JP7373188B2 - Paper sheet conveyance device - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a paper sheet conveying device that conveys paper sheets such as banknotes using airflow generated within a conveying pipe.

Inside the gaming machine island, there are multiple sets of gaming ball rental machines that rent out gaming balls (pachinko balls, etc.) to players upon insertion of banknotes, and gaming machines such as pachinko machines. A conveying device is provided along the longitudinal direction of the gaming machine island for transporting banknotes inserted into each gaming ball lending machine to a safe provided at the end of the gaming machine island.

Furthermore, in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 below, store clerks go around each gaming machine island after closing to collect banknotes stored in the safes of each gaming machine island dispersed within the gaming hall and carry out store operations. In order to reduce the work of transporting and storing banknotes in a main safe at a certain place, a conveyance device has been disclosed that collects banknotes from the safes of each game machine island in a gaming hall and automatically transports them to a main safe in an office.

Conventionally, belt conveyance methods have been the mainstream for conveying paper sheets such as banknotes, but in recent years, pneumatic conveyance methods have emerged that utilize air flow generated within conveyance tubes to convey paper sheets. One of them is as shown in FIG. 20(a), in which an air flow from upstream to downstream is generated in a conveying pipe 200 using a blower or the like, and a conveying auxiliary body 210 that moves within the pipe receives this air flow to remove paper. There is a method of transporting the leaves P by pushing them from behind.

The conveyance auxiliary body 210 shown in FIG. 20 has a cylindrical shape with small diameter portions 211 at both ends and a large diameter portion 212 near the center in the axial direction, and the large diameter portion 212 is in contact with the rear end of the paper sheet P. It is designed to push the paper sheet P in contact with it. The shape of the inner edge of the conveyance tube 200 corresponds to the shape of the outer edge of the auxiliary conveyance body 210, and there is a gap between the auxiliary conveyance body 210 and the inner wall of the conveyance tube 200 that allows for smooth movement while maintaining the posture of the auxiliary conveyance body 210. A small amount of clearance has been secured to ensure this.

JP 2018-2378 Publication Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-198617

In the system shown in FIG. 20, a paper sheet P in a vertical position is pushed and transported by a transport auxiliary body 210 in a vertical position with its axis upright. In the case of a conveyance system that collects banknotes from a safe on an island and transports them to the main safe in an office, there are places along the conveyance route where paper sheets P are conveyed in a horizontal position with the paper surface lying horizontally. , curved points will be provided to change the course left/right or up/down.

FIG. 21 shows a state in which the transport auxiliary body 210 pushes the paper sheet P in a horizontal position, as seen from the upstream side and from the side. In addition, in the figure, only the shape of the rear end of the sheet is shown when viewed from the upstream side, and only the rear end of the sheet when viewed from the side. When paper sheets are transported in a horizontal position, both the paper sheets P and the transport auxiliary body 210 move toward the lower part of the transport tube 200 due to gravity, as shown in FIG. 21(a). At this time, the conveyance auxiliary body 210 rotates with the small diameter portions 211 at both ends contacting the lower inner wall of the conveyance tube 200, and as a result of this rotation, the conveyance auxiliary body 210 rotates, as shown in FIG. It floats up as if riding on top of the leaves P (the conveyance auxiliary body 210 floats up until it comes into contact with the upper rib 202 that regulates its position). Then, as shown in Figure (c), the paper sheet P that had been biased downward begins to be rolled up under the large diameter portion 212 of the floating conveyance auxiliary body 210, and eventually as shown in Figure (d). As a result, paper sheets P get stuck between the large diameter portion 212 of the conveyance auxiliary body 210 and the inner wall of the conveyance tube 200, resulting in clogging.

In addition, a similar phenomenon may occur in a curved conveyance tube that changes the course left/right or up and down, or immediately after exiting a curved conveyance tube, even if paper sheets are conveyed in a vertical position. That is, at a curved portion, centrifugal force causes both the paper sheets and the conveyance auxiliary body to move toward the outer circumference of the curve. Therefore, the conveyance auxiliary body rotates with its small diameter part coming into contact with the inner wall on the outer circumferential side of the conveying pipe, and as a result of this rotation, it rolls in the paper sheets and rides on the paper sheets, so that it moves toward the inner circumferential side of the conveying pipe. It is displaced so that it is biased toward the center. Then, the paper sheets that are biased toward the outer circumference get stuck between the conveyance auxiliary body that is biased toward the inner circumference and the inner wall on the outer circumference of the conveyance tube, causing a jam. Immediately after exiting the curved conveyance pipe, the deviation at the curved section continues due to inertia, so a phenomenon similar to that at the curved section occurs.

The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problem, and prevents paper sheets from becoming entangled or jammed even in locations where paper sheets or conveyance aids are biased toward one inner wall of the conveyance pipe due to gravity or centrifugal force. It is an object of the present invention to provide a paper sheet conveying device that can maintain smooth conveyance by preventing such problems.

The gist of the present invention for achieving this object resides in the inventions described in the following section.

[1] Conveyance in which an airflow is generated in a conveyance tube, and paper sheets inserted into the conveyance tube with the paper surface in a posture along the extending direction of the conveyance tube are moved within the conveyance tube by receiving the air flow. A sheet conveying device that conveys paper sheets by pushing them from the rear with an auxiliary body,
The thickness direction of the paper sheets inserted into the transport tube is the width direction of the passage of the transport pipe,
The conveying pipe includes a first regulating part that regulates the position of the paper sheet in the passage width direction to a first range, and a second regulating part that regulates the position of the conveyance auxiliary body in the passage width direction to a second range. has
The conveyance auxiliary body has a size in the passage width direction of a portion whose position is regulated by the second regulating portion is larger than the first range;
the first range is included within the second range,
A paper sheet conveying device, wherein the center of the first range and the center of the second range are shifted from each other.

1 is a diagram showing an example of the layout of a game parlor in which a paper sheet conveying device according to the present invention is installed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure which shows the whole paper sheet conveyance apparatus based on this invention. It is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an island banknote conveyance device installed on a game island. It is a figure which shows a mode that a conveyance auxiliary body pushes and moves the banknote in the conveyance pipe of a vertical posture from the rear end side, and conveys it. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a conveyance tube in a vertical position. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section perpendicular to the extending direction of the conveying pipe in a vertical position. It is a figure which shows the plane and front of a conveyance auxiliary body. It is a sectional view of a state where a conveyance auxiliary body is inserted into a conveyance tube in a vertical position. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing how a banknote in a horizontal position is pushed and moved by a transport auxiliary body in a horizontal position within a second transport pipe in a horizontal position. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a cross section (a cross section perpendicular to the extending direction) of the second conveying pipe in a horizontal position. FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a state in which the conveyance auxiliary body is inserted into the second conveyance pipe in a horizontal position. It is a figure which shows the cross section of a conveyance pipe|tube, and the cross section of a 2nd conveyance pipe|tube comparatively. It is a figure which shows the state where the large diameter part of a conveyance auxiliary body is in contact with the lower position regulating rib. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing how banknotes are prevented from being caught in the second conveyance pipe. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the curved conveyance tube in a vertical position, viewed from the center of the curve. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the curved conveyance tube in a vertical position, viewed from one end side. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a front view and an AA cross section of a curved conveyance pipe. 18 is an enlarged view of a part of the AA cross section in FIG. 17. FIG. It is a figure which shows the cross section perpendicular to the extending direction of a curved conveyance pipe. It is a figure showing a conventional conveyance pipe. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing how paper sheets become entangled when a conventional conveyance tube is used in a horizontal position.

