阅读说明：本技术 纸张存放装置和纸张存放装置的控制方法 (Paper storage device and control method thereof ) 是由 池田朴人 田中雄二 西田光孝 于 2018-01-30 设计创作，主要内容包括：根据本实施方式的纸张存放装置(8)包括：存放部分(8a),其存放纸张(3)；输送机构(12),其包括用于将所述纸张(3)传送到所述存放部分(8a)的送入路径(12a)和用于传送来自所述送入路径(12)的所述纸张(3)的送出路径(12b)；闸门构件(13),其设置在所述输送机构(12)中并且能在存放状态与通过状态之间切换,在所述存放状态下,将所述纸张(3)从所述送入路径(12a)传送到所述存放部分(8a),并且在所述通过状态下,将所述纸张(3)从所述送入路径(12a)传送到所述送出路径(12b)；锁定机构(16),其包括限制所述闸门构件(13)移动的锁定构件(18)；和解锁构件(17),其对其中所述锁定构件(18)限制所述闸门构件(13)移动的锁定状态进行解锁。所述解锁构件(17)被设置成从所述送入路径(12a)和所述送出路径(12b)中的一侧朝向所述纸张存放装置(8)的外部伸出。所述锁定构件(18)被设置成从所述送入路径(12a)和所述送出路径(12b)中的另一侧朝向所述纸张存放装置(8)的外部伸出。当所述纸张存放装置(8)的所述输送机构(12)与另一纸张存放装置(8)的输送机构(12)联接时,所述锁定构件(18)在所述另一纸张存放装置(8)的解锁构件(17)的作用下移动。(A paper sheet storage device (8) according to the present embodiment includes: a storage section (8a) that stores the paper (3); a conveying mechanism (12) including an in-feed path (12a) for conveying the paper (3) to the storing portion (8a) and an out-feed path (12b) for conveying the paper (3) from the in-feed path (12); a shutter member (13) that is provided in the conveyance mechanism (12) and that is switchable between a storage state in which the paper sheet (3) is conveyed from the feeding path (12a) to the storage portion (8a) and a passage state in which the paper sheet (3) is conveyed from the feeding path (12a) to the feeding path (12 b); a locking mechanism (16) including a locking member (18) that restricts movement of the shutter member (13); and an unlocking member (17) that unlocks a locked state in which the locking member (18) restricts movement of the shutter member (13). The unlocking member (17) is provided so as to project from one of the feed-in path (12a) and the feed-out path (12b) toward the outside of the paper sheet storing device (8). The locking member (18) is provided so as to project from the other of the feed-in path (12a) and the feed-out path (12b) toward the outside of the paper sheet storing device (8). When the transport mechanism (12) of the paper storage device (8) is coupled with a transport mechanism (12) of another paper storage device (8), the locking member (18) is moved by an unlocking member (17) of the other paper storage device (8).)

1. A paper sheet storing device, comprising:

a storage unit that stores paper sheets;

a conveying mechanism including a feed path for conveying the paper to the storage unit and a feed-out path for conveying the paper from the feed path;

a shutter member that is provided in the conveying mechanism and switches between a storage state in which the paper is conveyed from the feeding path to the storage unit and a passing state in which the paper is conveyed from the feeding path to the feeding path;

a lock mechanism including a lock member that moves between a locked state in which movement of the shutter member is restricted and an unlocked state in which the locked state is unlocked; and

an unlocking member that unlocks a locked state in which the locking member restricts movement of the shutter member, wherein,

the unlocking member is provided to project from one side of the feed-in path and the feed-out path to an outside of the paper sheet storing device,

the locking member is provided to project from the other one side of the feed path and the discharge path to the outside of the paper sheet storing device, and is moved by the unlocking member of another paper sheet storing device when the conveying mechanism of the paper sheet storing device is connected to the conveying mechanism of the another paper sheet storing device different from the paper sheet storing device.

2. The paper storage device of claim 1,

the locking mechanism includes a spring member that biases the locking member to project outwardly from the paper storage device, and

the lock member restricts the shutter member from moving from the storage state to the passage state under the biasing force of the spring member.

