JPH10208088A - Ticket reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a ticket reader which secures a prescribed interval between the read plane of a read element and transfer members when the read element of a read mechanism and the transfer member are shifted to a close state by a contact and separation mechanism. SOLUTION: When a ticket or coins are jammed, a contact and separation mechanism shifts both separation rollers of a separation mechanism, a read element 29 of a read mechanism 23 and transfer members 25 and 26 from a close state to a separated state and solves the jam of the ticket and coins. When both separation rollers of the separation mechanism, the element 29 of the mechanism 23 and the members 25 and 26 are shifted from the separated state to the close state, holding members 33 which are provided to at least one of the element 29 of the mechanism 23 and the members 25 and 26 are brought into contact by pressure with the other, and prescribed gap is maintained between a read plane 29a of the element 29 and the member 25.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a ticket reader for reading a numbered ticket used for a route bus, for example.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in a ticket reader of this kind, a separating mechanism comprising a pair of separating rollers as a bill separating mechanism is disposed on an upper portion thereof, and these separating rollers extend in parallel with each other in an inclined state. It is designed to rotate inward around. Then, when a numbered ticket and a coin are inserted between the two separating rollers from above, the numbered ticket is entangled between the two separating rollers and is passed and separated below them. Also, coins having a thickness greater than the numbered ticket are not separated between the two separation rollers, but are separated by flowing down along the upper surface groove between the two separation rollers.

[0003] A reading mechanism including a reading element and a transfer member is provided below the separating mechanism as a ticket reading device. Then, while the numbered ticket separated by the separation mechanism is transported along the reading surface of the reading element by the transfer member, necessary information on the numbered ticket is read by the reading element. However, in such a separating mechanism and a reading mechanism, there is a possibility that a numbered ticket or a coin may move unexpectedly or a foreign substance may be thrown in and cause clogging.

Therefore, a contact / separation mechanism is provided so as to be linked to the separation mechanism and the reading mechanism. Then, by the contact / separation mechanism, both the separation rollers of the separation mechanism are changed between a normal approach state and an opened separation state, and the reading element and the transfer member of the reading mechanism are separated from the normal approach state and the opened separation state. It has been changed to a state. Thereby, in the separated state of both separation rollers and the separated state of the reading element and the transfer member, jamming of numbered tickets and coins is eliminated.

[0005] In the ticket reading apparatus thus configured, when the reading element of the reading mechanism and the transfer member are shifted to the approaching state by the contact / separation mechanism, the information of the numbered tickets is read accurately. Thus, it is necessary to maintain a predetermined distance of, for example, about 0 to 0.2 mm between the reading surface of the reading element and the transfer member. For this reason, for example, as shown in FIG.
2. Description of the Related Art A ticket reader provided with an interval maintaining mechanism has been conventionally proposed.

That is, in this conventional configuration, a fixed frame 41 is provided in a case (not shown), and a movable frame 42 is provided so as to be movable. A plurality of transfer rollers 44 as transfer members in the reading mechanism 43 are rotatably supported on the fixed frame 41, and a transfer belt 45 is mounted on these transfer rollers 44.

The image reading element 46 of the reading mechanism 43 has a pair of holding blocks 47 attached thereto, and the reading surface 4 thereof.
6a is disposed to face the transfer belt 45. A pair of guide blocks 48 are fixedly arranged in the movable frame 42, and an adjusting screw 49 for slidably inserting and supporting the holding block 47 is threadably fitted inside the pair of guide blocks 48.

Between the guide block 48 and the holding block 47, a spring 50 is inserted into each adjusting screw 49, and the spring 50 causes the holding block 47 to adjust the adjusting screw 4.
9 is urged to move to a position where it engages with the head of No. 9. When the movable frame 42 is moved closer to the fixed frame 41 by a contact / separation mechanism (not shown) such as a gear crank mechanism, the reading surface 46 a of the image reading element 46 is moved.
Are arranged opposite to the transfer belt 45 at a predetermined interval adjusted by the adjustment screw 49.