The gist of the present invention is shown below.
[1] Conveyance in which an airflow is generated in a conveyance tube, and paper sheets inserted into the conveyance tube with the paper surface in a posture along the extending direction of the conveyance tube are moved within the conveyance tube by receiving the air flow. A sheet conveying device that conveys paper sheets by pushing them from the rear with an auxiliary body,
The thickness direction of the paper sheets inserted into the transport pipe is the width direction of the passage of the transport pipe,
The conveying pipe includes a first regulating part that regulates the position of the paper sheet in the passage width direction to a first range, and a second regulating part that regulates the position of the conveyance auxiliary body in the passage width direction to a second range. has
The conveyance auxiliary body has a size in the passage width direction of a portion whose position is regulated by the second regulating portion is larger than the first range;
the first range is included within the second range,
A paper sheet conveying device, wherein the center of the first range and the center of the second range are shifted from each other.

In the above invention, the first regulating part regulates the position of the paper sheet in the width direction of the passage, and the second regulation part regulates the position of the conveyance auxiliary body in the width direction of the passage, the center of the first range. The points are out of alignment. If paper sheets shift to one side of the tube due to the influence of gravity or centrifugal force, and the conveyance support body rotates or rides on the other side, the relative positional deviation between the paper sheets and the conveyance support body will change. becomes larger, and paper sheets are more likely to get caught in the gap between the conveyance auxiliary body and the inner wall of the conveyance tube. Therefore, with respect to the center of the first range that regulates the position of paper sheets, the center of the second range that regulates the position of the transport auxiliary body is slightly moved in the same direction as the direction in which the paper sheets are shifted in the transport pipe due to gravity or centrifugal force. Move it. By doing this, even if the paper sheet is shifted to one side of the first range due to gravity or centrifugal force, and the conveyance auxiliary body is shifted to the other side of the second range due to rotation or running over, the paper sheet and the conveyance will be maintained. The amount of relative positional deviation with the auxiliary body can be reduced, and the phenomenon of paper sheets being caught between the auxiliary conveyance body and the inner wall of the conveyance pipe can be prevented.

[2] When the conveyance pipe is a horizontal conveyance pipe that conveys paper sheets in a lying position, the center of the second range is shifted downward with respect to the first range. The paper sheet conveying device according to [1].

In the above invention, in the horizontal transport pipe, the paper sheets are shifted to the lower side of the pipe due to gravity, so the center of the second range is shifted below the center of the first range. As a result, even if the paper sheets are shifted to the lowest side of the first range and the conveyance auxiliary body is shifted to the uppermost side of the second range due to rotation or running over, the paper sheets shifted to the lowest side of the first range The amount of relative positional deviation between the paper sheets and the conveyance auxiliary body which is biased to the uppermost side of the second range is reduced, and paper sheets are prevented from entering under the conveyance auxiliary body and being rolled up.

[3] If the conveyance tube is an adjacent conveyance tube connected to the outlet of a curved conveyance tube through which paper sheets pass while bending the paper surface toward the inside of the curve, with respect to the first range. The paper sheet conveying device according to [1], wherein the center of the second range is shifted to the outside of the curvature.

In the above invention, in the curved conveyance tube, the paper sheets are biased toward the outer periphery due to the action of centrifugal force, and even immediately after entering the adjacent conveyance tube connected to the outlet of the curved conveyance tube, the paper sheets are subjected to inertia. This action maintains the state of being biased toward the outer circumference of the curve. Therefore, in the adjacent conveying pipe connected to the outlet of the curved conveying pipe, the center of the second range is shifted toward the outer circumferential side of the curve with respect to the center of the first range. As a result, even if the paper sheets are shifted to the outermost side of the first range and the conveyance auxiliary body is shifted to the innermost side of the second range due to rotation or running over, the paper sheets are shifted to the outermost side of the first range. The amount of relative positional deviation between the paper sheet and the conveyance auxiliary body that is biased toward the innermost side of the second range is reduced, and the paper sheet gets caught between the conveyance auxiliary body and the inner wall on the outer circumference side and is rolled up. This will be prevented.

[4] If the conveyance tube is a curved conveyance tube through which paper sheets pass while bending the paper surface toward the inside of the curve, the center of the second range with respect to the first range is within the curve. The paper sheet conveying device according to [1], characterized in that the sheet conveying device is deviated outward.

In the above invention, in the curved conveyance tube, the paper sheets are shifted toward the outer circumference due to the action of centrifugal force, so the center of the second range is shifted toward the outer circumference of the curve with respect to the center of the first range. As a result, even if the paper sheets are shifted to the outermost side of the first range and the conveyance auxiliary body is shifted to the innermost side of the second range due to rotation or running over, the paper sheets are shifted to the outermost side of the first range. The amount of relative positional deviation between the paper sheet and the conveyance auxiliary body that is biased toward the innermost side of the second range is reduced, and the paper sheet gets caught between the conveyance auxiliary body and the inner wall on the outer circumference side and is rolled up. This will be prevented.

[5] The conveying auxiliary body is in the state where it is most offset in the direction opposite to the direction in which the center of the second range is shifted from the center of the first range within the second range. The paper sheet conveying device according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the center of the auxiliary body and the center of the first range coincide.

In the above invention, for example, in the case of a horizontal conveyance pipe, the center of the conveyance auxiliary body coincides with the center of the first range in a state where the conveyance auxiliary body is biased to the uppermost side of the second range. Note that if the center of the conveyance auxiliary body is at a position that coincides with the center of the first range, the paper sheets can be stably conveyed without being caught, no matter where the paper sheets are located within the first range. It can be pushed with an auxiliary body.

[6] The conveyance pipe includes a pair of side walls facing the front and back sides of the paper sheet,
The second regulating portion includes a pair of ribs protruding from each of the pair of side wall portions toward the inside in the passage width direction of the conveying pipe,
The center position of the pair of side wall portions provided with the second restriction portion in the width direction of the passage coincides with the center of the first range;
[1] to [5] characterized in that the center of the first range and the center of the second range are shifted by making one of the pair of ribs higher than the other. ] The paper sheet conveyance device according to any one of the above.

In the above invention, the center of the second range is shifted from the center of the first range by making one height (length) higher (longer) than the other of the pair of opposing ribs provided as the second restriction part. There is.

[7] The conveyance auxiliary body has a cylindrical shape, and has small diameter portions at both ends in the axial direction and a large diameter portion thicker than the small diameter portion at the center,
The inner edge shape of the conveyance pipe in a cross section perpendicular to the extending direction corresponds to the outer edge shape of the conveyance auxiliary body with a predetermined clearance,
The rib of the second regulating part contacts the large diameter part to regulate the position of the conveyance auxiliary body,
The height of the rib of the second regulating part is set so that the small diameter part does not contact the inner wall of the conveying pipe when the large diameter part is in contact with the rib and its position is regulated. The paper sheet conveying device according to [7].

In the above invention, the phenomenon in which the small diameter portion of the conveyance auxiliary body contacts the inner wall of the conveyance pipe and the conveyance auxiliary body rotates is prevented. When the transport auxiliary body rotates, it rides on the paper sheet and is displaced in the opposite direction to the direction in which the paper sheet is shifted, so suppressing the rotation of the transport auxiliary body due to the contact leads to prevention of entrainment.

