JP6916147B2 - Paper leaf reader and paper leaf discharge method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a paper leaf reader and a paper leaf discharge method.

As a paper leaf reading device, for example, a mark card reading device that reads a mark card (mark sheet) for purchasing a lottery ticket or a voting ticket for a public competition is known. Some of this type of mark card reading device includes a transport path for transporting the mark card inserted from the insertion slot, and a reading unit provided in the transport path for reading the information of the mark card. In such a mark card reading device, the mark card read by the reading unit is discharged from the discharge port of the transport path.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-156851

In the mark card reader described above, in order to accommodate the mark card ejected from the ejection port, when a space for accommodating the mark card is secured behind the mark card reader, the mark card is directed toward the outside of the mark card reader. There is a problem that the mark card reader becomes large. Therefore, in order to reduce the size of the mark card reader, when the mark card ejected from the ejection port is sent to the front side of the mark card reader and housed in the upper or lower part of the mark card reader, the mark card is inserted. A configuration is conceivable in which a transport mechanism is provided for further transporting the mark card from the discharge port to the front side of the mark card reader. However, when such a transport mechanism is configured by using a transport roller that transports the mark card, the structure and control operation of the transport mechanism become complicated, and the mark card reading device is further increased in size. It ends up.

The disclosed technique has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a paper leaf reader and a paper leaf discharge method capable of downsizing and simplifying the paper leaf reader. do.

One aspect of the paper leaf reading device disclosed in the present application is a transport path for transporting paper sheets, a reading unit arranged in the transport path and reading information on the paper leaves, and one end of the transport path. A discharge port for discharging paper leaves that have passed through the reading unit, and a guide member provided at the discharge port and having a guide surface portion for guiding the moving direction of the paper leaves discharged from the discharge port. The guide surface portion of the guide member is continuous with the first inclined surface portion which is arranged to face the discharge port and is inclined with respect to the transport direction along the transport path. An orthogonal surface portion extending downward so as to be orthogonal to the transport direction, a second inclined surface portion continuous with the orthogonal surface portion and inclined with respect to the transport direction, and a second inclined surface portion continuous with the second inclined surface portion and in the transport direction. It has a parallel surface portion extending in parallel with the paper leaf, and only by the guide surface portion, the paper leaf is sent below the discharge port and the paper leaf is discharged in the direction opposite to the discharge direction in which the paper leaf is discharged from the discharge port. Send to change the direction of the kind.

According to one aspect of the paper leaf reader disclosed in the present application, the paper leaf reader can be miniaturized and simplified.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a mark card handling device including the mark card reading device of the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the mark card reader of the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the guide plate of the mark card reading device of the embodiment from the inside. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the guide plate of the mark card reader of the embodiment from the outside. FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view for explaining a guide plate of the mark card reading device of the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view for explaining the position of the front end of the mark card when the rear end of the mark card passes through the reading unit in the mark card reading device of the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view for explaining the position of the front end of the mark card when the rear end of the mark card passes through the discharge roller in the mark card reading device of the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the mark card ejection method of the embodiment.

Hereinafter, examples of the paper leaf reader and the paper leaf discharge method disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the following examples do not limit the paper leaf reader and the paper leaf ejection method disclosed in the present application.

(Configuration of mark card handling device)
FIG. 1 is a front view showing a mark card handling device including the mark card reading device of the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the mark card handling device 1 of the embodiment is a so-called cashless voting device, and the mark card reading device 2 is incorporated. The mark card handling device 1 includes an insertion port 11 and a return port 17 of the mark card reading device 2, a receipt discharge port 5, a touch panel 6, a palm vein sensor 7, and a membership card reader 8.

The user specifies the voting content using the mark card 3. The mark card 3 is inserted into the insertion slot 11 by the user. The return port 17 ejects the mark card 3 returned to the user. The receipt discharge port 5 discharges the voting content receipt voted using the mark card 3. The palm vein sensor 7 reads the vein pattern of the user's palm and acquires the user's vein data. The member card reader 8 reads the member ID recorded on the member card from the member card and obtains it. The member card reader 8 reads the member ID from the member card by wireless communication at a short distance.

