This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan application serial no. 106121487, filed on Jun. 27, 2017. The entirety of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this specification.
The invention relates to a switching module, a paper sheet handling module having the switching module, and a paper sheet handling apparatus having the switching module, and particularly relates to a convey path switching module, a paper sheet handling module having the convey path switching module, and a paper sheet handling apparatus having the convey path switching module.
To allow users to deposit and withdraw banknotes, a convey channel is provided inside an automatic teller machine (modern ATM) to convey banknotes in correspondence with various operations. To control the conveyance of banknotes in the modern ATM, a switching module is disposed on the convey path inside the modern ATM to switch the convey path of the banknotes.
In some modern ATMs, a single actuator (e.g., an electromagnetic valve) is used with a corresponding component, such as a linking rod, to switch the convey path of the banknotes. However, such design only allows to switch among states of a single convey path, and is unable to efficiently convey the banknotes via various means. Therefore, how to switch among states of a greater number of convey paths when the number of actuators is limited has become an issue in the design for internal banknote conveyance of the modern ATMs.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a convey path switching module, a paper sheet handling module, and a paper sheet handling apparatus capable of saving the cost for equipment provided with a desirable convey path switching capability.
A convey path switching module according to an embodiment of the invention includes a body and a switching mechanism. The body has a first convey path, a second convey path, and a third convey path adapted to convey an object. The switching mechanism includes a first switching assembly, a first actuator, a second switching assembly and at least one elastic member. The first switching assembly is pivotally connected to the body. The first actuator is connected to the first switching assembly and adapted to drive the first switching assembly to pivotally rotate. The second switching assembly is pivotally connected to the body and adapted to rotate pivotally. The elastic member is connected to the second switching assembly adapted to be restored by an elastic force of the elastic member. Through pivotal rotation of the first switching assembly and pivotal rotation of the second switching assembly, the switching mechanism is adapted to be switched to a first state to open the first convey path and close the second convey path and the third convey path, adapted to be switched to a second state to open the second convey path and close the first convey path and the third convey path, and adapted to be switched to a third state to open the third convey path and close the first convey path and the second convey path.
A paper sheet handling module according to an embodiment of the invention includes a casing, a discrimination module, and a convey path switching module. The casing has an inlet, an outlet, and an opening. A convey path set is provided in the casing. The paper sheet handling module is adapted to receive a paper sheet via the inlet and discharge a paper sheet via the outlet. The discrimination module is disposed in the casing and adapted to discriminate the paper sheet. The convey path switching module is disposed in the casing. The convey path set is adapted to convey the paper sheet from the inlet to the convey path switching module through the discrimination module. The convey path switching module includes a body and a switching mechanism. The body has a first convey path, a second convey path, and a third convey path adapted to convey the paper sheet, and is connected between the convey path set and the opening. The convey path set is adapted to convey the verified paper sheet from the discrimination module to the opening via the second convey path, adapted to convey the verified paper sheet from the discrimination module to the outlet via the first convey path, and adapted to convey the verified paper sheet from the opening to the outlet via the third convey path. The switching mechanism includes a first switching assembly, a first actuator, a second switching assembly and at least one elastic member. The first switching assembly is pivotally connected to the body. The first actuator is connected to the first switching assembly and adapted to drive the first switching assembly to pivotally rotate. The second switching assembly is pivotally connected to the body and adapted to rotate pivotally. The elastic member is connected to the second switching assembly adapted to be restored by an elastic force of the elastic member. Through pivotal rotation of the first switching assembly and pivotal rotation of the second switching assembly, the switching mechanism is adapted to be switched to a first state to open the first convey path and close the second convey path and the third convey path, adapted to be switched to a second state to open the second convey path and close the first convey path and the third convey path, and adapted to be switched to a third state to open the third convey path and close the first convey path and the second convey path.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the paper sheet handling module further includes a temporary storage region disposed in the casing. The convey path set is adapted to convey the paper sheet from the convey path switching module to the temporary storage region.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the first switching assembly includes a first lever and a rotary shaft, the first lever is connected to the rotary shaft, the rotary shaft is pivotally connected to the body and connected to the first actuator, the second switching assembly includes a second lever and a third lever, and the second lever and the third lever are pivotally connected to the rotary shaft.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the number of the at least one elastic member is two, one of the elastic members is connected between the second lever and the rotary shaft, the other of the elastic members is connected between the third lever and the rotary shaft, the second lever is adapted to block the first convey path by an elastic force of the corresponding elastic member and is adapted to resist the elastic force of the elastic member and block the third convey path, and the third lever is adapted to block the second convey path by an elastic force of the corresponding elastic member and adapted to resist the elastic force of the elastic member and block the third convey path.
