JP5078065B2 - Media processing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a medium processing apparatus having a feature in a shutter mechanism that is installed at a medium insertion port and prevents additional insertion of a medium.

  Various media processing apparatuses that process media such as cards and banknotes are conventionally known. For example, a medium processing device that processes a card-shaped information recording medium performs information writing processing and reading processing, and a medium processing device that processes banknotes as a medium determines whether or not a banknote is a genuine bill. (Effectiveness) is discriminated, and in the case of a correct note, a process of storing the banknote in a predetermined storage portion is performed.

  By the way, in such a medium processing apparatus, it is necessary to prevent a plurality of media from being simultaneously inserted through the medium insertion port. Patent Document 1 discloses an example in which such a concept of preventing simultaneous insertion is applied to a card processing device. In this card processing apparatus, a shutter member that seals a part or the whole of the card insertion slot when a card is inserted in the apparatus main body is provided, and a plurality of cards are simultaneously inserted into the apparatus main body by the shutter member. Is prevented. The shutter member is composed of a plate-like member that is disposed facing the card carrying surface on which the card is carried and is swingably attached to the apparatus main body side via a support shaft, and is located on the card insertion slot side. The insertion port side end and the opposite end on the opposite side are bent toward the card conveying surface.

In such a configuration, when the card inserted from the card insertion slot enters between the opposite end of the shutter member and the card transport surface, the opposite end of the shutter member is lifted. Therefore, the shutter member swings around the support shaft, and the end of the shutter member on the insertion port side is lowered to seal the card insertion port. This prevents a new card from being inserted into the apparatus main body at the card insertion slot.
JP 2004-152240 A

  However, in the card processing device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the card inserted from the card insertion slot enters between the opposite end of the shutter member and the card transport surface, and the insertion slot side end of the shutter member is lowered. The length between the insertion port side end of the shutter member and the opposite side end of the shutter member is such that the insertion port side end does not hit the card when the card is pressed. It is set to be longer than the length in the transport direction. In other words, after the card has completely passed through the end of the shutter member on the insertion port side, the card enters between the opposite end of the shutter member and the card carrying surface, thereby lifting the opposite end of the shutter member. As a result, the end of the insertion slot is lowered so that the card insertion slot is sealed. Therefore, the shutter member becomes long, and the length of the apparatus main body becomes long in the card conveying direction.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a medium processing apparatus suitable for miniaturization that can prevent simultaneous insertion of a plurality of media without damaging the media. It is in.

In order to solve the above-described problems, a medium processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an insertion port into which a medium can be inserted, a conveyance path through which the medium inserted into the insertion port is conveyed, and a medium that is conveyed by the conveyance path. A shutter mechanism that closes the insertion port to prevent further media from being inserted, wherein the shutter mechanism is swingably supported by a support shaft, and the support mechanism A first end provided on one side with respect to the shaft and capable of closing the insertion port; and a second end provided on the other side with respect to the support shaft and capable of shielding the conveyance path. A swing member having the first end portion by a swing operation via the support shaft accompanying the contact between the medium transported by the transport path and the second end portion. Closes the insertion port and can be deformed by contact with the medium. Are formed on, the portion of the swing member between said shaft first end, than the thickness of the portion of the swing member between the support shaft and the second end A thin region is provided, the swinging member is supported on one side across the transport path, and the second end of the swinging member is not in contact with the medium, and the first Abutting against the other side of the conveyance path so as to form only a gap of about one sheet between the end portion and the conveyance path to shield the conveyance path, the other side of the conveyance path, An engagement portion that engages with the second end portion of the swing member is provided .

According to the medium processing apparatus of the present invention, the swing member that prevents simultaneous insertion of the medium is formed to be deformable by contact with the medium. As a result, even if the first end hits the medium due to the swinging operation accompanying the contact between the second end of the swinging member and the medium, the first end itself is deformed to reduce the impact on the medium. Therefore, it is not necessary to damage the medium. Therefore, it is not necessary to set the distance between the first end and the second end to be longer than the length in the medium transport direction in order to prevent the medium from being damaged, and the first end and the second end. By shortening the distance to the end of the oscillating member, it is possible to reduce the size of the oscillating member and thus the entire apparatus. Further, according to the medium processing apparatus of the present invention, the portion of the swinging member between the support shaft and the second end is formed in the portion of the swinging member between the support shaft and the first end. Since the region thinner than the thickness is provided, the flexibility of the part of the swinging member between the support shaft and the first end is made to be flexible. The flexibility of the portion can be made higher, and the first end side that abuts against the surface of the medium when swinging can be favorably deformed to effectively prevent the medium from being damaged. In particular, in this configuration, the thickness of the part of the swinging member between the support shaft and the first end is made larger than the thickness of the part of the swinging member between the support shaft and the second end. When formed thinly, the flexibility on the second end side that generates a swinging force by contact with the medium is more flexible than the flexibility on the first end side that prevents damage to the medium due to contact with the medium. Therefore, even if the medium is thin like a banknote, the abutment between the medium and the second end ensures that the rocking member can be held on the second end side. While the swinging member can be swung, the medium on the first end and the medium comes into contact with the medium even if it is a thin medium such as a bill because of the high flexibility of the first end. There is no need to damage it. Further, in this configuration, since the flexibility (deformability due to contact with the medium) is changed by changing the wall thickness, the portion of the swinging member between the support shaft and the first end portion and Even when the portion of the swinging member between the support shaft and the second end portion is formed of the same material or formed integrally, it is advantageous that the flexibility of both of them can be easily made different. Of course, the portion of the swing member between the support shaft and the first end and the portion of the swing member between the support shaft and the second end may be formed of different materials. Further, according to the medium processing apparatus of the present invention, the transport path is shielded only by the second end portion of the swinging member coming into contact with the transport path, and the first end portion and the transport path are interposed between them. Since only a gap of about one medium is formed, it is possible not only to effectively and easily prevent the medium in the apparatus that has passed through the swinging member from being reversely conveyed toward the insertion port side, but also the medium can be conveyed. It is possible to simultaneously prevent further media from being inserted into the apparatus while being transported along the path, and it is not necessary to provide other components for realizing this. That is, two functions can be achieved at the same time using existing members (with a reduced number of parts), and the apparatus can be downsized. Further, according to the medium processing apparatus of the present invention, since the engaging portion that engages with the second end portion of the swing member is provided on the other side of the transport path, the engaging portion Thus, the shield state of the transport path by the second end can be reliably held, and the reverse transport of the medium can be reliably prevented.

In the above configuration, the second end portion of the swinging member, at a site opposite to the site facing the insertion opening side, the inclined surface be formed inclined towards the conveying path Also good.

According to this configuration, even when the medium is conveyed in the reverse direction toward the insertion port, the inclined surface can smoothly convey the medium without causing wrinkles or bending (bending) of the medium.

In the above structure, the first end portion of the swinging member, at a site opposite to the site facing the insertion opening side, the inclined surface be formed inclined towards the conveying path Also good.

According to this configuration, the same effect as that of the medium processing apparatus according to the tenth aspect can be obtained, and the inclined surface can reversely convey the medium toward the insertion port at the first end portion. It can be done smoothly.

In the above configuration, an inclined surface that is inclined toward the conveyance path may be formed at a portion facing the insertion port at the second end of the swing member .

According to this configuration, the medium can be smoothly transported from the insertion port side to the inside of the apparatus by the inclined surface at the second end portion.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the medium processing apparatus suitable for size reduction which can prevent simultaneous insertion of a some medium without damaging a medium can be provided.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 to 4 are diagrams showing a configuration of a banknote processing apparatus 1 as an example of a medium processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing FIG. The figure which shows the state which open | released the cover body, FIG. 3 is a top view which shows the internal structure seen from the opposite side to the side shown by FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is the inside seen from the side shown by FIG. It is a top view which shows a structure.

