WO2023032779A1

WO2023032779A1 - Banknote conveying and branching mechanism and automated teller machine

Info

Publication number: WO2023032779A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/031840
Authority: WO
Inventors: 歩夢上村; 祐宣寺尾; 直晃西澤; 貴博伊藤; 雄気吉川
Original assignee: 日立チャネルソリューションズ株式会社
Priority date: 2021-08-31
Filing date: 2022-08-24
Publication date: 2023-03-09
Also published as: JP2023035120A

Abstract

The present invention properly conveys banknotes. A banknote conveying and branching mechanism 1 comprises: a switching gate 10 that can pivot about a shaft 22 to multiple predetermined positions in order to switch conveyance paths 34 by connecting one set of conveyance paths 30 to 32; a switching actuator 40 that pivots the switching gate; a contact part that comes into contact with the switching gate to restrict a pivot range of the switching gate; a sensor that detects the switching gate at a switching position where the pivot direction of the switching gate is switched; and a control unit that controls the switching actuator and that records a detection signal output from the sensor, an operation amount in a contact direction by which the switching gate is moved toward the contact part, and an operation amount in a search direction by which the switching gate that has moved by the operation amount in the contact direction returns from a stop position to a switching position. The control unit calculates the phase between the contact part and the switching position on the basis of the operation amount in the contact direction and the operation amount in the search direction when the operation amount in the contact direction is larger than the operation amount in the search direction.

Description

Banknote transport branching mechanism and automatic transaction machine

The present invention relates to a banknote transport/branching mechanism and an automatic transaction machine.

Conventionally, for example, automatic teller machines used at financial institutions are equipped with banknote handling devices. The banknote handling device includes a banknote deposit/withdrawal vault, a banknote discrimination section, a temporary storage, a reject banknote storage, a recycling store, a banknote transport branching mechanism, and a banknote transport path.

The banknote deposit/withdrawal vault either releases the bills withdrawn to the user, or inserts the deposited bills and feeds them out one by one. The banknote discriminating unit discriminates deposited banknotes and dispensed banknotes. The temporary storage temporarily stores the deposited banknotes. The rejected banknote storage stores rejected banknotes that have been determined by the banknote discriminating section not to meet a predetermined standard. The recycle box stores deposited banknotes and feeds them out as dispensed banknotes. The banknote transport branching mechanism switches between a plurality of connection destinations in order to connect each warehouse. The banknote transport path has a transport guide that guides the banknotes. A banknote transport branching mechanism is provided in the middle of the banknote transport path.

It is essential that the banknote transport branching mechanism distributes the deposited banknotes or the dispensed banknotes, which are delivered one after another, to the connection destinations determined by the banknote discrimination unit. It is essential that the banknote transport path can transport banknotes to each connection destination without delay.

In addition, the internal space and cost of banknote handling equipment are limited. Therefore, it is desirable that the space made available by shortening the banknote transport path as much as possible be used for the capacity of each box. For this reason, in recent years, a banknote transport branching mechanism may adopt a system capable of branching into three or more types of banknote transport paths.

As such conventional banknote handling devices, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a transport branching mechanism and a paper sheet processing device, and Patent Document 2 discloses a paper sheet branching mechanism, a paper sheet processing device, and a paper sheet handling device. A branching method, Patent Literature 3 discloses a media processing device and an automatic transaction device, respectively.