[8] Any of [1] to [7], wherein the conveying pipe has an identification mark on its outer surface indicating a direction in which the center of the second range is offset from the center of the first range. The paper sheet conveying device according to item 1.

In the above invention, it is possible to easily determine in which direction the center of the second range is shifted from the center of the first range by looking at the identification mark attached to the outer surface.

As described above, the paper sheet conveying device according to the present invention prevents paper sheets from becoming entangled or jammed even in locations where the paper sheets are biased toward one inner wall of the conveying tube due to gravity or centrifugal force. Smooth transportation can be maintained.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an example of an in-store layout of a game hall 2 in which a paper sheet collection and conveyance system 1 (see FIG. 2) including a paper sheet conveyance device according to the present invention is installed. Inside the game hall 2, a plurality of game machine islands 3 are arranged across passages. Each gaming machine island 3 has a set of gaming ball lending machines 4, which rent out gaming balls (pachinko balls) to players in response to input of banknotes, and gaming machines 5, such as pachinko machines, placed back to back. Multiple sets are housed on the front and back sides. Inside the game machine island 3, an island banknote transport device 10 is provided which takes in the banknotes ejected from the back side of each game ball lending machine 4 and transports them to the relay box 6 at the end of the game machine island 3.

FIG. 2 shows the overall configuration of the paper sheet collection and conveyance system 1. The paper sheet collection and conveyance system 1 has a function in which each gaming machine island 3 is a local area, and the island bill conveying device 10 in each gaming machine island 3 temporarily stores the paper sheets collected from the game ball lending machine 4. A relay box 6 that has a function of dispensing stored paper sheets, and a main transport device that transports paper sheets to the safe 7 in the office by passing above the relay boxes 6 of each gaming machine island 3 that are spread throughout the store. 50, and a sub-transport device 9 that transports banknotes fed out from the relay box 6 to a transport path 51 of the main transport device 50 passing above the relay box 6. The conveyance path 51 of the main conveyance device 50 is installed, for example, so as to pass through the ceiling of the game hall 2.

The relay box 6 is provided with a control unit therein for controlling the island banknote transport device 10, the sub-transport device 9, and the taking-in device 52 connected to the terminal end of the sub-transport device 9 related to the relay box 6. In addition, a control unit that controls the entire operation of the paper sheet collection and transportation system 1 is provided in the office safe 7, and the control unit and the control units in each relay box 6 are connected by communication and cooperate. It's supposed to work. Each control unit is configured with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. as main parts.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the island banknote conveyance device 10. The island banknote transport device 10 includes a transport pipe 20 (inland transport pipe) that serves as a transport path for banknotes (paper sheets), and an air flow generator (blower) that generates an air flow flowing in the direction in which the transport pipe 20 extends. )11. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the island banknote conveyance device 10 pushes and moves the banknotes P in the conveyance tube 20 from the rear using a conveyance auxiliary body 30 that can move within the conveyance tube 20 in response to airflow and moves them downstream. transport.

As shown in FIG. 3, an air flow generator (blower) 11 and a banknote separation/conveyance auxiliary body circulation device 13 are provided inside a relay box 6 provided at the end of the gaming machine island 3. The banknote separation/conveyance auxiliary body circulation device 13 has the function of a conveyance auxiliary body insertion device 13a that sends out the conveyance auxiliary body 30 into the conveyance pipe 20, and the function of the conveyance auxiliary body 30 that pushes and moves the banknote P from the rear and conveys it. It has the function of a separation and collection device 13b that separates and collects each of them, and also functions to return and circulate the collected transport auxiliary body 30 to the transport auxiliary body insertion device 13a. The banknotes P collected by the separation and collection device 13b are temporarily stored in the relay box 6 and then sent to the sub-transport device 9.

The air blowing side (air blowing passage 11a) of the air flow generating device (blower) 11 is connected to the air inlet side of the conveying auxiliary body insertion device 13a, and the air outlet of the conveying auxiliary body insertion device 13a is connected to the air outlet side of the conveying auxiliary body insertion device 13a. The starting end is connected. The conveyance pipe 20 includes an outgoing path 20a extending from the air outlet of the conveyance auxiliary body insertion device 13a to the other end of the gaming machine island 3, and a turn portion 20b that is folded back into a U-shape at the other end. After turning back at the turn portion 20b, there is a return path 20c that extends above the outbound path 20a and returns to the relay box 6 along the outbound path 20a. The terminal end of the return path 20c is connected to the air inlet of the separation and recovery device 13b, and the air suction side (air suction passage 11b) of the air flow generator 11 is connected to the air outlet of the separation and recovery device 13b.

The airflow generator (blower) 11 generates airflow by rotating a fan using a motor. The air flow generated by the air flow generator 11 flows from the air blowing passage 11a through the transport auxiliary body insertion device 13a to the starting end of the transport pipe 20, passes through the outward path 20a, the turn section 20b, and the return path 20c, and then passes through the separation and recovery device 13b. , flows to be drawn into the suction side of the air flow generator 11 through the air suction passage 11b.

The outgoing path 20a and the incoming path 20c of the transport pipe 20 have a predetermined length, for example, a length corresponding to the width of one set of gaming machines 5 and gaming ball rental machines 4 housed in the gaming machine island 3. The path length can be adjusted according to the length of the gaming machine island 3 in the longitudinal direction by connecting the required number of them using a connecting unit. Further, at the construction site, the conveying pipe 20 is cut to a required length on the spot and used.

In the middle of the return path 20c of the transport pipe 20, at a position corresponding to each game ball lending machine 4, a banknote taking device 15 is arranged to take in the banknotes P discharged from the back side of the game ball lending machine 4 into the transport pipe 20. It is set up. The banknote loading device 15 is configured to take in banknotes P from the game ball lending machine 4 placed on the front side of the gaming machine island 3, and to take in banknotes P from the game ball lending machine 4 placed on the back side of the gaming machine island 3. It is provided so as to form a pair with one that takes in banknotes P. The banknote retrieval device 15 is interposed between the transport pipes 20 and the transport pipes 20 constituting the return path 20c, and serves to connect them.

In the island banknote transport device 10, the banknotes P taken into the return path 20c of the transport pipe 20 from the banknote retrieval device 15 stay at a predetermined take-in completion position with the paper surface aligned in the extending direction of the transport pipe 20. . In order to transport the banknotes P taken in and staying in the transport pipe 20 to the relay box 6 and collect them, the transport auxiliary body 30 is inserted into the transport pipe 20 (outward path 20a) by the transport auxiliary body insertion device 13a in the relay box 6. sent inside.

The conveyance auxiliary body 30 sent into the conveyance pipe 20 moves in the outward path 20a toward the turn portion 20b under the action of the air flow generated by the air flow generator 11, and makes a U-turn at the turn portion 20b. After that, the robot further moves on the return path 20c toward the terminal end. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the conveyance auxiliary body 30 pushes and moves the banknotes P in the conveyance tube 20 from the rear end side of the banknotes P toward the terminal end of the conveyance tube 20 ( The banknotes P are transported (in the transport direction F in the figure). As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, within the transport pipe 20 of the island banknote transport device 10, the banknotes P are transported in a vertical position with the paper surface vertical, and the transport auxiliary body 30 is in a vertical position with its axis erected. .

