes; It is a perspective view which shows the conveying pipe of a straight part. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the direction in which the straight portion of the conveying pipe extends; It is a figure which shows the plane and front of a conveyance auxiliary body. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the carrier pipe and the carrier carrier in a state where the carrier carrier is inserted into the carrier pipe; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a transport pipe around a collective safe in the paper sheet collecting and conveying system shown in FIG. 2 and the inside of the collective safe; It is a perspective view showing the back of the collective safe. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the banknote separating/conveying auxiliary body circulating device seen from the separated banknote discharge port side; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the banknote separating/conveying auxiliary body circulating device seen from the connecting portion side of the conveying pipe; FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of a separating operation and an inserting operation by the banknote separating/conveying auxiliary body circulating device; It is a perspective view which shows a conveyance auxiliary|assistant body relay apparatus. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the auxiliary transfer body relay device with a part of the outer cover of the blower section removed; It is a perspective view which shows the inside of the relay part of a conveyance auxiliary|assistant body relay apparatus. It is a figure which shows the state in the middle of rotating a rotor plate from a 1st stop position to a 2nd stop position. It is a figure which shows a mode that the relay part which removed the front cover was seen from upper direction. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing in chronological order how the holding section at the receiving position holds the auxiliary conveying body coming from the outbound conveying pipe. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how the auxiliary conveying body is automatically released from being held when the holding portion rotates to the release position; It is a perspective view which shows the inside of a relay part. It is a perspective view which expands and shows a holding|maintenance part. It is a figure which shows the rotating plate provided with four holding|maintenance parts every 90 degree|times. 4 is a perspective view showing a relay box, a sub-transport pipe of the sub-transport device, and a take-in device connected to the upper end thereof; FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the upper part of an auxiliary conveying pipe, a take-in apparatus, and the conveying pipe 12 before and after that. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a sub-conveying device and a taking-in device connected to its upper end (and conveying pipes before and after it). FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a sub-transport device and a take-in device connected to its upper end (and transport pipes before and after it). It is a cross-sectional view showing the upper part of the sub-transport pipe and the take-in device. It is a sectional view showing a banknote taking-in part provided in the lower part of a subtransport pipe. It is a figure which shows the state which looked at the banknote taking-in part in the state which removed the cover of the channel|path part from the side which opposes opening. It is a figure which shows the structure of the conveyance part which a take-in apparatus has. It is a plan view showing a primary recovery device installed in the gaming machine island. It is a front view showing a primary recovery device installed in the gaming machine island. It is a figure which shows the inside of a junction box (with the door removed). FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a temporary storage device that the relay box has; It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a temporary storage apparatus. It is a figure which shows typically the structure and operation|movement of a temporary storage apparatus. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing how a banknote pushed by a pressure plate slides down from the receiving plate, and how the banknote pushed by the pressure plate is released from the receiving plate to which a natural rubber sheet is attached. FIG. 37( b ) is a diagram showing how the banknote pushed by the pressing plate is released from the receiving plate to which the natural rubber sheet is attached, in the modified version of the structure shown in FIG. 37( b ). FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the connection between the connecting portion and the conveying pipes before and after the connecting portion is released; It is a figure which shows the front, the left side, the right side, the upper surface, and the lower surface in the state which connected the conveyance pipe to the connection part. It is a figure which shows the front, left side, right side, upper surface, and lower surface of a connection adapter. It is a figure which shows a mode that the downstream end part of a connection adapter is connected to the upstream connection port of a connection main-body part. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing a state in which ribs on the connection adapter side and ribs on the coupling main body side are overlapped and connected; It is a figure which expands and shows the installation part of a blower apparatus. It is a figure which shows a twist part and the parts which comprise this. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an operation sequence when the paper sheet collecting and conveying system collects banknotes from each relay box; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing criteria for grouping according to the number of stocks; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the allocation of the number of ejected sheets in pattern 1; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the assignment of the number of ejected sheets in pattern 2 (when there is one G3); FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the assignment of the number of ejected sheets in pattern 2 (when there are two G3s); FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the assignment of the number of ejected sheets in pattern 2 (when G3 is three or more); FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the allocation of the number of ejected sheets in pattern 3; FIG. 4 is a front view showing an error display device included in the paper sheet collecting and conveying system; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of a location where a stagnation abnormality of the auxiliary conveying body is detected; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a relay section of an auxiliary transportation body relay device before improvement and a relay section of an improved transportation auxiliary body relay device; It is a figure which shows the inside of the relay part of a transfer auxiliary|assistant body relay apparatus of improved type.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an example of an in-store layout of a playground 2 in which a paper sheet collecting and conveying system according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed. A plurality of game machine islands 3 are arranged in a plurality of game machine islands 3 separated by passages in the game hall 2. - 特許庁On each game machine island 3, a set of a game ball lending machine 4 for receiving bills and lending game balls (pachinko balls) to a player and a game machine 5 such as a pachinko machine are arranged back to back. Multiple sets are stored side by side on the front and back.

Inside the game machine island 3, there is a primary collection device 8 that takes in bills discharged from the back of each game ball lending machine 4, transports them to a storage unit (safe) installed at one end of the game machine island 3, and accumulates them. is provided. The relay box 6 at the end of the game machine island 3 is a part of the primary collection device 8 and functions as a safe (storage unit) for temporarily storing banknotes transported to the island end.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of collecting banknotes from relay boxes 6 of a plurality of game machine islands 3 installed in the game hall 2 shown in FIG. A conveying secondary recovery device 10 is shown. The paper sheet collecting and transporting system according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured with a plurality of primary collecting devices 8, secondary collecting devices 10, and sub-conveying devices 13, which will be described later.

The secondary recovery device 10 exits from the collective safe 11 installed in the office or the like of the game hall 2, and goes out from the collective safe 11, and passes through the installation location of the relay box 6 of each game machine island 3 installed in the game area. Then, a conveying pipe 12 arranged to return to the collective safe 11 and a conveying auxiliary body relay device 17 provided in the middle of the conveying pipe 12 are provided. The conveying pipe 12 from the collective safe 11 to the auxiliary conveying body relay device 17 is called an outward conveying pipe 12a, and the conveying pipe 12 from the conveying auxiliary body relay device 17 to the collective safe 11 is called a return conveying pipe 12b. The collection vault 11 is the destination of transportation by the secondary collection device 10 .

FIG. 2 shows the state in which the collective safe 11 is installed on the same floor as the game area where the gaming machine island 3 is installed, but the collective safe 11 may be provided on a different floor from the game area. In that case, the length of the transport pipe 12 from the collective safe 11 to the game floor and the length of the transport pipe 12 from the game floor to the collective safe 11 are considerably longer than those shown in FIG.

A carrier pipe 12 installed on the game floor is piped in the ceiling space of the game floor. In the case of FIG. 2, the outbound conveying pipe 12a of the conveying pipe 12 exits the collective safe 11 installed at one end of the game hall, bends upward and extends to the height of the ceiling, then bends again to reach the ceiling. It goes into the back and extends to the transportation auxiliary body relay device 17 installed on the other end side of the game hall through right above the installation location of the relay box 6 of each game machine island 3. - 特許庁The return transport pipe 12b exits the transport auxiliary body relay device 17 and extends along the forward transport pipe 12a (that is, passes directly above the installation location of the relay box 6 of each game machine island 3 and extends to one end of the game arcade. After that, it bends downward and descends to the height of the collective safe 11 , then bends again to become horizontal and extend to the collective safe 11 .

The secondary recovery device 10 of the paper sheet collection and transport system generates an air flow in the transport pipe 12, and receives the air flow to move the bill P by the auxiliary transport body 16 (see FIG. 3) that moves inside the transport pipe 12. is pushed from behind and conveyed downstream (conveyance direction FW). The collective vault 11 and the transportation auxiliary body relay device 17 are each provided with a blower for generating an air flow. The collective vault 11 generates an air flow from the starting end of the outward transport pipe 12a toward the auxiliary transport body relay device 17, and the auxiliary transport body relay device 17 sucks the air flow from the end of the outward transport pipe 12a. Further, the auxiliary conveying body relay device 17 generates an air flow from the starting end of the returning conveying pipe 12b toward the collecting safe 11, and the collecting safe 11 sucks the air flow from the end of the returning conveying pipe 12b.

An auxiliary blower 18 is provided at a bent portion where the return conveying pipe 12b extends downward from the ceiling to strengthen the air flow downstream (from the conveying auxiliary body relay device 17 to the collective safe 11).

The paper sheet collecting and transporting system further includes a sub-transporting device 13 that transports banknotes from each relay box 6 to a return transport pipe 12b that passes above it. The secondary collection device 10 includes a take-in device 14 that takes in bills transported from the relay box 6 by the sub-transport device 13 into the return transport pipe 12b in a posture in which the surface of the bill is along the extending direction of the return transport pipe 12b. I have.

Since the conveying pipe 12 of the secondary collection device 10 is provided in the ceiling space, even if the conveying pipe 12 is routed around various places in the game hall 2, the conveying pipe 12 does not hinder the activities and comings and goings of the players. It should be noted that the conveying pipe 12 may be installed not only in the space above the ceiling, but also along a high position near the ceiling, for example. In this example, the conveying pipe 12 is installed at a position higher than the area in the game hall 2 where people are active (playing games or passing through). In addition, since the game ball lending machine 4 in the game machine island 3 is installed at a height corresponding to the player who plays the game, and the relay box 6 of the game machine island 3 is also installed at the same height, the relay box The banknote P is conveyed by the sub-conveying device 13 from 6 to the upward conveying pipe 12b.

In the present embodiment, the auxiliary conveying body 16 that is moved by the air flow to push the banknotes P from the rear is sent out from the collection safe 11 as a starting point to the outbound conveying pipe 12 a and reaches the auxiliary conveying body relay device 17 . It is temporarily held by the transportation auxiliary body relay device 17 . After that, the auxiliary conveying body 16 held is sent out from the auxiliary conveying body relay device 17 to the backward conveying pipe 12b, and the banknotes P taken into the returning conveying pipe 12b by the taking-in device 14 are collected and collected. Come back to vault 11.

Here, the delivery of the auxiliary transportation body 16 from the collective safe 11 to the outward transportation pipe 12a and the delivery of the auxiliary transportation body 16 from the auxiliary transportation body relay device 17 to the homeward transportation pipe 12b are performed at the same time. The auxiliary conveying body relay device 17 receives and holds the auxiliary conveying body 16 arriving from the outgoing conveying pipe 12a. Then, the held auxiliary conveying body 16 is moved to the starting end side of the backward conveying pipe 12b, and next time, the held auxiliary conveying body 16 is sent out to the backward conveying pipe 12b.

By using the auxiliary conveying body relay device 17, movement from the collective safe 11 to the auxiliary conveying body relay device 17 through the outbound conveying pipe 12a and from the auxiliary conveying body relay device 17 through the returning conveying pipe 12b to the collective safe. The movement back to 11 will be performed concurrently. When the auxiliary transportation body 16 sent out from the base point (collective safe 11) continues to move without using the auxiliary conveyance body relay device 17, goes around the conveying pipe 12, and returns to the base point (collective safe 11). , the auxiliary conveying body 16 can be sent out in a shorter period (time interval), and the banknote collection capacity per unit time can be enhanced.

For example, when the auxiliary transportation body relay device 17 is installed at the midpoint of the entire transportation route, the transportation distance is lower than that in the case where the auxiliary transportation body 16 exiting from the base point goes around the transportation route and returns to the base point. The time required for one collection operation by the auxiliary member 16 can be halved, and the collection capacity per unit time can be doubled.

As shown in FIG. 8, inside the safe deposit box 11, an airflow generating device 21 and a banknote separating/conveying auxiliary member circulating device 22 are provided. The banknote separation and auxiliary carrier body circulation device 22 has the function of the carrier carrier inserting device 23 that sends out the carrier carrier body 16 to the outgoing carrier pipe 12a, and the banknote P and the carrier carrier body 16 that pushes and moves the banknote P from the rear. It has a function of a separation and recovery device 24 that separates and recovers each of them, and also has a function of passing the auxiliary transportation bodies 16 recovered by the separation and recovery device 24 to the transportation auxiliary body inserting device 23 and cyclically using them. The banknotes P collected by the separating and collecting device 24 are stored in the banknote storage unit 25 in the collective safe 11 .

The airflow generator 21 generates an airflow by rotating the blades with a motor. The air blowing side of the air flow generating device 21 is connected to the air inlet side of the auxiliary conveying body inserting device 23, and the beginning end of the forward conveying pipe 12a is connected to the air outlet side of the auxiliary conveying body inserting device 23. The terminal end of the return conveying pipe 12 b is connected to the air inlet side of the separation and recovery device 24 , and the air intake side of the air flow generating device 21 is connected to the air outlet side of the separation and recovery device 24 .

The auxiliary conveying body relay device 17 has a function of sucking the air in the outward conveying pipe 12a from the end side of the outward conveying pipe 12a and a function of feeding an air flow toward the beginning end of the inward conveying pipe 12b. That is, the airflow generating device 21 of the collective safe 11 sends an airflow into the outbound conveying pipe 12a from the starting end thereof, and the auxiliary conveying body relay device 17 sucks the airflow from the terminal end of the outbound conveying pipe 12a. A strong air flow is generated in the conveying pipe 12a. Similarly, the auxiliary conveying body relay device 17 feeds an air flow into the return conveying pipe 12b from the starting end thereof, and the air flow generating device 21 of the collective safe 11 sucks the air flow from the terminal end of the returning conveying pipe 12b. A strong air flow is generated in the return conveying pipe 12b.

Further, an auxiliary blower 18 is provided in the downstream conveying pipe 12b from the most downstream take-in device 14. As shown in FIG. Auxiliary blower 18 is a blower that blows air downstream, and plays a role of enhancing the forward air flow in order to ensure that auxiliary conveying body 16 reaches collective safe 11 . In the example of FIG. 2, the conveying pipe 12 from the installation location of the auxiliary blower 18 to the collective safe 11 is briefly described, but for example, the collective safe 11 is often provided on a different floor from the primary recovery device 8. , the conveying pipe 12 downstream from the auxiliary blower 18 may be long.

Banknotes P are collected by the paper sheet collecting and transporting system as follows.

Banknotes inserted from each game ball lending machine 4 on the game machine island 3 are conveyed to the relay box 6 at the end of the game machine island 3 by the primary recovery device 8 and temporarily stored. When the banknotes P stored in the relay box 6 are collected in the collection safe 11, the banknotes P are discharged from one or more relay boxes 6 toward the sub-transport device 13.例文帳に追加The bills P discharged from the relay box 6 are conveyed upward by the sub-conveying device 13, and then sent out by the taking-in device 14 into the return conveying pipe 12b.

The take-in device 14 feeds the banknotes P into the backward transport pipe 12b in such a posture that the surface of the banknote P is along the extending direction of the backward transport pipe 12b. Here, the take-in device 14 feeds the banknotes P into the backward transport pipe 12b so that the paper faces up and down in a horizontal posture. The paper money P fed into the return transport pipe 12b by the take-in device 14 stays at the feeding completion position. The portion of the return conveying pipe 12b that passes through the plurality of take-in devices 14 is horizontal and laid horizontally and in a straight line. The horizontal posture is the posture of the backward transport pipe 12b in which the surface of the banknotes P in the backward transport pipe 12b is horizontal.

When the banknotes P are completely taken into the backward transport pipe 12b, the transport auxiliary body 16 is moved from the transport auxiliary body relay device 17 to transport and collect the banknotes P staying in the backward transport pipe 12b to the collective safe 11. It is sent out into the outward transport pipe 12a. At the same time, the transfer auxiliary body 16 is sent out from the collective safe 11 into the outward transfer pipe 12a. The auxiliary conveying body 16 fed into the outward conveying pipe 12 a moves in the outward conveying pipe 12 a under the action of the air flow, reaches the auxiliary conveying body relay device 17 , and is received by the auxiliary conveying body relay device 17 . retained. On the other hand, the auxiliary conveying body 16 sent out from the auxiliary conveying body relay device 17 into the return conveying pipe 12b moves inside the returning conveying pipe 12b under the action of the air flow, collects the banknotes P, and moves to the collecting safe 11. Come back. At that time, as shown in FIG. 3, the auxiliary transport body 16 pushes and transports the bill P from the rear end side (transport direction FW in the figure).