[0009]

However, in this conventional ticket reading apparatus, the holding blocks 47 at both ends of the image reading element 46 are attached to the transfer roller 44 and the transfer belt 45 because the respective mechanisms must be separated from each other. By engaging with the head of the adjusting screw 49 on the guide block 48 without directly engaging, the predetermined gap is formed between the reading surface 46a of the image reading element 46 and the transfer belt 45. Has become. Therefore, it takes time to adjust the image reading element 46 to a uniform predetermined interval by the adjusting screw. Further, when the image reading element 46 is moved closer to the transfer belt 45 by the contacting / separating mechanism, the play of the driving unit (gear of the gear) in the contacting / separating mechanism is required. Backlash, etc.) and the mounting accuracy of each component.
6 has a problem that it is difficult to secure a predetermined interval between the reading surface 46a and the transfer belt 45.

The present invention has been made by paying attention to such problems existing in the prior art. The purpose is that the reading surface of the reading element and the transfer member are not moved when the reading element and the transfer member of the reading mechanism are moved closer to each other by the contact / separation mechanism without special adjustment. It is an object of the present invention to provide a ticket reading device that can easily secure a uniform predetermined interval therebetween.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a reading element for reading a ticket and a transfer member for transferring the ticket along a reading surface of the reading element are provided. At least one of the reading element and the transfer member of the reading mechanism, the reading mechanism comprising: a reading mechanism having a reading mechanism; and a contact / separation mechanism for changing a reading element and a transfer member of the reading mechanism between an approach state and a separation state. Includes a holding member that abuts against the other when they are shifted to the approaching state and maintains a predetermined distance between the reading surface of the reading element and the transfer member.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the ticket reading apparatus according to the first aspect, the holding member is disposed at opposite ends of the reading element and the transfer member. Claim 3
According to the invention described in (1), in the ticket reading device according to claim 1 or 2, the transporting member includes a plurality of transporting rollers and a transporting belt mounted on the transporting rollers, and the holding member includes a reading element. It comprises a space roller attached to the roller shaft of the opposing transfer roller.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the ticket reading apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the reading element is disposed so as to be capable of moving toward and away from the transfer member. The moving member is urged to move toward the transfer member by the urging member.

In the ticket reading apparatus according to the first aspect, the reading element and the transfer member of the reading mechanism are normally arranged close to each other by the contact / separation mechanism. At this time, the holding member provided on at least one of the reading element and the transfer member abuts on the other, so that a predetermined distance can be maintained between the reading surface of the reading element and the transfer member.

[0015] In the ticket reader according to the second aspect,
In addition to the effect of the invention according to claim 1, since the holding member is disposed at both end portions of the reading element and the transfer member facing each other, between the reading surface of the reading element and the transfer member by both holding members.
Predetermined intervals can be formed uniformly over the entire length of the facing surfaces.

[0016] In the ticket reading device according to the third aspect,
In addition to the function of the invention described in claim 1 or 2, the transfer member is constituted by a plurality of transfer rollers and a transfer belt mounted on the transfer rollers, and the holding member is provided on the roller shaft of the transfer roller facing the reading element. It consists of an attached space roller. For this reason, although the structure of the holding member is simple, a predetermined interval can be reliably formed between the reading surface of the reading element and the transfer member.

In the ticket reading device according to the fourth aspect,
In addition to the operation of the invention according to any one of claims 1 and 3, the reading element is disposed so as to be able to move toward and away from the transfer member and is moved in a direction approaching the transfer member by the biasing member. Movement is biased. Therefore, in a state in which the reading element is disposed close to the transfer member, the holding member can be held in a contact state with the opposing member by the urging force of the urging member, and the reading element is transferred to the reading surface of the reading element. A predetermined space can be secured between the member and the member.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the ticket reader of the present invention is embodied in a ticket coin separator for separating a numbered ticket for a bus and a coin as a fare paid based on the numbered ticket. Will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the case 11 of the coin / coin separator is formed in a substantially box shape, and a slot 11a for inserting a numbered ticket 12 and coins 13 is formed on the upper surface thereof. I have. The fixed frame 14 is fixedly disposed in the case 11, and the movable frame 1 is
5 is movably disposed. Further, a contact / separation mechanism (not shown) is provided in the case 11, and the movable frame 15 is moved and arranged with respect to the fixed frame 14 at a position close to and away from the fixed frame 14 by the contact / separation mechanism. .