The island banknote conveyance device 10 keeps the airflow generating device 11 in operation at all times, and when the sensor provided in the banknote capture device 15 detects the banknote P discharged from the back of the game ball lending machine 4, the banknote capture device 15 operates. is activated to take the bill P into the conveyance pipe 20. When this taking-in operation is completed, the auxiliary conveyance body 30 is sent into the outward path 20a of the conveyance pipe 20 from the auxiliary conveyance body insertion device 13a of the bill separation/auxiliary conveyance body circulation device 13. Then, this conveyance auxiliary body 30 moves within the conveyance tube 20 under the action of the air flow, pushes and moves the banknote P from behind, and conveys it. When the separation and collection device 13b provided at the end of the conveyance pipe 20 detects the arrival of the conveyance auxiliary body 30, it separates the bill P and the conveyance auxiliary body 30 and collects each of them, and the collected conveyance auxiliary body 30 is used for the next delivery. The collected banknotes P are temporarily stored in the relay box 6 and then sent to the sub-transport device 9 (see FIG. 2).

Note that the air flow generator 11 is operated when necessary (for example, from the time when the bill receiving device 15 detects a bill from the game ball rental machine 4 until the bill is collected by the separating and collecting device 13b in the relay box 6). It may also be possible to control the operation so as to operate only during the interval).

In this way, the conveyance auxiliary body 30 moves under the action of the airflow, and the conveyance auxiliary body 30 pushes and moves the banknote P from the rear end side, so that the banknote P itself receives the airflow and receives a propulsive force. There is no need to obtain Therefore, the banknotes P can be conveyed by the airflow without taking measures such as bending the banknotes P to receive the airflow. Moreover, since the conveyance auxiliary body 30 can obtain propulsion force from the air flow more efficiently than the banknotes P, the banknotes P can be conveyed efficiently.

Next, the shapes of the transport pipe 20 and the transport auxiliary body 30 will be explained in detail.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the conveyance tube 20 in a straight section, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the conveyance tube 20 in the same section perpendicular to the extending direction F (=conveyance direction F of banknotes=air flow direction). FIG. The conveying pipe 20 is integrally formed of resin with a thickness of about 1.5 mm. In addition, in FIG. 5, the conveyance auxiliary body 30 and the banknote P which move in the conveyance pipe 20 are also shown. The straight portion of the conveying pipe 20 is referred to as the normal conveying pipe 20.

Normally, the shape of the cross section perpendicular to the extending direction F of the conveying pipe 20 is such that the center portions of the left and right side walls of a vertically long rectangle expand outward into a rectangular shape. Normally, the direction of the short side of a substantially rectangular cross section perpendicular to the extending direction (transfer direction F) of the conveyance pipe 20 is the X direction (or passage width direction), and the direction of the long side is the Y direction. In each of the X direction and the Y direction, the direction toward the center of the conveying pipe is called the inside, and the direction from the center toward the inner wall is called the outside. In the island banknote conveyance device 10, the conveyance pipe 20 is normally used in a posture (vertical posture) in which the Y direction is the vertical direction. Note that the normal posture of the conveying tube in which the passage width direction (X direction) is the vertical direction is defined as a horizontal posture.

Normally, the conveying pipe 20 has a pair of wall portions 21 having opposing short sides in a substantially rectangular cross section, and a pair of side wall portions 22 having opposing long sides in a substantially rectangular cross section. A predetermined range of the central portion of is an expanded portion 23 that extends outward in a rectangular shape. The expansion part 23 is divided into two parts by a separation wall 24 that is erected inward from the inner wall thereof.

A plurality of ribs 25 that protrude toward the inside of the transport tube 20 are normally formed on the side wall portion 22 along the transport direction. In this example, a rib 25 is formed at the boundary between the side wall portion 22 and the expanded portion 23, and usually projects into the inside of the conveying tube 20.

The side wall portions 22 of the normal conveyance tube 20 are a pair of inner walls that face the paper surface of the banknotes P conveyed within the tube. The banknote P has a rectangular shape, and is normally transported in the transport tube 20 with its long side in the transport direction F. In other words, the bill P is conveyed in such a direction that the paper surface faces the side wall portion 22, one short side of the bill P is on the front end side in the conveyance direction, and the other short side is on the rear end side.

Normally, the distance Dy between the wall portion 21 on one end side and the wall portion 21 on the other end side in the Y direction of the conveyance tube 20 is slightly longer than the short side of the banknote P. Further, the distance Dx between the pair of opposing side wall portions 22 (a portion where the ribs 25, the expanded portion 23, and the separation wall 24 are not formed (referred to as a reference plane portion)) is set to about 21 mm. The expanded portion 23 extends outward from the side wall portion 22 (reference plane portion) by approximately 7.5 mm. The tops of the ribs 25 and the separation wall 24 have a height of about 2 mm inward from the side wall portion 22 (reference plane portion).

The ribs 25 and the tops of the separation walls 24 normally function as a first regulating section that regulates the position of the banknotes P in the passage width direction (X direction) within the first range R1. The first range R1 is between the pair of ribs 25 facing each other and between the tops of the pair of separating walls 24 facing each other. The first range R1 is a substantial area of the bill passage in the passage width direction.

The expanded portion 23 is provided with a position regulating rib 26 that projects inward of the normal transport pipe 20 at the center of each area divided into two by the separation wall 24 . The position regulating rib 26 functions as a second regulating portion that regulates the position of the transport auxiliary body 30 in the passage width direction (X direction) within the normal transport pipe 20 to a second range R2. The first range R1 is included in the second range R2. In the normal conveyance pipe 20, the center position of the first range R1 and the center position of the second range R2 coincide. Normally, the conveying pipe 20 has a shape that is bilaterally symmetrical and vertically symmetrical.

FIG. 7 shows a plane and a front view of the conveyance auxiliary body 30. The conveyance auxiliary body 30 has a columnar shape (cylindrical shape) having a circular cross section with different diameters at each part. The transport auxiliary body 30 is used by being inserted into the normal transport pipe 20 in a posture such that the central axis of the cylinder is in the Y direction of the normal transport pipe 20. The conveyance auxiliary body 30 has a symmetrical shape with respect to the center in the axial direction, and from one end to the other end there is a small diameter part 30a, a neck part 30b slightly smaller in diameter than the small diameter part 30a, and a neck part 30b larger in diameter than the small diameter part 30a. It has a large diameter part 30c, a constricted part 30d having a smaller diameter than the neck part 30b and located in the center in the axial direction, a large diameter part 30c, a neck part 30b, and a small diameter part 30a in this order. The transport auxiliary body 30 is lightweight and strong, and is made of, for example, plastic and has a hollow interior. Note that it may be formed of styrene foam, extruded polystyrene foam, or the like as long as it is lightweight and durable.

FIG. 8 shows a cross section perpendicular to the extending direction F and passing through the central axis of the auxiliary conveyance body 30 in a state where the auxiliary conveyance body 30 is inserted into the normal conveyance pipe 20. The diameter of each part of the conveyance auxiliary body 30 normally corresponds to the shape of the inner edge of the conveyance tube 20. That is, the cross-sectional shape of the transport auxiliary body 30 passing through the central axis corresponds to the shape of the inner edge of the normal transport pipe 20 in a cross section perpendicular to the extension direction F, and a predetermined clearance is maintained between the inner edge of the transport pipe 20 and the inside of the transport pipe 20. (for example, a gap of 2 mm), and the shape is such that it almost closes off the normal conveying pipe 20.

