BANKNOTE CONVEYING AND BRANCHING MECHANISM AND AUTOMATED TELLER MACHINE

Abstract

 Paper currencies are appropriately transported. A banknote transport diverting mechanism 1 includes: a switching gate 10 that is rotatable about a shaft 22 to predetermined multiple positions for switching transport paths 34 by connecting a set of transport passages among transport passages 30 to 32; a switching actuator 40 that rotates the switching gate 10; a contact portion that comes into contact with the switching gate to restrict a rotation range of the switching gate; a sensor that detects the switching gate in a switching position where a direction in which the switching gate rotates is switched; a control portion that controls the switching actuator and records a detection signal output from the sensor, an action amount in an abutment direction for moving the switching gate toward the contact portion, and an action amount in a search direction for returning to the switching position from a stop position of the switching gate that has moved by the action amount in the abutment direction. The control portion calculates, on the basis of the action amount in the abutment direction and the action amount in the search direction in a state in which the action amount in the abutment direction is greater than the action amount in the search direction, the phase between the contact portion and the switching position.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a paper currency transport diverting mechanism and an automatic transaction machine.

[Background Art]

[0002] Conventionally, banknote handling apparatuses are installed in automated teller machines used in financial institutions, for example. A banknote handling apparatus includes a banknote deposit/withdrawal safe, a banknote distinguishing portion, a temporary storage compartment, a reject banknote storage compartment, a recycling storage compartment, a banknote transport diverting mechanism, and a banknote transport passage.

[0003] The banknote deposit/withdrawal safe discharges withdrawal banknotes to the user, or dispenses deposited banknotes one by one. The banknote distinguishing portion distinguishes deposited banknotes and withdrawal banknotes. The temporary storage compartment temporarily stores deposited banknotes. The reject banknote storage compartment stores rejected banknotes that are determined by the banknote distinguishing portion to not satisfy a predetermined standard. The recycling storage compartment stores the deposited banknotes therein and dispenses them as withdrawal banknotes. The banknote transport diverting mechanism switches between multiple connection destinations so as to connect storage compartments to each other. The banknote transport passage includes a transport guide that guides banknotes. The banknote transport diverting mechanism is provided at an intermediate point in the banknote transport passage.

[0004] The banknote transport diverting mechanism is required to direct the deposited banknotes or the withdrawal banknotes, which are successively fed one by one, to the connection destinations determined by the banknote distinguishing portion. The banknote transport passage is required to smoothly transport the banknotes to their connection destinations.

[0005] Also, the internal space and cost of the banknote handling apparatuses are limited. As such, it is desirable to shorten the banknote transport passage as much as possible so that the space made available is used for the capacity of each storage compartment. For this reason, in recent years, a system may be adopted in which the banknote transport diverting mechanism allows for the branching into three or more types of banknote transport passages.

[0006] As such conventional banknote handling apparatuses, PTL 1 discloses a transport diverting mechanism and a paper sheet processing apparatus, PTL 2 discloses a paper sheet diverting mechanism, a paper sheet processing apparatus, and a paper sheet diverting method, and PTL 3 discloses a medium processing apparatus and an automatic transaction apparatus, for example.

[Citation List]

[Patent Literature]

[0007] 

[PTL 1]
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-280119

[PTL 2]
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-70056

[PTL 3]
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-128908

[Summary of Invention]

[Technical Problem]

[0008] A banknote handling apparatus requires a banknote transport diverting mechanism that can handle various types of transactions and banknote types. Also, a banknote transport diverting mechanism with three or more branches can shorten the banknote transport passage as compared with a most common two-branch banknote transport diverting mechanism. This not only enables the reduction in size of the banknote handling apparatus and the efficient use of the installation space within the banknote handling apparatus as banknote storage capacity, but also has many other advantages. However, when the banknote transport diverting mechanism is coupled to the banknote transport passage, no step should be formed at the joint portion between the banknote transport diverting mechanism and the transport surface of the transport guide. As such, sophisticated adjustment work by an assembly operator has conventionally been required. Also, the positional accuracy may also be reduced due to the tolerances of the parts that form the banknote transport diverting mechanism.

