EP1331185A2 - Apparatus for aligning sheet-like objects - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a guide edge bounding the transport path and at least one alignment element (92,100) for simultaneously transporting a bill in the transport direction and in the guide edge direction. The transport path is curved about an axis parallel to itself and perpendicular to the guide edge and is a closed path with a bill inlet (64) and a controlable bill outlet (66).

Description

The invention relates to a device for aligning leaf-shaped objects or notes such as banknotes, Checks, bank documents and the like in a transport lane for banknotes with a border that limits the transport path and leading edge parallel to the transport direction and with at least one alignment element for simultaneous Conveying a bill in the direction of transport and in the direction on the leading edge.

In many devices for processing sheet-shaped counter stands must be positioned exactly within the transport path to, for example, certain fields to be able to read or print on the object. To do this the sheets when moving into the device using the alignment element against the leading edge, which serves as a reference line is used. Such a device the type mentioned at the outset is, for example, from DE 35 00 986 C2 known. In this device as in others Similar devices become the sheet-like object placed on a flat surface and, for example, with a friction roller, the axis of which at least temporarily at an angle other than 90 ° the leading edge is inclined. With this role it will Sheet in the transport direction and at the same time in the direction of the leading edge moves until it has an edge on the leading edge and then only in the direction of transport is advanced. The disadvantage of this version is that depending on how close to the leading edge or how crooked the sheet is inserted into the device, a relatively long one Way for aligning the sheet is needed. There are Devices in which there is no space for such an alignment section is available.

A device of the type discussed above is for example known from EP-B1-0 496 398. This font shows a sheet transport device in which a to be fed Sheet against inclined transport rollers against an alignment edge directed parallel to the feed direction is pushed. This device has those discussed above Disadvantage.

DE-A1-101 17 712 shows an alignment device a print carrier in a printing machine, wherein this sheet-shaped printing medium is guided over a drum whose axis of rotation is transverse to the transport direction and is on one of its end faces one over the circumference circumferential stop edge which rises vertically up the drum having. Again it is tilted with the help Roll the sheet of paper passed over the drum moved against the stop edge and then from the Drum circumference led away. As for the alignment of the paper sheet only a part of the drum circumference is available is either only relatively small directional corrections possible or the drum circumference must be correspondingly large be chosen so that there is also a correspondingly high Space requirements for the alignment device results.

The invention has for its object a device of the type mentioned at the beginning, which at low Offers a long alignment distance.

This object is achieved in that the Transport path around a parallel to it and the guide edge vertical axis is curved and closed in a ring and has a bill inlet and bill outlet.

In the solution according to the invention, the one to be aligned Note through the ticket inlet into the closed ring Transport track introduced, aligned in the transport track and then through the bill outlet from the Transport track led out. The closed ring Transport lane takes up much less space than one flat transport track of the same length. In addition, the solution according to the invention has the further advantage that the in the transport track transported Schein through its curvature a high one according to the curvature of the transport path Stiffness towards a shift towards has the leading edge. While on level alignment routes of the type mentioned at the outset there is a risk that the one shifted laterally towards the guide edge Note runs up on the leading edge and thus faults in such a start-up will cause the device the solution according to the invention by the curvature of the bill reliably prevented. This can also be relative soft sheets or bills securely aligned with the leading edge become.

The transport track is preferably drum-shaped with a cylindrical inner shell and one of these co-axial with radial Formed cylindrical outer shell, the one inlet gap to at least approximately tangential Inserting notes into the annular gap between Inner shell and outer shell and an outlet gap for leading out of notes from the ring gap. This is ensures secure guidance of the notes to be aligned, while they are inside the transportation lane.

The bill outlet is controllable by, for example, the A controllable switch is assigned to the outlet gap, which either blocked the outlet gap or with the regarding the direction of transport of the notes upstream in the annular gap located section of the same connects. Should the to be aligned note within one revolution in the annular gap may not yet be fully aligned blocked by the controllable outlet of the outlet gap and the ticket to another round in the transport track sent. In principle, this enables the alignment path can be extended as required without the alignment device this must be made larger. Usually can one can assume that within two, a maximum of three A note is aligned with the leading edge, whereupon the outlet gap is released and the bill is released from the alignment line.