More specifically, the diameter of the small diameter portion 30a is made smaller by a predetermined clearance than the distance Dx between the opposing side wall portions 22 of the normal conveying pipe 20, and the diameter of the neck portion 30b is made smaller than the first range R1, and the diameter of the neck portion 30b is made smaller than the first range R1. The diameter of the diameter portion 30c is larger than the first range R1 and smaller than the second range R2 by a predetermined clearance. The large diameter portion 30c of the conveyance auxiliary body 30 is a portion whose position is regulated by coming into contact with the tip of the position regulating rib 26, which is a second regulating portion.

In this way, the conveyance auxiliary body 30 has a shape corresponding to the inner edge shape of the normal conveyance pipe 20 (almost the same shape with some clearance) and blocks almost the entire cross section of the normal conveyance pipe 20, so that the air flow is You can move while receiving the action efficiently. Furthermore, the conveyance auxiliary body 30 serves to prevent airflow from upstream from reaching the downstream side of the conveyance auxiliary body 30, and to suppress disturbances in the airflow on the downstream side.

The banknotes P tend to stick to the side wall portion 22 when acted upon by the airflow within the normal conveyance tube 20 . In other words, the distance between one paper surface of the banknote P and the side wall section 22 opposing it is almost never equal to the distance between the other paper surface and the side wall section 22 opposing this, and either of the spaces is If the gap is narrower than the other side, the airflow velocity will be faster on the narrower gap side than on the wider gap side, so the air pressure on the narrower gap side will be lower than the air pressure on the wider gap side, and this pressure difference will cause the banknote P to move closer to the side wall on the narrower gap side. 22 is attracted and pressed. In this case, the interval on the narrow interval side becomes even narrower, and a phenomenon occurs in which the banknotes P stick to and are attracted to the side wall portion 22.

If the banknote P sticks strongly to the side wall portion 22, it becomes difficult to push and move the banknote P with the transport auxiliary body 30, but as described above, the transport auxiliary body 30 blocks the flow of air to the downstream side ( Therefore, the force that sticks and attracts the banknotes P is reduced, and smooth conveyance is realized.

The large diameter portion 30c of the conveyance auxiliary body 30 engages inside the expanded portion 23. The expanded portion 23 normally serves as a guide for regulating the position and posture of the transport auxiliary body 30 within the transport pipe 20 . In this example, the expansion part 23 is divided into two parts by the separation wall 24, and the expansion part 23 is normally provided at the center of the transport tube 20 in the Y direction, so that the transport auxiliary body 30 can be maintained in a stable posture. It can be moved. Furthermore, since the posture of the conveyance auxiliary body 30 is stabilized, the large diameter portion 30c of the conveyance auxiliary body 30 linearly contacts the rear end of the banknote P, thereby providing a stable conveyance force. Moreover, the banknotes P are less likely to be caught between the normal conveyance pipe 20 and the conveyance auxiliary body 30.

By providing the large-diameter portion 30c, the area of the portion of the conveyance auxiliary body 30 that is affected by the air flow is expanded, and the force for movement can be efficiently received. Further, since the large diameter portion 30c is provided to efficiently receive the effect of airflow, the diameter of the small diameter portion 30a can be reduced accordingly. By reducing the diameter of the small diameter portion 30a, the distance (Dx) between the pair of opposing side wall portions 22 in the normal conveyance tube 20 can be narrowed, and the banknotes P can be prevented from falling.

Furthermore, the presence of the ribs 25 provided on the side wall portion 22 prevents the banknotes P from sticking tightly to the side wall portion 22. That is, the contact area between the banknote P and the side wall portion 22 is reduced, friction is reduced, and generation of static electricity can be suppressed. Further, even if the banknote P sticks to the side wall 22, the banknote P is supported by the tip of the rib 25, so a gap is secured between the side wall 22 and the banknote P around the rib 25, Sticking force can be kept small. In addition, since the top of the separation wall 24 also supports the banknotes P, the banknotes P are prevented from falling into the recess of the expansion part 23 and being caught up in the conveyance auxiliary body 30.

The tops of the ribs 25 and the separation walls 24 normally restrict the position (existence area) of the banknotes P in the passage width direction (X direction) of the conveyance tube 20 to the first range R1 narrower than the reference plane distance Dx. , the banknote P in the vertical position is less likely to fall sideways within the normal conveyance tube 20, and the banknote P is maintained so that the position of the banknote P is along the Y direction. In particular, by providing a plurality of ribs 25, the banknotes P are appropriately prevented from falling down, and the banknotes P are also effectively prevented from sticking to the side wall portion 22. Note that Dx can be increased by the provision of the ribs 25, thereby increasing the cross-sectional area of the normal transport pipe 20 and making the transport auxiliary body 30 more susceptible to the action of airflow.

In the case of the conveyance auxiliary body 30 according to the present embodiment, the diameter of the large diameter portion 30c is the largest, so as shown in FIG. It's moving.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the normal transport pipe 20 of the island banknote transport device 10 is in a vertical position, and the banknotes P are transported inside the normal transport pipe 20 of the island banknote transport system 10 in a vertical position (paper side upright). (vertical position). In the game machine island 3, in order to increase the number of machines installed, the game ball lending machine 4 is formed with a narrow front width, so the bill slot provided in the game ball lending machine 4 is also usually vertically long. The banknote P is inserted into the banknote slot in a vertical position with the paper surface upright. Therefore, the normal conveyance pipe 20 of the island banknote conveyance device 10 receives the banknote P from the game ball rental machine 4 with the paper side upright in the vertical position, and conveys the banknote P in the vertical position.

The main conveyance device 50 has a conveyance pipe having almost the same structure as the normal conveyance tube 20 of the island banknote conveyance device 10 as a conveyance path 51 (see FIG. 2), and moves the conveyance auxiliary body 30 with an air flow generated in the pipe. Then, the banknote P is pushed and moved from the rear by this conveyance auxiliary body 30 and conveyed to the destination (the safe 7).

The main conveyance device 50 includes an air flow generator (blower) 11 and a banknote separation/conveyance auxiliary body circulation device 13 in the safe 7 . The conveyance path 51 includes an outgoing path 51a from the safe 7 to the relay device 53 and a return path 51b from the relay device 53 to the safe 7. The relay device 53 has the function of accepting the conveyance auxiliary body 30 coming from the outgoing path 51a, once holding it, and then sending it out to the incoming path 51b, and has a blower section 53a, which sucks the air in the pipe from the end of the outgoing path 51a, By sending the airflow into the pipe from the starting end of the return path 51b, the airflow in the pipe is strengthened.

In the middle of the return path 51b of the main transport device 50, there are provided a plurality of take-in devices 52 that function to take in the banknotes P transported by the sub-transport device 9 into the tube of the return path 51b.

The sub conveyance device 9 conveys the banknotes P fed out from the relay box 6 to a take-in device 52 provided midway on the return path 51b of the main conveyance device 50 extending above the ceiling or the like. Here, the sub-transport device 9 includes a transport pipe having the same structure as the normal transport pipe 20 of the island banknote transport device 10 as a transport path, and transports the banknotes P by pushing them up from below using a transport auxiliary body 30 that moves with an air flow. . The sub-conveyance device 9 is not limited to a conveyance system that uses an air flow and a conveyance auxiliary body 30, and may, for example, be a system in which banknotes P are conveyed by the action of an air flow without using a conveyance auxiliary body, a belt conveyance system, etc. It's optional.