In this way, the auxiliary conveying body 16 is moved by the action of the air flow, and the auxiliary conveying body 16 pushes and conveys the bill P from the rear end side, so the bill P itself obtains a driving force from the air flow. No need. Therefore, the banknotes P can be conveyed by the airflow without taking measures such as folding the banknotes P to receive the airflow. Further, since the auxiliary transport body 16 can obtain a driving force from the air flow more efficiently than the banknotes P, the banknotes P can be transported efficiently.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the conveying pipe 12 of the secondary collection device 10 of the paper sheet collecting and conveying system is configured by connecting a plurality of conveying pipes with a connecting portion 15 . The connecting part 15 plays a role of absorbing the change in the length of the conveying pipe 12 so that the entire installation state is not distorted even if the length of the conveying pipe 12 changes due to temperature change or the like. Note that the take-in device 14 also has a function of connecting the transport pipes 12 in front and behind it.

The paper sheet collecting and conveying system also includes a control section 27 (see FIG. 8) having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory) and the like as main sections. The control unit 27 includes an airflow generating device 21, a banknote separating and conveying auxiliary body circulation device 22, an auxiliary conveying device 13, a take-in device 14, a conveying auxiliary body relay device 17, an auxiliary blower 18, an auxiliary conveying device 13, and a primary recovery device. 8. Controls the operation of each part such as the relay box 6.

Next, the shapes of the conveying pipe 12 and the conveying auxiliary body 16 will be described in detail.

4 is a perspective view of the transport pipe 12 in the straight portion, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the extending direction FW of the transport pipe 12 in the same portion (=the transport direction FW of banknotes P=the direction of air flow). It is a figure which shows. The transfer pipe 12 is made of resin with a thickness of about 1.5 mm. The carrier pipe 12 is formed by extrusion molding, for example.

The shape of the cross-section perpendicular to the extension direction FW of the straight portion of the transfer pipe 12 is a rectangular shape in which the center portion of the long side of the rectangular shape expands outward. Specifically, the conveying pipe 12 includes a wall portion 31 having a rectangular short side in cross section, a side wall portion 32 having a rectangular long side in cross section, and an extended portion projecting outward in a rectangular shape from the central portion of the side wall portion 32 . 33. Note that the short side direction and the long side direction in a substantially rectangular cross section perpendicular to the extending direction (conveyance direction FW) of the transfer pipe 12 are defined as the X direction and the Y direction, respectively. In each of the X direction and the Y direction, the direction toward the center of the conveying pipe 12 is called the inner side, and the direction from the center toward the inner wall is called the outer side.

The extension portion 33 is divided into two by a separation wall 34 erected inwardly of the conveying pipe 12 . The separation wall 34 is formed by attaching a T-shaped member to the inner wall of the extended portion 33 .

A plurality of ribs 35 projecting toward the inside of the conveying pipe 12 are formed on the side wall portion 32 so as to extend along the conveying direction. In this example, a rib 35 protruding toward the inside of the conveying pipe 12 is formed along the conveying direction FW at the boundary between the side wall portion 32 and the expanded portion 33 . Separation wall 34 is flush with rib 35, and the top of separation wall 34 acts as a rib. Hereinafter, the separation wall 34 will also be referred to as a rib 34 .

The side wall portion 32 is a pair of inner walls facing the paper surface of the banknotes P to be conveyed. The banknotes P are rectangular, and are conveyed in the conveying tube 12 with the long side thereof in the conveying direction FW. In other words, the banknote P is conveyed so that the paper surface P faces the side wall portion 32 of the conveying tube 12 and one short side of the banknote P faces the leading end of the conveying direction FW and the other short side faces the trailing end.

The gap Dy between the pair of opposing wall portions 31 of the transport tube 12 is slightly longer than the short side of the bill P. As shown in FIG. Also, the interval Dx between a pair of opposing side wall portions 32 (portions where ribs 35, extended portions 33, and separation walls 34 are not formed (referred to as reference plane portions)) is set to about 21 mm. The extended portion 33 provided on each side wall portion 32 extends outward by about 6 mm from the side wall portion 32 (reference plane portion). The rib 35 and the top of the separation wall 34 have a height of about 2 mm inward from the side wall portion 32 (reference plane portion). The height of the rib 35 may be appropriately set.

In addition, the conveying pipe 12 can be installed and used with its longitudinal direction inclined at any angle besides vertical and horizontal, and the auxiliary conveying body 16 can move smoothly in the conveying pipe 12 at any angle. can. For example, the bills P and the auxiliary transport body 16 can be smoothly transported even in the later-described twisted portion 51 (see FIG. 9). FIG. 5 shows the conveying pipe 12 in a vertical posture installed so that the long side of the rectangular cross section is vertical.

FIG. 6 shows a plan view and a front view of the transport aid 16. FIG. The auxiliary conveying body 16 has a columnar shape with a circular cross section and different diameters at different portions. The auxiliary conveying body 16 is used by being inserted into the conveying pipe 12 so that the central axis of the cylinder is aligned with the Y direction of the conveying pipe 12 . The auxiliary conveying body 16 has a symmetrical shape with respect to its center in the length direction, and sequentially from one end, a head portion 16a, a neck portion 16b having a slightly smaller diameter than the head portion, and a large diameter portion having a larger diameter than the head portion 16a. Constricted portion 16d which has the same diameter as neck portion 16b and is located at the center in the longitudinal direction, large diameter portion 16c, neck portion 16b, and head portion 16a. The auxiliary conveying body 16 is lightweight and strong, and is made of, for example, plastic with a hollow interior. It should be noted that it may be made of expanded polystyrene or extruded expanded polystyrene if it is lightweight and strong.

FIG. 7 shows a cross section of a state in which the auxiliary conveying body 16 is inserted into the conveying pipe 12. As shown in FIG. The figure is a cross section perpendicular to the extending direction FW and passing through the central axis of the auxiliary transfer body 16 . The diameter of each portion of the auxiliary conveying body 16 corresponds to the shape of the inner edge of the conveying pipe 12 . That is, the cross-sectional shape passing through the central axis of the auxiliary conveying body 16 has a shape corresponding to the shape of the inner edge of the conveying pipe 12 in the cross section perpendicular to the extending direction FW. It has a shape that closes almost completely with a predetermined clearance.

In this manner, the auxiliary conveying body 16 has a shape corresponding to the shape of the inner edge of the conveying pipe 12 (substantially the same shape with a slight clearance) and closes almost the entire cross section of the conveying pipe 12, so that the action of the air flow is suppressed. Able to receive and move efficiently. Further, the auxiliary conveying body 16 prevents the air flow from the upstream from reaching the downstream side of the auxiliary conveying body 16, thereby suppressing the turbulence of the air flow on the downstream side.

Banknotes P tend to stick to the side wall portion 32 when acted upon by the airflow in the transport tube 12 . That is, the space between one paper surface of the banknote P and the side wall portion 32 facing it and the space between the other paper surface and the side wall portion 32 facing this are almost never equal. narrower than the other. Since the flow velocity of the air flow is faster on the narrow side than on the wide side, the air pressure on the narrow side becomes lower than that on the wide side, and the bill P is attracted and pressed against the side wall portion 32 on the narrow side due to this pressure difference. be done. As a result, the space on the side of the narrow space becomes narrower, and a phenomenon occurs in which the banknotes P stick to the side wall portion 32 and stick to it.

If the banknote P strongly sticks to the side wall portion 32, it becomes difficult to push and move the banknote P by the transport auxiliary body 16 to transport it. However, as described above, the auxiliary conveying body 16 has the function of blocking (reducing) the flow of air to the downstream side, so that the sticking and attracting force of the bills P is reduced, and smooth conveyance is realized.

The two large-diameter portions 16c of the auxiliary conveying body 16 are engaged with the two enlarged portions 33 of the conveying pipe 12 separated by the separating wall 34, respectively. In this example, the extension part 33 is divided into two by the separation wall 34, and these extension parts 33 are provided near the center of the transfer pipe 12 in the Y direction, so that the auxiliary transfer body 16 can be maintained in a stable posture. can be moved by In addition, since the posture of the auxiliary conveying body 16 is stabilized, the large-diameter portion 16c of the auxiliary conveying body 16 appropriately abuts against the trailing end of the banknote P, and a stable conveying force can be applied. In addition, bills P are less likely to be caught between the transport tube 12 and the transport auxiliary body 16 .

In addition, by providing the large-diameter portion 16c, the auxiliary conveying body 16 has an enlarged area of the portion that receives the action of the air flow, and can efficiently receive the force for movement. Moreover, since the large-diameter portion 16c is provided to efficiently receive the action of the air flow, the diameter of the head portion 16a can be reduced accordingly. By reducing the diameter of the head portion, it is possible to narrow the interval (width (Dx)) between the pair of side wall portions 32 facing each other in the transport tube 12, thereby preventing the banknotes P from falling over.

Furthermore, due to the existence of the plurality of ribs 35 provided on the side wall portion 32 , the bills P are prevented from sticking tightly to the side wall portion 32 . That is, the contact area between the bill P and the side wall portion 32 is reduced, the friction is reduced, and the generation of static electricity can be suppressed. In addition, even when the banknote P sticks to the side wall portion 32, the banknote P is supported by the tip portion of the rib 35, so a gap is secured between the side wall portion 32 and the banknote P around the rib 35. Sticking force can be kept small. In addition, since the banknotes P are supported by the separation wall 34 , the banknotes P are prevented from falling into the depression of the extended portion 33 .

Further, the plurality of ribs 35 protruding inward from the side wall portion 32 and the top portion of the separation wall 34 define the substantial passage width W of the banknotes P in the width direction (X direction) of the conveying pipe 12 as the distance Dx between the reference plane portions. serve a narrower role. As a result, the banknotes P are less likely to fall toward one side wall portion 32 in the transport tube 12, and the posture of the banknotes 6 is held along the Y direction. In particular, by providing a plurality of ribs 35 , it is possible to appropriately prevent the banknotes P from falling down and to effectively prevent the banknotes P from sticking to the side wall portion 32 . Dx can be increased by the amount of the ribs 35 provided, which increases the cross-sectional area of the conveying pipe 12 and makes the auxiliary conveying body 16 more susceptible to the action of the air flow.

In the case of the auxiliary conveying body 16 according to the present embodiment, the diameter of the large-diameter portion 16c is the largest, so as shown in FIG. Become.

Next, the internal structure of the collective safe 11 will be described in more detail.

FIG. 8 shows the collective safe 11 with the front cover removed and the transport pipe 12 in the vicinity thereof, and FIG. At the connection position with the collective safe 11, as shown in FIG. 9, the outward transport pipe 12a and the return transport pipe 12b are in a vertical posture.

The collective safe 11 has a vertically long rectangular parallelepiped shape, an airflow generating device 21 is arranged in the inner lower part, and a banknote separating/conveying auxiliary body circulating device 22 is attached in the upper part. In addition, inside the collective safe 11, there are a banknote storage unit 25 for storing banknotes P, a banknote transport unit 26 for transporting the banknotes P separated and collected by the separating and collecting device 24 to the banknote storage unit 25, and a paper sheet collection and transportation system. A control unit 27 for controlling the overall operation, a power supply unit, etc. are accommodated.

The banknotes P discharged from the rear end of the separation/collection device 24 follow the route indicated by the arrow B in FIG. be done.

10 and 11 show an overview of the banknote separating/conveying auxiliary body circulating device 22. FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the banknote separating/conveying auxiliary body circulation device 22 as seen from the separated banknote discharge port side, and FIG. It is the perspective view seen from the part side.

The banknote separating and auxiliary conveying body circulation device 22 is arranged above the auxiliary conveying body inserting device 23 for feeding the auxiliary conveying body 16 into the conveying pipe 12 (the beginning end of the outward conveying pipe 12a) and the auxiliary conveying body inserting device 23. A separating and collecting device 24 is integrated with the terminal end of the return transport pipe 12b and separates and collects the banknotes P coming from the return transport pipe 12b and the auxiliary transport body 16 pushing the banknotes from behind. Configured.

The auxiliary conveying body 16 separated from the banknotes P and collected by the separating and collecting device 24 falls downward from the separating and collecting device 24 through a guide passage 28 (see FIG. 11) to a waiting place 29 in the auxiliary conveying body inserting device 23. be handed over. As a result, the auxiliary conveying body 16 that has been collected is used as the auxiliary conveying body 16 to be sent next into the outward conveying pipe 12a, and the auxiliary conveying body 16 is repeatedly used.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the separation/collection device 24 has a function of allowing bills P that have been pushed and transported by the auxiliary transport body 16 to pass downstream, and to stop when the auxiliary transport body 16 abuts on them. It has a holding part 41 that fulfills the function. The holding portion 41 has a receiving portion 42 having a U-shaped cross section for receiving the auxiliary conveying body 16 at the tip of an arm that rotates about one end within a predetermined angular range. A slit 43 through which bills P pass is provided in the center of the receiving portion 42 . In addition, a discharge port is formed on the bottom surface of the receiving portion 42 for dropping the auxiliary conveying body 16 .

Normally, the holding portion 41 is positioned so that the tip of the receiving portion 42 is directed toward the terminal end of the conveying pipe 12 (return conveying pipe 12b) (the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 12). When the bills P pushed and moved by the auxiliary conveying body 16 pass through the slit 43 of the receiving portion 42 and are received by the receiving portion 42, the holding portion 41 is driven by the motor to rotate. 42 is moved to a position (indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 12) that is aside from the extension of the conveying pipe 12 (return conveying pipe 12b). At this position, the opening at the bottom of the receiving portion 42 communicates with the guide passage 28, and the auxiliary conveying body 16 drops downward through the guide passage 28. As shown in FIG.

The banknotes P that have passed through the slit 43 are conveyed by a conveyor belt (not shown) and discharged from the discharge port at the rear end of the separation/collection device 24 . The discharged banknotes P are transported to the banknote transport section 26 and sent to the banknote storage section 25 as described above.

The auxiliary conveying body 16 that has fallen down the guide passage 28 enters a waiting place 29 provided in the auxiliary conveying body inserting device 23 and is received there.

The auxiliary conveying body inserting device 23 has a movable arm 46 which rotates about one end and has a delivery portion 45 having a U-shaped cross section for holding the auxiliary conveying body 16 at the other end. The sending portion 45 is provided with a large opening for allowing the airflow from the airflow generating device 21 to flow smoothly.

The movable arm 46 has a standby position (the position indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 12) where the delivery part 45 is accommodated in the standby place 29, and a delivery position where the delivery part 45 is on the extension of the beginning end of the transfer pipe 12 (outward transfer pipe 12a). It is driven by a motor to rotate to the position (the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 12). The movable arm 46 is normally at the standby position, and receives the auxiliary transfer body 16 dropped from the separation/collection device 24 through the guide passage 28 at the sending portion 45 . When sending out the auxiliary conveying body 16 into the conveying pipe 12 (outgoing conveying pipe 12a), the movable arm 46 is rotated to move the sending portion 45 to the sending position. Then, by the airflow from the airflow generating device 21, the auxiliary conveying body 16 is separated from the sending portion 45 and sent into the conveying pipe 12 (outgoing conveying pipe 12a).

In this way, the auxiliary conveying body 16 that has returned while pushing the banknotes P from behind is separated from the bills P by the separating and collecting device 24 and collected, and delivered to the auxiliary conveying body inserting device 23 for the next operation. is reused for sending out

Next, the posture of each portion of the carrier pipe 12 will be described.

Here, as shown in FIG. 1, four gaming machine islands 3 are arranged side by side with passages provided therebetween. , the case where the carrier pipe 12 is laid will be described as an example.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 2, the outbound transport pipe 12a is in a vertical position when coming out from the rear surface of the collective safe 11, but after passing through the twisted portion 51 and in a horizontal position, it moves vertically upward. change. When it reaches the ceiling space, it returns to a horizontal course, passes through the twisted portion 51, becomes vertical again, and is extended through the ceiling space to the transfer auxiliary body relay device 17 while maintaining the vertical posture. The terminal end of the outward transport pipe 12a is connected to a transport auxiliary body relay device 17 in a vertical posture.

The return conveying pipe 12b is in a vertical posture at the starting end connected to the auxiliary conveying body relay device 17, but then passes through a twisting portion 51 and is brought into a horizontal posture before reaching the first take-in device 14. As shown in FIG. The return transport pipe 12b extends straight above the relay box 6 of each game machine island 3 while passing through a plurality of take-in devices 14 on the way through the ceiling in a horizontal posture. When the inbound conveying pipe 12b reaches the end of the portion passing through the ceiling space, it changes its course vertically downward while maintaining its horizontal posture, and when it reaches the height of the collective safe 11, it returns to its horizontal course, and then passes through the twisted portion 51 to its vertical posture. It is connected vertically to the connection port on the back of the collective safe 11 (see FIG. 9).

