JPH11161831A - Card set for card issuing device and card issuing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a card set capable of surely taking out only one card in a card issuing device and of preventing the occurrence of overlapped feeding or unfeeding. SOLUTION: When a card 1 stored in a case body receives a delivery force from a pickup roller 51, the tip of the card 1 on the top surface moves forward so as to be abutted upon a taper shape part 115 formed near to a card discharge port 4. The top surface card 1 directly receiving the delivery force moves to the card discharge port 4 while being warped so as to run up onto the taper part 115 by the stiffness of the card 1 itself. On the other hand, subsequent cards stay on an abutted position without receiving a delivery force strong enough to resist against the resistance force of the taper shape part 115 and being warped along the taper shape part 115. When the pickup roller 51 is retreated, the roller 51 is restricted to a position abutted on a projected part 118 of a ceiling part 111, so that the roller 51 is not detached from the taper shape part 115 and occurrence of overlapped feeding can be prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a card cassette and a card issuing device for a card issuing device used in a convenience store for issuing various cards, for example, a prepaid card such as a telephone card.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the spread of prepaid cards represented by telephone cards in recent years, various card issuing devices for handling thin and flexible cards have been proposed and put into practical use. As an example, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-92
Referring to Japanese Patent Publication No. 876, an issuing device in which about 50 prepaid cards of different types such as face value and pattern are stored in advance in a plurality of card cassettes, and these card cassettes are covered with a common opening / closing door. The card is set in advance in a cassette mounting portion in the main body, and when a card issuance request is made, one card is taken out of a card cassette containing a target card by a pickup roller and is issued from a card issuing port. There is something like that. Each card is stored in a sealed card cassette,
In addition, setting the door in the cassette mounting section in the main body of the issuing device and closing it with the keyed door prevents the key of the door from being operated directly by anyone other than the person in charge, so that the card can be removed, stolen, and other financially. This is to eliminate trouble occurrence factors as much as possible. With regard to a card cassette for storing a plurality of cards in a stacked state, a narrow slit-shaped card ejection port for taking out only one card is formed on one end face of a rectangular box-shaped case main body. In general, the card is ejected through an ejection port. A roller entry opening is formed on one surface of the case body of the card cassette so that the pickup roller enters the card body so as to come into contact with the topmost card in the case body.

In such a card issuing apparatus, when looking at the configuration around the cassette mounting section, a mounting section for mounting the card cassettes in a stacked state is formed, and a pickup means including a pickup roller for each card cassette is provided. They are arranged individually. Therefore, only one target card is taken out from the card cassette by rotating the pickup roller corresponding to the target card cassette by bringing the pickup roller into contact with the card by the solenoid, and is issued from the corresponding card issuing port.

[0004]

In a card issuing apparatus of this type, it is important that when a card issuance command is issued, only one corresponding card be issued without causing double feed or non-feed. It is. In this regard, according to the conventional card issuing apparatus, a limiter having a width of one card is provided outside the card cassette and on the card conveyance path, and two cards are managed by the width management of the limiter. It is regulated so that it is not issued repeatedly. However, in this method, it is difficult to control the dimensions of the limiter width, and the thickness of the card may be different if the standard and type of the card used are different, for example,
If the storage position of the card cassette is not fixed and the degree of freedom in selection of the storage position is given, matching with the limiter located outside the cassette cannot be taken, and double feed or non-feed may occur. .

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a card cassette and a card issuing device for a card issuing device which can reliably take out only one card and prevent double feed and non-feed. And

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
A box-shaped case having a slit-shaped card outlet formed on one side of the end face and a roller entry opening for allowing a pickup roller to enter in the card stacking direction, and capable of storing a plurality of cards in a stacked state. A main body, and a convex portion formed on the ceiling surface of the card outlet side closer to the card outlet side than the center position of the case main body with a projecting amount smaller than the amount of entrance of the pickup roller, and stored in the case main body in a stacked state. Storing means for pressing the card toward the pickup roller side while pressing the card toward the pickup roller so that the leading end of the card is lower than the card discharge port; and a card discharge port formed near the card discharge port and provided by the pickup roller. Guides the leading end of the topmost card sent out to the card ejection port while warping the tip so that the pickup side becomes concave. And a shaped portion.

Therefore, when the card stored in the case body while receiving the pushing force receives the repeated output by the pickup roller, the top end of the card on the most front side comes into contact with the tapered portion near the card discharge port. move on. At this time, the topmost card directly receiving the repetitive output by the pickup roller abuts against the tapered portion due to its own waist strength, and then the card is ejected while warping so as to ride on the tapered portion. Get out at the exit.
In addition, since the second and subsequent cards from the outermost position do not receive repetitive output that overcomes the resistance due to the tapered portion, they cannot bend in accordance with the tapered portion, stay at the abutted position, and cause double feed. Is prevented. At this time, double feed can be prevented also by the fact that several cards abut against the tapered portion to form a gap between the card front ends and easily separate the cards. In addition, since the first card to be removed from the card ejection port is warped so that the pickup roller side is concave, a force is exerted on the second and subsequent cards in a direction that makes it difficult to eject the card. This also prevents double feed. Furthermore, the movement of the card in the tapered portion changes between the first and second cards into a kinetic friction state to facilitate movement.
Prevention of double feeding is also achieved by maintaining the third card in a static friction state and making it difficult to move. On the other hand, at the end of drawing the first card, in a state where the pickup roller is retracted and its repetitive output is released, the second and subsequent cards are pushed up to the ceiling side by the pushing up force, and the second card is May be taken out by the first card in the process of being pulled out due to being disengaged from the tapered portion, but the second card and the subsequent cards come into contact with the convex portion formed on the ceiling surface to restrict the push-up position. As a result, the second card does not come off the tapered portion, and double feed due to the accompanying movement is prevented. Since this protrusion is formed with a protrusion amount smaller than the amount of entry of the pickup roller, there is no hindrance to the original feeding operation by the pickup roller. Therefore, double feeding of cards can be prevented by devising the structure of the storage means of the card cassette itself. Further, in the card cassette alone state, the push-up position of the built-in card is restricted to a position where it comes into contact with the convex portion, and there is no card facing the card ejection port. There is no chance that the card will slip out.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the card cassette for a card issuing device according to the first aspect, a plurality of projections are formed in the same shape in the cassette width direction. Therefore, the double feed prevention function can be exerted uniformly and stably without shifting in the cassette width direction.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the card cassette for a card issuing device according to the first or second aspect, the convex portion is formed near the card outlet and at a position corresponding to a pickup roller that enters. ing. Therefore, the convex portion is not particularly limited as long as it is located on the card ejection port side from the center position. However, by forming the convex portion at a position corresponding to the pickup roller, it is possible to prevent double feeding after retracting the pickup roller at a position corresponding to the pickup roller. The function can be exerted, and eventually, the double feed prevention function is always stably exhibited at the same position regardless of the approaching / retreating state of the pickup roller.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in a card cassette for a card issuing device according to the first, second or third aspect,
The protrusion is formed in an arc shape in the card drawing direction. Therefore, the shape of the convex portion is not particularly limited, but by forming the convex portion in an arc shape in the card drawing direction, the convex portion comes into line contact with a card that can be pushed up and moved in the drawing direction at all. And prevent double feed without damaging the card.

[0011] The card issuing device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention provides
5. The card cassette according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein a part of the support comes into contact with a part of a case body of the card cassette, whereby the amount of entry from the roller entry opening is regulated, and the case is provided. The pickup device includes a pickup roller that comes into contact with the topmost card stored in the main body so as to come into contact with and separate from the card, and a conveyance roller that further conveys the card drawn by the pickup roller.

Therefore, the amount of the pickup roller entering the case body of the card cassette is always constant, and a stable repetitive output can be applied to the card at all times. Can be prevented from occurring. Also,
When the topmost one card is transported by the transport roller, the second card in the card cassette does not move and is not double-fed.

