JP7427284B2 - Paper sheet collection and transportation system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a paper sheet collection and conveyance system that conveys and collects paper sheets such as banknotes using airflow generated in a conveyance 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 system 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.

In such a conveyance system, various installation modes are required depending on the circumstances of each amusement center, such as installing the conveyance path across different floors or passing through the ceiling. In addition, it is desirable to include a curved portion for changing the course from left to right or a curved portion for changing the course from the horizontal direction to the vertical direction (or from the vertical direction to the horizontal direction).

However, although it is easy to bend a banknote with the paper surface facing inward (curving with the radial direction perpendicular to the paper surface), deformation in the direction perpendicular to this (curving within a plane that includes the paper surface) is difficult. do not. Therefore, only a curved part is prepared in which the banknote passes while curving in the former direction. For example, when transporting a banknote in a horizontal position, at a point where the course changes from horizontal to up or down, the banknote is passed through the curved part while remaining in a horizontal position, At points where the banknotes change direction from side to side, twist tubes were placed in front and behind the bend to change the banknote's position between horizontal and vertical positions.

In other words, after changing the bill from horizontal to vertical using the twisting tube upstream of the curved section, the course of the bill is changed to the left or right at the bending section, and then the bill is changed from the vertical to the original position using the twisting tube downstream of the curved section. This was done by returning the child to a horizontal position.

Furthermore, according to Patent Documents 1 and 2, the main conveyance path for collecting banknotes from the safes of each gaming machine island and transporting them to the main safe of the office is installed behind the ceiling or near the ceiling. A sub-conveyance path is provided to vertically convey banknotes from the safe to the main conveyance path above the safe, and a take-in device is installed at the end of the sub-conveyance path to feed the banknotes conveyed by the sub-conveyance path into the main conveyance path. Was. The auxiliary conveyance path is tubular, and an air flow generation device generates an air flow from below upwards in the sub conveyance path, and the banknotes are pushed up from below and conveyed by a conveyance auxiliary body that moves under the action of the air flow. It has become. After the conveyance was completed, the airflow was stopped to allow the conveyance auxiliary body to fall naturally to the waiting position below.

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

The method of preparing only a curved section through which banknotes pass while bending the paper surface inward, and providing twist tubes before and after the curved tube to deal with curves in other directions, requires a complicated structure. Since a twisted pipe is required, the cost of parts increases. In addition, banknotes tend to get jammed in the twist tube. In Patent Documents 1 and 2, torsion tubes are centrally arranged before and after the curved portion to facilitate inspection and clearing of jams, but this does not fundamentally eliminate bill jams. Furthermore, in order to reduce the sticking of banknotes to the inner wall of the transport pipe, it is desirable to transport the banknotes in a vertical position.

In addition, in the part where banknotes are sent from the sub-conveyance path to the main conveyance path via the take-in device, banknotes bent in a Z-shape (Z-bills), banknotes with cut ends (chips), and curled banknotes (curled banknotes) are ) etc. were easily clogged. Further, the taking-in device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a conveying section that grips the taken-in banknotes with a conveying belt and a holding roller and sends them out to the main conveyance path, but the Z-notes are not held in the folded state. In this case, the paper money gets caught in the discharge roller located before the exit to the main conveyance path, leading to problems such as the ends of the paper money being torn or damaged and the paper money getting jammed.

In addition, the conveying auxiliary body that moves under the action of the downward to upward air flow sent out by the airflow generator pushes up the banknotes from below and conveys them, and by stopping this air flow, the conveying auxiliary body is placed on standby from below. A sub-conveyance device configured to allow the object to naturally fall back to the position cannot handle a case where the first part of the path from the take-in device to the standby position is horizontal. In addition, the content of control related to airflow is limited to the on/off and strength of the airflow from the bottom to the top, so there is a limit to how much airflow can be prevented or cleared by controlling the airflow alone. In many cases, manual effort was required to release the

The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problem, and uses an air flow to transport paper sheets to a take-in point in the middle of a transport pipe of a main transport device that transports paper sheets using an air flow. It is an object of the present invention to provide a paper sheet collection and conveyance system that can appropriately control an airflow generating device of a sub-conveyance device .

The gist of the present invention to achieve this object resides in the following inventions.

[1] A paper sheet collection and transportation system that collects paper sheets from multiple intake locations within a facility and transports the collected sheets to a predetermined destination using the action of airflow,
a conveyance pipe extending to the destination via the plurality of intake locations; an air flow generator that generates an air flow toward the destination in the conveyance pipe; a main conveyance device comprising a paper sheet intake device which is provided respectively and sends paper sheets into the conveyance pipe;
a relay device that is provided corresponding to the paper sheet intake device and has a function of temporarily storing paper sheets collected in a predetermined local area and a function of feeding out the stored paper sheets;
A sub-transport pipe that connects the relay device and the paper sheet intake device corresponding thereto, and an outgoing airflow generation device that generates an air flow toward the paper sheet intake device in the sub-transport pipe. , a sub-transport device that transports the paper sheets fed out from the relay device into the sub-transport pipe by the action of the air flow generated by the outgoing air flow generating device, and delivers the paper sheets to the paper sheet intake device; ,
Equipped with
The sub-transport device operates the forward air flow generating device when transporting the paper sheets to the paper sheet intake device, and the paper sheet intake device recognizes the passage of the transported paper sheets. Then, it recognizes that the passed paper sheet is being discharged into the transport pipe of the main transport device, and stops the outgoing airflow generation device when the paper leaf has been sent into the transport pipe of the main transport device. A paper sheet collection and conveyance system that is characterized by:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the layout of an amusement arcade in which a paper sheet collection and conveyance system according to the present invention is installed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure which shows the whole paper sheet collection conveyance system 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 an explanatory view showing a state where a conveyance auxiliary body pushes a banknote in a conveyance pipe from the rear end side of the banknote. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a straight portion of the conveying pipe. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a straight portion perpendicular to the extending direction of the conveying pipe. It is a figure which shows the plane and front of a conveyance auxiliary body. It is a sectional view showing a conveyance pipe and a conveyance auxiliary body in a state where the conveyance auxiliary body is inserted into the conveyance pipe. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the positional relationship between a relay box, a sub-transport device, and a take-in device. It is a figure showing the composition of a twisted pipe. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of the positional relationship between the relay box, the sub-transport device, and the import device. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of the positional relationship between the relay box, the sub-transport device, and the import device. It is a perspective view which shows the 2nd curved pipe of type 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the front and plane of the second curved pipe of type 1; 15 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 14. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the 2nd curved pipe of type 2. It is a figure which shows the front and plane of the 2nd curved pipe of type 2. 18 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 17. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating how a normal bill with no folds or the like passes through a type 1 second curved pipe. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing how a normal bill with no folds or the like passes through a type 2 second curved pipe. It is a figure which illustrates various abnormal bills. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing how an abnormal tag (Z tag) passes through a type 1 second curved pipe. 23 is a diagram showing how the same abnormal bill as in FIG. 22 passes through the second curved pipe of type 2. FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a sub-transport device and an intake device connected thereto (and main transport pipes before and after the sub-transport device). FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the banknote feeding device of the sub-conveyance device and its surroundings. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the appearance of the import device. 27 is a sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 26. FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the take-in device of FIG. 26 taken along the line DD in FIG. 27 (the nipping roller is in the retracted position). FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the taking-in device with the pinching rollers in the pinching position. It is a figure which shows the taking-in device (conventional taking-in device) in case there is no regulation part and a guide wall. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing how the end of a curled banknote enters between the ribs, and how a regulating portion prevents this entry. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating how a curled banknote is conveyed while being held in a curled shape and tilted position by being sandwiched between a nipping roller and a conveyor belt in a conventional taking-in device. 33 is a diagram showing how the banknote is further conveyed in the state shown in FIG. 32 and reaches a banknote discharge roller. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating how the leading edge of a curled banknote passes through a passage section in a taking-in device having a regulating section. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a curled banknote reaches a position in front of a feeding roller in a taking-in device having a regulating portion. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a curled banknote enters almost straight between payout rollers in a take-in device having a regulating portion. FIG. 27 is a diagram showing the capturing device as seen from the direction of arrow E in FIG. 26; 38 is a diagram illustrating a conventional capturing device in a state similar to FIG. 37. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a comparison of widths E1 and E2 in the banknote thickness direction at the exit of the passage section of the taking-in device according to the present invention and the conventional taking-in device. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a transition part from a passage section to a conveyance section of an intake device having a guide wall. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a transition portion from a passage section to a conveyance section of the intake device without a guide wall. It is a flowchart which shows the operation|movement of a sub conveyance apparatus and a taking-in apparatus when normally conveying a banknote from a relay box to the insertion path part of a taking-in apparatus.

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) 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 a gaming ball lending machine 4, which lends out gaming balls (pachinko balls) to players upon insertion of banknotes, and a gaming machine 5, such as a pachinko machine, back to back. Multiple sets are housed on the front and back sides. Inside the game machine island 3, an island banknote transport device 7 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 7 in each gaming machine island 3 temporarily stores the paper sheets collected from the game ball lending machine 4. , a relay box (relay device) 6 that has the function of discharging stored functions, and a relay box 6 that is placed around each store and transports paper sheets to the safe 41 of the office through the upper part of the relay box 6 of each gaming machine island 3. The main conveyance device 8 is configured to include a main conveyance device 8, and a sub conveyance device 9 that conveys banknotes fed out from the relay box 6 to the conveyance path (main conveyance pipe 40) of the main conveyance device 8 passing above the relay box 6. Ru. The conveyance path (main conveyance pipe 40) of the main conveyance device 8 is installed so as to pass through the ceiling of the game hall 2, for example.