[0009] In view of the foregoing issues, it is an object of the present invention to provide a technique for appropriately transporting paper currencies.

[Solution to Problem]

[0010] To solve the above issues, the present invention is directed to paper currency transport diverting mechanism including: a switching gate configured to assume a plurality of predetermined positions to switch transport paths by connecting a set of transport passages among a plurality of transport passages along which paper currencies are to be transported, the switching gate being configured to assume any of the predetermined positions by rotating about a shaft; an actuator configured to rotate the switching gate; a contact portion configured to come into contact with the switching gate to restrict a rotation range of the switching gate; a sensor configured to detect the switching gate in a switching position where a direction in which the switching gate rotates is switched; and a control portion configured to control the actuator and record a detection signal output from the sensor, a first action amount for moving the switching gate toward the contact portion, and a second action amount for returning to the switching position from a stop position of the switching gate that has moved by the first action amount, wherein the contact portion is configured to calculate, on the basis of the first action amount and the second action amount in a state in which the first action amount is greater than the second action amount, a phase between the contact portion and the switching position.

[Advantageous Effects of Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, paper currencies can be appropriately transported.

[Brief Description of Drawings]

[0012] 

[Fig. 1]
Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an automated teller machine.

[Fig. 2]
Fig. 2 is a side view of a banknote handling apparatus.

[Fig. 3]
Fig. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a banknote transport diverting mechanism in a state in which a switching gate is in a first position.

[Fig. 4]
Fig. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of the banknote transport diverting mechanism in a state in which the switching gate is in a second position.

[Fig. 5]
Fig. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of the banknote transport diverting mechanism in a state in which the switching gate is in a third position.

[Fig. 6]
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the switching gate.

[Fig. 7]
Fig. 7 is a side view of the switching gate.

[Fig. 8]
Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the transition of the stop phase of the switching gate.

[Fig. 9]
Fig. 9 is a flowchart of position detection control.

[Description of Embodiments]

[0013] Referring to the drawings, a specific example of an automated teller machine according to an embodiment of the present invention is described below. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited by embodiments, and is indicated by the claims.

[0014] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an automated teller machine.

[0015] In Fig. 1, an automated teller machine 100 as an example of an "automatic transaction machine" includes therein a banknote handling apparatus 101, a card/statement slip processing apparatus 102, a passbook processing apparatus 103, a user operation portion 104, and a main body control portion 105.

[0016] The banknote handling apparatus 101 receives banknotes from the user (deposit) and also discharges banknotes to the user (withdrawal). The card/statement slip processing apparatus 102 processes the card inserted by the user, and prints and discharges a transaction statement slip. The passbook processing apparatus 103 records transaction details in the passbook inserted by the user. The user operation portion 104 displays operation guidance to the user and accepts instruction input from the user. The main body control portion 105 monitors and controls each of these apparatuses. As used herein, banknotes are an example of paper sheet. The banknote handling apparatus 101 that handles banknotes is described below.

[0017] Fig. 2 is a side view of the banknote handling apparatus 101.

[0018] The banknote handling apparatus 101 includes a deposit/withdrawal port 70, a banknote distinguishing portion 71, a temporary storage compartment 72, a reject box 73, recycling storage compartments 74, a banknote transport passage 75 as an example of a "transport passage", and a control portion 76. These elements 70 to 76 may also be referred to as units.

[0019] The deposit/withdrawal port 70 feeds the banknotes inserted by the user into the banknote transport passage 75 one by one, and also stacks the banknotes transported through the banknote transport passage 75 and discharges them to the user (dispenses the banknotes for the user to retrieve). The banknote distinguishing portion 71 measures the optical and magnetic characteristics of a banknote and determines the denomination and authenticity of the banknote.

[0020] The temporary storage compartment 72 temporarily stores banknotes until the transaction is completed. For example, the temporary storage compartment 72 temporarily stores banknotes deposited by the user, the banknotes are stored in the recycling storage compartments 74 when the user approves the transaction, and the banknotes are transported to the deposit/withdrawal port 70 to return them to the user when the user does not approve the transaction. The reject box 73 is a safe that stores banknotes for which transactions have been completed at the time of deposit. The reject box 73 stores banknotes that can only be deposited and banknotes that are not suitable for handling by the banknote handling apparatus 101. Banknotes that are not suitable for handling by the banknote handling apparatus 101 include banknotes that have cuts and folds, and banknotes that have been transported in a skewed manner.