The conveyance path 51 of the main conveyance device 50 includes a curved conveyance pipe 70 for changing the course by 90 degrees horizontally or vertically, and a curved conveyance pipe 70 for changing the course by 90 degrees left and right or up and down, and the posture of the conveyance auxiliary body 30 and banknotes P from a vertical posture to a horizontal posture or from a horizontal posture to a vertical posture. A torsion tube 57 to be changed, a second conveyance tube (horizontal conveyance tube) 60 for conveying the conveyance auxiliary body 30 and banknotes P in a horizontal position, and a normal conveyance tube 20 that is the same as that used in the island banknote conveyance device 10. It is composed of a combination of. The curved conveyance pipe 70 changes its course so that the paper surface of the banknote P faces inside and outside the arc so that the banknote P and the conveyance auxiliary body 30 can pass through the curved portion without difficulty. The conveyance auxiliary body 30 moves within the curved conveyance tube 70 with its axis perpendicular to the radius of the arc of the curved conveyance tube 70 .

As shown in FIG. 2, the outgoing path 51a of the conveyance path 51 of the main conveyance device 50 is in a vertical position when exiting from the back side of the safe 7, and then takes a horizontal position after passing through the torsion pipe 57, and then passes through the curved conveyance pipe 70. Then it changes its course from horizontal to upward. When reaching the ceiling, the outgoing path 51a returns to a horizontal path through the curved conveyance pipe 70, passes through the twisted pipe 57 again, assumes a vertical position, and, while remaining in the vertical position, passes through the plurality of normal transport pipes 20 connected by the connecting portions 58. It is extended to the relay device 53 via.

The return path 51b of the conveyance path 51 starts with the normal conveyance tube 20 in a vertical position connected to the outlet of the relay device 53, and then, before reaching the first intake device 52, passes through the torsion tube 57 and becomes in a horizontal position, Thereafter, the second transport pipe 60 in a horizontal position is extended so as to pass above the relay box 6 of each game machine island 3, passing through a plurality of intake devices 52 along the way. When the return route 51b reaches the end of the part that passes through the attic, the curved conveyance pipe 70 changes the course from horizontal to downward, and when it descends to the height of the safe 7, the curved conveyance pipe 70 returns the course to horizontal, and then the torsion pipe 57 After that, it assumes a vertical position, and is connected to the connection port on the back side of the safe 7 in a vertical position. The curved conveyance pipe 70 located at the end of the part of the return path 51b that passes through the ceiling is equipped with an auxiliary blower 54b that sucks the air flow in the return path 51b upstream from that point, and an auxiliary blower 54a that blows air downstream. It is provided.

As shown in FIG. 9, in the second transport pipe 60 in a horizontal position, the banknotes P to be transported are in a horizontal position with the paper surface being horizontal, and the transport auxiliary body 30 is also in a horizontal position with its axis laid down. In the horizontal position, the banknotes P and the conveyance auxiliary body 30 are biased toward the lower side of the tube due to the action of gravity. There is a risk that the banknotes P may run over them and become entangled. Therefore, in the second conveyance tube 60, a part of the shape is changed from the normal conveyance tube 20 so as to perform the function of preventing the entrainment.

FIG. 10 shows a cross section (perpendicular to the extension direction) of the second conveyance pipe 60 in a horizontal position, and FIG. 11 shows a state in which the conveyance auxiliary body 30 is inserted into the second transport pipe 60 in a horizontal position. A cross section perpendicular to the extension direction F and passing through the central axis of the conveyance auxiliary body 30 is shown. FIG. 12 shows the normal transport pipe 20 and the second transport pipe 60 in comparison.

The shape of the second transport pipe 60 is the same as the normal transport pipe 20 except for a portion. Portions of the second transport pipe 60 that have the same shape as the normal transport pipe 20 are given the same reference numerals as the respective parts of the normal transport pipe 20. The outer shape and the sizes of Dy and Dx of the second transport pipe 60 are the same as those of the normal transport pipe 20.

In the normal conveyance pipe 20, the height (inward protrusion length) of the position regulating rib 26 provided on one inner wall of the expanded portion 23 and the position regulating rib 26 provided on the other opposing inner wall are the same. However, in the second conveying pipe 60, the height Ha of the position regulating rib 66a provided on the inner wall of one expanded portion 23 is set to the height Ha of the position regulating rib 66b provided on the inner wall of the other expanded portion 23. It is set higher than Hb by α (for example, 1 mm). In the case of the second conveying tube 60 in the horizontal position, the higher position regulating rib 66a is provided downward from the inner wall of the upper expanded portion 23, and the lower position regulating rib 66b is provided downward from the inner wall of the lower expanded portion 23. It is placed facing upwards.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, when the large diameter portion 30c of the conveyance auxiliary body 30 is in contact with the lower position regulating rib 66b, the small diameter portion 30a of the conveyance auxiliary body 30 does not contact the side wall portion 22 (predetermined). The height Hb of the lower position regulating rib 66b is set so that the clearance of Therefore, the height Hb of the lower position regulating rib 66b is set higher than the height of the position regulating rib 26 of the normal transport pipe 20 by β (for example, 0.5 mm). Accordingly, the height of the top of the separation wall 64 and the rib 65 of the second conveyance tube 60 is also higher by β than the height of the top of the separation wall 24 and the rib 25 of the normal conveyance tube 20. Therefore, the difference between the height of the position regulating rib 26 of the normal transport pipe 20 and the height Ha of the higher position regulating rib 66a of the second transport pipe 60 is α+β.

Furthermore, compared to the first range R1 of the normal transport pipe 20, the first range R1' of the second transport pipe 60 is narrower by 2β. Therefore, in the second transport pipe 60, compared to the normal transport pipe 20, the position of the banknote P is restricted to a narrow range closer to the center in the width direction of the passage.

Furthermore, compared to the second range R2 of the normal transport pipe 20, the second range R2' of the second transport pipe 60 is narrower by (α+2β). In other words, in the second conveyance pipe 60, the clearance at the large diameter portion 30c of the conveyance auxiliary body 30 is narrower by (α+2β) than that of the normal conveyance pipe 20, and the position of the conveyance auxiliary body 30 is smaller than that of the normal conveyance pipe 20 in the passage width direction. The position is restricted to a narrower range than the pipe 20. The center position of the second range R2' in the passage width direction is shifted by α/2 toward the lower position regulating rib 66a with respect to the center position of the first range R1' in the passage width direction. The first range R1' is included in the second range R2', and the size (diameter) of the large diameter portion 30c of the conveyance auxiliary body 30 is larger than the first range R1' and smaller than the second range R2' by the clearance.

FIG. 13 shows a state in which the large diameter portion 30c of the conveyance auxiliary body 30 is in contact with the higher position regulating rib 66a. In this embodiment, at this time, the central axis of the conveyance auxiliary body 30 substantially coincides with the center position of the first range R1'. When the center of the conveyance auxiliary body 30 is at a position that coincides with the center of the first range R1', the banknote P is stably conveyed without being caught, no matter where the banknote P is located within the first range R1'. It can be pushed and moved using the auxiliary body 30.