The relay box 6 is internally equipped with a control unit 23 (see FIG. 3) that controls the island banknote transport device 7, the sub-transport device 9, and the receiving device 45 connected to the sub-transport device 9 related to the relay box 6. ing. In addition, a main control unit that controls the entire operation of the paper sheet collection and transportation system 1 is provided in the office safe 4, and the main control unit and the control units in each relay box 6 are connected by communication. Work together.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the island banknote conveying device 7. As shown in FIG. The island banknote transport device 7 includes a transport pipe 12 (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 12 extends. )14. The island banknote conveyance device 7 inserts a conveyance auxiliary body 16, which is movable within the conveyance pipe 12 in response to an air flow, into the conveyance pipe 12 upstream of the banknote P to be conveyed, and uses the conveyance auxiliary body 16 to move through the conveyance pipe 12. The banknotes P in 12 are pushed and moved from the rear and conveyed downstream.

Inside the relay box 6 provided at the end of the game machine island 3, an air flow generator 14 and a banknote separation/conveyance auxiliary body circulation device 11 are provided. The banknote separation/conveyance auxiliary body circulation device 11 has the function of a conveyance auxiliary body insertion device 11a that sends out the conveyance auxiliary body 16 into the conveyance pipe 12, and the function of the conveyance auxiliary body 16 that pushes and moves the banknote P from the rear. It has the function of a separation and collection device 11b that separates and collects each of the components, and also functions to return and circulate the collected transport auxiliary body 16 to the transport auxiliary body insertion device 11a. The banknotes P collected by the separation and collection device 11b are temporarily stored in the relay box 6 and then sent to the sub-transport device 9.

The air blowing side (air blowing passage 14a) of the air flow generator 14 is connected to the air inlet side of the conveying auxiliary body insertion device 11a, and the starting end of the conveying pipe 12 is connected to the air outlet of the conveying auxiliary body insertion device 11a. has been done. The conveyance pipe 12 includes an outgoing path 12a extending from the air outlet of the conveyance auxiliary body insertion device 11a to the other end of the game machine island 3, and a turn portion 12b that is folded back into a U-shape at the other end. After turning back at the turn portion 12b, there is a return path 12c that extends above the outbound path 12a and returns to the relay box 6 along the outbound path 12a. The terminal end of the return path 12c is connected to the air inlet of the separation and recovery device 11b, and the air suction side (air suction passage 14b) of the air flow generator 14 is connected to the air outlet of the separation and recovery device 11b.

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

The outgoing path 12a and the incoming path 12c of the transport pipe 12 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 necessary number of them with the connecting unit 17. Further, at the construction site, the conveyor pipe 12 is cut to the required length on the spot and used.

In the middle of the return path 12c of the transport pipe 12, a banknote capture device 18 is arranged at a position corresponding to each game ball rental machine 4 to take in banknotes P discharged from the back side of the game ball rental machine 4 into the transport pipe 12. It is set up. The banknote loading device 18 is configured to take in banknotes P from the game ball lending machine 4 placed on the front side of the game machine island 3, and to take in banknotes P from the game ball lending machine 4 placed on the back side of the game machine island 3. It is provided so as to form a pair with one that takes in banknotes P. The banknote retrieval device 18 is interposed between the transport pipes 12 constituting the return path 12c and serves to connect them.

In the island banknote transport device 7, the banknotes P taken into the return path 12c of the transport pipe 12 from the banknote retrieval device 18 stay at a predetermined take-in completion position with the paper surface aligned in the extending direction of the transport pipe 12. . The auxiliary conveyance body 16 is sent into the conveyance tube 12 by the auxiliary conveyance insertion device 11a in the relay box 6 in order to convey the banknotes P taken into the conveyance pipe 12 and collected therein to the relay box 6 and collect them. .

The conveyance auxiliary body 16 sent into the conveyance pipe 12 moves in the outward path 12a toward the turn portion 12b under the action of the air flow generated by the air flow generator 14, and makes a U-turn at the turn portion 12b. After that, the robot further moves in the return path 12c toward the terminal end. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the conveyance auxiliary body 16 pushes and moves the banknote P in the conveyance tube 12 from the rear end side of the banknote P toward the terminal end of the conveyance tube 12 (as shown in the figure). The banknote P is transported (in the transport direction F). As shown in FIG. 4, the banknotes P are transported in the transport pipe 12 in a vertical position with the paper surface being vertical.

The banknote separation/conveyance auxiliary body circulation device 11 and the banknote retrieval device 18 are controlled by a control unit 23 (see FIG. 3) whose main parts include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). ).

In this example, the airflow generating device 14 is always operated, and when the sensor provided in the bill receiving device 18 detects the bill P discharged from the back side of the game ball rental machine 4, the control unit 23 starts the bill capturing process. The device 18 is operated to take the bill P into the conveyance pipe 12. When this taking-in operation is completed, the auxiliary conveyance body 16 is sent into the conveyance pipe 12 from the auxiliary conveyance body insertion device 11a of the bill separation/auxiliary conveyance body circulation device 11. Then, this conveyance auxiliary body 16 moves within the conveyance tube 12 under the action of the air flow, pushes and moves the banknote P from behind, and conveys it. Then, when the separation and collection device 11b in the relay box 6 detects the arrival of the conveyance auxiliary body 16, it separates the banknote P and the conveyance auxiliary body 16 and collects each of them, and the collected conveyance auxiliary body 16 is prepared for the next sending. 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 14 is operated when necessary (for example, from the time when the bill receiving device 18 detects a bill from the game ball rental machine 3 until the bill is collected by the separating and collecting device 11b 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 16 moves under the action of the airflow, and the conveyance auxiliary body 16 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 16 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 conveyance pipe 12 and the conveyance auxiliary body 16 will be explained in detail.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the conveyance tube 12 in the straight section (the outward path 12a and the return path 12c), and FIG. FIG. The conveying tube 12 is made of resin and has a thickness of about 1.5 mm. The conveyance tube 12 is formed by extrusion molding, for example.

The cross-sectional shape of the straight portion of the conveying pipe 12 perpendicular to the extending direction F is such that the center portions of the left and right side walls of a vertically long rectangle expand outward into a rectangular shape. Specifically, the conveyance pipe 12 includes upper and lower wall portions 31, left and right side wall portions 32, and an extended portion 33 that projects outward in a rectangular shape at the center portion of the left and right side wall portions 32 in the vertical direction. In addition, in the substantially rectangular cross section perpendicular to the extending direction (transfer direction F) of the conveyance pipe 12, the short side direction is the X direction (or width direction, left and right direction), and the long side direction is the Y direction (or height direction, up and down direction). direction). In each of the X direction and the Y direction, the direction toward the center of the transport tube 12 is called the inside, and the direction from the center toward the inner wall is called the outside. In this embodiment, the transport tube 12 is used with its long side in the cross section facing up and down, but it may also be used with its short side facing up and down.

The expansion part 33 is divided into two parts, an upper part and an upper part, by a separation wall 34 which is erected toward the inner side of the transport 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 are formed on the side wall portion 32 and extend along the conveying direction, protruding toward the inner side of the conveying tube 12 . In this example, a rib 35 that protrudes toward the inside of the conveyance tube 12 is formed at the boundary between the side wall portion 32 and the expanded portion 33 along the conveyance direction. The separation wall 34 is at the same height as the rib 35, and the top of the separation wall 34 acts as a rib.

The side wall portions 32 are a pair of inner walls facing the paper surface of the banknote P being conveyed. The banknote P has a rectangular shape and is transported in the transport tube 12 with its long side in the transport direction F. In other words, the paper surface faces the side wall portion 32 of the conveyance tube 12, and the banknote P is conveyed in such a direction that one short side thereof is on the leading end side in the conveying direction and the other short side is on the rear end side.

The distance Dy between the upper wall 31 and the lower wall 31 of the conveyance tube 12 is slightly longer than the short side of the banknote P. Further, the distance Dx between the left and right side wall portions 32 (portions where the ribs 35, the expanded portions 33, and the separation walls 34 are not formed (referred to as reference plane portions)) is set to about 21 mm. The expanded portions 33 provided on the left and right side wall portions 32 each extend approximately 6 mm outward from the side wall portion 32 (reference plane portion). The tops of the ribs 35 and the separation wall 34 have a height of approximately 2 mm inward from the side wall portion 32 (reference plane portion). The height of the rib 35 may be set appropriately.