For convenience of explanation, when the mark card handling device 1 is viewed from the front side in FIG. 1, the width direction of the mark card handling device 1 is the X direction, the front-back direction of the mark card handling device 1 is the Y direction, and the mark card handling device 1 The vertical direction of is referred to as the Z direction. In the drawings after FIG. 1, the X, Y, and Z directions are shown as in FIG. 1. Further, in this embodiment, a mark card (mark sheet) 3 is used as an example of paper leaves, but the present invention is not limited to the mark card 3. Paper leaves also include securities such as voting tickets, banknotes, bills, checks, gift certificates, various securities, and stock certificates.

It should be noted that the paper leaves, like the mark card 3, have a predetermined thickness that generates an elastic force that returns to the original state when curved in an arc shape along the longitudinal direction, and have a crease or the like. Those that do not are preferable. As an example, the mark card 3 in the embodiment is applied to the mark card 3 for purchasing a voting ticket for a public competition such as horse racing. The mark card 3 has, for example, a short side (vertical) length of about 90 [mm] and a long side (horizontal) length of about 150 [mm], and is conveyed along the long side direction. NS.

(Configuration of mark card reader)
FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the mark card reading device 2 of the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the mark card reading device 2 of the embodiment conveys the insertion port 11 into which the user inserts the mark card 3 as paper leaves and the mark card 3 inserted from the insertion port 11. The road 12, the reading unit 13 that reads the information of the mark card 3 transported along the transport path 12, and the discharge port 14 that is provided at one end of the transport path 12 and discharges the mark card 3 that has passed through the reading unit 13. And.

Further, the mark card reading device 2 includes a return path 16 for returning the mark card 3 and a return port 17 provided at one end of the return path 16. The other end of the return path 16 is connected in the middle of the transfer path 12, branches from the insertion port 11 side of the transfer path 12, and extends to the front side of the mark card reading device 2. When the information of the mark card 3 cannot be read normally by the reading unit 13, the mark card reading device 2 retracts the mark card 3 along the transport path 12 and sends the mark card 3 to the return path 16. , Return the mark card 3 from the return port 17.

The mark card reading device 2 includes a pick roller 12a for pulling in the mark card 3 inserted from the insertion port 11, a set of discharge rollers 12b for discharging the mark card 3 from the discharge port 14, and a pick roller 12a and a discharge roller 12b. It has a plurality of sets of transport rollers 12c arranged in the transport path 12 between the two. The transport path 12 is provided along the horizontal direction, and the mark card 3 is transported along the horizontal direction by the transport roller 12c group. The transport roller 12 group is also provided in the return path 16. The pick roller 12a, the discharge roller 12b, and the transport roller 12c group are driven and controlled by a control unit (not shown) included in the mark card reading device 2.

The reading unit 13 includes a first image sensor 13A that reads a mark portion on the front surface (front surface) side of the mark card 3, and a second image sensor 13B that reads a mark portion on the back surface side of the mark card 3. The reading unit 13 is arranged in the order of the first image sensor 13A and the second image sensor 13B along the transport direction of the mark card 3 in the transport path 12. The first image sensor 13A is arranged on the upper side of the transport path 12. The second image sensor 13B is arranged below the transport path 12.

Further, in the transport path 12, a first position sensor 18A and a second position sensor 18B for detecting the position of the mark card 3 are arranged on the downstream side of the reading unit 13 in the transport direction of the mark card 3. As the first position sensor 18A and the second position sensor 18B, for example, an optical sensor is used, and includes a light emitting unit that emits detection light and a light receiving unit that receives the detection light emitted by the light emitting unit. The first position sensor 18A and the second position sensor 18B are connected to the control unit of the mark card reading device 2.

The first position sensor 18A is arranged in the vicinity of the transport roller 12c provided on the downstream side of the mark card 3 in the transport direction with respect to the second image sensor 13B of the reader 13, and has passed through the reader 13. The position of the rear end 3b of the mark card 3 is detected. The second position sensor 18B is arranged in the vicinity of the discharge roller 12b, and detects that the rear end 3b of the mark card 3 has passed through the discharge roller 12b.

The mark card reading device 2 of the present embodiment has a guide plate 21 as a guide member having a guide surface portion 22 for guiding the moving direction of the mark card 3 discharged from the discharge port 14 of the transport path 12, and the guide plate 21. A storage unit 23 for accumulating and accommodating the mark cards 3 ejected from the above is provided.