[0013]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As one embodiment of the card issuing apparatus of the present invention, in a store such as a convenience store or the like, a desired prepaid card is placed in parallel with a POS (Points Of Sales) terminal, and a desired prepaid card is stored in accordance with a command from a host such as a POS terminal. Applies to devices that issue one by one.

<Basic Description> First, an exploded perspective view of a main part shown in FIG. 1, a perspective view around a cassette rack shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic front view showing the entire unit, FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing the entire unit, FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view and a side view of the carrier unit, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the card cassette. The basic configuration and basic operation of the card issuing device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

A. Basic Configuration The card issuing apparatus according to the present embodiment is configured to be able to issue ten types of cards 1 having different denominations and patterns, and a plurality of different cards 1 having the same size and the same shape and different from each other in advance.
Here, ten rectangular box-shaped card cassettes 2 each containing 50 sheets are prepared. Each of the card cassettes 2 has a case body 3 having the same size and the same shape and formed in a rectangular parallelepiped box shape. A slit-shaped card discharge port 4 is formed on the upper end side of the front end surface of each case body 3,
A roller entry opening 5 for allowing a pickup roller, which will be described later, to enter the case body 3 is provided on the upper surface side.
Are formed. Further, a concave portion 6 for taking out a cassette which penetrates vertically in one side surface on the rear side of the case body 3.
Are formed.

On the lower side of the apparatus main body 10, drive sources such as a carrier motor 11, which is a DC servo motor for moving a carrier, a pulse motor 12 for conveying a cassette, and a pulse motor 13 for conveying a card, and a base plate on which other components are mounted. A cassette rack 15 is provided on the base plate 14.
Is erected. In the cassette rack 15, a cassette storage portion 18 for ten card cassettes 2 is vertically partitioned by both side plates 16a and 16b and a plurality of partition plates 17. The front and rear directions of these cassette storage portions 18 are all kept open, the front is a cassette outlet 19, and the rear closed by a not-shown opening / closing door is a cassette insertion opening 20. Therefore, by inserting each card cassette 2 into the cassette storage section 18 from the cassette insertion slot 20 side, these card cassettes 2 are stored in the cassette rack 15 in a stacked state so as to be able to be taken out from the cassette outlet 19 side. Will be. On one side plate 16a of the cassette rack 15, draw-out grooves 22 are formed in the front-rear direction (horizontal direction) for each cassette accommodating portion 18, and the cassette insertion openings 2 of these draw-out grooves 22 are formed.
The end on the 0 side communicates with a vertical common groove 23 formed vertically so as to cross all the cassette storage sections 18.
The position of the vertical common groove 23 is set so as to correspond to the position of the concave portion 6 of the card cassette 2 stored at a regular position in the cassette storage portion 18.

Next, between the base plate 14 and the ceiling plate 30 in the apparatus main body 10, two round shafts 31, 32 are arranged along the cassette rack 15 on the side plate 16a side.
Is rotatably mounted. Around the cassette rack 15, there is provided a carrier unit 33 which is guided by these round shafts 31 and 32 and which can move up and down over all the cassette storage sections 18.
The carrier unit 33 constitutes a main part of a carrier device 34 functioning as a guide device. The carrier unit 33 is attached to the base plate 14 and is attached to the drive pulley 35 driven forward and reverse by the carrier motor 11 and the ceiling plate 30. Is locked to a part of the timing belt 37 stretched between the driven unit 36 and the driven pulley 36.
3 is configured to reciprocate up and down.

Further, there is provided a cassette drawer 40 for moving the card cassette 2 stored in the cassette storage section 18 of the cassette rack 15 so as to protrude from the cassette outlet 19 side. This cassette drawer 4
Reference numeral 0 denotes a slider 43 with a rack 42 supported slidably in the front-rear direction with respect to the carrier unit 33.
And a pull-in pin 44, which is formed on the rear side of the slider 43 and protrudes to a position crossing the side plate 16a and is a claw body that is selectively engaged with and disengaged from the recess 6 of the card cassette 2, as an operating portion 45 (see FIG. 5), a gear 46 serving as a rotating body as a driving force transmitting means meshing with the rack 42 of the slider 43 is also mounted on the carrier unit 33. That is, the operating unit 45 and the gear 46, which constitute the main parts of the cassette drawer 40, are mounted on the carrier unit 33. The draw-in pins 44 are formed smaller than these groove widths so as to freely move in the draw-out groove 22 in the horizontal direction and freely move in the vertical common groove 23 in the vertical direction. .

The cassette pulling device 40 is driven by the cassette transport pulse motor 12. A transmission gear 48 meshing with the motor gear 47 of the cassette transport pulse motor 12 is attached to the lower end of the round shaft 31. The rotation of the round shaft 31 is transmitted to the gear 46, and the slider 43 is reciprocated linearly via the rack 42. In order to transmit the rotation of the round shaft 31 to the gear 46 regardless of the position of the carrier unit 33, the carrier unit 33 is attached to the round shaft 31.
A key groove 31a is formed over the range of movement of the key 46a.
Are formed. That is, the gear 46 is fitted to the round shaft 31 so as to be movable in the axial direction and to transmit rotational force in the rotational direction.

Further, there is provided a card take-out device 50 for taking out only one card 1 from the card cassette 2 drawn out of the cassette storage section 18. This card removal device 50 is located on the front side of the cassette rack 15 and is for removing only one topmost card 1, which is the topmost card in the card cassette 2 pulled out, from the card ejection port 4. Pickup roller 51,
A pair of transport rollers 5 for sending one card 1 taken out by the pickup roller 51 further forward.
2 and a pair of transport rollers 53 for switching the transport direction thereof upward. The operating section 54 is also mounted on the carrier unit 33 using a support bar 55, an auxiliary frame 56, and the like. The pick-up roller 51 can selectively take a position where it comes into contact with the uppermost card 1 surface via the roller entrance opening 5 with respect to the drawn-out card cassette 2 and a position where it is separated from the card cassette 2. The transport roller 52 is rotatably supported by an arm 58 with a shaft 57 as a fulcrum. A solenoid 59 is used as a drive source that selectively switches between a card removal position where the pickup roller 51 contacts the card 1 and a retracted position separated from the card 1.
The solenoid 59 is provided on the auxiliary frame 5.
6 is supported. In addition, the pickup roller 5
A spring 60 for applying a pressing force so as to press the card 1 against the card 1 is locked between the arm 58 and the auxiliary frame 56. Therefore, the pickup roller 51 is set to be able to take out a card-removable position in a state where the solenoid 59 is not energized.
61 is a pair of guide plates.

The card is transported by the card removal device 50 by using the card transport pulse motor 13 as a drive source. The transmission gear 63 meshing with the motor gear 62 of the card transport pulse motor 13 is connected to the round shaft 32.
It is attached to the lower end side of. A bevel gear 64 is provided on a shaft 57 of the transport roller 52, and a bevel gear 65 meshing with the bevel gear 64 is provided on the round shaft 32. That is, these bevel gears 65 and 64 function as driving force transmission means for converting the rotation of the round shaft 32 by 90 ° and transmitting the rotation as the rotational force of the transport roller 52, and are mounted on the carrier unit 33. . In order to transmit the rotation of the round shaft 32 to the bevel gear 65 regardless of the position of the carrier unit 33, the round shaft 32
A key groove 32a is formed over the moving range of the carrier unit 33, and a key 65a is formed on the bevel gear 65 side so as to always engage with the key groove 32a. That is, the bevel gear 64 is fitted to the round shaft 32 so as to be movable in the axial direction and to transmit rotational force in the rotational direction. On the carrier unit 33, a gear train 66 for transmitting the rotation of the transport roller 52 to the pickup roller 51 is provided on one side of the arm 58. Further, the transmission roller 53 meshes with the bevel gear 64 and rotates the rotation thereof.
A gear train 67 for transmitting to the side is provided in the carrier unit 33.