FIG. 7 shows a plane and front view of the conveyance auxiliary body 16. The conveyance auxiliary body 16 has a columnar shape with a circular cross section and different diameters at each part. The conveyance auxiliary body 16 is used by being inserted into the conveyance tube 12 so that the central axis of the cylinder is in the Y direction (height direction) of the conveyance tube 12. The conveyance auxiliary body 16 has a vertically symmetrical shape, and in order from the top, a head 16a, a neck 16b having a slightly smaller diameter than the head, a large diameter portion 16c having a larger diameter than the head 16a, and a neck 16b having the same diameter. It has a constricted portion 16d located at the center of the upper and lower sides, a large diameter portion 16c, a neck portion 16b, and a head portion 16a. The transport auxiliary body 16 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 16 in a state where the auxiliary conveyance body 16 is inserted into the conveyance pipe 12. The diameter of each part of the transport auxiliary body 16 corresponds to the shape of the inner edge of the transport pipe 12. That is, the cross-sectional shape of the conveyance auxiliary body 16 passing through the central axis corresponds to the shape of the inner edge of the conveyance tube 12 in a cross section perpendicular to the extension direction F, and the inside of the conveyance tube 12 is separated from the inner wall. The shape is such that it is almost completely closed off with a predetermined clearance.

In this way, the conveyance auxiliary body 16 has a shape corresponding to the shape of the inner edge of the conveyance tube 12 (almost the same shape with some clearance) and closes almost the entire cross section of the conveyance tube 12, so that the effect of the air flow is reduced. You can receive and move efficiently. Furthermore, the conveyance auxiliary body 16 prevents airflow from upstream from reaching the downstream side of the conveyance auxiliary body 16, and plays the role of suppressing turbulence of the airflow on the downstream side.

The banknotes P tend to stick to the side wall portion 32 when acted upon by the airflow within the conveyance tube 12 . That is, the distance between one paper surface of the banknote P and the side wall portion 32 facing it is almost never equal, and the distance between the other paper surface and the side wall portion 32 facing this is almost never equal. 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. 32 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 32.

If the banknote P sticks strongly to the side wall portion 32, it becomes difficult to push and move the banknote P with the transport auxiliary body 16, but as described above, the transport auxiliary body 16 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 two large diameter portions 16c of the conveyance auxiliary body 16 engage with each of the two expanded portions 33 separated by the separation wall 34 of the conveyance pipe 12. The expanded portion 33 engages with the large diameter portion 16c of the auxiliary conveyance body 16, thereby serving as a guide for regulating the position and posture of the auxiliary conveyance body within the conveyance tube 12. In this example, the expanded portion 33 is divided into two by the separation wall 34, and these expanded portions 33 are provided closer to the center of the transport tube 12 in the Y direction, so that the transport auxiliary body 16 can be maintained in a stable posture. It can be moved by In addition, since the posture of the conveyance auxiliary body 16 is stabilized, the large diameter portion 16c of the conveyance auxiliary body 16 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 conveyance pipe 12 and the conveyance auxiliary body 16.

By providing the large-diameter portion 16c of the conveyance auxiliary body 16, the area of the portion that is affected by the airflow is expanded, and the force for movement can be efficiently received. Further, since the large diameter portion 16c is provided to efficiently receive the effect of airflow, the diameter of the head 16a can be reduced accordingly. By reducing the diameter of the head, the interval (width (Dx)) between the pair of opposing side walls 32 in the conveyance tube 12 can be narrowed, and banknotes P can be prevented from falling.

Furthermore, the presence of the plurality of ribs 35 provided on the side wall portion 32 prevents the banknotes P from sticking tightly to the side wall portion 32. That is, the contact area between the banknote P and the side wall portion 32 is reduced, friction is reduced, and generation of static electricity can be suppressed. Further, even if the banknote P sticks to the side wall 32, the banknote P is supported by the tip of the rib 35, so a gap is secured between the side wall 32 and the banknote P around the rib 35, Sticking force can be kept small. Further, since the banknotes P are supported by the separation wall 34, the banknotes P are prevented from falling into the recesses of the expansion portion 33.

Further, the plurality of ribs 35 and the tops of the separation walls 34 that protrude inward from the side wall portions 32 are arranged so that the actual passage width W of the banknotes P in the width direction (X direction) of the conveyance tube 12 is determined by the reference plane distance Dx It plays a role in making it narrower. This makes it difficult for the vertically oriented banknotes P to fall sideways within the conveyance tube 12, and the banknotes P are held so that the position of the banknotes P is along the Y direction. In particular, by providing a plurality of ribs 35, the banknotes P are appropriately prevented from falling down, and the banknotes P are also effectively prevented from sticking to the side wall portion 32. Note that Dx can be increased by an amount corresponding to the provision of the ribs 35, thereby increasing the cross-sectional area of the conveyance tube 12 and making the conveyance auxiliary body 16 more susceptible to the action of air flow.

In the case of the conveyance auxiliary body 16 according to the present embodiment, the diameter of the large diameter portion 16c is the largest, so as shown in FIG. Become. Note that the shape of the transport auxiliary body 16 and the shape of the transport pipe 12 are not limited to the above. For example, it may have a shape with only one large diameter portion 16c, a cylindrical shape with a constant diameter, or a rugby ball-like shape with a diameter that gradually increases toward the center of the axis.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the transport tube 12 of the island banknote transport device 7 is in a vertical position, and the banknotes P are placed in the transport pipe 12 of the island banknote transport device 7 in a vertical position ( (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 transport pipe 12 of the island banknote transport device 7 receives the banknotes P from the game ball rental machine 4 with the paper side upright in the vertical position, and transports the banknotes P in the vertical position.

The main conveyance device 8 has a main conveyance pipe 40 having the same structure as the conveyance pipe 12 of the island banknote conveyance device 7 as a conveyance path (see FIG. 2), and has an air flow generated in the main conveyance pipe 40. The auxiliary conveyance body 16 is moved, and the auxiliary conveyance body 16 pushes the bill P from behind to convey it to the destination (the safe 41). The main conveyance pipe 40 of the main conveyance device 8 is in a vertical position throughout the entire area.

The main transport device 8 includes an air flow generator 14, a transport auxiliary body insertion device 11a, and a separation and collection device 11b in a safe 41. Further, a relay device 44 is inserted in the middle of the main conveyance pipe 40 (at a turning point). The relay device 44 has the function of receiving the auxiliary conveyance body 16 coming from the outward path of the main conveyance pipe 40 , once holding it, and then sending it out to the return path of the main conveyance pipe 40 . It also functions to strengthen the airflow by sucking air from the terminal end of the forward path of the main conveyance pipe 40 and sending the airflow to the starting end of the return path.

In the middle of the return path of the main transport pipe 40 constituting the transport path of the main transport device 8, there is provided a take-in device 45 for taking in the banknotes P transported by the sub-transport device 9 into the main transport pipe 40 in a vertical position. be.

The sub-transport device 9 receives banknotes P fed out from the relay box 6, and transports them to a take-in device 45 provided on the return path of a main transport pipe 40 extending above the ceiling or the like. The sub-transport device 9 includes a sub-transport pipe 91 having the same structure as the transport pipe 12 of the island banknote transport device 7 as a transport path, and transports the banknotes P by pushing them up using a transport auxiliary body 16 that moves with an air flow. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the sub-transport device 9 transports the banknotes P upward in a vertically long position, changes the course to a horizontal direction using the second curved pipe 52 midway, and transports the banknotes P in a horizontally long vertical position. The banknote P is transferred to the receiving device 45 in the horizontally long vertical position.

Note that the method of transporting banknotes P in the island banknote transport device 7, the main transport device 8, and the sub-transport device 9 is not limited to the method using an air flow and the transport auxiliary body 16; It may be possible to use a system in which the banknotes P are conveyed by the action of air flow without using the air flow.

The main transport pipe 40 and the sub-transport pipe 91 are constructed by connecting a straight pipe and a curved pipe. The straight tube is a straight conveyance tube shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The bending tube includes a first bending tube 51 through which the bill P passes while bending the paper surface inward to change the direction of travel by 90 degrees, and a first curved tube 51 through which the bill P passes while bending the paper surface inward to change the traveling direction by 90 degrees, and a first curved tube 51 that allows the bill P to curve within a plane containing the paper surface while keeping the paper surface flat. There are two types of second curved tubes 52 that change direction by 90 degrees.

As shown in FIG. 2, when conveying banknotes P in a vertical position, the first bending tube 51 is used at places where the banknotes turn left and right, and the second bending tube 51 is used at places where the path changes vertically (vertically)/horizontally (horizontally). A curved pipe 52 is used.

FIG. 9 shows an example of the positional relationship between the relay box 6, the sub-transport device 9, and the take-in device 45. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. The sub-transport pipe 91 of the sub-transport device 9 includes a straight pipe 50, a twisted pipe 54, and a second curved pipe 52. In the example of FIG. 9, the banknote P initially advances upward through the straight pipe 50 in a vertical position with the paper surface parallel to the banknote P being transported in the main transport pipe 40 before and after the taking-in device 45, and then , through the torsion tube 54, the orientation of the paper surface is changed by 90 degrees while maintaining the vertical orientation. Thereafter, the banknote P changes its traveling direction to the horizontal direction toward the receiving device 45 through the second curved pipe 52 and assumes a horizontally long vertical position, and is delivered to the receiving device 45 through the straight tube 50 while maintaining the horizontally long vertical position. It can be done. The taking-in device 45 bends the horizontally long and vertical banknote P so that the paper surface faces inward, changes the course to the direction in which the main transport pipe 40 extends, and sends the banknote P into the main transport pipe 40 .

As shown in FIG. 10, the twisted tube 54 realizes twisting at a desired angle by connecting a plurality of short sub-twisted tubes 54a that are twisted little by little. Here, ten sub-twisted tubes 54a are connected to form a 90 degree twist, and a connecting portion 54b to the conveying tube is connected to the downstream end thereof. The connecting portion 54b has no twist and is straight.