JP 2008-280119 A JP 2009-70056 A JP 2019-128908 A

Banknote handling devices require a banknote transport and branching mechanism that can handle various types of transactions and bill types. Furthermore, the banknote transport and branching mechanism with three or more branches can shorten the banknote transport path compared to the most common two-branch banknote transport and branching mechanism. This not only makes it possible to reduce the size of the banknote handling device and efficiently use the mounting space within the banknote handling device for the banknote storage capacity, but also has many other advantages. However, when the banknote transport branching mechanism is assembled to the banknote transport path, a step must not be provided in the connecting portion between the banknote transport branching mechanism and the transport surface of the transport guide. Therefore, conventionally, an advanced adjustment work by an assembly worker was required. Furthermore, the positional accuracy may be lowered due to the tolerance of the parts constituting the banknote transport and branching mechanism.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to provide a technique for appropriately conveying banknotes.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a switching gate that assumes a plurality of predetermined postures for connecting a set of transport paths out of a plurality of transport paths for transporting bills and switching the transport paths. a switching gate that takes one of the plurality of predetermined postures by rotating about a shaft; an actuator that rotates the switching gate; and a switching gate that contacts the switching gate to rotate. a contact portion that regulates a range; a sensor that detects the switching gate at a switching position that switches the direction of rotation of the switching gate; a detection signal that controls the actuator and is output from the sensor; A control unit that records a first movement amount for moving the switching gate toward the contact portion and a second movement amount for returning the switching gate from a stop position to the switching position after being moved by the first movement amount. and, wherein the controller controls the first operation amount and the second operation amount when the first operation amount is larger than the second operation amount. A phase between the contact portion and the switching position is calculated based on the amount of movement.

According to the present invention, banknotes can be conveyed appropriately.

The perspective view which shows the external appearance of an automatic teller machine. Side view of the banknote handling device. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of the banknote transport branching mechanism when the switching gate is in the first posture; FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of the banknote transport branching mechanism when the switching gate is in the second posture; FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of the banknote transport branching mechanism when the switching gate is in the third posture; The perspective view of a switching gate. The side view of a switching gate. The figure which shows transition of the stop phase of a switching gate. Flowchart of position detection control.

A specific example of an automatic teller machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited by the examples, but is indicated by the claims.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the automatic teller machine.

In FIG. 1, an automatic teller machine 100 as an example of an "automatic teller machine" includes a banknote handling device 101, a card/statement slip processing device 102, a passbook processing device 103, and a user operation unit 104. , and a main control unit 105 .

The banknote handling device 101 receives (deposits) banknotes from the user and discharges (dispenses) the banknotes to the user. The card/statement slip processing device 102 processes the card inserted by the user, prints the transaction slip, and releases it. The passbook processing device 103 records transaction details in the passbook inserted by the user. The user operation unit 104 displays operation guides to the user and accepts input of instructions from the user. The body control unit 105 monitors and controls these devices. Here, banknotes are an example of paper sheets. The banknote handling device 101 for handling banknotes will be described below.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the banknote handling device 101. FIG.

The banknote handling apparatus 101 includes a deposit/withdrawal port 70, a banknote discrimination unit 71, a temporary storage box 72, a reject box 73, a recycling box 74, a banknote transport path 75 as an example of a "transport path", and a control unit. 76. These elements 70-76 are sometimes called units.

The deposit/withdrawal port 70 feeds banknotes inserted by the user into the banknote transport path 75 one by one, and stacks the banknotes transported through the banknote transport path 75 and releases them to the user (so that the user can take them out). issue banknotes to the bank). The banknote discriminating unit 71 measures the optical and magnetic characteristics of banknotes and discriminates the denomination and authenticity of the banknotes.

The temporary storage 72 temporarily stores banknotes until a transaction is completed. For example, the temporary storage box 72 temporarily stores banknotes deposited by the user, stores the banknotes in the recycling box 74 when the user approves the transaction, and deposits and withdraws the banknotes when the user does not approve the transaction. The paper money is conveyed to the mouth 70 and the actual product is returned to the user. The reject box 73 is a safe that stores banknotes for which a deposit transaction has been established. The reject box 73 stores banknotes that are to be deposited only and banknotes that are not suitable for handling by the banknote handling device 101 . Banknotes unsuitable for handling by the banknote handling apparatus 101 include banknotes that are torn or folded, and banknotes conveyed in an oblique manner.