To detect the alignment status of one in the transport path located note is expediently a detector provided by the output signal of the bill outlet is controllable. Such a detector can, for example two on the presence of a bill in the Transport track have responsive sensors that are in immediate Near the leading edge with one in the direction of transport measured distance from each other, the smaller than the shortest expected dummy dimension in Transport direction is. Such sensors can, for example be formed by light barriers. If both sensors address, this is a sign that the person to be targeted Note with its edge facing the leading edge is directed parallel to the leading edge and on this is pushed along. The detector in this case generate a signal that the release of the bill outlet causes. Can the detector adjust the alignment status after a Do not record the circulation of the bill, so the bill remains outlet is closed and the bill is placed on another Circulation sent.

To also bills whose length is opposite in the direction of transport the length of the transport path is comparatively short, reliable to be able to align are expediently several Alignment elements over at least part of the circumference of the conveyor track distributed. The alignment elements can each be driven in a manner known per se Have an alignment roller that is inclined to the drum axis Axis is rotatably supported and through an opening in a the shells engages in the annular gap, and one each freely rotatable counter roller is assigned by a Opening in the other shell in the annular gap intervenes. The alignment rollers are preferably together with their drive inside the inner shell and the counter rollers arranged outside the outer shell. In this way becomes the interior of the inner shell for housing of the roller drive used.

In addition to the alignment rollers, at least one drivable transport roller can be provided by a Opening in one of the shells engages in the annular gap, whose axis is parallel to the drum axis and the cooperates with a counter roller that through an opening engages in the other shell in the annular gap. The counter rollers can be used in both cases The scope of the respective alignment or transport roll is elastic be biased so that always a reliable Intervention with the bill or sheet to be transported guaranteed is. On those with the alignment rollers and transport rollers cooperating counter-rollers can if necessary also be dispensed with.

The transport rollers are preferably covered along the - on the direction of transport of the notes in the annular gap - downstream the inlet gap from this to the outlet gap extending part of the transport track arranged, while the alignment rollers along that from the outlet gap to part of the transport path following the inlet gap are. Just like the alignment rollers, the transport rollers can also along with their drive motor within the Inner shell can be arranged so that for the drive motor no additional space is needed.

The outer shell is expediently in at least two Partial shells divided, at least one for approval of the annular gap is removable or adjustable. Thereby can be caused by a jam in the banknotes Annoyances caused by the annular gap can be eliminated quickly.

Figur 1

einen schematischen Schnitt durch einen Teil einer Vorrichtung zur Entgegennahme von Banknoten und Schecks, die zum Einbau in einen Bankautomaten bestimmt ist und die die erfindungsgemäße Ausrichtvorrichtung enthält,

Figur 2

eine perspektivische, teilweise schematische Gesamtansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Ausrichtvorrichtung mit geschlossener Außenschale,

Figur 3

eine perspektivische Gesamtansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Ausrichtvorrichtung mit halb geöffneter Außenschale,

Figur 4

eine perspektivische, teilweise schematische Darstellung der Ausrichtvorrichtung, wobei ein Teil der Außenschale und die Innenschale entfernt sind,

Figur 5

eine perspektivische, teilweise schematische Endansicht der in den Figuren 2 bis 4 dargestellten Ausrichtvorrichtung, wobei ebenfalls die Innenschale und eine der Stirnwände der Vorrichtung entfernt sind,

Figur 6

einen schematischen achsnormalen Schnitt durch die Ausrichtvorrichtung zur Erläuterung von deren Arbeitsweise und

Figur 7

einen die Achse enthaltenden Teilschnitt durch die Ausrichtvorrichtung.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which in connection with the accompanying drawings explains the invention using an exemplary embodiment. Show it:

Figure 1

2 shows a schematic section through part of a device for receiving banknotes and checks, which is intended for installation in an automated teller machine and which contains the alignment device according to the invention,

Figure 2

2 shows a perspective, partially schematic overall view of the alignment device according to the invention with the outer shell closed,

Figure 3

3 shows an overall perspective view of the alignment device according to the invention with the outer shell half open,

Figure 4

3 shows a perspective, partially schematic representation of the alignment device, with part of the outer shell and the inner shell being removed,

Figure 5

3 shows a perspective, partially schematic end view of the alignment device shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the inner shell and one of the end walls of the device likewise being removed,

Figure 6

a schematic axial normal section through the alignment device to explain its operation and

Figure 7

a partial section through the alignment device containing the axis.