When the conveying pipe 12 (returning conveying pipe 12b) of the portion where the banknotes P are conveyed is curved to change the course, if the paper surface of the banknotes P faces the inside and outside of the arc, the banknotes P pass through the curved portion without difficulty. can do. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the conveying pipe 12 is in a lateral posture before and after the portion where the course of the conveying pipe 12 (return conveying pipe 12b) is changed to horizontal/vertical.

Even when the auxiliary conveying body 16 is moved alone without conveying the banknotes P, the axis of the auxiliary conveying body 16 is set perpendicular to the radial direction of the curved portion, so that even a small radius can move smoothly. You can go along the curved part. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, it is preferable to set the forward transport pipe 12a in a lateral posture before and after the portion where the course of the transport pipe 12 is changed to horizontal/vertical.

Further, when the transfer pipe 12 extends through a thin wall, it is preferable that the longitudinal direction of the cross section of the transfer pipe 12 is the direction along the wall surface (the short side direction of the cross section is the thickness direction of the wall). Therefore, the portion of the conveying pipe 12 extending vertically through the wall is oriented as described above.

Since the twisted portion 51 is provided in the middle of the conveying pipe 12, the course of the conveying pipe 12 can be freely set within a plane such as the ceiling space while mixing the vertical direction and the horizontal direction as the conveying direction of the banknotes P. .

Next, the configuration of the transportation auxiliary body relay device 17 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 13, the auxiliary conveying body relay device 17 includes a rectangular thin box-shaped relay portion 61 to which the outgoing conveying pipe 12a and the returning conveying pipe 12b are connected, and air from the end of the outgoing conveying pipe 12a. It has a blower part 62 that has a function of sucking and a function of blowing air to the beginning end of the return conveying pipe 12b. FIG. 14 shows a state in which part of the outer cover of the blower section 62 is removed. A fan 63 driven by a motor and a control device 64 for controlling the operation of the transportation auxiliary body relay device 17 are provided inside the blower portion 62 . A suction duct 65 connected to the suction port of the fan 63 is connected to a suction duct connection port 71a (see FIGS. 15 and 16) opened on the rear surface of the relay portion 61, and a blower duct 66 connected to the blower port of the fan 63. is connected to a blower duct connection port 71b (see FIGS. 15 and 16) opened on the rear surface of the relay portion 61. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 14, on the front side of the relay portion 61 of the auxiliary conveying body relay device 17, an inflow side connection port 67 to which the forward conveying pipe 12a is connected and an outflow side connecting port 68 to which the inward conveying pipe 12b is connected are provided. is provided so as to protrude forward. The inflow-side connection port 67 and the outflow-side connection port 68 each have an inner edge shape corresponding to the shape of the outer edge side of the transfer pipe 12, and the terminal end of the outgoing transfer pipe 12a is tightly inserted into the inflow-side connection port 67. The starting end of the return transfer pipe 12b is tightly inserted into the outflow side connection port 68. As shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 shows a state in which the cover on the front side of the relay section 61 is removed. The relay portion 61 has a rectangular base plate 71 forming the rear surface of the relay portion 61 and a rotary plate 72 rotatably supported on the base plate 71 by a support shaft 73 . A pair of holding portions 74 are provided on the rotary plate 72 at symmetrical positions about the support shaft 73 . The holding portion 74 functions to temporarily hold the auxiliary conveying body 16 .

The rotating plate 72 can be stopped at two positions, a first stop position shown in FIG. 15 and a second stop position rotated 180 degrees from the first stop position. FIG. 16 shows a state in which the rotating plate 72 is rotating from the first stop position to the second stop position. A transmissive optical sensor 76 is provided for detecting whether the rotary plate 72 is at the first stop position or the second stop position.

When the rotary plate 72 stops at one of the stop positions, one holding portion 74 is positioned just behind the inflow-side connection port 67 and is in a position where it is connected to the inflow-side connection port 67 (referred to as a receiving position). The holding portion 74 is located just behind the outflow side connection port 68 and is in a position (discharge position) where it is connected to the outflow side connection port 68 .

Ventilation holes 72 a are formed in the rotating plate 72 at positions corresponding to the centers of the holding portions 74 . When the rotary plate 72 stops at the stop position, the suction duct 65 and the inflow side connection port 67 communicate with each other through the suction duct connection port 71a provided in the base plate 71 and the ventilation hole 72a provided in the rotary plate 72, and The air duct 66 and the outflow side connection port 68 communicate with each other through the air duct connection port 71 b provided in the base plate 71 and the ventilation hole 72 a provided in the rotary plate 72 .

FIG. 17 is a top view of the relay portion 61 with the front cover removed. The holding portion 74 includes a pair of receiving portions 81 for contacting and receiving the auxiliary conveying body 16 arriving from the outward conveying pipe 12a, and a pair of holding portions 81 for holding the auxiliary conveying body 16 in contact with the receiving portion 81 from the left and right sides. holding rollers 82. The auxiliary conveying body 16 is sandwiched and held between the pair of holding rollers 82 and the receiving portion 81 . The receiving portion 81 is composed of a shock absorbing member that absorbs the shock when receiving the auxiliary conveying body 16 .

The pair of holding rollers 82 are arranged with a space left and right so that the auxiliary conveying body 16 can be spread out and passed therebetween. The holding rollers 82 are attached inside the tips of a pair of holding arms 83 whose longitudinal direction is the advancing direction of the auxiliary conveying body 16 . The holding arm 83 is pivotally supported at its rear end, and the gap between the pair of holding rollers 82 attached to the tip is slightly narrower than the diameter of the conveying auxiliary body 16 at the closed position, and the gap between the pair of holding rollers 82 is at the conveying position. It rotates to an open position sufficiently wider than the diameter of the auxiliary body 16 and is biased by a spring or the like toward the closed position.

Of the pair of holding arms 83, the outer side surface of the outer holding arm 83 is provided with a release plate 84 parallel to the rotating plate 72 and protruding outward. As shown in FIG. 15, the release plate 84 is a rectangular metal plate whose longitudinal direction is the tangential direction of the circle on which the rotary plate 72 rotates. there is When the rotating plate 72 rotates and the holding portion 74 reaches the release position, the release plate 84 is attached to the base plate 71 so as to abut on the release plate 84 of the holding portion 74 which has reached the release position. A release roller 85 is attached to push the holding arm 83 to the open position where the tip thereof opens outward. The base plate 71 is provided with a sensor 75 for detecting whether or not the holding portion 74 at the first stop position and the second stop position holds the auxiliary conveying body 16 . Sensor 75 is a transmissive optical sensor.

FIG. 18 shows how the holding portion 74 at the receiving position holds the auxiliary conveying body 16 coming from the outbound conveying pipe 12a. As shown in FIG. 7A, the holding portion 74 is on standby at the closed position where the distance between the pair of holding rollers 82 is slightly narrower than the diameter of the auxiliary conveying body 16. As shown in FIG. The auxiliary conveying body 16 coming from the terminal end of the forward conveying pipe 12a passes through a point where the holding rollers 82 are located while widening the gap between the pair of holding rollers 82, as shown in FIG. ), it abuts on the receiving portion 81 . At the position in contact with the receiving portion 81, the center of the auxiliary conveying body 16 is slightly closer to the receiving portion 81 than the line C1 connecting the centers of the pair of holding rollers 82. 82.

FIG. 19 shows the state when the retainer 74 is in the release position. When it comes to the release position, the release plate 84 abuts against the release roller 85, so that the outer holding arm 83 to which the release plate 84 is attached rotates in the opening direction, and the gap between the pair of holding rollers 82 increases. It becomes wider than the diameter of the auxiliary body 16, and the holding of the auxiliary carrying body 16 by the receiving portion 81 and the holding roller 82 is released.

As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, various ribs 91 and 92 for regulating the position and attitude of the auxiliary conveying body 16 are provided inside the inflow-side connection port 67 and the outflow-side connection port 68 and inside the holding portion 74. , 93 are provided. The ribs 91 and 92 are provided inside the inflow-side connection port 67 and the outflow-side connection port 68 , and the rib 93 is provided inside the holding portion 74 . The side rib 91 abutting on the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion 16c of the auxiliary conveying body 16 has a width of the passage through which the large-diameter portion 16c of the auxiliary conveying body 16 passes, and the width of the passage gradually narrows from the inlet side of the connection port toward the back. It is set so that it spreads slightly after the The side ribs 91 prevent the transfer auxiliary body 16 from wobbling from side to side.

Guide ribs 92 provided inside the inflow-side connection port 67 and the outflow-side connection port 68 and at positions corresponding to the upper, middle, and lower constricted portions 16d of the auxiliary conveying body 16 are positioned in the axial direction of the auxiliary conveying body 16 and Regulate your posture. Similarly, a pair of upper and lower guide ribs 93 provided inside the holding portion 74 and at positions corresponding to the upper and lower constricted portions 16d of the auxiliary conveying body 16 regulate the position of the auxiliary conveying body 16 in the axial direction.

The upper and lower guide ribs 92 are tapered such that the distance between them widens from the side of the connection ports 67 and 68 toward the side of the holding portion 74 . A pair of upper and lower guide ribs 93 continuing to the inner side of the upper and lower guide ribs 92 has a taper (a taper opposite to that of the guide rib 92) in which the mutual interval widens toward the connection ports 67 and 68 side.

The transportation auxiliary body relay device 17 operates as follows.

By driving the fan 63 of the blower section 62, air is sucked from the terminal end of the forward conveying pipe 12a and an air flow is sent to the starting end of the returning conveying pipe 12b. As a result, an air flow directed from the start end to the end of the outward transport pipe 12a and an air flow directed from the start end to the end of the return transport pipe 12b are generated and strengthened.

The holding portion 74 at the receiving position receives and holds the auxiliary conveying body 16 coming from the outgoing conveying pipe 12a. At this time, the auxiliary conveying body 16 arriving from the outward conveying pipe 12a is regulated in position and posture by the side ribs 91 and the guide ribs 92 and 93 when passing through the inflow side connection port 67, and the holding portion 74 at the receiving position It is held in a predetermined correct position and posture.

After that, when the rotating plate 72 rotates 180 degrees, the holding portion 74 that was at the receiving position moves to the discharging position. When it moves to the release position, the release plate 84 comes into contact with the release roller 85 to release the holding of the auxiliary conveying body 16 . When the fan 63 of the blower portion 62 is operated in the released state, the auxiliary conveying body 16 is sent out through the outflow side connection port 68 to the returning conveying pipe 12b by receiving the air blow from the air blowing duct 66. At this time, the auxiliary conveying body 16 is regulated in position and posture by the side ribs 91 and the guide ribs 92 and 93, and is sent out in the correct posture into the backward conveying pipe 12b.

In this embodiment, the auxiliary conveying body 16 is sent from the auxiliary conveying body relay device 17 to the return conveying pipe 12b, and the auxiliary conveying body 16 is sent from the auxiliary conveying body inserting device 23 of the collective safe 11 to the outward conveying pipe 12a. are controlled to occur at the same time. As a result, the first movement of the auxiliary conveying body 16 from the auxiliary conveying body inserting device 23 of the collective safe 11 to the auxiliary conveying body relay device 17 through the forward conveying pipe 12a, and the collection from the auxiliary conveying body relay device 17 through the return conveying pipe 12b. The second movement of the auxiliary conveying body 16 to the separating and collecting device 24 of the safe 11 is performed in parallel.

As a result, the auxiliary conveying body 16 sent from the collective safe 11 to the outbound conveying pipe 12a goes around the entire conveying pipe 12 and returns to the collective safe 11, without providing the auxiliary conveying body relay device 17. 16, the collection operation of the banknotes P by the auxiliary conveyance body 16 can be performed in a shorter cycle, and the collection capacity of the secondary collection device 10 per unit time can be enhanced.

The delivery of the auxiliary transport body 16 from the auxiliary transport body relay device 17 to the return transport pipe 12b and the delivery of the auxiliary transport body 16 from the auxiliary transport body inserting device 23 of the collective safe 11 to the outward transport pipe 12a are performed at the same time. is not limited to A first movement in which the auxiliary conveying body 16 sent out by the auxiliary conveying body inserting device 23 moves in the outward conveying pipe 12a, and a second movement in which the auxiliary conveying body 16 sent out by the auxiliary conveying body relay device 17 moves in the homeward conveying pipe 12b. At least part of the two movements should be performed in parallel. If the first movement and the second movement are performed in parallel even partially, the delivery cycle can be shortened and the collection capability can be improved.

For example, if the second movement on the return path from the auxiliary transport relay device 17 to the collective safe 11 takes more time than the first movement on the outbound route from the collective safe 11 to the auxiliary transport relay device 17, the movement time is long. It is also possible to first send out the auxiliary transfer body 16 to the return path (return transfer pipe 12b) and then send it to the outbound route (outbound transfer pipe 12a) having a short movement time. It is desirable to control delivery at a timing such that the first movement on the outward trip ends at the same time as or before the second movement on the homeward trip is completed.

As shown in FIG. 13, in the auxiliary conveying body relay device 17, at the connection point between the inflow side connection port 67 and the terminal end of the outward transfer pipe 12a and the connection point between the outflow side connection port 68 and the beginning end of the return transfer pipe 12b, The inflow-side connection port 67 and the outflow-side connection port 68 are arranged so that the longitudinal direction of the cross section of the outward transfer pipe 12a and the longitudinal direction of the cross section of the return transfer pipe 12b are parallel (match).

In the installation example of FIG. 2, the auxiliary transport body relay device 17 is a straight extension of the outbound transport pipe 12a and the inbound transport pipe 12b of the portion extending along the upper part of the relay box 6 of each game machine island 3. placed on a line. However, if, for example, the transfer auxiliary body relay device 17 has to be bent from the above extension line, it becomes necessary to bend the outgoing transfer pipe 12a and the return transfer pipe 12b. At this time, if the longitudinal direction of the cross section of the forward transport pipe 12a and the backward transport pipe 12b is parallel at the connecting portion to the transport auxiliary body relay device 17, the curved portion of the outward transport pipe 12a and the backward transport pipe 12b has the same structure. A curve connecting member can be connected to cope with this.

However, if the longitudinal directions of the cross-sections of the forward transport pipe 12a and the backward transport pipe 12b are not parallel at the connecting portion to the auxiliary transport body relay device 17, the curved portions of the forward transport pipe 12a and the backward transport pipe 12b have different curvatures. It becomes necessary to use curvilinear connecting members. Therefore, not only does it take time and effort to individually design and manufacture, but it is also difficult to handle maintenance since it is an individually manufactured product. Like the auxiliary conveying body relay device 17 of the present embodiment, both the outgoing conveying pipe 12a and the returning conveying pipe 12b are in a vertical posture at the connection point to the auxiliary conveying body relay device 17, and the longitudinal direction of the cross section is parallel. By doing so, the above problem can be solved, and the degree of freedom of the installation location of the transportation auxiliary body relay device 17 can be increased.

In the secondary recovery device 10 shown in FIG. 2, the return transport pipe 12b needs to be in a horizontal posture at the portion passing over the relay box 6, so it is connected to the outflow side connection port 68 of the transport auxiliary body relay device 17. The returning transport pipe 12b thus formed is changed from the vertical posture to the horizontal posture by inserting a twisted portion 51 at a location upstream of the first take-in device 14. As shown in FIG.

Due to its mechanism, the transportation auxiliary body relay device 17 can be installed horizontally (the posture shown in FIG. 13), but vertically (with respect to the posture shown in FIG. It may be installed in a rotated posture), or may be installed in a direction in which the inflow side connection port 67 and the outflow side connection port 68 face upward. However, since the holding by the holding rollers 82 is released at the discharge position, the attitude in which the outflow side connection port 68 faces downward is necessary so that the auxiliary conveying body 16 does not naturally fall into the return conveying pipe 12b through the outflow side connection port 68. Must be avoided.