In the apparatus body 10, a card issuing port 70 is formed at the highest position corresponding to the transport roller 53.

B. Basic Operation In such a basic configuration, when the host issues a command to issue a certain card 1, a desired card cassette 2 containing the target card 1 is selectively pulled out from the cassette rack 15. This is performed by the cassette drawer 40. First, by moving the carrier unit 33 in the vertical direction via the timing belt 37 by driving the carrier motor 11, the operating section 45 such as the slider 43 is positioned in the cassette storage section 18 in which the target card cassette 2 is stored. . At this time, since the pull-in pin 44 moves up and down in the vertical common groove 23 and the concave portion 6, it does not hinder the vertical movement of the carrier unit 33 on which the slider 43 is mounted. When the cassette conveying pulse motor 12 is driven at the position of the target card cassette 2 to rotate the round shaft 31 and the gear 46, the slider 43 slides forward. At this time, since the pull-in pin 44 that moves in the pull-out groove 22 integrally with the slider 43 is locked in the recess 6, the pull-in pin 44
The card cassette 2 is slid forward from inside the cassette storage portion 18 so that the leading end side of the card cassette 2 projects from the cassette rack 15 (see FIG. 10). The solenoid 59 is energized before the card cassette 2 is pulled out, and the pickup roller 51 is set to the retracted position so as not to hinder the drawing of the card cassette 2 to a position corresponding to the pickup roller 51. The position is controlled (see FIG. 9). Therefore, the carrier unit 33 is moved up and down by the carrier motor 11 and stopped at a position corresponding to the target card cassette 2, and the cassette transport pulse motor 12 is driven to move the target card cassette 2 to the cassette rack 15. Can be pulled out a little.

When the target card cassette 2 is pulled out from the cassette rack 15, one card 1 is taken out from the card cassette 2 by the card take-out device 50. First, when the target card cassette 2 is pulled out to a predetermined position, the solenoid 59 is de-energized, and the pickup roller 51 enters the roller entry opening 5 and contacts the uppermost card 1 in the card cassette 2. (See FIG. 11). At this time, the pickup roller 51 receives the pressing force of the spring 60, so that the pickup roller 51 comes into pressure contact with the card 1. By driving the card conveying pulse motor 13 in parallel with this operation, the pickup roller 51 is driven to rotate via the round shaft 32, the bevel gears 65 and 64, and the gear train 66. As a result, the top card 1 receives the repetitive output from the pickup roller 51 which is in contact with the rotating card while rotating, and is taken out of the card cassette 2 from the card ejection port 4 (see FIG. 12). The card 1 taken out is further transported by being transported by the transport roller 52 rotating at the same time. When the removed card 1 is in a state of being conveyed by the conveying roller 52,
The solenoid 59 is energized to prevent double feeding, and the rotating pickup roller 51 separates to the retracted position (see FIG. 13). Further, the cassette transport pulse motor 12
Is driven in reverse, and the operation of returning the card cassette 2 that has been pulled out to the original position in the cassette storage portion 18 is performed by an operation reverse to the operation performed when the cassette drawer 40 is pulled out (see FIG. 14). When the card 1 receiving the transfer force by the transfer roller 52 reaches the transfer roller 53 side, the transfer force is continuously received. However, the front end of the card 1 faces directly upward and the rear end side does not come out of the transfer roller 53. As a result, the card transport pulse motor 13 is stopped, and the card 1 is held by the transport roller 53 while being directed upward while being guided by the guide plate 61.

One card 1 by the card removal device 50
Is completed, the carrier motor 11 is driven again, and the carrier unit 33 is moved to the target card cassette 2 again.
Is moved upward from the position to the uppermost position.
Therefore, the card 1 held by the transport roller 53
Card issuance slot 7 with the movement of carrier unit 33
Transported to zero. As a result, the leading end of the card 1 is exposed to the outside through the card issuing slot 70, so that the card 1 can be pulled out by hand and the card 1 is issued.

As described above, the plurality of card cassettes 2 are simply stacked using the cassette rack 15, and the target card cassette 2 is pulled out of the card cassettes 2 by the cassette drawer 40, and According to the configuration in which only one card 1 is taken out from the inside by the card take-out device 50 and the taken-out card 1 is conveyed by the carrier unit 33 to the card issuance port 70 to be issued between the card cassettes 2 in the stacked state. There is no need to dispose the components of the card removal device including the pickup roller, and the card cassettes 2 in the stacked state can be made as close as possible. In particular, in the case of the present embodiment, the partition plate 1 is provided between each card cassette 2.
7 can be brought close to the state where there are only 7, and the height of the cassette rack 15 can be kept low even when the number of card cassettes 2 to be handled is large, so that the entire card issuing apparatus can be downsized. it can.

Further, since one pickup roller 51 is used in common for taking out cards from all card cassettes 2, the number of parts is greatly reduced as compared with a case where pickup rollers are individually provided for each card cassette. Can be done.

Further, the card 1 taken out of the card cassette 2 is transported to the card issuing port 70 by the carrier device 34, so that the card 1 is located far from the card issuing port 70 (in the present embodiment, the lower cassette storage portion 18). (At a farther position) even when the card is taken out from the card cassette 2, the transport path through which the card 1 passes does not become long, and data stored in the card 1 may be lost. To be extremely reduced. Particularly, in the present embodiment, the carrier unit 33 holding the card 1 taken out of the card cassette 2 by the transport roller 53 moves to the card issuing port 70 to convey the card 1 to the card issuing port 70. The card 1 taken out of any card cassette 2
However, the transport path through which the card 1 itself passes (the pickup rollers 51 to the transport rollers 52 and 53) is common to all the cards 1 and is the shortest. Reliability is improved.

In the present embodiment, the cassette extracting device 40 and the card extracting device 50 integrated with the carrier unit 33 are provided.
5 and 54 and the solenoid 59 are the only carrier units 33
The pulse motors 12 and
Since 13 is attached to the base plate 14 side of the apparatus main body 10, the moving carrier unit 33 can be reduced in weight as much as possible even if it has an integrated structure. Therefore, the load on the carrier motor 11 for moving the carrier unit 33 is reduced. At the same time, since the lightened carrier unit 33 is moved without mounting a drive source other than the solenoid 59, the moving speed can be increased, and the card cassette 2 which is far from the card issuing port 70 and the card 1 can be moved.
Even when a document is taken out and issued, the time required for the issue can be reduced. Further, the pulse motors 12 and 13 are not mounted on the carrier unit 33, and the round shafts 31 and 3 for guiding the movement of the carrier unit 33 are provided.
2, the rotational driving force is transmitted mechanically, so wiring for supplying the motor driving energy to the carrier unit 33 is not required, and there is no fear of disconnection and the like, so that the operation reliability is improved. In addition, the cost can be reduced.