3. The paper sheet storage device according to claim 1, wherein the unlocking member protrudes along a moving direction of the locking member, and the unlocking member includes a pair of inclined surfaces inclined to a direction crossing the moving direction with respect to the moving direction, and the pair of inclined surfaces are formed symmetrically with respect to the moving direction.

4. The paper sheet storage device according to claim 3, wherein a distal end portion of the locking member that is in contact with the unlocking member includes a pair of inclined surfaces that are inclined to a direction intersecting the moving direction with respect to the moving direction of the locking member, and the pair of inclined surfaces are formed symmetrically with respect to the moving direction.

5. The paper sheet storing device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a controller that controls movement of the gate member; and

a position sensor that detects movement of the locking member, wherein,

the controller controls the shutter member to move to the storage state and the passage state based on a detection result of the position sensor.

6. A control method of a paper sheet storing device, the paper sheet storing device comprising:

a conveying mechanism including a feed-in path for conveying the sheet to a storing unit that stores the sheet and a feed-out path for conveying the sheet from the feed-in path; a shutter member that switches between a storage state in which the paper is conveyed from the feeding path to the storage unit and a passage state in which the paper is conveyed from the feeding path to the feeding path; a locking mechanism including a locking member that restricts movement of the gate member; an unlocking member that unlocks a locked state in which the locking member restricts movement of the shutter member; a controller that controls movement of the gate member; and a position sensor that detects movement of the lock member, the control method including the steps of:

when the conveying mechanism of the paper sheet storing device is connected to the conveying mechanism of another paper sheet storing device different from the paper sheet storing device, the position sensor detects that the locking member of the paper sheet storing device is moved by the unlocking member of the other paper sheet storing device; and

the controller controls the shutter member to move to the storage state and the passage state based on a detection result of the position sensor.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a sheet storing apparatus and a control method of the sheet storing apparatus.

Background

For example, an automatic teller machine includes a bill storage device that stores bills as paper. This type of banknote deposit apparatus has a conveying mechanism that conveys banknotes and a deposit unit that deposits the banknotes conveyed by the conveying mechanism, and is configured such that a plurality of banknote deposit apparatuses are connected to each other via the conveying mechanism. The bill storage device has a shutter member that switches between a storage state in which bills conveyed by the conveying mechanism are stored in the storage unit and a passage (pass) state in which bills conveyed by the conveying mechanism are conveyed to another bill storage device.

Reference list

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open No.2005-353103

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem

When the transport mechanism of the above-described banknote deposit apparatuses is connected, if control of the switching operation of the gate member in the banknote deposit apparatuses arranged at the terminal end in the banknote transport direction between the banknote deposit apparatuses fails or the switching mechanism of the gate member fails, there is a problem in that the banknotes may pass through the transport path of the banknote deposit apparatuses by mistake. At this time, for example, when the terminal end of the conveyance path in the bill storage device disposed at the terminal end is opened to the outside, there is a possibility that the bills discharged from the conveyance path may be lost.

The disclosed technology has been achieved in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a paper storage device and a control method of the paper storage device that can enhance the reliability of the switching operation of the shutter member according to the connection state of the paper storage device.

Solution to the problem

In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, a paper sheet storing device disclosed in the present application according to an aspect includes: a storage unit that stores paper sheets; a conveying mechanism including a feed path for conveying the paper to the storage unit and a feed-out path for conveying the paper from the feed path; a shutter member that is provided in the conveying mechanism and switches between a storage state in which the paper is conveyed from the feeding path to the storage unit and a passing state in which the paper is conveyed from the feeding path to the feeding path; a lock mechanism including a lock member that moves between a locked state in which movement of the shutter member is restricted and an unlocked state in which the locked state is unlocked; and an unlocking member that unlocks a locked state in which the locking member restricts movement of the shutter member, wherein the unlocking member is provided to project from one side of the feed path and the discharge path to an outside of the paper sheet storing device, the locking member is provided to project from the other side of the feed path and the discharge path to the outside of the paper sheet storing device, and the locking member is moved by the unlocking member of the other paper sheet storing device when the conveying mechanism of the paper sheet storing device is connected to the conveying mechanism of the other paper sheet storing device different from the paper sheet storing device.