The configuration of the transportation auxiliary body relay device 17 is not limited to those illustrated in FIGS. 13 to 21. FIG. For example, the auxiliary conveying body relay device 17 is provided with a buffer section capable of retaining a plurality of auxiliary conveying bodies 16 arriving from the outward conveying pipe 12a, and one of the auxiliary conveying bodies 16 retained in the buffer section is sent out to the next stage. The configuration may be such that it is used for

13, etc., the auxiliary conveying body relay device 17 shown in FIG. However, any method of movement may be used. For example, as shown in FIG. 22, four holding portions 74 are provided on the rotary plate 72 at intervals of 90 degrees, and the stop positions of the rotary plate 72 are set at intervals of 90 degrees. Then, the inflow side connection port 67 is provided at a position facing one holding portion 74a, and the outflow side connection port 68 is provided at a position facing the holding portion 74b at a position where the rotary plate 72 is rotated by 90 degrees therefrom. By rotating the plate 72 by 90 degrees, the transfer auxiliary body 16 may be moved from the receiving position to the discharging position. In addition, it may be configured such that the auxiliary conveying body 16 is slid from the receiving position to the discharging position.

In the auxiliary conveying body relay device 17 shown in FIG. Installation of the auxiliary body relay device 17 is less likely to interfere with decorations of the game hall 2 and the game machine island 3.例文帳に追加

Further, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the assisting conveying body relay device 17 catches the assisting conveying body 16 with a holding roller 82 biased by a spring, holds the assisting conveying body 16 while the rotary plate 72 is rotating, rotates and the holding portion 74 reaches the release position, the release plate 84 comes into contact with the release roller 85 to release the holding by the holding roller 82 biased by the spring. Therefore, it is not necessary to use an electromagnetic relay or the like, and it is possible to receive, hold, and release the auxiliary transfer member 16 with a simple structure.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, side ribs 91 and guide ribs 92 and 93 are provided inside the inflow-side connection port 67 and the outflow-side connection port 68. To stably and reliably catch the auxiliary conveying body 16, correct the attitude of the auxiliary conveying body 16 sent from the inflow side connection port 67 to the returning conveying pipe 12b, and send the auxiliary conveying body 16 to the returning conveying pipe 12b without tilting. can be done.

Next, a description will be given of the part where the banknotes P conveyed from the sub-conveyor 13 are fed into the conveying pipe 12 by the take-in device 14. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 23 , the sub-conveyor 13 functions to convey banknotes P from the relay box 6 toward the backward conveying pipe 12b extending horizontally above the relay box 6 . When the paper money P is taken in from the auxiliary transport device 13 to the return transport pipe 12b, the traveling direction of the banknote P is changed from vertical to horizontal. As described above, when the traveling direction is changed, the paper surface of the banknote P needs to face the inside and outside of the arc. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the orientation of the backward transport pipe 12b extending horizontally above the relay box 6 is such that the bill P (P3 in FIG. 24) to be transported is oriented vertically. It is placed in a horizontal position. At least the end portion (the portion just before reaching the take-in device 14) of the vertically extending transport pipe (assumed to be the sub-transport pipe 101) of the sub-transport device 13 is the bill P to be transported (P1 in FIG. 24). ) faces the extension direction Fw of the return transport pipe 12b at a location where the take-in device 14 is located.

FIG. 24 shows the periphery of the take-in device 14 inserted in the return conveying pipe 12b that passes above the relay box 6. As shown in FIG. The take-in device 14 internally changes the path of the banknotes P to P1, P2, and P3 in FIG. The take-in device 14 can change the course of the banknote P conveyed by the sub-conveyor 13 without twisting the banknote P to smoothly send it into the conveying tube 12 .

In addition, in order to make the returning conveying pipe 12b connected in a vertical posture to the outflow side connection port 68 of the auxiliary conveying body relay device 17 in a horizontal posture before reaching the first take-in device 14, the secondary recovery device 10 , the twisted portion 51 is inserted into the return transport pipe 12b immediately after exiting the outflow side connection port 68 of the transport auxiliary body relay device 17 (see FIG. 2).

Next, the sub-conveyor 13 will be described.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing the sub-conveying device 13 and the taking-in device 14 connected to its upper end (and the conveying pipes 12 before and after it). FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the sub-conveying device 13 and the take-in device 14 connected to its upper end (and the conveying pipes 12 before and after it). FIG. 27 is an enlarged sectional view showing the upper part of the sub-transport pipe 101 of the sub-transport device 13 and the take-in device 14. FIG. FIG. 28 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the lower portion of the sub-transport pipe 101 of the sub-transport device 13. As shown in FIG.

The sub-conveying device 13 conveys the banknotes P using an auxiliary conveying body 16 different from the auxiliary conveying body 16 that moves on the conveying pipe 12 . However, the shape is the same as that of the auxiliary conveying body 16 that moves the conveying pipe 12 . In the sub-conveying device 13, one sub-conveying body 16 reciprocates on a vertically extending sub-conveying pipe 101. As shown in FIG. The cross-sectional shape of the sub-conveying pipe 101 is the same as that of the straight portion of the conveying pipe 12, and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, the sub-conveying device 13 includes a vertically extending sub-conveying pipe 101, a sub-conveying pipe 101 that reciprocates up and down, and a sub-conveying pipe. bill taking part 103 attached to the lower end of the banknote taking part 101; there is

The sub-conveying pipe 101 has a twisted portion 51 slightly before its upper end. The twisting portion 51 twists the sub-transport pipe 101 by 90 degrees. As described above, the portion above the twisted portion 51 of the sub-transport pipe 101 is oriented so that the surface of the banknotes P passing through this portion faces the extending direction of the return transport pipe 12b at the location where the take-in device 14 is installed. (See FIG. 24). On the other hand, in the portion below the twisted portion 51, the longitudinal direction of the cross section of the sub-conveying pipe 101 coincides with the extending direction of the returning conveying pipe 12b at the location where the take-in device 14 is installed.

As shown in FIG. 28, the banknote take-in portion 103 includes a passage portion 104 having a cross-sectional shape similar to that of the sub-transport pipe 101 and having a length of about 15 cm communicating with the lower end of the sub-transport pipe 101; An opening 104b provided in one side wall of the portion 104 for taking in the banknotes P, and a conveying roller 105a and a conveying belt 105b for sending out the banknotes obliquely upward into the passage portion 104 from the opening 104b. there is

The lower end of the passage portion 104 is narrowed to receive and hold the auxiliary conveying body 16 . At the lower end of the passage portion 104, an inflow port 104c for the airflow from the upward flow generating portion 102 is provided. An air duct 102b extending from the fan 102a (see FIG. 25) of the upward flow generating section 102 is connected to the inlet 104c.

FIG. 29 shows the banknote receiving portion 103 with the cover (the wall facing the opening 104b) of the passage portion 104 removed, viewed from the side facing the opening 104b. The conveying roller 105a and the conveying belt 105b stretched over the conveying roller 105a are provided on the left and right sides of the passage portion 104 in the width direction. Since the bills P are fed into the passage part 104 by the left and right conveying belts 105b, the bills P are not obliquely tilted when the bills P are sent upward, and the bills P can be sent straight into the passage part 104.例文帳に追加

As shown in FIG. 27, the upper end of the sub-conveying pipe 101 is provided with a narrowed opening 101a, and the auxiliary conveying body 16 comes into contact with the narrowed portion of the upper end of the sub-conveying pipe 101 and stops. , the banknotes P pushed up by the auxiliary conveying body 16 pass through the opening 101a and advance into the take-in device 14. As shown in FIG.

The sub-conveyor 13 operates as follows.

Normally, the upward flow generating section 102 is stopped, and the auxiliary conveying body 16 is held at the lower end of the passage section 104 of the banknote receiving section 103 (see FIG. 26). When the banknote P is fed into the sub-transport pipe 101 by the banknote take-in portion 103, the transport rollers 105a and the like of the banknote take-in portion 103 are driven by the motor, and the banknote P received from the outside (relay box 6) is transferred to the passage portion 104. toward the opening 104b. When the banknote P is completely delivered into the passage portion 104, the upward airflow generating portion 102 is operated to generate an upward airflow. Due to the action of this air flow, the auxiliary conveying body 16 rises inside the sub-conveying pipe 101 while pushing the banknotes P from the rear end.

The banknotes P conveyed to the upper end of the sub-conveyance pipe 101 by the auxiliary conveying body 16 which rises by the airflow directly advance into the take-in device 14 through the opening 101a and are taken into the take-in device 14 (see FIG. 27). The auxiliary conveying body 16 comes into contact with the narrow portion at the upper end of the sub-conveying pipe 101 and stops. After that, when the rising flow generating section 102 is stopped, the auxiliary conveying body 16 naturally falls, returns to its original position, and is held at the lower end of the passage section 104 of the banknote receiving section 103 . This completes a series of operations for conveying the banknotes P to the take-in device 14 above.

The sub-conveying device 13 has a conveying capability of conveying a plurality of (for example, 3 to 5) banknotes P upward at a time. The banknote take-in unit 103 performs an operation of sending out the banknotes P one by one into the passage portion 104 a plurality of times to form a state in which the plurality of banknotes P stay in the passage portion 104 . When the upward flow generating section 102 is actuated in this state, the auxiliary conveying body 16 conveys the plurality of banknotes P to the fetching device 14 at the upper end at once.

Next, the capture device 14 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 27, the take-in device 14 has a passage portion 121 having a cross-sectional shape equivalent to that of the transport pipe 12 and to which the transport pipe 12 (return transport pipe 12b) is connected in the front and rear. The passage portion 121 has an inner shape similar to that of the straight portion of the conveying pipe 12 so that the auxiliary conveying body 16 can smoothly pass through the passage portion 121 . The passage portion 121 is in a lateral posture. An opening 121 b is formed in the wall surface on the lower side of the passage portion 121 for taking the bill P into the passage portion 121 . The take-in device 14 includes a conveying section 122 for feeding bills P into the passage section 121 from the opening 121b.

The transport unit 122 includes a bill guide path 123 leading to the opening 121b, a transport belt 124 for transporting the bill P transported by the sub-transport device 13 toward the opening 121b of the passage part 121 through the bill guide path 123, A delivery roller 125a and a delivery belt 125b functioning to send the banknotes P sent into the passage portion 121 by the belt 124 completely into the passage portion 121 up to the end of the banknotes P, and to prevent airflow from leaking from the banknote guide passage 123. A shutter 126 provided in the middle of the banknote guide path 123 for opening and closing the banknote guide path 123, a motor for driving the conveying belt 124, delivery rollers 125a and delivery belts 125b, and the like are provided. The shutter 126 is biased to the closed position by a spring or the like.

When deformed banknotes P or weak banknotes P are discharged from the relay box 6 to the sub-transport device 13, the banknotes P transported to the take-in device 14 by the sub-transport device 13 and the transport belt 124 of the take-in device 14. In some cases, the contact with the banknote P becomes insufficient, and the banknote P cannot be conveyed by the conveyor belt 124 and taken into the passage portion 121 successfully. Therefore, the take-in device 14 presses the banknotes P that have been stagnant due to failure in the transport by the transport belt 124 toward the transport belt 124 and sandwiches them between the transport belt 124 to assist the transport. A roller 128 is further provided.

As shown in FIG. 30, the nipping roller 128 is attached to the lower end of a movable arm 129 pivotally supported by a support point 129a at the upper end, and causes the movable arm 129 to swing when the solenoid 130 is turned on and off. When the solenoid 130 is turned on, the nipping roller 128 at the lower end advances into the banknote guide path 123 and becomes a nipping position (see FIG. 30(b)) where the banknote P is clamped between the conveyor belt 124 and the solenoid 130 is turned off. Then, the nipping roller 128 is urged by a spring or the like to return to the retracted position (see FIG. 30(a)) to the side of the banknote guide path 123. As shown in FIG.

The transport belts 124 are provided at two locations on the left and right in the width direction of the banknote P, and the nipping rollers 128 are positioned between the left and right transport belts 124 . Further, a bill detection sensor 131 for detecting bills P is provided near the center in the conveying direction of the range over which the conveying belt 124 is stretched. Here, the bill detection sensor 131 is an optical sensor. Since the banknote detection sensor 131 and the movable arm 129 are located very close to each other, the movable arm 129 should not block the installation of the optical sensor or block the light from the optical sensor. An aperture is provided to avoid the sensor and its light.

When the banknote detection sensor 131 detects the banknote P, the solenoid 130 is turned on to displace the nipping roller 128 to the nipping position, and the banknote P is nipped between the nipping roller 128 and the conveyor belt 124 and conveyed. When the banknote detection sensor 131 no longer detects the banknote P, the solenoid 130 is turned off to return the nipping roller 128 to the retracted position.

The take-in device 14 has a main body side provided with a nipping roller 128 and a door side provided with a conveying belt 124 facing the nipping roller 128 in order to deal with the case where bills P are jammed inside. It is structured such that it can be separated from the banknote guide path 123 as a boundary. The body side is integrated with the passage portion 121 and fixedly installed. When paper money P is jammed, the door side is removed to deal with it. Since the movable mechanism including the nipping roller 128 and the like, which is relatively heavy, is provided on the fixed main body side, the door side can be easily removed. Further, since the movable mechanism, which is a heavy object, is also a vibration-generating element, if it is provided on the door side, problems such as loosening of attachment on the door side are likely to occur. Therefore, the movable mechanisms such as the nipping roller 128 and the movable arm 129 are provided on the main body side.

As described above, since the nipping rollers 128 are provided, the fetching device 14 can stably fetch even a deformed banknote P or a weak banknote P into the passage portion 121 .

When a plurality of banknotes P are transported from the sub-transport device 13 at once, the take-in device 14 can make the plurality of banknotes P wait in the banknote guide path 123 at once. Upon receiving a command from the control unit 27 to feed the banknotes P to the transport tube 12, the take-in device 14 transports the banknotes P waiting in the banknote guide path 123 through the transport belt 124, the nipping roller 128, the delivery roller 125a, and the delivery belt. 125b and the like are driven to convey and send out into the passage portion 121. As shown in FIG.

Next, collection of banknotes P within the game machine island 3 and the relay box 6 will be described.

A primary recovery device 8 that takes in bills P discharged from the back of each game ball lending machine 4 in the game machine island 3 and conveys them to one end of the game machine island 3 also moves a conveying auxiliary body 16 by an air flow, thereby P is pushed and moved by the auxiliary transport body 16 from behind to transport.

31 is a plan view showing the primary recovery device 8 installed in the game machine island 3, and FIG. 32 is a front view showing the primary recovery device 8 installed in the game machine island 3. FIG. FIG. 33 is a diagram showing the inside of the relay box 6. As shown in FIG.

A carrier pipe 140 having the same cross-sectional shape as the carrier pipe 12 is installed inside the game machine island 3 . The transport pipe 140 is in a vertical posture, and the bills P transported through the transport pipe 140 are transported in an upright posture. On the game machine island 3, the game ball lending machine 4 is formed in a box shape with a narrow front width in order to increase the number of installed machines. Therefore, the banknote slot provided in the game ball lending machine 4 is also normally elongated vertically. A bank note P is inserted into the bank note slot in an upright position, and discharged from the back of the game ball lending machine 4 in an upright position. Therefore, the transport pipe 140 of the primary recovery device 8 is configured to receive the banknotes P from the game ball lending machine 4 in an upright position and transport them in the upright position.

The transport pipe 140 extends from the relay box 6 toward the other end of the game machine island 3 , and is piped so as to make a U-turn at the other end and return to the relay box 6 . In the middle of the portion of the transport pipe 140 that returns to the relay box 6 after making a U-turn (referred to as a return path), a ball is discharged from the back of the game ball lending machine 4 at a position corresponding to each game ball lending machine 4. A bill take-in device 142 for taking in bills P into the transport pipe 140 is installed. The banknote take-in device 142 receives banknotes P from the game ball lending machine 4 arranged on the front side of the game machine island 3 and banknotes P from the game ball lending machine 4 arranged on the back side of the game machine island 3. are provided on both sides of the side wall of the carrier tube 140 to capture the . The banknote P taken into the transport pipe 140 from the banknote take-in device 142 stays at a predetermined take-in completion position with its paper surface oriented along the extending direction of the transport pipe 140 .

In the relay box 6, there is an airflow generator 144 similar to the airflow generator 21 provided in the collective safe 11, and a banknote separator having the same configuration as the banknote separation/conveyance auxiliary body circulation device 22 provided in the collective safe 11. - A transfer auxiliary body circulation device 145 is provided. The banknote separating and conveying auxiliary body circulation device 145 has a conveying auxiliary body inserting device 146 similar to the conveying auxiliary body inserting device 23 and a separating and collecting device 147 similar to the separating and collecting device 24 (FIGS. 32 and 33). reference).

