JPH11215851A - Medium conveyor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a medium conveyor whose assembling work is easy. SOLUTION: In a stator 1, direction-regulating strip electrodes 13 (13X-13Z) to be arranged toward the direction of conveyance are disposed and insulation from conveying strip electrodes 22. In a moving element 2, direction-regulating strip electrodes 23 to be arranged toward the direction of conveyance is disposed insulated from conveying strip electrodes 22. Here, voltages having different polarities are applied to the direction-regulating strip electrodes 13, 23 (23X-23Z) of the stator 1 and the moving element 2, when the moving element 2 moves on the stator 1, and an attractive force is caused to act between the stator 1 and the moving element 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for transporting paper sheets such as paper and banknotes, and card-like media such as cash cards and prepaid cards, such as copiers, printers, facsimile machines, automatic cash dispensers and the like, or The present invention relates to a medium transport device for processing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional medium transport device, for example,
The technique described in JP-A-5-294490 is known. This medium transport device has a three-system (three-phase) strip-shaped electrode on a stator having three-system (three-phase) strip-shaped electrodes, and mounts a movable element for holding a medium, and fixes the movable member. A special combination of voltages is applied to each phase of the stator while switching, and a special combination of voltages is applied to each phase of the mover to repeatedly repel and attract charges between the stator and the mover. To move the moving element along the stator, thereby conveying the medium held by the moving element.

[0003]

In the above-described conventional medium transport apparatus, the movable member floats on the stator by electrostatic force and moves. For example, the movable member is installed in a state where the stator is inclined. In such a case, the force acting in the transport direction causes the movable element to shift left and right with respect to the transport direction, so that the medium cannot be reliably held and transported. For this reason, a structure is known in which a pair of left and right guide rails are provided beside the stator to restrict the transport direction of the movable element.

However, in the structure in which the guide rail is provided,
Since the setting of the guide rails and the engagement between the guide rails and the mover require time and effort, there is a problem that the assembling work is complicated.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention relates to a carrier for transporting, which is arranged orthogonally to the transporting direction, on a stator in which belt electrodes for transporting, which are arranged orthogonally to the transporting direction, are arranged at intervals. A movable element having band electrodes arranged at intervals is placed thereon, and an applied electrostatic force is applied by switching the applied voltage characteristics of the transporting band electrodes to move the movable element carrying the medium along the stator. In a medium transport device that transports a medium, a belt-shaped electrode for direction regulation arranged in the transport direction is arranged on the stator insulated from the belt-shaped electrode for transport, and the movable member is arranged in the transport direction. The belt electrodes for direction regulation are arranged insulated from the belt electrodes for conveyance, and when the moving member moves on the stator, voltages having different polarities are applied to the band electrodes for direction regulation of the stator and the moving member. Between the stator and the mover. To, and to exert a suction force.

The polarity is changed by repeating one of the voltages applied to the belt-shaped electrodes for regulating the direction of the stator and the mover, and the attraction force and the repulsive force are generated between the stator and the mover. You may make it act alternately. Further, it is preferable that the electrode width and the electrode interval of the belt-like electrode for regulating the direction of the stator are equal to the electrode width and the electrode interval of the belt-like electrode for conveyance. Further, it is preferable that the electrode width and the electrode interval of the belt-like electrode for regulating the direction of the moving element are made equal to the electrode width and the electrode interval of the transporting belt-like electrode.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a medium transport device according to an embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of a transport system. As shown in FIG. 1, this medium transport device includes a stator 1 having strip electrodes divided into three systems (three phases) on a stator 1 having three systems (three phases).
A movable element 2 on which the medium X is placed is mounted, a special voltage combination is applied to each phase of the stator 1 while being switched, and a special voltage combination is applied to each phase of the movable element 2. To apply an electrostatic force between the stator 1 and the mover 2 that repeatedly repels and attracts electric charges,
The transport system transports the medium X in the direction of the arrow α by transporting the movable element 2 along the stator 1.