<Individual Description> Next, the configuration around the cassette rack 15 will be individually described in detail. First, the configuration around the cassette rack 15 will be described.
An opening / closing door (not shown) that closes the rear side of the cassette rack 15 (that is, the cassette insertion port 20 side) in the apparatus main body 10 is attached to be openable and closable. The door is normally closed so that only the person in charge can open and close the door, and an opening permission solenoid 81 that opens the door when a release signal is given from the host is attached to the base plate 14. Therefore, in the normal state in which the opening and closing door is closed, each cassette storage portion 18 of the cassette rack 15 is
The position on the rear end side of the card cassette 2 accommodated in the printer is restricted to some extent by the opening and closing door. On the other hand, the front of each cassette storage portion 18 remains open as a cassette outlet 19, and a shutter mechanism 82 is provided on the cassette outlet 19 side. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the shutter mechanism 82 includes a shutter member 83 that is vertically displaceable immediately before the cassette outlet 19 and a shutter member 83 that is vertically displaced by a predetermined amount. A shutter opening solenoid 84 attached to the side plate 16b for displacement, and a shutter member 83 and the side plate 16b for urging the shutter member 83 to a predetermined position when the shutter opening solenoid 84 is not energized. It is constituted by a spring 87 locked between them. The shutter member 83 is a plate-shaped member having the same length as the cassette rack 15,
Shutter pieces 85 corresponding to the partition plates 17 and openings 86 corresponding to the cassette outlet 19 are formed alternately. Therefore, the shutter piece 85 is moved to the cassette outlet 19.
When the card cassette 2 is positioned at the position corresponding to the cassette opening 18, the forward movement of the card cassette 2 stored in the cassette storage section 18 is prohibited, and the opening 86
When the card cassette 2 is located at a position corresponding to the above, the card cassette 2 accommodated in the cassette accommodating portion 18 is in an open state in which the card cassette 2 can be moved forward. The shutter opening solenoid 84
When the shutter opening 85 is in a non-energized state, the shutter piece 85 assumes a prohibiting position where the shutter piece 85 is located in front of the cassette housing 18 under the urging force of a spring, and when the shutter opening solenoid 84 is energized, the shutter piece 85 The shutter member 83 is raised (or lowered) so as to coincide with the position, and the opening 86 is displaced so as to take an open position located on the front surface of the cassette housing portion 18 (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

Therefore, since the shutter piece 85 of the shutter member 83 is normally at the prohibition position where it is located in front of the cassette accommodating section 18, when the card cassette 2 is inserted into each cassette accommodating section 18 by opening the opening / closing door. Since the leading end abuts on the shutter piece 85, it does not drop from the cassette outlet 19, and the insertion amount is regulated, so that the insertion operation becomes easy. In addition, the cassette drawer 40 is actually
Prevents the card cassette 2 stored in the cassette storage unit 18 from being accidentally dropped from the cassette outlet 19 even when vibration is applied to the apparatus main body 10 when the card cassette 2 is not pulled out. Is done.
This also means that the storage position of the card cassette 2 is always regulated to a predetermined position, and the position of the concave portion 6 of each card cassette 2 in the stored state does not shift back and forth, and along the vertical common groove 23. The vertical movement of the pull-in pin 44 is not hindered. When the card cassette 2 is withdrawn by the cassette withdrawing device 40, the opening 86 is closed by the cassette housing portion 18.
The cassette can be pulled out without any trouble. In the present embodiment, the portion that does not require the cassette to be drawn is also commonly opened, but the shape of the shutter member 83 and the operation control thereof are simplified accordingly. That is, the present invention is not limited to the shutter member 83 of the present embodiment. For example, a bar-like member having a length that extends over the entire length of the cassette rack 15 and crossing all the cassette storage portions 18 is provided so as to be movable in the horizontal direction. You may.

B. Next, a configuration near the pickup roller 51 will be described.
Normally, a rubber roller is used as the pickup roller 51 in order to ensure the removal of the card 1 from the card cassette 2. However, if the material is deteriorated or foreign matter adheres to the surface, the removal ability of the card 1 is reduced. As it becomes unstable and may be fatal as a card issuing device,
Need replacement. In particular, in the present embodiment, since only one pickup roller 51 is used for taking out the cards 1 from all the card cassettes 2, the frequency of use thereof is so severe that the pickup roller 51 is easily deteriorated.
Exchange is mandatory. Generally, in this type of roller, a pickup roller is mounted on a shaft that passes between two frames (arms). Therefore, when replacing the roller, the frame must be removed using a tool, and the replacement operation is troublesome. It is. In this regard, in the present embodiment, the configuration is such that the pickup roller 51 can be replaced without using a tool, and the one-touch replacement is possible.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, one end of a shaft 91 rotatably supported on the arm 58 via a bearing 90 projects outward from the arm 58.
A pickup roller 51 is detachably fitted to one end of the protruding shaft 91. The pickup roller 5
An annular groove 94 is formed in a shaft hole 93 of one roll body 92, and a ring-shaped spring 95 is mounted on the groove 94. The inner diameter of the spring 95 is set smaller than the inner diameter of the shaft hole 93. Further, about half of the axial hole 93 in the axial direction is a round hole-shaped part 93a, and the other half is a flat deformed hole-shaped part 93b. The groove 94
Is formed in the round hole-shaped portion 93a. on the other hand,
The tip of the shaft 91 is formed with a taper 91a for facilitating insertion into the shaft hole 93 in which the spring 95 is incorporated, and is flattened so as to correspond to the deformed hole portion 93b. A modified shaft-shaped portion 91b is formed. Further, an annular concave portion 91c for positioning the spring 95 is formed in the shaft 91 at a position corresponding to the groove 94.

Thus, when the pickup roller 51 is replaced, when the roll body 92 is pushed into one end of the shaft 91, the built-in spring 95 is expanded along the taper 91a and the groove 94 and the groove 94 in the shaft hole 93 are expanded. The shaft 91 fits into the annular concave portion 91c and stops. At the same time, the deformed hole-shaped portion 93b of the roll body 92 fits into the deformed shaft-shaped portion 91b.
1b and the roll body 9 through fitting of the deformed hole-shaped portion 93b.
2 (accordingly, the pickup roller 51), and the pickup roller 51 surely rotates. At this time, since the axial force applied to the pickup roller 51 is small,
The roll body 92 does not move on the shaft 91. On the other hand, if a relatively large force is applied in the axial direction to remove the pickup roller 51, it cannot be regulated by the stopping force of the spring 95, and the pickup roller 51 can be removed from one end of the shaft 91 as it is.

That is, the pickup roller 51 of the present embodiment has a detachable fitting structure which is detachable by applying a predetermined force or more in the direction of the shaft 91, and transmits the rotation of the shaft 91 in the rotating direction. And has a roll body 92 attached to one end of a shaft 91.
Can be easily performed with one touch without using a tool.

The configuration in which the pickup roller 51 can be freely attached to one end of the shaft 91 by one-touch operation is not limited to the illustrated example, but may be a configuration having a detachable fitting structure using a magnet and a rotational force transmitting fitting structure, a pin. Or a structure having a detachable fitting structure and a rotational force transmitting fitting structure using a rotation stopper by the above.

C. Configuration Regarding Identification Selection of Target Card Cassette 2 A configuration relating to identification selection of the target card cassette 2 from among the plurality of card cassettes 2 stored in the cassette rack 15 in a stacked state will be described. For example, in a conventional card issuing device as shown in the above-mentioned Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 5-92876, all the correspondence relations regarding card cassettes used for each card and mounting positions of the cassettes in the main body are previously determined. In order to prevent the card cassette from being mounted in a wrong place, the pair of cassette housing portions and card cassettes are formed with grooves that match each other.
Therefore, when the host issues an instruction to issue a certain card, the position of the card cassette in which the card is stored is known, and the corresponding pickup roller is driven to issue the target card. Becomes possible. However, in this method, the shape of the card cassette is different for each type of card, and the mounting position of each cassette is also specified, so that there is no freedom in selecting the mounting position of the cassette and lacks flexibility. This means that when the number of card cassettes to be handled becomes large, it is necessary to store the card cassettes while checking the mounting locations one by one, which is a troublesome and time-consuming operation.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, even if the type of the card 1 is different, the card cassette 2 having the same shape common to all the cards 1 is used. The card cassette 2 and the cassette storage section 18 have a degree of freedom to be stored in any of the cassette storage sections 18 without a specific correspondence relationship of 1: 1. A different bar code 100 is assigned to each card cassette 2 in order to identify the type of card 1 in which cassette 1 is stored. This barcode 1
00 functions as an identification information section indicating type information of the card 1 stored in the card cassette 2. In the present embodiment, one of the peripheral surfaces traversed by the moving carrier unit 33 as shown in FIG. Cassette front end face 101
It is attached to. The direction of the bar of the bar code 100 is also set to be horizontal, and the reading operation of the bar code 100 is set to be performed by vertical scanning. A bar code scanner 102 as a reading means for reading such a bar code 100 is mounted on the carrier unit 33 in a direction facing the cassette outlet 19.