The guide plate 21 is attached to the back plate 19 on which the discharge port 14 of the transport path 12 is formed. As shown in FIG. 2, the guide plate 21 sends the mark card 3 below the discharge port 14 only by the guide surface portion 22, and is the discharge direction (Y1 direction) in which the mark card 3 is discharged from the discharge port 14. The mark card 3 is sent so as to change direction in the opposite direction (Y2 direction).

(Structure of guide plate)
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the guide plate 21 of the mark card reading device 2 of the embodiment from the inside. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the guide plate 21 of the mark card reading device 2 of the embodiment from the outside. FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view for explaining the guide plate 21 of the mark card reading device 2 of the embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the guide plate 21 is formed by bending, for example, a metal plate such as stainless steel into a polygonal cross section.

As shown in FIG. 5, the guide surface portion 22 of the guide plate 21 has a first inclined surface portion 22A, a vertical facing portion 22B, a second inclined surface portion 22C, and a horizontal surface portion 22D along the direction in which the mark card 3 is sent. The first inclined surface portion 22A is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (Y direction, XY plane), and is arranged so as to face the discharge port 14. The vertical facing portion 22B is continuously formed at the lower end of the first inclined surface portion 22A and extends vertically downward. The second inclined surface portion 22C is continuous with the vertical facing portion 22B and the lower end of the vertical facing portion 22B, and is inclined in the horizontal direction. The horizontal surface portion 22D is continuous with the second inclined surface portion 22C and extends in the horizontal direction.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a mounting portion 24a is formed along the vertical direction at the upper end of the first inclined surface portion 22A, and the mounting portion 24a is a back plate on which the discharge port 14 is formed. It is fixed to 19 with screws. The horizontal surface portion 22D is formed by bending the mounting portion 24b upward, and the mounting portion 24b is screwed and fixed to the back plate 19 on which the discharge port 14 is formed. The back plate 19 is formed with an opening 20 below the discharge port 14 through which the mark card 3 sent by the guide surface portion 22 passes.

As shown in FIG. 5, the cross-sectional shape formed by the first inclined surface portion 22A, the vertical facing portion 22B, and the second inclined surface portion 22C forms a part of a regular octagon in cross section. Therefore, the guide surface portion 22 is formed so that the internal angle θ formed by the first inclined surface portion 22A and the vertical facing portion 22B is about 135 °, and the internal angle θ formed by the vertical facing portion 22B and the second inclined surface portion 22C is about 135 °. Similarly, the internal angle θ formed by the second inclined surface portion 22C and the horizontal surface portion 22D is also formed to be about 135 °. In other words, the first inclined surface portion 22A and the second inclined surface portion 22C are formed so that the inclination angle with respect to the horizontal direction is about 45 °.

By having such a guide surface portion 22, the guide plate 21 smoothly curves the mark card 3 guided by the guide surface portion 22 in an arc shape along the long side of the mark card 3 to form the mark card 3. The direction of movement can be changed smoothly. Further, since the cross-sectional shape of the guide surface portion 22 is formed so as to form a part of a regular octagonal shape, it is only necessary to perform the minimum necessary bending process as compared with the process of bending the entire guide surface portion 22 in an arc shape. The guide surface portion 22 capable of stably feeding the mark card 3 is realized, the processing of the guide surface portion 22 is facilitated, and the stability of the shape of the guide surface portion 22 is enhanced.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the height from the lower end to the upper end of the first inclined surface portion 22A is set to H1, and the front end 3a of the mark card 3 discharged from the discharge port 14 along the horizontal direction (Y direction) is the first. When the height from the position P abutting the 1 inclined surface portion 22A to the upper end of the first inclined surface portion 22A is H2, the first inclined surface portion 22A is arranged so as to satisfy H2 = H1 / 4.

As a result, the guide plate 21 smoothly feeds the front end 3a of the mark card 3 in contact with the first inclined surface portion 22A downward along the first inclined surface portion 22A, and the front end of the mark card 3 discharged from the discharge port 14. It is possible to smoothly curve from the 3a side along the long side direction. Therefore, the mark card 3 discharged from the discharge port 14 is prevented from stopping the movement of the mark card 3 due to the sliding resistance between the front end 3a and the guide surface portion 22 in the middle of the path of the guide surface portion 22, and the mark is marked. The front end 3a of the card 3 can be smoothly moved to the horizontal surface portion 22D. Therefore, since the reliability of the feeding operation of the mark card 3 guided by the guide surface portion 22 is enhanced, it is possible to prevent the mark card 3 from being stopped in the middle of the feeding path and being clogged with the mark card 3.