Advantageous effects of the invention

According to an aspect of the paper sheet storing device disclosed in the present application, the reliability of the switching operation of the shutter member according to the connection state of the paper sheet storing device can be enhanced.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic view illustrating the entire banknote handling apparatus of the first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a transparent perspective view illustrating a banknote storing unit according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically illustrating the banknote storing unit according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically illustrating a connected state of the banknote storing device according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a connected state of the banknote storing device of the first embodiment.

Fig. 6A is a perspective view for explaining a locked state in which a lock member restricts movement of a shutter member in the banknote storing device according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 6B is a perspective view for explaining a locked state in which the lock member restricts the movement of the shutter member in the banknote storing device according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 7A is a perspective view for explaining an unlocked state in which a lock member in the banknote storing device of the first embodiment has unlocked a locked state of a shutter member.

Fig. 7B is a perspective view for explaining an unlocked state in which the lock member in the banknote storing device of the first embodiment has unlocked the locked state of the shutter member.

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view schematically illustrating a connected state of the banknote storing device according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a connected state of the banknote storing device of the second embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a control method of the banknote storing device according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a schematic view illustrating the whole of a banknote handling apparatus according to a third embodiment.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of a paper sheet storing device and a control method of the paper sheet storing device disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the paper storing apparatus and the control method of the paper storing apparatus disclosed in the present application.

First embodiment

[ arrangement of paper money handling apparatus ]

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the entire banknote processing apparatus of the first embodiment. As illustrated in fig. 1, a banknote processing apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment includes: a depositing and dispensing unit 4 that deposits and dispenses the banknotes 3 as paper sheets; a discriminating unit 5 that discriminates the banknotes 3 deposited in the depositing and dispensing unit 4; and a temporary storage unit 6 that temporarily stores the banknotes 3 conveyed from the discriminating unit 5. The banknote processing apparatus 1 further includes: a dispensing unit 7 in which banknotes 3 to be dispensed to a user are stored; and a collecting unit 8 that deposits the banknotes 3 conveyed from the temporary storage unit 6 in the collecting box 8 a. Further, the banknote processing apparatus 1 includes: a conveying mechanism 9 that conveys the banknotes 3 along a conveying path 9a between the units 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8; and a controller 10 which controls the units 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, respectively.

For convenience of description, in fig. 1, the width direction of the banknote processing device 1 is referred to as "X direction", the front-rear direction of the banknote processing device 1 is referred to as "Y direction", and the up-down direction of the banknote processing device 1 is referred to as "Z direction". In subsequent figures, the X, Y and Z directions are indicated as in FIG. 1, respectively.

As illustrated in fig. 1, the collecting unit 8 loaded in the banknote handling apparatus 1 corresponds to the banknote deposit apparatus of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the collection unit 8 will be described as the banknote deposit unit 8, and the collection box 8a will be described as the deposit unit 8 a. In the banknote handling apparatus 1, the number of banknote deposit units 8 to be used is changed as necessary. For example, conventionally, the banknote deposit units 8 are added by further connecting the additional banknote deposit unit 8 to the terminal end (the most downstream side) in the conveying direction between the plural banknote deposit units 8 connected to each other. Similarly, in the banknote handling apparatus 1, the banknote deposit units 8 at the terminal ends are changed, for example, by removing the banknote deposit units 8 arranged at the terminal ends of a group of the banknote deposit units 8 connected to each other. For example, plural types of banknotes 3 are stored in the banknote storage 8, respectively.

As illustrated in fig. 1, in the banknote deposit apparatus 8, two deposit units (collection boxes) 8a are arranged side by side in the up-down direction (Z direction). In the banknote deposit unit 8, the number and arrangement of the deposit units 8a are not limited, and the configuration in which the banknote deposit unit 8 has one deposit unit 8a may be applied. In the present embodiment, the bill 3 is used as an example of paper, but the present invention is not limited to the bill 3. Paper includes, for example, banknotes, checks, gift certificates, various securities, and securities such as stock certificates.

