EP0523305B1 - Device for handling securities such as banknotes, comprising satellite wheels - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to the processing of securities, in particular banknotes.

In a known automatic dispenser, the banknotes are extracted from a cassette and then driven in translation by a roller conveyor. They then arrive on a group of one or more impellers. Each ticket enters an inter-blade space. The movement of the wheel brings it to a receptacle where the banknote will abut, almost flat, to stack with other banknotes. The battery thus obtained is finally delivered to the user.

A cash dispenser must be fast, with maximum operational reliability for both the banker and his client.

The paddlewheel devices, which have their own technical limits, are not entirely satisfactory.

• un premier et un second galets en contact, propres a assurer la translation d'une feuille à la fois, ledit premier galet étant apte à entraîner ledit second galet,
• un réceptacle comportant un premier flan formant butée pour arrêter une feuille et permettre son empilement sur un second flan, et
• des moyens de transfert de feuilles une par une entre la sortie des premier et second galets d'entrée et ce réceptacle, comportant :
  • * un premier moteur apte à faire tourner à vitesse contrôlée un axe,
  • * un galet central, solidaire de l'axe,
  • * un équipage mobile à rotation coaxialement au galet central, et porteur d'au moins un galet périphérique fou, rappelé élastiquement vers ledit galet, pour autoriser son entraînement par friction, cet équipage possédant une position d'attente dans laquelle le point de tangence du galet central et du galet fou est sensiblement dans l'axe du point de tangence des premier et second galets,
  • * un second moteur apte à faire tourner, autour de l'axe, ledit équipage mobile par l'intermédiaire d'un premier moyen d'entraînement, et
  • * des moyens de commande comprenant un détecteur de feuilles, et aptes à commander les premier et second moteurs en fonction d'une avance prédéterminée d'une feuille détectée par ledit détecteur, afin d'entraîner le galet central et l'équipage mobile en un mouvement angulaire conjoint, lequel mouvement comporte un écart de vitesse angulaire qui permet de libérer la feuille pour qu'elle tombe dans le réceptacle.

Also known in a very different field, that of photocopiers and more generally printing, a sheet processing device of the type comprising:

• first and second rollers in contact, suitable for translating one sheet at a time, said first roller being capable of driving said second roller,
• a receptacle comprising a first blank forming a stop to stop a sheet and allow it to be stacked on a second blank, and
• means for transferring sheets one by one between the output of the first and second input rollers and this receptacle, comprising:
  • * a first motor capable of rotating an axis at controlled speed,
  • * a central roller, integral with the axis,
  • * a mobile assembly rotating coaxially with the central roller, and carrying at least one idler peripheral roller, resiliently biased towards said roller, to allow its friction drive, this crew having a waiting position in which the point of tangency of the central roller and idler roller is substantially in the axis of the point of tangency of the first and second rollers,
  • a second motor capable of rotating, around the axis, said mobile assembly by means of a first drive means, and
  • * control means comprising a sheet detector, and capable of controlling the first and second motors as a function of a predetermined advance of a sheet detected by said detector, in order to drive the central roller and the moving equipment in one joint angular movement, which movement includes an angular speed difference which makes it possible to release the sheet so that it falls into the receptacle.

This device known by publication JP-A-59069341 of April 19, 1984, teaches a device for processing sheets, the purpose of which is to transfer, with 180 ° reversal with respect to the initial orientation, a sheet of paper of the type of those used in photocopiers ("A3" or "A4" format), or in printing presses (Journal format). In fact, this device was designed to allow control of the text printed on the face of a large format sheet.

The present invention proposes a device of the type described above, but in which the securities to be processed are not sheets, but bank notes.

The device according to the invention provides that the first blank of said receptacle comprises a notch capable of being traversed by the periphery of the central roller and part of the movable assembly, with the idler roller, and that the control means produce said deviation from angular speed without recoil of the central roller, so that the idler roller exceeds the end of the ticket before it meets the first blank of the receptacle.

