JPH05147768A - Sheet thickness sensing mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To sense abnormal thickness of a sheet in it middle across the width precisely using a simple and small configuration by sensing that the displacement of a movable roller exceeds a specified value when the sheet passes between the movable roller and a stationary roller. CONSTITUTION:A movable roller 11 and a stationary roller 13 are installed in such a way that they are rolling in contact with each other and are protruded to the transport path 4 for sheet 1. The movable roller 11 is supported at the ends rotatably by a plurality of supporting members 9 and arranged so as to be capable of retreating from rolling contact with the stationary roller 13. The ends of the movable roller 11 are pressed by a plurality of resilient members 16, 160 having different resilience so that it is contacted by pressure with the stationary roller 13. A plurality of sensing means 15 sense that the displacement of the moving roller 11 at each end, when it retreats from rolling contact with the stationary roller 13 at passage of a sheet 1, has exceeded the specified value. If this is exceeded, a judgement is passed that the sheet 1 thickness has exceeded the specified value.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a paper sheet thickness detecting mechanism used in a paper sheet handling device for handling paper sheets, and more particularly, to detecting displacement of movable rollers having different left and right pressing forces. The present invention relates to a paper sheet thickness detection mechanism capable of accurately detecting a thickness abnormality of a central portion of a paper sheet in the width direction.

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, automatic transaction devices and the like for feeding and processing paper sheets such as banknotes one by one are widely used in banks and the like. In such a device, when multiple bills to be handled are fed out (double feed) or if the bills are broken and repaired with adhesive tape, etc., a counting error or a jam may occur during transportation. , A detection mechanism for rejecting this is provided, but if there is an adhesive tape or the like in the central portion of a banknote or the like, the detection accuracy is poor because the conveyance speed is high, so a mechanism to improve this is desired. ..

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art An example of a bill handling apparatus incorporated in an automatic teller machine will be described with reference to FIG. Banknotes as shown
Storage box with 1a stored by denomination and equipped with feeding mechanisms 3a and 3b
2a, 2b, a double feed or a reject box 2c for rejecting unidentifiable banknotes, a feed path R for arranging a feed roller R and a gate G, and a bill 1a fed out, a double feed of the bill 1a, correctness, denomination It is composed of a discrimination / counter 5 for discriminating and counting the amount to be dispensed, a pool 6 for temporarily pooling the dispensed banknotes 1a, and a dispensing port 7.

Therefore, when the bill 1a of the amount requested by the customer is fed out from the storage boxes 2a, 2b by the feeding mechanisms 3a, 3b,
It is transported through the transport path 4a, is discriminated by the discrimination counting unit 5, and is sent to the pool unit 6.

The count amount is displayed on a display (not shown), and the banknote 1a of the pool section 6 is sent to the dispensing port 7 and dispensed by the customer's confirmation button input. During this time, if there is a double feed or the discrimination is not possible, the gate G at the branch point of the transport path 4a is activated and rejected by the reject box 2c.

The discrimination / counting unit 5 is provided with a thickness detecting mechanism 8 for judging whether the bill 1a is correct or not (abnormal bills include folds and tears, bills repaired with adhesive tape or the like), double feed, and the like. ing.

In the thickness detecting mechanism 8, the bill 1a is stored in the storage boxes 2a and 2b.
If it is double-fed from the machine or the mixed abnormal bills are fed out and conveyed as it is, it may cause counting errors or jams, so prevent this and remove abnormal bills because they are inappropriate for dispensing. A conventional example will be described below.

A conventional example (1) is shown in FIG. Figure 6 (a) and
As shown in the perspective view and side view of (b), the lever 9a is rotatably supported at the fulcrum 10 at the intermediate position on the upper side of the transport path 4a,
A movable roller 11a is rotatably held at the tip of the lever 9a, and a displacement plate 12 is provided at the rear end. Movable roller 11a
Is pressed by a tension spring 16a against a fixed roller 13a provided so as to face the lower side of the conveying path 4a.

A drive roller R1 and a pressing roller R2 that convey the bill 1a are provided on the conveying path 4a. A magnetic sensor 15a formed of an eddy current gap measuring device facing the displacement plate 12
The magnetic sensor 15a is connected to the control unit 17 and detects the displacement of the displacement plate 12 provided at the rear end of the lever 9a which is rotated by the displacement of the movable roller 11a and converts it into an electric signal.