[ arrangement of paper money storage device ]

Fig. 2 is a transparent perspective view illustrating the banknote storing unit 8 of the first embodiment. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically illustrating the banknote deposit apparatus 8 of the first embodiment. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically illustrating a connected state of the banknote storing unit 8 of the first embodiment. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a connected state of the banknote deposit unit 8 of the first embodiment.

As illustrated in fig. 2, 3, and 4, the banknote deposit unit 8 of the first embodiment includes: two storage units 8a that store the banknotes 3; and a conveying mechanism 12 that conveys the banknotes 3 to a lower storage unit 8a of the two storage units 8a arranged side by side vertically (Z direction) in fig. 3. As illustrated in fig. 1, the conveyance mechanism 12 is connected to the conveyance mechanism 9 of the banknote handling apparatus 1. The upper storage unit 8a stores the banknotes 3 conveyed by the conveyance mechanism 9 of the banknote processing apparatus 1 (fig. 1).

The transport mechanism 12 includes an in-feed path 12a for conveying the banknotes 3 to the lower storage unit 8a and an out-feed path 12b for conveying the banknotes 3 from the in-feed path 12 a. As illustrated in fig. 3, the conveying mechanism 12 further includes a plurality of conveying rollers 12c, a conveying belt 12d stretched between the conveying rollers 12c, and a drive motor (not illustrated) that rotationally drives the conveying rollers 12 c. In these figures, the feeding path 12a and the feeding path 12b are illustrated as plate-like for convenience, but are arranged along the conveying surface of the conveyor belt 12 d.

As illustrated in fig. 4 and 5, the banknote deposit apparatus 8 includes a switching mechanism 14, the switching mechanism 14 having a gate member 13 switchable between a deposit state in which the banknotes 3 are conveyed from the in-feed path 12a to the deposit unit 8a and a passage state in which the banknotes 3 are conveyed from the in-feed path 12a to the out-feed path 12 b. The switching mechanism 14 includes a rotary shaft 14a that supports the shutter member 13 and a rotary solenoid 14b that rotates the rotary shaft 14 a. The rotating shaft 14a includes an engaging piece 14c that engages with a lock member 18 of a lock mechanism 16, which will be described later. The switching mechanism 14 is connected to the controller 10, and the controller 10 switches the shutter member 13 between the storage state and the passage state.

The gate member 13 is provided between the feeding path 12a and the feeding path 12b of the conveying mechanism 12. As illustrated in fig. 5, a plurality of shutter members 13 spaced apart from each other in the axial direction of the rotary shaft 14a are arranged. A conveying roller 15 that conveys the banknote 3 is rotatably provided at a position adjacent to the shutter member 13 (fig. 1).

In addition, as illustrated in fig. 3, 4, and 5, the banknote storing unit 8 includes: a lock mechanism 16 that locks movement of the shutter member 13; and an unlocking member 17 that unlocks a locked state in the locking mechanism 16. The lock mechanism 16 includes a lock member 18 that moves between a locked state in which movement of the shutter member 13 is restricted and an unlocked state in which the locked state is unlocked. The lock mechanism 16 further includes a spring member 19, and the spring member 19 biases the lock member 18 in the Y direction in which the lock member 18 projects outward from the banknote deposit apparatus 8.

The lock member 18 is provided to project from a side surface 20b on the side of the sending-out path 12b of the banknote deposit unit 8 to the outside of the banknote deposit unit 8, and is supported by the transport mechanism 12 so as to be movable in the Y direction along the sending-out path 12 b. The locking member 18 includes a distal end portion 18a that projects outward from a side surface 20b of the banknote deposit unit 8. The distal end portion 18a includes a pair of inclined surfaces 18b, and the pair of inclined surfaces 18b are inclined with respect to the moving direction (Y direction) of the lock member 18 to the up-down direction (Z direction) perpendicular to the moving direction. The paired inclined surfaces 18b are formed symmetrically with respect to the moving direction of the locking member 18, and the distal end portion 18a is formed in a triangular shape. The locking member 18 further includes an engagement projection 18c, and the engagement projection 18c is engaged with an engagement piece 14c of the rotary shaft 14a in the switching mechanism 14.

