Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6276678
-
Patent Number
6,276,678
-
Date Filed
Wednesday, April 19, 200024 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, August 21, 200122 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- McCormick, Paulding & Huber LLP
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 271 301
- 271 304
- 271 305
- 271 117
- 271 187
- 271 315
- 271 220
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A dispensing compartment for an automatic cash dispensing/depositing machine, having a base (26) and a removal opening which can be closed off by a closure flap (16), is designed as a module which can be inserted into the machine, comprising a frame (10) which has the removal opening and, arranged on said frame, the closure flap (16) which can be adjusted between its open position, in which it releases the removal opening, and its closed position, in which it closes off the removal opening, also comprising the compartment base (26), a stacking device (100) for setting down banknotes on the compartment base (26), a separating device (38) for drawing off banknotes from the compartment base (26), a first transporting path (72, 80, 90) for conveying banknotes from a first connection location of the module to the stacking device (100), a second transport path (101, 90, 80) for conveying banknotes from a second connection location (105) of the module to the stacking device (100), and a third transporting path (56) for conveying banknotes from the separating device (38) to the first connection location (68).
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a dispensing compartment for an automatic cash dispensing/depositing machine, having a base and a removal opening which can be closed off by a closure flap.
In an automatic cash dispensing machine, on the one hand, the cash requested by the customer has to be provided so that it can be removed by the customer once the closure flap has been opened. On the other hand, it has to be possible for banknotes which the customer has not removed from the compartment following a certain period of time to be drawn in again. In an automatic cashing dispensing/depositing machine, furthermore, it has to be possible to return to the customer the banknotes which, for whatever reason, have been deemed unacceptable, be this because they are possibly not authentic, they belong to a foreign currency for which the machine is not suitable, they are damaged mechanically or are provided with foreign bodies such as paper clips or adhesive tape.
Performance of the above-described functions requires various high-outlay devices which have to be arranged in the region of the dispensing compartment. In the known automatic cash dispensing/depositing machines, these devices involve relatively high outlay, require a large amount of space and are difficult to adjust and to maintain.
The object of the invention is to specify a dispensing compartment of the type mentioned in the introduction in which the devices which are necessary for performing the above-mentioned functions require less space and are easier to adjust and to maintain.
This object is achieved according to the invention in that the dispensing compartment is designed as a module which can be inserted into the machine, comprising a frame which has the removal opening and, arranged on said frame, the closure flap which can be adjusted between its open position, in which it releases the removal opening, and its closed position, in which it closes off the removal opening, also comprising the compartment base, a stacking device for setting banknotes on the compartment base, a separating device for drawing off banknotes from the compartment base, a first transporting path for conveying banknotes from a first connection location of the module to the stacking device, a second transporting path for conveying banknotes from a second connection location of the module to the stacking device, and a third transporting device for conveying banknotes from the separating device to the first connection location.
The module is a self-contained unit which can perform all the functions described in the introduction. All that is required is for the machine to provide a first connection location, at which banknotes are transported from a banknote store of the machine to the module and/or at which banknotes are conveyed from the module to a banknote store of the machine. Furthermore, it is necessary to provide a second connection location, at which the banknotes rejected during the checking operation are transferred to the module.
The module may be prefabricated as a single unit. This allows a considerably more compact arrangement of the components since they can be better adapted to one another than was the case with the conventional machines. Furthermore, the module may be removed as a single unit for adjustment and maintenance purposes. The individual components are thus more easily accessible and can be maintained and adjusted more easily.
The stacking device may be, in a manner known per se, a stacking wheel which is mounted in the frame such that it can be rotated about a spindle which is parallel to the compartment base.
The compartment base may advantageously be adjusted between a stacking position, in which the banknotes can be set down on the compartment base by the stacking device, and a drawing-off position, in which the separating device can grip the respectively lowermost banknote resting on the compartment base. It is preferable here for the compartment base to be prestressed into its stacking position, with the result that it can be actively adjusted merely in one direction, namely in the direction of its drawing-off position.
Very straightforward adjustability of the compartment base can be achieved in that said compartment base is mounted such that it can be pivoted about a spindle located in the vicinity of the removal opening.