The recycle box 74 has an accumulation/separation device for both receipt and withdrawal. The stacking/separating device stores banknotes inserted by the user, and feeds the stored banknotes to the banknote transport path 75 according to the transaction to dispense the banknotes to the user. Note that the banknote handling apparatus 101 in FIG. 2 is an example in which one reject box 73 and three recycle boxes 74 are mounted. However, the combination of these reject boxes 73 and recycle bins 74 is arbitrary, and the number of implementations can also be freely set. For example, the banknote handling device 101 may include two reject boxes 73 and two recycle boxes 74 .

The banknote transport path 75 transports banknotes to each unit. The banknote transport path 75 can switch the banknote transport direction by, for example, a transport roller 42 (see FIG. 3) and a switching gate 10 (see FIG. 3), which will be described later. Therefore, bills pass bidirectionally through the bill discriminating section 71 and are transported bidirectionally between the deposit/withdrawal port 70, the temporary storage box 72, the reject box 73, and the recycle box 74 for each transaction operation.

The control unit 76 monitors and controls each unit. Control unit 76 is electrically connected to body control unit 105 of automatic teller machine 100 . The control unit 76 controls the banknote handling device 101 according to commands from the body control unit 105 and reports the state of the banknote handling device 101 to the body control unit 105 .

3 to 5 are schematic configuration diagrams of the banknote transport branching mechanism 1. FIG.

The banknote transport path 75 includes a downstream transport path 30 as an example of a "first transport path", an upstream transport path 31 as an example of a "second transport path", and an example of a "third transport path". and an upstream transport path 32 .

On both sides of the banknote transport path 75, for example, a belt (not shown), a transport roller 42, a pinch roller 43, and a transport guide 44 are provided so as to sandwich the transported banknote. A belt and transport rollers 42 (not shown) are driven by a transport actuator 41 arranged outside the banknote transport path 75 .

At the bent portion P of the banknote transport path 75 (the junction (branching point) between the downstream transport path 30 and the pair of upstream transport paths 31 and 32), a transport guide roller 44g and a transport roller 44g larger than the other transport rollers 42 are provided. A conveying roller 42a having a large diameter is arranged. The transport guide roller 44g is provided coaxially with the transport roller 42a. The transport guide 44, a switching gate 10 to be described later, and transport guide rollers 44g together with the transport paths 30 to 32 constitute a banknote transport path 75. As shown in FIG.

The conveying guide roller 44g is formed in a stepped cylindrical shape, and includes a conveying surface 17 having a large outer diameter and a resin-made roller 44g as an example of a “first contact portion” having a smaller outer diameter than the conveying surface 17. and a non-conveying surface 18 . The transport surface 17 is a surface for transporting banknotes. The non-conveying surface 18 is a surface that does not come into contact with bills. A portion of the non-conveying surface 18 functions as an abutting portion 19b (see FIG. 7) as an example of a "first abutting portion" that regulates the rotation range of the switching gate 10, which will be described later. Thus, the abutting portion 19b is provided on the non-conveying surface 18. As shown in FIG. The conveying surface 17 and the non-conveying surface 18 differ only in outer diameter. Since the non-conveying surface 18 partially functions as the abutting portion 19b, it is necessary to ensure the same accuracy as the conveying surface 17. FIG.

The conveying

rollers

42 and 42a are driven by the conveying actuator 41 to obtain rotational force and rotate continuously. The pinch roller 43 is a driven roller that rotates due to the frictional force received from the conveying roller 42 . These transport rollers 42 and pinch rollers 43 pinch the banknotes and apply a feeding force in the transport direction. As a result, the banknotes in the banknote transport path 75 can move bidirectionally along the transport paths 33 to 35 .

Furthermore, in each of the transport paths 30 to 32 described above, when the switching gate 10 rotates, a connecting portion is formed between the transport guide 44 and the transport surface 17 of the switching gate 10 . This connecting portion is flat. As a result, the banknotes can move smoothly through the banknote transport path 75 .