In the horizontal direction, the separation distance between the contact position of the set of discharge rollers 12b and the inner surface of the first inclined surface portion 22A of the guide plate 21 is set to, for example, about 25 [mm]. When the front end 3a of the card 3 abuts on the first inclined surface portion 22A, the front end 3a side portion of the mark card 3 is smoothly curved along the inclination of the first inclined surface portion 22A.

Further, the total length of the path to which the mark card 3 is sent by the guide surface portion 22 of the guide plate 21 is longer than the total length (length of the long side) of the mark card 3 along this path, and the rear end 3b of the mark card 3 The front end 3a of the mark card 3 is located on the horizontal surface portion 22D when the mark card 3 passes through the discharge roller 12b (see FIG. 7). The path of the mark card 3 referred to here is a movement locus of the curved mark card 3, not a path along the surface of the guide surface portion 22. The position of the front end 3a of the mark card 3 when the rear end 3b of the mark card 3 passes through the discharge roller 12b is closer to the tip of the horizontal surface portion 22D (one end on the side opposite to the second inclined surface portion 22C side). However, the mark card 3 discharged from the guide plate 21 is preferable because it is easily separated from the horizontal surface portion 22D.

In this way, the front end 3a of the mark card 3 is supported by the horizontal surface portion 22D until the rear end 3b of the mark card 3 passes through the discharge roller 12b. Therefore, while the mark card 3 is being fed by the discharge roller 12b, the mark card 3 is supported by the horizontal surface portion 22D. The mark card 3 is kept in a curved state. As a result, when the rear end 3b of the mark card 3 passes through the discharge roller 12b, the momentum of the mark card 3 discharged by the discharge roller 12b, the weight of the mark card 3 sent below the discharge port 14, and the guide surface portion. Due to the synergistic action with the elastic force of the mark card 3 curved by 22, the front end 3a of the mark card 3 exceeds the tip of the horizontal surface portion 22D, and the mark card 3 is automatically ejected from the guide plate 21. At this time, the mark card 3 smoothly pops out from the guide plate 21 in the Y2 direction toward the front side of the mark card reading device 2 along the horizontal surface portion 22D. Therefore, the guide plate 21 guides the moving direction of the mark card 3 only by the guide surface portion 22 without using a drive structure such as a transport roller that conveys the mark card 3 along the guide surface portion 22 to guide the mark card 3. It can be smoothly sent to the accommodating portion 23.

Since the guide surface portion 22 of the guide plate 21 has the horizontal surface portion 22D, the mark card 3 is discharged toward the front side of the mark card reading device 2, and the mark card 3 is accumulated and accommodated below the horizontal surface portion 22D. Becomes possible. Therefore, from the viewpoint of downsizing the entire mark card reading device 2, it is preferable that the guide plate 21 has a horizontal surface portion 22D.

The vertical surface portion 22B of the guide surface portion 22 of the guide plate 21 is not limited to a posture extending strictly in the vertical direction, and the horizontal surface portion 22D is not limited to a posture extending strictly in the horizontal direction. For example, when the discharge direction of the mark card 3 discharged by the discharge roller 12b is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, the vertical facing portion 22B may be provided in a posture inclined with respect to the vertical direction, and the mark card 3 may be discharged. The direction in which the vertical surface portion 22B extends may be orthogonal to the discharge direction of the mark card 3 by the roller 12b. As long as the movement direction of the mark card 3 is guided by the guide plate 21 and the behavior of smooth feeding can be obtained as in the present embodiment, the transport path 12 for transporting the mark card 3 can be used as necessary. It may be tilted with respect to the horizontal direction.

The friction coefficient of the sheet member 25 is smaller than the friction coefficient of the guide surface portion 22 of the guide plate 21, and is formed of a resin material having lubricity. The sheet member 25 is curved in an arc shape along the path of the mark card 3 sent by the guide surface portion 22. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, both ends of the seat member 25 in the feeding direction of the mark card 3 are screwed and fixed to the guide surface portion 22 in a curved state. Therefore, between the seat member 25 and the guide surface portion 22, the angle formed by the first inclined surface portion 22A and the vertical surface portion 22B, the angle formed by the vertical facing portion 22B and the second inclined surface portion 22C, and the second inclined surface portion 22C Voids are formed at the corners formed by the horizontal surface portion 22D.