Further, the relay box 6 is provided with a banknote transport section 148 (see FIG. 33) that transports the banknotes P discharged from the separation/collection device 147 and a temporary storage device 150 that stores the banknotes P temporarily. The temporary storage device 150 temporarily stores a plurality of banknotes P received from the banknote transport unit 148, feeds out the stored banknotes P based on an instruction from the control unit 27, and performs the above-described secondary transport. It has a function of sending out to the banknote take-in section 103 of the device 13 .

When the paper money P discharged from the back of the game ball lending machine 4 in the game machine island 3 is transported to the relay box 6 and collected, the transport auxiliary body inserting device 146 in the relay box 6 enters the beginning end of the transport pipe 140. The transport auxiliary body 16 is delivered. The auxiliary conveying body 16 sent out into the conveying pipe 140 receives the air flow generated by the air flow generating device 144, moves downstream in the conveying pipe 140, and makes a U-turn. The banknotes P taken in from the game ball lending machine 4 on the return path are recovered by the banknote take-in device 142 and returned to the separating and collecting device 147 in the relay box 6 . The separating/collecting device 147 separates the banknotes P conveyed by the auxiliary conveying body 16 from the auxiliary conveying body 16 and delivers the auxiliary conveying body 16 to the auxiliary conveying body inserting device 146 . On the other hand, the separated bills P are conveyed to the temporary storage device 150 in the relay box 6 by the bill conveying section 148 . FIG. 33 shows the route M along which the banknote transport unit 148 transports the banknotes P. As shown in FIG. At this time, the bill P is conveyed in an upright position.

34 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the temporary storage device 150, and FIG. 35 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the temporary storage device 150. As shown in FIG. The temporary storage device 150 receives and stores the bills P conveyed in an upright position by the bill conveying unit 148 .

The temporary storage device 150 includes a posture changing unit 151 that changes the orientation of the banknotes P received from the banknote conveying unit 148 from a posture in which the paper surface is vertical (upright posture) to a posture in which the paper surface is horizontal (a lying posture); An elevator unit 152 that conveys banknotes P placed horizontally to a storage unit 154 below, and a banknote take-in unit of the sub-conveyor 13 that feeds banknotes P accumulated in the storage unit 154 one by one in a lying posture. 103, and a delivery transport unit 153 for transporting the sheet. A thick line 156 shown in FIG. 34 indicates the transport path of the paper money P by the delivery transport unit 153 .

FIG. 36 schematically shows the configuration and operation of the temporary storage device 150. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 36, the posture changing portion 151 has a pair of U-shaped cross-sectional grooves facing each other along both long sides of a U-shaped base plate having one short side and a pair of long sides. It has a shape in which L-shaped protrusions are provided along both long sides so as to be formed. The posture changing portion 151 is configured to be able to store a plurality of banknotes P between a pair of grooves. The posture changing portion 151 stores the banknotes P while supporting only the edges thereof by the pair of opposing U-shaped grooves.

As shown in FIG. 36(a), the posture changing unit 151 is in a vertical posture (a posture in which stored banknotes P stand upright) during standby. In this state, bills conveyed in an upright position from the bill conveying unit 148 are received and stored between a pair of opposing U-shaped grooves. The posture changing unit 151 has a vertical posture shown in FIG. 36A, and a horizontal posture in which the vertical posture is turned 90 degrees around the lower end (a posture in which the stored banknotes P are laid down, as shown in FIG. 36). (b)) and can be displaced. The posture changer 151 is displaced between a vertical posture and a horizontal posture by a motor (not shown).

The elevator unit 152 conveys the banknotes P that have been placed in the horizontal orientation by the orientation changing unit 151 in the direction in which the paper faces (here, downward) while maintaining the horizontal orientation. The elevator section 152 has a receiving plate 152a that supports the horizontal banknotes P from below, and a pressing plate 152b that sandwiches the banknotes P placed on the receiving plate 152a between the receiving plates 152a from above. . The receiving plate 152a is composed of two plates that support only both ends of the bill P in the width direction. It can pass between two plates of the plate 152a.

During standby, the receiving plate 152a stops at a position where it just abuts on the lower surface of the posture changing portion 151 in the horizontal posture (the lower surface of the pair of U-shaped grooves of the posture changing portion 151 rotated in the horizontal posture). The holding plate 152b is stopped at a position directly above the receiving plate 152a (between the two plates) and higher than the posture changing portion 151 in the vertical posture.

When the banknotes P stored in the posture changing section 151 are conveyed downward by the elevator section 152 and stored in the storage section 154, the temporary storage device 150 operates as follows.

First, as shown in FIG. 36( a ), the posture changing section 151 stands by in a vertical posture, and in this state receives and stores bills P conveyed in an upright posture from the bill conveying section 148 . Next, as shown in FIG. 4(b), the posture changing section 151 falls down to a horizontal posture. The pressing plate 152b is sized and positioned so as to pass through a pair of opposing U-shaped grooves (referred to as penetrating portions) of the posture changing portion 151 in the lateral posture.

After the posture changing portion 151 takes the horizontal posture, the pressing plate 152b of the elevator portion 152 starts to descend (FIG. 36(c)). When the pressing plate 152b reaches the through portion of the posture changing portion 151, the receiving plate 152a also starts to descend at the same speed as the pressing plate 152b, and thereafter the receiving plate 152a and the pressing plate 152b descend together. . As a result, the banknotes P held in the posture changing portion 151 descend while being sandwiched between the receiving plate 152a and the pressing plate 152b of the elevator portion 152. As shown in FIG.

Since the posture changing portion 151 holds only the edge portion of the banknote P, the banknote P is easily separated from the posture changing portion 151 as the elevator portion 152 descends. Then, the bill P is conveyed downward by the elevator section 152 while being sandwiched between the receiving plate 152a and the pressing plate 152b of the elevator section 152 (FIG. 36(d)).

When the elevator section 152 descends below the posture changing section 151 to some extent, the posture changing section 151 returns to the vertical posture (FIG. 36(e)).

When the elevator section 152 descends to a predetermined position, the receiving plate 152a stops descending, and the holding plate 152b continues descending (FIG. 36(e)). The space between the stopped receiving plate 152a and the surface on which the conveying belt 153b of the feeding conveying portion 153 exists serves as a storage portion 154 (see FIGS. 34 and 35).

When the pressing plate 152b continues to descend after the descent of the receiving plate 152a has stopped, the pressing plate 152b passes between the two plates constituting the receiving plate 152a and descends below the receiving plate 152a. At this time, the banknotes P whose both ends are supported by the two plates constituting the receiving plate 152a are pressed by the pressing plate 152b and gradually bend, and eventually both ends come off the receiving plate 152a and fall downward to be stored. It is stored in the portion 154 (FIGS. 36(e) and (f)). In order to separate both ends of the bill P from the receiving plate 152a and drop it downward, the receiving plate 152a may be raised while the pressing plate 152b is lowered.

After that, the elevator section 152 (the receiving plate 152a and the pressing plate 152b) starts to rise (FIG. 36(g)). Then, when the receiving plate 152a rises to the height of the lower end of the posture changing portion 151 (height during standby) (FIG. 36(h)), it stops at that position, and the pressing plate 152b continues to rise to change the posture. It moves to a position higher than the part 151 (standby position) and stops (FIG. 36(i)).

By repeating the above operation, the temporary storage device 150 can store a large number of banknotes P received from the banknote transport unit 148 in the storage unit 154 by converting the banknotes P from the vertical posture to the horizontal posture. About 500 banknotes P can be stored in the storage unit 154 of this example. When the conveyor belt 153b is driven in a state in which banknotes P are present in the storage unit 154, the bottom banknote P among the banknotes P stored in the storage unit 154 is delivered, and along the path indicated by the thick line 156 in FIG. It is conveyed toward the banknote take-in section 103 of the sub-conveyor 13 .

In addition, when the banknotes P are fed out, it is desirable to press the banknotes P downward with the pressing plate 152b as shown in FIG. 36(f). Therefore, when the position of FIG. 36(f) is assumed to be the normal position, and banknotes P are piled up in the posture changing portion 151, the elevator portion 152 is moved as shown in FIGS. , and the banknote P may be conveyed to the storage unit 154 .

In the temporary storage device 150, by rotating the posture changing unit 151 between the vertical posture and the horizontal posture, the posture of the paper money P is changed from a state in which the paper surface is vertical (upright posture) to a state in which the paper surface is horizontal (a lying posture). Therefore, it is possible to change the posture of the banknote P in a smaller space than in the case of adopting a mechanism that changes the posture of the banknote P from a vertical state to a horizontal state by conveying the banknote P while twisting it. can.

Further, when the posture changing portion 151 takes the horizontal posture, the holding plate 152b immediately starts to descend, and when the entire elevator portion 152 descends from the posture changing portion 151, the posture changing portion 151 immediately returns to the vertical posture. The period during which the banknote P cannot be received from the banknote transport section 148 is only a short time, and the recovery of the banknote P within the game machine island 3 is not hindered. In the present embodiment, the return of the posture changing portion 151 to the vertical posture is a condition for the primary recovery device 8 to send out the next auxiliary transport body 16 .

In addition, since the posture changing section 151 can store a plurality of banknotes P, the time during which the elevator section 152 descends for some reason becomes longer, and the banknote transport section 148 transports a plurality of banknotes P during this time. It can accept and store them even if they come.

Note that, as shown in FIG. 36(e), when the pressing plate 152b is lowered from the receiving plate 152a to separate the banknotes P from the receiving plate 152a and move them to the storage unit 154, the banknotes P are stored in disorder. As a result, when the conveying belt 153b of the feeding conveying unit 153 feeds the bills P from the storage unit 154, the bills P may be jammed. For example, as shown in FIG. 37(a), when the pressing plate 152b begins to be lowered below the receiving plate 152a, only one end of the banknote P slides down from the receiving plate 152a. Storage can get messy. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 37(b), a sheet 155 made of a material (for example, natural rubber) that has a frictional force against the banknotes P is attached to the upper surfaces of the two plates that constitute the receiving plate 152a.

When the pressing plate 152b is lowered with respect to the receiving plate 152a to push down the banknotes P from above in order to store the banknotes P placed on the receiving plate 152a of the elevator portion 152 in the storage portion 154, the natural rubber sheet 155 rubs against both ends of the bill P to prevent it from slipping down. As a result, as shown in FIG. 37(b), the central portion of the banknote P pushed down by the action of the pressing plate 152b descends first, and finally both ends come off the receiving plate 152a and fall into the storage portion 154. become. As a result, as shown in FIG. 37(a), the banknote P can be moved and stored in the storage unit 154 in a stable posture, without one end dropping first and disturbing the posture. Subsequent transportation by the delivery transportation unit 153 can also be performed smoothly.

FIG. 38 shows a case where the structure of FIG. 37(b) is further improved. A sheet 155 made of a material (for example, natural rubber) having elasticity and frictional force against the banknotes P is attached to the upper surface of the two plates that constitute the receiving plate 152a and the lower surface of the pressing plate 152b. Furthermore, the inner (billet passage side) ends of the two plates constituting the receiving plate 152a are bent downward to form an inverted L shape, and the elastic and frictional material (sheet 155) is placed on the bill passage side. It is made to protrude. By bending into an inverted L shape, the strength of the receiving plate 152a is increased.

Also, if the material (sheet 155) with frictional force is made of natural rubber or the like, it has elasticity. Since the protruding portion is slightly curved downward, the banknote P falls more smoothly while receiving friction from the sheet 155 . In addition, due to the presence of the elastic sheet 155 provided on the upper surface of the receiving plate 152a and the lower surface of the pressing plate 152b, the bills P are prevented from being damaged or scratched. In the improved type shown in FIG. 38 as well, one end of the banknote P falls first and the posture is disturbed. Subsequent transportation by the delivery transportation unit 153 can also be performed smoothly.

Incidentally, in the primary recovery device 8, as shown in FIG. The space to be secured at the island end for installing the junction box 6 can be made smaller than in the case of adopting a configuration in which the cable is bent 90 degrees via a bending tube just before it is bent.

However, as shown in FIG. 2, in the configuration in which the return transport pipe 12b passes above a plurality of relay boxes 6, as shown in FIG. should face the extending direction Fw of the return transport pipe 12b. Therefore, it is necessary to change the longitudinal direction of the banknotes P flowing into the relay box 6 from the transport pipe 140 of the primary recovery device 8 by 90 degrees. Since it is difficult to change the direction in the relay box 6 in terms of space, as shown in FIG.

Since the transport pipe 140 in the game machine island 3 is directly connected to the relay box 6, transport errors are less likely to occur and transport quality can be improved compared to the case of bending 90 degrees in front of the relay box 6.例文帳に追加In addition, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 23, the door of the relay box 6 faces the front (in the direction in which the island end faces), so that maintenance and inspection of the inside of the relay box 6 can be easily performed by opening the door.

In this embodiment, the relay box 6 is not provided with a banknote determination device for checking the authenticity of the banknotes P or detecting the denomination of the banknotes. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 34, the transport path of the pay-out transport unit 153 that transports the banknotes P from the storage unit 154 of the temporary storage device 150 to the banknote take-in unit 103 of the sub-transport device 13 can be shortened.

Since the relay box 6 is provided on the gaming machine island 3 as described above, the paper sheet collecting and conveying system includes a primary collecting device 8 and a secondary collecting device 10 for collecting and conveying the banknotes P within the gaming machine island 3. is configured as a separate device, bills P collected in the game machine island 3 can be automatically transported to the collective safe 11 in the office. That is, since the relay box 6 converts the posture of the banknotes P from the upright posture to the lying posture, the banknotes P received from the primary recovery device 8 conveying the banknotes P in the upright posture are transferred to the lying posture. can be smoothly delivered to the sub-conveyor 13 that conveys the . In addition, since the temporary storage device 150 has a function of temporarily storing and storing the banknotes P, the timing at which the banknotes P are transported by the primary recovery device 8 and the timing at which the banknotes P should be delivered to the sub-transport device 13 are determined. Ability to absorb timing discrepancies.

In addition, if there is a risk of an abnormality in the transportation route (secondary recovery device 10, etc.) from the relay box 6 to the office collective safe 11 due to a malfunction of the office collective safe 11 or a disaster such as an earthquake, By stopping the use of 11 and switching the relay box 6 to the independent operation mode, it is possible to use it as a conventional island independent safe.

Next, the connecting portion 15 inserted in the middle of the conveying pipe 12 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2 , the conveying pipe 12 of the secondary recovery device 10 is configured by connecting a plurality of conveying pipes with connecting portions 15 . Unlike the primary recovery device 8, the transfer pipe 12 of the secondary recovery device 10 is extended over a very long distance, so expansion and contraction of the transfer pipe 12 due to temperature changes cannot be ignored during construction. When the conveying pipe 12 shrinks, a large gap is generated at the connecting portion, and when it expands, the conveying pipes 12 collide with each other at the connecting portion, resulting in large stress and bending. Such gaps and bends impede smooth movement of the banknotes P and the auxiliary transport body 16 and cause jams.

Therefore, even if the length of the conveying pipe 12 changes due to a change in temperature or the like, the change in the length of the conveying pipe 12 should be absorb with

FIG. 39 is a diagram showing the disconnection between the connecting portion 15 and the conveying pipes 12 before and after the connecting portion 15 . The connecting portion 15 includes a connecting body portion 160 and a connection adapter 170 . In the drawing, the direction in which bills P are conveyed (the direction in which air flows) is indicated by an arrow Fw. Also, the connection body portion 160 is shown with one side wall removed.

FIG. 40 shows the front, left, right, top, and bottom surfaces of the connecting part 15 with the conveying pipe 12 connected thereto. FIG. 41 shows the front, left, right, and top surfaces of the connection adapter 170 . , a bottom view; FIG.

A downstream end portion 172 of the connection adapter 170 is inserted into the upstream connection port 161 of the connecting body portion 160 , and the upstream transport pipe 12 is connected to the upstream connection port 171 of the connection adapter 170 . The downstream side transfer pipe 12 is connected to the downstream side connection port 162 of the connecting body portion 160 .

The inner shape of the upstream connection port 171 of the connection adapter 170 has a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the carrier pipe 12 . Further, the inner shape of the downstream connection port 162 of the connecting body portion 160 has a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the carrier pipe 12 . The conveying pipe 12 is inserted into the upstream connection port 171 of the connection adapter 170 and the downstream connection port 162 of the connecting main body 160 with a thin packing (not shown) made of an elastic material such as rubber covering the outer periphery thereof. connected in an airtight manner.