The control unit 17 measures the voltage of the electric signal output from the magnetic sensor 15a and compares it with the judgment reference voltage set corresponding to the thickness of one banknote 1a to compare the banknote 1a with an abnormal thickness. It is determined whether (abnormal bill or double feed).

With such a structure, when the bill 1a is conveyed by the driving roller R1 and the pressing roller R2 and enters between the movable roller 11a and the fixed roller 13a, the movable roller 11a retracts by the thickness of the bill 1a. Then, the lever 9a rotates and the displacement plate 12 swings.

The output voltage from the magnetic sensor 15a changes according to the swing displacement, and the change in voltage is measured by the control unit 17,
It is determined whether the thickness is abnormal by comparing with the determination reference voltage, and the abnormal banknote 1a is rejected.

Next, FIG. 7 shows a conventional example (2) according to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 01-222150 proposed by the applicant of the present application. As shown in FIG. 7, both ends of the movable roller 11a are separately rotatably supported by the tips of the levers 9A and 9B.
The midpoint between 9A and 9B is supported by a fulcrum 10a.

The levers 9A and 9B are tension springs 16A and 16A having the same elasticity K.
The movable roller 11a is urged by each of the 16B and the movable roller 11a is fixed.
Pressing against 3a. Displacement plates 12a and 12b are provided at the rear ends of the levers 9A and 9B, respectively, and magnetic sensors 15A and 15B are provided opposite the displacement plates 12a and 12b, respectively.

The magnetic sensors 15A and 15B are connected to the control unit 17a and detect the displacement of the displacement plates 12a and 12b provided at the rear ends of the levers 9A and 9B which are rotated by the displacement of the movable roller 11a. Convert to.

The control unit 17a measures the voltages of the electric signals output from the magnetic sensors 15A and 15B, compares them with the judgment reference voltages, and judges whether or not one of them exceeds the judgment reference voltage. Determine whether it is thick or not.

With such a structure, when the bill 1a enters between the movable roller 11a and the fixed roller 13a, the bill 1a
The movable roller 11a retracts by the thickness of 1a, but the movable roller
Since the levers 9A and 9B at both ends of 11a can rotate independently, when the adhesive tape or the like is pasted on the banknote 1a and the thickness is different, either lever 9A or 9B is near the pasting position of the adhesive tape or the like. The extra rotation makes it possible to detect an abnormal bill.

[0018]

According to the above-mentioned conventional method, in the method of the conventional example (1), the left and right levers for supporting the movable lever are integrated so that they are always parallel to the fixed roller. Strength is required and it is difficult to downsize the mechanism.

The method of the conventional example (2) can downsize and simplify the mechanism, but when an adhesive tape or the like attached to a bill arrives at the central portion of the movable roller, normal displacement does not appear at both ends and the thickness is increased. Abnormality detection may not be performed correctly. This is because the strength of the movable roller is not sufficient for the collision force due to high-speed conveyance of bills, and the movable roller bends. This phenomenon becomes more prominent as the movable roller becomes longer. There is a problem.

An object of the present invention is to provide a paper sheet thickness detecting mechanism capable of enhancing the detection accuracy of the thickness abnormality of the conveyed paper sheet near the center in the width direction.

[0021]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the principle of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a paper sheet, 4 is a transport path, 11 and 13 are projecting into the transport path 4 and are in rolling contact, and a transported roller and a fixed roller through which the transported paper sheet 1 passes through a rolling contact position, 9
Is a plurality of support members that support the movable roller 11 rotatably at both ends and that can be retracted from the rolling contact with the fixed roller 13, and 16 and 160 have different elastic forces, and both ends of the movable roller 11 are supported. Bias the movable roller 11 to the fixed roller 13
The first elastic member and the second elastic member, which are pressed against each other, indicate that the displacement of both ends of the movable roller 11 retracted from the rolling contact with the fixed roller 13 when the paper sheet 1 passes exceeds a predetermined value. It is a plurality of detection means for detecting each.

Therefore, when it is detected that at least one of the plurality of detecting means 15 exceeds the predetermined value, it is determined that the paper sheet 1 has exceeded the predetermined thickness.