  The banknote handling apparatus 1 is configured to be installed in a game medium lending device installed between game machines such as a pachinko machine (not shown), for example. In this case, in the game medium lending device, other devices (for example, a coin identification device, a recording medium processing device, a power supply device, etc.) are installed on the upper side or the lower side of the banknote processing device 1. May be integrated with these other devices or may be configured separately. Alternatively, the banknote handling apparatus 1 may be installed alone or together with the other apparatus in a space other than between the gaming machines. And if the banknote P which is an example of a medium is inserted in such a banknote processing apparatus 1, and the effectiveness of the inserted banknote P is judged, the lending process of the game medium according to the banknote value, and a recording medium will be carried out. Is written.

  The banknote handling apparatus 1 includes a housing 1a formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the housing 1a is attached to a locking portion of a game medium lending device not shown. A bill processing area 3 is formed on the front surface (surface to be exposed) 1b of the housing 1a. The banknote processing area 3 is formed so as to be adjacent to the banknote insertion slot 3A and the banknote insertion slot 3A into which a banknote P as a medium is inserted and opened in a slit shape. A banknote collection port 3B for discharging the banknote storage unit (collecting the banknote P stored in the banknote storage unit), and the banknote collection port 3B is closed by an openable / closable shielding plate 91. In this case, the banknote P is inserted into the inside through the banknote insertion slot 3A along the arrow D1 direction in a state where the short side of the banknote P is in the vertical direction (standing state).

  In the housing 1a, a bill identifying unit 5 for identifying the validity of the inserted bill P and a bill transport mechanism 7 for transporting the inserted bill P along a predetermined bill transport path are provided. The banknote recognition part 5 is installed in the vicinity position of the insertion direction of 3 A of banknote insertion ports, and the banknote conveyance mechanism 7 is installed over the area | region along the insertion direction D1 from the banknote identification part 5. FIG. In this case, the banknote transport mechanism 7 has a function of transporting the inserted banknote P while sandwiching it, and is an area shorter than the length of the banknote P in the longitudinal direction, preferably the vicinity of the banknote insertion slot 3A in the insertion direction. At the position, it is configured to fit in a range that is less than or equal to half the length of the bill P.

  In addition, the banknote pushing area | region 10 which slides the banknote P discharged | emitted by the downstream roller pair which comprises a banknote conveyance mechanism as it is in the downstream of the banknote conveyance mechanism 7 is provided. The banknote pushing area 10 is configured so that the banknote P discharged from the downstream roller pair can be transferred as it is, without any restriction, in the direction of the arrow D2 which is a direction orthogonal to the discharge direction. The bill P has the same size as the bill P. Thus, the banknote pushing area | region 10 is located in the downstream of the banknote conveyance mechanism 7, and the banknote pressing mechanism 30 is mounted in the other side and the banknote pressing mechanism 30 is mounted in the other side so that this banknote pushing area | region 10 may be pinched | interposed. A tray (banknote accommodating part) 60 is provided (see FIG. 2). That is, the banknote P discharged to the push-in area 10 by the transport drive of the banknote transport mechanism 7 is pressed as it is in the direction of the arrow D2 by the press plate of the banknote press mechanism 30, as will be described later, and is placed on the loading tray 60. Then, they are sequentially stacked and accommodated.

  The banknote transport mechanism 7 includes a pair of transport belts 17a and 17b that extend along the banknote insertion direction D1 and are installed at predetermined intervals. Each of the conveyor belts 17a and 17b is wound around tension rollers 18a and 18b attached to a support shaft 18 that is rotatably supported by the internal frame 1d on the banknote insertion slot 3A side. It is wound around tension rollers 19a and 19b attached to a support shaft 19 that is rotatably supported by the internal frame 1d on the back side of the bill recognition unit 5.

  The support shaft 19 is rotationally driven by a transport motor 20 disposed on the inner frame 1d. That is, the support shaft 19 is rotationally driven via a gear 20G fixed to the drive shaft of the transport motor 20 and a gear 19G meshing with the gear 20G and fixed to the end of the support shaft 19. . The transport motor 20 is drive-controlled so as to rotate forward / reversely by a control unit described later, and has a function as a drive source of the banknote transport mechanism 7.

  Pinch rollers 21a and 21b and pinch rollers 22a and 22b are in contact with the tension rollers 18a and 18b and tension rollers 19a and 19b installed at both ends, respectively. In this case, as shown in FIG. 18, the bill P inserted into the bill insertion slot 3A is inserted into the nip portion between the tension roller 18a (18b) and the pinch roller 21a (21b) by a guide (not shown) installed in the housing. N1 is guided to N1 and then conveyed while being sandwiched between them. Finally, the paper is pushed into the bill pushing area 10 through the nip N2 between the tension roller 19a (19b) and the pinch rollers 22a and 22b. Discharged. Note that the tension roller around which the conveyor belt is wound may be set at an intermediate position other than both ends thereof.

  The bill recognition unit 5 includes a sensor substrate 5A, and a bill insertion sensor 25 is provided on the sensor substrate 5A at a portion closer to the bill insertion slot 3A than the support shaft 18. This banknote insertion sensor 25 is comprised by the optical sensor, for example, and detects that the banknote P was inserted in 3 A of banknote insertion ports. And if insertion of the banknote P is detected by the banknote insertion sensor 25, the control means mentioned later rotates the conveyance motor 20 in a banknote feeding direction (forward rotation drive).

  In addition, a bill recognition sensor 26 is provided between the support shaft 18 and the support shaft 19 on the sensor substrate 5A. This banknote identification sensor 26 is comprised by the optical sensor so that when the banknote P is conveyed by the above-mentioned banknote conveyance mechanism 7, light is irradiated with respect to the banknote P conveyed. The banknote identification sensor 26 is installed at a plurality of locations along the direction orthogonal to the banknote insertion direction D1, and the detection data obtained from the reflected light or transmitted light from the banknote P is stored in advance in the CPU of the control means to be described later. Is compared with data on the regular banknote P stored in the table, and the validity of the banknote P is determined.

  A banknote pressing mechanism 30 is provided on one side of the housing 1a with respect to the banknote pressing area 10. The banknote pressing mechanism 30 is provided on the lid body 31 that can be opened and closed with respect to the housing 1a, and the banknote P is inserted into the banknote pushing area 10 in a state where the lid body 31 is closed with respect to the housing 1a. Is located, a plate-like pressing plate 32 that presses the banknote P in the direction of arrow D2 and a plate drive motor that drives the pressing plate 32 are provided.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the banknote pressing mechanism 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. In these drawings, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which the pressing plate 32 is opened with respect to the lid 31, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the plate drive motor 33 and its speed reduction mechanism, and FIG. FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams showing the configuration of a mechanism for connecting the pressing plate 32 to the lid 31 (the control circuit board and the like are omitted), and FIGS. (a) is a non-pressing state, (b) is a figure which shows a pressing state.

  The pressing plate 32 has approximately the same size as the banknote P, and the link plate 35 that connects the back surface on one end side of the pressing plate 32 and the back surface on the other end side of the lid body 31 in the direction of the arrow D2. It is supported by the lid 31 so as to be movable toward it. Both end portions of the link plate 35 are pivotally supported via support shafts 31A and 32A provided on the lid 31 and the pressing plate 32, respectively. The pressing plate 32 is connected to the lid body 31 by a compression spring 340 and is constantly urged toward the lid body 31 side.