The inner and outer shapes of the downstream end portion 172 of the connection adapter 170 are substantially the same as those of the conveying pipe 12 , and the inner shape of the upstream connection port 161 of the connecting main body portion 160 is the same as the downstream end of the connection adapter 170 . It has a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the portion 172 . The downstream end portion 172 of the connection adapter 170 is also inserted into the upstream connection port 161 of the connecting body portion 160 in a state of being covered with a packing similar to the above, and is airtightly connected.

The downstream conveying pipe 12 is connected and fixed with its upstream end abutted against an abutment portion 162b provided inside the downstream connection port 162 of the connecting body portion 160 . For example, glued. The upstream carrier pipe 12 is inserted until it hits the back of the upstream connection port 171 of the connection adapter 170 and is connected. Ribs 173 , 174 similar to the ribs 34 , 35 formed on the inside of the carrier tube 12 are formed inside the downstream end 172 of the connection adapter 170 . It protrudes from the downstream end portion 172 by further extending in the downstream direction.

Ribs 163 and 164 are provided on the inner side of the connecting body portion 160 in the same manner as the ribs 34 and 35 of the carrier pipe 12, and when the connection adapter 170 is connected to the connecting body portion 160, the ribs 173 and 174 of the connection adapter 170 are provided. and the ribs 163 and 164 of the connecting body portion 160 are continuous.

FIG. 42 shows how the downstream end portion 172 of the connection adapter 170 is connected to the upstream connection port 161 of the connecting body portion 160 . When the downstream end portion 172 of the connection adapter 170 is inserted into the upstream connection port 161 of the connection body portion 160, the ribs 173 and 174 of the connection adapter 170 and the rib 163 of the connection body portion 160, as shown in FIG. , 164 overlap and continue. 4C shows a state in which the connection adapter 170 has been inserted into the downstream connection port 162 of the connecting main body 160 to the farthest point where it abuts.

At the time of construction, as shown in FIG. As a result, when the length of the carrier tube 12 changes due to contraction and expansion, the change in length can be absorbed by the connecting portion between the connecting body portion 160 and the connection adapter 170 . The position 20 mm before the deepest part is the shallowest connected state, and the connecting part 15 can absorb a change in length due to contraction and expansion by ±10 mm with respect to the time of construction. The ribs 163 and 164 on the side of the connection body 160 and the ribs 173 and 174 on the side of the connection adapter 170 are over a predetermined length (for example, 5 mm) even when the connection adapter 170 is connected to the connection body 160 at the shallowest depth. to rap

FIG. 43 is an enlarged view showing the connection state between the ribs 173 and 174 on the side of the connection adapter 170 and the ribs 163 and 164 on the side of the connecting body 160. FIG. A central rib 163 on the side of the connecting body 160 is divided into two parallel ribs 163a and 163b, and a central rib 173 on the side of the connection adapter 170 is inserted between them. The interval between the two ribs 163a and 164b forming the rib 163 matches the thickness of the rib 173, and the rib 173 is inserted without any gap between the two ribs 163a and 163b. In this way, by inserting the rib 173 on the side of the connection adapter 170 between the two ribs 163 a and 163 b on the side of the connection body 160 , the downstream side of the connection adapter 170 is connected to the upstream connection port 161 of the connection body 160 . To connect a rib 163 on the side of a connecting main body part 160 and a rib 173 on the side of a connection adapter 170 without shifting their positional relationship even if the depth of connection when the end part 172 is connected greatly changes due to contraction and expansion. can be done.

The rib 164 of the connecting main body 160 and the rib 174 of the connection adapter 170 overlap each other so that one side surface of each rib 164 abuts. Here, the ribs 164 abut on the inside and the ribs 174 on the outside. By having the outer ribs 174 press the inner ribs 164 slightly inwardly, they abut and connect smoothly.

Thus, in the connecting portion 15 of the present embodiment, the rib 173 is fitted between the two ribs 163a and 163b instead of simply facing the rib on the side of the connecting body portion 160 and the rib on the side of the connection adapter 170. The length of the ribs to be fitted is set to a length that can absorb fluctuations due to contraction and expansion. As a result, even if there is a change in the temperature of the installation environment, the expansion and contraction of the conveying path due to the temperature change can be absorbed by the connecting portion 15, and the connecting portion of the conveying pipe may have a gap or be bent due to stress. It is possible to prevent inconvenience such as In addition, since the ribs are fitted and connected, the ribs are not misaligned or stepped at the connection points, and the auxiliary conveying body 16 and bills P can pass through smoothly.

As shown in FIG. 42, the connecting body 160 of the connecting portion 15 is provided with a sensor 166 (optical sensor) for detecting passage or catching of the paper currency P or the auxiliary transport body 16 . This is because jamming of banknotes P and catching of the auxiliary conveying body 16 are likely to occur at the connecting portion.

(About the auxiliary blower)
In the return transport pipe 12b, in which the auxiliary transport body 16 moves while transporting the banknotes P, the load is larger than that in the forward transport pipe 12a, which does not push the banknotes P, and the moving speed of the auxiliary transport body 16 tends to decrease. Therefore, an auxiliary blower is provided to strengthen the air flow.

In particular, the larger the game arcade 2, the more the conveying pipe 12 of the secondary numbering device 10 needs to go around a large number of the game machine islands 3, and it may even extend over a plurality of floors. Therefore, the portion where the conveying pipe 12 is curved increases. At the curved portion, the resistance increases and the advance of the auxiliary conveying body 16 is hindered, and the flow of the air flow is likely to be obstructed. In addition, a curved portion is also connected to straight portions before and after the curved portion. Air leaks can occur at the connection points.

Therefore, an auxiliary blower for increasing the air volume is installed at a portion where the conveying pipe 12 is curved. For example, immediately upstream of the curve (immediately before reaching the curve), an auxiliary blower is provided to enhance the downstream airflow. Alternatively, a downstream auxiliary blower may be provided immediately downstream of the curve.

Also, an auxiliary blower may be provided downstream of the most downstream take-in device 14 . That is, after collecting the banknotes P by going around the locations where the relay boxes 6 are installed on each of the game machine islands 3 in the game arcade, the auxiliary transport body 16 moves to the collective safe 11 while transporting the banknotes P. When the collective safe 11 is installed on a floor different from the game machine island 3, the transport pipe 12 from the final take-in device 14 to the collective safe 11 may be long.

In such a case, it is difficult to obtain an air volume sufficient to ensure that the auxiliary transportation body 16 reaches the collective safe 11 only by blowing air from the auxiliary transportation body relay device 17 . Therefore, an auxiliary blower is provided downstream of the most downstream take-in device 14 to increase the air volume. In addition, an auxiliary blower is provided at an appropriate location in the middle of the conveying route as required.

Even if the air volume is increased by the auxiliary blower, there is a possibility that distortion will occur at the connection points on both ends of the curved portion as described above. There is a risk of snagging due to collapsing. Therefore, a release wind blower that generates an air flow (release wind) directed from downstream to upstream or the like is provided downstream of a location where the assisting conveying body 16 is likely to be caught, and the assisting conveying body 16 reaches the location where the assisting conveying body 16 is installed. is not reached, the release air blower is operated to blow release air for a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds), thereby releasing the catching of the auxiliary conveying body 16. - 特許庁An obstacle in which the auxiliary conveying member 16 does not reach a predetermined location is regarded as an auxiliary conveying member conveying error.

For example, immediately upstream of the curve or in the middle of the curve, a release wind blower that generates an air flow (release wind) from downstream to upstream is provided, and when the auxiliary conveying body 16 does not reach the downstream side of the curve, the release is performed. A wind blower is actuated to send release wind to release the catching of the auxiliary conveying body 16.例文帳に追加

The air flow in the normal direction is stopped while the release air is blown. When the feeding of the release is completed, the airflow in the normal direction is generated again to move the auxiliary conveying body 16 to convey the banknotes P. As a result, the catching of the auxiliary conveying body 16 can be released, and the paper money P can be stably conveyed by the auxiliary conveying body 16 .

The location of the release air blower is not limited to the upstream or middle of the curve. Good to have. That is, a release air blower is provided at an appropriate location on the conveying route, particularly downstream of a location where the auxiliary conveying body 16 is likely to be caught, or if there are several locations where the auxiliary conveying body 16 is likely to be caught, the most downstream blower is provided. A release wind blower may be provided immediately downstream of the point. Also, the direction of the release wind is not limited to the direction of flow from downstream to upstream, and the direction of the wind is not limited to one direction because the effect of releasing the catching is obtained by causing a change in the direction of the wind in the conveying pipe.

FIG. 44 shows an example in which a release wind blower 19 is added to the system shown in FIG. The release air blower 19 blows air (introduces release air) upstream from a position downstream of the most downstream intake device 14 (a position before reaching the curved portion). The auxiliary blower 18 blows air downstream from a position downstream of the most downstream intake device 14 (a position immediately after passing through the curved portion) to enhance the forward airflow.

(Auxiliary blower startup setting)
The auxiliary blower is operated for a predetermined period of time based on the time when a sensor (see FIG. 44) provided slightly downstream of its installation position detects passage of the auxiliary conveying body 16 as a reference. Normally, the banknotes P move by being pushed by the auxiliary conveyance body 16, but due to the action of the air flow, the banknotes P may move by themselves without being pushed by the auxiliary conveyance body 16. - 特許庁When the sensor detects the self-propelled banknote P, it erroneously detects that the auxiliary transport body 16 has passed even though the auxiliary transport body 16 has not arrived. At this time, the auxiliary transport body 16 is still upstream of the banknotes P in the transport direction.

When the auxiliary blower is turned on, an airflow stagnation phenomenon occurs around the blower port of the auxiliary blower, and an upstream headwind may occur downstream of the auxiliary blower. Therefore, if the auxiliary blower is activated at the timing when the sensor detects the self-propelled banknote P, movement of the auxiliary conveying body 16 located upstream from the sensor is hindered due to the phenomenon of airflow retention or the occurrence of a headwind. It may cause a transportation auxiliary body transportation error.

Therefore, the following countermeasures were introduced.
1. After the auxiliary conveying body 16 is sent out, the expected passage time required for the auxiliary conveying body 16 to pass through the position where the sensor is used as a reference for the operation timing of the auxiliary blower is set, and after the auxiliary conveying body 16 is sent out. The auxiliary blower is controlled so as not to turn on even if the sensor detects the passage of the object until the expected passage time has elapsed. That is, if the sensor is turned on before the expected passage time elapses, the auxiliary blower is turned on after the elapse of the expected passage time. When the sensor is turned on after the expected passing time has passed, the auxiliary blower is immediately turned on.

2. A test run in which the auxiliary conveying body 16 is moved alone without conveying bills P is continuously performed three times, and the time from when the auxiliary conveying body 16 is sent out to when the auxiliary conveying body 16 is detected by the sensor is automatically measured. , and if the time difference between the three times is within 2 seconds, the latest measurement time is set as the expected passing time.

3. The estimated passage time can be changed by operating the control device (DIP-SW, push button, etc.).

With the above measures, the auxiliary blower is not turned on due to the detection of the self-propelled banknote P by the sensor before the auxiliary conveying body 16 reaches the position where the auxiliary blower is installed. Transport errors are prevented.

(Automatic setting of auxiliary body rotation reference time)
In the paper sheet collecting and conveying system, the auxiliary body circulation reference time is set until the auxiliary conveyance body 16 sent out from the collection safe 11 goes around the conveyance pipe 12 and returns to the collection safe 11, and the auxiliary body circulation reference time is set. Based on the above, it is determined whether or not there is a transport assisting body transport error. The auxiliary body rotation reference time may be manually measured by the operator using a stopwatch or the like for the actual time for the transportation auxiliary body 16 to go around the transportation pipe 12, and may be set based on this. If it can be measured and set to , it saves time and is convenient.

Therefore, the secondary collection device 10 of the paper sheet collection and transportation system automatically performs a test round trip in which the auxiliary transportation body 16 alone goes around the transportation pipe 12 without conveying the banknotes P continuously and automatically a plurality of times. It has a function to automatically measure the circling time and automatically set the auxiliary body circling reference time after considering the equipment configuration. It should be noted that the auxiliary body rotation reference time can be manually changed. By providing an automatic setting function for the auxiliary body rotation reference time, it is possible to reduce the time and effort required for initial setting and avoid human errors during input setting.

(Regarding auxiliary blower control)
If the configuration of the transport route is complicated (many curves, etc.), or if the distance to the collective safe 11 is very long, it becomes necessary to install a plurality of auxiliary blowers 18 at appropriate locations on the transport route. A number of control methods for controlling the one or more auxiliary blowers 18 are provided below. In either control method, each auxiliary blower 18 is controlled so as to be activated in time with the passage of the auxiliary conveying body 16 .

<Single control>
In the independent control, as explained in the section "Auxiliary Blower Startup Setting", when the sensor detects the passage of the auxiliary conveying body 16 provided slightly downstream of the auxiliary blower 18, the operation is judged based on the passage time. , the auxiliary blower 18 is started and operated for a predetermined time. Even if a plurality of auxiliary blowers 18 are installed, each auxiliary blower 18 individually determines the operation. In independent control, if there is a location in the transport path where the air volume is insufficient, it can be dealt with by simply adding an auxiliary blower 18 for independent control upstream of that location. can be easily done.

<Management control>
In management control, the control unit (control unit 27 of the collective safe 11) that controls the overall operation of the secondary recovery device 10 collectively manages the operation timings of the auxiliary blowers 18. FIG. In management control, the timing (elapsed time after delivery) at which the auxiliary transport body 16 passes each point on the transport route is checked and grasped in advance. The passing points are, for example, locations where sensors 166 (see FIG. 42) provided on the connecting portion 15 are installed. Passage is detected by these sensors to check the timing of passing at each point.

Based on the passage timing of each point checked in this way, the activation timing for activating each auxiliary blower 18 is set in advance. The control unit 27 counts the elapsed time from the time when the auxiliary conveying body 16 is sent to the conveying pipe 12, and transmits an operation instruction to each auxiliary blower when the activation timing of the auxiliary blower comes. The auxiliary blower 18 that has received this operation instruction operates the fan for a predetermined period of time and then stops.

As a result, when a plurality of auxiliary blowers 18 are installed, the auxiliary blowers 18 operate for a predetermined time and then stop in order from the one installed upstream.

In the management control, there is no need to provide a judging section for judging the activation timing on the side of the auxiliary blower 18, which simplifies the configuration. In addition, even if a defect or abnormality occurs in the sensor that detects the passage of the auxiliary conveying body while the system is in operation, each auxiliary blower 18 can be operated at a predetermined timing, resulting in a more reliable secondary recovery apparatus. 10 can be provided.

As another method of control, the activation timing of each auxiliary blower 18 checked as described above is set in each auxiliary blower 18, and the control unit 27 indicates that when the conveying auxiliary body 16 is sent out. is notified to each auxiliary blower 18, each auxiliary blower 18 counts the elapsed time after receiving the notification, and autonomously starts the fan when the startup timing set for the device comes. may In this configuration, each auxiliary blower 18 needs a circuit for measuring the elapsed time and determining whether or not the start timing has come. It can work in time.

Next, the structure of the twisted portion 51 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 45, the twisted portion 51 connects a plurality of short sub-twisted tubes 51a that are twisted little by little to achieve a desired twist angle. In this example, ten sub-twisted pipes 51a are connected to form a 90-degree twist, and a connecting portion 51b to the transport pipe 12 is connected to the downstream end thereof. There is no torsion in the connecting portion 51b.

Next, the operation sequence when the secondary recovery device 10 of the paper sheet recovery transport system recovers the banknotes P from the relay box 6 (storage portion of the primary recovery device 8) of each gaming machine island 3 will be described.

FIG. 46 is a diagram showing the above sequence. The control unit 27 of the collective safe 11 inquires of the relay box 6 of each gaming machine island 3 to confirm the number of banknotes P stored in the banknote storage unit 25 of each relay box 6 (P1, P2).

Next, based on the number of banknotes P stored in the banknote storage unit 25 of each relay box 6, the number of banknotes P to be collected from the banknote storage unit 25 of which relay box 6 is determined (P3). , to one or a plurality of relay boxes 6 determined as collection destinations, a banknote discharge instruction designating the number of discharged bills is transmitted (P4).

