Apparatus for aligning notes of value

Abstract

An apparatus for aligning at least one note of value along a transport path including at least one transport element, at least one first drive unit, first and second rotatably mounted deflecting elements, and a second drive unit. The transport element includes an endless drive belt. The first drive unit drives the transport element in a first direction of rotation which moves the note of value along the transport path in a transport direction. The transport element is deflected over the deflecting elements. The second drive unit displaces at least one of the first and second deflecting elements along its axis of rotation so that by displacing the one of the first and second deflecting elements the note of value contacting the at least one transport element is moved obliquely to the transport direction.

Claims

1. An apparatus for aligning at least one note of value along a transport path comprising: at least one transport element comprising an endless drive belt; at least one first drive unit for driving the at least one transport element wherein the transport element is driven by the first drive unit in a first direction of rotation which moves the note of value along the transport path in a transport direction; first and second rotatably mounted deflecting elements over which the at least one transport element is deflected over; and a second drive unit for displacing one of the first and second deflecting elements along its axis of rotation, so that by displacing the one of the first and second deflecting elements the note of value contacting the at least one transport element is moved obliquely to the transport direction, wherein the second deflecting element is arranged downstream of the first deflecting element in the transport direction and is displaced by the second drive unit laterally relative to the transport path.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first drive unit drives at least one of the first and second deflecting elements via at least one drive shaft.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second deflecting elements each has at least one of a shaft, a roller, a disk or a drum.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein, during rotation of the first deflecting element by the first drive unit, the second drive unit displaces the second deflecting element such that the note of value is moved obliquely to the transport direction between the first deflecting element and the second deflecting element.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the second deflecting element is connected to a drive shaft in a rotationally fixed manner and also in an axially displaceable manner along the axis of rotation of the second deflecting element.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising: a counter-pressure element arranged opposite to the at least one transport element, wherein the transport path of the note of value extends between the at least one transport element and the counterpressure element.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6 further comprising: third and fourth rotatably mounted deflecting elements, wherein the counter-pressure element is further defined as a belt which is deflected over third and fourth rotatably mounted deflecting elements and wherein at least one of the third and fourth deflecting elements is laterally displaceable by the second drive unit.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the second deflecting element and the fourth deflecting element are aligned and overlap one another on the transport path.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the second deflecting element and the fourth deflecting element are displaceable laterally relative to the transport path by the second drive unit.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the first deflecting element and the third deflecting element are aligned and overlap one another on the transport path.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the first deflecting element and the third deflecting element are firmly arranged on respective drive shafts.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective illustration of several notes of value transported along a transport path.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective illustration of an apparatus for aligning notes of value according to a first embodiment.

(3) FIG. 3 shows a schematic perspective illustration of an apparatus for aligning notes of value according to a second embodiment.

(4) FIG. 4 shows a schematic perspective illustration of an apparatus for aligning notes of value according to a third embodiment.

(5) FIG. 5 shows a top view of an apparatus for aligning notes of value according to a fourth embodiment.

(6) FIG. 6a shows a sectional view of the apparatus according to FIG. 5 in a first operating state, and

(7) FIG. 6b shows a sectional view of the apparatus according to FIG. 5 in a second operating state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) In FIG. 1, a schematic illustration of several notes of value 12 to 18 arranged along a transport plane 10 is illustrated. The notes of value 12 to 18 are transported by means of non-illustrated transport means, such as rollers, drums, bands, and/or switches along the transport path 10 in transport direction T1. The dash-dotted line 20 indicates the central axis of the transport path 10. The notes of value 12 to 18 are transported in a transport plane formed by the transport path 10. In the following, such a transport plane is likewise identified with the reference sign 10.

(9) The notes of value 12 to 18 should have a target position relative to the transport path 10. From this target position, the positions of the notes of value 12 to 18 should only deviate within little tolerances. In the target position, the longitudinal sides of the notes of value 12 to 18 are aligned orthogonally to the transport direction T1 and the short central axis of the note of value 12 to 18 lies on the central axis 20 of the transport path 10. From the notes of value 12 to 18 illustrated in FIG. 1, only the note of value 18 is in the target position. In the present embodiment, the longitudinal sides of the notes of value 12 to 18 are, at least in the target position, oriented substantially transversely to the transport direction T1. Such an orientation of the longitudinal sides of the notes of value 12 to 18 orthogonal to the transport direction T1 is also referred to as long side first (LSF) orientation. Further, it is advantageous when two successive notes of value 12 to 18 each have the same distance Y to each other. An alignment of the notes of value 12 to 18 in the target position is particularly important when the notes of value 12 to 18 are transported along the transport path 10 of an automated teller machine or an automatic cash safe at high speed. For aligning the notes of value 12 to 16, the position of which laterally deviates from the target position, an apparatus for aligning the notes of value 12 to 18 is provided according to the invention. The structure and the function of the apparatus for aligning notes of value 12 to 18 is described still in more detail in the following in connection with FIGS. 2 to 6. The notes of value 12 to 18 run through the apparatus at the same transport speed as during their transport along other transport paths 10 in the automated teller machine or in the automatic cash register system or cash safes, respectively. In the present embodiment, the deviation of the position of the note of value 12 to 18 from its target position is determined by a non-illustrated value note checking unit for checking the authenticity of the notes of value 12 to 18. The value note checking unit is arranged upstream of the apparatus for aligning the notes of value 12 to 18 in transport direction T1. Such a value note checking unit is also referred to as banknote reader.