  Further, the bill pressing mechanism 30 swings itself to change the position of the pressing action point along the longitudinal direction of the pressing plate 32 while directing the pressing plate 32 toward the mounting tray 60 (in the D2 direction). It has a pair of 1st and 2nd rocking pushing members 300 and 302 to move. Specifically, these first and second swinging push-in members 300 and 302 are formed by cylindrical roller members, and swing through corresponding first and second crankshafts 304A and 304B. It is connected to the drive unit 310. Here, the crankshafts 304 </ b> A and 304 </ b> B are rotatably supported by corresponding guide members 306 fixed to the lid 31.

  The swing drive unit 310 has a plate drive motor 33. The plate drive motor 33 is installed on the back surface of the lid 31. Further, a reduction mechanism (gear train) 37 for reducing the rotational drive of the drive motor 33 and transmitting it to the crankshafts 304 </ b> A and 304 </ b> B is rotatably attached to the back surface of the lid 31 via a support plate 315. One end of the first link arm 38A is rotatably connected to the final gear 37a of the speed reduction mechanism 37 at a portion eccentric from the center thereof. A first crankshaft 304 </ b> A that holds the first pushing member 300 is attached to the other end of the first link arm 38 </ b> A. In addition, one end of the second link arm 38B is rotatably connected to the other end of the first link arm 38A at a substantially fulcrum position of the first crankshaft 304A. A second crankshaft 304 </ b> B that holds the second pushing member 302 is attached to the other end.

  Therefore, in such a configuration, when the plate drive motor 33 is driven, the final gear 37a of the speed reduction mechanism 37 is rotated at a predetermined rotational speed as the speed reduction mechanism 37 is driven to rotate. The second link arms 38A and 38B rotate up and down and left and right while drawing a predetermined loop trajectory, and the swinging pushing members 300 and 302 are moved from the lying position shown in FIG. 9A to FIG. 9B. It rises along a substantially arcuate path to the standing position shown in FIG. At this time, each of the swinging pushing members 300 and 302 comes into contact with the pressing plate 32 through the corresponding notch-shaped openings 35a and 35b of the link plate 35 so as not to interfere with the movement of the link plate 35. Although it is moved toward the loading tray 60 (in the direction D2), as shown in FIG. 10, it swings from two positions A and B that are separated along the longitudinal direction of the pressing plate 32 as a starting point. Thus, the pressure plate 32 is moved to the mounting tray 60 while the position of the pressure action point P with respect to the pressure plate 32 is changed along the longitudinal direction of the pressure plate 32 (the pressure action point gradually changes from P1 → P2 → P3). Move towards. That is, after pressing the pressing plate 32 toward the mounting tray 60 on one side thereof (the banknote P is moved toward the mounting tray 60 on one side of the pressing plate 32), the pressing plate is moved to the other side. The bill P is pushed toward the placement tray 60 on the side (the bill P is moved toward the placement tray 60 on the other side of the pressing plate 32).

  As can be seen from this configuration, in this embodiment, the swinging push-in members 300 and 302 are moved from the lying position shown in FIG. 9A to FIG. 9B until the final gear 37a is rotated halfway. As a result of rising to the standing position shown and the final gear 37a making a further half rotation, the swinging push-in members 300, 302 are moved from the standing position shown in FIG. 9B to the lying position shown in FIG. 9A. Falls down. That is, while the final gear 37a makes one rotation, the swinging push-in members 300 and 302 swing back and forth, whereby the pressing plate 32 is driven back and forth along the direction of the arrow D2 (the bill press-in position (( c)) and a standby position (position (a) in FIG. 10).

  In the above configuration, the pressing action point is continuously changed along the longitudinal direction of the pressing plate 32 by the swinging of the swinging push-in members 300 and 302. However, as another embodiment, the pressing plate 32 may be A configuration is also conceivable in which, after being pushed toward the mounting tray 60 by the first pushing member on one side, the pressing plate 32 is pushed toward the placing tray 60 by the second pushing member on the other side. In this case, the pressing action point does not continuously change along the longitudinal direction of the pressing plate 32, and the pressing force is applied to the pressing plate 32 at two separate action points by shifting the pressing timing. Become.

  The pressing plate 32 has a shape that hangs down a predetermined length in the pressing direction, and flanges (stretches) 32c are formed on both sides in the longitudinal direction. As a result, when the pressing plate 32 is pressed by the swinging pressing members 300 and 302, both the flanges 32c enter into the opening portion of the mounting tray 60 described later and enter the opening portion to some extent. It abuts against a locking claw 61c of the loading tray 60 described later so that it cannot enter further. That is, by providing such a flange 32c, the pressing plate 32 exerts a uniform pressing force on the banknote P in the longitudinal direction even though one side is supported by the link plate 35. It becomes possible to make it.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a loading tray 60 is provided on the other side of the housing 1 a with respect to the bill pushing area 10. The loading tray 60 is configured to sequentially stack and accommodate the banknotes P pressed by the pressing plate 32. Hereinafter, the configuration of the loading tray 60 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.

  The mounting tray 60 includes a main body 61 including a bottom wall 61a and side walls 61b formed on both sides of the bottom wall 61a. Between the both side walls 61 b of the main body 61, a mounting plate 62 for mounting a banknote bundle is provided, and this mounting plate 62 is installed between the bottom wall 61 a of the main body 61 and an urging spring 63. It is pressed by. A pair of locking claws 61c extending along the longitudinal direction of the banknote P to be accommodated are formed at the opening side end portions of the both side walls 61b. As shown in FIGS. 11A and 12A, the latching claw 61 c is accommodated in the main body 61 and the banknote P discharged to the banknote pushing area 10 through the banknote transport mechanism 7. It has a function of sorting between bill bundles. That is, when the banknote P discharged to the banknote pressing area 10 is pressed by the pressing plate 32, the banknote P is placed on the placement plate 62 while the center is bent by the locking claw 61c, as shown in FIG. And the banknote P is moved onto the mounting plate 62 against the urging force of the urging spring 63 as shown in FIGS. 11 (b) and 12 (c). Placed. When the pressing plate 32 returns to the initial position, the banknote bundle stacked and accommodated on the mounting plate 62 is applied to the pair of locking claws 61c at both ends thereof by the biasing force of the biasing spring 63. It is done.

  Thereby, as shown in FIG. 12A, a gap R is formed between the uppermost banknote P stacked on the placement plate 62 and the pressing plate 32, and sorting is performed. That is, the banknote P discharged | emitted via the banknote conveyance mechanism 7 is sent in this clearance gap R, and the banknote P sent in here is loaded by the drive of the press plate 32 in an initial position. The stacked trays 60 are sequentially stacked and accommodated.

  If the gap R is too wide, it may cause a jam when the banknote P has a wrinkle or the like, and if it is too narrow, the banknote P cannot be stably fed. Specifically, the gap in the preferable range between them is about 3 to 5 mm, and the bill pressing mechanism 30 and the loading tray 60 are arranged so that such a gap is formed in the bill pushing area 10. It is preferable to keep it.

  The bills P stacked and accommodated in the main body 61 of the placement tray 60 are held by the placement plate 62 and the locking claws 61c that are pressed and urged. With such a configuration, the front end of the bill bundle The side is exposed. For this reason, as will be described later, when the loading tray 60 is driven and its front end protrudes from the front surface 1b of the housing 1a, the tip of the banknote bundle stacked and accommodated on the loading plate 62 is exposed. Therefore, the operator can easily pull out the banknote bundle to the front and perform the collecting operation.

  In this case, the length in the longitudinal direction of the main body 61 (the placement plate 62) (the length of the bill placement surface) is formed shorter than the length of the bill P to be inserted, as shown in FIG. It is preferable. Thus, since the stack of the banknotes stacked and accommodated in the stacking plate 62 becomes shorter, the top end side of the upper surface and the front end side of the lower surface are exposed. The bundle can be easily picked and pulled out. Further, with this configuration, the operator does not make his / her finger touch the mounting plate 62 made of metal such as SUS, and the safety during the collection operation can be improved. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 11, a concave portion 62a may be formed in the center of the leading edge of the mounting plate 62. Even in such a configuration, the banknote bundle can be easily grasped, and the above-described action. An effect comes to be acquired.