The relay box 6 that has received the banknote discharge instruction discharges the instructed number of banknotes P from the banknote storage unit 25, and the sub-conveyor 13 installed in the relay box 6 feeds the corresponding take-in device of the return transport pipe 12b. The bill P is transported to 14 (P5). When the take-in device 14 takes in the bill P, the take-in device 14 sends a signal to the control unit 27 of the collective safe 11 to the effect that it has detected that the bill P has been discharged into the return transport pipe 12b. (P6).

When the control unit 27 of the safe deposit box 11 confirms that the banknote P instructed by the banknote discharge instruction has been taken into the transport pipe 12 (return transport pipe 12b) by the take-in device 14, the control unit 27 of the self-device and the transport auxiliary body relay. The device 17 is instructed to start air blowing/sucking operation and send out the auxiliary conveying body 16 (P7).

The control unit 27 of the collective safe 11 actuates the airflow generating device 21 to blow air to the beginning end of the outgoing conveying pipe 12a, suck the airflow from the end of the returning conveying pipe 12b, and insert the auxiliary conveying body. The auxiliary conveying body 16 is delivered to the outward conveying pipe 12a by the device 23 (P8, P9). At the same time, the auxiliary conveying body relay device 17 operates the fan 63 of the blower section 62 to suck the air flow from the terminal end of the forward conveying pipe 12a, While blowing air to the homeward conveying pipe 12b, the auxiliary conveying body 16 is sent out (P10, P11). That is, the delivery of the auxiliary transportation body 16 from the collective safe 11 to the outward transportation pipe 12a and the delivery of the auxiliary transportation body 16 from the auxiliary transportation body relay device 17 to the homeward transportation pipe 12b are performed at the same time.

Sensors provided in the forward conveying pipe 12a and the returning conveying pipe 12b detect passage of the auxiliary conveying member 16 (P12, P13). When the auxiliary transportation body relay device 17 reaches the inflow side connection port 67 of its own device at P8, the auxiliary transportation body 16 sent out from the safe deposit box 11 is received and held by the holding portion 74 (P14). Then, it notifies the control section 27 of the collective safe 11 that it has received and held the auxiliary transport body 16 (P15).

When the auxiliary transport body 16 sent out from the auxiliary transport body relay device 17 to the homeward transport pipe 12b at P11 reaches its own device, the collective safe 11 separates the bills P and the auxiliary transport body 16 by the separating and collecting device 24, The bills P are collected in the bill storage unit 25, and the auxiliary conveying body 16 is moved to the auxiliary conveying body inserting device 23 for the next delivery (P16).

Then, the control section 27 of the safe deposit box 11 instructs its own device and the transportation auxiliary body relay device 17 to stop the blowing/suction operation (P17). In response to this instruction, the airflow generating device 21 of the safe deposit box 11 and the fan 63 of the blower section 62 of the transportation auxiliary body relay device 17 are stopped (P18-P20).

In addition, the transportation auxiliary body relay device 17 that receives this instruction rotates the rotary plate 72 by 180 degrees (P21). When this rotation is completed, the lock (holding) of the auxiliary conveying body 16 by the holding roller 82 of the holding portion 74 moved to the outflow side connection port 68 is automatically released (P22).

The above operation is repeated each time the paper money P is collected.

Next, the operation of the controller 27 of the collective safe 11 to determine how many bills P to collect from which relay box 6 in P3 of the collecting operation will be described.

The secondary recovery device 10 of the paper sheet collection and transport system can recover up to six banknotes P each time the carrier assisting body 16 recovers the banknotes P. As shown in FIG. Also, the number of banknotes P transported by the sub-transport device 13 to the take-in device 14 at one time is restricted to three or less.

The control unit 27 of the collective safe 11 keeps the total number of banknotes P recovered in each recovery operation of the banknotes P within the maximum number of banknotes P recoverable in one recovery operation (6 in this example). In this way, one or more relay boxes 6 to be collected and the number of banknotes P to be collected from each are determined. Further, here, the number of banknotes P to be discharged from one relay box 6 is limited to a predetermined upper limit number or less. The maximum value of the upper limit number is 3, and the upper limit number is changed according to the stock number.

That is, the control unit 27 of the collective safe 11 ensures that the number of banknotes P to be allocated to each relay box 6 does not exceed a set upper limit number (for example, three), and the total number of banknotes P to be collected does not exceed the maximum recoverable number of 6 sheets, and the number of sheets to be discharged is assigned to one or more relay boxes 6.例文帳に追加

The control unit 27 that controls the overall operation of the paper sheet collecting and transporting system controls the number of stored banknotes P (stock number) so that the temporary storage device 150 of each relay box 6 does not become full during business hours. The collection destination and the number of sheets to be discharged at each collection destination are determined so that the relay box 6 has a higher priority for discharge.

The control unit 27 classifies the stock number of banknotes P in each relay box 6 into a plurality of levels, and manages the relay boxes 6 by grouping them by level. Each relay box 6 can store about 500 bills P, so as shown in FIG. 47, they are divided into seven levels (G1 to G7) for management. FIG. 47 shows the relationship among the groups (G1 to G7), the number of stocks, and the order of recovery priority.

In this example, G1 is a group with 1 stock, G2 is a group with 2 stocks, G3 is a group with 3 to 9 stocks, G4 is a group with 10 to 49 stocks, and G5 is a group with 10 to 49 stocks. A group with a stock number of 50 to 149 sheets, a G6 group with a stock number of 150 to 254 sheets, and a G7 group with a stock number of 255 or more sheets.

G7 has the highest recovery priority, G6, G5, G4, G3, and G2 have lower priority in order, and G1 has the lowest recovery priority.

G1 and G2 are provided so that the number of sheets less than the maximum number (three sheets) that can be instructed to be discharged to one relay box 6 is grouped by the number of stock sheets. If G1 and G2 are not provided and G3 is the group with the smallest number of stock sheets, even if the relay box 6 belonging to G3 is instructed to discharge 3 sheets, the actual number of stock sheets is 2 or 1. In that case, only the number of stock sheets is discharged. In order to prevent such a situation, G1 and G2 are provided so that the same number of bills P as the number of bills P to be discharged instructed by the control unit 27 are discharged from the relay box 6 .

For example, when there are four relay boxes 6 of G1 (the number of stock is 1) and one relay box 6 of G2 (the number of stock is 2), the four relay boxes 6 belonging to G1 have bills P , one by one, and one relay box 6 belonging to G2 is instructed to discharge two banknotes P.

In addition, even when the number of sheets in stock is large, a plurality of groups (G4 to G7) are set according to the number of sheets in stock, so it is possible to preferentially discharge from the relay box 6 with a large number of sheets in stock. Specifically, since G4 to G7 are provided, discharge can be controlled more finely than when all 10 or more sheets are classified into one group.

The control unit 27 determines the number of bills P to be discharged and the collection destination so that the bills P are collected preferentially from the relay box 6 having the larger number of stock bills.

In addition, the control unit 27 classifies the relay boxes 6 into a plurality of groups based on the number of stock sheets, and limits the number of discharge sheets allocated to one relay box 6 within a predetermined upper limit number in order from the group with the largest number of stock sheets. After that, the number of discharged bills P and the collection destination are determined by allocating the number of discharged bills as evenly as possible to the relay boxes 6 belonging to the same group.

For example, if there are 6 or more relay boxes 6 belonging to G7, 6 relay boxes 6 out of them are allotted one sheet each. If there is only one relay box 6 belonging to G7 and there are two relay boxes 6 belonging to G6, three cards are assigned to the one relay box 6 belonging to G7, and one of the relay boxes 6 belonging to G6. Assign 2 cards to the table and 1 card to the other table.

Also, the upper limit number of sheets (upper limit number of discharge sheets assigned to one relay box 6) set for the group whose stock number is less than the predetermined number is made smaller than the upper limit number set for the group whose stock number is equal to or greater than the predetermined number. In this example, the upper limit number is 3 for G4 and above, and 2 for G3 and below.

If the total number of sheets does not reach 6 as a result of allocating the number of sheets to be discharged while the upper limit number of sheets is limited to 2, the upper limit of the number of sheets may be changed to 3 sheets. In addition, if the total number of ejected sheets does not reach the maximum number of sheets (6 sheets) that can be collected in one collection operation even after going through all groups by allocating the number of sheets to be discharged in order from the group with the largest number of stock sheets , the remaining number of ejected sheets may be assigned in order from the relay box 6 belonging to the group with the largest number of stocked sheets. For example, if there are only G3 and below, even if the upper limit number of sheets is set to 2 and the number of ejected sheets is assigned to these, if the total number of sheets does not reach 6, the upper limit number of sheets for G3 is changed to 3 sheets, and from G3 onwards An operation such as allocating the remaining number of sheets is performed.

A specific example of the method of determining the collection destination and the number of sheets to be discharged will be described below.

Depending on what groups (G1 to G7) exist in the entire system, control is performed by dividing into the following three patterns.

<Pattern 1>
When there is a relay box 6 corresponding to G4 or higher In this case, the relay box 6 with a higher priority is preferentially discharged.

The specific procedure is as follows: Allocate the number of ejected sheets in order from the group with the highest priority.
Set the upper limit of the number of sheets to be discharged to one relay box 6 to 3, and make the number of sheets to be discharged as even as possible, and allocate them to the same group until the total number of sheets to be discharged reaches 6.
If the total number of ejected sheets does not reach 6 even after assigning the number of ejected sheets to all the relay boxes 6 belonging to the group, the number of ejected sheets is assigned to the group with the next highest priority.

In the example shown in FIG. 48(a), since there are seven relay boxes 6 belonging to G7, six of them (IDs 1 to 6) are evenly assigned one sheet each. In the example shown in FIG. 4B, since there are five relay boxes 6 (ID1 to 5) belonging to G7, the relay box 6 of ID1 is assigned 2 sheets as the number of sheets to be discharged, and the other relay boxes 6 (ID2 to 5) ) is assigned one sheet as the number of sheets to be discharged. For example, the first sheet is sequentially allocated to each relay box 6 belonging to G7, and if the number of sheets is less than 6 after one round, the second sheet is sequentially allocated to the relay box 6 belonging to G7 as the second round. should be done.

In the example shown in FIG. 4(c), since there are three relay boxes 6 (IDs 1 to 3) belonging to G7, two sheets are assigned as the number of output sheets to each. In the example shown in FIG. 4D, as the assignment work of the first stage, since there is only one relay box 6 (ID1) belonging to G7, the upper limit number of 3 sheets is assigned to the relay box 6 as the number of sheets to be discharged. Then, as the second stage allocation work, the remaining number of sheets is allocated to the next highest priority group. In this example, since there is only one relay box 6 (ID2) belonging to G6, which has the next highest priority, the upper limit number of 3 sheets to be discharged is assigned to the relay box 6 (ID2).

<Pattern 2>
When all the relay boxes 6 are G3 or less and there is a relay box 6 belonging to G3 [a] When the number of G3 is only one upper limit number of sheets), and assigning the remaining four sheets to G2 or less, the number of relay boxes 6 of G2 or less is reduced.

The specific procedure is as follows: Allocate 2 sheets (maximum number of sheets) as the number of ejected sheets to one relay box 6 belonging to G3, and allocate the remaining 4 sheets to the relay box 6 belonging to G2 or lower.
- If there is a relay box 6 belonging to G2, 2 sheets (upper limit number of sheets) is assigned to each relay box 6 belonging to G2.
- If the total number of cards does not reach 6, the remaining cards are assigned to each relay box 6 belonging to G1.
・If the total number of sheets does not reach 6, increase the number of sheets discharged from the relay box belonging to G3 to 3 (raise the upper limit number of sheets from 2 to 3).
・If the total number of sheets still does not reach 6, the allocation process is terminated.

In the example shown in FIG. 49(a), as the first-stage allocation work, 2 sheets (upper limit number of sheets) are allocated as the number of discharged sheets to one relay box 6 (ID1) belonging to G3. As the assignment work of the second stage, since there are two relay boxes 6 (ID2, 3) belonging to G2, two sheets are assigned as the number of output sheets to each. Since the total number of sheets has now reached 6, the allocation process ends.

In FIG. 4B, as the assignment work of the first stage, 2 sheets (upper limit number of sheets) are allocated as the number of discharged sheets to one relay box 6 (ID1) belonging to G3. Next, as the assignment work of the second stage, since there is only one relay box 6 (ID2) belonging to G2, 2 sheets (upper limit number of sheets) is assigned as the number of sheets to be discharged. At this stage, the total number of sheets is still 4, and therefore, as a third-stage allocation operation, 1 sheet is allocated as the number of sheets to be discharged to each relay box 6 (ID3, 4) belonging to G1. Since the total number of sheets reaches 6, the allocation process ends.

In the case of FIG. 4C, as the first stage allocation work, 2 sheets (upper limit number of sheets) are allocated to one relay box 6 (ID1) belonging to G3, and as the second stage allocation work, G2 Since there is only one relay box 6 (ID2) belonging to , 2 sheets (upper limit number of sheets) is assigned to this as the number of sheets to be discharged. Furthermore, as the assignment work of the third stage, one sheet is assigned as the number of sheets to be discharged to the relay box 6 (ID3) belonging to G1. At this stage, the total number of sheets is 5, so as a remaining process, the number of sheets discharged from the relay box 6 of ID1 belonging to G3 is incremented by 1 to make 3 sheets. Since the total number of sheets has now reached 6, the allocation process ends. That is, since the total number of sheets does not reach 6 even after going through each group, the upper limit number of sheets for G3 is increased to 3, and the remaining number of sheets is allocated again in order from the group with the largest number of stock sheets.

[b] When the number of G3 units is 2 Reduce box 6.

The specific procedure is as follows: Allocate 2 sheets (maximum number of sheets) as the number of ejected sheets to each of the two relay boxes 6 belonging to G3, and allocate the remaining 2 sheets to the relay boxes 6 belonging to G2 and below.
If there is a relay box 6 belonging to G2, 2 sheets (upper limit number of sheets) is assigned to the relay box 6 belonging to G2.
- If the total number of cards does not reach 6, the remaining cards are assigned to each relay box 6 belonging to G1.
・If the total number of sheets does not reach 6, increase the number of sheets discharged from the relay box belonging to G3 to 3 (raise the upper limit number of sheets from 2 to 3).

In the example shown in FIG. 50(a), as the assignment work of the first stage, two relay boxes 6 (ID1, 2) belonging to G3 are assigned two output sheets (upper limit number of sheets). As the assignment work of the second stage, there are two relay boxes 6 (IDs 3 and 4) belonging to G2. Since the total number of sheets has now reached 6, the allocation process ends.

In FIG. 4B, as the first stage assignment work, two relay boxes 6 (ID1) belonging to G3 are assigned two sheets (upper limit number of sheets) as the number of output sheets. Next, as the assignment work of the second stage, assignment to the relay box 6 belonging to G2 is performed. However, in this example, there is no relay box 6 belonging to G2, so no assignment is performed. Next, assignment to the relay box 6 belonging to G1 is performed as the assignment work of the third stage. Since there are four relay boxes 6 (IDs 3 to 7) belonging to G1, two of them (IDs 3 and 4) are assigned one sheet as the number of sheets to be discharged. Since the total number of sheets reaches 6, the allocation process ends.

In FIG. 4(c), as the first stage assignment work, two relay boxes 6 (ID1) belonging to G3 are assigned two sheets (upper limit number of sheets) as the number of output sheets. Next, as the assignment work of the second stage, assignment to the relay box 6 belonging to G2 is performed. However, in this example, there is no relay box 6 belonging to G2, so no assignment is performed. As the assignment work of the third stage, assignment to the relay box 6 belonging to G1 is performed. Since there is only one relay box 6 (ID3) belonging to G1, one sheet is assigned to the relay box 6 (ID3) as the number of sheets to be discharged. At this stage, the total number of sheets is 5, so as a remaining process, the number of sheets discharged from the relay box 6 of ID1 belonging to G3 is incremented by 1 to make 3 sheets. Since the total number of sheets has now reached 6, the allocation process ends. In the remaining processing, the upper limit number of sheets for G3 is raised from 2 sheets to 3 sheets.

[c] When the number of units in G3 is 3 or more The output number is assigned only to the relay box 6 of G3, and priority is given to output from the relay box 6 of G3.

The specific procedure is as follows: Allocate the number of sheets to be discharged one by one to the relay box 6 belonging to G3.
・If the total number of ejected sheets does not reach 6, allocate them again one by one in descending order of the number of stock sheets.