Furthermore, a banknote transport/branch mechanism 1 as an example of a "banknote transport/branch mechanism" is provided at the bent portion P of the banknote transport path 75 . The banknote transport and branching mechanism 1 includes a switching gate 10, a switching actuator 40 as an example of an "actuator", an abutting portion 19b and a pair of abutting portions 26 (see FIGS. 6 and 7), and a sensor (not shown). and the control unit 76 described above.

The switching gate 10 connects the downstream transport path 30 and a pair of the

upstream transport paths

31, 32 to one of the

transport paths

30, 31, 32 and switches the transport paths 33 to 35 in three different postures (phase ).

The switching gate 10 in the first posture forms a first transport path 33 by connecting the downstream transport path 30 and the upstream transport path 31, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4 , the switching gate 10 in the second position connects the downstream transport path 30 and the upstream transport path 32 to form a second transport path 34 . The switching gate 10 in the third position connects the

upstream transport paths

31 and 32 other than the downstream transport path 30 to form a third transport path 35, as shown in FIG.

The switching actuator 40 is arranged outside the banknote transport path 75 . The switching actuator 40 can switch the bill conveying direction by rotating the switching gate 10 from the first posture to the third posture. The switching actuator 40 may be an electromagnetic solenoid or a drive motor 40a (see FIG. 6), which will be described later.

The banknote handling device 101 configured in this manner can switch the rotation direction of the transfer actuator 41 and the rotation direction of the switching actuator 40 for each transaction operation. As a result, bills pass bidirectionally through the bill discriminating section 71 and are transported bidirectionally between the deposit/withdrawal port 70 , the temporary storage box 72 , the reject box 73 , and the recycle box 74 .

Here, in order to stably operate the banknote handling device 101, the banknote transport path 75 must be flattened. However, when the switching gate 10 is assembled to the banknote transport path 75, the mounting position of the switching gate 10 varies depending on the parts accuracy of the switching actuator 40 and the bracket (not shown) for fixing it. Therefore, it is necessary for an assembly worker to ensure a flat banknote transport path 75 by performing a precise positioning operation.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the switching gate.

The switching gate 10 integrally includes a plurality of guide portions 21 for guiding bills and a shaft 22 . The guide portion 21 has a V-shaped cross section. Each guide part 21 has the same shape as each other, and a plurality of guide parts 21 are arranged in the width direction of the banknote transport path 75 . The guide portion 21 is made of resin and has flexibility. The leading end portion of the guide portion 21 functions as an abutting portion 19a (see FIG. 7) which contacts an abutting portion 19b of the conveying guide roller 44g.

The shaft 22 serves as the center of rotation of the switching gate 10 . The shaft 22 extends inside and outside the banknote transport path 75 . A driving motor 40 a is connected to a portion of the shaft 22 outside the banknote transport path 75 via a connecting tool 23 . As a result, the rotation of the drive motor 40a can be transmitted to the shaft 22 without play.

Further, the shaft 22 is attached with an abutment pin 24 as an example of an "abutment pin" extending in a direction orthogonal to the shaft 22. The abutting pin 24 is made of metal and has rigidity.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the switching gate.

When the switching gate 10 rotates, the abutting portion 19b of the conveying guide roller 44g abuts (collides) with the abutting portion 19a of the switching gate 10 while being elastically deformed. Regulates the range of motion (swing angle).

On the other hand, a pair of abutment portions 26 as an example of a "second abutment portion" extend parallel to the shaft 22 from the case of the drive motor 40a with a space therebetween. The abutting portion 26 is made of metal and has rigidity. The abutment portion 26 regulates the rotation range (rotation angle) of the switching gate 10 by contacting (colliding) with the abutment pin 24 when the switching gate 10 rotates.

Furthermore, a shielding plate 25 is provided coaxially with the shaft 22 on the outer circumference of the shaft 22 . The shielding plate 25 is fan-shaped and rotates together with the shaft 22 . The shielding plate 25 can detect the stop position of the switching gate 10 by blocking the light receiving and emitting axis of a sensor (not shown) installed facing the rotation range of the shielding plate 25 . This enables position detection control of the switching gate 10, which will be described later, within the rotation range of the switching gate 10. FIG. The sensor may be a photoelectric sensor, or any other sensor that can detect the position of the switching gate 10 .