  Note that a cutout 61d extending in the bill insertion direction is formed over a predetermined range on the side of the housing 1a on the distal end side of both side walls 61b of the main body 61. By forming such a notch 61d, when the shielding plate 91 is opened by a shielding plate opening / closing mechanism described later and the loading tray 60 is driven in the protruding direction, Interference with the main body 61 can be eliminated, and space efficiency can be effectively improved. In addition, the loading tray 60 may be provided with a bill detection sensor 128 (see the block diagram of FIG. 17) for detecting the presence of the bill P on the placement plate 62.

  Next, a moving mechanism 70 for moving the mounting tray 60 described above toward the banknote collection port 3B will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 13.

  The moving mechanism 70 has a banknote storage position (a position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) for storing the banknotes P in the mounting tray 60 and a banknote recovery position (a position where the mounting tray 60 protrudes from the banknote recovery port 3 </ b> B). 24 and 25), the tray 60 is moved to the inner frame 1d of the housing 1a, and is rotated by the tray drive motor 71. Drive shaft (worm shaft) 72. The drive shaft 72 is rotatably supported by the inner frame 1d so as to extend in the bill insertion direction, and a male screw 72a is formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof. One end side of the drive shaft 72 is connected to the output shaft of the tray drive motor 71 through a gear train 73.

  A connecting piece 66 is formed at the rear end portion of the main body 61 of the mounting tray 60, and a sliding member 75 disposed so as to surround the drive shaft 72 is connected to this portion. The sliding member 75 is formed with a female screw portion (not shown) that is screwed with the male screw portion 72a of the drive shaft 72. By rotating the drive shaft 72, the sliding member 75, That is, the mounting tray 60 can be driven back and forth along the axial direction. In this case, the sliding member 75 is inserted through a guide rod 76 disposed in parallel with the drive shaft 72 and is prevented from rotating when the sliding member 75 reciprocates.

  Such a moving mechanism 70 is provided with a moving amount detecting means 80 capable of detecting the moving amount of the mounting tray 60. For example, the movement amount detecting means 80 projects the output shaft of the tray drive motor 71 to the opposite side, and holds the disc-shaped rotating body 81 mounted on the output shaft, with the rotating body 81 and a gap interposed therebetween. The rotation amount detection sensor (optical sensor) 82 arranged in such a manner can be used. The rotating body 81 is formed with encoders 81a (openings formed at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction). When the encoder 81a rotates with the rotation of the tray drive motor 71, the rotation amount detection sensor 82 Can be obtained, and the amount of movement of the loading tray 60 can be grasped according to the number of pulses.

  By providing such a movement amount detection means 80, it is possible to accurately control the stop position of the loading tray 60 in the protruding direction, and it is possible to reduce the load on the tray drive motor 71.

  Further, the moving mechanism 70 having the above-described configuration is further provided with position detecting means 85 capable of detecting the storage position (position where the banknote P can be stored; storage position) of the loading tray 60. For example, such a position detecting means 85 is provided with a locking piece (not shown) on the sliding member 75 that drives the loading tray 60, and this locking piece abuts / separates to turn on / off. A limit switch 86 that is turned off can be mounted on the internal frame 1d.

  By providing such a position detection means 85, it is possible to grasp the state of the loading tray 60 (whether it is in the storage position or the collection position). 60 can be appropriately driven.

  Moreover, the banknote P stacked and accommodated in the mounting tray 60 having the above-described configuration moves the mounting tray 60 toward the banknote recovery port 3B by the moving mechanism 70, and the banknotes recovered by the opening operation of the shielding plate 91 are recovered. The loading tray 60 can be recovered by projecting outside through the mouth 3B (see FIG. 25). Therefore, hereinafter, an opening / closing mechanism 150 that opens and closes the shielding plate 91 and a lock mechanism 400 that releasably locks the closed state of the shielding plate 91 will be described.

  First, a lock mechanism 400 that releasably locks the closed state of the shielding plate 91 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

  In the present embodiment, the lock mechanism 400 is operated mechanically in conjunction with the movement of the mounting tray 60 moved by the moving mechanism 70. In particular, in the present embodiment, the lock mechanism 400 comes into contact with the mounting tray 60 that is moved toward the bill collection port 3B by the moving mechanism 70, thereby releasing the closed state of the shielding plate 91. Yes. Specifically, the lock mechanism 400 faces the shielding plate 91 to prevent the opening of the shielding plate (the position in FIGS. 4 and 5), and retracts from the shielding plate 91 to release the shielding plate 91. A pair of rotating members 402 that rotate between the allowed unlocking positions (positions shown in FIGS. 23 and 24) are provided on both sides of the movement path of the loading tray 60 (moved by the moving mechanism 70). doing. These rotating members 402 are disposed between the placing tray 60 and the shielding plate 91 at the bill accommodation position (position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5), and are supported by the inner frame 1d. A main body portion 402a that can rotate around 430; a contact portion 402b that is formed at the front end portion of the main body portion 402a and contacts the shielding plate 91 at the locked position; and protrudes into the movement path of the loading tray 60. A first interlocking action part 402c as a convex part, and the loading tray 60 moved toward the bill collection port 3B by the moving mechanism 70 comes into contact with the first interlocking action part 402a. It is rotated from the locked position to the unlocked position.

  An urging spring (biasing means) 411 having one end fixed to the internal frame 1d and the other end fixed to the rotating member 402 is provided around the support shaft 430 in a wound state. The biasing spring 411 biases the rotating member 402 to the lock position.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the loading tray 60 is provided with a lock release prevention unit that prevents the blocking plate 91 from being unlocked by engaging with the lock mechanism 400 at the bill storage position. It has been. Specifically, the lock release preventing means includes both side walls 61b of the main body 61 of the mounting tray 60 that contacts the protruding piece 402d at the rear end of the rotating member 402 extending toward the mounting tray 60 at the bill storage position. The front end surface 61b 'is formed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the placement tray 60 has blocking release means for releasing the unlock release blocking state by the lock release blocking means in accordance with the movement of the loading tray 60 to the banknote collection port 3B by the moving mechanism 70. Is provided. Specifically, as shown clearly in FIG. 14, the blocking release means includes long grooves 230 formed along both side walls 61 b of the main body 61 of the loading tray 60. When the loading tray 60 is moved to the bill collection port 3B by the moving mechanism 70, the long groove 230 receives the protruding piece 402d at the rear end of the rotating member 402 and releases it, thereby placing the loading tray 60. The abutting state between the front end face 61b ′ and the projecting piece 402d of the rotating member 402 is released, and the rotating member 402 is allowed to rotate to the unlocked position.