The separating mechanism 16 is connected to the frames 14 and 15.
And a pair of separation rollers 17 and 18 disposed above. The drive-side separation roller 17 is supported by the fixed frame 14 so as to be rotatable around an inclined axis, and a large number of grooves 17a are formed on the outer periphery thereof at a predetermined pitch. The driven-side separation roller 18 is supported by the movable frame 15 so as to be rotatable around an inclined axis parallel to the drive-side separation roller 17, and a plurality of grooves 18a are formed on its outer periphery at a predetermined pitch.

A driving motor 19 is mounted on the fixed frame 14 and is driven by the driving motor 19.
The driving-side separation roller 17 is rotated inward with respect to the driven-side separation roller 18 via the belts 0 and 21 and the toothed belt 22. Further, with the rotation of the drive-side separation roller 17, the driven-side separation roller 18 is rotated inward with respect to the drive-side separation roller 17 via a gear (not shown).

When the movable frame 15 is arranged at a position close to the fixed frame 14 by the contact / separation mechanism, the thickness of the numbered ticket 12 is set between the driving-side separation roller 17 and the driven-side separation roller 18. Is also large, and an interval smaller than the thickness of the coin 13 is formed. Accordingly, when the numbered ticket 12 and the coin 13 are inserted between the separation rollers 17 and 18 from the upper insertion port 11a, the numbered ticket 12 is caught between the separation rollers 17 and 18 and passes below them. Separated. In addition, the coin 13 is divided into two separating rollers 17,
18 without being caught between the two separation rollers 17, 1
The flow is separated down along the upper surface groove between the eight.

The reading mechanism 23 is disposed on both frames 14 and 15 so as to be located below the separating mechanism 16. That is, a pair of drive-side transfer rollers 24 as transfer members are fixed via the bracket 27 to the fixed frame 14.
The transfer belt 24 is supported rotatably about an inclined axis parallel to the drive-side separation roller 17, and a transfer belt 25 as a transfer member is hung on these transfer rollers 24. The intermediate transfer roller 26 as a transfer member includes the two drive-side transfer rollers 24.
Bracket 27 so that it extends in parallel at the middle of
And is rotatably supported by the fixed frame 14 via the inner surface of the transfer belt 25.

A pair of driven transfer rollers 28 as transfer members are rotatably supported by the movable frame 15 so as to extend in parallel with the drive transfer rollers 24. The image reading element 29 is disposed on the movable frame 15 at a position corresponding to the intermediate transfer roller 26 between the driven-side transfer rollers 28.

When the drive motor 19 is rotated, the toothed pulleys 30 and 31 and the toothed belt 3
2, the lower drive-side transfer roller 24 is rotated inward with respect to the driven-side transfer roller 28, and the transfer belt 25 is rotated in the same direction. In addition, with the rotation of the transfer belt 25, both the driven transfer rollers 28
4 is rotated inward inward.

Further, in a state where the movable frame 15 is arranged at a position close to the fixed frame 14 by the contact / separation mechanism, the reading surface 29a of the image reading element 29 and the corresponding transfer belt 25 on the intermediate transfer roller 26 are arranged. Between
For example, a predetermined interval of about 0 to 0.2 mm is formed.
As a result, the numbered ticket 12 that has passed downward and separated from between the separation rollers 17 and 18 is transported by the transport belt 25 along the reading surface 29a of the image reading element 29, and the necessary information on the numbered ticket 12 is The image is read by the image reading element 29.

As shown in FIG. 4, a pair of space rollers 33 as a holding member are arranged at opposite ends of the image reading element 29 and the intermediate transfer roller 26 so as to be located on the roller shaft of the intermediate transfer roller 26. It is rotatably attached to both ends. A part of the peripheral edge of the space roller 33 projects from the peripheral edge of the transport belt 25 toward the image reading element 29. The pair of springs 34 serving as urging members is
5, the image reading element 29 is urged in a direction approaching the transfer belt 25.

The image reading element 29 is moved by the contact / separation mechanism.
Is moved closer to the transfer belt 25, the two space rollers 33 abut against the opposing surface of the image reading element 29,
The spring 34 holds the contact state. As a result, the reading surface 29a of the image reading element 29 and the transfer belt 25
, The above-mentioned predetermined interval is secured.