Further, in this transport system, as shown in FIG. 2, the moving element 2 on which the medium X is placed moves in the direction of the arrow α while controlling the position substantially at the center of the stator 1 in the width direction. That is,
This transport system can restrict the movement of the movable element 2 only in the transport direction. The position control is performed by moving the belt-shaped electrode for direction control orthogonal to the belt-shaped electrode for transport to the stator 1 and the moving member 2.
, And is performed by suction and repulsion of an electrostatic force acting on the band-shaped electrodes for regulating the direction between the stator 1 and the moving element 2. The size of the transport surface of the stator 1 may be freely set according to the medium X.

Hereinafter, the structures of the stator 1 and the moving element 2 necessary for position control will be described. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of the arrangement of the strip electrodes of the stator. In this stator 1, the belt electrodes 12 for transport are arranged at a constant pitch orthogonal to the transport direction, and the strip electrodes 13 for direction regulation are arranged at a constant pitch substantially at the center in the width direction. FIG. 4 is a conceptual view of the arrangement of the strip electrodes of the moving element. On this movable element 2, a transport strip electrode 22 is disposed at the same pitch as the transport strip electrode 12 of the stator 1 and orthogonal to the transport direction, and a belt electrode 22 for regulating the direction of the stator 1 is provided.
At the same pitch as above, a strip-shaped electrode 23 for direction control is arranged substantially at the center in the width direction. The number of the strip electrodes 23 is the same as the number of the strip electrodes 13. Here, it is assumed that three electrodes (three phases) are used, and three electrodes are arranged respectively.

FIG. 5 is a partially omitted sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 2, and FIG. 6 is a partially omitted sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. The stator 1 has a plurality of transporting strip electrodes 12 and direction regulating strip electrodes 13 arranged on a substrate 11 at a constant pitch, respectively.
An insulating layer 14 is formed on the electrode surface to prevent inter-electrode discharge, discharge to the atmosphere, or electric shock. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the strip electrodes 12A, 12B, 12B
C is used as a set, and connected to the A-phase, B-phase, and C-phase electrodes in order. As shown in FIG. 6, the strip electrodes 13X, 13Y, 13Y
One set is made of Z and connected to the X-phase, Y-phase, and Z-phase electrodes in order.

The substrate 11 is a film-shaped or substrate-shaped insulator, and its thickness and size may be freely designed. The material of the film-like insulator is PI
(Polyimide), PET (polyester), fluorine resin, or the like. Also, as a material of the substrate-like insulator,
Epoxy resin or the like may be used. Here, the thickness 25 [μ
m].

The transporting strip electrode 12 may be made of any conductive material, and the width of the electrodes and the electrode spacing may be freely set. The strip electrode 12 may be formed on the base material 11 by a known technique such as printing or etching.
The direction-limiting band-shaped electrode 13 is arranged in a direction orthogonal to the band-shaped electrode 12 as described above. The strip electrode 13 may be made of any conductive material like the strip electrode 12, and is formed on the base material 11 by a known technique such as printing or etching. The width of the electrode and the electrode interval can be freely set according to the band electrode 12, but the band electrode 13 and the band electrode 2 can be freely set.
In order to make the force generated by each of the electrodes 3 uniform, it is desirable that the electrode width and the electrode interval of the band electrode 13 be equal to those of the band electrode 23. Also, the strip electrode 13 and the strip electrode 12
Distance from the end of the strip electrode 12 from the viewpoint of securing insulation.
It is preferable that the distance be equal to or longer than the electrode interval of the band-shaped electrode 13.

The insulating layer 14 is made of a highly insulating material.
ET, fluororesin, PI, etc. may be used. PET which has relatively low moisture absorption in order to prevent insulation deterioration due to moisture absorption etc.
And a fluorine-based resin are desirable. The formation of the insulating layer 14 is performed by a known technique such as bonding or thermocompression bonding. When the insulating layer 14 is formed, an operation in a dry (low humidity) atmosphere is required. Here, a PET having a thickness of 50 [μm] is assumed.