(10) Deviations of the position of the notes of value 12 to 18 from the target position can in particular occur during the removal of notes of value 12 to 18 from value note boxes with poorly stacked notes of value 12 to 18, in the case of an incorrect input of notes of value 12 to 18 by a customer and/or in the case of a skewed pull of notes of value 12 to 18 during feed or during the transport along the transport path 10. When such deviations occur, it is necessary that the notes of value 12 to 18 are brought into their target position by the apparatus for aligning notes of value 12 to 18 in order to correct at least a detected lateral offset.

(11) Further, by the alignment of the notes of value 12 to 18 in the target position, the alignment of the notes of value 12 to 18 in stacks for the output of the notes of value 12 to 18 as a bundle or for storing the notes of value 12 to 18 as a stack, for example in a value note box, is improved. In this way, the notes of value 12 to 18 can be stored in a space-saving manner Further, the notes of value 12 to 18 can be output to a customer as an orderly bundle in an attractive and comfortable manner.

(12) The note of value 14 shown in FIG. 1 is not in the target position. Its longitudinal sides are indeed perpendicular to the transport direction T1, but its short central axis does not lie on the central axis 20 of the transport path 10. The short central axis of the note of value 14 is offset to the right so that the note of value 14 has no angular offset but a lateral offset. The note of value 14 thus has to be moved to the left so far that the short central axis of the note of value 14 lies on the central axis 20 of the transport plane 10 to bring the note of value 14 in the target position.

(13) The note of value 12 has approximately the same lateral offset transversely to the central axis 20 of the transport path 10 as the note of value 14. However, the note of value 12 is additionally rotated by an angle A with respect to an orthogonal to the central axis 20 of the transport path 10. Such a deviation by an angle from the target position is also referred to as angular offset. The note of value 12 should be rotated by the angle −A and additionally be moved to the left, as viewed in transport direction T1, until the short central axis of the note of value 12 lies on the central axis 20 of the transport path 10 to bring the note of value 12 exactly into the target position.

(14) The note of value 16 has an angular offset of −A and a lateral offset transversely to the central axis 20 of the transport path 10 to the left as viewed in transport direction T1. To bring this note of value 16 into the target position, it has to be rotated by the angle A and moved to the right until the short central axis of the note of value 16 lies on the central axis 20 of the transport plane 10. It has been realized that in many cases it is sufficient to correct the lateral offset of a note of value. A correction of the angular offset is not absolutely necessary in many cases.

(15) In FIG. 2, a perspective illustration of an apparatus 100 for aligning notes of value 12 to 18 according to a first embodiment is shown. The transport path 10 for the transport of the notes of value 12 to 18 is formed in the area of the apparatus 100 by a driven belt 114 that is guided over two rollers 112, 118 serving as deflecting elements.

(16) The roller 112 is firmly connected to a drive shaft 110 that is driven by a first non-illustrated drive unit. The roller 118 is arranged downstream of the driven roller 112 in transport direction T1 and is freely rotatable and axially movable via an axial bearing 120 on the shaft 116. The roller 118 can be axially moved by a second non-illustrated drive unit on the shaft 116 via the axial bearing 120, as shown by the arrow T2.

(17) Before or during rotation of the roller 112 by the first drive unit, the roller 118 can be moved along its axis of rotation on the shaft 116 by the second drive unit, so that the roller 118 has a lateral offset as compared to the roller 112 with respect to the central axis of the transport path 10. As a result, the note of value 12 is moved between the drive roller and the roller 118 obliquely to the transport direction T1.

(18) FIG. 3 shows a schematic perspective illustration of an apparatus 300 for aligning notes of value 12 to 18 according to a second embodiment. In addition to the apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus 300 comprises a second belt arrangement 200 serving as a counter-pressure element. Elements having the same structure or the same function are identified with the same reference signs. The belt arrangement 200 comprises an endless belt 214 that is guided over rollers 212, 218 serving as deflecting elements.