In order to adjust the compartment base in the direction of its drawing-off position, use is made of a pressure-exerting plate, which also assumes further functions at the same time. Said pressure-exerting plate can be adjusted between a stacking position, in which it forms a directing surface for the banknotes running into the stacking device from the first or second transporting path, and a removal position, in which at a distance from the compartment base, and more or less parallel thereto, it at least partially covers the dispensing compartment in the direction of the stacking device, and from which it can be adjusted into a pressure-exerting position, in which it rests on the uppermost banknote of a banknote stack arranged on the compartment base. In the removal position, the pressure-exerting plate thus forms at least part of the top compartment boundary and prevents the customer from being able to reach into the stacking device as he/she is removing the banknotes from the dispensing compartment. In its pressure-exerting position, said pressure-exerting plate keeps the compartment base in its drawing-off position and ensures that the separating device can reliably grip the respectively lowermost banknote of a banknote stack located on the compartment base.
The pressure-exerting plate can preferably be pivoted between its stacking position and its removal position, about a spindle parallel to the stacking-wheel spindle, and can be adjusted in a linear manner, parallel to itself, between the removal position and the respective pressure-exerting position.
In order to control the movements of the pressure-exerting plate, the invention proposes a drive mechanism which has at least one control wheel which is mounted coaxially with the pivot spindle of the pressure-exerting plate and can be adjusted by means of a drive motor between a first end position, which corresponds to the stacking position of the pressure-exerting plate, an intermediate position, which corresponds to the removal position of the pressure-exerting plate, and a second end position, which corresponds to the pressure-exerting position of the pressure-exerting plate, in which the pressure-exerting plate is located next to the compartment base, it being the case that the pressure-exerting plate is coupled to the control wheel via a lever and cam control mechanism such that it is forcibly adjusted as the control wheel rotates from the second end position to the first end position and from the first end position to the intermediate position, whereas, upon movement of the control wheel from the intermediate position to the second end position, the forced coupling between the control wheel and pressure-exerting plate is eliminated. In this region, in which the pressure-exerting plate is intended for resting on a banknote stack located on the compartment base, the pressure-exerting plate is preferably moved under the action of a spring which prestresses the pressure-exerting plate in the direction of the compartment base. On the one hand, this control ensures that the pressure-exerting plate is adjusted reliably between its stacking position and its removal position and is guided back reliably from its pressure-exerting position, next to the compartment base, counter to the action of the pressure-exerting spring; on the other hand, the capacity of the pressure-exerting plate to move freely in its pressure-exerting position and the spring prestressing can ensure that the pressure-exerting plate always presses with a predetermined force on the banknote stack and keeps the latter in engagement with the separating device.
Precise control can easily be achieved in that the drive motor for driving the control wheel is a stepping motor, and in that the zero point for the step counting is established by a position indicator connected to the control wheel.
In order to maintain as compact an arrangement as possible, it is expedient for the pressure-exerting plate not to be made too large. This means that the pressure-exerting plate, in the removal position, may not cover the entire dispensing compartment. For this case, it is expedient for the pressure-exerting plate, for covering the compartment, to interact with a further flap which is mounted in the vicinity of the compartment opening such that it can be pivoted about a spindle parallel to the pivot spindle of the pressure-exerting plate, and which is coupled to the control wheel via a lever/cam control mechanism such that, as the control wheel is adjusted between its first end position and its intermediate position, said flap is adjusted counter to the pivoting movement of the pressure-exerting plate.
Further features and advantages of the invention can be gathered from a following description, which explains the invention, by way of an exemplary embodiment, in conjunction with the attached drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
shows a schematic, partially sectional side view of a compartment module according to the invention with the pressure-exerting plate in the stacking position,
FIG. 2
shows an illustration, corresponding to
FIG. 1
, of the front module section during the operation of stacking banknotes on the compartment base,
FIG. 3
shows an illustration, corresponding to
FIG. 2
, of the compartment module with the pressure-exerting plate in its removal position and with the closure flap open, and
FIG. 4
shows an illustration, corresponding to
FIGS. 2 and 3
, of the compartment module with the closure flap closed and with the pressure-exerting plate in its pressure-exerting position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The dispensing-compartment module illustrated in
FIG. 1
comprises an outer module frame which is designated
10
in general terms and has two outer frame walls
12
, of which only one is illustrated here and which are connected to one another in a manner which is not illustrated specifically. Arranged in front of the module frame
10
is an opening frame
14
which is inserted into a corresponding opening in a housing of an automatic cash dispensing/depositing machine and bounds the removal opening of the dispensing compartment. Furthermore, the removal opening is closed off by a curved closure flap
16
which can be adjusted, via an actuating mechanism (not illustrated), between the closed position, which is illustrated in
FIGS. 1
,
2
and
4
, and the open position, which is illustrated in FIG.