[0021] The recycling storage compartments 74 have an accumulation/separation apparatus for depositing and dispensing money. The accumulation/separation apparatus stores the banknotes inserted by the user, and feeds out the stored banknotes to the banknote transport passage 75 in accordance with a transaction to dispense them to the user. The banknote handling apparatus 101 in Fig. 2 is an example in which one reject box 73 and three recycling storage compartments 74 are installed. However, the combination of these reject box 73 and the recycling storage compartments 74 can be freely configured, and the number of these to be installed may be freely configured. For example, the banknote handling apparatus 101 may include two reject boxes 73 and two recycling storage compartments 74.

[0022]  The banknote transport passage 75 transports banknotes to each unit. The banknote transport passage 75 can switch the banknote transport directions using a transport roller 42 (see Fig. 3) and a switching gate 10 (see Fig. 3), which will be described below, for example. As such, for each transaction operation, banknotes pass through the banknote distinguishing portion 71 in both directions and are transported in both directions between the deposit/withdrawal port 70, the temporary storage compartment 72, the reject box 73, and the recycling storage compartment 74.

[0023] The control portion 76 monitors and controls each unit. The control portion 76 is electrically connected to the main body control portion 105 of the automated teller machine 100. The control portion 76 controls the banknote handling apparatus 101 according to instructions from the main body control portion 105 and reports the state of the banknote handling apparatus 101 to the main body control portion 105.

[0024] Figs. 3 to 5 are schematic configuration diagrams of the banknote transport diverting mechanism 1.

[0025] The banknote transport passage 75 includes a downstream transport passage 30 as an example of a "first transport passage," an upstream transport passage 31 as an example of a "second transport passage," and an upstream transport passage 32 as an example of a "third transport passage".

[0026] On either side of the banknote transport passage 75, a belt (not shown), a transport roller 42, a pinch roller 43, and a transport guide 44 are provided so as to sandwich the banknote being transported, for example. The belt (not shown) and the transport roller 42 are driven by a transport actuator 41 arranged outside the banknote transport passage 75.

[0027] At the bent portion P of the banknote transport passage 75 (the merging portion (branch point) of the downstream transport passage 30 and the pair of upstream transport passages 31 and 32), a transport guide roller 44g and a transport roller 42a, which has a larger diameter than the other transport roller 42, are arranged. The transport guide roller 44g is provided coaxially with the transport roller 42a. The transport guide 44, the switching gate 10 described below, and the transport guide roller 44g form a banknote transport passage 75 together with the transport passages 30 to 32.

[0028] The transport guide roller 44g is formed into a cylindrical shape with a step, and includes a transport surface 17, which has a large outer diameter, and a non-transport surface 18, which is made of resin and serves as an example of a "first contact portion" having a smaller outer diameter than the transport surface 17. The transport surface 17 is a surface for transporting banknotes. The non-transport surface 18 is a surface that does not come into contact with banknotes. A portion of the non-transport surface 18 functions as an abutment portion 19b (see Fig. 7), which is an example of a "first contact portion" that restricts the rotation range of the switching gate 10, which will be described below. In this manner, the non-transport surface 18 includes the abutment portion 19b. The transport surface 17 and the non-transport surface 18 differ only in outer diameter. Since a portion of the non-transport surface 18 functions as the abutment portion 19b, it is necessary to ensure identical or similar accuracy as that of the transport surface 17.

[0029] The transport rollers 42 and 42a are driven by the transport actuator 41 to obtain rotational forces and rotate continuously. The pinch roller 43 is a driven roller that is rotated by the frictional force received from the transport roller 42. The transport roller 42 and the pinch roller 43 sandwich a banknote and apply a feeding force in the transport direction. This allows a banknote on the banknote transport passage 75 to move in both directions along each of the transport paths 33 to 35.

[0030] Furthermore, when the switching gate 10 rotates, a joint portion is formed between the transport guide 44 and the transport surface 17 of the switching gate 10 in each of the aforementioned transport passages 30 to 32. This joint portion is flat. Accordingly, the banknotes can move smoothly along the banknote transport passage 75.