In practice, the periphery of the central roller and part of the mobile assembly, with the idler roller, will cross the first blank by a notch that is significantly narrower than the ticket being transferred, which makes it possible to stop the ticket in its progression so that it can be housed horizontally in the receptacle.

Of course, there can be several central roller systems and idler roller, if the width of the note (s) requires it.

More particularly, the movable assembly comprises, for each idler roller, a bracket in the general shape of a coated U, one end of which is mounted for independent rotation coaxially with the central roller, while the other supports the idler roller, the opening in U being turned towards the conveyor in said waiting position.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the first motor is capable of driving the central roller at constant speed on the order of the control means.

In this way, it is not useful to provide a clean motor to drive in rotation, in two opposite directions, the central roller.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the device also comprises a second drive means, of the belt type, capable of coupling said axis carrying the central roller, to an axis integral with the first roller, which allows rotating said central roller and said first roller simultaneously at substantially equal speeds.

Thus, a single motor makes it possible to drive both the central roller and the first roller in rotation. Preferably, the belt is notched. However, if necessary, a third motor can be provided, independent of the first motor to drive the first roller.

Furthermore, the mobile assembly may include three brackets regularly distributed at 120 ° and each supporting a loose roller.

Thus, it is now possible to transfer up to three tickets by driving the mobile equipment in a rotation of a full turn, which significantly increases the yield.

The control means advantageously consist of at least one stepping motor, for precisely controlling the angular displacement of the moving element.

According to a particularly important aspect of the invention, an elastic strip is provided to allow the elastic return of the idler roller towards the central roller, which return is adjusted according to the thickness and the stiffness of the tickets.

• la figure 1 illustre schématiquement un dispositif à roues à aubes selon la technique antérieure;
• la figure 2 illustre en perspective la structure détaillée d'un moyen de transfert selon la présente invention;
• la figure 3 illustre de façon schématique et plus particulière un mode de réalisation de l'entraînement du dispositif selon l'invention;
• la figure 4 est une vue en perspective permettant de mieux comprendre le dispositif, tel qu'illustré sur la figure 3; et
• les figures 5A à 5F sont des schémas très simplifiés permettant de mieux comprendre le fonctionnement des moyens d'entraînement selon l'invention.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, as well as the appended drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 schematically illustrates a paddle wheel device according to the prior art;
• Figure 2 illustrates in perspective the detailed structure of a transfer means according to the present invention;
• Figure 3 illustrates schematically and more particularly an embodiment of the drive of the device according to the invention;
• Figure 4 is a perspective view to better understand the device, as illustrated in Figure 3; and
• Figures 5A to 5F are very simplified diagrams for better understanding the operation of the drive means according to the invention.

The accompanying drawings essentially contain elements of a certain nature. They therefore form an integral part of the description. As such, they can not only help to better understand it, but also contribute to the definition of the invention, if necessary.

In FIG. 1, the reference 1 designates the outlet of a roller conveyor, which carries a ticket B. We see here the last train of rollers, consisting of four pairs of rollers each comprising an upper roller 10 and a lower roller 11 , with a specific suffix for each pair. Such a dispenser is intended for several types of tickets. It is designed for banknotes with the largest dimensions.

In the previous embodiments, one or more impellers are mounted on the shaft of a motor 40, which may be a stepping motor. We see here three paddle wheels 5-1 to 5-3, only the blades of the wheel 5-1 being represented schematically, to simplify the drawing.

The stacking and bundling receptacle for banknotes consists mainly of two blanks 61 and 62. They form an angle close to 90 ° between them. The vertical blank 61 is indented at 61-1, 61-2 and 61-3 to allow the passage of the three impellers 5-1 to 5-3.

The stack of banknotes finally obtained is illustrated at P in the receptacle.

FIG. 2 illustrates in more detail one of the banknote transfer members capable of replacing the impellers, on its axis 7.