The operation of reading the barcode 100 of each card cassette 2 by the barcode scanner 102 is automatically executed at least when the power of the apparatus is turned on. That is,
The barcode scanner 102 sequentially reads the information of the barcode 100 for each of the card cassettes 2 stored in the cassette rack 15 for each of the cassette storage sections 18, so that the card cassette for which card 1 is stored in which cassette storage section 18. 2 is stored, and the information is sent to the host.
Store in AM. This processing is executed as a function of a positional relationship recognizing unit for recognizing a positional relationship between each cassette storage unit 18 and each card cassette 2. With this, the host can know which card cassette 2 for which card 1 is already stored in the cassette storage section 18 at which position when actually issuing the card. Can be.

In this case, when the power is turned on to perform the reading operation, it means not only the time when the power is actually turned on, but also the period from that time to when the card 1 is actually taken out. . The reason why the barcode 100 is read for all the card cassettes 2 at least when the power is turned on is that the CPU initializes all of the previous states at the time of turning on the power. Further, in the present embodiment, the reading operation of the barcode 100 by the barcode scanner 102 is restarted from the beginning not only when the power is turned on, but also when the door is opened and closed. This is because when the door is opened and closed, there is a possibility that the card cassette 2 has been replaced with respect to the cassette storage unit 18.

Accordingly, there is no problem even if the user freely changes the storage position of the card cassette 2. According to the present embodiment, scanning by the barcode scanner 102 is required to read the barcode 100 attached to each card cassette 2.
0 is set in the vertical direction, and the carrier unit 3 moves over the entire range of the cassette rack 15.
Since the movement can be performed by using the movement of No. 3, it can be easily realized without separately providing a scanning system.

The identification information portion of each card cassette 2 is not limited to the bar code 100, but may be irregularity information or the like. What is necessary is just to hold information readable. Further, the position where the barcode 100 or the like is attached is not limited to the cassette front end surface 101, but may be on a peripheral surface that the carrier unit 33 can traverse, for example, on the side surface of the cassette of the side plate 16a. What is necessary is just to change the mounting position of the code scanner 102.

D. Basic Configuration for Removing Only One Card Next, a configuration for reliably removing only one card 1 from the card cassette 2 will be described with reference to FIGS.

In this type of card issuing apparatus, it is important that when a card issuance command is issued, only one corresponding card is issued without causing double feed or non-feed. By the way, in the conventional card issuing device, as described above, a limiter formed outside the card cassette and having a width corresponding to one card is disposed on the transport path of the card, and the width of the limiter is controlled. 2 cards
It is regulated not to be issued in duplicate.
However, in this method, it is difficult to control the dimensions of the limiter width, and if the standard and type of the card used are different, the thickness of the card may be different. In the case where the degree of freedom is given, alignment with the limiter located outside the cassette cannot be achieved, and double feed or non-feed may occur. However, it is not appropriate to use a corner claw separation method or the like in the sheet feeding device.

In this respect, the present embodiment does not employ a configuration in which a limiter is provided outside the card cassette 2, and basically, one card is designed by devising the relationship between the card cassette 2 itself and the pickup roller 51. It is configured so that only 1 can be reliably taken out. First, a bottom plate 110 on which the card 1 is placed is provided in the case main body 3 for storing the card 1 made of plastic and having high rigidity in a stacked state, as shown in FIG. A leaf spring 112 is provided on the center of the bottom surface of the case body 3 via the bottom plate 110 in a state where an urging force acts so as to push the leading end side of the stacked cards 1 toward the ceiling surface 111 side. Installed. Further, on the bottom surface in the case body 3 and on both sides of the leaf spring 112, the rear end side of the stacked cards 1 via the bottom plate 110 is attached to the ceiling surface 1.
A leaf spring 11 serving as a forward tilting means constituting a part of the storage means in a state where a biasing force acts so as to push up toward the 11 side
3 is attached. The pushing force of the leaf spring 113 is applied to the card 1 in the case body 3 by the pickup roller 5.
The uppermost rear end of the stacked cards 1 is pressed against the ceiling surface 111 in a state where the cards 1 are in contact with each other, so that the cards 1 are in a forwardly inclined state in which the pickup roller 51 side is generally lower. It is set (see FIG. 18). A rib 114 is formed on the inner wall surface of the case body 3 on the side of the card outlet 4, and the upper end of the rib 114 (accordingly, near the card outlet 4) is inclined toward the card outlet 4. A tapered portion 115 is formed. In other words, the card 1 in the card cassette 2 is inclined forward so as to be in a direction to bite into the rib 114, and the tapered portion 115 is positioned with respect to the card 1 on the outermost position. It is formed so as to be inclined so as to reduce the bite.

On the other hand, the pick-up roller 51 which enters the card cassette 2 through the roller entrance opening 5 at the pulled-out position and takes out the card 1 is a spring which is larger than the pushing force of the leaf spring 112. The urging force of 60 causes the uppermost card 1 to come into pressure contact with the uppermost card 1, but the entrance amount restricting portion 116 abuts a part of the case body 3 so that the amount of the pickup roller 51 entering the case body 3 is always constant. Are formed on a part of the arm 58 as a support. When the pick-up roller 51 of which the amount of entry is regulated in such a manner is pressed and contacted, the top end position of the uppermost card in the stacked cards 1 which is inclined forward is higher than the position of the card outlet 4 by the tapered portion 115. The height of the tapered portion 115 is set such that the position is shifted by the height of. A card position sensor 117 for optically detecting the leading end of the card 1 taken out is provided at a position immediately after the transport roller 52.

Here, μ ₁ ; coefficient of friction between pickup roller 51 and card 1 μ ₂ ; coefficient of friction between card 1 and ceiling surface 111 μ ₃ ; coefficient of friction between card 1 F ₁ ; pickup roller Card repetition output by rotation of 51 P ₁ ; Pressing force between pickup roller 51 and card 1 P ₂ ; Pressing force of card 1 against ceiling surface 111, μ ₁ ≫μ ₂ , μ ₃ , P ₁ > P ₂ Then, F ₁ = μ ₁ P ₁ −μ ₂ P ₂ −μ ₃ (P ₁ + P ₂ ).

Therefore, when the pickup roller 51 comes into contact with the card 1 in the card cassette 2 pulled out from the cassette storage portion 18 while rotating, the uppermost position directly contacted by the pickup roller 51 is reached. The card repetition output F ₁ shown by the above formula acts on the card 1, and the uppermost card 1 advances while its tip side warps upward according to the tapered portion 115, and moves from the card outlet 4 to the case body 3. I go outside. At this time, the transport roller 52 is also rotating at the same speed as the pickup roller 51, and the leading end of the card 1 taken out enters the space between the transport rollers 52 and is taken out further forward. In this operation, when the leading end of the card 1 is detected by the card position sensor 117, the solenoid 59 is energized at that time and the pickup roller 51 is retracted so as to escape from the roller entrance opening 5, and Move away from card 1. Therefore, although the pickup roller 51 continues to rotate, the repetitive output does not act on the succeeding card 1 and double feed is prevented. On the other hand, the transport of the card 1 taken out this time is carried by the transport roller 52 and further by the transport roller 53.
, The card 1 is completely removed from the card cassette 2.

