SWITCH ASSEMBLY FOR DEVICES FOR HANDLING VALUE DOCUMENTS

Abstract

The invention relates to a switch assembly for a device for handling value documents, comprising a shaft (110) which is rotationally fixed to a switch body (120), said switch body (120) being rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft (110) between a first switch body position (PI) and a second switch body position (P2). The switch assembly additionally comprises a switch lever (130, 131), said shaft (110) being rotatable about its longitudinal axis by means of the switch lever (130, 131), and a solenoid (200) which comprises an armature (210). The solenoid (200) can be actuated such that the armature (210) can be moved between a first armature position (AI) and a second armature position (A2). The switch lever (130, 131) is in engagement with the armature (210) such that the switch lever (130, 131) rotates about the longitudinal axis of the shaft (110) by means of the movement of the armature.

Claims

1. A switch assembly for a device for handling value documents, comprising a shaft (110), which is connected to a switch body (120) for rotation therewith, wherein the switch body (120) is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft (110) between a first switch body position (P1) and a second switch body position (P2), comprising a switch lever (130, 131), wherein the shaft (110) is rotatable about its longitudinal axis with the aid of the switch lever (130, 131), comprising a solenoid (200) which comprises an armature (210), wherein the solenoid (200) can be actuated such that the armature (210) can be moved between a first armature position (A1) and a second armature position (A2), wherein the switch lever (130, 131) is in engagement with the armature (210) such that the movement of the armature (210) causes the switch lever (130, 131) to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the shaft (110), characterized in that the switch assembly (100) comprises an elastically deformable element (300, 301, 320, 330, 335, 340), wherein the elastically deformable element (300, 301, 320, 330, 335, 340) is deformed at least whenever the switch body (120) has reached the second switch body position (P2) and the armature (210) has not yet reached the second armature position (A2).

2. The switch assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the elastically deformable element (300, 301, 320, 330, 335, 340) is deformed from the time at which the switch body (120) has reached the second switch body position (P2) and the armature (210) is still moved further as far as the second armature position (A2).

3. The switch assembly as claimed in either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the armature (210) in the second armature position (A2) reaches a mechanical stop (220) provided in the solenoid (200).

4. The switch assembly as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the switch lever (130, 131) is rotatable on the shaft (110) about a predefined angular range, and in that the elastically deformable element (300, 301, 320, 330, 335, 340) is a torsion spring (300, 301), wherein one end (304, 309) of the torsion spring (300, 301) is connected to the shaft (110) and the other end (306,307) of the torsion spring (300, 301) is connected to the switch lever (130, 131).

5. The switch assembly as claimed in claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the elastically deformable element (300, 301, 320, 330, 335, 340) is a torsion bushing (320) which comprises two sleeves (322, 324) which are connected to each other by an elastomer element (326) and are rotatable relative to each other, wherein the first sleeve (322) is connected to the switch lever (130, 131) and the second sleeve (324) is connected to the shaft (110), and wherein the switch lever (130, 131) is rotatable at least about an angular range or freely.

6. The switch assembly as claimed in claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the shaft (110) is connected to the switch lever in a recess of the switch lever (130, 131) via an elastomer.

7. The switch assembly as claimed in claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the elastically deformable element (300, 301, 320, 330, 335, 340) is a torsion disk assembly (330) which comprises two disks (332, 334) which are connected to each other by an elastomer element and are rotatable relative to each other, wherein the first disk (332) is connected to the switch lever (130, 131) and the second disk (334) is connected to the shaft (110).

8. The switch assembly as claimed in claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the shaft (110) comprises a first shaft part (111) and a second shaft part (112), wherein the first shaft part (111) and the second shaft part (112) are connected to each other with the aid of the elastically deformable element (300, 320, 330, 335, 340), in particular with a spring or with an elastomer element (335), and are rotatable relative to each other, and in that the switch lever (130, 131) is connected to the first shaft part (111) for rotation therewith.

9. The switch assembly as claimed in claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the solenoid (200) comprises a solenoid housing (204), and in that the switch lever (130, 131) engages in a groove (211) of the armature (210), wherein the elastically deformable element (300, 301, 320, 330, 335, 340) is arranged between the switch lever and the flange of the groove (211), the flange facing away from the stop (220).

10. The switch assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein a spacer (342) is arranged between the switch lever (130, 131) and the elastically deformable element (300, 301, 320, 330, 335, 340), wherein the elastically deformable element (300, 301, 320, 330, 335, 340) is a wave washer, a disk spring, an elastomer washer or an O ring (340).

11. The switch assembly as claimed in claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the armature (210) comprises a first section and a second section, in that the switch lever (130, 131) is in engagement with the first section, and in that the first section and the second section are connected via the elastically deformable element (300, 301, 320, 330, 335, 340).