(19) The transport path 10 for the transport of the notes of value 12 to 18 runs between the belt 114 and the second belt 214. By the second belt 214 it is guaranteed that the note of value 12 is pressed against the belt 114 during the transport along the transport path 10 in the area of the belts 114, 214 or is safely held between the belts 114, 214.

(20) The roller 212 is arranged opposite to the roller 112 with respect to the transport path 10. The roller 118 is arranged opposite to the roller 218 with respect to the transport path 10. The roller 212 is firmly connected to a shaft 210 and is driven preferably by the first drive unit at the same rotational speed and opposite rotation direction as the shaft 110 so that the belts 114, 214 are driven at the same circumferential speed. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the second belt 214 can be driven by friction with the first belt 114 and/or by friction with the rollers 112, 212; 118, 218. As shown in FIG. 3, the “second” deflecting element 118 and the “fourth” deflecting element 218 are aligned and overlap one another on the transport path. FIG. 3 also shows the “first” deflecting element 112 and the “third” deflecting element 212 aligned and overlapping one another on the transport path.

(21) The roller 218 is arranged axially movable on a shaft 216 via an axial bearing 220. The displacement of the roller 218 takes place synchronously to the displacement of the roller 118 by the already mentioned second drive unit in a direction of the double arrow T2.

(22) In the case of a lateral displacement of the rollers 118, 218 in one of the directions of the double arrow T2, the note of value 12 is transported obliquely to the central axis of the transport path 10 and in doing so is reliably held between the opposite belts 114, 214. If there is no lateral displacement of the rollers 118, 218, the note of value 12 is transported in transport direction T1 along the transport path 10, i.e. without the note of value 12 being moved obliquely or transversely to the transport path.

(23) FIG. 4 shows a schematic perspective illustration of an apparatus 400 for aligning notes of value 12 to 18 according to a third embodiment. The apparatus 400 comprises two drive belts 414, 434 arranged next to each other, wherein the belt 414 is guided over rollers 412, 418 serving as deflecting elements and the drive belt 334 is guided over rollers 432, 438 serving as deflecting elements. FIG. 4 shows the note 12 disposed on outwardly- and upwardly-facing surfaces of the belts 414, 434. FIGS. 6a shows a side view of the note 12. In FIG. 6a, the arrow referenced by the letter z is the distance between an axis of rotation and the transport plane. Note 12 is shown positioned against the end of the arrow z in FIG. 6a. The rollers 412, 432 are firmly arranged on a drive shaft 410 so that they are drivable via the shaft 410 by a schematically-illustrated first drive unit 409. The rollers 418, 438 are arranged downstream of the rollers 412, 432 in transport direction T1 as well as are mounted in a freely rotatable manner on a second shaft 416. Via one axial bearing 420, 440 each, the rollers 418, 438 can be axially displaced along a longitudinal axis the second shaft 416 by a schematically-illustrated second drive unit 411. The axially displaceable rollers 418, 438 are coupled such that they are displaced synchronously so that also after a displacement on the shaft 116, they have the same distance to each other. Thus, an exemplary first transport element is defined by the belt 414 and the rollers 412, 418. An exemplary second transport element is defined by the belt 434 and the rollers 432, 438. As shown in FIG. 4, these exemplary first and second transport elements are spaced laterally from one another, on opposite sides of a central axis 20 of the transport path.

(24) If during the rotation of the rollers 412, 432 by the first drive unit the second drive unit is activated, the rollers 418, 438 are displaced along their axis of rotation on the shaft in the same direction, dependent on the drive direction of the second drive unit, so that the rollers 418, 438 have a lateral offset as compared to the rollers 412, 432 with respect to the central axis of the transport path 10. As a result, a transport of the notes of value obliquely to the central axis of the transport path 10 takes place. It is thus possible that a note of value 12 fed to the apparatus 400 exits the apparatus 400 laterally offset relative to its feed position. As a result, a previously detected lateral offset of the note of value 12, i.e. a lateral deviation of the note of value 12 from a target position can be corrected or reduced. When the second drive unit is not activated, the rollers 418, 438 remain in their position shown in FIG. 4 so that the note of value is transported along the central axis of the transport path 10 and not obliquely to the transport path 10 through the apparatus 400.

(25) The two belts 414, 434 arranged next to each other in the embodiment according to FIG. 4 enable a safe support and guidance of the note of value 12 along the transport path 10.