3
and in which the dispensing compartment is accessible.
Arranged between the side walls
12
of the outer module frame is an inner frame
18
, of which likewise only one of two frame side walls
20
is illustrated here, these being connected to one another by an assembly part
22
directed transversely to them. The assembly part
22
forms a frame-mounted bottom boundary for the dispensing compartment.
Running in the plane of the assembly part
22
, and in the vicinity of the closure flap
16
, is a pivot spindle
24
which is directed parallel to said closure flap, a compartment base
26
being mounted such that it can be pivoted about said pivot spindle
24
. The compartment base
26
comprises a metal plate from which a leg
28
projects at an acute angle in the region of the pivot spindle
24
. Acting on said leg is a tension spring
30
, which has its other end fitted on a pin
32
which is fixed to the assembly part
22
. The tension spring
30
prestresses the compartment base
26
in the counterclockwise direction in
FIG. 1
, with the result that it lifts off from the assembly part
22
. The pivoting movement is limited in that the compartment base
26
strikes by way of its free edge, which is remote from the pivot spindle
24
, against a stop
34
, which is formed on a second frame-mounted assembly part
36
.
A separating device designated
38
in general terms is arranged in the region of the assembly part
22
, beneath the compartment base
26
. It comprises drawing-off rollers
40
which, through slits (not illustrated) in the compartment base
26
, can come into contact with the lowermost banknote of a banknote stack resting on the compartment base
26
, as will be explained in more detail below by way of FIG.
4
. The drawing-off rollers
40
are arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on a shaft
42
, extending transversely between the side walls
20
of the inner frame
18
, and can be driven by said shaft.
Extending parallel to the shaft
42
is a shaft
44
, on which rapidly circulating drive rollers
46
are arranged. These interact with stripper rollers
48
which circulate slowly in the opposite direction, on a shaft
50
parallel to the shaft
44
, in order to prevent two banknotes from being drawn off at the same time. Located downstream of the nip formed by the rollers
46
and
48
are transporting rollers
52
, which are arranged on a shaft
54
, parallel to the shaft
44
, and transfer to a belt conveyor
56
banknotes which have been drawn off by the separating device
38
, said belt conveyor comprising an endless belt
64
which runs over end rollers
58
,
60
and intermediate rollers
62
and of which one strand forms, with a directing plate
66
, a conveying gap for the banknotes drawn off by the separating device. The belt conveyor
56
extends from the separating device
38
to a first connection or transfer location
68
at the rear end of the module frame
10
.
The transfer location
68
is formed by end rollers
70
of a second belt conveyor
72
and mating rollers
74
which interact with the end rollers
70
. The belt conveyor
72
comprises a belt
76
which extends, on the one hand, over the end rollers
70
and, on the other hand, over end rollers
78
. The belt conveyor
72
interacts with one section of a further belt conveyor
80
, of which the belt
82
extends over end rollers
84
and
86
and intermediate rollers
88
. The other section of said further belt conveyor
80
interacts with a further belt conveyor
90
, of which the belt
92
extends over rollers
94
,
96
and
98
arranged in a triangle. The belt conveyor
72
,
80
and
90
together form a transporting path for conveying banknotes from the transfer location
68
to a stacking device
100
, which will be explained in more detail below.
A section of the belt conveyor
90
interacts with a further belt conveyor
101
, of which the belt
102
extends over end rollers
103
and
104
. The belt conveyors
101
,
90
and
80
together form a transporting path which connects to the stacking device
100
a second transfer location
105
for banknotes entering the dispensing-compartment module.