According to an embodiment of the invention, when the switching mechanism is in the first state, the first lever and the second lever are adapted to guide the object to move unidirectionally along the first convey path, when the switching mechanism is in the second state, the first lever and the third lever are adapted to guide the object to move unidirectionally along the second convey path, and when the switching mechanism is in the third state, the second lever and the third lever are adapted to guide the object to move bidirectionally along the third convey path.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the convey path switching module further includes a second actuator. The second actuator includes a body and a driving member, the driving member is movably disposed to the body and connected to the second lever and the third lever, the elastic member is connected between the body and the driving member, and the driving member is adapted to make the second lever and the third lever respectively block the first convey path and the second convey path by an elastic force of the elastic member and adapted to resist the elastic force of the elastic member to move and drive the second lever and the third lever to block the third convey path.
According to an embodiment of the invention, when the switching mechanism is in the first state, the first lever and the second lever are adapted to guide the object to move bidirectionally along the first convey path, when the switching mechanism is in the second state, the first lever and the third lever are adapted to guide the object to move bidirectionally along the second convey path, and when the switching mechanism is in the third state, the second lever and the third lever are adapted to guide the object to move bidirectionally along the third convey path.
According to an embodiment, the driving member includes a first rod member, a second rod member, and a third rod member, the first rod member is disposed to the body and movable along a linear direction, two ends of the second rod member are respectively pivotally connected to the first rod member and the second lever, and two ends of the third lever are respectively pivotally connected to the first member and the third lever.
According to an embodiment of the invention, when the first lever blocks the second convey path and the second lever blocks the third convey path, the switching mechanism is in the first state, when the first lever blocks the first convey path and the third lever blocks the third convey path, the switching mechanism is in the second state, and when the second lever and the third lever respectively block the first convey path and the second convey path, the switching mechanism is in the third state.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the second lever has a first blocking section, the third lever has a second blocking section, and the first blocking section and the second blocking section are adapted to block each other to limit ranges of pivotal rotation of the second lever and the third lever.
A paper sheet handling apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes a paper sheet handling module and a paper sheet storage module. The paper sheet handling module includes a first casing, a discrimination module, and a convey path switching module. The first casing has an inlet, an outlet, a first opening, and a second opening. A convey path set is provided in the casing. The paper sheet handling module is adapted to receive a paper sheet via the inlet and discharge a paper sheet via the outlet. The discrimination module is disposed in the casing and adapted to discriminate the paper sheet. The convey path switching module is disposed in the casing. The convey path set is adapted to convey the paper sheet from the inlet to the convey path switching module through the discrimination module. The convey path switching module includes a body and a switching mechanism. The body has a first convey path, a second convey path, and a third convey path adapted to convey the paper sheet, and is connected among the convey path set, the first opening and the second opening. The convey path set is adapted to convey the verified paper sheet from the discrimination module to the first opening via the second convey path, adapted to convey the verified paper sheet from the discrimination module to the outlet via the first convey path, adapted to convey the verified paper sheet from the first opening to the outlet via the third convey path, and adapted to convey the verified paper sheet from the discrimination module to the second opening via the first convey path. The switching mechanism includes a first switching assembly and a second switching assembly. The first switching assembly is pivotally connected to the body. The second switching assembly is pivotally connected to the body. In addition, through pivotal rotation of the first switching assembly and pivotal rotation of the second switching assembly, the switching mechanism is adapted to be switched to a first state to open the first convey path and close the second convey path and the third convey path, adapted to be switched to a second state to open the second convey path and close the first convey path and the third convey path, and adapted to be switched to a third state to open the third convey path and close the first convey path and the second convey path. The paper sheet storage module includes a second casing, at least one circulating storage box, and a non-circulating storage box. The second casing has a third opening and a fourth opening, and the third opening and the fourth opening are respectively aligned to the first opening and the second opening. A path of the convey path set connected to the convey path switching module passes through the first opening and the third opening and is branched into at least one first branched path. Another path of the convey path set connected to the convey path switching module passes through the second opening and the fourth opening and is branched into a second branched path. The at least one circulating storage box is disposed on the first branched path and adapted to store paper sheets, and the non-circulating storage box is disposed on the second branched path and adapted to store rejected paper sheets.