12. The switch assembly as claimed in claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the switch body (120) comprises an elastically deformable guiding element which comprises and/or forms the elastically deformable element (300, 301, 320, 330, 335, 340) of the switch assembly (100, 300, 400, 500, 600,700).

13. The switch assembly as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the guiding element comprises at least one elastically deformable switch finger.

14. The switch assembly as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastically deformable element (300, 301, 320, 330, 335, 340) presses the switch body (120) against a first stop (30) with a prestress, wherein the prestress can correspond to a force between 1N and 5N, in particular between 2.5N and 3N.

15. The switch assembly as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that the elastically deformable element (300, 301, 320, 330, 335, 340) is arranged and designed in such a manner that, after the prestress has been overcome, a force in the range between 0.05N and 0.15N is necessary per 1 cm stroke of the armature.

Description

[0020] Further features and advantages of the invention emerge from the description below which explains the invention in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the attached figures, in which:

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a device for handling value documents with a first switch assembly,

[0022] FIG. 2 shows a cutout of a sectional illustration of a switch body of the first switch assembly according to FIG. 1 in a first operating state of the switch assembly,

[0023] FIG. 3 shows a cutout of a sectional illustration of the first switch assembly according to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2,

[0024] FIG. 4 shows a perspective illustration of individual elements of the first switch assembly according to FIGS. 1 to 3 according to a first embodiment,

[0025] FIG. 5 shows a cutout of a sectional illustration of the first switch assembly,

[0026] FIG. 6 shows a partially sectioned illustration of a section of a second switch assembly which can be used in place of the first switch assembly in the device,

[0027] FIG. 7 shows a side view of a section of a third switch assembly which can be used instead of the first switch assembly in the device,

[0028] FIG. 8 shows a schematic sectional illustration of a section of a fourth switch assembly which can be used instead of the first switch assembly in the device,

[0029] FIG. 9 shows a schematic illustration of a section of a fifth switch assembly which can be used instead of the first switch assembly in the device, and

[0030] FIG. 10 shows a schematic illustration of a section of a sixth switch assembly which can be used instead of the first switch assembly in the device.

[0031] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a device 10 for handling value documents with a first switch assembly 100. The switch assembly 100 comprises a shaft 110, a switch body 120 and a switch lever 130, wherein the shaft 110 is connected to the switch body 120 for rotation therewith. The switch lever 130 is in engagement with an armature 210 of a solenoid 200 such that a movement of the armature 210 causes the switch lever 130 to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the shaft 110.

[0032] An outer wall 20 of the device 10 for handling value documents accommodates the solenoid 200 and is connected to an inner wall 24 via a bolt 22. The outer wall 20 is illustrated by dashed lines, and the elements located therebehind are illustrated by a solid line. The inner wall 24 accommodates a first guiding element 26 and a second guiding element 28, which is illustrated in FIG. 2, wherein the two guiding elements 26, 28 are arranged opposite each other. The value documents are guided between the first guiding element 26 and the second guiding element 28 as far as a switch region Y.

[0033] The first guiding element 26 and the second guiding element 28 form a first transport path (T1 in FIG. 2). In the switch region Y, the value documents supplied via the guiding elements 26, 28 are guided with the aid of the switch body 120 and, depending on the switch position of the switch body, are guided to a second transport path (T2 in FIG. 2) or to a third transport path (T3 in FIG. 2). By this means, the value documents are deflected in the switch region Y.

[0034] FIG. 2 shows a cutout of a sectional illustration of the switch body 120 of the first switch assembly 100 according to FIG. 1 along the sectional plane A in a first operating state of the switch assembly 100. The switch body 120 is in a first switch body position P1, in which the switch body 120 lies against a first mechanical stop 30 at the first guiding element 26. In this first switch body position P1, the value documents are guided to the second transport path T2.

[0035] FIG. 3 shows a cutout of a sectional illustration of the first switch assembly 100 according to FIGS. 1 and 2 along the sectional plane B which intersects the armature 210 along its longitudinal axis. The solenoid 200 is in engagement with the switch lever 130 via a groove 211 in an armature 210, wherein two switch lever fingers 132, 134 which are illustrated in FIG. 4 engage in the groove 211. A recess 202 for receiving the armature 210 is provided in the solenoid housing 204; the armature 210 is movable within the recess 202 as far as a mechanical armature stop 220. In the first operating state illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, current does not flow through the coil of the solenoid 200, and the armature 210 is in a first armature position A1, in which the armature 210 protrudes by a distance L from the solenoid housing 204 of the solenoid 200. In this first armature position A1 of the armature 210, a conical spring 212 which is connected to the armature 210 and to the solenoid housing 204 is only slightly stressed, if at all. In other embodiments, a different spring, in particular a helical spring, can be used instead of the conical spring 212.