The moving element 2 is in the form of a film having the same structure as that of the stator 1. As described above, the moving element 2 is provided with the transporting strip electrode 22 and the direction regulating strip electrode 23 therein. is there. A plurality of strip electrodes 22 for conveyance and strip electrodes 23 for direction regulation are respectively arranged at a constant pitch on a base material 21, and discharge between electrodes and discharge to the atmosphere, or on the electrode surface to prevent electric shock. An insulating layer 24 is formed. Further, as shown in FIG.
A, 22B, and 22C form a set, and in order, A-phase, B-phase, and C
Connect to phase electrodes. As shown in FIG.
X, 23Y, and 23Z make a set, and in order, X phase, Y phase, and Z
Connect to phase electrodes.

The substrate 21 is a film-shaped or substrate-shaped insulator, and its thickness and size may be freely designed. The material of the film-like insulator is PI
(Polyimide), PET (polyester), fluorine resin, or the like. Also, as a material of the substrate-like insulator,
Epoxy resin or the like may be used. In addition, the film form is
This is desirable because it is lighter in weight than the substrate. Here, a PI having a thickness of 25 [μm] is assumed.

The transporting strip electrode 22 may be made of any conductive material, and the width and spacing of the electrodes can be freely set according to the width and spacing of the strip electrodes 12 of the stator 1. do it. The belt-shaped electrode 22 may be formed on the substrate 21 by a known technique such as printing or etching. As described above, the band electrode 23 for regulating the direction is
They are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the strip electrodes 22. Strip electrode 23
Any material may be used as long as it is a conductive material, similarly to the belt-shaped electrode 22, and is formed on the substrate 21 by a known technique such as printing or etching. The electrode width, electrode spacing, etc. are the band-shaped electrodes 2
2 can be freely set, but the strip electrodes 12 and 22
In order to make the forces generated by the strip electrodes 13 and 23 uniform, it is preferable that the electrode width and the electrode interval of the strip electrodes 23 are equal to those of the strip electrodes 13. Further, the distance between the strip-shaped electrode 23 and the end of the strip-shaped electrode 13 is desirably equal to or longer than the electrode interval between the strip-shaped electrode 22 and the strip-shaped electrode 23 from the viewpoint of ensuring insulation.

The insulating layer 24 is made of a highly insulating material.
ET, fluororesin, PI, etc. may be used. PET which has relatively low moisture absorption in order to prevent insulation deterioration due to moisture absorption etc.
And a fluorine-based resin are desirable. The formation of the insulating layer 24 is performed by a known technique such as bonding or thermocompression bonding. When forming the insulating layer 24, an operation in a dry (low humidity) atmosphere is required. Here, a PET having a thickness of 50 [μm] is assumed.

Returning to FIG. 1, the first power supply 5
Is a voltage source for applying a voltage to the strip-shaped electrode 12 and the strip-shaped electrode 13, and the second power supply 6 is a voltage source for applying a voltage to the strip-shaped electrode 22 and the strip-shaped electrode 23.
Is supplied to the driving circuit 4. The first drive circuit 3 applies a positive voltage (hereinafter referred to as “P”) to each phase of the strip electrode 12 and the strip electrode 13, and the second drive circuit 4 applies a phase voltage to each phase of the strip electrode 22 and the strip electrode 23.
It expresses. ), A negative voltage (hereinafter referred to as “n”), and a ground potential of 0 [V] (hereinafter referred to as “G”) can be freely switched and applied.
, The voltage polarity applied to each phase is changed.

The control circuit 7 generates a signal for changing the polarity of the voltage applied to each phase by each of the first drive circuit 3 and the second drive circuit 4. Next, the basic operation of the position control will be described. First, referring to FIG. 7 to FIG.
The basic operations of Nos. 2 and 22 will be described. 7 to 9 are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the belt-shaped electrode for conveyance, and show a state in which a voltage is applied to the belt-shaped electrode in FIG. Note that the direction of the arrow α in this figure is the transport direction of the moving element 2 and the medium X.