The stacking device
100
comprises a plurality of spaced-apart stacking wheels
106
which are known per se, are arranged axially one beside the other and can be rotated about a spindle
108
. The banknotes introduced between the tangentially directed plastic tongues
110
of the rapidly circulating stacking wheels
106
are set down on the compartment base
26
following a partial rotation of the stacking wheels
106
. The arrangement and control of a pressure-exerting plate, designated 112 in general terms, will now be explained hereinbelow with reference to
FIGS. 2
to
4
.
The pressure-exerting plate
112
comprises a plurality of sections (not illustrated) between which the stacking wheels
106
can pass through and which are connected to one another by a crosspiece
114
. At the outer borders, the pressure-exerting plate
112
is connected to curved levers
116
which, in the vicinity of their shorter, free leg, each bear a rotary pin
118
. The two rotary pins
118
form a spindle about which the pressure-exerting plate
112
is mounted in a pivotable manner between the two side walls
20
of the inner frame
18
. The pins
118
are each enclosed by a sliding block
120
, of which the width, in one direction, corresponds to the diameter of the respective pin
118
and which projects radially beyond the pin
118
in the direction perpendicular thereto. The sliding blocks
120
are mounted in a rotatable manner in bores
122
in the side walls
20
. These bores
122
are adjoined in each case by a groove
124
which extends in the direction of the assembly part
22
, essentially perpendicularly to the latter, and of which the width corresponds to the diameter of the pin
118
, with the result that the latter and/or the sliding block
120
can slide longitudinally in the groove
124
.
In each case one control wheel
126
formed by a gearwheel is mounted in a rotatable manner on the side walls
20
, coaxially with the pressure-exerting plate
112
. Said control wheel may be driven by a stepping motor
132
via a gearwheel
128
, which engages with the control wheel, and an intermediate gearwheel
130
.
The control wheel
126
is connected to the pressure-exerting plate
112
via a coupling lever
134
which is curved in the form of an arc of a circle and of which one end is articulated on the pressure-exerting plate
112
such that it can be pivoted about an articulation spindle
136
, and of which the other end bears a pin
138
which engages in a curved groove
140
formed in the control wheel
126
. However, the curvature of the groove
140
is not coaxial with the rotary spindle
118
of the control wheel
126
.
The pressure-exerting plate
112
is prestressed by a tension spring
142
, of which one end acts on a pin
144
on the pressure-exerting plate
112
, said pin being located between the rotary pin
118
and the articulation pin
124
, and of which the other end acts at
146
on a fork head
148
of an angle lever
150
. The latter engages, by way of the fork head
148
, around a pin
152
, which is arranged on a side wall
20
of the inner frame
18
, and is mounted, by way of its other end, on the rotary pin
118
of the pressure-exerting plate
112
. A further tension spring
154
, on the one hand, is arranged at a framework-mounted point
156
in the vicinity of the transporting roller
52
of the separating device
38
and, on the other hand, acts at a location
158
located approximately in the center between the two ends of the angle lever
150
.
The device described thus far operates as follows:
FIG. 2
shows the dispensing-compartment module according to the invention during the operation of stacking banknotes on the compartment base
26
. The former may be banknotes which are transported to the stacking device
100
from a store of the automatic cash dispensing machine, via the transfer location
68
and the belt conveyors
72
,
80
and
90
, or else from a depositing compartment located above the dispensing-compartment module, via the transfer location
105
and the belt conveyors
101
,
90
and
80
. The banknotes are stripped off from the stacking wheels
106
onto the compartment base
26
and are positioned on the resiliently mounted compartment base.
In this position, the pressure-exerting plate
112
has been swung clockwise in the upward and rearward direction and forms a directing surface for the banknotes running into the stacking wheels
106
, in order to prevent said banknotes from dropping rearward into the module. The control wheel
126
is likewise rotated clockwise into a first end position. In this end position, a radial tongue
160
(FIG.
2
), which is connected to the control wheel
126
, passes into a fork-type light barrier
162
which is connected to the control means for the stepping motor
132
. The signal which is produced by the fork-type light barrier
162
in this position of the control wheel and by the tongue
160
connected thereto defines a zero position for the stepping motor
132
, from which it is possible to count the steps for the adjustment of the control wheel
126
.