FIG. 14 shows how banknotes P are prevented from being caught in the second conveyance pipe 60. In the horizontal position, both the bill P and the conveyance auxiliary body 30 are biased downward in the second conveyance pipe 60 due to gravity. In detail, as shown in FIG. 2(a), the banknote P is shifted to a position where it comes into contact with and is supported by the lower rib 65 and the top of the lower separation wall 64. Further, the conveyance auxiliary body 30 is brought into a state in which the large diameter portion 30c is in contact with the lower (lower) position regulating rib 66b. In the second conveyance pipe 60, in this state, the height of the lower position regulating rib 66b is set so that the small diameter portion 30a of the conveyance auxiliary body 30 does not come into contact with the inner surface of the side wall portion 22 and a slight gap is secured. It has been done. Therefore, the conveyance auxiliary body 30 does not rotate due to the contact between the side wall portion 22 and the small diameter portion 30a, and unlike the case shown in FIG. The phenomenon is suppressed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14(b), the conveyance auxiliary body 30 may be slightly raised due to some reason (for example, slight rotation due to contact between the large diameter portion 30c and the lower (lower) position regulating rib 66b). Even in this case, the position of the conveyance auxiliary body 30 is restricted at the position where the large diameter portion 30c abuts the upper (higher) position restriction rib 66a. Since the height of the upper position regulating rib 66a is made higher than that of the lower position regulating rib 66a (the length of inward protrusion is longer), lifting of the conveyance auxiliary body 30 is slightly suppressed.

In this way, lifting of the conveyance auxiliary body 30 is suppressed, so even if the banknote P is weak, the bill P will not enter under the large diameter portion 30c of the conveyance auxiliary body 30 as shown in FIG. 14(c). However, the banknotes P are not rolled up and entered under the large diameter portion 30c of the conveyance auxiliary body 30. After that, the conveyance auxiliary body 30 remains in the same state as that shown in FIG. 3(c) and conveys the bill P without getting it caught, and no jamming occurs.

That is, in the second conveyance pipe 60, since the center of the second range R2' is shifted downward from the center of the first range R1', the banknote P is shifted to the lowest side of the first range R1' due to gravity, Even if the conveyance auxiliary body 30 rotates or runs over the top of the second range R2', the banknotes P shifted to the bottom of the first range R1' and the banknotes P shifted to the top of the second range R2' are transported. The amount of positional deviation relative to the auxiliary body 30 is reduced, and the banknotes P are prevented from entering under the conveyance auxiliary body 30 and being rolled up.

The second conveying pipe 60 is provided with a higher position regulating rib 66a so that it can be immediately determined from the outside in which expansion part 23 in the passage width direction the higher position regulating rib 66a is provided. An identification mark 68 is attached only to the outer surface of the extended portion 23 on the side where the extension portion 23 is provided (see FIG. 9). By visually checking the identification mark 68 during installation, it becomes easy to install the second conveying pipe 60 in the correct mounting direction, improving work efficiency.

Next, the curved conveyance pipe 70 will be explained.

15 and 16 are perspective views showing the curved conveyance tube 70 in a vertical position, and FIG. 17 shows the front side (FIG. 17(a)) and the AA cross section (FIG. 17(b)) of the curved conveyance tube 70. FIG. FIG. 18 is a partially enlarged view of the AA cross section, and FIG. 19 is a view showing a cross section perpendicular to the extending direction of the curved conveyance pipe 70.

The curved conveyance tube 70 is a conveyance tube for changing the course of the banknote P by 90 degrees so that the paper surface of the banknote P to be conveyed faces inside and outside of the arc. An auxiliary blower connection part 72 is provided near the outlet of the curved conveyance pipe 70 to which an auxiliary blower is connected and the air flows from the auxiliary blower are merged toward the outlet.

As shown in FIG. 19, the shape of the cross section perpendicular to the extending direction of the curved conveyance pipe 70 is the same as that of the second conveyance pipe 60, and the second conveyance pipe 60 is located at the same location as the second conveyance pipe 60. The same reference numerals as those shown above are given. In the curved conveyance pipe 70, the higher position regulating ribs 66a are provided on the inner circumferential side of the arc, and the lower position regulating ribs 66b are provided on the outer circumferential side of the arc.

In the curved conveyance tube 70, even in the vertical position, the banknote P and the conveyance auxiliary body 30 are both biased toward the outer circumferential side of the curved conveyance tube 70 due to the centrifugal force that acts when passing through the tube. Specifically, the banknote P shifts to a position where it abuts against the rib 65 on the outer circumferential side and the top of the separation wall 64, and the conveyance auxiliary body 30 shifts to a state where its large diameter portion 30c abuts against the position regulating rib 66b on the outer circumferential side. Off to one side. In the curved conveyance pipe 70, in this state, the small diameter portion 30a of the conveyance auxiliary body 30 does not come into contact with the inner surface of the side wall portion 22 on the outer peripheral side, and a slight gap is ensured. As a result, the conveyance auxiliary body 30 does not rotate due to the contact between the outer peripheral side wall portion 22 and the small diameter portion 30a, and the conveyance auxiliary body is prevented from riding on the bill P due to rotation.

Further, even if the conveyance auxiliary body 30 attempts to displace toward the inner circumference due to some factor (for example, a slight rotation caused by contact between the large diameter portion 30c and the position regulating rib 66b on the outer circumferential side), the conveyance auxiliary body 30 The position is regulated by the large diameter portion 30c coming into contact with the position regulating rib 66a on the inner peripheral side (higher side). That is, since the height of the position regulating rib 66a on the inner circumferential side is made higher (the protrusion length is longer) than the position regulating rib 66b on the outer circumferential side, the displacement of the conveyance auxiliary body 30 toward the inner circumferential side is slightly limited. be done.

In this way, the displacement of the conveyance auxiliary body 30 toward the inner circumferential side is restricted, so even if the banknote P is weak, the banknote P is moved toward the conveyance auxiliary body 30, as in the case shown in FIG. 14(c). Paper jams do not occur due to being caught between the large diameter portion 30c and the inner wall of the expanded portion 23 on the outer peripheral side.

That is, in the curved conveyance tube 70, the banknote P is shifted toward the outer circumference due to the action of centrifugal force, so the center of the second range R2' is shifted toward the outer circumference of the curve with respect to the center of the first range R1'. As a result, even if the banknote P is shifted to the outermost side of the first range R1' and the conveyance auxiliary body 30 is shifted to the innermost side of the second range R2' due to rotation or running over, the first range R1' The amount of relative positional deviation between the banknote P that is biased toward the outermost side and the conveyance auxiliary body 30 that is biased toward the innermost side of the second range R2' is reduced, and the distance between the conveyance auxiliary body 30 and the inner wall on the outer circumference side is reduced. This prevents the banknotes P from entering and being rolled up.

The same applies not only to the curved conveyance pipe 70 that changes its course left and right, but also to the curved conveyance pipe 70 that changes its course up and down. In particular, when changing course from horizontal to upward, both gravity and centrifugal force act in the middle of the curve and the banknote P shifts toward the outer circumference. By providing the higher position regulating rib 66a, it is possible to prevent paper clogging due to entrainment.

In addition, in the straight conveyance pipe connected next to the exit side of the curved conveyance pipe 70, the banknotes P and the conveyance auxiliary body 30, which have shifted toward the outer circumference due to centrifugal force within the curved conveyance pipe 70, are in a state where they are shifted due to inertia. Enter as is. Therefore, at the location where it is connected next to the outlet side of the curved conveyance tube 70, the second conveyance tube 60 is connected with the lower position regulating rib 66b facing toward the outer circumference of the curved conveyance tube 70. Thereby, even if the banknote P enters from the curved conveyance pipe 70 in a state biased toward the outer circumferential side, smooth conveyance is ensured without the banknote P getting caught.