By providing the sheet material 25 on the guide surface portion 22 in this way, the frictional resistance between the front end 3a of the mark card 3 guided by the guide surface portion 22 and the guide surface portion 22 can be suppressed. Further, by providing the seat member 25 on the guide surface portion 22, it is possible to prevent the front end 3a of the mark card 3 from coming into contact with the corner of the guide surface portion 22. Therefore, the reliability of the feeding operation of the mark card 3 guided by the guide surface portion 22 can be improved.

As shown in FIG. 2, the accommodating portion 23 of the mark card reading device 2 is formed in a box shape and is provided below the mark card reading device 2. The accommodating portion 23 has an abutting surface portion 23A to which the front end 3a of the mark card 3 discharged in the horizontal direction from the horizontal surface portion 22D of the guide plate 21 abuts. The abutting surface portion 23A is provided on the front side of the mark card reading device 2, and intersects the horizontal direction (Y direction) in which the horizontal surface portion 22D of the guide plate 21 extends.

The mark card reading device 2 is not limited to the configuration provided with the accommodating unit 23, and an accommodating space for accommodating the mark card 3 ejected from the guide plate 21 is secured below the mark card reading device 2. It suffices if it is done.

(The action of the guide plate to guide the mark card)
FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the position of the front end 3a of the mark card 3 when the rear end 3b of the mark card 3 passes through the reading unit 13 in the mark card reading device 2 of the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, when a reading error occurs when the reading unit 13 reads information from the mark card 3, the control unit determines that the mark card 3 has an abnormality and ejects the information. Stop the roller 12b.

When such a reading error occurs, the mark card reading device 2 detects the passage of the rear end 3b of the mark card 3 by the first position sensor 18A, so that the mark card 3 that has passed through the reading unit 13 is ejected. Stop. Subsequently, the mark card reading device 2 reverses the discharge roller 12b and the transport roller 12c group to return the mark card 3 to the insertion port 11 side along the transport path 12 and send the mark card 3 to the return path 16. The mark card 3 sent to the return path 16 is discharged from the return port 17.

When the discharge roller 12b is stopped as described above, the front end 3a of the mark card 3 is located on the second inclined surface portion 22C of the guide plate 21, and is on the front end 3a side of the mark card 3 discharged from the discharge port 14. The portion is stopped in a semicircularly curved state by the guide surface portion 22. By stopping the front end 3a of the mark card 3 before reaching the horizontal surface portion 22D in this way, the elastic force of the mark card 3 is stored as the curved state of the front end 3a side portion of the mark card 3 becomes large. Is suppressed, and the sliding resistance between the front end 3a side portion and the guide surface portion 22 when the mark card 3 is pulled in from the discharge port 14 is suppressed. Therefore, the mark card reading device 2 smoothly draws the front end 3a side portion of the mark card 3 from the discharge port 14 along the guide surface portion 22 by reversing the discharge roller 12b, and sends the mark card 3 to the return path 16. The stability of the return operation of is improved.

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the position of the front end 3a of the mark card 3 when the rear end 3b of the mark card 3 passes through the discharge roller 12b in the mark card reading device 2 of the embodiment. In the mark card reading device 2, the mark card 3 is ejected by the ejection roller 12b, so that the front end 3a of the mark card 3 moves while sliding along the sheet member 25 of the guide surface portion 22, and the mark is marked by the guide surface portion 22. The card 3 is gradually curved along the long side direction. As shown in FIG. 7, when the mark card 3 is ejected by the ejection roller 12b, the mark card reading device 2 detects that the mark card 3 has passed through the ejection roller 12b by the second position sensor 18B.

When the rear end 3b of the mark card 3 passes through the discharge roller 12b, the front end 3a of the mark card 3 is located substantially at the center of the horizontal surface portion 22D of the guide plate 21 (approximately the center in the feed direction of the mark card 3). .. By supporting the front end 3a of the mark card 3 by the horizontal surface portion 22D in this way, the mark card 3 continues to be curved over the entire long side while the discharge roller 12b is feeding the mark card 3. 3 stores elastic force. Then, when the rear end of the mark card 3 is separated from the discharge roller, the momentum of the mark card discharged from the discharge roller, the weight of the mark card 3 sent below the discharge port 14, and the long side direction of the mark card 3 The mark card reader 2 automatically and smoothly ejects the mark card 3 from the guide plate 21 by synergistically utilizing the elastic force stored in the above. The mark card 3 ejected from the guide plate 21 is accumulated and accommodated at a predetermined position in the accommodating portion 23 when the front end 3a abuts against the abutting surface portion 23A of the accommodating portion 23 and is returned.