In the example shown in FIG. 51(a), there are seven relay boxes 6 (IDs 1 to 7) belonging to G3. In the example shown in FIG. 4B, since there are four relay boxes 6 (IDs 1 to 4) belonging to G3, one card is assigned to each. Since the total number of cards is 4 and does not reach 6, the relay boxes 6 belonging to G3 are sequentially allocated one by one until the total number of cards reaches 6. In this example, the second sheet is assigned to the relay boxes 6 of ID1 and ID2.

In the assignment in pattern 2, the upper limit of the number of output sheets that can be assigned to one relay box 6 belonging to G3 is set to 2, which is less than the upper limit of 3 sheets that can be assigned to the relay box 6 belonging to G4 or higher groups. I have As a result, the banknotes P are collected by distributing them to more relay boxes 6.例文帳に追加

<Pattern 3> Case where all relay boxes 6 are G2 or less In this case, 1 sheet (maximum number of sheets) is assigned to each relay box 6 in descending order of stock sheets.

In the example shown in FIG. 52(a), there are two relay boxes 6 (IDs 1 and 2) belonging to G2 and five relay boxes 6 (IDs 3 to 7) belonging to G1. Each of the relay boxes 6 (IDs 1 and 2) is preferentially assigned one card, and then four of the relay boxes 6 (IDs 3 to 6) belonging to G1 are assigned one card each.

In the example shown in FIG. 4(b), there are two relay boxes 6 (ID1, 2) belonging to G2 and three relay boxes 6 (ID3 to 5) belonging to G1. One sheet is preferentially assigned to each relay box 6 (ID1, 2), and then one sheet is assigned to each of the three relay boxes 6 (ID3 to 5) belonging to G1. Since the total number of sheets at this stage is 5 and does not reach 6, the number of sheets to be discharged from the relay box 6 of ID1 belonging to G2 is incremented by 1 to make it 2 sheets. Since the total number of sheets has now reached 6, the allocation process ends. This corresponds to raising the upper limit number of sheets for G2 from 1 sheet to 2 sheets and performing the allocation again.

Note that the above allocation method is an example, and is not limited to this.

In addition, regardless of the number of sheets in stock, the administrator or the like can arbitrarily set and change the priority order for the relay box 6 . For example, when the administrator switches the collection mode of the secondary collection device 10 to the special collection mode after the end of business hours, the control unit 27 controls the relay box 6 having the higher priority set as described above. The collection destination and the number of discharged bills to be instructed to each collection destination are determined so that the banknotes P are collected preferentially.

For example, during business hours, banknotes P continue to be thrown into the game ball lending machine 4 of the game machine island 3 where many popular machines are installed, so the banknotes P are stocked in the relay box 6 of the game machine island 3. In the control during operation to preferentially collect banknotes P from the relay box 6 with a large number of stocked banknotes, the uneven stock amount of banknotes P between the game machine islands 3 may not be eliminated. In addition, after the end of business, there are many cases in which it is desired to quickly replace the gaming machine 5 or carry out maintenance on a specific gaming machine island 3 . In order to meet such a demand, by switching to a special collection mode after business hours, bills P can be collected according to an arbitrarily set priority.

Next, an error display device provided in the paper sheet collecting and conveying system will be described.

FIG. 53 shows the front of the error indicator 180 of the paper sheet collecting and conveying system. The error display device 180 has a function of displaying an error occurrence location in an easy-to-understand manner. The error display machine 180 displays the layout of the secondary collection device 10 installed in the game arcade 2 . The display is customized for each game hall 2 .

The error display device 180 has a vertical conveying path display section 181 and a horizontal conveying path display section 182 as layout display sections. The vertical conveying path display portion 181 simulates the conveying path from the ceiling space on the first floor to the collective safe 11 of the office on the fourth floor. The horizontal transport path display section 182 displays the status of the transport path behind the ceiling on the first floor and the relay box 6 on the first floor.

Further, the error indicator 180 has a message display section 183 , up/down buttons 184 and an alarm button 185 . The message display unit 183 displays the contents of the error when an error occurs. Up and down buttons 184 are used to select which error to display when multiple errors occur. Alarm button 185 lights up when an error occurs. When an error occurs, the effect is notified to the intercom inserted by the staff of the game hall. When the alarm button 185 is pressed while it is lit, the error output to the intercom stops.

In the vertical conveying path display portion 181 and the horizontal conveying path display portion 182, patterns corresponding to the game machine islands 3 and the conveying pipes 12 are displayed according to the layout of the game hall 2, and furthermore, the relay boxes are superimposed on the patterns. 6 and icons corresponding to passing sensors installed at various locations along the transport pipe 12 are displayed. When the gaming machine island 3 is installed on a plurality of floors, it is possible to switch which floor's status is to be displayed on the horizontal transportation path display section 182 . When an error occurs, the state of the floor where the error occurred may be automatically displayed.

When an error occurs, the location where the error occurred flashes in red. When an abnormality occurs in the auxiliary blower 18 or the transportation auxiliary body relay device 17, only that part blinks in red. When jamming of the bills P or the auxiliary conveying body 16 occurs, as shown in FIG. The part corresponding to the transport tube flashes red.

In this way, the content of the error and the location of the error are displayed in an easy-to-understand manner by the error display device 180, so that the error can be dealt with quickly. A plurality of error display machines 180 may be provided at various locations in the game arcade 2 .

As described above, the paper sheet collection and transport system according to the present embodiment collects banknotes P collected by the primary collection device 10 on each of the plurality of game machine islands 3 arranged in the game hall 2, and distributes them to each game. Since the banknotes P are collected from the machine island 3 and transported to the collective cashbox 11 in the office by the secondary recovery device 10, the banknotes P can be safely collected from each game machine island 3 to the collective cashbox 11 in the office without trouble.

Next, an improved version of the transfer auxiliary body relay device 19 will be described.

Figures 55 and 56 show the relay section 61B of the improved transport auxiliary body relay device 19B. In the improved auxiliary conveying body relay device 19B, when the auxiliary conveying body 16 sent out from the collective safe 11 does not normally reach the auxiliary conveying body relay device 19B, the second auxiliary conveying body 16 is sent from the collective safe 11. The following two points were improved in order to deal with the problem that would occur when sending out to the transportation auxiliary body relay device 19B.

(Improvement 1)
To prevent a part of a second auxiliary conveying body 16 from entering a holding part 74 in a state where the holding part 74 receives the first auxiliary conveying body 16.例文帳に追加
FIG. 55(a) shows the relay unit 61 of the pre-improved auxiliary conveying body relay device 19 when two auxiliary conveying bodies 16 arrive in succession, and FIG. The relay unit 61 of the auxiliary body relay device 19B is shown. In the auxiliary conveying body relay device 19 before improvement, the position where the holding part 74 holds the first auxiliary conveying body 16 is a deep position of the holding part 74, so when the second auxiliary conveying body 16 reaches in succession, , part of it enters the holding portion 74, and the second auxiliary conveying body 16 stops at a position straddling both the inflow side connection port 67 (fixed side) and the holding portion 74 (rotating side). Therefore, if an attempt is made to rotate the rotary plate 72 in this state, the second auxiliary conveying body 16 will be caught between the inflow-side connection port 67 and the holding portion 74, and the rotation of the rotary plate 72 will be hindered. .

Therefore, in the improved auxiliary conveying body relay device 19B shown in FIG. The second conveying auxiliary body 16 is prevented from entering the holding part 74 when it comes into contact with the second conveying auxiliary body 16.例文帳に追加As a result, the second auxiliary conveying body 16 does not stop at a position straddling both the inflow side connection port 67 (fixed side) and the holding portion 74 (rotary side), so that the rotation of the rotary plate 72 is not hindered. .

In the improved auxiliary conveying body relay device 19B, the receiving portion 81 is lengthened toward the downstream side in order to make the position where the holding portion 74 holds the auxiliary conveying body 16 shallow, and the pair of holding arms 83 extend toward the base plate 71. The rear end of the side is pivotally supported, and the end on the inflow side connection port 67 side is provided with a holding roller 82 to open and close. Also, the positions of the release plate 84 and the release roller 85 are changed. Furthermore, the position of the transmissive optical sensor 75 for detecting the auxiliary conveying member 16 held by the holding portion 74 is changed as the position for holding the auxiliary conveying member 16 becomes shallower.

(Improvement 2)
While the rotating plate 72 is rotating, the inflow-side connection port 67 is closed so that the auxiliary conveying body 16 does not pass through the inflow-side connection port 67 .
In the auxiliary conveying body relay device 19 before the improvement, while the rotating plate 72 is rotating, the auxiliary conveying body 16 coming from upstream flows in even though the holding portion 74 is not positioned at the back of the inflow side connection port 67. Since it was in a state where it could pass through the side connection port 67 and enter the relay portion 61 , when the second auxiliary conveying body 16 arrived in this state, the second auxiliary conveying body 16 would move to the holding portion 74 . Without being caught by the air, it jumps into the suction duct 65 or falls into the relay portion 61 to hinder the rotation of the rotary plate 72 .

Therefore, in the improved auxiliary conveying body relay device 19B, as shown in FIG. was established.

The guard plate 87 shown in FIG. 56 is an annular plate obtained by hollowing out a concentric small circle from a disc concentric with the rotating plate 72 and having a radius just covering the holding portion 74, and the portion covering the holding portion 74 is removed. It is a metal plate having a shape corresponding to the remaining portion, and is attached to the rotating plate 72 so as to be flush with the upper end of the holding portion 74 (the opening at the end on the inflow side connection port 67 side). rotate with The guard plate 87 faces the outlet of the inflow-side connection port 67 and closes the inflow-side connection port 67 during rotation when the holding portion 74 is not positioned to face the inflow-side connection port 67 .

Here, the guard plate 87 is divided into two with the holding portion 74 as a boundary for convenience in manufacturing and mounting. A collar portion 88 that forms the same plane as the guard plate 87 and spreads outward is provided on the peripheral edge of the opening of the holding portion 74 on the inflow side connection port 67 side. The collar portion 88 is aligned with the outer periphery of the opening of the holding portion 74 on the inflow side connection port 67 side when the holding portion 74 is slightly displaced from the position facing the front side of the inflow side connection port 67, such as immediately after the start of rotation or immediately before the end of rotation. It plays a role of closing a small gap generated between it and the inflow side connection port 67 .

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the specific configurations are not limited to those shown in the embodiments, and modifications and additions may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. is also included in the present invention.

In the embodiment, the primary recovery device 8 in the game machine island 3 also adopts a transport method using the air flow and the transport auxiliary body 16. Any method is acceptable. Furthermore, the secondary recovery device 10 is not limited to the transport method using the transport auxiliary body 16 that moves under the action of the air flow. For example, a self-propelled moving body may move in the transport tube 12 to collect banknotes. Any transport method may be used for the secondary recovery device as long as it is a transport device that limits the maximum number of sheets that can be transported in one recovery operation.

In the embodiment, the carrier pipe 12 is installed above the ceiling, but it may be configured to be piped near the ceiling or under the floor. In the case of underfloor, the sub-conveyor 13 may convey bills discharged from the rear surface of the relay box 6 downward.

In the embodiment, the conveying pipe 12 is arranged in the vertical direction and in the horizontal plane, but the conveying pipe 12 may be installed at an angle. For example, in the case of a slanted ceiling, the conveying pipe 12 may be slanted along the ceiling.

The gaming machine island 3 is not limited to the configuration that accommodates the pachinko machine and the game ball lending machine illustrated in the embodiment, and may be a gaming machine island that accommodates a token lending machine, a slot machine, and the like.

It should be noted that the shape of the transport assisting body 16 is not limited to that shown in the embodiment. For example, it may have a columnar shape such as a rectangular or polygonal cross section. Further, although the auxiliary transfer body 16 has a symmetrical shape with respect to the central portion in the Y direction, it may have an asymmetrical shape in the Y direction.

In the embodiment, paper money P is used as an example of paper sheets, but other types of paper sheets such as tickets and cards may be used. Also, the shape of the paper sheet is not limited to a rectangle. Also, the installation location of the paper sheet collecting and conveying system is not limited to the game hall, and may be other facilities.

In the embodiment, the cross section of the transfer pipe 12 is substantially rectangular, but it may be circular, elliptical, or any other shape. However, it is preferable that the auxiliary conveying body has a shape corresponding to the shape of the inner edge, covering substantially the entire cross section. Also, it is preferable to provide a plurality of ribs to narrow the substantial passage width of the paper sheets.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2... Game center 3... Game machine island 4... Game ball lending machine 5... Game machine 6... Relay box 8... Primary recovery device 10... Secondary recovery device 11... Collective vault 12... Transfer pipe 12a... Forward transfer pipe 12b... Return trip Conveying pipe 13 Sub-conveying device 14 Take-in device 15 Connecting portion 16 Auxiliary conveying body 16a Head 16b Neck 16c Large diameter portion 16d Narrow portion 17 Auxiliary conveying body relay device 18 Auxiliary blower 19 Release wind blower 21 Airflow generating device 22 Banknote separating/conveying auxiliary body circulating device 23 Carrying auxiliary body inserting device 24 Separating and collecting device 25 Banknote storage unit 26 Banknote transport unit 27 Control unit 28 Guide passage 29 Waiting place 32 Side wall part 33 Extension part 34 Rib 34a Slope 36 Guide rail 37 Connection wall part 41 Holding part 42 Receiving part 43 Slit 45 Delivery part 46 Movable arm 51 Twisted part 51a Sub-twisted pipe 51b Connection portion 61 Relay portion 62 Blower portion 63 Fan 65 Suction duct 66 Blower duct 67 Inflow side connection port 68 Outflow side connection port 71 Base plate 71a Suction duct connection port 71b Air duct connection port 72 Rotating plate 72a Ventilation hole 73 Support shaft 74 Holding part 75 Sensor 76 Transmissive optical sensor 81 Receiving part 82 Holding roller 83 Holding arm 84 Releasing plate 85 Releasing roller DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 87... Guard plate 88... Collar part 91... Side rib 92... Guide rib 93... Guide rib 101... Sub-transport pipe 101a... Opening 102... Upflow generating part 102a... Fan 102b... Ventilation duct 103... Bill take-in part 104... Passage part 104b ... Opening 104c... Inlet 105a... Conveyor roller 105b... Conveyor belt 121... Passage part 122... Conveyor part 123... Banknote guide path 124... Conveyor belt 125a... Delivery roller 125b... Delivery belt 126... Shutter 128... Sandwiching roller 129... Movable arm 129a... Supporting point 130... Solenoid 131... Bill detection sensor 140... Conveying pipe 142... Bill take-in device 144... Air flow generating device 145... Bill separating/conveying auxiliary body circulating device 146... Conveying auxiliary body inserting device 147... Separating and collecting device 148 Banknote conveying unit 150 Temporary storage device 151 Attitude changing unit 152 Elevator unit 152a Receiving plate 152b Pressing plate 153 Delivery conveying unit 153b Conveying belt 154 Collecting Receiving portion 155 Natural rubber sheet 156 Thick line indicating conveying path 160 Connection body portion 161 Upstream side connection port 162 Downstream side connection port 162b Hitting portion 163 Rib (center)
163a, 163b...Two parallel ribs 164...Ribs (both sides)
166... Sensor 170... Connection adapter 171... Upstream connection port 172... Downstream end 173... Rib (center)
174... Ribs (both sides)
180 Error indicator 181 Vertical conveying path display section 182 Horizontal conveying path display section 183 Message display section 184 Up/down button 185 Alarm button Dx Distance between reference plane portions of conveying pipe Dy Y of conveying pipe Inner dimension of direction Ds... Shift amount FW... Extending direction of conveying pipe M... Path of banknote conveying part P, P1, P2, P3... Banknote W... Passage width X... Passage width direction of conveying pipe Y... Height of conveying pipe direction

Claims (1)

a receiving plate;
a pressing plate capable of holding paper sheets between the receiving plate;
an opening provided in the receiving plate through which the pressing plate can pass;
a first elastic body provided on the side of the receiving plate holding the paper sheet and protruding into the opening;
a second elastic body provided on the surface of the presser plate on the sheet holding side and protruding outward;
a moving mechanism for moving the receiving plate and the pressing plate;
a control unit;
has
The control unit moves the presser plate and the presser plate so that the presser plate passes through the opening when the sheet held between the presser plate and the presser plate is detached from the receiver plate. move relative to
The paper sheet undergoes a process in which the projecting portion of the first elastic body and the protruding portion of the second elastic body are bent by being pushed by the paper sheet passing through the opening. , and the paper sheet holding device, which is separated from the receiving plate.

Images