The lock member 18 restricts the movement of the shutter member 13 from the stored state to the passing state by engaging the engaging projection 18c with the engaging piece 14c of the rotary shaft 14a under the biasing force of the spring member 19. That is, the lock member 18 locks the shutter member 13 in the storage state in which the banknotes 3 are conveyed into the storage unit 8 a.

The unlocking member 17 is provided to project from a side surface 20a on the side of the feeding path 12a of the banknote deposit unit 8 to the outside of the banknote deposit unit 8. The unlocking member 17 is fixed to the side surface 20a of the banknote deposit unit 8. The unlocking member 17 unlocks a locked state in which the locking member 18 restricts the movement of the shutter member 13. When the transport mechanism 12 of one banknote deposit unit 8 is connected to the transport mechanism 12 of another banknote deposit unit 8 different from the one banknote deposit unit 8, the locking member 18 is moved by the unlocking member 17 of the other banknote deposit unit 8.

In addition, the unlocking member 17 includes a pair of inclined surfaces 17a, and the pair of inclined surfaces 17a project in the moving direction (Y direction) of the locking member 18 and are inclined with respect to the moving direction to the up-down direction (Z direction) perpendicular to the moving direction. The paired inclined surfaces 17a are formed symmetrically with respect to the moving direction of the lock member 18, and the unlock member 17 is formed in a triangular shape (fig. 3). For this reason, when the banknote deposit units 8 are connected to each other, the banknote deposit unit 8 to be connected is lowered from above in the up-down direction (Z direction) with respect to the banknote deposit unit 8 connected to the banknote processing apparatus 1, for example. The locking member 18 is gradually pushed by the inclined surface 17a of the unlocking member 17 lowered relative to the distal end portion 18a of the locking member 18, so as to be able to move smoothly in the Y direction.

[ operation of connecting paper money storing device ]

The operation of the locking member 18 and the unlocking member 17 when the banknote deposit units 8 configured as described above are connected to each other will be described. Fig. 6A is a perspective view for explaining a locked state in which the lock member 18 restricts the movement of the shutter member 13 in the banknote deposit apparatus 8 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 6B is a perspective view for explaining a locked state in which the lock member 18 restricts the movement of the shutter member 13 in the banknote deposit apparatus 8 according to the first embodiment.

When the banknote deposit units 8 are connected to each other, for example, the additional banknote deposit units 8 are lowered from above with respect to the banknote deposit units 8 connected to the transport mechanism 9 of the banknote handling apparatus 1, for example, so that the banknote deposit units 8 are connected to each other via the transport mechanism 12. At this time, as illustrated in fig. 6A and 6B, the distal end portion 18a of the lock member 18 in the banknote deposit unit 8 protrudes outward from the side surface 20B on the sending-out path 12B side of the banknote deposit unit 8, and the engagement projection 18c of the lock member 18 is engaged with the engagement piece 14c of the rotary shaft 14a in the switching mechanism 14. For this reason, the rotary shaft 14a cannot be rotated by the switching mechanism 14, and the shutter member 13 is locked by the locking member 18 in the storage state where the banknotes 3 conveyed through the feeding path 12a are stored in the storage unit 8a, so that conveyance of the banknotes 3 to the feeding path 12b is mechanically restricted.

Fig. 7A is a perspective view for explaining an unlocked state in which the locking member 18 in the banknote deposit apparatus 8 of the first embodiment has unlocked the locked state of the shutter member 13. Fig. 7B is a perspective view for explaining an unlocked state in which the locking member 18 in the banknote deposit apparatus 8 of the first embodiment has unlocked the locked state of the shutter member 13.

By lowering the additional banknote deposit unit 8 as described above so as to connect the sending-out path 12b side of the banknote deposit unit 8 from which the locking member 18 projects outward to the sending-in path 12a side of the additional banknote deposit unit 8, the inclined surface 17a of the unlocking member 17 contacts the inclined surface 18b of the distal end portion 18a of the locking member 18. As illustrated in fig. 7A and 7B, by further lowering the additional banknote deposit unit 8 and connecting the transport mechanisms 12 to each other, the distal end portion 18a of the locking member 18 is pushed into the inside of the banknote deposit unit 8 against the biasing force of the spring member 19 under the action of the unlocking member 17. When the distal end portion 18a of the locking member 18 is pushed by the unlocking member 17, the engagement projection 18c of the locking member 18 is disengaged from the engagement piece 14c of the rotary shaft 14a in the switching mechanism 14, so that the engaged state of the engagement projection 18c and the engagement piece 14c is unlocked. Therefore, the shutter member 13 can be rotated about the rotation shaft 14a by the switching mechanism 14 to be switched from the storage state to the passage state. As a result, the banknote deposit unit 8 to which the additional banknote deposit unit 8 is connected can convey the banknotes 3 from the sending-out path 12b to the sending-in path 12a of the additional banknote deposit unit 8.