Next, the operation of the above-structured coin separating apparatus will be described. In this coin separating apparatus, the separating mechanism 1 is usually operated by a contact / separation mechanism (not shown).
6, both the separation rollers 17 and 18 are arranged close to each other, and the image reading element 29 of the reading mechanism 23 and the transfer belt 25 are arranged close to each other. At this time, a pair of space rollers 33 as holding members provided at both ends of the intermediate transfer roller 26 abut on the opposing surface of the image reading element 29, and the space between the reading surface 29a of the image reading element 29 and the transfer belt 25 is set. A predetermined interval of about 0 to 0.2 mm is maintained.

Therefore, in this state, the two separation rollers 17, 1
When the numbered ticket 12 and the coin 13 are inserted from above in the interval 8, the numbered ticket 12 is entangled between the separation rollers 17 and 18 and is passed and separated below them. In addition, numbered ticket 1
The coin 13 having a thickness greater than 2 is used for the separation rollers 17, 1
8, the two separation rollers 17, 18
It flows down and separates along the upper groove.

Further, the numbered ticket 12 which has passed through and separated from between the two separation rollers 17 and 18 is transferred by the transfer belt 25 along the reading surface 29a of the image reading element 29.
The necessary information on the numbered ticket 12 is read by the image reading element 29. These numbered tickets 12 and coins 13 are individually stored in a numbered ticket collection box and a coin collection box (not shown) provided in the case 11.

On the other hand, in this ticket / coin separating apparatus, when the separation mechanism 16 or the reading mechanism 23 becomes clogged with the numbered ticket 12 or the coin 13, the state is detected by a sensor (not shown). Then, the contact / separation mechanism is operated by this detection signal, and the movable frame 15 is moved in a direction away from the fixed frame 14. As a result, the distance between the separation rollers 17 and 18 of the separation mechanism 16 is increased, and the reading surface 2 of the image reading element 29 of the reading mechanism 23 is read.
9a and the transfer belt 25 are widened, and the numbered ticket 1
The clogging of the coin 2 and the coin 13 is eliminated.

Thereafter, the movable frame 15 is moved by the contact / separation mechanism.
Is moved closer to the fixed frame 14, and the two separation rollers 1 are moved.
The distance between 7, 18 and the reading surface 29a of the image reading element 29
The distance between the belt and the transfer belt 25 is reduced. At this time, the space rollers 3 provided at both ends of the intermediate transfer roller 26
3 comes into direct contact with the opposing surface of the image reading element 29, and a predetermined space is formed between the reading surface 29 a of the image reading element 29 and the transport belt 25. Therefore, under the influence of the play of the drive unit in the contact / separation mechanism and the mounting accuracy of each part,
There is no risk that the distance between the reading surface 29a of the image reading element 29 and the transfer belt 25 will be deviated every time the contact and separation are performed.

The effects that can be expected from this embodiment will be described below. (A) In the ticket reader of the coin separating device in which the jam is eliminated by the opening operation by the contact and separation of each mechanism shown in this embodiment, the image reading element 29 of the reading mechanism 23 and the transfer belt 25 are connected. A space roller 33 is provided which comes into contact with the image reading element 29 and maintains a predetermined gap between the two 29a and 25 when the state is changed to the approach state. For this reason, when the image reading element 29 of the reading mechanism 23 and the transfer member are moved closer to each other by the contact / separation mechanism without special adjustment, the reading surface 2 of the image reading element 29 is not required.
A predetermined interval between the transfer belt 9a and the transfer belt 25 can be easily secured.

(B) In the ticket reading apparatus of this embodiment, the space rollers 33 are disposed at opposite ends of the image reading element 29 and the intermediate transfer roller 26. Therefore, the reading surface 2 of the image reading element 29 is held by the two holding members 33.
A predetermined interval can be formed uniformly between the transfer belt 9a and the transfer belt 25 over the entire length of their facing surfaces.

(C) In the ticket reading apparatus of this embodiment, the transfer member is constituted by a plurality of transfer rollers 24 and 26 and a transfer belt 25 mounted on them, and the holding member faces the image reading element 29. It is composed of a space roller 33 attached to the roller shaft of the transfer roller 26. For this reason, although the structure of the holding member is simple, high attachment accuracy can be easily obtained, and the image reading element 2
9 can be reliably formed with a predetermined interval between the reading surface 29a and the transfer belt 25.