For example, the sensor detects the switching gate 10 at a switching position where the direction of rotation of the switching gate 10 is switched. As shown in FIG. 4, the switching position is a position at which the direction of rotation of the switching gate 10 is switched between the first posture (see FIG. 3) and the second posture (see FIG. 4), or the second posture. This is the position where the direction of rotation of the switching gate 10 is switched to the third posture (see FIG. 5). That is, the switching position is a position where the switching gate 10 is intermediate between the first posture and the second posture, or a position where the switching gate 10 is intermediate between the second posture and the third posture. When the sensor detects the switching gate 10 at the switching position, it outputs a detection signal to the control section 76 .

Next, a method for controlling the position detection of the switching gate 10 will be described. As a premise of this control, a simple adjustment work is required at the time of assembly. In the conventional banknote transport/branching mechanism, it is measured whether the difference in height at the connecting portion between the switching gate 10 and the transport guide 44 is within an allowable range at the time of assembly. If the height difference at the connecting portion between the switching gate 10 and the conveying guide 44 is not within the permissible range, the installation posture of the switching gate 10 and the switching actuator 40 connected thereto must be corrected, and measurements must be taken again. A time-consuming process was required.

On the other hand, when the banknote transport/branching mechanism 1 is assembled by an operator, the abutment portion 19a of the transport guide roller 44g and the abutment portion 19b of the switching gate 10a are in phase with each other. is fixed at a position where one abutment portion 26 of the abutment pin 24 and the abutment pin 24 match. The banknote transport/branching mechanism 1 is also fixed at a position where the other abutment portion 26 of the pair of

abutment portions

26 , 26 coincides with the abutment pin 24 . Thereby, the position adjustment of each member of the banknote transport/branching mechanism 1 can be completed. However, both of the abutting

portions

19a and 19b are made of resin. Therefore, the abutting

portions

19a and 19b are elastically deformed by the driving force of the drive motor 40a. As a result, the impact when the abutting

portions

19a and 19b come into contact with each other can be mitigated. However, not only is it impossible to determine the rotation range (movable angle) of the drive motor 40a, but there is also a concern that the abutting

portions

19a and 19b may be plastically deformed or damaged by being repeatedly subjected to a strong abutting load. On the other hand, the abutment portion 26 and the abutment pin 24 are both made of metal, and have strength enough to withstand the driving force of the drive motor 40a.

After finishing the simple adjustment by the operator as described above, the control unit 76 performs position detection control.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing transition of the stop phase of the switching gate. In FIG. 8, the horizontal axis is the stop phase of the switching gate 10, and the vertical axis is time.

In this embodiment, a stepping motor is used for the drive motor 40a. FIG. 8 shows switching when the driving motor 40a is continuously driven in one direction (impingement direction) and the impingement pin 24 is repeatedly impinged against one of the abutting

portions

26, 26. It shows transition of the stop phase of the gate 10 . Position B' is a position where the output of the sensor is switched, and position A and position AA are positions where the abutting portion 26 is arranged. A rotation range (operating range) of the switching gate 10 is determined by the two abutting portions 26 .

The control unit 76 starts position detection control from a state in which the switching gate 10 is stopped at any of positions A to AA. Here, the direction from position AA to position A is defined as the abutment direction. The control unit 76 advances the switching gate 10 from the position A' in the abutting direction. The stop position of the switching gate 10 shifts while the switching gate 10 (driven body) coincides with the phase-advance position under control when there is no obstacle in the impingement direction (phase-advance direction) (time 80a to 80e). Therefore, it coincides with the leading phase position on control. Therefore, the leading phase position of the switching gate 10 from time 80a to time 80e matches the leading phase position for control. However, after the switching gate 10 interferes (contacts) with the abutting portion 26, which is an obstacle, at the position A, the switching gate 10 cannot change the stop position from the position A to the position D'' at the time 80f. Without this, there is a deviation between the control phase-advance position and the actual stop position, which is called out-of-step.