In such an operation of taking out the card 1,
The double feed prevention action of the tapered portion 115 will be described. If the coefficient of friction μ ₃ between the cards 1 is always constant, basically, even if the uppermost one card 1 is fed and conveyed, 2
No conveying force acts on the first and subsequent cards 1, but in reality, the friction coefficient between the first and second cards and the second and third cards 1 The coefficient of friction between the sheets may differ. Under such circumstances, when one card 1 the uppermost sent receiving Repetitive output F ₁ of the pickup roller 51, the second sheet below it, 3
The first card 1 is also fed, and the leading end of each card 1 stored in the forwardly inclined state abuts on the tapered portion 115. It is in a forwardly inclined state, and when viewed from the rib 114, it is a hit in a biting direction. Since card 1 has strong stiffness, since the card 1 the uppermost receiving an output F ₁ Repetitive directly by the pickup roller 51 is the output F ₁ thereof Repetitive sufficiently greater than the resistance force generated by the tapered portion 115, The card 1 having a strong waist is sent to the card outlet 4 side while warping so as to ride on the tapered portion 115 (see FIG. 19B). On the other hand, since the second and subsequent cards 1 do not receive repetitive output enough to overcome the resistance generated by the tapered portion 115, they cannot bend in accordance with the tapered portion 115, stay in the place where they came into contact, and are sent along. However, double feed of the second and subsequent sheets is prevented. From another viewpoint, when the leading ends of several cards 1 are abutted against the tapered portion 115 at the time of taking out, a gap is generated between the cards 1, so that the cards 1 are easily peeled off, which effectively prevents double feed. I do. In addition, the first card 1 to be removed from the card ejection port 4 is warped downward according to the card ejection port 4, the tapered portion 115, and the pickup roller 51. The force for pressing in the direction in which it is difficult to protrude acts effectively to prevent double feeding. Further, according to the movement of the card 1 at the tapered portion 115,
While the space between the first and second cards 1 changes to a dynamic friction state, the space between the second and third cards 1 changes to a static friction state and only the first card is easy to move. It is considered that the double feed is prevented by making it difficult to move. In this way, paying attention to the card 1 having a strong stiffness unlike the paper used in the paper feeding device, the card 1 stacked in the forward inclined state is taken out while the tip side is warped by the tapered portion 115, so that the multifeed is performed. Can be reliably prevented.

On the other hand, if there is a variation in the amount of the pickup roller 51 entering the card cassette 2, the pickup roller 51 may enter the card 1
May cause non-feeding by merely abutting the leading end of the card against the rib 114, or the card 1 may easily come into contact with the ceiling surface 111 because the pickup roller 51 enters too shallow, causing slippage due to slippage. There is. In this regard, in the present embodiment, the pressing force of the spring 60 for the pickup roller 51 is set sufficiently higher than the lifting force of the leaf spring 112, and the entry amount restricting portion 116 of the arm 58 always contacts the ceiling surface 111. As a result, the amount of entry of the pickup roller 51 is regulated so as to be always constant, so that a stable repetitive output can always be exerted and non-feeding does not occur.

E. Auxiliary Configuration for Removing Only One Card Next, a configuration for reliably removing only one card 1 from the card cassette 2 will be described with reference to FIGS.

Basically, only one card 1 can be taken out of the card cassette 2 by the basic configuration described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 19, but in some cases, the second card 1 is taken out. In order to prevent this, in the present embodiment, the card cassette 2 is further devised.

First, a situation where double feed can occur in the above-described basic configuration will be described with reference to FIG. In the state where the pickup roller 51 enters the card cassette 2 and the repetitive output acts on the first card 1, no particular problem occurs, but at the end of withdrawal of the first card 1, the leading end side is a transport roller. When the pickup roller 51 is delivered to the roller 52 and retracted from the roller entrance opening 5 and the repetitive output is released, all the cards 1 in the card cassette 2 are built in as shown in FIG. Are pushed up to the ceiling surface 111 side by the leaf springs 112 and 113. Due to this influence, the leading end side of the second card 1 may come off the tapered portion 115. At this time, since the first card 1 is in a state of being pulled out by the transport roller 52, the second card 1 that has come off the tapered portion 115 moves as the first card 1 is fed, There is a possibility that the card will be taken out of the card outlet 4 (ie, double feed). This may occur, for example, when the width of the card outlet 4 is widened due to warpage of components or the like.

In this regard, the timing at which the pickup roller 51 is retracted is delayed, and the pickup roller 5 is moved immediately before the rear end of the first card 1 being pulled out of the pickup roller 51 as shown in FIG.
1 can be evacuated. However, even in this method, after the pickup roller 51 is retracted, it takes 15 mm until the first card 1 comes out of the card outlet 4.
There is a possibility that the second card 1 is taken out during this time, which is not sufficient as a countermeasure for double feeding.

In consideration of these points, in the present embodiment,
As an auxiliary configuration, a rib 118 as a convex portion is provided on a ceiling surface 111 near the card outlet 4 in the card cassette 2.
Are formed. This rib 118 is provided in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, two rollers are formed at positions on the left and right sides of the roller entrance opening 5 corresponding to the entrance pickup roller 51. The rib 118 has a protruding height that is smaller than the card discharge port 4 with a protruding amount smaller than the amount (peripheral surface) of the pickup roller 51 that enters the card cassette 2 from the roller entrance opening 5. The shape is set to be a circular arc concentric with the pickup roller 51 that has entered (see FIG. 20).
(A)). That is, it is formed in an arc shape in the card drawing direction. Thus, the ribs 118 and the leaf springs 112 and 113 (forward tilting means) described above press the cards 1 stored in the case body 2 in a stacked state toward the pickup roller 51 side, and the leading ends thereof are pressed. Card outlet 4
The storage means is configured to be stored so as to be always lower with respect to.

In such a configuration, when the pickup roller 51 enters the card cassette 2 and the repetitive output acts on the first card 1, FIG.
As shown in (a), the rib 118 having a protrusion amount smaller than the amount of movement of the pickup roller 51 does not contact the card 1 and does not hinder the operation of the pickup roller 51 in the above-described basic configuration.

On the other hand, at the end of the drawing of the first card 1, when the pickup roller 51 is retracted and the repetitive output is released as shown in FIGS. All cards 1 are leaf springs 1
The push-up force of 12, 13 pushes up to the ceiling surface 111 side, and the push-up position is restricted to a position where it comes into contact with the rib 118. Therefore, the second card 1 does not come off from the tapered portion 115, and the second card 1 is not taken out of the card outlet 4 by the pull-out of the first card 1. , Double feed is prevented. Even with such an auxiliary configuration provided by the rib 118, the card 1 can be prevented from being fed multiple times by devising the structure of the card cassette 2 itself. In particular, in the present embodiment, the ribs 118 are formed at two places on both the left and right sides of the roller entrance opening 5, so that the above-described double feed prevention function is uniformly stabilized without being offset in the cassette width direction. Can be demonstrated. Further, by forming such a rib 118 at a position corresponding to the pickup roller 51, a double feed prevention function after the pickup roller 51 has retreated at a position corresponding to the pickup roller 51 can be exerted. Regardless of the entering / retreating state of the pickup roller 51, the above-described double feed prevention function is stably exhibited at the same position at all times. Further, by forming the ribs 118 in an arc shape in the card pull-out direction, the ribs 118 come into line contact with the card 1 which is pushed up by the leaf springs 112 and 113 and can move in the pull-out direction at all. Thus, the double feed can be prevented without damaging the card 1.

As an additional effect, according to the present embodiment, in the single state of the card cassette 2 in which the pickup roller 51 is not involved, the push-up position of the built-in card 1 is restricted to the position where it comes into contact with the rib 118. Will be
Since there is no card 1 facing the card outlet 4,
Even if the card ejection port 4 is turned downward, the card 1 does not come out and becomes easy to handle.