This axis 7 supports a pulley 79 for toothed belt and a so-called "central" roller 70.

This assembly can therefore rotate freely, driven by the pulley 79. The drive is done at constant speed, and can be provided by a stepping motor, or by a regulated DC motor, or in direct connection with the transport upstream ticket.

On this assembly, by ball bearing, is mounted the movable assembly which comprises a front flange 80-A, the latter secured to a pulley 89 suitable for driving by toothed belt, and a rear flange 80-R. These flanges include three brackets, distinguished by the suffixes 1, 2 and 3. We will only describe one of them.

These brackets consist of side blanks 91-1 and 92-1, joined by a spacer 93-1.

The cutting of the flanges 80-A and 80-R means that the side blanks 91-1 and 92-1 of a bracket define a shape of a lying U, open here to the left.

The side blanks 91-1 and 92-1 define the upper part of the U. Near their free end, they support a peripheral roller 90-1. The axis of this roller is recalled towards the central roller 70 by elastic strips such as 94-1, and its rear counterpart which is better seen in 94-2 on the suffixed stem 2.

The drawing also shows, in 95-2 and 96-2, supports for the axes incorporated in the side blanks 91-2 and 92-2, respectively.

This mobile assembly therefore consists of three idle rollers, mounted on their respective brackets, and resiliently recalled by the lamellae 94 towards the central roller 70, under controlled force.

Of course, on the shaft 7, it is possible to mount several crews of this type, if the width of the tickets or tickets so requires.

It is immediately noted that these devices have a relatively smaller radial size than traditional impellers.

Furthermore, part of the device will pass through the notches such as 61-1 to 61-3, formed in the vertical blank of the dressed receptacle, as illustrated in FIG. 1 for the prior art.

As previously indicated, the central roller can be driven at constant speed by a stepping motor or by a DC motor or by direct drive with the upstream transport. Its drive does not necessarily have to be synchronized with that of the peripheral roller, as soon as the speed is properly stabilized.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, the central roller 70 is split in 70A and 70B and driven, via the pulley 79, by the rollers 83 and 86 of the input conveyor. The moving equipment consists of blanks 91, 92 and idler rollers 90A and 90B, also split.

A pulley 89 formed on the blank 92 is driven by a toothed belt 75 from a drive pulley 78 mounted on a shaft 77. Controlled drive means MC act on the shaft 77 to carry out the drive of the blanks such as 92 and therefore rollers such as 90A and 90B. These drive means are for example a stepping motor, associated with an open loop drive servo.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 5A to 5F.

In FIG. 5A, the axis of the idler roller 90 is substantially vertical to the axis of the central roller 70, so that the point of tangency between these two rollers is substantially in the axis of output of the input conveyor tickets B (Figure 1). The central roller 70 rotates at constant speed, and consequently drives the idler roller 90 to rotate at the same linear speed, its axis however remaining stationary.

A ticket B arrives at the same linear speed, and engages between the two rollers 90 and 70. It is recalled that the pressure of the roller 90 on the roller 70 is adjusted by the strips 94, taking into account the thickness and the rigidity of the tickets.

In FIG. 5B, the banknote B has started to penetrate between the two rollers 90 and 70.

In FIG. 5C, the ticket B has advanced, and its right end reaches the point where a detector D operates.

This detector is located in a predetermined position relative to the standby position of the roller 90. Its location is preferably provided outside the area where the blanks 91 and 92 operate. It can be a banknote detector arranged in the manner of a photoelectric barrier, or better of a banknote detector by reflection of an optical signal, for example.

As soon as the detector has perceived the arrival of the end of the ticket, the roller 90 is then driven by its moving assembly at an angular speed greater than that of the central roller 70. The means described in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4 therefore enter in office.

The axis with the roller 90 will then now progress towards the right end of the ticket B, while the roller 90 nevertheless rolls on the central roller 70, and therefore continues to ensure with it the maintenance of the ticket.