When the moving element 2 on which the medium X is placed reaches the transport start position on the stator 1, the second driving circuit 4 applies a suction pattern to each phase of the strip electrode 22 by a signal from the control circuit 7. [P, N, N], and [P, N, G] as the first-stage transport pattern from the first drive circuit 3 to each phase of the strip electrode 12 (FIG. 7). When [P · N · N] is applied to the strip electrode 22, the medium X placed on the strip electrode 22 is fixed on the moving element 2 by electrostatic attraction, and the medium X between the respective charges of the strip electrode 22 and the strip electrodes 12 is fixed. The movable element 2 moves by one electrode pitch in the transport direction by the electrostatic force (FIGS. 8 and 9). Therefore, [P • N • N] is applied to the strip electrode 2.
Is applied, [GPN] as the second transport pattern and [N] as the third transport pattern
[GP]] is applied, and the moving element 2 on which the medium X is placed is transported in the transport direction by one electrode pitch.

Here, [P.N.N] is applied to the strip electrode 22 as an attraction pattern, and [P.N.
[N · G], [G · P · N] and [N · G · P] were repeatedly applied in order, and the medium X was transported together with the moving element 2 in a desired direction. However, as described above, the force for transporting the medium depends on the balance between the attraction force and the repulsion force between the polarity of the electric charge of each phase of the strip electrode 22 and the voltage polarity applied to the stator electrode. In addition to the suction pattern of the electrode 22 and the transport pattern applied to the strip electrode 12,
There are many combinations of patterns that can transport media. In addition to applying a fixed voltage pattern as a suction pattern to the strip electrode 22, the strip electrode 1
It is also possible to repeatedly apply a voltage pattern of several stages as in the case of 2, and in this case, there are many combinations of patterns that can transport the medium.

Next, the basic operation of the strip electrodes 13 and 23 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 1
FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of the operation of the transport strip electrode, showing a state in which a voltage is applied to the strip electrode of FIG. The suction pattern is applied to each phase of the strip electrode 22 and the first pattern is applied to each phase of the strip electrode 12.
At the same time as the stepwise transfer pattern is applied, [PNP] is applied to each phase of the strip electrode 23 and [PNP] is applied to each phase of the strip electrode 13 (FIG. 10, FIG. 10). 11). The medium X set on the strip electrode 23 is fixed on the moving element 2 by electrostatic attraction in the same manner as on the strip electrode 22. Then, while the force in the direction of the arrow ± β is balanced by the electrostatic force between the band-shaped electrode 23 and the band-shaped electrode 13 and the levitation force is generated, the electrostatic force between the band-shaped electrode 22 and the band-shaped electrode 12 causes The mover 2 moves by one electrode pitch in the transport direction.
Before the moving element 2 has been moved by one pitch, the band-shaped electrode 13
When [N.P.N] is applied to each phase, a suction force acts between the strip-shaped electrode 23 and the strip-shaped electrode 13, and the positional deviation in the direction of the arrow ± β in FIG. (FIG. 12). Thereafter, at the same time when the transport pattern is applied to the strip electrode 12, a voltage pattern is applied to the strip electrode 13, so that the movable element 2 repeatedly floats and attracts on the strip electrode 13 and the strip electrode 12 and the strip electrode 22.
Are transported by one pitch of the electrode by the transport force between the electrodes. Here, [P, N, P] is applied as a voltage pattern to the strip electrode 23, and [P, N, P] and [N, P, N] are alternately applied as a voltage pattern to the strip electrode 13 during conveyance. The application has been described. [N.P.N] can be applied as the voltage pattern applied to the strip electrode 23. In this case, the voltage patterns at the time of transport to the strip electrode 13 are [N.P.N] and [N.P.N]. The same effect can be obtained by alternately applying [P • N • P].