Further, at time 80g, when the control unit 76 causes the switching gate 10 to advance in the direction of abutment, the switching gate 10 does not advance to the phase-advancing position C'' in terms of control, but moves to the nearest stable phase C. This. Therefore, the stop position of the switching gate 10 changes to the position C. Even after the switching gate 10 rebounds from the stop position A to the stop position C in this way, the control unit 76 stops the switching gate 10 after time 80h. is advanced, the phase-advance position of the switching gate 10 under control continues to advance toward the position A even after the position C". However, the actual stop position of the switching gate 10 changes at the stable phase C Therefore, the behavior of the switching gate 10 in the vicinity of the abutting portion 26 changes repeatedly between positions A, B, and C. As shown in FIG.

Therefore, when the control unit 76 drives the switching gate 10 by the driving motor 40a to advance the amount of contact with the contacting portion 26 at least one time or more in the contacting direction, the stop phase of the switching gate 10 changes to the position A , B, or C.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of position detection control.

The control unit 76 initializes variables _Xn and Xn _-1 , which will be described later, to 0 (S901). Next, the control unit 76 drives the drive motor 40a to advance the switching gate 10 from any of the positions A to AA in the abutment direction so that it abuts the abutment unit 26 one or more times ( S902). Therefore, the stop phase of the switching gate 10 is limited to one of positions A, B and C.

Next, the control unit 76 determines that the leading phase number _Xn in the impinging direction, which is an example of the "first amount of motion," is the direction opposite to the impinging direction, which is an example of the "second amount of motion." It is determined whether or not the leading phase number of the direction is smaller than X _n−1 (S903). If the determination result of S903 is false (S903: NO), the leading phase number _Xn in the impinging direction is equal to the leading phase number Xn _-1 required for the search (S904). That is, in this case, the abutment pin 24 is in a state of not hitting the abutting portion 26 or hitting the abutting portion 26 and not rebounding.

Next, in order to further narrow down the position, the control unit 76 starts the phase advance of the switching gate 10 in the search direction, and switches the output of the sensor from LOW to HIGH while counting the number of advance phases in the search direction. A position is searched (S905). At this time, the leading phase number X _n in the hitting direction becomes the leading phase number X _n−1 in the search direction (S906).

For example, if the stop position of the switching gate 10 before the search is position C, the control unit 76 ends the search at a position advanced three times in the search direction. In this case, the control unit 76 stores the lead number of 3 required for the search as X _n−1 . Subsequently, the control unit 76 advances the switching gate 10 by the number of advances X _n =X _n−1 +1=4 in the abutting direction (S907), and the stop position of the switching gate 10 changes to position B. . After that, the control unit 76 repeats this process until the determination result of S903 becomes true (S903: YES). That is, the sensor switching position is searched again. As a result, the stop position of the switching gate 10 becomes A at time 80f, and after increasing to Xn=X _n−1 +1=6, the leading phase number becomes 7 in the next round. At this time, the switching gate 10 rebounds from the abutting portion 26 and stops at the position C. As shown in FIG.

At this time as well, when the control unit 76 advances the switching gate 10 in the search direction, the stop position of the switching gate 10 changes from position D→A′→B′. Therefore, the leading number required for the search is 3, and X _n <X _n−1 is satisfied for the first time in the position detection control (S903: YES). Therefore, the control unit 76 repeats the above process until the termination condition X _n <X _n−1 is satisfied. As a result, the phase (leading number) between the switching position of the sensor and the abutting portion 26 can be identified (S908). When position detection control is executed from position C, _Xn changes to 3, 4, 5, 6, and 3. Therefore, 5, which is X _n−1 −1, is the leading phase number to be obtained, and it can be seen that the abutment pin 24 (switching gate 10) came into contact with the abutment portion 26 (position A) at time 80e.