The angular speed imparted to the mobile assembly is adjusted so that, in the position of FIG. 5E, the roller 90 has passed the right end of the bill, which is therefore then released, but in a position where it will be able to tilt to fall on the bottom of the receptacle 6.

After that, the roller 90 which, with part of the movable assembly and the central roller 70, will have passed through a notch in the blank 61, will return at high speed to the waiting position illustrated in FIG. 5F.

This description assumes that there is only one crazy pebble. When there are several, it is of course not the same roller, but its immediate follower in a clockwise direction which will come to be placed in the waiting position.

It is noted for this purpose that with two rollers distributed at 180 °, there will immediately exist a roller in the waiting position, as soon as the one who has just worked will have released the ticket in the receptacle consisting of the blanks 61 and 62.

The device according to the invention is particularly advantageous in that it allows the processing of many types of tickets with a simple, space-saving system, practically requiring only a presence detector, and above all permanently ensuring the maintenance of the ticket. until it is placed in the receptacle 6.

We have described above a certain drive system for the mobile unit or units. Of course, those skilled in the art will be able to make many variations. Likewise, although two or three groups of rollers 90 are currently preferred, a higher number is conceivable.

Claims (9)

1. Device for handling securities, of the type comprising:

   - first (83) and second (86) wheels in contact with one another adapted to ensure the translation of one security at a time, the said first wheel (83) being adapted to drive the said second wheel (86),

   - a receptacle (6) including a first blank (61) forming a stop for a security and allowing it to be stacked on a second blank (62), and

   - means (5) for transferring securities one by one between the outlet of the first (83) and second (86) inlet wheels and this receptacle, including:

   * a first motor adapted to rotate a shaft (7) at a controlled speed,

   * a central wheel (70) integral with the shaft (7),

   * a moving element rotating coaxially with the central wheel (70) and bearing at least one peripheral idler (90) spring-loaded towards the said wheel (70) in order to allow it to be driven by friction, this element having a ready position in which the tangent point of the central wheel and of the idler is substantially in line with the tangent point of the first (83) and second (86) wheels,

   * a second motor adapted to rotate the said moving element about the shaft (7) by means of a first drive means (75), and

   * control means (MC) comprising a security detector (D) and adapted to control the first and second motors as a function of a predetermined feed of a security detected by the said detector in order to drive the central wheel and the moving element in a joint angular movement, this movement including an angular speed deviation allowing the security to be freed so that it falls into the receptacle,

   characterised in that, as the securities are banknotes, the first blank (61) of the said receptacle (6) comprises a notch (61-1 to 61-3) adapted to be traversed by the periphery of the central wheel (70) and part of the moving element, together with the idler (90), and
   in that the control means produce the said angular speed deviation without a backward movement by the central wheel, so that the idler moves beyond the end of the security before the latter meets the first blank (61) of the receptacle (6).
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the moving element comprises for each idler (90) a bracket (91-92) generally in the shape of an inverted U, one end of which is mounted to rotate independently and coaxially with the central wheel, while the other end supports the idler, the U-shaped opening being directed towards the conveyor in the said ready position.
3. Device according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the first motor is adapted to drive the central wheel (70) at a constant speed by order of the control means (MC).
4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that it also comprises a second drive means (85) adapted to couple the said shaft (7) bearing the central wheel (70) to a shaft (84) integral with the first wheel (83) so that the said central wheel (70) and the said first wheel (83) can be rotated simultaneously at substantially equal speeds.
5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the first (75) and second (85) drive means are belts.
6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the moving element comprises three brackets distributed at regular intervals of 120° and each supporting an idler (90).
7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that at least one of the motors is a stepping motor.
8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the security detector (D) is disposed downstream of the ready position of the idler (90) in a predetermined position.
9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a resilient strip (94-1 to 94-3) is provided to allow for the spring-loading of the idler (90) towards the central roller (70), this spring-loading being adjusted as a function of the thickness and rigidity of the banknotes.

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