[0031] Furthermore, at the bent portion P of the banknote transport passage 75, the banknote transport diverting mechanism 1 as an example of a "paper currency transport diverting mechanism" is provided. The banknote transport diverting mechanism 1 includes the switching gate 10, a switching actuator 40 as an example of an "actuator", the abutment portion 19b and a pair of abutment portions 26 (see Figs. 6 and 7), which will be described below, a sensor (not shown), and the above-mentioned control portion 76.

[0032] The switching gate 10 may rotate to three types of positions (phases) for switching between the transport paths 33 to 35 by connecting a set of transport passages 30, 31, 32 among the downstream transport passage 30 and the pair of upstream transport passages 31 and 32.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 3, the switching gate 10 in the first position connects the downstream transport passage 30 and the upstream transport passage 31 to form a first transport path 33. As shown in Fig. 4, the switching gate 10 in the second position connects the downstream transport passage 30 and the upstream transport passage 32 to form a second transport path 34. As shown in Fig. 5, the switching gate 10 in the third posture connects the upstream transport passages 31 and 32 other than the downstream transport passage 30 to each other to form a third transport path 35.

[0034] The switching actuator 40 is arranged outside the banknote transport passage 75. The switching actuator 40 can switch the banknote transport directions by rotating the switching gate 10 between the first to third positions. The switching actuator 40 may be an electromagnetic solenoid or a drive motor 40a (see Fig. 6), which will be described below.

[0035] The banknote handling apparatus 101 configured in this manner can switch the rotation directions of the transport actuator 41 and the rotation directions of the switching actuator 40 for each transaction operation. Thus, a banknote passes through the banknote distinguishing portion 71 in both directions, and is transported in both directions between the deposit/withdrawal port 70, the temporary storage compartment 72, the reject box 73, and the recycling storage compartment 74.

[0036] To stably operate the banknote handling apparatus 101, the banknote transport passage 75 needs to be flat. However, when the switching gate 10 is coupled to the banknote transport passage 75, the attachment position may vary depending on the part accuracy of the switching actuator 40 and the bracket (not shown) for fixing it. For this reason, it has been necessary for the assembling operator to ensure a flat banknote transport passage 75 by performing precise positioning work.

[0037] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the switching gate.

[0038] The switching gate 10 integrally includes multiple guide portions 21 for guiding banknotes, and a shaft 22. Each guide portion 21 has a V-shaped cross section. The guide portions 21 have the same shape and are arranged side by side in the width direction of the banknote transport passage 75. The guide portions 21 are made of resin and have flexibility. The distal end portions of each guide portion 21 function as abutment portions 19a (see Fig. 7), which come into contact with the abutment portion 19b of the transport guide roller 44g, which will be described below.

[0039] The shaft 22 serves as the center of rotation of the switching gate 10. The shaft 22 extends inside and outside the banknote transport passage 75. The drive motor 40a is coupled to a section of the shaft 22 outside the banknote transport passage 75 through a coupling member 23. As such, the rotation of the drive motor 40a can be transmitted to the shaft 22 without play.

[0040] Additionally, an abutment pin 24, which is an example of a "contact pin", is attached to the shaft 22 and extends in a direction perpendicular to the shaft 22. The abutment pin 24 is made of metal and has rigidity.

[0041] Fig. 7 is a side view of the switching gate.

[0042] When the switching gate 10 rotates, the abutment portion 19b of the transport guide roller 44g comes into contact with (collides with) abutment portions 19a of the switching gate 10 while they are elastically deformed, thereby restricting the rotation range (pivoting angle) of the switching gate 10.

[0043] Meanwhile, a pair of the abutment portions 26 as an example of a "second contact portion" extend parallel to the shaft 22 from the case of the drive motor 40a with a space in between. The abutment portions 26 are made of metal and have rigidity. When the switching gate 10 rotates, the abutment pin 24 comes into contact (collides) with an abutment portion 26, thereby restricting the rotation range (rotation angle) of the switching gate 10.