Next, the opening / closing mechanism 150 that opens and closes the shielding plate 91 will be described.
In the present embodiment, the opening / closing mechanism 150 is operated mechanically in conjunction with the movement of the mounting tray 60 moved by the moving mechanism 70. In particular, in the present embodiment, the opening / closing mechanism 150 opens the shielding plate 91 by abutting against the loading tray 60 that is moved toward the banknote collection port 3B in a state where the shielding plate 91 is unlocked. It is supposed to be. Specifically, the opening / closing mechanism 150 is provided on one side of the movement path of the mounting tray 60 in the vicinity of the shielding plate 91 and protrudes into the movement path of the mounting tray 60. And a gear mechanism 150B that meshes with the rotating member 150A and converts the rotational force of the rotating member 150A into an opening / closing operation of the shielding plate 91. In this case, the rotating member 150A has a gear portion 154 at the end opposite to the second interlocking action portion 153, and the gear portion 154 meshes with the gear train 159 of the gear mechanism 150B. The final gear 159a of the gear train 159 is fixed to the rotation shaft of the shielding plate 91 (the rotation shaft for opening / closing the shielding plate 91). Therefore, if the rotating member 150A is rotated, the shielding plate 91 is opened and closed via the gear mechanism 150B.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the second interlocking action portion 153 of the rotating member 150 </ b> A comes into contact with the mounting tray 60 that is moved toward the banknote collection port 3 </ b> B by the moving mechanism 70, whereby the side wall 61 b of the mounting tray 60. The shape and position are set so that the rotating member 150A rides up and rotates in one direction (in this embodiment, the direction in which the shielding plate 91 is opened). The second interlocking action unit 153 keeps the rotating member 150 </ b> A in a rotated state by staying on the side wall 61 b of the mounting tray 60 during the movement of the mounting tray 60. In other words, the upper surface of the side wall 61b of the mounting tray 60 maintains the open state of the shielding plate 91 by supporting the second interlocking action portion 153 from the lower side after contacting the second interlocking action portion 153. It can be said that it constitutes an open holding means.

  In this embodiment, between the rotating member 150A and the inner frame 1d, the rotating member 150A is urged in the other direction opposite to the one direction (in this embodiment, the direction in which the shielding plate 91 is closed). A spring 160 is inserted as an urging means.

  In the above configuration, the shielding plate 91 is opened and closed by operating the opening / closing mechanism 150 mechanically in conjunction with the movement of the loading tray 60 moved by the moving mechanism 70. The plate 91 opens the banknote collection port 3B by abutting against the loading tray 60 moved toward the banknote collection port 3B by the moving mechanism 70 in a state where the lock of the closed state is released by the lock mechanism 400. It may be like this. In that case, the opening / closing mechanism 150 becomes unnecessary.

  Moreover, in the said structure, in order to improve the safety | security of an apparatus, the detection means which detects the opening / closing state of the shielding board 91 is provided. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 26, such a detecting means is a protruding detection piece formed on the edge portion on the opposite side to the rotation shaft 91a that is the central axis of the opening / closing operation of the shielding plate 91. 91b and a shielding plate opening / closing detection sensor 700 having a receiving recess 700a provided on the apparatus main body side and receiving the detection piece 91b when the shielding plate 91 is opened. The detection sensor 700 is composed of a transmission type optical sensor, and the light L that crosses the space of the receiving recess 700a from the light emitting portion 700b to the light receiving portion 700c is blocked by the detection piece 91b of the shielding plate 91 that is received in the receiving recess 700a. As a result, the closed state of the shielding plate 91 is recognized by the CPU 130 (see FIG. 17). In this case, if the CPU 130 recognizes an open state of the shielding plate 91 (a state in which the light L crossing the space of the recess 700a is not blocked by the detection piece 91b) under an inappropriate situation, an alarm or the like A warning is preferably made. Usually, the shielding plate 91 is devised so as not to be opened from the outside. However, after the operation of collecting the banknote bundle in the loading tray 60 is performed, the shielding plate 91 is not activated. It is possible that 91 will remain open. In that case, the mounting tray 60 located behind the shielding plate 91 can be recognized from the outside. For this reason, if the detection means for detecting the open / closed state of the shielding plate 91 is provided as in this configuration, the open / closed state of the shielding plate 91 can be constantly monitored by the CPU 130, so that the security performance of the apparatus is improved.

  Moreover, in the banknote processing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, when the banknote P inserted from the banknote insertion port 3A is conveyed by a banknote conveyance path, the banknote insertion port 3A is obstruct | occluded and insertion of the further banknote is prevented. A shutter mechanism 500 is provided. Hereinafter, the shutter mechanism will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 18 and the like, the shutter mechanism 500 is disposed to face the banknote transport path L on one side of the banknote transport path (banknote transport surface) L, and is detachable from the internal frame 1d. And a plate-like support member 210 (see also FIGS. 4 and 5; the banknote conveyance path L is provided on the back side of the movement path of the loading tray 60 shown in FIG. 4). Yes. As clearly shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the swing member 510 is supported by the support member 210 so as to be swingable by the support shaft 502. The swing member 510 is made of, for example, resin, and a pair of swing portions 510A and 510A positioned on both sides of the banknote transport path L, and a connecting portion 510B that connects the swing portions 510A and 510A to each other. Consists of. Each swinging portion 510A, 510A is formed with a through hole 512 through which the support shaft 502 passes.

  Each swinging portion 510A, 510A is provided on one side (side closer to the bill insertion slot 3A) with respect to the support shaft 502, and is attached to the support shaft 502 with a first end portion 510a capable of closing the bill insertion port 3A. On the other hand, it has a second end 510b which is provided on the other side (the side far from the bill insertion slot 3A) and can shield the bill transport path L, and the bill P and the second transported by the bill transport path L. The first end 510 a closes the bill insertion slot 3 </ b> A by a swinging operation via the support shaft 502 accompanying the contact with the second end 510 b. Specifically, the first and second end portions 510a and 510b are bent toward the banknote transport path L (banknote transport surface), and the banknote P inserted from the banknote insertion slot 3A is the second end. When entering between the portion 510b and the bill conveyance surface, the second end portion 510b is lifted, whereby the swinging member 510 swings around the support shaft 502, and the first end portion 510a is lowered, The bill insertion slot 3A is blocked (state shown in FIG. 19). This prevents a new banknote P from being inserted into the apparatus main body at the banknote insertion slot 3A.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the 2nd end part 510b of each rocking | swiveling part 510A, 510A is in the state which is not contact | abutting with the banknote P, as FIG. Abutting against the other side of the banknote transport path L so as to form only a gap s of about one banknote between the surface (the transport surface of the banknote transport path L) and shielding the banknote transport path L. Yes.

  The support member 210 is provided with a biasing unit that constantly biases the swinging member 510 in a direction in which the second end portion 510b is brought into contact with the bill conveyance path L. In this embodiment, the urging means is formed by a bullet piece 329 formed by cutting and raising the support member 210 and abutting on the connecting portion 510B of the swinging member 510 (see FIGS. 4 and 15).

  In the present embodiment, each of the swinging portions 510A and 510A (swinging member 510) has a length K between the first end portion 510a and the second end portion 510b (see FIG. 16B). ) Is set shorter than the length H (see FIG. 11) in the conveyance direction of the banknote P, and is formed so as to be deformable by contact with the banknote. In order to realize such deformation, for example, it is conceivable that the entire swinging member 510 is formed of an elastic member, or that each swinging portion 510A, 510A is provided with a groove or a recess so as to be easily bent. In the embodiment, the portion of the swing portion 510A between the support shaft 502 and the first end portion 510a is compared with the thickness of the portion of the swing portion 510A between the support shaft 502 and the second end portion 510b. A thin region is also provided. In particular, in this embodiment, the thickness of the part of the swinging portion 510A between the support shaft 502 and the first end portion 510a is the same as that of the swinging portion 510A between the support shaft 502 and the second end portion 510b. It is formed thinner than the thickness of the part (see FIG. 16B).

  In the present embodiment, the first end portion 510a of the swinging portion 510A has a reinforcing protrusion 520 that protrudes toward the bill insertion slot side 3A. In addition, an inclined surface 522 that is inclined toward the bill conveyance path L is formed on the first end portion 510a at a portion opposite to the portion facing the bill insertion slot 3A.