In addition, in the additional banknote deposit unit 8 connected to the banknote deposit unit 8 as described above, the lock member 18 projects outward from the side surface 20b on the side of the sending-out path 12b, and the shutter member 13 is locked in the deposit state by the lock member 18. Therefore, in the conveyance direction of the banknotes 3 between the banknote deposit units 8, the shutter member 13 of the banknote deposit unit 8 located at the terminal end is locked in the deposit state, and the discharge of the banknotes 3 from the feeding out path 12b is restricted. In other words, the shutter member 13 is locked in the storing state in a state where the additional banknote storing unit 8 is not connected to the banknote storing unit 8 at the terminal end on the side of the sending-out path 12b, and the shutter member 13 can be switched from the storing state to the passing state when the additional banknote storing unit 8 is connected to the side of the sending-out path 12 b.

Similarly, when the additional banknote deposit unit 8 is removed, in the banknote deposit unit 8 to which the additional banknote deposit unit 8 has been attached, the unlocking member 17 that pushes the distal end portion 18a of the locking member 18 is separated from the distal end portion 18 a. For this reason, the lock member 18 is moved by the biasing force of the spring member 19, so that the distal end portion 18a projects outward from the side surface 20b on the side of the sending-out path 12b, and the engaging projection 18c is engaged with the engaging piece 14c of the rotary shaft 14 a. As a result, the shutter member 13 is restricted in the stored state by the lock member 18.

The banknote storage device 8 according to the first embodiment includes: a lock member 18 provided to project from the feeding path 12b side to the outside of the banknote deposit unit 8; and an unlocking member 17 provided to project from the feed path 12a side to the outside of the banknote deposit unit 8. When the transport mechanism 12 of the banknote deposit unit 8 is connected to the transport mechanism 12 of another banknote deposit unit 8 different from the banknote deposit unit 8, the lock member 18 is moved by the unlock member 17 of the other banknote deposit unit 8. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the shutter mechanism 13 from moving to the passage state where the banknotes 3 are discharged from the feeding path 12b due to, for example, a failure of the switching mechanism 14, a malfunction of the controller 10, or the like. Therefore, the reliability of the switching operation of the shutter member 13 according to the connected state of the banknote deposit unit 8 can be enhanced. In addition, according to an increase or decrease in the number of the banknote deposit units 8 to be connected to each other, the movement of the gate member 13 of the banknote deposit unit 8 at the terminal end is restricted. Therefore, the banknotes 3 can be prevented from being conveyed to the sending-out path 12b side of the banknote deposit apparatus 8 at the terminal end.

In the banknote deposit unit 8 of the first embodiment, the lock mechanism 16 includes a spring member 19 that biases the lock member 18 to project outward from the banknote deposit unit 8. The locking member 18 restricts the movement of the shutter member 13 from the storage state to the passage state under the biasing force of the spring member 19. Therefore, the lock mechanism 16 can restrict the shutter member 13 in the stored state with a simple configuration.

In the banknote deposit apparatus 8 of the first embodiment, the unlocking member 17 projects in the moving direction (Y direction) of the locking member 18, and includes a pair of inclined surfaces 17a, the pair of inclined surfaces 17a being inclined to the direction (Z direction) intersecting the moving direction. The paired inclined surfaces 17a are formed symmetrically with respect to the moving direction of the lock member 18. Therefore, when the banknote deposit units 8 are connected to each other, the banknote deposit units 8 can be moved in both directions with respect to the Z direction, and the lock member 18 can be smoothly moved by the unlock member 17 according to the operation of connecting the banknote deposit units 8.