When the rear end 3b of the mark card 3 passes through the discharge roller 12b, the distance between the front end 3a of the mark card 3 and the tip of the horizontal surface portion 22D is about 20 [mm]. The length of the horizontal surface portion 22D with respect to the feeding direction is set.

If the length of the horizontal surface portion 22D in the feeding direction of the mark card 3 is too short, the front end 3a of the mark card 3 passes through the horizontal surface portion before the rear end 3b of the mark card 3 passes through the discharge roller 12b. The elastic force cannot be stored over the entire long side of the mark card 3, and the behavior of the mark card 3 discharged from the guide plate 21 may become unstable.

On the other hand, if the above-mentioned length of the horizontal surface portion 22D is too long, the distance between the front end 3a of the mark card 3 and the front end of the horizontal surface portion 22D when the rear end 3b of the mark card 3 passes through the discharge roller 12b becomes long. , The moving distance until the front end 3a of the mark card 3 passes through the horizontal surface portion 22D becomes long. Therefore, the sliding resistance of the mark card 3 discharged from the guide plate 21 becomes large, and the force of the mark card 3 to pop out from the guide plate 21 toward the front of the mark card reading device 2 is hindered, and the accommodating portion 23 receives. The accumulated state of the stored mark cards 3 may become unstable.

Therefore, when the rear end 3b of the mark card 3 passes through the discharge roller 12b, the front end 3a of the mark card 3 is located substantially in the center of the horizontal surface portion 22D, so that the mark card reader 2 guides the mark card 3 to the guide plate. The mark card 3 is automatically and smoothly ejected from the 21 and the mark card 3 is stably and stably accommodated in the accommodating portion 23 in an appropriate integrated state. Further, the mark card reading device 2 omits a mechanism for sending the mark card 3 to a predetermined position in the accommodating portion 23 by accumulating the mark card 3 in the accommodating portion 23 by the guide surface portion 22 of the guide plate 21. The accommodating portion 23 can be simply configured.

(Mark card ejection method)
The mark card ejection method using the mark card reading device 2 described above will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the mark card ejection method of the embodiment. In the mark card reading device 2, as shown in FIG. 7, the mark card 3 is conveyed along the conveying path 12 (step S1), and the information of the mark card 3 conveyed along the conveying path 12 is read by the reading unit 13. Reading (step S2), the mark card 3 whose information has been read by the reading unit 13 is ejected from the discharge port 14 of the transport path 12 (step S3).

Then, the mark card reading device 2 guides the mark card 3 discharged from the discharge port 14 downward (step S4) by only the guide surface portion 22 of the guide plate 21, and sends the mark card 3 below the discharge port 14. At the same time, the mark card 3 is sent so as to change its direction in the direction opposite to the discharge direction (Y1 direction) in which the mark card 3 is discharged from the discharge port 14 (Y2 direction). Finally, in the mark card reading device 2, the mark cards 3 ejected from the guide plate 21 are collected and stored in the accommodating portion 23 (step S5).

The mark card reading device 2 of the embodiment includes a guide plate 21 having a guide surface portion 22 for guiding the moving direction of the mark card 3 ejected from the discharge port 14, and the guide plate 21 is provided with the mark card only by the guide surface portion 22. 3 is sent below the discharge port 14 and the mark card 3 is sent so as to change the direction (Y2) opposite to the discharge direction (Y1) at which the mark card 3 is discharged from the discharge port 14. As a result, the mark card 3 is directly under the mark card reading device 2 only by the guide surface portion 22 of the simple guide plate 21 without using a transport roller or a drive mechanism for sending the mark card 3 discharged from the discharge port 14. Since it can be sent to the space, the projected area of the mark card reading device 2 on the horizontal plane does not increase, and it is possible to prevent the mark card reading device 2 from becoming larger on the outer peripheral side. Therefore, the mark card reading device 2 can be miniaturized and the configuration can be simplified. Further, according to the mark card reading device 2, it is possible to avoid complicating the control operation as in the case where the mark card 3 discharged from the discharge port 14 is fed by using a transport mechanism having a transport roller.