FIG. 11 shows another example of the positional relationship between the relay box 6, the sub-transport device 9, and the take-in device 45. In FIG. 11, the sub-transport pipe 91 of the sub-transport device 9 is composed of a straight pipe 50 and a second curved pipe 52. In the figure, initially, the banknote P advances upward through the straight pipe 50 in a vertical position with the paper surface perpendicular to the paper surface of the banknote P conveyed in the main transport pipe 40 before and after the taking-in device 45, Thereafter, the traveling direction is changed to a horizontal direction toward the intake device 45 through the second curved pipe 52, and the paper is transferred to the intake device 45 through the straight tube 50 while maintaining the horizontally long vertical posture. The taking-in device 45 bends the horizontally long and vertically oriented banknotes P so that the paper surface faces inward, changes the course to the direction in which the main transport pipe 40 extends, and sends the banknotes P into the main transport pipe 40 .

FIG. 12 shows another example of the positional relationship between the relay box 6, the sub-transport device 9, and the take-in device 45. In FIG. 12, the sub-transport pipe 91 of the sub-transport device 9 includes a straight pipe 50, a twisted pipe 54, a first curved pipe 51, and a second curved pipe 52. In FIG. 12, the banknote P initially advances upward through the straight pipe 50 in a vertical position with the paper surface perpendicular to the paper surface of the banknote P being conveyed in the main transport pipe 40 before and after the taking-in device 45, Thereafter, the direction of the paper is changed by 90 degrees through the twisting tube 54 while maintaining the vertical orientation, so that the paper surface is parallel to the paper surface of the banknote P conveyed within the main conveyance tube 40. Thereafter, the direction of travel is changed to the horizontal direction through the second curved pipe 52 to assume a horizontally long vertical position, and then the course is changed 90 degrees to the left while maintaining the horizontally long vertical position through the first curved pipe 51, and then to the intake device 45. It is handed over. The taking-in device 45 bends the horizontally long and vertical banknote P so that the paper surface faces inward, changes the course to the direction in which the main transport pipe 40 extends, and sends the banknote P into the main transport pipe 40 .

Next, the shape of the second curved pipe 52 will be explained in detail. A type 1 second curved tube 52a and a type 2 second curved tube 52b are shown.

<Type 1 second curved pipe 52a>
13 is a perspective view showing the second curved tube 52a of type 1, FIG. 14 is a front and plan view of the second curved tube 52a of type 1, and FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. The shape of the cross section perpendicular to the transport direction of the type 1 second curved pipe 52a is basically the same as that of the transport pipe 12, and includes upper and lower walls 31, left and right side walls 32, an expanded part 33, a separation wall 34, A rib 35 is provided.

The second curved pipe 52a of type 1 has the same cross-sectional shape and size as the conveying pipe 12 at the inlet and outlet, but the distance (Dy) between the inner wall on the outer diameter side and the inner wall on the inner diameter side of the curve is different from the inlet to the outlet. It is formed so that it gradually becomes larger from both ends (inlet and outlet) of the route toward the center of the route. The distance (Dy) between the inner wall on the outer diameter side and the inner wall on the inner diameter side is maximum at the center of the path.

Further, at any point along the path from the inlet to the outlet, the distance L1 from the outer diameter side inner wall to the expanded portion 33 and the distance L2 from the inner diameter side inner wall to the expanded portion 33 are the same (L1=L2). The width of the expanded portion 33 in the Dy direction (Dy-(L1+L2)) is constant at any location along the path from the entrance to the exit.

Therefore, at any point along the path from the inlet to the outlet, the expanded portion 33 is located at the center of the inner wall on the outer diameter side and the inner wall on the inner diameter side, and L1 and L2 gradually increase from the inlet to the center, and gradually increase from the center to the exit. It decreases and returns to the same length at the exit as the entrance. Since the conveyance auxiliary body 16 engages the large diameter portion 16c with the expanded portion 33 and moves (moves while being guided by the expanded portion 33), the conveyance auxiliary body 16 moves inside the second curved pipe 52a with the outer diameter side inner wall. It passes through the second curved pipe 52a while being located at the center of the inner wall on the inner diameter side.

<Type 2 second curved pipe 52b>
16 is a perspective view showing the second curved tube 52b of type 2, FIG. 17 is a front and plane view of the second curved tube 52b of type 2, and FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 17. The cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the conveying direction of the second curved tube 52b of type 2 is basically the same as that of the conveying tube 12 of the straight section 50, and includes the upper and lower walls 31, the left and right side walls 32, the expanded section 33, and the separation section. It includes a wall 34 and ribs 35.

The second curved pipe 52b of type 2 has the same cross-sectional shape and size as the straight section conveying pipe 12 at the inlet and outlet, but the distance (Dy) between the curved inner wall on the outer diameter side and the inner wall on the inner diameter side is different from that at the inlet. It is formed so that it gradually becomes larger from both ends (inlet and outlet) of the route toward the center of the route from the to the outlet. The distance (Dy) between the inner wall on the outer diameter side and the inner wall on the inner diameter side is maximum at the center of the path.

The difference from the curved portion 52a of type 1 is as follows. In the second curved pipe 52b of type 2, the distance L1 from the outer diameter side inner wall to the expanded portion 33 and the distance L2 from the inner diameter side inner wall to the expanded portion 33 are the same at the inlet and outlet, but the distance L2 from the inner wall on the inner diameter side to the expanded portion 33 is the same. L2 gradually becomes larger than L1, and the difference between L2 and L1 gradually decreases from the center to the exit, and returns to L1=L2 at the exit. Here, L1 is constant at any point along the path from the entrance to the exit, and increases as L2 approaches the center.

Therefore, the expanded portion 33 is located at the center of the outer diameter side inner wall and the inner diameter side inner wall at the entrance and exit of the second curved pipe 52b, and as it approaches the center, L2 increases, and the expanded portion 33 is shifted toward the outer diameter side inner wall. It is in. Since the conveyance auxiliary body 16 engages the large diameter portion 16c with the expanded portion 33 and moves (moves while being guided by the expanded portion 33), the conveyance auxiliary body 16 moves inside the second curved pipe 52b along the outer diameter side inner wall. It passes by leaning towards the side.

FIG. 19 shows a state in which a normal banknote P without folds or the like passes through the second curved tube 52a of type 1, and FIG. It shows how it passes through the tube 52b. As shown in FIG. 19, in the type 1 second curved pipe 52a, at any point along the path from the inlet to the outlet, there is a gap between the inner wall on the inner diameter side and the end of the conveyance auxiliary body 16 facing the inner wall, and a gap between the outer diameter The gap between the side inner wall and the end of the conveyance auxiliary body 16 facing it is equal, and the conveyance auxiliary body 16 passes through the second curved pipe 52a while always being located at the center of the outer diameter side inner wall and the inner diameter side inner wall.

As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, near the entrance and exit of the second curved pipe 52, the axial direction of the conveyance auxiliary body 16 and the rear end side of the banknote P are parallel, so the large diameter of the conveyance auxiliary body 16 The portion 16c makes linear contact with the rear end side of the banknote P over a wide area and pushes the banknote P.

On the other hand, in the center of the path from the entrance to the exit, the rear end side of the banknote P is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the conveyance auxiliary body 16. Therefore, the contact area between the large diameter portion 16c of the conveyance auxiliary body 16 and the rear end of the bill P is reduced, but if the bill P is in good condition with no folds or the like, the large diameter portion 16c of the conveyance auxiliary body 16 Since the transport auxiliary body 16 makes linear contact with the side portion of the rear end of the banknote P instead of the corner portion of the rear end, the conveyance auxiliary body 16 can firmly push and move the banknote P.

Note that the auxiliary conveyance body 16 has a large-diameter portion 16c that is thicker at the center in the axial direction than both ends, so that the rear end side of the banknote P is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the auxiliary conveyance body 16. Even when the large diameter portion 16c is in linear contact with the rear end side of the banknote P,

As shown in FIG. 21, the banknotes P to be conveyed include Z-bills bent in a Z-shape, stubs with cut ends, folded bills with bent corners, curled bills, and bills with the leading and trailing ends touching the paper surface. There are various abnormal bills such as rolled bills inside. The curved portion 52 must be able to pass even such abnormal bills without becoming clogged.

FIG. 22 shows how an abnormal bill (for example, a Z bill) passes through the second curved tube 52a of type 1, and FIG. 23 shows how the same abnormal bill P as in FIG. 22 passes through the second curved tube 52b of type 2. It shows how it is done.