Further, in the present embodiment, the second end portion 510b of the swinging portion 510A has an inclined surface 524 that is inclined so as to deviate from the bill conveyance path L at a portion opposite to the portion facing the bill insertion slot 3A. Is formed. The second end portion 510b has a protruding portion 526 that protrudes toward the side opposite to the bill insertion slot 3A. Further, an inclined surface 528 that is inclined toward the bill conveyance path L is formed at the second end portion 510b at a portion opposite to the portion facing the bill insertion slot 3A. In the present embodiment, the second end portion 510b is formed with an inclined surface 530 that is inclined toward the bill conveyance path at a portion facing the bill insertion slot 3A.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the banknote conveyance path L has the engaging part 390 (it engages with this 1st end part 510a, when the 1st end part 510a of the rocking | swiveling part 510A obstruct | occludes the banknote insertion port 3A. 5 and 20 (b)). Further, the bill transport path L is provided with an engaging portion 392 (see FIG. 18B) that engages with the second end portion 510b of the swinging portion 510A that shields the bill transport path L.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a control board (which constitutes a control unit) 40 that controls driving of various drive mechanisms in the banknote handling apparatus 1 is positioned in a predetermined space between the pair of rotating members 402 of the lock mechanism 400. (See FIG. 5). FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control unit that controls the operation of the banknote handling apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the control means (control board 40) includes a CPU 130 having a control operation function of various drive devices such as the transport motor 20, the plate drive motor 33, the tray drive motor 71 described above, It comprises a ROM 131 that stores a drive device operation program, detection data relating to regular banknotes, and the like, and a control RAM 132.

  The CPU 130 is connected to the motor drive circuits 140 to 142 for driving the various motors described above via the I / O port 135. Each drive motor is controlled by a control signal from the CPU 130 according to an operation program. Driving operation (forward rotation, reverse rotation, stop) is controlled. Further, the CPU 130 receives a signal for detecting insertion of a banknote from the banknote insertion sensor 25 via the I / O port 135, a detection signal for discrimination of the banknote from the banknote identification sensor 26, and a loading tray 60 from the rotation amount detection sensor 82. , A detection signal indicating whether or not the mounting tray 60 is in the storage position, and a detection signal from the shielding plate opening / closing detection sensor 700 are input from the limit switch 86. Based on the above, the drive of the above-described transport motor 20, plate drive motor 33, and tray drive motor 71 is controlled.

  Further, the CPU 130 is connected to a control circuit 200 that executes a gaming process arranged in a gaming machine main body (not shown), and gaming value information corresponding to the value of the inserted banknote is given to the gaming machine side. It is supposed to be sent.

  Next, operation | movement of the banknote processing apparatus 1 of the structure mentioned above is demonstrated. First, a procedure for sequentially stacking and storing banknotes in the loading tray 60 will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 18, when the banknote P is inserted into the banknote insertion slot 3 </ b> A in a standing state in which the short piece side is vertically set up, the insertion is detected by the banknote insertion sensor 25 (see FIG. 3). When the bill insertion sensor 25 detects the insertion of the bill, the transport motor 20 is driven to rotate forward, and the bill P is wound around the tension rollers 18a and 18b and the tension rollers 19a and 19b, respectively, as shown in FIG. It is conveyed to the inside of the housing 1a while being sandwiched between the conveying belts 17a and 17b and the pinch rollers 21a and 21b and the pinch rollers 22a and 22b that are in contact with the tension rollers. In this case, even when the second end 510b of the swing member 510 is not in contact with the bill P, only a gap s of about one sheet is formed between the first end 510a and the bill transport path L. Since it is not carried out (refer to Drawing 18), it is prevented that the further bill P is inserted in device 1 while bill P is conveyed along bill conveyance way L.

  Moreover, when the banknote P is conveyed into the housing 1a in this way, the banknote identification sensor 26 detects the banknote P, and the above-described control means determines the validity of the banknote P, and the banknote transport path L. The bill P and the second end 510b which are conveyed by the abutment are brought into contact with each other, and the swinging member 510 swings through the support shaft 502 and the first end 510a moves through the bill insertion slot 3A. Move to block. This state is shown in FIG. In this state, the bill P and the first end 510a abut, but the swinging member 510 is formed so as to be deformable by the abutment with the bill P. Therefore, the first end 510a itself is deformed. To reduce the impact on the banknote P. Therefore, it is not necessary to damage the banknote P. Moreover, conveyance when the banknote P and the 2nd edge part 510b contact | abut and the banknote P is further sent in the inside of the apparatus 1 is smooth by the guidance effect | action of the inclined surface 522 formed in the 2nd edge part 510b. To be done.

  Further, when the banknote P is further fed into the apparatus 1 from the state shown in FIG. 19 and the rear end of the banknote P completely passes through the first end portion 510a (state of FIG. 20), the first end portion is reached. The bill insertion slot 3A is completely closed by 510a, and the first end portion 510a is engaged with the engagement portion 390 of the bill conveyance path L, and the closed state is maintained. Thus, when the 1st end part 510a and the engaging part 390 of the banknote conveyance path L engage, since the 1st end part 510a is supported and reinforced by the banknote conveyance path L side, it is a banknote insertion slot. With respect to the impact from the outside of 3A, the strength of the first end portion 510a can be ensured to be large. Further, such an action is promoted by the protruding portion 520 provided at the first end portion 510a.

  Further, the validity of the banknote P is judged, and the banknote P is further fed into the apparatus 1 from the state of FIG. 20, and the rear end of the banknote P completely passes through the second end portion 510b (state of FIG. 21). Then, the swinging member 510 returns to the initial position similar to that in FIG. 18, and the bill conveyance path L is shielded by the second end portion 510b. At the time of this conveyance, the conveyance motor 20 is rotationally driven until the rear end of the banknote P passes through the nip portion N2 between the tension rollers 19a and 19b and the pinch rollers 22a and 22b. Further, when the state shown in FIG. 21 is reached, there is a situation in which the banknote P is likely to be reversely conveyed due to some malfunction or an intentional tensile force (for example, fraud) from the outside of the apparatus. However, since the inclined surface 524 that is inclined so as to deviate from the banknote transport path L is formed at the second end portion 510b, the banknote P in the device 1 that has passed through the swing member 510 is indicated by a broken line in FIG. As shown, the reverse conveyance force climbs over the inclined surface 524 and the reverse conveyance toward the bill insertion slot 3A is prevented. In the state of FIG. 21 (the same applies to the state of FIG. 18), the second end portion 510b and the engaging portion 392 (see FIG. 18) on the banknote conveyance path L side are engaged. Thus, the shielding state of the bill conveyance path L by the second end portion 510b can be reliably held, and reverse bill conveyance can be reliably prevented. In addition, the protruding portion 526 formed at the second end portion 510b greatly contributes to the opposing force with respect to the reverse conveyance.

  In addition, when the banknote identification sensor 26 cannot judge the effectiveness of the banknote P, the conveyance motor 20 is reversely driven, and the banknote P in the middle of carrying-in receives a return action and is discharged from the banknote insertion slot 3A as it is. It will be. Such reverse conveyance is smoothly performed by the inclined surface 522 provided at the first end portion 510a and the inclined surface 528 provided at the second end portion 510b.

  The banknote P sent to the state shown in FIG. 21 as described above is located on the downstream side of the tension rollers 19a and 19b and the pinch rollers 22a and 22b, as shown in FIGS. 11 (a) and 12 (a). The sheet is discharged into the gap R between the pressing surface of the pressing plate 32 in the pressing region 10 and the plane including the locking claw 61c of the loading tray 60. The gap is set in a range in which a jam or the like does not occur, and a guide (not shown) is provided so that the banknote easily moves to the gap R on the downstream side of the nip portion N2, if necessary. May be installed.