In addition, since the structure of the guide plate 21 for guiding the mark card 3 is simple, it is not necessary to change the control operation of the existing mark card reader simply by attaching the guide plate 21 to the discharge port 14, and the existing mark card It can be easily applied to a reading device.

Further, the guide surface portion 22 of the guide plate 21 included in the mark card reading device 2 of the embodiment is a first inclined surface portion 22A arranged so as to face the discharge port 14 and inclined in the horizontal direction, and a first inclined surface portion. A vertical facing portion 22B that extends vertically downward continuously to 22A, a second inclined surface portion 22C that is continuous with the vertical facing portion 22B and is inclined in the horizontal direction, and a second inclined surface portion 22C that is continuous and horizontally oriented. It has an extending horizontal surface portion 22D. As a result, the mark card 3 can be appropriately curved by the guide surface portion 22, and the moving direction of the mark card 3 can be smoothly changed. Therefore, even if the mark card reading device 2 has a structure for feeding the mark card 3 without using a transport roller or a drive mechanism, the mark card 3 can be smoothly guided and smoothly guided only by the guide surface portion 22 of the guide plate 21. Can be sent.

Further, in the guide plate 21 included in the mark card reading device 2 of the embodiment, the cross-sectional shape formed by the first inclined surface portion 22A, the vertical facing portion 22B, and the second inclined surface portion 22C forms a part of a regular octagon. As a result, it is possible to realize the guide surface portion 22 capable of stably feeding the mark card 3 by performing the minimum necessary bending process as compared with the processing of bending the entire guide surface portion 22 in an arc shape. Therefore, the guide surface portion 22 can be easily processed, and the stability of the shape of the guide surface portion 22 can be improved. Further, the guide surface portion 22 makes it possible to smoothly bend the mark card 3 in an arc shape, and the guide surface portion 22 can smoothly guide the moving direction of the mark card 3.

Further, in the mark card reading device 2 of the embodiment, the height from the lower end to the upper end of the first inclined surface portion 22A is set to H1, and the front end of the mark card 3 ejected from the discharge port 14 in the horizontal direction is first tilted. When the height from the position of contacting the surface portion 22A to the upper end of the first inclined surface portion 22A is H2, the first inclined surface portion 22A is arranged so as to satisfy H2 = H1 / 4. As a result, the guide plate 21 smoothly feeds the front end 3a of the mark card 3 in contact with the first inclined surface portion 22A downward along the first inclined surface portion 22A, and the front end of the mark card 3 discharged from the discharge port 14. It is possible to smoothly curve from the 3a side along the long side direction. Therefore, the mark card 3 discharged from the discharge port 14 is prevented from stopping the movement of the mark card 3 due to the sliding resistance between the front end 3a and the guide surface portion 22 in the middle of the guide surface portion 22, and the mark card 3 is prevented from moving. The front end 3a of the above can be smoothly moved to the horizontal surface portion 22D. Therefore, since the reliability of the feeding operation of the mark card 3 guided by the guide surface portion 22 is enhanced, it is possible to prevent the mark card 3 from being clogged with the guide plate 21 by stopping in the middle of being fed.

Further, in the mark card reading device 2 of the embodiment, the total length of the path to which the mark card 3 is sent by the guide surface portion 22 of the guide plate 21 is longer than the total length of the mark card 3 along this path, and the mark card 3 When the rear end 3b passes through the discharge roller 12b, the front end 3a of the mark card 3 is located on the horizontal surface portion 22D. As a result, when the rear end 3b of the mark card 3 passes through the discharge roller 12b, the momentum of the mark card 3 discharged by the discharge roller 12b, the weight of the mark card 3 sent below the discharge port 14, and the guide surface portion. The mark card 3 can be automatically ejected from the guide plate 21 by a synergistic action with the elastic force of the mark card 3 curved by 22. Further, the guide plate 21 can smoothly feed the mark card 3 to the accommodating portion 23 only by the guide surface portion 22 without using a drive structure such as a transport roller that conveys the mark card 3 along the guide surface portion 22. ..

Further, the guide surface portion 22 of the guide plate 21 included in the mark card reading device 2 of the embodiment is provided with a sheet member 25 with which the mark card 3 is in sliding contact. It is curved along the route to which it is sent. As a result, the frictional resistance between the front end 3a of the mark card 3 guided by the guide surface portion 22 and the guide surface portion 22 can be suppressed. Further, since the seat member 25 provided on the guide surface portion 22 prevents the front end 3a of the mark card 3 from coming into contact with the corner of the guide surface portion 22, the reliability of the feeding operation of the mark card 3 guided by the guide surface portion 22 is reliable. Can be enhanced.