FIG. 1 shows a safe, generally designated 12, to hold notes, especially banknotes serves, indicated, which is located in an ATM. Above the safe 12 is a general 14 designated module for receiving banknotes and check forms that a customer bundles in the ATM can introduce. The module contains a transport route for collection and if necessary also for return of notes or bundles of notes. The notes are in one Separating device 20 isolated and an alignment device 22 supplied, which is further based on the Figures 2 to 7 will be explained in more detail. From the alignment station 22 become the bills of a reading device and fed to a banknote checking device. From there they arrive in via a second transport route an intermediate storage designed as a winding storage, in to which the bills of an entered bundle are collected, until the last note was also checked. Should it turns out that one of the notes is not in Is order, and that the customer, for example, from this Basically want to cancel the entire entry process, so the entered bills must be returned to the customer be issued. In this case, they are stored in the buffer collected banknotes in a collecting subject collected again into a bundle, which the customer then the input / output unit is closed again becomes. If, on the other hand, all notes are in order, then through a third transport route one after the other an opening 36 in the ceiling of the safe 12 is inserted therein and from there cassettes in a conventional manner Hand over storage.

The illustration in Figure 1 shows that the units in the Module are extremely tightly packed so that for one Alignment section of conventional type in such a module there is no place. On the other hand, the exact alignment is special of check forms absolutely necessary because otherwise the check forms cannot be read reliably can. However, customers cannot be expected to that they are aware of these problems a bundle of bills arrange them carefully and lay them clean on an edge, to make aligning the notes unnecessary. Out for this reason, the drum type described above Alignment device 22 developed, which is now based on of Figures 2 to 7 will be explained in more detail.

The one shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 generally at 22 designated alignment device comprises an outer frame 38 and an alignment drum 40 enclosed therein, which is the transport path for the notes to be aligned forms. The frame 38 has two perpendicular to the drum axis directed side walls 42 each having a lower wall section 44 and an upper wall section 46. The lower Wall sections 44 are through an axially parallel strut 48 and the upper wall sections 46 by an axially parallel Cover plate 50 connected together.

The alignment drum 40 comprises a cylindrical outer shell 52 and a co-axial inner shell 54, one opposite the inner diameter of the outer shell 52 smaller outer diameter has so that between the inner shell 54 and the outer shell 52 remains an annular gap 56 (Fig. 3), through which the notes to be aligned are transported.

The outer shell 52 is in a lower section 58 and divides an upper section 60 (Figs. 3 and 5). The lower shell section 58 is with the lower wall sections 44 rigidly connected, on which also the cylindrical Inner shell 54 is attached. The upper shell section 60 is connected to the upper wall sections 46 and is together with these about a parallel to the drum axis Pivot axis 62 relative to the inner shell 54, the lower one Shell section 58 and the lower wall sections 44 pivotable, as shown in Figure 3. In the figure 2 shown closed position is the pivotable shell portion 60 on the lower shell portion 58 locked by a locking hook 59 on the upper wall section is pivotally mounted about an axis 61 and engages a pin 63 on the lower one Wall section 44 stands.

Between the lower shell section 58 and the upper Shell section 60 is in each case axially parallel extending inlet gaps 64 and 66, respectively, to be aligned Introduce notes into the annular gap 56 or out of the annular gap 56 lead out. The outlet gap 66 is through a Switch 68 controllable (Fig. 5), as will be explained in more detail later is explained.

A bill is transported in the annular gap 56 on the one hand by two sets of transport rollers 70 which are on Shafts 72 arranged parallel to the drum axis are and by this from a motor 74 via a toothed belt 76 are driven (see in particular Fig. 5). The Shafts 72 are supported in the lower wall sections 44. The motor 74 and the transport rollers 70 are within the Inner shell 54 arranged. The transport rollers 70 grip each through an opening formed in the inner shell 54 78 into the annular gap 56 so that they are in contact with can enter a bill located in the annular gap 56, to transport it.