As shown in FIG. 22, in the second curved tube 52a of type 1, the banknote P advances toward the inner wall on the outer diameter side while bringing the front end and rear end corners into contact with the inner wall on the outer diameter side in the center of the path. On the other hand, the conveyance auxiliary body 16 is guided by the expanded portion 33 and moves in the center between the inner wall on the outer diameter side and the inner wall on the inner diameter side. Therefore, in the case of a Z bill whose height has been reduced due to folding, the corner portion of the rear end of the bill P is dotted on the large diameter portion 16c of the conveyance auxiliary body 16, rather than the side portion of the rear end of the bill P. come into contact with As a result, the bill P cannot be stably pushed and moved by the large diameter portion 16c of the conveyance auxiliary body 16, and the corner of the bill P that is in point contact may come off the large diameter portion 16c of the conveyance auxiliary body 16, or The portion outside the diameter portion 16 may become caught between the inner wall of the second curved tube 52a and the conveyance auxiliary body 16, and the bill P may become jammed.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 23, in the second curved tube 52b of type 2, the banknote P is biased toward the outer diameter inner wall while the front end and rear end corners are in contact with the outer diameter inner wall at the center of the path. The transport auxiliary body 16 also moves toward the inner wall on the outer diameter side while being guided by the expanded portion 33. Therefore, even if the height of the banknote is reduced due to folding, such as a Z note, the large diameter portion 16c of the conveyance auxiliary body 16 is attached to the side of the rear end of the banknote, rather than the corner of the rear end of the banknote. are in linear contact with each other, and the banknote P can be stably pushed and moved by the large diameter portion 16c of the conveyance auxiliary body 16. Therefore, the rear end of the banknote P may come off the large diameter part 16c of the conveyance auxiliary body 16, or the banknote P that has come off from the large diameter part 16 may become caught between the inner wall of the second curved tube 52b and the conveyance auxiliary body 16. Even abnormal bills can be passed through without clogging.

Note that the second curved tube 52b of type 2 is more preferable than the second curved tube 52a of type 1 when abnormal bills are taken into consideration, but if the radius of curvature is sufficiently large, the second curved tube 52a of type 1 Even so, abnormal bills such as Z bills can be passed through without any problem.

Note that the width of the expanded portion 33 may be gradually increased from both ends to the center.

Next, the sub-transport device 9 will be explained.

FIG. 24 is a sectional view showing the sub-transport device 9 and the intake device 45 connected to the sub-transport device 9 (and the main transfer pipe 40 before and after the sub-transport device 9). In FIG. 24, the middle part of the sub-transport pipe 91 is not shown. In the lower half of FIG. 24, the sub-conveyance pipe 91 extends in the vertical direction, and the cross section shown is a cross section taken at the center of the sub-conveyance pipe 91 in a direction perpendicular to and perpendicular to the paper surface of the bill being conveyed upward. ing. In the upper half of FIG. 24, the sub-transport pipe 91 extends horizontally toward the taking-in device 45, and the sub-transport pipe 91 is sub-transported in a direction perpendicular to and horizontal to the paper surface of the banknotes that are transported horizontally in a horizontally long vertical position. A cross section taken through the center of the tube 91 is shown.

The sub-transport device 9 includes a sub-transport pipe 91 , a transport auxiliary body 16 that reciprocates in the sub-transport pipe 91 , and is attached to the lower end of the sub-transport pipe 91 , and transports banknotes P from the relay box 6 into the sub-transport pipe 91 . a bill sending device 93 that sends out a bill to the inside, an outgoing air flow generating device 95 that generates an air flow from the bill sending device 93 side to the taking device 45 side in the sub-transport pipe 91, and a taking-in device in the sub-transport pipe 91. A return airflow generation device 97 is provided that generates an airflow from the banknote dispensing device 93 side to the banknote dispensing device 93 side.

The sub-transport pipe 91 is configured by connecting the straight pipe 50 and the second curved pipe 52, or by further connecting the twisted pipe 54, as shown in FIGS. 9, 11, and 12.

As shown in FIG. 25, the banknote feeding device 93 is provided with a passage section 101 having a cross-sectional shape similar to that of the sub-transport pipe 91 and communicating with the lower end of the sub-transport pipe 91, and on one side wall of the passage part 101. A banknote taking-in opening 102 for taking in banknotes P, and a conveyance roller 103 for sending out the banknotes diagonally upward from the banknote taking-in opening 102 into the passage section 101. A shutter 104 is provided in the middle of the banknote passage toward the banknote intake opening 102 to prevent the air inside the sub-transport pipe 91 from leaking outside. The shutter 104 is biased by a spring in the direction of closing the banknote passage, and the banknotes P are pushed open and passed through.

The lower end of the passage section 101 is narrow and serves as a standby position for receiving and holding the conveyance auxiliary body 16. Furthermore, a lower vent 105 is provided at the lower end of the passage section 101, which serves as an inlet for the airflow from the outgoing airflow generator 95 and an outlet for the airflow from the return airflow generator 97. The air flow from the return air flow generation device 97 is exhausted to the outside through the lower air vent 105 and the outbound air flow generation device 95.

As shown in FIG. 24, the upper end of the sub-transport pipe 91 is provided with a narrow banknote passage opening 106, and the transport auxiliary body 16 is provided at the narrow banknote passage opening 106 at the upper end of the sub-transport pipe 91. The banknote P that comes into contact with the surrounding area and is stopped, and is transported by the transport auxiliary body 16 passes through the banknote passage port 106 and enters into the taking-in device 45 . The position where the transport auxiliary body 16 stops at the narrow portion at the upper end of the sub-transport pipe 91 is defined as the transport completion position.

The return air flow generator 97 communicates with the path from the banknote passage port 106 to the take-in device 45, and the air flow from the return air flow generator 97 is sent from the banknote passage port 106 into the sub-conveying pipe 91. It can be done. Further, the airflow from the outward airflow generation device 95 is exhausted to the outside through the bill passage port 106 and the return airflow generation device 97.

As shown in FIG. 24, the sub-transport device 9 includes a banknote feed-out sensor S11 that detects whether or not there is a banknote P passing through the banknote intake opening 102, and a banknote feed-out sensor S11 that detects whether or not there is a banknote P passing through the banknote intake opening 102, and a banknote feed-out sensor S11 that detects whether or not a banknote P is present in the standby position. It is provided with a standby position sensor S12 for detecting, and a conveyance completion position sensor S13 for detecting whether or not the conveyance auxiliary body 16 is present at the conveyance completion position.

The banknote feeding sensor S11, the standby position sensor S12, the conveyance completion position sensor S13, and the banknote detection sensor S14 and banknote discharge detection sensor S15, which will be described later, are transmission type optical sensors each having a light emitting part and a light receiving part disposed facing each other, and emit light. If there is an object (detection target such as banknote P or conveyance auxiliary body 16) that blocks the light between the light emitting section and the light receiving section, the sensor output becomes dark, and there is an object blocking the light between the light emitting section and the light receiving section. If not, it will turn on (bright). Note that the type of sensor is not limited to this, and may be selected as appropriate.

The sub-transport device 9 transports the banknotes P taken into the passage section 101 at the lower end of the sub-transport pipe 91 by the banknote feeder 93 from behind using a transport auxiliary body 16 that is moved by the air flow generated by the forward air flow generator 95. The banknote P is pushed and moved to the take-in device 45 (transfer completion position), and the forward airflow generating device 95 is operated until the banknote P is sent into the main transport pipe 40 by the take-in device 45 to transport the transport auxiliary body 16. Hold in completed position.

When the transported banknotes P are sent out into the main transport pipe 40, the forward air flow generator 95 is stopped and the return air flow generator 97 is activated instead, so that the air flow generated by the return air flow generator 97 is activated. The transport auxiliary body 16 is moved to a standby position at the lower end of the sub-transport pipe 91. Since the auxiliary conveyance pipe 91 in a predetermined range immediately before reaching the intake device 45 extends horizontally, simply turning off the forward airflow generating device 95 does not return the conveyance auxiliary body 16 to the standby position, and the return airflow does not return to the standby position. The flow generator 97 is used to move the conveyance auxiliary body 16 to the standby position.

Next, the capturing device 45 will be explained.

26 is a plan view showing the external appearance of the intake device 45, FIG. 27 is a sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 26, and FIG. 28 is a cross section of the intake device 45 in FIG. 26 taken along line DD in FIG. It is a diagram.

The intake device 45 has the same cross-sectional shape as the straight pipe 50 of the main transport pipe 40, and includes an insertion passage portion 120 to which the straight pipe 50 of the main transport pipe 40 is connected at the front and rear. The insertion passage portion 120 has the same inner shape as the straight portion 50 of the main conveyance pipe 40, and the conveyance auxiliary body 16 can pass through the insertion passage portion 120 smoothly. Similar to the main conveyance pipe 40, the insertion passage section 120 of the taking-in device 45 allows the banknotes P to pass therethrough in a horizontally elongated vertical position.

An opening 121 is formed in the wall surface of the insertion passage section 120 that faces one of the paper surfaces of the bills P passing therethrough, for taking in the banknotes P conveyed by the sub-transport device 9 into the insertion passage section 120. There is. A bill ejection detection sensor S15 is provided in the insertion passage 120 near the downstream side of the opening 121 to detect the bill P entering from the opening 121 (see FIG. 24).

The taking-in device 45 includes an entrance path section 130 that serves as a path for receiving banknotes P conveyed by the sub-transporting device 9 and sending them out from the opening 121 into the insertion path section 120 . The entrance passage section 130 is orthogonal to the insertion passage section 120.

The entrance passage section 130 is connected to the banknote passage port 106 of the sub-conveyance device 9, and the range of the entrance passage section 130 from the banknote passage port 106 to a predetermined distance downstream is for banknotes entering from the banknote passage port 106. A rib 131 that protrudes inward from the inner wall facing the paper surface of the banknote P toward the paper surface of the banknote P serves as a passage portion 130a that extends along the direction in which the banknote P enters. The ribs 131 protruding inward from both inner walls and the space between the ribs 131 serve as a passage for the banknotes P in the passage portion 130a. The height of the rib 131 increases as it goes downstream, and the passage width in the thickness direction of the banknote becomes narrower as it goes toward the end of the passage section 130a.