Further, in the banknote deposit apparatus 8 of the first embodiment, the distal end portion 18a of the locking member 18 which is in contact with the unlocking member 17 includes a pair of inclined surfaces 18b, and the pair of inclined surfaces 18b are inclined with respect to the moving direction (Y direction) of the locking member 18 to the direction (Z direction) intersecting the moving direction. The paired inclined surfaces 18b are formed symmetrically with respect to the moving direction of the lock member 18. The inclined surface 17a of the unlocking member 17 enhances the operability of the locking member 18. Therefore, when the banknote deposit units 8 are connected to each other, the locking member 18 can be further smoothly moved by the unlocking member 17 according to the operation of connecting the banknote deposit units 8.

In the first embodiment, the distal end portion 18a of the locking member 18 is provided so as to project outward of the banknote deposit apparatus 8 from the side surface 20b on the side of the feeding path 12b of the banknote deposit apparatus 8, and the unlocking member 17 is provided so as to project outward of the banknote deposit apparatus 8 from the side surface 20a on the side of the feeding path 12a of the banknote deposit apparatus 8. However, the locking member 18 and the unlocking member 17 may be provided oppositely with respect to the carry-in path 12a and the carry-out path 12 b. That is, the lock member 18 may protrude from the side surface 20a on the side of the feeding path 12a of the banknote deposit unit 8 to the outside of the banknote deposit unit 8, and the unlock member 17 may protrude from the side surface 20b on the side of the feeding path 12b of the banknote deposit unit 8 to the outside of the banknote deposit unit 8, to achieve effects similar to those of the first embodiment.

In addition, the inclined surface 17a of the unlocking member 17 in the first embodiment is configured to be inclined in the up-down direction (Z direction) with respect to the moving direction (Y direction) of the locking member 18 so that the banknote deposit units 8 slide in the up-down direction to be connected to each other, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The inclined surface 17a of the unlocking member 17 may be configured to be inclined to the horizontal direction (X direction) with respect to the moving direction (Y direction) of the locking member 18 so that the banknote deposit unit 8 slides in the horizontal direction (X direction) to be connected to each other. Similarly, the inclined surface 18b of the distal end portion 18a of the lock member 18 is not limited to a configuration in which the inclined surface 18b is inclined in the up-down direction (Z direction) with respect to the moving direction (Y direction) of the lock member 18 and the inclined surface 18b is inclined in the horizontal direction (X direction) with respect to the moving direction (Y direction) of the lock member 18.

In addition, the lock member 18 of the first embodiment is provided to slide in the Y direction. However, for example, the lock member 18 may be provided to be rotatable about a rotation shaft (not illustrated), and may be configured to move between a locked state in which the shutter member 13 is locked and an unlocked state in which the locked state is unlocked according to the rotation of the lock member 18.

Hereinafter, other embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In other embodiments, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

Second embodiment

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically illustrating a connected state of the banknote deposit apparatus 8 according to the second embodiment. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a connected state of the banknote deposit unit 8 of the second embodiment. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the movement of the lock member 18 is detected by a position sensor.

As illustrated in fig. 8 and 9, the banknote deposit apparatus 8 of the second embodiment includes a position sensor 25 that detects the movement of the lock member 18. An optical sensor is used as the position sensor 25, and although not illustrated, the position sensor 25 includes a light emitting unit that emits detection light and a light receiving unit that receives the detection light emitted by the light emitting unit. The position sensor 25 is provided on the sending-out path 12b, and is connected to the controller 10. Based on the detection result of the position sensor 25, the controller 10 controls the shutter member 13 to switch between the storage state and the passage state.

As illustrated in fig. 8 and 9, the lock member 18 includes a detector 18d that detects movement of the lock member 18 with the position sensor 25. The detector 18d is disposed so as to be separated from the position sensor 25 in a locked state in which the distal end portion 18a of the locking member 18 projects outward from the banknote deposit apparatus 8, and so as to face the position sensor 25 in an unlocked state in which the locking member 18 is moved by the unlocking member 17.