The transport rollers 70 are each a counter or pressure roller 80 assigned to a pivot lever 82 free is rotatably mounted, which in turn is located on one between the upper wall sections 46 parallel to the drum axis extending shaft 84 is pivotally mounted. The Swing levers 82 are so by springs, not shown biased that the pinch rollers 80, each by an opening 86 in the upper shell portion 60 of the outer shell 52 engage in the annular gap 56, under spring pressure rest on the respective transport roller 70. In order to form the transport rollers 70 and those assigned to them Pressure rollers 80 each have a nip to convey the notes in the annular gap 56.

On a carrier plate 88 which is inside the inner shell 54 arranged obliquely to the drum axis and with struts 90 with a lower wall portion 44 is connected (Fig. 4) also aligning rollers 92 mounted such that their axes of rotation 94 are skewed towards the drum axis. The Alignment rollers 92 are by one on the support plate 88 flange-mounted motor 96 via a toothed belt 98 driven. They protrude through the inner shell 54 trained openings that do not close in Figures 2 to 5 are recognizable, as are the transport rollers 70 in FIGS Annular gap 56. The driven alignment rollers 92 are Pressure rollers or counter rollers 100 are assigned, each on a pivot lever 102 on the outside of the lower one Shell section 58 by one to the respective Aligning roller axis 94 parallel axis 104 freely rotatable are stored. The respective pivot lever 102 in turn is about a pivot axis 106 parallel to axis 104 pivoted so that the respective pressure roller 100 through an opening 108 in the lower shell section through under spring pressure on the respective alignment roller 92 is present, as can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 5. Those from the respective alignment rollers 92 and them straightening rollers 92 and the pressure rollers 100 assigned to them formed pairs of rollers transport located in the annular gap Not only appear in the circumferential direction of the drum 40 but also in the axial direction against the annular gap 56 axially closing guide edge 110 (Fig. 3).

The switch 68 comprises a comb-like element, which by a pivot axis 112 parallel to the drum axis on the lower one Shell section 58 is pivotally mounted (Fig. 5) and protrudes into the annular gap 56 with its comb teeth. On his outside of the lower shell section 58 End is the comb-like element with one end a two-armed lever 114 connected to one Pivot axis 116 is pivotally mounted on wall section 44 and at its other lever end 118 is a plunger 120 of an electromagnet 122 attacks, so that the switch 68 can be pivoted by actuating the electromagnet 122 can.

The function of the alignment device described so far will now be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. In these figures, only those essential for the function are shown Elements shown schematically and with the same reference numerals as shown in Figures 2 to 5. additionally one recognizes two first ones in FIGS. 6 and 7 Light barriers 124 and 126, which are in the immediate vicinity of the Guide edge 110 are arranged so that their light path extends through the annular gap 56 as this Figure 7 shows in particular. The light barriers 124 and 126 form an alignment detector and are circumferential a distance from each other that is smaller than that smallest circumferential dimension of one to be aligned Is so that both light barriers 124 and 126 darkened at the same time by the same glow can be, if this is located on the guide edge 110 and is therefore aligned.

There is also a further light barrier 128 between the axial ones Ends of the annular gap 56 arranged so that the Light path also penetrates the annular gap 56 and also the narrowest note entering the annular gap 56 independently from its axial position within the annular gap 56 of this light barrier 128 is detected.