The basic operation according to the present embodiment has been described above. The stator 1 having the direction regulating band-shaped electrode 13 shown in the present embodiment and the moving element also having the direction regulating band-shaped electrode 23 have been described. In the medium transporting device using No. 2, since the band-shaped electrode 13 and the band-shaped electrode 23 suppress the positional deviation in the right and left with respect to the transporting direction, the transporting direction of the medium X is not required as in the related art without installing a special guide rail or the like. Can be regulated. In addition, the first electrode
When the transport pattern is applied in each of the third to third steps, the levitation force of the medium X is increased by the voltage pattern applied to the strip electrode 13. Further, since the electrostatic attraction force of the band-shaped electrode 22 and the electrostatic attraction force of the band-shaped electrode 23 act as a force for holding the medium X on the moving element 2, the two axes are parallel to the direction perpendicular to the transport direction. The medium X can be reliably held.

It should be noted that the manufacture of the stator and the moving element in the present invention can be easily carried out by a known technique, and does not require a special device, a special technique, and a special material. It is possible to minimize the cost increase in manufacturing the medium transport device, and does not affect the product competitiveness. In the present embodiment, the stator and the mover are PI as a base material and PET as an insulating layer.
However, as described above, a film-shaped stator or a moving element using another film-shaped insulating material such as a fluorocarbon resin as a material of the base material and the insulating layer, and further, the base material The method in the present embodiment is also effective when a substrate-like stator using an epoxy resin as an insulating layer and an acrylic resin or a film-like insulating material as an insulating layer is used, and similar effects can be obtained. It is.

[0025]

As described above, according to the medium transport device of the present invention, the conventional belt-like electrodes are provided on both the stator and the mover in the direction orthogonal to the belt-like electrodes for transport. As described above, an effect is obtained in which the transport direction of the medium can be regulated without installing a special guide rail or the like. For this reason, an effect that the assembling work is easy can be obtained. In addition, the floating force generated between the band electrodes for regulating the direction of both the stator and the mover reduces the adhesive force between the mover and the stator, so that a stable transfer operation can be performed without taking special measures. Is obtained. Furthermore, since a biaxial electrostatic attraction force acts as a holding force of the transport medium in a direction parallel to a direction perpendicular to the transport direction, an effect of reliably holding the medium can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a medium conveyance device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a transport system.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of an arrangement of strip electrodes of a stator.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of an arrangement of strip electrodes of a moving element.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a partly omitted line AA.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a partly omitted line BB.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of an operation of a belt-shaped electrode for conveyance.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of the operation of a belt-shaped electrode for conveyance.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of an operation of a belt-shaped electrode for conveyance.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view of the operation of a band electrode for direction control.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view of an operation of a band electrode for direction control.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view of the operation of a band electrode for direction control.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Stator 2 Moving element 3 1st drive circuit 4 2nd drive circuit 5 1st power supply 6 2nd power supply 7 Control circuit 11 Substrate 12 Transport strip electrode 13 Direction control strip electrode 14 Insulating layer DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Substrate 22 Strip electrode for conveyance 23 Strip electrode for direction control 24 Insulating layer X Medium

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A stator in which transport strip electrodes arranged perpendicular to the transport direction are arranged at intervals on a stator where transport strip electrodes arranged orthogonal to the transport direction are arranged at intervals. The movable element is placed, and the electrostatic force is applied by switching the applied voltage characteristics of the transporting band electrodes to each other.
In a medium transporting apparatus that transports a medium by moving a movable member on which a medium is mounted along a stator, a belt is provided on the stator to insulate a direction-limiting band electrode arranged in the transport direction from the transport band electrode. The belt-like electrode for direction control, which is arranged in the transport direction, is insulated from the belt-like electrode for transport, and moves with the stator when the slider moves on the stator. A medium transport device, characterized in that voltages having different polarities are applied to belt-like electrodes for regulating the direction of a child, and a suction force is applied between the stator and the movable member. 2. The attraction force between the stator and the movable element according to claim 1, wherein the polarity is changed by repeating one of the voltages applied to the belt-shaped electrodes for regulating the direction of the stator and the movable element. And a repulsive force acting alternately. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein an electrode width and an electrode interval of the band electrode for regulating the direction of the stator are equal to an electrode width and an electrode interval of the transport band electrode. Media transport device. 4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the width and the interval of the band electrode for regulating the direction of the moving element are equal to the electrode width and the electrode interval of the transport band electrode. A medium transport device characterized by the above-mentioned.