Once all the banknotes have been set down on the compartment base
26
, the pressure-exerting plate
112
is pivoted in the counterclockwise direction into the position illustrated in FIG.
3
. This takes place by the control wheel
126
being rotated in the counterclockwise direction by the stepping motor
132
, via the gearwheels
130
and
128
, with the result that the pressure-exerting plate
112
can be pivoted, under the action of the tension spring
142
, in the counterclockwise direction as far as is permitted by the coupling of the control wheel
126
via the coupling lever
134
. In this case, the position of the sliding block
120
permits the rotary pin
118
merely to rotate, and prevents displacement along the groove
124
.
In the position illustrated in
FIG. 3
, the pressure-exerting plate
112
is directly at least more or less parallel to the compartment base
26
and the assembly part
22
and conceals the stacking device
100
. The covering is completed by a further flap
164
, which interacts with the pressure-exerting plate
112
is mounted in the vicinity of the closure flap
16
such that it can be pivoted about a pivot spindle
166
, and can be pivoted, via a lever linkage
168
, between the closed position, which is illustrated in
FIG. 3
, and the open position, which is illustrated in FIG.
2
. The lever linkage
168
comprises a first lever
170
, which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the flap
164
and, at its free end, is connected in an articulated manner to one end of an angle lever
174
via a pin/slot connection
172
. Said angle lever is mounted, at its angle vortex, on a side wall
20
of the inner frame
18
such that it can be rotated about a spindle
176
and, at the free end of its other leg, bears a pin
178
by way of which it engages in a control groove
180
formed on the control wheel
126
. Said control groove comprises a more or less radially running branch
182
and a branch
184
which runs coaxially with the rotary spindle
118
of the control wheel
126
. Upon transfer from the release position of the flap
164
, which is illustrated in
FIG. 2
, to the covering or closed position of the flap
164
, which is illustrated in
FIG. 3
, the pin
178
runs through the radial branch
182
of the control groove
180
.
Finally, in the position of
FIG. 3
, the closure flap
16
is transferred downward, again via a motor (not illustrated) into its open position, with the result that the customer can then remove the banknote bundle set down on the compartment base
26
. Whether or not the banknotes have been removed in their entirety from the dispensing compartment can be detected with the aid of a light barrier which comprises a light source
186
and a light receiver
188
, the light beam
190
passing through gaps in the compartment base
26
and the pressure-exerting plate
112
, said gaps being provided in the relevant parts for the drawing-off rollers
40
and the stacking wheels
106
, respectively.
If it is established by means of a light barrier
186
,
188
that the customer has not removed the banknotes, or has not removed them in their entirety, within a predetermined period of time, then these banknotes are drawn into the machine from the dispensing compartment. For this purpose, first of all the closure flap
16
is closed again in accordance with FIG.
4
.
Thereafter, the control wheel
126
is rotated in the counterclockwise direction from the position illustrated in
FIG. 3
into the position illustrated in FIG.
4
. This releases the pressure-exerting plate
112
, which then, under the action of the tension springs
154
and
142
, executes a linear movement parallel to itself, the sliding block
120
sliding in the groove
124
. The pressure-exerting plate
112
then presses the banknote stack, together with the compartment base
26
, against the assembly part
22
, the drawing-off rollers
40
passing through the slits in the compartment base
26
and coming into contact with the lowermost banknote of the banknote stack. The rollers of the separating device
38
are then driven in the direction of the depicted arrows, with the result that the banknotes of the stack are drawn off individually. The banknotes are then transported, via the belt conveyor
56
, to the first transfer location
68
, and are transferred there to a banknote conveyor, of the machine, which transports them to a store or to a reject compartment.
Once all the banknotes have been drawn off from the compartment base
26
, the pressure-exerting plate
112
can be pivoted into the starting position again in accordance with
FIGS. 1 and 2
. For this purpose, the control wheel
126
is pivoted in the clockwise direction by the stepping motor
132
, the coupling lever
134
being carried along by the left-hand end of the groove
140
and, for its part, drawing the pressure-exerting plate
112
in the linear groove
124
in the direction of the center point of the control wheel
126
. When the sliding block
120
is located in the central bore
122
, the coupling lever
134
is supported on a collar
192
concentric with the rotary spindle
108
, as
FIG. 3
shows. As the control wheel
126
continues to rotate, the pressure-exerting plate
112
, rather than be moved in a linear manner, is pivoted in the clockwise direction about its pivot pin
118
until it has reached the position illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 2
. Simultaneously with this movement, the flap
164
is pivoted from the closed position, which is illustrated in
FIG. 3
, into the open position, which is illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 2
.