Is the control of the alignment device, not shown 22 by a in front of the inlet gap in the transport direction 64 arranged further light barrier 130, for example arranged at the output of the separating device 20 If the arrival of a note is reported, the engines are switched off 74 and 96 for driving the transport rollers 70 and the Alignment rollers 92 switched on. The switch is located shown in solid lines in FIG Position in which the outlet gap 66 is blocked and a bill is passed through the annular gap 56. The in FIG. 6 entering the annular gap 56 through the inlet gap 64 Schein passes through the annular gap 56 in a counterclockwise direction. While the bill is detected by the alignment rollers 92 , it becomes circumferential and on the other hand, moved towards the guide edge 110. If he is already during this one-time run lies completely against the guide edge 110, the two first light barriers 124 and 126 simultaneously darkened. If the bill then reaches light barrier 128 and the controller receives the information that all three Light barriers 124, 126 and 128 are dark, so the Switch 68 through the electromagnet 122 in the dashed line transferred position in which the annular gap 56 blocks and the outlet gap 66 is released so that the bill can leave the alignment device 22. If, however, the Apparently the light barrier 128 is reached and at least at the same time one of the light barriers 124 and 126 no interruption of the light beam reports, the switch remains 68 in its blocking position and the bill to be aligned turns one another round through the annular gap 56. This way can in principle extend the alignment distance as desired become. In general, however, is a certificate after at the latest two to three revolutions aligned with the guide edge 110. The control can be designed so that after a given number of rounds of the bill on all Cases is diverted from the annular gap 56 to avoid that due to some disturbance, a bill is infinite rotates in the annular gap and blocks the device becomes.

Claims (14)

Device for aligning notes such as banknotes, checks, bank documents and sheet-shaped objects in a transport path for the notes with a guide edge (110) delimiting the transport path and oriented parallel to the transport direction and with at least one alignment element (92, 100) for simultaneously conveying a note in Direction of transport and in the direction of the guide edge (110), characterized in that the transport path is curved and closed in a ring around an axis parallel to it and perpendicular to the guide edge (110) and a bill inlet (64) and a bill outlet (66 ) Has. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport path is drum-shaped with a cylindrical inner shell (54) and a cylindrical outer shell (52) which surrounds it co-axially at a radial distance and which, as a bill inlet, has an inlet gap (64) for at least approximately tangential insertion of notes in the Rinsgspalt (56) between the inner shell (54) and outer shell (52) and as a bill outlet has an outlet gap (66) for leading the notes out of the annular gap (56). Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that a controllable switch (68) is assigned to the outlet gap (66), which selectively blocks the outlet gap (66) or connects it to the section of the same in the annular gap (56) upstream with respect to the transport direction of the notes. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by an alignment detector (124, 126) which detects the alignment state of a bill located in the transport path, the bill outlet (66) being controllable by a detector signal. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that one or more alignment elements (92, 100) are arranged distributed over at least part of the circumference of the transport path . Device according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the alignment elements each have a drivable alignment roller (92) which is rotatably mounted about an axis (94) inclined to the drum axis and through an opening in one of the shells (52, 54) engages in the annular gap (56) and to which a freely rotatable counter roller (100) is assigned, which engages through an opening (108) in the respective other shell (54, 52) in the annular gap (56). Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the alignment rollers (92) are arranged together with their drive (96) inside the inner shell (54) and the counter rollers (100) outside the outer shell (52). Apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that in addition to the alignment rollers (92) at least one drivable transport roller (70) is provided, which through an opening (78) in one of the shells (52, 54) in the annular gap (56) engages, the axis (72) of which is directed parallel to the drum axis and which interacts with a counter roller (80) which engages through an opening (86) in the other shell (54, 52) in the annular gap (56). Device according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the counter rollers (80, 100) are resiliently biased to bear against the circumference of the respective transport roller (70) or alignment roller (92). Device according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the transport rollers (70) along the part - based on the transport direction of the notes in the annular gap (56) - downstream of the inlet gap (64) from this part to the outlet gap (66) of the transport path are arranged, while the alignment rollers (92) are arranged along the part of the transport path which follows from the outlet gap (66) to the inlet gap (64). Device according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the transport rollers (70) are arranged together with their drive motor (74) within the inner shell (54). Device according to one of claims 2 to 11, characterized in that the outer shell (52) is subdivided into at least two partial shells (58, 60), at least one of which can be removed or adjusted to release the annular gap (56). Device according to one of claims 4 to 12, characterized in that the alignment detector has sensors (124, 126) which respond to the presence of a ticket in the transport path and which are arranged in the immediate vicinity of the guide edge (110) at a distance from one another measured in the transport direction , which is smaller than the shortest expected dummy dimension in the transport direction. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that the sensors are formed by light barriers (124, 126).

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