In the entrance passage section 130, the downstream side of the passage section 130a where the ribs 131 are formed serves as a conveyance section 130b that conveys the banknotes P that have passed through the passage section 130a toward the opening 121 of the insertion passage section 120. There is.

The conveyance unit 130b further sends out the banknotes P conveyed by the banknote guide path 133 leading to the opening 121, the conveyance belt 134 for conveying the banknotes P, and the conveyance belt 134 toward the opening 121, and carries out the banknotes P to the terminal end thereof. A pair of banknote ejection rollers 135a and a payout roller 135b function to completely feed the banknotes into the insertion passage 120, and the air flow inside the main conveyance pipe 40 flows from the opening 121 of the insertion passage 120 to the outside through the banknote guide path 133. A shutter 136 is provided in the middle of the banknote guide path 133 to open and close the banknote guide path 133 to prevent leakage, and a motor drives the conveyance belt 134, banknote discharge roller 135a, and payout roller 135b.

The shutter 136 is normally biased toward the closed position by a spring or the like, so that when the bill P moves toward the opening 121, it pushes the shutter 136 open and passes through.

The conveyance unit 130b further presses the banknotes P that are stuck in the banknote guide path 133 due to failure of conveyance by the conveyance belt 134 toward the conveyance belt 134, and supports the conveyance by sandwiching the banknotes P between the conveyance belt 134 and the conveyance belt 134. A pinching roller 137 is provided for this purpose.

The nipping roller 137 is supported by one end of a movable arm 139 that swings, and advances into the banknote guide path 133 and connects with the conveyor belt 133 by turning on and off a solenoid 138 connected to the other end of the movable arm 139. It is displaced between a clamping position (see FIG. 29) in which the banknote P is held between them, and a retracted position (see FIG. 28) in which it is retracted from the banknote guide path 133.

As shown in FIG. 27, two conveyor belts 134 are installed on the left and right sides in the width direction of the banknote P, and the nipping roller 137 is placed between these conveyor belts 134 (at the center of the banknote in the width direction). It is located upstream of the conveyor belt 134. Further, a banknote detection sensor S14 for detecting banknotes P is provided slightly downstream of the nipping roller 137. As described above, the banknote detection sensor S14 is a transmission type optical sensor having a light emitting part and a light receiving part.

When the banknote detection sensor S14 detects a banknote for a predetermined period of time or more, that is, when it detects that the banknote P is jammed in the banknote guide path 133 due to failure of conveyance by the conveyor belt 134, The solenoid 138 is turned on to move the nipping roller 137 to the nipping position, and the bill P is sandwiched between the nipping roller 137 and the conveyor belt 134 and conveyed.

When the banknote detection sensor S14 no longer detects the banknote P, the solenoid 138 is turned off and the holding roller 137 is returned to the retracted position. If a bill jam is not detected by the bill detection sensor S14, the take-in device 45 does not turn on the solenoid 138, leaves the holding roller 137 at the retracted position, and transfers the bill P to the conveyance belt 134, bill ejection roller 135a, and feeding roller. 135b.

Further, in the banknote guide path 133 immediately before reaching the pair of banknote discharge rollers 135a, there is provided a banknote discharge roller guide 135c that comes into contact with the banknote P from both left and right sides and guides the banknote P to the banknote discharge roller 135a (FIG. 27). reference).

As shown in FIG. 27, the rib 131 is provided only at the center in the width direction of the entrance passage section 130, and on both sides there are regulating sections 141 forming wall surfaces corresponding to the height of the top of the rib 131. It has become.

Further, a guide wall 143 is provided between the passage section 130a and the conveyance section 130b, which slopes diagonally from the base of the rib 131 formed on the passage section 130a toward the top side and extends to the downstream conveyance section 130b. (See FIG. 28 for the inclination of the guide wall 143).

The roles of the regulating portion 141 and the guide wall 143 will be explained in comparison with a case where these are not provided.

FIG. 30 shows a taking-in device 45' without the regulating part 141 and the guide wall 143. FIG. 30 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 27. The same parts as the intake device 45 in FIG. 27 are given the same reference numerals.

<Role of regulation department 141>
In a configuration in which there is no restriction part 141 like the taking-in device 45' and ribs 131 are arranged at predetermined intervals over the entire width of the passage part 130a, curled bills enter from the sub-conveying device 9 at an angle. In this case, as shown in FIG. 31(a), the end of the curled banknote P in the width direction enters between the ribs 131 and reaches the conveying part 130b through the passing part 130a in the curled shape. do.

When such a banknote P stagnates in front of the feeding roller 135b and the banknote detection sensor S14 detects the banknote P for a predetermined period of time or more (detects a banknote jam), the solenoid 138 is activated and the clamping roller 137 and the conveyor belt are activated. 134, the curled and tilted banknote P is held and conveyed as is.

Even such banknotes P will not be pinched by the pinching rollers 137 unless they are normally conveyed by the conveyor belt 134 and the feed roller 135b and do not stagnate (if they are pinched, they will not be fixed in a curled or slanted position). The inclination of the banknote P decreases as it moves downstream through the play in the passage. In addition, since the bill guide path 133 becomes narrower as it advances toward the payout roller 135b side, the posture of the bill P is restricted in the process of proceeding downstream, and the curl is gradually eliminated, preventing it from getting jammed or hitting the bill discharging roller guide 135c. It is discharged into the insertion passage section 120 without being damaged.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 32, when the curled banknote P stagnates in front of the feeding roller 135b and the pinching roller 137 is actuated, the banknote P is pinched between the pinching roller 137 and the conveyor belt 134, and the bill P becomes curled. - Transported while fixed in a tilted position. Therefore, even if the banknote P advances downstream, the curled shape and tilted posture are not corrected, and the end of the banknote P hits the banknote ejection roller guide 135c, and if it enters between the pair of banknote ejection rollers 135a in that state (Fig. 33), the edge of the banknote P (the edge indicated by the thick line in FIG. 33) may be damaged or jammed.

On the other hand, as in the intake device 45 of the present invention, the rib 131 is provided only at the center of the passage section 130a in the width direction of the passage, and both sides thereof are provided with a regulating section that forms a flat wall at the height of the top of the rib 131. 141, as shown in FIG. 31(b), both widthwise ends of the curled banknote P come into contact with the regulating portion 141, and the posture is regulated to reduce curling. Because the restricting portion 141 prevents the ends of the banknotes P in the width direction from getting between the ribs 131, the inclination of the banknotes gradually corrects as it moves downstream, and the banknotes P gradually correct their inclinations as they move downstream. By the time it reaches , there is no curl and the slope is corrected.

FIG. 34 shows how the leading edge of the banknote P passes through the passage part 130a where the regulating part 141 is located, and FIG. 35 shows how the banknote P reaches this side of the feeding roller 135b. The tilt of the posture is corrected by the time the person reaches the position shown in FIG.

Therefore, even if the banknote P is stagnant in front of the feeding roller 135b and the clamping roller 137 is activated and the banknote P is clamped between the clamping roller 137 and the conveyor belt 134 and its posture is fixed, the banknote P has already been Since the inclination has been corrected, as shown in FIG. 36, the bill P enters almost straight between the pair of bill discharge rollers 135a without the end portion hitting the bill discharge roller guide 135c, thereby preventing damage or jamming. The liquid is discharged from the opening 121 into the insertion passage 120 without any damage.

FIG. 37 shows the intake device 45 viewed from the direction of arrow E in FIG. 26. As shown in the figure, the curled banknote is regulated into a straight line by the regulating section 141 .

FIG. 38 shows a conventional capture device 45' as seen in the same way as FIG. 37. Since there is no restriction part 141, the end of the banknote P gets between the ribs, and the shape of the banknote P remains curled and is not restricted.

As shown in FIG. 39, the width E1 in the banknote thickness direction at the exit of the passing portion 130a of the taking-in device 45 according to the present invention (FIG. 39(a)) is different from that of the conventional taking-in device 45' (see FIG. 39(a)). It is considerably narrower than the width E2 in the banknote thickness direction at the exit of the passage section 130a' in b)), so that the curl of the banknote P is sufficiently straightened when it exits the passage section 130a of the receiving device 45. Take a posture. In addition, in the conventional taking-in device 45', the end of the banknote P enters deep between the ribs (shaded area), so the curl of the banknote P is maintained (Fig. 31(a) )reference).

<Role of guide wall 143>
40 shows the transition part from the passage section 130a to the conveying section 130b of the intake device 45 with a guide wall 143, and FIG. 41 shows the same part of the intake device 45' without the guide wall 143. . As shown in FIG. 41, the inner wall of the banknote guide path 133 of the conveyance unit 130b (the inner wall facing the paper surface of the banknote P) is located at a height between the base and the top of the rib 131. Thereby, the banknote P that has entered along the top of the rib 131 can be transferred to the conveyance section 130b through a slight step.

However, when trying to proceed from the passage section 130a to the conveying section 130b with the end of the ticket or Z-card stuck deeply between the ribs 131, the end of the stamp or Z-card gets stuck deep between the ribs 131, Since the banknotes collide with the transport section 130b, they cannot be smoothly transferred to the transport section 130b, resulting in jamming or damage to the banknotes P.