F. Regarding the Positioning of the Card Cassette 2 The card cassette 2 stored in the cassette storage section 18 of the cassette rack 15 can have a fixed position in a stored state and a pulled-out position pulled out for taking out a card. Positioning is performed so as not to cause displacement. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 24, a cam body 120 integrated with the gear 46 is provided on the round shaft 31.
At a predetermined position of the cam body 120, two notches 120a,
120b are formed. The cam unit 1 is rotatably supported by a fulcrum 121 on the carrier unit 33.
Roller-shaped cam follower 12 constantly rolling on the peripheral surface of 20
2 is provided. The arm 123 is urged toward the cam body 120 by a spring 124. Further, a cassette origin sensor 1 which is turned on / off by using the distal end side of the arm 123 as an actuator 125
26 is also mounted on the carrier unit 33. The cassette origin sensor 126 is set to be turned on when the arm 123 is displaced in a state where the cam follower 122 enters either the cutouts 120a or 120b.

Incidentally, as shown in FIG.
A guide pin 127 shorter than the pull-in pin 44 is formed integrally with the draw-in pin 44 on the rear side, and two step-like slit holes 128a and 128b formed on the side surface of the carrier unit 33 are inserted into the recess. When the pin 44 and the guide pin 127 pass through, the slider 43 is slidable within a certain range.
The retaining pin 129 is inserted into the pull-in pin 44 and the guide pin 127.

In such a configuration, when the target card cassette 2 is located at a fixed position (the pull-in pin 44 is located at the left end of the slit hole 128a and the vertical common groove 2
3 is engaged with the concave portion 6 of the card cassette 2), and as shown in FIG. 24 (a), the cam follower 122 enters the notch 120a for the fixed position with respect to the cam body 120, and the actuator 125 Turns on the cassette origin sensor 126. In this state, when the cassette conveying motor 12 is driven to rotate the round shaft 31, the gear 46 is rotated, so that the slider 43 slides rightward via the rack 42, so that the pull-in pin 44 and the recess 6 The card cassette 2 is pulled out through the engagement. At this time, since the cam body 120 also rotates at the same time, as shown in FIG.
The actuator 125 is also displaced in the direction away from it because it comes out of 20a, and the cassette origin sensor 126 is turned off. When the card cassette 2 is pulled out to a predetermined pulling position, the cam follower 122 is pulled out of the notch 120b for the pulling position.
As a result, the actuator 125 turns on the cassette origin sensor 126. The ON signal is used to control the cassette transport pulse motor 12, and the power supply to the cassette transport pulse motor 12 is cut off. The motor is de-energized and the gear 46 is in a rotatable and unstable state, but the cam follower 122
b and the cam body 120 (therefore, the gear 4
Since the rotation of 6) is restricted, the card cassette 2 in the pulled-out state does not inadvertently move in the front-rear direction, and is maintained at the predetermined drawing position.

G. Regarding Various Sensors In the card issuing device according to the present embodiment, the card position sensor 1 described above is used for timing control of various operations and the like.
17. In addition to the cassette origin sensor 126, various optical and mechanical sensors are provided. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 which are schematically shown. First, in the apparatus main body 10, as shown in FIG. 7, a door opening / closing sensor 130 for detecting the opening / closing of the opening / closing door is provided. Further, a shutter origin sensor 131 that detects whether or not the shutter member 83 is at the origin position that is a prohibited position is provided.
Further, a carrier origin sensor 132 for specifying a reference position for determining the amount of movement of the carrier unit 33 is provided on the upper side. On the other hand, on the carrier unit 33, as shown in FIG. 8, a card position sensor 133 disposed just before the transport roller 52 to detect the leading edge of the card 1 is disposed on the exit side of the transport roller 53 to detect the leading edge of the card 1. And a card exit sensor 134 for detecting the rear end. A detection hole 135 formed at a position vertically penetrating through a part of the front end of the case main body 3 of the card cassette 2.
A pair of upper and lower card presence / absence sensors 136 for detecting the presence / absence of the card 1 in the card cassette 2 in the pulled-out state is also mounted on the carrier unit 33 via (see FIG. 6).

H. Regarding operation timing control of each unit until card issuance As in the present embodiment, the carrier unit 33 moves to the position of the target card cassette 2 and
Is pulled out, one card 1 is taken out of the card cassette 2 drawn out, and the taken-out card 1 is conveyed by the carrier unit 33 to the card issuing port 70 to be issued. In this embodiment, the card issuance time is controlled by controlling the operation timing so that the operation of each unit is performed as simultaneously as possible. Is shortened. At this time, if the timing of the next operation is temporally controlled, the operation becomes uncertain. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a reliable trigger is prepared to ensure the operation reliability.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 26 and FIG.
7, when a card issuance command is issued during standby at the home position (lowest position), the processing operation of moving the carrier unit 33 to the position of the target card cassette 2 by driving the carrier motor 11. Is performed. During the movement of the carrier unit 33, the card cassette 2 from the cassette rack 15 is moved.
In order to complete the preparation for pulling out, the shutter release solenoid 84 is driven to open the shutter member 83 in parallel, and the solenoid 59 is driven to move the pickup roller 51 to the retracted position. The evacuation processing to be performed is performed in parallel. Thus, when the carrier unit 33 moves to the position of the target card cassette 2, the card cassette 2 is ready to be pulled out, and there is no time loss.

Subsequently, the cassette transport pulse motor 1
By driving the cassette 2, the cassette withdrawing device 40 performs the withdrawal process of the target card cassette 2. At this time, the completion of the movement of the carrier unit 33 is determined from the number of pulses accumulated in the position deviation counter of the carrier motor 11 and is used as a trigger for starting the driving of the cassette carrying pulse motor 12. After the target card cassette 2 is pulled out by the cassette pullout device 40, the solenoid 59 is de-energized, the pickup roller 51 is displaced to a card retrievable position, and the card 1
Take-out operation. At this time, judgment is made based on two signals: a movement completion signal from the command pulse state of the cassette transport pulse motor 12 and a detection signal from the cassette origin sensor 126 for detecting that the card cassette 2 is at the regular draw-in position. , Which triggers the start of card removal (return of the pickup roller 51). During the card removal operation by the card removal device 50, while the taken-out card 1 is being conveyed by the conveyance roller 52, the solenoid 59 is energized to perform a retreating process for retreating the pickup roller 51 to the retreat position. The transport pulse motor 12 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction to perform the cassette return process of returning the card cassette 2 that has been pulled out to the original position in the cassette storage unit 18. At this time, a trigger for retracting the pickup roller 51 using a detection signal of the card position sensor 133 for detecting a position before the first card 1 passes the pickup roller 51 is used.

Next, a carrying operation is carried out to carry out the drawn-out card 1 to the card issuing port 70 by the carrier unit 33. When the carrier unit 33 is moved to the card issuing port 70 in this manner, the movement completion signal of the cassette conveying pulse motor 12 and the detection signal from the cassette origin sensor 126 for detecting that the card cassette 2 is at the original fixed position are obtained. By using the two signals as triggers, safety when moving the carrier unit 33 is ensured.
That is, the carrier unit 33 does not start the movement operation in a state where the card cassette 2 protrudes. During this transport operation, the solenoid 59 is de-energized again, and the pickup roller 51 is displaced to the card readable position to perform a standby process, and the shutter release solenoid 84 is also de-energized to move the shutter member 83 to the prohibited position. A return process for displacement is performed.

In the present embodiment, the cassette origin sensor 126 is configured as a sensor for detecting two states when the card cassette 2 is at the fixed position and the drawn-out position. Thus, it is determined whether the card cassette 2 is located at the fixed position or the drawn-out position.

I. Others In the present embodiment, the plurality of card cassettes 2 are vertically stacked by the cassette rack 15 and the card issuance operation is performed by moving the carrier unit 33 and the like in the up and down direction. The card issuing operation may be performed by stacking the cassettes in the horizontal direction and moving the carrier unit or the like in the horizontal direction.