Furthermore, when the control unit 76 executes position detection control from position B, X _n changes to 4, 5, 6, and 3, and X _n <X _n−1 is obtained. As described above, the control unit 76 first advances the switching gate 10 in the abutment direction so as to hit the abutment unit 26 one or more times, and then repeats the above-described process, thereby controlling the sensor. A leading number between the switching position and the abutting portion 26 can be specified. This is effective even if the position of the abutting portion 26 or the switching position of the sensor varies from device to device due to assembly position accuracy and tolerance (dimensional accuracy) of parts. For example, when the sensor switching position is at C′, the leading number of both is 6. However, this executes position detection control from position C and changes the phase advance number to 4, 5, 6, 7, 4, and when X _n <X _n-1 , X _n-1 -1=6. Since it is obtained, the location can be determined as well.

According to this configuration, the banknote transport/branching mechanism 1 includes the switching gate 10, the switching actuator 40, the

abutment sections

19b and 26, the sensor, and the control section 76. The switching gate 10 connects a set of transport paths 30 to 32 out of a pair of

upstream transport paths

31 and 32 to a downstream transport path 30 through which bills are transported, and has a shaft in a posture to switch transport paths 33 to 35. 22 is rotatable. The switching actuator 40 rotates the switching gate 10 . The

abutment portions

19b and 26 abut against the switching gate 10 to regulate the rotation range of the switching gate 10. As shown in FIG. The sensor detects the switching gate 10 at a switching position where the switching gate 10 switches the direction of rotation. The control unit 76 controls the switching actuator 40, the detection signal output from the sensor, the movement amount in the contact direction for moving the switching gate 10 toward the contact section 26, and the movement amount. The amount of movement in the search direction from the stop position of the switching gate 10 back to the switching position is recorded. When the amount of movement in the striking direction is greater than the amount of movement in the searching direction, the control section 76 controls the

striking sections

19b and 26 and the switching position based on the amount of movement in the striking direction and the amount of movement in the searching direction. Calculate the phase between

As a result, even if the switching gate 10, the sensor, and the abutting

portions

19b, 26 have mounting position errors and tolerances between the switching gate 10 and the abutting

portions

19b, 26, the switching gate 10 and the abutting

portions

19b, 26 are Position accuracy can be improved. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the position adjustment work by the assembly worker. As a result, it is possible to properly transport bills. In the present embodiment, properly conveying banknotes means, for example, a state in which banknotes are smoothly conveyed through each of the conveying paths 33 to 35 .

Furthermore, the actuator is a stepping motor. Thus, even if the switching gate 10 is out of step, the phase between the

abutment portions

19b and 26 and the switching position is calculated.

Further, the switching gate 10 is provided with a guide portion 21 made of resin that is flexible and guides bills, and an abutment pin 24 made of metal that extends from the shaft 22 in a direction orthogonal to the shaft 22, and The

portions

19b and 26 include an abutting portion 19b that abuts against the guide portion 21 and a metallic abutting portion 26 that abuts against the abutting pin 24. Thereby, the guide portion 21 and the abutting portion 19b , the guide portion 21 is elastically deformed to reduce the impact caused by the contact, and the abutment pin 24 and the metal abutment portion 26 abut to prevent the switch gate 10 from moving. A rotation range can be defined.

Furthermore, the sensor is a photoelectric sensor, and a shielding plate 25 is provided on the outer circumference of the shaft 22 to block the optical axis of the photoelectric sensor that detects the switching position. Thereby, the phase between the abutting

portions

19b and 26 and the switching position is calculated using the photoelectric sensor that detects the switching position.