The angle lever
150
, which extends over the entire module width, has been introduced in order to form a more favorable spring excursion for the tension spring
154
and to give the pressure-exerting plate
112
, via the common point of rotation, a higher level of rigidity and more precise alignment, since, with the exception of small crosspieces, the pressure-exerting plate
112
is subdivided by the stacking wheels
106
a number of times.
|
List of designations
|
|
|
10
Module frame
|
12
Frame wall
|
14
Opening frame
|
16
Closure flap
|
18
Inner frame
|
20
Frame side wall
|
22
Assembly part
|
24
Pivot spindle
|
26
Compartment base
|
28
Leg
|
30
Tension spring
|
32
Pin
|
34
Stop
|
36
Assembly part
|
38
Separating device
|
40
Drawing-off rollers
|
42
Shaft
|
44
Shaft
|
46
Drive rollers
|
48
Stripper rollers
|
50
Shaft
|
52
Transporting rollers
|
54
Shaft
|
56
Belt conveyor
|
58
End rollers
|
60
End rollers
|
62
Intermediate rollers
|
64
Endless belt
|
66
Directing plate
|
68
Connection location
|
70
End rollers
|
72
Belt conveyor
|
74
Mating rollers
|
76
Belt
|
78
End rollers
|
80
Belt conveyor
|
82
Belt
|
84
End rollers
|
86
End rollers
|
88
Intermediate rollers
|
90
Belt conveyor
|
92
Belt
|
94
Rollers
|
96
Rollers
|
98
Rollers
|
100
Stacking device
|
101
Belt conveyor
|
102
Belt
|
103
End rollers
|
104
End rollers
|
105
Transfer location
|
106
Stacking wheel
|
108
Spindle
|
110
Plastic tongues
|
112
Pressure-exerting
|
plate
|
114
Crosspiece
|
116
Lever
|
118
Rotary pin
|
120
Sliding block
|
122
Bore
|
124
Groove
|
126
Control wheel
|
128
Gear wheel
|
130
Intermediate gear
|
wheel
|
132
Stepping motor
|
134
Coupling lever
|
136
Articulation spindle
|
138
Pin
|
140
Groove
|
142
Tension spring
|
144
Pin
|
146
Fastening location
|
on the fork head
|
148
Fork head
|
150
Angle lever
|
152
Pin
|
154
Tension spring
|
156
Framework-mounted
|
point
|
158
Location on the
|
angle lever
|
160
Radial tongue
|
162
Fork-type light
|
barrier
|
164
Flap
|
166
Pivot spindle
|
168
Lever linkage
|
170
Lever
|
172
Pin/slot connection
|
174
Angle lever
|
176
Spindle
|
178
Pin
|
180
Control groove
|
182
Radial branch
|
184
Coaxial branch
|
186
Light source
|
188
Light receiver
|
190
Light beam
|
192
Collar
|
|
Claims
- 1. A dispensing compartment for an automatic cash dispensing/depositing machine, having a supporting plate (26), having a stacking device (100) for depositing banknotes on the supporting plate (26), the stacking device (100) comprising at least one stacking wheel (106) which is mounted such that it can be rotated about a spindle (108) which is parallel to the supporting plate (26), and having a removal opening which can be closed off by a closure flap (16) which can be adjusted between its open position, in which it releases the removal opening, and its closed position, in which it closes off the removal opening, and also having a separating device (38) for drawing off banknotes from a compartment base (26), a first transporting path (72, 80, 90) for conveying banknotes to the stacking device (100), and a third transporting path (56) for conveying banknotes from the separating device (38) to a banknote conveyor, characterized in that the compartment base (26) is mounted such that it can be pivoted about a spindle (24) located in the vicinity of the removal opening, in that the compartment base (26) forms the supporting plate in a stacking position and can be adjusted between the stacking position, in which banknotes can be deposited on the compartment base (26) by the stacking device (100), and a drawing-off position, in which the separating device (38) can grip the respectively lowermost banknote resting on the compartment base (26), and in that there is provided a pressure-exerting plate (112) which can be adjusted between a stacking position, in which it forms a directing surface for the banknotes running into the stacking device (100) from the first or second transporting path (72, 80, 90 or 101, 80, 90, respectively), and a removal position, in which at a distance from the compartment base (26) and more or less parallel thereto, it at least partially covers the dispensing compartment in the direction of the stacking device (100), and from which it can be adjusted into a pressure-exerting position, in which it rests on the uppermost banknote of a banknote stack arranged on the compartment base (26).