The guide wall 143 serves to solve this problem. That is, the guide wall 143 is provided between the passage section 130a and the conveying section 130b, and is inclined obliquely from the root (or outside the root) of the rib 131 formed in the passage section 130a toward the top side (toward the inside of the passage). As shown in FIG. 40, the edge of the ticket or Z tag is deeply inserted between the ribs 131 when the card is passed from the passage section 130a to the conveyance section 130b. 130b, the portion that has entered deeply between the ribs 131 rides on the guide wall 143 without hitting the end of the guide wall 143, is guided by the guide wall 143, and smoothly moves to the conveyor section. 130b, thereby preventing jamming and damage to the banknotes P.

The conveyance of banknotes P from the relay box 6 into the main conveyance pipe 40 by the sub conveyance device 9 and the take-in device 45 is performed in the following manner.

In a standby state before conveyance, the outgoing air flow generator 95 and the return air flow generator 97 are stopped. The auxiliary transport body 16 is held at a standby position at the lower end of the passage section 101 of the sub-transport device 9 (see FIGS. 24 and 25).

Note that the sub-transport device 9 can transport multiple (maximum 3) banknotes P in a stacked manner, and the taking-in device 45 transports the multiple banknotes P into the banknote guide path 133 at once. It can be put on standby. When a command is received from the control unit to send out the banknotes P into the main conveyance pipe 40 (the insertion passage section 120 of the taking-in device 45), the banknotes P waiting in the banknote guide path 133 are transferred to the conveyor belt 134 and held between the two. The roller 137, the bill discharging roller 135a, the feeding roller 135b, etc. are driven to feed the bill into the insertion passage section 120.

<During normal operation>
As shown in FIG. 42, when the banknote feeding device 93 of the sub-transport device 9 sends the banknotes P into the sub-transport pipe 91, the banknote feeder 93 drives the transport rollers 103 and moves the banknotes P arriving from the relay box 6 into the passage. 101 toward the bill receiving opening 102 (step S101). At this time, while the banknote P passes through the banknote intake opening 102, the banknote feed-out sensor S11 becomes (dark), and when the banknote P is completely fed into the passage section 101, the banknote feed-out sensor S11 returns to (bright). Note that the banknote feeding device 93 can feed a maximum of three banknotes P into the sub-transport pipe 91 at a time.

When the auxiliary transport device 9 confirms that the transport auxiliary body 16 is waiting at the standby position by checking that the standby position sensor S12 is (dark) (step S102; Yes), the sub-transport device 9 activates the forward air flow generator 95. is activated to generate an upward airflow (step S103).

Due to the action of this air flow, the conveyance auxiliary body 16 moves up inside the sub-conveyance pipe 91 while pushing the banknote P from the rear end, passes through the second curved pipe 52, and comes into contact with the banknote passing port 106 at the other end of the sub-conveyance pipe 91. , it stops at the conveyance completion position. The banknotes P transported by the transport auxiliary body 16 pass through the banknote passage port 106 and advance into the taking-in device 45 . The conveyance completion position sensor S13 (dark) confirms that the conveyance auxiliary body 16 has reached the conveyance completion position, and the banknote detection sensor S14 (dark) confirms that the banknote P has entered the banknote guide path 133 of the receiving device 45. ) to confirm (step S104). Note that even after the conveyance auxiliary body 16 reaches the conveyance completion position, the outgoing airflow generation device 95 continues to generate the airflow until the take-in device 45 finishes discharging the banknotes P into the main conveyance pipe 40.

When the capture device 45 confirms that the conveyance completion position sensor S13 is (dark) and the banknote detection sensor S14 is (dark) (step S104; Yes), it drives the motor of the conveyance unit 130b and moves the conveyance belt 134. , the bill discharging roller 135a and the feeding roller 135b are operated (step S105). As a result, the banknotes P are sent out from the take-in device 45 into the main conveyance pipe 40 (specifically, the insertion passage section 120 of the take-in device 45). At this time, the conveyance completion position sensor S13 remains (dark), and the receiving device 45 recognizes that the banknote P has passed through the conveyance unit 130b when the banknote detection sensor S14 becomes (bright), and further When the banknote discharge detection sensor S15 becomes dark, it is recognized that the banknote P is being discharged from the opening 121 to the insertion passage section 120.

After that, when the bill discharge detection sensor S15 becomes bright (step S106; Yes), it is determined that the discharge of the bills P into the main conveyance pipe 40 (the insertion passage section 120 of the taking-in device 45) is completed. , the outgoing airflow generating device 95 of the sub-transport device 9 is stopped, and after a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) has elapsed, the returning airflow generating device 97 is activated (step S107).

The conveyance auxiliary body 16 held at the conveyance completion position is moved within the sub conveyance pipe 91 toward the standby position at the other end by the action of the air flow generated by the return air flow generation device 97. As a result, the conveyance completion position sensor S13 becomes (bright). After that, when it is confirmed that the conveyance auxiliary body 16 has arrived at the standby position by the (dark) standby position sensor S12 (step S108; Yes), the return air flow generator 97 is stopped (step S109), and the normal The conveyance operation ends (end).

Next, the conditions for occurrence of an abnormality in the operation of conveying banknotes P from the relay box 6 into the main conveyance pipe 40, the recovery operation, etc. will be explained.

<Err01 Transport auxiliary body standby error>
Occurrence condition: Occurs when the conveyance auxiliary body 16 is not at the standby position at the lower end of the sub conveyance pipe 91 in the standby state.

Restoration condition: Set the transport auxiliary body 16 to the standby position at the lower end of the sub-transport pipe 91. As a result, the standby position sensor S12 changes to (dark) and automatically recovers.

<Err02 Abnormality in clogging of conveyance support body on return trip>
Occurrence condition: Occurs when the auxiliary transport body 16 does not return to the standby position during the transport operation by the sub-transport device 9.

Restoration condition: Automatic recovery is achieved by removing the blockage in the auxiliary transport body 16 from within the sub-transport pipe 91 and returning the auxiliary transport body 16 to the standby position (standby position sensor S12 (dark)).

The operation until the clogging abnormality (Err02) of the transport auxiliary body occurs on the return trip is as follows.

(1) In step S107 of FIG. 42, the return air flow generator 97 is activated. Note that the return airflow generator 97 is stopped after a preset return blower operating time has elapsed. The return blower operating time is set according to the path length of the sub-conveying pipe 91.

(2) If the standby position sensor S12 remains bright even after the return blower operation time has elapsed, wait for a predetermined air flow direction switching wait time (for example, 3 seconds) to elapse.

(3) After the air flow direction switching waiting time has elapsed, the forward air flow generator 95 is activated. Note that the forward air flow generator 95 is stopped after the preset forward blower operating time has elapsed. The forward blower operation time is set according to the path length of the sub-transport pipe 91.

(4) Wait for the air flow direction switching waiting time to elapse.

(5) An abnormality occurs when the transport auxiliary body 16 does not return to the standby position even after repeating the operations (1) to (4) above a predetermined number of times (for example, three times).

<ERR03 Abnormality in clogging of transport auxiliary body on outward journey>
Occurrence condition: Occurs when the conveyance completion position sensor S13 does not change to (dark) during the conveyance operation by the sub conveyance device 9 (when the conveyance auxiliary body 16 does not reach the conveyance completion position).

Recovery condition: Recovery is achieved by operating the error release switch in the relay box 6 after removing the cause of the bill jam near the bill feeder 93 at the lower end of the sub-transport pipe 91. However, the condition is that both the conveyance completion position sensor S13 and the banknote detection sensor S14 are (bright) when the error release switch is operated.

- At the time of error occurrence, the main transport device 8 does not carry out transport.

- Set the removed banknotes on the conveyance auxiliary body 16 in the sub conveyance pipe 91.

- The sub-transport device 9 is activated by the recovery operation (operation of the error release switch) and transports to the taking-in device 45.

- At the time when the banknote P is sent out from the taking-in device 45 into the main transport pipe 40, transport by the main transport device 8 is performed.

- If the transport auxiliary body 16 is present in the sub-transport pipe 91 before the recovery operation, it is necessary to return it to the standby position (manually operate the blower or return blower in the control section of the relay box 6).

- If the recovery operation is performed without setting the removed banknotes on the transport auxiliary body 16 in the sub-transport pipe 91, Err04 will occur in the transport operation by the sub-transport device 9.

The operation until the clogging abnormality (Err03) of the transport auxiliary body occurs on the outward path is as follows.

(1) In step S103 of FIG. 42, the forward air flow generator 95 is activated. Note that the forward air flow generator 95 is stopped after a preset forward blower operating time has elapsed. The forward blower operation time is set according to the path length of the sub-transport pipe 91.

(2) If the conveyance completion position sensor S13 and banknote detection sensor S14 remain (bright) even after the forward blower operation time has elapsed, wait for a predetermined air flow direction switching waiting time (for example, 3 seconds) to elapse. .

(3) After the air flow direction switching waiting time has elapsed, the return air flow generator 97 is activated. Note that the return airflow generator 97 is stopped after a preset return blower operating time has elapsed. The return blower operating time is set according to the path length of the sub-conveying pipe 91.

(4) Wait for the air flow direction switching waiting time to elapse.

(5) An abnormality occurs when the transport auxiliary body 16 does not return to the standby position even after repeating the operations (1) to (4) above a predetermined number of times (for example, three times).