  At the stage where the rear end of the banknote P passes through the nip portion N2, the forward drive of the transport motor 20 is stopped and the plate drive motor 33 is driven to rotate. Thereby, the pressing plate 32 is driven in the pressing-down direction by the swinging pressing members 300 and 302, and the lower surface thereof presses the bill (see FIG. 12B). At this time, the bill P is moved toward the mounting tray 60 on one side of the pressing plate 32 and then moved toward the mounting tray 60 on the other side of the pressing plate 32 by the configuration of the pressing mechanism 30 described above. As described above, the timing of the pressing action by the pressing mechanism 30 is shifted between both sides in the process of pushing the bill. Thereby, after the one side of the banknote P is pressed, the other side of the banknote P is further pressed, so that not only the banknote P is not folded but also a push-in configuration in which the banknote P is pulled between both ends can be realized. Even if the bill P is wrinkled, the bill P can be stretched and the bill P can be horizontally corrected and stored. Furthermore, the bill P is pushed into the loading tray 60 while the position of the pressing point changes along the longitudinal direction of the bill P due to the action of the swinging pushing members 300 and 302, that is, from one side of the bill P. Since the pressing force can be moved so as to stretch the folds and folds of the bill P toward the other side and the bill P can be pushed into the pressing tray 60, the bill P is corrected flatly over almost the entire length thereof. Is possible. In addition, the pressing force can exert a pressing force on the banknotes stored in the stacking tray 60 in a stacked state in the same manner, and thus may be generated between stacked banknotes. It can be corrected flat without gaps.

  The bill P pressed by the pressing plate 32 in this way eventually gets over the pair of engaging claws 61c of the mounting tray 60 and is pressed against the urging force of the urging spring 63 on the mounting plate 62. . As described above, the pressing plate 32 fluctuates the pressing position with respect to the bill. However, the flange 32c formed on both sides of the pressing plate 32 abuts against the locking claw 61c, whereby the bill P has a longitudinal direction. A substantially uniform pressing force is applied along the line. That is, the entire banknote can be pressed evenly, and even if the banknote P is bent or has a stiff banknote (by increasing the number of stacked sheets), it is possible to reliably store a predetermined number of sheets. It becomes.

  Then, the pressing plate 32 is returned to the initial position by the above-described mechanism almost at the same time when the flange 32c is applied to the locking claw 61c by applying a predetermined pressing force to the pressing plate 32. At this time, the placing plate 62 is urged toward the locking claw 61c by the urging force of the urging spring 63, and the uppermost banknote is applied to the locking claw 61c as shown in FIG. Then, sorting is performed between the bills to be carried in next.

  Then, by repeating the above-described operation, the banknotes are stably stacked and accommodated on the placement plate 62 of the placement tray 60.

  Next, a procedure for collecting banknotes P stored in the loading tray 60 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  At the time of banknote collection, for example, a banknote collection signal is transmitted to each banknote processing apparatus 1 installed on the island from the management server side that manages the entire hall, or each banknote processing apparatus 1 Press the corresponding switch. As a result, the tray drive motor 71 is rotationally driven, and the loading tray 60 is advanced from the state shown in FIG. 4 to the standby position shown in FIG. In the state of FIG. 4, the front end surface 61 b ′ of the loading tray 60 and the protruding piece 402 d of the rotating member 402 are in contact with each other. It is possible to avoid an unexpected situation where the lock mechanism 400 operates against the biasing force of the spring 411 and the lock is released thereby.

  Thereafter, the tray drive motor 71 is driven again at a predetermined timing, and the loading tray 60 is moved toward the bill collection port 3B. During this movement, first, the front end of the side wall 61b of the loading tray 60 abuts on the first interlocking action portion 402c of the rotating member 402 of the lock mechanism 400 to push it forward. As a result, the rotating member 402 rotates outward about the support shaft 403 against the urging force of the urging spring 411, and the abutting portion 402 b of the rotating member 402 faces the shielding plate 91 (see FIG. Retreat from the position shown in FIG. 22 to the unlocked position shown in FIG. At this time, the projecting piece 402 d of the rotating member 402 enters into the long groove 230 formed in the side wall 61 of the loading tray 60.

  Further, when the mounting tray 60 further advances from the state of FIG. 23 in which the shielding plate 91 is unlocked in this way, the front end of the side wall 61b of the mounting tray 60 is the second interlock of the rotating member 150A of the opening / closing mechanism 150. Abutting on the action portion 153, the second interlocking action portion 153 rides on the side wall 61 b of the loading tray 60. Therefore, the rotating member 150A rotates, the shielding plate 91 is rotated toward the inside of the apparatus 1 via the gear mechanism 150B, and the bill collection port 3B is opened (state shown in FIG. 24). And this open state is hold | maintained when the 2nd interlocking | working action part 153 gets on the side wall 61b by the side wall 61b of the elongate mounting tray 60, and is hold | maintained. In the state of FIG. 24, the front end side of the mounting tray 60 is discharged from the front surface of the housing 1a (see also FIG. 25). As described above, since the cutout portions 61c are formed in the both side walls 61b of the main body 61 of the loading tray 60, the front end side is discharged without interfering with the shielding plate 91 in the lying state. The rotation amount of the tray drive motor 71 is detected by the rotation amount detection sensor 82, and the loading tray 60 is stopped and driven at an appropriate position.

  In the state where the loading tray 60 is driven to stop, the banknote bundle placed on the placement plate 62 is held so that the front end side is exposed as shown in FIG. The banknote bundle being picked can be picked and pulled out as it is, and the banknote collection operation can be performed efficiently. In particular, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the length of the placement plate 62 on which the bill is placed is formed to be shorter than the length of the bill, and the center of the leading edge of the placement plate 62 is formed. In addition, since the concave portion 62a is formed, when the loading tray 60 protrudes, the banknote bundle in a stacked and accommodated state can be easily picked at the tip portion, and the banknote collection operation is facilitated.

  As described above, according to the banknote processing apparatus 1 as the medium processing apparatus of the present embodiment, the swing member 510 that prevents simultaneous insertion of the banknote P as a medium is formed to be deformable by contact with the banknote P. Has been. As a result, even if the first end portion 510a hits the bill by the swinging operation accompanying the contact between the second end portion 510b of the swinging member 510 and the bill P, the first end portion 510a itself is deformed and the bill In order to reduce the impact on P, it is not necessary to damage the banknote P. Therefore, it is not necessary to set the distance K between the first end portion 510a and the second end portion 510b to be equal to or longer than the length H in the conveyance direction of the bill P in order to prevent the bill P from being damaged. The distance between the end portion 510a and the second end portion 510b can be shortened to reduce the size of the swing member 510 and thus the entire device 1.

  In addition, according to the banknote handling apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, a portion of the swing member 510 between the support shaft 502 and the first end portion 510a is provided between the support shaft 502 and the second end portion 510b. Since the region thinner than the thickness of the part of the swinging member 510 is provided, the flexibility of the part of the swinging member 510 between the support shaft 502 and the first end portion 510 a is The portion of the swing member 510 between the second end portion 510b and the second end portion 510b can be made more flexible, and the first end portion 510a side that abuts against the surface of the banknote P during swinging can be satisfactorily deformed. The banknote P can be effectively prevented from being damaged. In particular, in this embodiment, the thickness of the portion of the swing member 510 between the support shaft 502 and the first end portion 510a is set to be the swing member 510 between the support shaft 502 and the second end portion 510b. Therefore, the flexibility on the second end 510b side that causes a swinging force by contact with the bill P is damaged by the contact with the bill P. Therefore, the swinging member 510 can have a waist on the second end portion 510b side, and a thin medium such as the banknote P is used. However, while the rocking member 510 can be rocked reliably by the contact between the banknote P and the second end 510b, the high flexibility on the first end 510a side makes it possible to Even if it is a thin medium, the banknote P does not need to be damaged by the contact between the first end portion 510a and the banknote P. Further, in the configuration of the present embodiment, the flexibility (the possibility of deformation due to contact with the banknote) is changed by changing the wall thickness, so that the swing between the support shaft 502 and the first end portion 510a is changed. Even when the portion of the moving member 510 and the portion of the swing member 510 between the support shaft 502 and the second end portion 510b are formed of the same material or integrally formed, the flexibility of both of them can be easily achieved. It can be different and beneficial. Of course, the portion of the swing member 510 between the support shaft 502 and the first end portion 510a and the portion of the swing member 510 between the support shaft 502 and the second end portion 510b are formed of different materials. It doesn't matter.