That is, in the adjacent second conveying pipe 60 connected to the outlet of the curved conveying pipe 70, the center of the second range R2' is shifted toward the outer circumferential side of the curve with respect to the center of the first range R1'. As a result, even if the banknote P is shifted to the outermost side of the first range R1' and the conveyance auxiliary body 30 is shifted to the innermost side of the second range R2' due to rotation or running over, the first range R1' The amount of relative positional deviation between the banknote P that is biased toward the outermost side and the conveyance auxiliary body 30 that is biased toward the innermost side of the second range R2' is reduced, and the distance between the conveyance auxiliary body 30 and the inner wall on the outer circumference side is reduced. This prevents the banknotes P from entering and being rolled up.

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

The gaming machine island 3 is not limited to the configuration accommodating the pachinko machine and game ball lending machine illustrated in the embodiment, but may be a gaming machine island accommodating a medal lending machine, a slot machine, etc.

Although the embodiment has been described using banknotes as an example of paper sheets, other types of paper sheets such as tickets and cards may be used. Moreover, the shape of paper sheets is not limited to a rectangle. Further, the installation location of the paper sheet collection and transportation system 1 is not limited to a game hall, and may be installed in other facilities.

In the second conveying pipe 60, the first range R1' is between the pair of opposing ribs 65, but the ribs 65 are not provided and the side wall 22 itself is the first regulating section, and the space between the opposing side wall 22 ( Dx) may be set as the first range R1'. In this case, the height of the top of the separation wall 64 is set to be the same as the inner surface of the side wall portion 22.

In the embodiment, the second regulating portion that regulates the position of the conveyance auxiliary body 30 in the passage width direction within the second range is composed of the higher position regulating rib 66a and the lower position regulating rib 66b. The difference between the amount of outward protrusion of one extended portion 23 and the amount of outward protrusion of the other extended portion 23 with respect to the side wall portion 22 (the higher position regulating rib 66a and the lower position regulating rib 66b) It is also possible to provide a difference corresponding to the height of , and use the inner wall of the extended portion 23 itself as the second restricting portion.

The shape of the transport auxiliary body 30 and the shapes of the normal transport pipe 20, the second transport pipe 60, and the curved transport pipe 70 are not limited to the shapes shown in the embodiment. For example, the conveyance auxiliary body 30 may have a shape including only one large diameter portion 30c, or may have a shape without a small diameter portion 30a or neck portion 30b. The normal conveyance tube 20, the second conveyance tube 60, and the curved conveyance tube 70 may have shapes corresponding to the shape of the conveyance auxiliary body 30.

1...Paper sheet collection and conveyance system 2...Game hall 3...Game machine island 4...Game ball rental machine 5...Game machine 6...Relay box 7...Safe 9...Sub-transfer device 10...Island banknote transfer device 11...Air flow generation Equipment (blower)
11a...Air blowing passage 11b...Air suction passage 13...Banknote separation/conveyance auxiliary body circulation device 13a...Conveyance auxiliary body insertion device 13b...Separation and collection device 15...Banknote taking in device 20...Conveyance pipe (normal conveyance pipe)
20a...Outward path 20b...Turn section 20c...Return path 21...Wall section 22...Side wall section 23...Extended section 24...Separation wall 25...Rib 26...Position regulating rib 30...Transportation auxiliary body 30a...Small diameter section 30b...Neck section 30c...Large diameter Part 30d... Constricted part 50... Main conveyance device 51... Conveyance path 51a... Outbound path 51b... Return path 52... Take-in device 53... Relay device 53a... Blower section 54a... Auxiliary blower 54b... Auxiliary blower 57... Twisted pipe 58... Connection section 60 ...Second transport pipe 64...Separation wall of second transport pipe 65...Rib of second transport pipe 66a...Higher position regulating rib of second transport pipe 66b...Lower position regulating rib of second transport pipe 68... Identification mark 70...Curved conveyance pipe 72...Auxiliary blower connection part Dx...Distance between standard plane parts of the conveyance pipe Dy...Inner dimension of the conveyance pipe in the Y direction F...Extension direction of the conveyance pipe P...Banknote R1...Normal conveyance pipe First range R2...Second range of the normal conveyance pipe R1'...First range of the second conveyance pipe R2'...Second range of the second conveyance pipe X...Passway width direction of the conveyance pipe Y...Height direction of the conveyance pipe

Claims (8)

A conveying auxiliary body that generates an air flow in a conveying tube and moves paper sheets inserted into the conveying tube with the paper surface in a posture along the extending direction of the conveying tube in response to the air flow. A sheet conveying device that conveys paper sheets by pushing them from the rear,
The thickness direction of the paper sheets inserted into the transport tube is the width direction of the passage of the transport pipe,
The conveying pipe includes a first regulating part that regulates the position of the paper sheet in the passage width direction to a first range, and a second regulating part that regulates the position of the conveyance auxiliary body in the passage width direction to a second range. has
The conveyance auxiliary body has a size in the passage width direction of a portion whose position is regulated by the second regulating portion is larger than the first range;
the first range is included within the second range,
A paper sheet conveying device, wherein the center of the first range and the center of the second range are shifted from each other. When the conveyance tube is a horizontal conveyance tube that conveys paper sheets in a lying position, the center of the second range is shifted downward with respect to the first range. The paper sheet conveying device described in . When the conveyance tube is an adjacent conveyance tube connected to an outlet of a curved conveyance tube through which paper sheets pass while bending the paper surface toward the inside of the curve, the second range is The paper sheet conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the center of the range is shifted to the outside of the curvature. When the conveyance tube is a curved conveyance tube through which paper sheets pass while bending the paper surface toward the inside of the curve, the center of the second range is on the outside of the curve with respect to the first range. The paper sheet conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet conveying device is deviated. The conveyance auxiliary body is in a state in which the conveyance auxiliary body is most offset in the direction opposite to the direction in which the center of the second range is shifted from the center of the first range within the second range. The paper sheet conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the center and the center of the first range coincide with each other. The conveyance tube includes a pair of side walls facing the front and back sides of the paper sheet,
The second regulating portion includes a pair of ribs protruding from each of the pair of side wall portions toward the inside in the passage width direction of the conveying pipe,
The center position of the pair of side wall portions provided with the second restriction portion in the width direction of the passage coincides with the center of the first range;
Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the center of the first range and the center of the second range are shifted by making one of the pair of ribs higher than the other. The paper sheet conveyance device according to any one of the above. The conveyance auxiliary body has a cylindrical shape, and has small diameter portions at both ends in the axial direction, and a large diameter portion thicker than the small diameter portion at the center,
The inner edge shape of the conveyance pipe in a cross section perpendicular to the extending direction corresponds to the outer edge shape of the conveyance auxiliary body with a predetermined clearance,
The rib of the second regulating part contacts the large diameter part to regulate the position of the conveyance auxiliary body,
The height of the rib of the second regulating part is set so that the small diameter part does not contact the inner wall of the conveying pipe when the large diameter part is in contact with the rib and its position is regulated. The paper sheet conveying device according to claim 6. According to any one of claims 1 to 7, the conveyance tube has an identification mark on its outer surface indicating a direction in which the center of the second range is shifted from the center of the first range. paper sheet conveyance device.