The plurality of

transport paths

30 , 31 , 32 include a downstream transport path 30 and a pair of

upstream transport paths

31 , 32 . The controller 76 is configured to rotate the switching gate 10 sequentially between the first posture, the second posture, and the third posture. In the first posture, the downstream transport path 30 and the upstream transport path 31 are connected to form the first transport path 33 . In the second posture, the downstream transport path 30 and the upstream transport path 32 are connected to form the second transport path 34 . In the third posture, the

upstream transport paths

31 and 32 other than the downstream transport path 30 are connected to form the third transport path 35 . The switching position is the stop position of the switching gate 10 in the second posture. As a result, even when the conveying route branches into the first conveying route 33 to the third conveying route 35, the positional accuracy of the switching gate 10 and the abutting portion 26 can be improved, and conveying troubles including conveying jams can be suppressed. be able to.

The automatic teller machine 100 is equipped with a banknote transport/branching mechanism 1. As a result, it is possible to improve the mounting position accuracy of the banknote transport/branching mechanism 1, and save the trouble of maintenance.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described examples, and includes various modifications.

For example, the control unit 76 may calculate the distance between the

abutment units

19b, 26 and the switching position each time the automatic teller machine 100 is activated. Thereby, the positional accuracy of the switching gate 10 and the abutting portion 26 can be further improved.

For example, the control section 76 may repeatedly strike the abutting pin 24 against one of the pair of abutting

portions

26 , 26 and then repeatedly abut the other abutting portion 26 . Thereby, the positional accuracy of the switching gate 10 and the pair of abutting portions 26 can be further improved.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Bill conveyance branching mechanism 10... Switching gate 19a... Abutting part 19b... Abutting part 21... Guide part 22... Shaft 24... Abutting pin 26... Abutting part 30... Downstream side conveyance Path 31...Upstream transport path 32...Upstream transport path 33...First transport path 34...Second transport path 35...Third transport path 40...Switching actuator 40a...Drive motor 76... control unit, 100... automatic teller machine

Claims

A switching gate that takes a plurality of predetermined postures to connect a set of transport paths out of a plurality of transport paths for transporting banknotes and switch the transport paths, and rotates around a shaft. a switching gate that takes one of the plurality of predetermined postures;
an actuator that rotates the switching gate;
an abutting portion that abuts on the switching gate and regulates a rotation range of the switching gate;
a sensor for detecting the switching gate at a switching position for switching the direction of rotation of the switching gate;
a detection signal output from the sensor, a first movement amount for moving the switching gate toward the contact portion, and the switching gate moved by the first movement amount while controlling the actuator; and a control unit that records a second movement amount for returning from the stop position to the switching position,
The control unit adjusts the contact portion and the switching position based on the first amount of operation and the second amount of operation when the first amount of operation is larger than the second amount of operation. Banknote transport branching mechanism that calculates the phase between
the actuator is a stepping motor,
The banknote transport/branching mechanism according to claim 1.
The switching gate has a flexible resin guide part that guides banknotes, and a metal contact pin that extends from the shaft in a direction perpendicular to the shaft,
The contact portion includes a first contact portion that contacts the guide portion and a second metal contact portion that contacts the contact pin,
The banknote transport/branching mechanism according to claim 1.
The sensor is a photoelectric sensor that detects the switching position,
A shield plate is provided on the outer circumference of the shaft to block the optical axis of the photoelectric sensor.
The banknote transport/branching mechanism according to claim 1.
The control unit calculates the phase between the contact unit and the switching position each time it is activated.
The banknote transport/branching mechanism according to claim 1.
The plurality of transport paths include a first transport path, a second transport path, and a third transport path,
The control unit connects the first and second transport paths to form a first transport path, and connects the first and third transport paths to form a second transport. The switching gate is configured to rotate in order between a second posture for forming a path and a third posture for forming a third transport path by connecting transport paths other than the first transport path,
The switching position is a position at which the direction of rotation of the switching gate is switched between the first posture and the second posture, or the switching gate is rotated between the second posture and the third posture. is the position to switch the direction of
The banknote transport/branching mechanism according to claim 1.
An automatic transaction machine comprising the banknote transport and branching mechanism,
An automatic teller machine comprising the banknote transport/branch mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 6 in the banknote transport/branch mechanism.