In particular, if the purpose is to reduce the size of the cassette rack 15 or the like, the pull-out position of the card cassette 2 stored in the cassette rack 15 is gradually shifted so that a pickup roller is provided for each card cassette 2. It is also possible to configure so as to provide. In this case, instead of using the carrier device 34, the guide device is configured using a guide member or the like formed so that the card taken out by each pickup roller is guided toward the card issuing port. Is also good.

[0070]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a slit-shaped card outlet formed on one side of the end face and a roller entrance opening for allowing the pickup roller to enter the card stacking direction. A box-shaped case main body capable of storing a plurality of cards in a stacked state, and a convex portion formed on the ceiling surface on the card outlet side from the center position of the case main body with a projecting amount smaller than the entering amount of the pickup roller. Storage means for holding the cards stored in a stacked state in the case main body toward the pickup roller side while storing the cards so that the leading end thereof is lower than the card discharge port, and formed near the card discharge port. The pick-up roller guides the leading end of the topmost card sent out to the card ejection port side to the card ejection port while warping the card so that the pickup side becomes concave. Since the card housed in the case body receives a push-up force when receiving repeated output by the pickup roller, the top end of the card on the tapered portion near the card discharge port is provided. The topmost card receiving the direct output from the pick-up roller is warped so as to ride on the tapered portion due to its own waist strength, and is taken out to the card outlet while being taken out. However, since the second and subsequent cards from the outermost position do not receive repetitive output enough to overcome the resistance due to the tapered portion, they cannot bend according to the tapered portion and remain at the abutted position. In addition, several cards abut against the tapered portion to create a gap between the card tips, making it easier to separate the cards. However, the double feed prevention function can be exhibited, and the movement of the card in the tapered portion changes to a state of kinetic friction between the first and second cards, making it easy to move. The double-feed prevention function can also be exhibited by the fact that the third card changes to a static friction state and becomes difficult to move. Meanwhile, 1
At the end of drawing out the second card, in a state where the pickup roller is retracted and its repetitive output is released, the second and subsequent cards are pushed up to the ceiling side by the pushing up force.
The push-up position of the second and subsequent cards is regulated by contacting the convex part formed on the ceiling surface, so that the second card does not come off from the tapered part and prevents double feed due to entrainment. Since the protrusion is formed with a protrusion amount smaller than the amount of movement of the pickup roller, there is no hindrance to the original feeding operation by the pickup roller, and therefore, the card cassette itself is not affected. It is possible to prevent double feeding of cards by devising the structure of the storage means.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the card cassette for a card issuing device according to the first aspect, a plurality of convex portions are formed in the cassette width direction in the same shape and in the cassette width direction. The double feed prevention function can be exerted uniformly and stably without offsetting.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the card cassette for a card issuing device according to the first or second aspect, the convex portion is located near the card outlet and at a position corresponding to the entering pickup roller. Because it is formed,
The protrusion is not particularly limited as long as it is in the vicinity of the card discharge port.However, by forming the protrusion at a position corresponding to the pickup roller, the double feed prevention function after retreating the pickup roller at the position corresponding to the pickup roller can be exhibited. Can,
After all, regardless of the approach / retreat state of the pickup roller,
The double feed prevention function is always stably exhibited at the same position.

According to the invention described in claim 4, according to claim 1,
In the card cassette for a card issuing device described in 2 or 3, the convex portion is formed in an arc shape in the card drawing direction. Therefore, although the shape of the convex portion is not particularly limited, by forming the convex portion in an arc shape in the card drawing direction, the convex portion can be brought into line contact with a card that can be pushed up and moved in the drawing direction at all. Thus, double feed can be prevented without damaging the card.

According to the card issuing device of the fifth aspect of the present invention, the card cassette according to the first, second, third or fourth aspect and a part of the support member abut on a part of the case body of the card cassette. The pickup roller restricts the amount of entry from the roller entry opening and is brought into and out of contact with the topmost card stored in the case body so that the pickup roller comes into contact with the topmost card, and the conveyance that further conveys the card drawn by the pickup roller Roller, so that the amount of pickup roller entering the case body of the card cassette is always constant, a stable repetitive output can be applied to the card at all times, and the pickup roller is too deep or too shallow. As a result, it is possible to prevent non-feeding of the card, and the topmost card is transported by the transport roller. When they are, 2 in the card cassette
It is also possible to prevent the second card from moving and being double-fed, and to issue a highly reliable card.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a main part showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of a cassette rack.

FIG. 3 is an overall schematic front view.

FIG. 4 is an overall schematic side view.

FIG. 5A is a schematic plan view of a carrier unit,
(B) is a schematic side view thereof.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a card cassette.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view showing a sensor arrangement.

8A is a schematic plan view showing a sensor arrangement in a carrier unit, and FIG. 8B is a schematic side view thereof.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing the beginning of the cassette pull-out and card take-out operations.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing the next step of the cassette pull-out and card take-out operation.

FIG. 11 is a side view showing the next step of the cassette pull-out and card take-out operation.

FIG. 12 is a side view showing the next step of the cassette pull-out and card take-out operations.

FIG. 13 is a side view showing the next step of the cassette pull-out and card take-out operations.

FIG. 14 is a side view showing the next step of the cassette pull-out and card take-out operation.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure near a pickup roller.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of a pickup roller.

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view showing the card cassette.

FIG. 18 is a vertical sectional side view showing a basic structure of card removal.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged longitudinal side view showing the vicinity of a card outlet of a card cassette having a basic configuration.

FIG. 20 is a longitudinal sectional side view showing, in an enlarged manner, the vicinity of a card outlet of a card cassette including an auxiliary configuration.

FIG. 21 is a vertical sectional front view of a part thereof.

FIG. 22 is a vertical sectional side view showing a configuration including an auxiliary configuration for removing a card.

FIG. 23 is a longitudinal sectional side view showing, in an enlarged manner, the vicinity of a card discharge port of a card cassette to explain a problem due to a basic configuration.

FIG. 24 is a plan view showing the vicinity of a cassette origin sensor.

FIG. 25 is a side view showing a guide configuration in the carrier unit as viewed from a direction A in FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the basics of card issuing process control.

FIG. 27 is a time chart showing operation timings associated with the control.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 card 2 card cassette 3 case body 4 card ejection port 5 roller entry opening 51 pickup roller 52 transport roller 58 support 111 ceiling surface 113 part of storage means 115 taper-shaped portion 116 Part 118 convex part (part of storing means)

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of cards can be stored in a stacked state, having a slit-shaped card ejection port formed on one side of an end face and a roller entry opening for allowing a pickup roller to enter in a card stacking direction. A box-shaped case body, and a protrusion formed on the ceiling surface closer to the card discharge port than the center position of the case body with a protrusion amount smaller than the amount of the pickup roller to enter. Storing means for pressing the cards stored in the stacked state toward the pickup roller side such that the leading end thereof is lower than the card discharge port; and the pickup roller formed near the card discharge port. While the tip of the topmost card sent out to the card outlet side is warped so that the pickup side is concave, Card cassette for the card issuing apparatus and a tapered portion for guiding. 2. The card cassette for a card issuing device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of convex portions are formed in the same shape in the cassette width direction. 3. The card cassette for a card issuing device according to claim 1, wherein the convex portion is formed near the card outlet and at a position corresponding to a pickup roller that enters. 4. The card cassette for a card issuing device according to claim 1, wherein the convex portion is formed in an arc shape in a card drawing direction. 5. The card cassette according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein a part of the support comes into contact with a part of a case body of the card cassette, so that the amount of entry from the roller entry opening is reduced. A card issuing device comprising: a pickup roller that is regulated and presses and comes into contact with the topmost card stored in the case main body, and a conveyance roller that further conveys the card drawn by the pickup roller.