(D) In the ticket reading apparatus of this embodiment, the image reading element 29 is disposed so as to be able to move toward and away from the transfer belt 25, and the transfer belt 25 is moved by the spring 34.
It is urged to move in the direction to approach. Therefore, in a state where the image reading element 29 is disposed close to the transfer belt 25, the space roller 33 is
Can reliably be held in contact with the opposing member, and the reading surface 29a of the image reading element 29 and the transfer belt 2
5 can be provided with a predetermined interval.

The above embodiment may be configured as follows. (1) The space rollers 33 project from both ends of the image reading element 29 toward the intermediate transfer roller 26 as a transfer member.

(2) The space rollers 33 are provided at both ends of the image reading element 29 and both ends of the intermediate transfer roller 26 as a transfer member so as to be able to abut each other. (3) The configurations of the separation mechanism 16 and the reading mechanism 23 are appropriately changed.

(4) In the above-described embodiment, the holding member is a space roller. However, the shape is not limited to a circular shape, and may be changed to an arbitrary shape as long as the space can be secured by contact. Good.

Next, technical ideas other than the claims that can be grasped from the embodiment will be described together with their effects. A coin separating device comprising: the ticket reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 4; and a separating mechanism (16) for separating tickets and coins. According to this configuration, a predetermined interval can be easily secured between the reading surface of the reading element and the transfer member, so that the ticket separated by the separation mechanism can be reliably read.

[0042]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the reading element of the reading mechanism and the transfer member are moved to the close state by the contact / separation mechanism without special adjustment, the reading is performed. A predetermined interval can be easily secured between the reading surface of the element and the transfer member.

According to the invention described in claim 2, according to claim 1
In addition to the effects of the invention described in (1), a predetermined interval can be formed uniformly between the reading surface of the reading element and the transfer member over the entire length of the opposing surfaces by the two holding members.

According to the invention described in claim 3, according to claim 1
Alternatively, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 2, it is possible to reliably form a predetermined gap between the reading surface of the reading element and the transfer member despite the simple structure of the holding member.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the first aspect is provided.
In addition to the effect of the invention according to any one of claims 3 to 5, in a state where the reading element is arranged close to the transfer member, the holding member is brought into contact with the member facing the holding member by the urging force of the urging member. , And a predetermined distance can be secured between the reading surface of the reading element and the transfer member.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view (XX of FIG. 2) showing an embodiment of a ticket reading device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a main part of the ticket reading device.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of a main part of the ticket reading device of FIG. 2 (Y- of FIG. 2);
Y).

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a main part showing a configuration for holding a gap of a reading mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of a main part of a conventional ticket reader.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... case, 12 ... numbered ticket, 13 ... coin, 14 ... fixed frame, 15 ... movable frame, 16 ... separation mechanism, 17
... Driving side separation roller, 18 ... Driving side separation roller, 19 ...
Drive motor, 23 reading mechanism, 24 drive side transfer roller as a transfer member, 25 transfer belt as a transfer member, 26 intermediate transfer roller as a transfer member, 28 driven side transfer roller as a transfer member, 29 ... an image reading element, 29a ... a reading surface, 33 ... a space roller as a holding member, 34 ... a spring as an urging member.

Claims (4)

[Claims] A reading mechanism for reading a ticket and a transfer member for transferring the ticket along a reading surface of the reading element, and a reading element and a transfer member of the reading mechanism are brought into an approach state and a separation state. And a contact / separation mechanism for shifting, wherein at least one of the reading element and the transfer member of the reading mechanism abuts the other when they are shifted to the approaching state, and the reading element A ticket reader provided with a holding member for holding a predetermined distance between a reading surface and a transfer member. 2. The ticket reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said holding member is disposed at opposite ends of the reading element and the transfer member. 3. The transfer member comprises a plurality of transfer rollers and a transfer belt mounted on the transfer rollers, and the holding member comprises a space roller attached to a roller shaft of the transfer roller facing the reading element. The ticket reading device according to claim 1 or 2. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reading element is disposed so as to be movable toward and away from the transfer member, and is urged by a ticket reader in a direction approaching the transfer member. The ticket reader according to the above.