(26) In an alternative embodiment of the apparatus 400, the rollers 418, 438 can also be arranged in a rotationally fixed manner with the shaft 416 and axially displaceable on the shaft 416 via the axial bearings 420, 440 so that the rollers 418, 438 perform exactly the same rotary motions. In a further advantageous embodiment of the apparatus 400, the shaft 416 can additionally be drivable in the same manner as the shaft 410, preferably by the same drive unit.

(27) In a further embodiment, a further belt arrangement 200 can be arranged opposite to the belts 414, 434 in the same manner as shown in connection with FIG. 3 for the belt 114. As a result, the note of value 12 is reliably held between the opposite belts. Alternatively to the second belt arrangement 200, also a guide element can be arranged opposite to the belts 414, 434, 114 that delimits the transport path 10 so that the note of value 12 is reliably guided between the belts 114, 414, 434 and the guide element.

(28) FIG. 5 shows a top view of an apparatus 500 for aligning notes of value 12 to 18 according to a fourth embodiment. The apparatus 500 comprises two vane wheels 510 and 512, which are mounted between two shafts in transport direction T1, wherein the first shaft serves as an inlet shaft 548 and the second shaft serves as an outlet shaft 550. The inlet shaft 548 and the outlet shaft 550 are driven via a first non-illustrated drive unit. As shown in complementary FIGS. 6a and 6b, each exemplary vane wheel 510, 512 includes a hub and at least one vane extending from the hub, such as exemplary hub 513 and exemplary vane 515. As shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b, the vane wheel 510 includes a plurality of vanes 515, 552, 554 extending radially away from the hub 513.

(29) A second, likewise not illustrated drive unit rotates the vane wheels 510 and 512, wherein the axis of rotation of the vane wheels 510 and 512 runs parallel to the transport direction T1 and thus parallel to the central axis of the transport plane.

(30) Two freely rotatable counter-pressure elements 520 and 522 formed as balls (see FIG. 6a) are arranged opposite to the vane wheels 510 and 512 so that the transport path 10 of the note of value 12 runs between the vane wheels 510 and 512 and the ball-shaped counter-pressure elements 520 and 522. Each of the counter-pressure elements 520 and 522 is mounted so as to be freely rotatable in a bearing unit 530, 532. For this, the ball-shaped counter-pressure elements 520, 522 are mounted in bearing bushes within the bearing units 530 and 532. The arrangement of the counter-pressure elements 520 and 522 in the respective bearing units 530, 532 is illustrated in FIGS. 6a and 6b.

(31) The bearing units 530 and 532 are each coupled with an elastically deformable element 540 and 542, which generate a counter-pressure force of the ball-shaped counter-pressure elements 520 and 522 on a note of value 12 arranged between the vane wheels 510, 512 and the counter-pressure elements 520 and 522. The elastically deformable element 540, 542 can be a spring, in particular a coil spring designed as a pressure spring, or an elastomer block.

(32) When the vane wheels 510 and 512 are rotated in one of the directions of the double arrow T3, the note of value 12 is transported transversely to the central axis of the transport path 10 and in doing so is reliably held between the opposite counter-pressure elements 520 and 522 and the vane wheels 510, 512. When there is no rotation of the vane wheels 510 and 512, the note of value 12 is transported in transport direction T1 along the transport path 10, i.e. without the note of value 12 being moved transversely to the transport path.

(33) FIG. 6a is a sectional view of the apparatus 500 according to FIG. 5 along the sectional line A-A. The apparatus 500 is illustrated in a first operating state, in which the vane wheels 510 and 512 are not rotated by the second drive unit.

(34) The axes of rotation of the vane wheels 510 and 512 are arranged at a distance Z to the transport plane 10. The distance Z is smaller than the radius R of the enveloping circles 514 and 516 of the vane wheels 510, 512. The outer points of the vane wheels 510 and 512 move along the enveloping circle 514, 516 upon a rotation of the vane wheels 510, 512. As shown in FIG. 6a, the enveloping circle 514 has a circumference about an axis 556 of rotation of the vane wheel 510 that is defined by a plurality of arcuate circumferential portions including a first set of arcuate circumferential portions 558, 560, 562 that is defined by respective distal ends of the plurality of vanes 515, 552, 554 and a second set of arcuate circumferential portions 564, 566, 568 that is defined by gaps between the distal ends of the plurality of vanes 515, 552, 554. FIG. 6a also shows that the second set of arcuate portions 564, 566, 568 collectively define a greater portion of the circumference of the enveloping circle 514 than defined collectively by the first set of arcuate circumferential portions 558, 560, 562. FIG. 6a also shows each of the vanes 515, 552, 554 extending from a respective base end at the hub 513 to a respective distal end (defined by arcuate circumferential portions 558, 560, 562) remote from the hub 513. The respective widths of each of the vanes 515, 552, 554 can be defined about the axis 556 and the widths increase continuously between the respective base ends and the respective distal ends.