[0044] Furthermore, a shield plate 25 is disposed on the outer circumference of the shaft 22 coaxially with the shaft 22.

[0045] The shield plate 25 is sectorial and rotates together with the shaft 22. The shield plate 25 blocks the light receiving and emitting axis of a sensor (not shown) installed opposite to the rotation range of the shield plate 25, thereby allowing for the detection of the stop position of the switching gate 10. This enables position detection control of the switching gate 10, which will be described below, within the rotation range of the switching gate 10. The sensor may be a photoelectric sensor, or may be any other sensor that can detect the position of the switching gate 10.

[0046] For example, the sensor detects the switching gate 10 in a switching position where the rotation directions of the switching gate 10 are switched. As shown in Fig. 4, the switching position is a position at which the directions in which the switching gate 10 rotates to the first position (see Fig. 3) and to the second position (see Fig. 4) are switched, or a position where the directions in which the switching gate 10 rotates to the second position and to the third position (see Fig. 5) are switched. That is, the switching position is a position where the switching gate 10 is in an intermediate position between the first position and the second position, or a position where the switching gate 10 is in an intermediate position between the second position and the third position. Upon detecting the switching gate 10 in a switching position, the sensor outputs a detection signal to the control portion 76.

[0047] A method of position detection control of the switching gate 10 is now described. As a premise of this control, simple adjustment work is required in assembly. During assembly of a conventional banknote transport diverting mechanism, it is measured whether the height difference at the joint portion between the switching gate 10 and the transport guide 44 is within an allowable range. When the height difference at the joint portion between the switching gate 10 and the transport guide 44 is not within the allowable range, the attachment positions of the switching gate 10 and the coupled switching actuator 40 are corrected and then measured again, requiring steps that are complicated and time-consuming.

[0048] In contrast, when assembled by an operator, the banknote transport diverting mechanism 1 is fixed in a position where the one abutment portion 26 of the pair of abutment portions 26, 26 matches the abutment pin 24 in the phase in which the abutment portion 19b of the transport guide roller 44g matches abutment portions 19a of the switching gate 10. The banknote transport diverting mechanism 1 is also fixed in a position where the other abutment portion 26 of the pair of abutment portions 26, 26 matches the abutment pin 24. This completes the positional adjustment of the members of the banknote transport diverting mechanism 1. However, both of the abutment portions 19a and 19b are made of resin. Accordingly, the abutment portions 19a and 19b are elastically deformed by the driving force of the drive motor 40a. As a result, the impact of the contact between the abutment portions 19a and 19b can be alleviated. However, not only this may fail to define the rotation range (movable angle) of the drive motor 40a, but also there is a concern that the abutment portions 19a and 19b may be plastically deformed or damaged by being repeatedly subjected to strong abutment loads. In this regard, the abutment portions 26 and the abutment pin 24 are both made of metal and have strength that can sufficiently withstand the driving force of the drive motor 40a.

[0049] After completing the simple adjustment by the operator as described above, the control portion 76 performs position detection control.

[0050] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the transition of the stop phase of the switching gate. In Fig. 8, the horizontal axis represents the stop phase of the switching gate 10, and the vertical axis represents time.

[0051] In this embodiment, a stepping motor is used as the drive motor 40a. Fig. 8 shows the transition of the stop phase of the switching gate 10 in a situation where the drive motor 40a is continuously driven in one direction (abutment direction) and the abutment pin 24 repeatedly abuts against one abutment portion 26 of the pair of abutment portions 26, 26. Position B' is a position where the output of the sensor is switched, and position A and position AA are positions where the abutment portions 26 are located. The two abutment portions 26 determine the rotation range (operating area) of the switching gate 10.

[0052] The control portion 76 starts position detection control from a state in which the switching gate 10 is stopped at one of positions A to AA. The direction from position AA to position A is defined as an abutment direction. The control portion 76 advances the phase of the switching gate 10 from position A' in the abutment direction. When there is no obstacle in the abutment direction (phase advance position) (time points 80a to 80e), the stop position of the switching gate 10 matches the phase advance position of the control since the switching gate 10 (driven member) transitions in line with the phase advance position of the control. As such, the phase advance position of the switching gate 10 from the time point 80a to the time point 80e matches the phase advance position of the control. However, after the switching gate 10 interferes (comes into contact) with the abutment portion 26 as an obstacle at position A, the switching gate 10 cannot change its stop position from position A to position D" at the time point 80f, resulting in a state called loss of synchronism in which the phase advance position of the control deviates from the actual stop position.