[0036] FIG. 4 shows a perspective illustration of individual elements of the first switch assembly 100 according to FIGS. 1 to 3 according to a first embodiment. A plug-on element 112 is pushed onto the shaft 110 and is in engagement with the shaft 110 in a form-fitting manner and thus for rotation therewith. The switch lever 130 has two lever fingers 132, 134 for engagement in the groove 211 of the armature 210. A bolt 302 is fixedly connected to the plug-on element 112 and is thereby in engagement with the shaft 110 for rotation therewith. A torsion spring 300 is connected in a prestressed manner at a first end 304 to the bolt 302 and at a second end 306 to the switch lever 130, wherein a force between 1N and 5N, in particular between 2.5N and 3N, corresponds to the prestress of said connection. FIG. 4 also shows a guiding element 121 which comprises two switch fingers 122, 124.

[0037] FIG. 5 shows a cutout of a sectional illustration along the sectional plane B of the first switch assembly 100 according to the first embodiment. The switch assembly 100 is shown in a second operating state in which current flows through the coil of the solenoid 200. This generates a magnetic field by means of which the armature 210 is drawn into the solenoid housing 204. The armature 210 thereby moves from the first armature position A1 into a second armature position A2, in which the armature 210 lies against the mechanical stop 220. This movement of the armature 210 brings about a rotation of the switch lever 130 and of the shaft 110 about the longitudinal axis of the shaft 110 by an angle α in the range between 5° and 50°, in particular between 20° and 35°, for example of 30°.

[0038] The rotation also causes a movement of the switch body 120 from the first switch body position P1 shown in FIG. 2 into a second switch body position P2 which is shown in FIG. 5 and in which the switch body 120 lies against a second mechanical stop 40. In said second switch body position, the value documents are guided from the first transport path T1 into the third transport path T3 or in the opposite direction from the third transport path T3 into the first transport path T1. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the stop 40 is part of the guiding element 28. In other embodiments, a separate stop can be provided.

[0039] The switch body 120 reaches the second switch body position P2 before the armature 210 has reached the second armature position A2. During the movement of the armature 210 that takes place after the switch body 120 has reached the switch body position P2, the torsion spring 300 which is already prestressed is stressed further by the further movement of the armature 210. During said further movement of the armature, the switch lever 130 is rotated further by a predefined angle about the longitudinal axis of the shaft 110. In another embodiment of the invention, this angle has a value in the range between 3° and 10°, in particular between 5.5° and 7.5°, for example 6.5°. In an alternative embodiment, this angle has a value in the range between 5° and 15°, in particular between 10° and 13°, for example 11.5°.

[0040] In the second operating state shown in FIG. 5, both the conical spring 212 and the torsion spring 300 are prestressed, with the conical spring 212 being prestressed by approximately 3N to 4N. The prestressing force of the conical spring 212 and the prestressing force of the torsion spring 300 act in the same direction and bring about a rapid dropping of the armature 210, i.e. the return to the first armature position A1, as soon as no current flows through the coil at the solenoid 200.

[0041] FIG. 6 shows a partially sectioned illustration of a section of a second switch assembly 300 which can be used in the device 10 instead of the switch assembly 100. Elements of the same design or having the same function have the same reference signs. The switch assembly 300 comprises a torsion bushing 320 with a first sleeve 322, a second sleeve 324 and an elastically deformable elastomer element 326, wherein the first sleeve 322 is fixedly connected to the shaft 110 and the second sleeve 324 is fixedly connected to the switch lever 130. The sleeves 320 and 322 are connected to each other and rotatable relative to each other via the elastomer element 326. A movement of the armature 210 into the second armature position A2 is thus possible even if the switch body 120 has already reached the second switch body position P2 since a relative movement between the switch lever 130 and the shaft 110 is possible with the aid of the torsion bushing 320.

[0042] FIG. 7 shows a side view of a section of a third switch assembly 400 which can be used in the device 10 instead of the switch assembly 100. The switch assembly 400 comprises a torsion disk assembly 330 with a first disk 332 which is connected to the switch lever 130, with a second disk 334 which is connected to the shaft 110, and with an elastically deformable elastomer element 328. The disks 332 and 334 are connected to each other and rotatable relative to each other by means of the elastomer element 328. A movement of the armature 210 into the second armature position A2 is thus possible even if the switch body 120 has already reached the second switch body position P2 since a relative movement between the switch lever 130 and the shaft 110 is possible with the aid of the torsion disk assembly 330.