(35) In the position shown in FIG. 6a, i.e. in the first operating state, the vanes of the vane wheels 510 and 512 are positioned in such an angular position in which no vane of the vane wheels 510 and 512 projects into the transport plane 10.

(36) The ball-shaped counter-pressure element 520 mounted in the bearing unit 530 is arranged opposite to the vane wheel 510, the ball-shaped counter-pressure element 522 mounted in the bearing unit 532 is arranged opposite to the vane wheel 512.

(37) The ball-shaped counter-pressure elements 520 and 522 project through an opening of the respective bearing unit 530 and 532 that is dimensioned such that the ball-shaped counter-pressure elements 520, 522 cannot be moved completely through the opening.

(38) The note of value 12 which is arranged in the transport plane 10 between the vane wheels 510 and 512 and the counter-pressure elements 520 and 522, is not contacted by the vane wheels 510 and 512 in the illustrated operating state. When driving the inlet shaft 548 and the outlet shaft 550 by the first drive unit, the note of value 12 is thus exclusively transported in transport direction T1 through the device 500.

(39) FIG. 6b is a sectional view of the device 500 according to FIG. 5 along the sectional line A-A. The device 500 is illustrated in a second operating state, in which the vane wheels 510 and 512 are rotated by the second drive unit.

(40) Upon rotation, the vane wheels 510 and 512 are moved out of the transport plane 10 by the distance based on the difference between the radius R of the vane wheel 510, 512 and the distance Z (R−Z) and in doing so are pressed against the counter-pressure elements 520 and 522. FIG. 6a shows the vanes prior to engaging the counter-pressure elements 520 and 522 and FIG. 6b, when compared to FIG. 6a, shows no deformation in the vanes while the vanes engage counter-pressure elements 520 and 522. The vanes are thus rigid and force the counter-pressure elements 520 and 522 to move when the vanes engage the counter-pressure elements 520 and 522. The note of value 12 is transported in one of the directions of the double arrow T3 transversely to the central axis of the transport path 10 and are held safely between the counter-pressure elements 520 and 522 and the vane wheels 510 and 512.

(41) By moving the note of value 12 out of the transport plane 10, the adhesive force between the note of value 12 and the inlet shaft 548 and between the note of value 12 and the outlet shaft 550 is reduced so that the transport of the note of value 12 in the direction T1 during the alignment of the note of value 12 in one of the directions of the double arrow T3 is interrupted. Starting from their position shown in FIG. 6a, the vane wheels 510, 512 are rotated by a minimum angle or an integer multiple of the minimum angle for moving the note of vale 12 transversely to the transport direction T1.

(42) The minimum angle is the quotient from 360° and the number of vanes. In the present embodiment, the vane wheels 510, 512 each have three vanes so that the minimum angle between a leading edge of two adjacent vanes amounts to 120°, as is shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b. As shown in FIG. 6a, the vanes 515, 552, 554 are evenly spaced from one another about the axis 556 of rotation of the at least one vane wheel 510. FIG. 6a shows that the arcuate circumferential portions 564, 566, 568 define gaps between adjacent pairs of vanes and that extend a first angle about the axis 556 of rotation of the vane wheel 510. An exemplary angle of a gap is referenced at 570. In FIG. 6b, an exemplary angle that the vane 515 extends about the axis 556 is referenced at 572 and an exemplary angle that the vane 554 extends about the axis 556 is referenced at 574. FIGS. 6a and 6b show that the exemplary first angle 570 is greater than both of the angle 572 and the angle 574. The vane wheels 510, 512 are rotated by the second drive unit until the note of value 12 has been moved by a desired distance transversely to the transport direction T1. In other embodiments, the drive of the inlet shaft and the outlet shaft can also be stopped during activation of the vane wheels 510, 512. As shown in FIG. 6b, the vanes of the vane wheels 510, 512 are synchronized relative to one another whereby a vane of the vane wheel 510 is engaged with the counter-pressure element 520 at the same time that a vane of the vane wheel 512 is engaged with the counter-pressure element 522. Also, as shown in FIG. 6a, the vanes of the vane wheels 510, 512 are synchronized relative to one another whereby the counter-pressure element 520 is not engaged with any of the vanes of the vane wheel 510 at the same time the counter-pressure element 522 is not engaged with any of the vanes of the second vane wheel 512.