[0023]

When the conveyed paper sheet 1 enters the rolling contact position between the movable roller 11 and the fixed roller 13, the movable roller 11 is fixed against the elasticity of the first elastic member 16 and the second elastic member 160. Retract from rolling contact with the roller 13.

Even if the thickness of the paper sheet 1 is abnormally thick near the center portion in the width direction, for example, by sticking an adhesive tape, the first elastic member 16 for urging both ends of the movable roller 11 is provided. And the elasticity of the second elastic member 160 is different, the movable roller 11
The bending force is moved to an internally divided position in proportion to the elasticity and the distance from one end is shortened, so that the bending is prevented.

Then, the displacement amount of the retracted ends of the movable roller 11 is inclined in inverse proportion to the elastic force, and the displacement of the end portion where the elasticity is weak increases. This displacement is detected by each of the plurality of detecting means 15, and when at least one exceeds a predetermined value, it is determined that the thickness of the sheet 1 is abnormal.

A position where the thickness of the paper sheet 1 is abnormal is a movable roller.
When located near both ends of 11, the first elastic member 16 and the second elastic member 16
Even if there is a difference in elasticity of the elastic member 160, the movable roller 11 can be retracted against the elasticity of whichever is closer,
Both ends can be detected similarly.

When the paper sheet 1 has no adhesive tape and the like and has a uniform thickness, the first elastic member 16 and the second elastic member are used.
Even if there is a difference in elasticity of 160, the movable roller
Since the displacement amount of the retracted sheet 11 is small and both ends of the paper sheet 1 are close to both ends of the movable roller 11, there is almost no difference in displacement amount between the both ends. Therefore, double feed can be detected normally.

In this way, even if the central portion of the paper sheet 1 is thick due to sticking of an adhesive tape or the like, it is possible to improve the accuracy of detecting the thickness abnormality.

[0029]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment (corresponding to claim 1) according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to the thickness detecting mechanism described in the conventional example (2) of FIG. 7. The difference from FIG. 7 is that the tension springs 16A and 16B set to the same elasticity are used. Tensile springs with different elasticity
It is 16C and 16D. The same reference numerals as those in FIG. 7 indicate the same objects.

The banknote 1a, the levers 9A and 9B and the magnetic sensors 15A and 16B shown in FIG. 2 correspond to the paper sheet 1, the support member 9 and the detection means 15 shown in FIG. 1, respectively, and the tension springs 16C and 16D shown in FIG. Corresponds to the first elastic member 16 and the second elastic member 160 of FIG.

As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 2, the tension spring 16C,
The elasticity of 16D, K1 and K2, is set to 3 × K1 = K2. Further, dampers 18a, 18b are provided on an apparatus frame (not shown), and the rear ends of the levers 9A, 9B are slidably inserted into notches provided on the side surfaces of the dampers 18a, 18b so that the displacement plates 12a, 12b can be displaced. The end faces of the levers 9A and 9B collide with the upper and lower end faces of the notch when the lever swings by a predetermined displacement or more and returns. Here, the predetermined angle is an angle corresponding to the displacement of the displacement plate 12 in which the abnormal thickness of the banknote 1a is detected.

The dunher 18a and 18b are unnecessary when the bill 1a enters between the movable roller 11a and the fixed roller 13a on which the bill 1a rolls, and the movable roller 11a retracts, and when the movable roller 11a returns and rolls on the fixed roller 13a. This is to prevent unnecessary vibration and is made of rubber, for example.

With such a structure, when the conveyed bill 1a enters between the movable roller 11a and the fixed roller 13a which are in rolling contact, the movable roller 11a resists the elastic forces K1 and K2 of the tension springs 16C and 16D. Moves away from the rolling contact with the fixed roller 13a, and the levers 9A and 9B rotate. At this time, the damper 18a-
The vibration of the levers 9A and 9B is prevented by 18d.

As shown in FIG. 3, if the adhesive tape is attached near the center of the bill 1a and becomes abnormally thick,
Since the elastic forces K1 and K2 of the tension springs 16C and 6D that press the both ends of the movable roller 11a against the fixed roller 13a are different,
The stress for bending 11a is applied to a position that is internally divided in inverse proportion to the elastic forces K1 and K2, and the distance from one end is shortened, so that bending is prevented.