- 2. The dispensing compartment as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the pressure-exerting plate (112) can be pivoted between its stacking position and its removal position, about a spindle parallel to the stacking-wheel spindle, and can be adjusted in a linear manner, parallel to itself, between the removal position and the respective pressure-exerting position.
- 3. The dispensing compartment as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a drive mechanism for the pressure-exerting plate (112) has at least one control wheel (126) which is mounted coaxially with the pivot spindle (118) of the pressure-exerting plate (112) and can be adjusted by means of a drive motor (132) between a first end position, which corresponds to the stacking position of the pressure-exerting plate (112), an intermediate position, which corresponds to the removal position of the pressure-exerting plate (112), and a second end position, which corresponds to the pressure-exerting position of the pressure-exerting plate (112), in which the latter is located next to the compartment base (26), and in that the pressure-exerting plate (112) is coupled to the control wheel (126) via a lever and cam control mechanism (134, 138, 140) such that it is forcibly adjusted as the control wheel (126) rotates from the second end position to the first end position and from the first end position to the intermediate position, whereas, upon movement of the control wheel (126) from the intermediate position to the second end position, the forced coupling between the control wheel (126) and the pressure-exerting plate (112) is eliminated.
- 4. The dispensing compartment as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the pressure-exerting plate (112) is prestressed in the direction of the compartment base (26).
- 5. The dispensing compartment as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the drive motor (132) is a stepping motor, and in that the zero point for the step counting is established by a position indicator (160) connected to the control wheel (126).
- 6. The dispensing compartment as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the pressure-exerting plate (112), for covering the compartment, interacts with the second flap (164) which is mounted in the vicinity of the compartment opening such that it can be pivoted about a spindle (166) directed parallel to the pivot spindle of the pressure-exerting plate (112), and which is coupled to the control wheel (126) via a lever and cam control mechanism (168, 178, 180) such that, as the control wheel (126) is adjusted between its rest end position and its intermediate position, said flap is adjusted counter to the pivoting movement of the pressure-exerting plate 112).
- 7. The dispensing compartment as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the compartment base (26) is prestressed into its stacking position.
- 8. The dispensing compartment as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that it is designed as a module which can be inserted into the machine, comprising a frame (10) which has the removal opening and, arranged on said frame, at least the closure flap (16), also comprising the compartment base (26), the stacking device (100), the separating device (38), the first transporting path (72, 80, 90), a second transporting path (101, 90, 80) for conveying banknotes from a second connection location (105) of the module to the stacking device (100), and the third transporting path (56), the first transporting path (72, 80, 90) and the third transporting path (56) opening out at a first connection location (68), which is common to both.
Priority Claims (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
197 48 864 |
Nov 1997 |
DE |
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PCT Information
Filing Document |
Filing Date |
Country |
Kind |
102e Date |
371c Date |
PCT/DE98/02646 |
|
WO |
00 |
4/19/2000 |
4/19/2000 |
Publishing Document |
Publishing Date |
Country |
Kind |
WO99/24939 |
5/20/1999 |
WO |
A |
US Referenced Citations (5)
Foreign Referenced Citations (5)
Number |
Date |
Country |
196 09 866 |
Sep 1997 |
DE |
0 503 636 |
Sep 1992 |
EP |
2 005 639 |
Apr 1979 |
GB |
2 146 383 |
Apr 1985 |
GB |
2 236 524 |
Apr 1991 |
GB |