<ERR04 Feeding sensor jam: Banknote jam error near conveyance completion position sensor S13>
Occurrence condition: Occurs when the auxiliary transport body 16 stagnates at the upper part of the sub-transport pipe 91 during the transport operation by the sub-transport device 9. (In step S104 of FIG. 42, the conveyance completion position sensor S13 (dark) is set, but the banknote detection sensor S14 (bright: never changes to dark) remains, or the banknote detection sensor S14 (dark) is set in S104, and the banknote is ejected in S105. After detecting the detection sensor S15 (dark), the state does not change to the bill detection sensor S14 (bright).

Recovery condition: After removing the cause of the jam near the transfer completion position sensor S13 in the sub-transfer pipe 91, recovery is achieved by operating the error release switch in the relay box 6. However, the condition is that both the conveyance completion position sensor S13 and the banknote detection sensor S14 are (bright) when the error release switch is operated.

- Set the removed banknotes into the main transport pipe 40.

・At the time of recovery, perform error check processing for Err02, Err03, and Err04 to check for remaining banknotes, etc.

- At the time of recovery, the main transport device 8 will be used for transportation.

There are two types of operations, A and B, below, until Err04 occurs.

A. When the conveyance completion position sensor S13 (dark) is detected in step S104 of FIG. 42 but the banknote detection sensor S14 (dark) is not detected (1) The forward air flow generator 95 is activated in step S103 of FIG. . Note that the forward air flow generator 95 is stopped after the preset forward blower operating time has elapsed. The forward blower operation time is set according to the path length of the sub-transport pipe 91.

(2) After the conveyance completion position sensor S13 detects (dark), the banknote detection sensor S14 does not detect (dark).

(3) Activate the solenoid 138 (pinching roller 137) (do not activate it for the first time, but activate it while the outward airflow generator 95 is activated from the second time onwards)
(4) Stop the forward airflow generator 95 and wait for the airflow direction switching waiting time to elapse.

(5) After the air flow direction switching waiting time has elapsed, the return air flow generator 97 is activated. Note that the return airflow generator 97 is stopped after a preset return blower operating time has elapsed. The return blower operating time is set according to the path length of the sub-conveying pipe 91.

(6) Wait for the air flow direction switching waiting time to elapse.

(7) An abnormality occurs when the transport auxiliary body 16 does not return to the standby position even after repeating the operations (1) to (6) above a predetermined number of times (for example, three times).

B, If the bill detection sensor S14 (dark) does not change to the bill detection sensor S14 (bright) after detecting the bill detection sensor S14 (dark) in step S104 of FIG. 42 and the bill discharge detection sensor S15 (dark) in S105 (1) Step S103 of FIG. The outgoing airflow generator 95 is activated. Note that the forward air flow generator 95 is stopped after the preset forward blower operating time has elapsed. The forward blower operation time is set according to the path length of the sub-transport pipe 91.

(2) Detection of conveyance completion position sensor S13 (dark) and banknote detection sensor S14 (dark).

(3) In the state of the conveyance completion position sensor S13 (dark) and the bill discharge detection sensor S15 (dark), the bill detection sensor S14 does not become (bright).

(4) Activate the solenoid 138 (pinching roller 137) (do not activate it for the first time; activate it while the outward airflow generator 95 is activated from the second time onward)
(5) Stop the forward airflow generator 95 and wait for the airflow direction switching waiting time to elapse.

(6) After the air flow direction switching waiting time has elapsed, the return air flow generator 97 is activated. Note that the return airflow generator 97 is stopped after a preset return blower operating time has elapsed. The return blower operating time is set according to the path length of the sub-conveying pipe 91.

(7) Wait for the air flow direction switching waiting time to elapse.

(8) An abnormality occurs when the transport auxiliary body 16 does not return to the standby position even after repeating the operations (1) to (7) above a predetermined number of times (for example, three times).

<ERR05 Banknote jam error near opening 121 of insertion passage section 120>
Occurrence condition: Occurs when the banknote P becomes stagnant within the banknote guide path 133 near the opening 121 of the taking-in device 45. (After bill detection sensor S14 (dark) is detected during conveyance, bill discharge detection sensor S15 (dark) is not detected)
Recovery condition: After removing the cause of the jam in the banknote guide path 133 near the opening 121 of the receiving device 45, recovery is achieved by operating the error release switch in the relay box 6. However, the condition is that both the conveyance completion position sensor S13 and the banknote detection sensor S14 are (bright) when the error release switch is operated.

- Set the removed banknotes into the main transport pipe 40 (insertion passage section 120 of the taking-in device 45).

・At the time of recovery, perform error check processing for Err02, Err03, and Err04 to check for remaining banknotes, etc.

- At the time of recovery, the main transport device 8 will be used for transportation.

The operation until Err05 occurs is as follows.

(1) During the transport operation by the sub-transport device 9, after the banknote detection sensor S14 (dark) is detected in S104 of FIG. 42, the banknote discharge detection sensor S15 (dark) is not detected in S105 (2) For a predetermined period of time (for example, 5 seconds) After waiting, turn on solenoid 138 (drive for 15 seconds)
(3) If the bill discharge detection sensor S15 (dark) does not turn on even after repeating the operations in (1) and (2) a predetermined number of times (for example, three times), an abnormality occurs.

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.

1...Paper sheet collection and conveyance system 2...Game hall 3...Game machine island 4...Game ball lending machine 5...Game machine 6...Relay box 7...Island banknote transport device 8...Main transport device 9...Sub-transfer device 11...Banknotes Separation/transportation auxiliary body circulation device 11a...Transportation auxiliary body insertion device 11b...Separation and recovery device 12...Transportation pipe 12a...Outward path 12b...Return path 14...Air flow generation device 14a...Air blowing passage 14b...Air suction passage 16...Transportation auxiliary body 16a... Head 16b... Small neck part 16c... Large diameter part 16d... Narrow part 18... Banknote taking device 23... Control part 31... Upper and lower walls 32... Side wall part 33... Expansion part (guide)
34...Separation wall (rib)
35... Rib 40... Main conveyance pipe 41... Safe 44... Relay device 45... Take-in device 50... Straight pipe 51... First curved pipe 52... Second curved part 52a... Second curved pipe of type 1 52b... Type 2 Second curved pipe 54...Twisted pipe 91...Sub-conveyance pipe 93...Banknote sending device 95...Outbound air flow generation device 97...Return path air flow generation device 101...Passage portion 102...Banknote intake opening 103...Conveyance roller 104...Shutter 105... Lower air vent 106...Banknote passing port 120...Intervention passage section 121...Passage section 121...Opening 130...Entry passage section 130a...Passing section 130b...Transportation section 131...Rib 133...Banknote guide path 134...Conveyance belt 135a...Banknote discharge Roller 135b...Feeding roller 135c...Banknote discharge roller guide 136...Shutter 137...Pinching roller 138...Solenoid 139...Movable arm 141...Restriction part 143...Guide wall S11...Banknote feeding sensor S12...Standby position sensor S13...Conveyance completion position sensor S14 ...Banknote detection sensor S14...Banknote detection sensor S15...Banknote discharge detection sensor P...Banknote Dx...Distance between reference plane parts of the conveyance tube Dy...Inner dimension of the conveyance tube in the Y direction F...Extension direction of the conveyance tube W...Passage width X: Width direction of conveyor pipe passage Y: Height direction of conveyor pipe

Claims (2)

A paper sheet collection and transportation system that collects paper sheets from multiple intake locations within a facility and transports the collected sheets to a predetermined destination by the action of airflow,
a conveyance pipe extending to the destination via the plurality of intake locations; an air flow generator that generates an air flow toward the destination in the conveyance pipe; a main conveyance device comprising a paper sheet intake device which is provided respectively and sends paper sheets into the conveyance pipe;
a relay device that is provided corresponding to the paper sheet intake device and has a function of temporarily storing paper sheets collected in a predetermined local area and a function of feeding out the stored paper sheets;
A sub-transport pipe that connects the relay device and the paper sheet intake device corresponding thereto, and an outgoing airflow generation device that generates an air flow toward the paper sheet intake device in the sub-transport pipe. , a sub-transport device that transports the paper sheets fed out from the relay device into the sub-transport pipe by the action of the air flow generated by the outgoing air flow generating device, and delivers the paper sheets to the paper sheet intake device; ,
Equipped with
The sub-transport device operates the forward air flow generating device when transporting the paper sheets to the paper sheet intake device, and the paper sheet intake device recognizes the passage of the transported paper sheets. Then, it recognizes that the passed paper sheet is being discharged into the transport pipe of the main transport device, and stops the outgoing airflow generation device when the paper leaf has been sent into the transport pipe of the main transport device. A paper sheet collection and conveyance system that is characterized by: The sub-transport device is
The paper sheets fed out from the relay device into the sub-conveyance pipe are pushed from behind by a conveyance auxiliary body that moves within the sub-conveyance pipe under the action of the airflow generated by the outgoing air flow generation device. Convey to the paper sheet intake device,
a return airflow generation device that generates an airflow from the paper sheet intake device toward the relay device in the sub-transport pipe;
After the paper sheet taking-in device finishes feeding the paper sheets into the transport pipe of the main transport device and stops the outgoing air flow generation device, the return air flow generation device is activated to transfer the paper sheets to the transport auxiliary body. The paper sheet collection and conveyance system according to claim 1, wherein the paper sheet collection and conveyance system returns the paper sheet to the relay device side.