The displacement of the retracted ends of the movable roller 11a inclines in inverse proportion to the elastic force, and the displacement of the end having weak elasticity increases. The displacement plates 12a, 12a,
12b swings, the displacement is detected by the magnetic sensors 15A and 15B respectively, and the detection signal is sent to the control unit 17b and compared with a predetermined value. When at least one exceeds the predetermined value, the thickness of the bill 1a is increased. Is determined to be abnormal.

The position where the thickness of the bill 1a is abnormal is indicated by the movable roller 11.
When it is near both ends of a, even if there is a difference in the elasticity K1, K2 of the tension springs 16C, 16D, the movable roller 11 can be retracted against the elasticity of the closer one. Can be detected.

When the bill 1a has no adhesive tape and has a uniform thickness, even if the elasticity K1, K2 of the tension springs 16C, 16D is different, the bill 1a is movable as compared with the case of an abnormality. roller
Since the displacement amount of the retracted 11a is small and both ends of the bill 1a are close to both ends of the movable roller 11a, there is almost no difference between the displacement amounts of both ends. Therefore, double feed can be detected normally.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment (corresponding to claim 2). 4 is different from the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 2 in that two sets of thickness detecting mechanisms of FIG. 2 are provided and a plurality of tension springs having different elastic forces are provided on opposite sides of each set.

This is because the thickness detecting mechanism of the above embodiment is
When the movable roller 11a and the fixed roller 13a are long,
There is adhesive tape on the banknote 1a, and its position is elastic.
If it is close to the position internally divided in inverse proportion to K1 and K2, the conventional example (2)
As described above, the same phenomenon as when the adhesive tape is attached to the central portion of the banknote 1a may occur, and the movable roller 11a may bend and normal detection may not be performed. Therefore, this is prevented. ..

The bill 1a is a movable roller 11a and a fixed roller.
This is because the bills 1a passing therethrough tend to skew in a direction in which the pressing force is weak because the both ends are pressed against each other with different elastic forces when passing between 13a.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, in the two sets of thickness detection mechanisms, one set (right side in the figure) is exactly the same as the above embodiment, and the other sets are movable roller 11b and fixed roller 13.
b, levers 9C and 9D, displacement plates 12c and 12d, magnetic sensors 15C and 15
D, tension springs 16E and 16F, and dampers 18c and 18d. The levers 9C and 9D are supported by the fulcrum 10b.

The magnetic sensors 15A to 15D are connected to a control unit (not shown). The control unit makes the same judgment as in the embodiment based on the detection output of the magnetic sensors 15A and 15B, and further to the magnetic sensors 15C and 15D. The same determination is made for the detection output, and the thickness abnormality is determined by either of them.

In the tension springs 16E and 16F, elastic forces K2 and K1 are set opposite to the elastic forces K1 and K2 of the tension springs 16C and 16D.
E is attached to lever 9C and tension spring 16F is attached to lever 9D. Further, a driving roller R3 and a pressing roller R4 are arranged on the conveying roller 4a between the two sets of thickness detecting mechanisms.

With such a structure, the movable roller
As shown in FIG. 3, the position of the adhesive tape or the like attached to the banknote 1a entering between the 11a and the fixed roller 13a is internally divided in inverse proportion to the elastic forces K1 and K2 of the tension springs 16C and 16D. If they are close to each other, the movable roller 11a may be bent and normal detection may not be performed, and the bill 1a may pass without being detected as having an abnormal thickness.

The bill 1a passing through the movable roller 11a and the fixed roller 13a has different elastic forces K at both ends of the movable roller 11a.
Since it is pressed by 1, K2, it passes through in a direction that is weakly pressed.

Next, the bill 1a is a movable roller 11b and a fixed roller.
When it enters between 13b, the elasticity of tension springs 16E, 16F K2, K1
Is on the opposite side to the elastic forces K1 and K2 of the tension springs 16C and 16D in the previous stage, the position internally divided in inverse proportion to the elastic forces K2 and K1 is also on the opposite side, from the position of the adhesive tape attached to the banknote 1a. Since the movable roller 11b is not bent away, the thickness abnormality is detected.