Further, the mark card reading device 2 of the embodiment includes an accommodating portion 23 provided below the horizontal surface portion 22D of the guide plate 21 and accommodating and accommodating the mark cards 3 discharged from the horizontal surface portion 22D. The accommodating portion 23 has an abutting surface portion 23A to which the front end 3a of the mark card 3 ejected from the horizontal surface portion 22D abuts. Since the position of the mark card 3 ejected from the guide plate 21 is regulated by the abutting surface portion 23A, the mark card 3 can be stably accommodated in the accommodating portion 23 in an appropriate integrated state.

1 Mark card handling device 2 Mark card reader (paper leaf reader)
3 Mark card (paper leaves)
3a Front end 3b Rear end 11 Insertion port 12 Transport path 12b Discharge roller 13 Reading unit 13A 1st image sensor 13B 2nd image sensor 14 Discharge port 21 Guide plate (guide member)
22 Guide surface part 22A 1st inclined surface part 22B Vertical surface part 22C 2nd inclined surface part 22D Horizontal part 23 Accommodation part 23A Butt surface part 25 Seat member

Claims (7)

A transport path for transporting paper leaves and
A reading unit that is placed in the transport path and reads information on paper sheets,
A discharge port provided at one end of the transport path and for discharging paper sheets that have passed through the reading unit.
A guide member provided at the discharge port and having a guide surface portion for guiding the moving direction of the paper sheets discharged from the discharge port is provided.
The guide surface portion of the guide member is a first inclined surface portion that is arranged to face the discharge port and is inclined with respect to the transport direction along the transport path, and the first inclined surface portion is continuous with the transport direction. An orthogonal surface portion extending downward so as to be orthogonal to the It has a parallel surface portion extending to, and only by the guide surface portion, the paper leaves are sent below the discharge port and the paper leaves are discharged in the direction opposite to the discharge direction in which the paper leaves are discharged from the discharge port. A paper leaf reader that sends to change direction. The cross-sectional shape formed by the first inclined surface portion, the orthogonal surface portion, and the second inclined surface portion forms a part of a regular octagon.
The paper leaf reading device according to claim 1. The height from the lower end to the upper end of the first inclined surface portion is set to H1, and the front end of the paper sheets discharged from the discharge port in the horizontal direction abuts on the first inclined surface portion of the first inclined surface portion. When the height to the upper end is H2, the first inclined surface portion is arranged so as to satisfy H2 = H1 / 4.
The paper leaf reader according to claim 1 or 2. A discharge roller for discharging paper sheets is provided at the discharge port.
The total length of the path through which the paper sheets are sent by the guide surface portion of the guide member is longer than the total length of the paper sheets along the path, and when the rear end of the paper sheets passes through the discharge roller, the paper The paper leaf reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the front end of the leaves is located on the parallel surface portion. A sheet member with which paper sheets are in sliding contact is provided on the guide surface portion of the guide member.
The sheet member is curved along a path through which paper sheets are sent by the guide surface portion.
The paper leaf reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A housing portion provided below the parallel surface portion of the guide member and accommodating and accommodating paper sheets discharged from the parallel surface portion is further provided.
The accommodating portion has an abutting surface portion to which the front end of the paper sheets discharged from the parallel surface portion abuts.
The paper leaf reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. Information on paper leaves transported along the transport path is read by the reader,
The paper sheets whose information has been read by the reading unit are discharged from the discharge port of the transport path.
A first inclined surface portion that is arranged to face the discharge port and is inclined with respect to the transport direction along the transport path, and an orthogonal surface that is continuous with the first inclined surface portion and extends downward so as to be orthogonal to the transport direction. A guide having a surface portion, a second inclined surface portion continuous with the orthogonal surface portion and inclined with respect to the transport direction, and a parallel surface portion continuous with the second inclined surface portion and extending in parallel with the transport direction. face with a guide member provided is a paper sheet discharged from said discharge port, said guide face by only discharging direction paper sheet from the discharge port and sends downward the discharge port is discharged A method of discharging paper leaves that sends the paper leaves in the opposite direction.

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