  Moreover, according to the banknote processing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, since the 1st end part 510a of the rocking | swiveling member 510 which has flexibility is reinforced by the protrusion part 520, the banknote insertion slot by the 1st end part 510a is used. With respect to an impact from the outside of the bill insertion slot 3A when 3A is closed, the strength of the first end portion 510a can be secured largely.

  Moreover, according to the banknote processing apparatus 1 which concerns on this embodiment, the 1st end part 510a is banknote conveyance by engagement with the 1st end part 510a of the rocking | swiveling member 510, and the engaging part 390 of the banknote conveyance path L. Since it is supported and reinforced on the side of the road L, the strength of the first end portion 510a can be largely secured against an impact from the outside of the bill insertion port 3A when the bill insertion port 3A is closed by the first end portion 510a. .

  Moreover, in the banknote processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the second end portion 510b of the swing member 510 is inclined so as to deviate from the banknote transport path L to a site opposite to the site facing the banknote insertion slot 3A. Since the inclined surface 524 to be formed is formed, it is possible to effectively and easily prevent the bill P in the apparatus 1 that has passed through the swinging member 510 from being reversely conveyed toward the bill insertion slot 3A side.

  Moreover, according to the banknote processing apparatus 1 which concerns on this embodiment, while only the 2nd edge part 510b of the rocking | swiveling member 510 contact | abuts the banknote conveyance path L, while the banknote conveyance path L is shielded, 1st Since only the gap s of about one bill is formed between the end portion 510a and the bill transport path L, the bill P in the device 1 that has passed through the swing member 510 is reversely transported toward the bill insertion slot 3A. In addition to being able to effectively and easily prevent this, it is possible to simultaneously prevent further bills from being inserted into the apparatus 1 while the bills P are being transported along the bill transport path L. In addition, it is not necessary to provide other components for realizing this. That is, two functions can be achieved at the same time using existing members (with a reduced number of parts), and the apparatus can be downsized.

  Moreover, according to the banknote processing apparatus 1 which concerns on this embodiment, since the shielding state of the banknote conveyance path L by the 2nd edge part 510b can be reliably hold | maintained by the engaging part 392, reverse conveyance of the banknote P is carried out. It can be surely prevented.

  Moreover, according to the banknote processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the second end portion 510b of the swing member 510 is reinforced by the protruding portion 526, so that the strength of the second end portion 510b can be sufficiently obtained. , The opposing force of the second end portion 510b with respect to the reverse conveyance of the bills P can be ensured (reverse conveyance can be further prevented).

  Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be variously modified without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, in the embodiment described above, a bill is used as a medium, and a bill processing apparatus is exemplified as a medium processing apparatus. However, in the present invention, a card (for example, magnetically and optically can read information) as a medium. The idea of the present invention may be applied to an apparatus that processes such a medium.

  In addition to being installed between various game machines, the medium processing apparatus of the present invention can be installed in various devices that handle media, for example, external devices such as various vending machines.

The perspective view which shows the whole structure of the banknote processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. The perspective view which shows the state which open | released the cover body shown in FIG. The top view which looked at the internal structure of the banknote processing apparatus from the press plate side. The top view which looked at the internal structure of the banknote processing apparatus from the opposite side to FIG. The top view which shows the state which removed the support member of the shutter mechanism from the state of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of a banknote press mechanism, and is a figure which shows the state which open | released the press plate with respect to the cover body. The figure which shows the structure of a plate drive motor and its deceleration mechanism. The figure which shows the structure of the connection mechanism of the press plate with respect to a cover body. It is a principal part side view which shows the operation state of a banknote press mechanism, (a) is a figure which shows the standby state by which the rocking | swiveling pushing member was laid down, (b) is a figure which shows the pushing state by which the rocking pushing member was stood up . It is a schematic diagram which shows operation | movement of a press plate, (a) is a non-pressing state, (b) is in the middle of a press state, (c) is a figure which shows a press final state. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a mounting tray, (a) is a figure which shows the state from which a banknote is discharged | emitted by the banknote pushing area | region, (b) is a figure which shows the state by which the banknote is laminated | stacked and accommodated. It is a figure explaining the pushing state of the banknote of the press plate with respect to a mounting tray, (a) is a figure which shows the state before pushing, (b) is a figure which shows the state in pushing, (c) is pushed in The figure which shows the state after. The figure which shows the structure of a mounting tray drive mechanism. The perspective view of a mounting tray. The perspective view of a shutter mechanism. (A) is a top view of the rocking | swiveling member which comprises a shutter mechanism, (b) is a side view of a rocking | swiveling part. The block diagram which shows the structural example of the control means which controls operation | movement of a banknote processing apparatus. The figure which shows the conveyance operation | movement which introduces a banknote in a pushing area | region through a banknote insertion slot. The figure which shows the conveyance operation | movement which introduces a banknote in a pushing area | region through a banknote insertion slot. The figure which shows the conveyance operation | movement which introduces a banknote in a pushing area | region through a banknote insertion slot. The figure which shows the conveyance operation | movement which introduces a banknote in a pushing area | region through a banknote insertion slot. The figure which shows the banknote collection | recovery operation | movement which moves a mounting tray toward a banknote collection port. The figure which shows the banknote collection | recovery operation | movement which moves a mounting tray toward a banknote collection port. The figure which shows the banknote collection | recovery operation | movement which moves a mounting tray toward a banknote collection port. The figure which shows the state which discharged | emitted the mounting tray. The figure which shows the structure of the detection means for detecting the opening / closing state of a shielding board.

Explanation of symbols

1 Banknote processing device (medium processing device)
3A bill insertion slot (insertion slot)
390, 392 Engagement part 500 Shutter mechanism 502 Support shaft 510 Oscillating member 510a First end part 510b Second end part 520, 526 Protruding part 522, 524, 528, 530 Inclined surface L Bill conveyance path (conveyance path)
s gap

Claims (1)

An insertion slot into which a medium can be inserted;
A transport path through which the medium inserted into the insertion port is transported;
A shutter mechanism that closes the insertion port when a medium is being conveyed by the conveyance path to prevent further medium from being inserted;
A medium processing apparatus comprising:
The shutter mechanism is swingably supported by a support shaft, and is provided on one side with respect to the support shaft and capable of closing the insertion port, and the other end with respect to the support shaft. A swing member provided on a side and having a second end portion capable of shielding the conveyance path,
The swinging member is configured such that the first end closes the insertion port by a swinging operation via the support shaft that comes into contact with the medium transported by the transport path and the second end. And formed to be deformable by contact with the medium ,
A region thinner than the thickness of the part of the swinging member between the support shaft and the second end is provided in the part of the swinging member between the support shaft and the first end. ,
The swinging member is supported on one side across the transport path, and the second end of the swinging member is not in contact with the medium, and the first end and the transport Abutting against the other side of the conveying path so as to form only a gap of about one medium between the path and shielding the conveying path;
The medium processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an engagement portion that engages with the second end portion of the swing member is provided on the other side of the conveyance path .

Images