Further, the banknote 1a conveyed obliquely by the movable roller 11a is obliquely conveyed in the opposite direction by the movable roller 11b, and as a result, the skew in the preceding stage is corrected. In this way, even when the central portion of the banknote is thick due to sticking of an adhesive tape or the like, it is possible to improve the detection accuracy of the thickness abnormality.

In the case of different embodiments, tension springs having different elasticity are provided as two sets of detection mechanisms on opposite sides,
Even if the movable roller is bent when the movable roller and the fixed roller are long and the bill thickness abnormality occurs at a specific position, the detection accuracy can be further improved by making it possible to detect by the second stage detection mechanism. It is possible to correct skew caused by passing the bill with different elasticity by the second stage detection mechanism.

In the above example, the case where the magnetic sensor is used as the means for detecting the displacement of the displacement plate has been described, but other members may be used as long as they detect the displacement and convert it into an electric signal or the like, for example, a potentiometer or a potentiometer. It may be an optical sensor or the like.

Further, in the above example, the case of the thickness detecting mechanism in the bill handling device of the automatic payment machine has been described. However, not only the bill handling device of another automatic transaction device but also another device for handling paper sheets, for example, It can be similarly applied to a medium handling device such as a slip or a card.

[0051]

As described above, according to the present invention, in claim 1, both ends of the movable roller which is in rolling contact with the fixed roller are separately supported by a plurality of supporting members so as to be rotatable and retractable. Whether both ends of the movable roller are pressed against the fixed roller with different elastic forces by the elastic member and the second elastic member, and the displacement of the movable roller when the paper sheet passes between the movable roller and the fixed roller exceeds a predetermined value. By detecting whether or not the central portion of the paper sheet is thick due to the sticking of the adhesive tape or the like, the detection accuracy of the thickness abnormality can be improved by detecting whether or not the central portion of the paper sheet is thick.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, two sets of the mechanism of the first aspect are provided in the front and rear on the conveying path, and two sets of the first elastic member and the second elastic member are provided with respect to the two movable rollers. By arranging them on the opposite side, it is possible to increase the detection accuracy of thickness abnormalities wherever there is a thick part due to the sticking of adhesive tapes on paper sheets, etc. Can be prevented. There is an effect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the principle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an example.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a different embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an internal side view of a bill handling device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a conventional example (1).

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a conventional example (2).

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is paper, 1a is banknote, 4a
Is a conveying path, 9 is a supporting member, 9a, 9A, 9B are levers, 11, 11a, 11
b is a movable roller, 12 and 12a to 12d are displacement plates, 13a and 13b are fixed rollers, 15 is detection means, 15a and 15A to 15D are magnetic sensors, 16 is an elastic member, 16a and 16A to 16F are tension springs,

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A transport path (4) through which the paper sheet (1) is transported, and a paper path that is projected into the transport path (4) and rotatably contacts the transport path (4).
(1) is a movable roller (11) and a fixed roller (13) that pass through the rolling contact position, and the movable roller (11) is rotatably supported at both ends and is rotated by the fixed roller (13). A plurality of support members (9) that can be retracted from the contact and different elastic forces, and both ends of the movable roller (11) are urged to move the movable roller (11) to the fixed roller (13). The first elastic member (16) and the second elastic member (160) that are in pressure contact with each other, and the movable roller (11) retracted from the rolling contact with the fixed roller (13) when the paper sheet (1) passes. A plurality of detecting means (15) for detecting whether or not the displacements at both ends of the respective exceed a predetermined value, and when at least one of the plurality of detecting means (15) detects that the predetermined value is exceeded. A paper sheet thickness detection mechanism characterized by determining that the paper sheet (1) has exceeded a predetermined thickness. 2. The movable roller (11) and the fixed roller (1)
3), the plurality of support members (9), the first elastic member (1
6), the second elastic member (160) and a plurality of detecting means (15)
Are provided on the conveyance path (4) in the front and rear, respectively, and two sets of the first elastic member (16) and the second elastic member (160) are provided to the two movable rollers (11). 2. The paper sheet thickness detecting mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the paper sheet thickness detecting mechanisms are arranged on opposite sides of each other.