[0053] Also, at the time point 80g, when the control portion 76 advances the phase of the switching gate 10 in the abutment direction, the switching gate 10 cannot advance to the phase advance position C" of the control, and moves to the closest stable phase C. Thus, the stop position of the switching gate 10 changes to position C. Even after the switching gate 10 bounces from stop position A to stop position C in this manner, when the control portion 76 advances the phase of the switching gate 10 after the time point 80h, the phase advance position of the switching gate 10 of the control continues to move toward position A" after position C". However, the actual stop position of the switching gate 10 transitions at the above-mentioned stable phase C. As such, the behavior of the switching gate 10 near the abutment portion 26 repeatedly transitions between positions A, B, and C.

[0054] As a result, when the control portion 76 causes the drive motor 40a to drive the switching gate 10 and advance the phase by the amount that causes the switching gate 10 to abut against the abutment portion 26 at least once in the abutment direction, it is possible to limit that the stop phase of the switching gate 10 to one of the positions A, B, and C.

[0055]  Fig. 9 is a flowchart of position detection control.

[0056] The control portion 76 initializes variables X_n and X_n-1, which will be described below, to 0 (S901). Then, the control portion 76 drives the drive motor 40a to advance the phase of the switching gate 10 in the abutment direction from one of the positions A to AA so that it abuts against the abutment portion 26 one or more times (S902). Thus, the stop phase of the switching gate 10 is limited to one of positions A, B, and C.

[0057] The control portion 76 then determines whether the number of phase advances X_n in the abutment direction as an example of the "first action amount" is less than the number of phase advances X_n-1 in a search direction, which is opposite to the abutment direction, as an example of the "second action amount" (S903). If the determination result in S903 is false (S903: NO), the number of phase advances in the abutment direction X_n is equal to the number of phase advances X_n-1 needed for the search (S904). That is, in this case, the abutment pin 24 has not abutted against the abutment portion 26, or it has abutted against the abutment portion 26 but has not bounced off.

[0058] Then, to further narrow down the position, the control portion 76 starts the phase advance of the switching gate 10 in the search direction, and searches for the switching position where the output of the sensor switches from LOW to HIGH while counting the number of phase advances in the search direction (S905). At this time, the number of phase advances X_n in the abutment direction becomes the number of phase advances X_n-1 in the search direction (S906).

[0059] For example, when the stop position of the switching gate 10 before a search is position C, the control portion 76 ends the search at a position where the phase is advanced three times in the search direction. In this case, the control portion 76 stores 3, which is the number of phase advances needed for the search, as X_n-1. Then, when the control portion 76 advances the phase of the switching gate 10 by the number of phase advances X_n = X_n-1 + 1 = 4 in the abutment direction (S907), the stop position of the switching gate 10 changes to position B. Thereafter, the control portion 76 repeats this processing until the determination result at S903 becomes true (S903: YES). That is, searching for a sensor switching position is performed again. As a result, after the stop position of the switching gate 10 becomes A at the time point 80f and the number increases to X_n = X_n-1 + 1 = 6, the number of phase advances becomes 7 in the next step. At this time, the switching gate 10 bounces off the abutment portion 26 and stops at position C.

[0060]  When the control portion 76 similarly advances phase the switching gate 10 in the search direction at this time, the stop position of the switching gate 10 transitions from position D → A' → B'. The number of phase advances required for the search is therefore 3, and X_n < X_n-1 for the first time in position detection control (S903: YES). As such, the control portion 76 repeatedly performs the above-described processing until the end condition X_n < X_n-1 is satisfied. This enables the determination of the phase (number of phase advances) between the switching position of the sensor and the abutment portion 26 (S908). When position detection control is performed from position C, X_n changes through 3, 4, 5, 6, 3. Accordingly, 5, which is X_n-1 - 1, is the number of phase advances to be obtained, and it can be determined that the abutment pin 24 (switching gate 10) abuts against the abutment portion 26 (position A) at the time point 80e.