[0043] FIG. 8 shows a schematic sectional illustration of a section of a fourth switch assembly 500 which can be used in the device 10 instead of the switch assembly 100. The shaft 110 comprises a first shaft part 111 and a second shaft part 113 which are connected to each other and rotatable relative to each other with the aid of an elastically deformable elastomer element 335. The shaft part 111 is fixedly connected to the switch lever 130, and the shaft part 113 is fixedly connected to the switch body 120. A movement of the armature 210 into the second armature position A2 is thus possible even if the switch body 120 has already reached the second switch body position P2 since a relative movement of the shaft part 111 and the shaft part 112 is possible with the aid of the elastomer element 335. In an alternative embodiment, the shaft parts 111 and 113 can be connected to each other via a torsion spring.

[0044] FIG. 9 shows a schematic illustration of a section of a fifth switch assembly 600 which can be used in the device 10 instead of the switch assembly 100. The switch lever fingers 132, 134 reach into the groove 211 of the armature 130. An O ring 340 is arranged in that side of the groove 211 which faces away from the solenoid housing 204. A spacer 342 is arranged between the switch lever fingers 132, 134 and the O ring 340. A movement of the armature 210 into the second armature position A2 is thus possible even if the switch body 120 has already reached the second switch body position P2 since the switch lever fingers 132, 134 press together the O ring 340 via the spacer 342 during the remaining stroke of the armature 210 such that the O ring 340 is elastically deformed. In alternative embodiments, the O ring 340 can be replaced by a soft wave washer, a disk spring or an elastomer washer.

[0045] FIG. 10 shows a schematic illustration of a section of a sixth switch assembly 700 which can be used in the device 10 instead of the first switch assembly 100. The illustrated engagement of two switch lever fingers 137, 139 in the groove 211 of the armature 210 corresponds to the engagement of the switch lever fingers 132, 134 in the groove 211 of the armature 210 in the case of the switch assemblies 100 to 600 that have already been described. A torsion spring 301 is connected at one end 309 to a protruding segment 303 of a plug-on element 117. The plug-on element 117 is arranged on the shaft 110 in the same manner as the plug-on element 112 shown in FIG. 4. The other end 307 of the torsion spring 301 engages in a protruding segment 133 of the switch lever 131. A movement of the armature 210 into the second armature position A2 is thus possible even if the switch body 120 has already reached the second switch body position P2 since a relative movement between the switch lever 131 and the shaft 110 is possible counter to the spring force of the preferably prestressed torsion spring 301.

[0046] In a further alternative embodiment of the invention, the armature 210 comprises a first and a second section, wherein the switch lever 130 is in engagement with the first section, and wherein the first section and the second section are connected via an elastically deformable element, in particular via a compression spring. A movement of the armature 210 into the second armature position A2 is thus possible even if the switch body 120 has already reached the second switch body position P2 since the spring is stressed counter to the spring force during the remaining stroke of the armature 210.

[0047] In a further alternative embodiment of the invention, the switch body 120 comprises switch fingers which are connected elastically to the switch body 120. It is thus ensured that a movement of the armature 210 into the second armature position A2 is possible even if the switch body 120 has already reached the second switch body position P2 since a relative movement between the shaft and the switch fingers of the switch body is possible during the remaining stroke of the armature 210. In a further alternative embodiment of the invention, the switch fingers 120 themselves are elastically deformable, additionally or alternatively to an elastic connection to the switch body 120.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0048] 10 Device [0049] 20 Outer wall [0050] 22 Bolt [0051] 24 Inner wall [0052] 26, 28, 121 Guiding element [0053] 30, 40 Stop [0054] 100, 300, 400, [0055] 500, 600, 700 Switch assembly [0056] 110 Shaft [0057] 111, 113 Shaft part [0058] 112, 117 Plug-on element [0059] 120 Switch body [0060] 122, 124 Switch finger [0061] 130, 131 Switch lever [0062] 133, 303 Segment [0063] 132, 134, 137, 139 Switch lever finger [0064] 200 Solenoid [0065] 202 Recess [0066] 204 Solenoid housing [0067] 210 Armature [0068] 211 Groove [0069] 212 Conical spring [0070] 220 Armature stop [0071] 300, 301 Torsion spring [0072] 302 Bolt [0073] 304, 306, 307, 309 Torsion spring end [0074] 320 Torsion bushing [0075] 322, 324 Sleeve [0076] 326, 328 Elastomer element [0077] 330 Torsion disk assembly [0078] 332, 334 Disk [0079] 340 O ring [0080] 342 Spacer [0081] Y Switch region [0082] α Angle [0083] A1, A2 Armature position [0084] A, B Sectional plane [0085] L Distance [0086] P1, P2 Switch body position [0087] T1, T2, T3 Transport path