When the lock member 18 is pushed in the state of the unlock member 17, the detection piece 18d of the position sensor 25 moves in accordance with the movement of the lock member 18. The thus moved detecting piece 18d enters between the light receiving unit and the light emitting unit in the position sensor 25, and blocks the detection light of the position sensor 25, so that the position sensor 25 detects the movement of the lock member 18. When the detection light of the position sensor 25 is blocked by the lock member 18, the controller 10 appropriately switches the shutter member 13 between the storage state and the passage state by the switching mechanism 14. In addition, when the detection light of the position sensor 25 is not blocked by the lock member 18, the controller 10 does not drive the switching mechanism 14 and does not move the shutter member 13 in the stored state.

[ control method of paper money storage device ]

A control method of the banknote deposit unit 8 according to the above-described second embodiment will be described. Fig. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a control method of the banknote storage device 8 according to the second embodiment. As illustrated in fig. 10, in the banknote storage unit 8, the conveyance mechanism 12 and the conveyance mechanism 12 of another banknote storage unit 8 different from the banknote storage unit 8 are connected to each other (step S1). At this time, the lock member 18 of the banknote deposit unit 8 is pushed and moved by the unlock member 17 of the other banknote deposit unit 8 (step S2), and the controller 10 determines whether the lock member 18 is moved based on the detection result of the position sensor 25 (step S3).

When the controller 10 determines in step S3 that the lock member 18 is not moved (no), the process returns to step S3 again, and the position sensor 25 continues to detect the movement of the lock member 18. When the lock member 18 is appropriately moved by appropriately connecting the banknote deposit unit 8 via the corresponding transport mechanism 12, the position sensor 25 detects the movement of the lock member 18, and based on the detection result of the position sensor 25, the controller 10 determines that the lock member 18 is moved (yes in step S3). The controller 10 controls the shutter member 13 to move between the storage state and the passage state based on the detection result of the position sensor 25 (step S4).

As described above, the banknote deposit apparatus 8 of the second embodiment includes the position sensor 25 that detects the movement of the lock member 18. Therefore, the controller 10 can control the switching operation of the shutter member 13 based on the detection result of the position sensor 25. Therefore, the reliability of the switching operation of the shutter member 13 can be further enhanced. In addition, in the second embodiment, the lock member 18 and the position sensor 25 may be provided on the feed path 12a side of the banknote deposit unit 8.

Third embodiment

Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of the entire banknote processing apparatus of the third embodiment. The third embodiment illustrated in fig. 11 differs from the first embodiment illustrated in fig. 1 in the arrangement of the storage unit 8a and the conveying mechanism 12. As illustrated in fig. 11, the banknote deposit apparatus 8 of the third embodiment includes one deposit unit 8a, and the transport mechanism 12 that transports the banknotes 3 to the deposit unit 8a is connected to the transport mechanism 9 of the banknote processing apparatus 1. The configurations of the shutter member 13, the unlocking member 17, the locking member 18, and the like in the third embodiment are similar to those in the first embodiment, and therefore, descriptions thereof are omitted.

As illustrated in fig. 11, in the banknote deposit apparatus 8 of the third embodiment, for example, the sending-out path 12b of the banknote deposit apparatus 8 provided at the end in the conveying direction of the banknotes 3 between the plurality of banknote deposit apparatuses 8 is connected to the conveying path 9a of the conveying mechanism 9 in the banknote handling apparatus 1. The present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the sending-out path 12b of the banknote deposit unit 8 provided at the terminal end may be opened without being connected to the conveyance path 9 a.

In the first, second, and third embodiments described above, the banknote deposit units 8 are arranged so as to be connected along the horizontal direction (Y direction), but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The plural banknote deposit units 8 may be arranged to be stacked in the up-down direction (Z direction).

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1 paper money processing device

3 paper currency (paper)

8 paper money depositing device, collecting unit (paper depositing device)

8a storage unit and collection box

10 controller

12 conveying mechanism

12a feeding path

12b delivery path

13 Gate Member

14 switching mechanism

14a rotating shaft

16 locking mechanism

17 unlocking member

17a inclined surface

18 locking member

18a distal end portion

18b inclined surface

18c engaging projection

19 spring component

20a, 20b side surface

25 position sensor