[0061] Furthermore, when the control portion 76 performs position detection control from position B in another case, X_n changes through 4, 5, 6, 3, and X_n < X_n-1 is obtained. As described above, the control portion 76 first advances the phase of the switching gate 10 in the abutment direction so that the switching gate 10 is ensured to abut against the abutment portion 26 at least once, and then performs the above-described repeating processing, thereby determining the number of phase advances between the sensor switching position and the abutment portion 26. This is effective even when the position of the abutment portion 26 or the sensor switching position varies from apparatus to apparatus due to assembly positional accuracy and tolerance (dimensional accuracy) of parts. For example, when the sensor switching position is at C', the number of phase advances between them is 6. Nevertheless, X_n-1 - 1 = 6 can be obtained when X_n < X_n-1 in the position detection control performed from position C, in which the number of phase advances changes through 4, 5, 6, 7, 4, thus enabling the determination of the position in a similar manner.

[0062] According to this configuration, the banknote transport diverting mechanism 1 includes the switching gate 10, the switching actuator 40, the abutment portions 19b and 26, the sensor, and the control portion 76. The switching gate 10 can rotate about the shaft 22 to positions for switching between the transport paths 33 to 35 by connecting a set of transport passages 30 to 32 among the downstream transport passage 30 and a pair of upstream transport passages 31 and 32 along which banknotes are transported. The switching actuator 40 rotates the switching gate 10. The abutment portions 19b and 26 come into contact with the switching gate 10 to restrict the rotation range of the switching gate 10. The sensor detects the switching gate 10 in a switching position where the directions in which the switching gate 10 rotates are switched. The control portion 76 controls the switching actuator 40 and records the detection signal output from the sensor, the action amount in the abutment direction for moving the switching gate 10 toward an abutment portion 26, and the action amount in the search direction for returning to the switching position from a stop position of the switching gate 10 that has moved by the action amount in the abutment direction. The control portion 76 calculates, on the basis of the action amount in the abutment direction and the action amount in the search direction in a state in which the action amount in the abutment direction is greater than the action amount in the search direction, the phase between the abutment portions 19b, 26 and the switching position.

[0063] As a result, even when there are attachment position errors of the switching gate 10, the sensor, and the abutment portions 19b, 26, and tolerances of the switching gate 10 and the abutment portions 19b, 26, the positional accuracy of the switching gate 10 and the abutment portions 19b, 26 can be improved. This facilitates the position adjustment work by the assembly operator. As a result, banknotes can be appropriately transported. In the present embodiment, a state in which banknotes are appropriately transported may be a state in which banknotes are smoothly transported along the transport paths 33 to 35, for example.

[0064]  Also, the actuator is a stepping motor. As such, even when the switching gate 10 undergoes loss of synchronism, the phase between the abutment portions 19b, 26 and the switching position is calculated.

[0065] Furthermore, the switching gate 10 includes the guide portions 21, which have flexibility, guide banknotes, and are made of resin, and the abutment pin 24, which extends from the shaft 22 in a direction perpendicular to the shaft 22 and is made of metal, and the abutment portions 19b, 26 include the abutment portion 19b, which comes into contact with the guide portions 21, and the abutment portions 26, which come into contact with the abutment pin 24 and are made of metal. As such, when the guide portions 21 come into contact with the abutment portion 19b, the guide portions 21 are elastically deformed to alleviate the impact of the contact, and also the contact between the abutment pin 24 and the metal abutment portion 26 enables the definition of the rotation range of the switching gate 10.

[0066] Furthermore, the sensor is a photoelectric sensor, and the shield plate 25 is disposed on the outer circumference of the shaft 22 to block the optical axis of the photoelectric sensor that detects the switching position. As such, the photoelectric sensor for detecting the switching position is used to calculate the phase between the abutment portions 19b, 26 and the switching position.

[0067] The multiple transport passages 30, 31, and 32 include the downstream transport passage 30 and a pair of upstream transport passages 31 and 32. The control portion 76 is configured to rotate the switching gate 10 sequentially to the first position, the second position, and the third position. The first position connects the downstream transport passage 30 and the upstream transport passage 31 to form the first transport path 33. The second position connects the downstream transport passage 30 and the upstream transport passage 32 to form a second transport path 34. The third position connects the upstream transport passages 31 and 32 other than the downstream transport passage 30 to form the third transport path 35. The switching position is the stop position of the switching gate 10 in the second position. As a result, even when the transport path branches into the first transport path 33 to the third transport path 35, the positional accuracy of the switching gate 10 and the abutment portion 26 can be improved, and transport failures including transport jams can be reduced.

[0068] The banknote transport diverting mechanism 1 is installed in the automated teller machine 100. This improves the attachment positional accuracy of the banknote transport diverting mechanism 1 and also reduces the time and trouble for maintenance.

[0069] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and includes various modifications.

[0070] For example, the control portion 76 may calculate the distance between the abutment portions 19b, 26 and the switching position each time the automated teller machine 100 is activated. This further improves the positional accuracy of the switching gate 10 and the abutment portion 26.

[0071] For example, the control portion 76 may cause the abutment pin 24 to repeatedly abut against one abutment portion 26 of the pair of abutment portions 26, 26 and then repeatedly abut against the other abutment portion 26. This further improves the positional accuracy of the switching gate 10 and the pair of abutment portions 26.

[Reference Signs List]

[0072] 

1

Banknote transport diverting mechanism

10

Switching gate

19a

Abutment portion

19b

Abutment portion

21

Guide portion

22

Shaft

24

Abutment pin

26

Abutment portion

30

Downstream transport passage

31

Upstream transport passage

32

Upstream transport passage

33

First transport path

34

Second transport path

35

Third transport path

40

Switching actuator

40a

Drive motor

76

Control portion

100

Automated teller machine

Claims

1. A paper currency transport diverting mechanism comprising:

a switching gate configured to assume a plurality of predetermined positions to switch transport paths by connecting a set of transport passages among a plurality of transport passages along which paper currencies are to be transported, the switching gate being configured to assume any of the predetermined positions by rotating about a shaft;

an actuator configured to rotate the switching gate;

a contact portion configured to come into contact with the switching gate to restrict a rotation range of the switching gate;

a sensor configured to detect the switching gate in a switching position where a direction in which the switching gate rotates is switched; and

a control portion configured to control the actuator and record a detection signal output from the sensor, a first action amount for moving the switching gate toward the contact portion, and a second action amount for returning to the switching position from a stop position of the switching gate that has moved by the first action amount, wherein

the control portion is configured to calculate, on the basis of the first action amount and the second action amount in a state in which the first action amount is greater than the second action amount, a phase between the contact portion and the switching position.

2. The paper currency transport diverting mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is a stepping motor.

3. The paper currency transport diverting mechanism according to claim 1, wherein

the switching gate includes a guide portion that has flexibility, is configured to guide paper currencies, and is made of resin, and a contact pin that extends from the shaft in a direction perpendicular to the shaft and is made of metal, and

the contact portion includes a first contact portion that comes into contact with the guide portion and a second contact portion that comes into contact with the contact pin and is made of metal.

4. The paper currency transport diverting mechanism according to claim 1, wherein

the sensor is a photoelectric sensor configured to detect the switching position, and

a shield plate configured to block an optical axis of the photoelectric sensor is disposed on an outer circumference of the shaft.

5. The paper currency transport diverting mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the control portion is configured to calculate a phase between the contact portion and the switching position for each activation.

6. The paper currency transport diverting mechanism according to claim 1, wherein

the plurality of transport passages includes a first transport passage, a second transport passage, and a third transport passage,

the control portion is configured to rotate the switching gate sequentially to a first position that connects the first transport passage and the second transport passage to form a first transport path, a second position that connects the first transport passage and the third transport passage to form a second transport path, and a third position that connects transport passages other than the first transport passage to form a third transport path, and

the switching position is a position where directions in which the switching gate rotates to the first position and to the second position are switched, or a position where directions in which the switching gate rotates to the second position and to the third position are switched.

7. An automatic transaction machine comprising the paper currency transport diverting mechanism, wherein
the paper currency diverting mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is installed in a banknote handling apparatus.

Drawing