Based on the above, in the convey path switching module according to the embodiments of the invention, switching among the first convey path, the second convey path, and the third convey path is achieved through rotation of the first switching assembly and the second switching assembly. In an embodiment, the first lever of the first switching assembly is driven by the first actuator to pivotally rotate, and is thus an active switching assembly, whereas the second lever of the second switching assembly resists the elastic force of the elastic member to pivotally rotate through pressing of the paper sheet and is thus a passive switching assembly. In other words, with the single actuator (the first actuator) driving one of the switching assemblies (i.e., the first switching assembly) to pivotally rotate, switching among the states of three convey paths (i.e., the first convey path, the second convey path, and the third convey path) is achieved. Thus, the switching among the states of the three convey paths is achieved without requiring multiple first actuators. Therefore, the required quantity of the actuators is reduced, and the equipment cost is consequently reduced. In addition, to desirable convey path switching capability is demonstrated. In another embodiment, the first lever of the first switching assembly is driven by the first actuator to pivotally rotate, and the second lever and the third lever of the second switching assembly are driven by the second actuator to pivotally rotate. In other words, with only two actuators (i.e., the first actuator and the second actuator), three levers (i.e., the first lever, the second lever, and the third lever) may rotate pivotally to switch the states among three convey paths (i.e., the first convey path, the second convey path, and the third convey path). Therefore, such configuration does not require three actuators to switch the states among the three convey paths. Consequently, the required quantity of the actuators is reduced, and the equipment cost is reduced. In addition, a desirable convey path switching capability is demonstrated.
In order to make the aforementioned and other features and advantages of the invention comprehensible, several exemplary embodiments accompanied with figures are described in detail below.
The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.
A path (e.g., the convey path 52c3) of the convey path set connected to the convey path switching module 100 passes through the first opening 52b1 and the third opening 54c1, and is branched into at least one first branched path DP1 (shown as plural). Another path (e.g., the convey path 52c4) of the convey path set connected to the convey path switching module 100 passes through the second opening 52b2 and the fourth opening 54c2, and is branched into a second branched path DP2. The circulating storage boxes 54b1 are respectively disposed on the first branched paths DP1 and are adapted to store paper sheets. The non-circulating storage box 54b2 is disposed on the second branched path DP2 and is adapted to store paper sheets. In addition, the circulating storage boxes 54b1 are adapted to store real and normal banknotes, for example, whereas the non-circulating storage box 54b2 is adapted to store rejected banknotes that are real banknotes but of a poor quality, for example. However, the invention is not limited thereto.
A paper sheet (e.g., a banknote) or other types of objects are adapted to be received into the paper sheet handling module 52 via the inlet 52e and be discharged out of the paper sheet handling module 52 via the outlet 52f. Specifically, the convey path set is adapted to convey a paper sheet from the inlet 52e to the convey path switching module 100 through the convey path 52c1 and the discrimination module 52d, adapted to convey a paper sheet from the discrimination module 52d to the first opening 52b1 for conveyance toward the circulating storage boxes 54b1 through the convey path 52c2, a second convey path P2 (shown in
In the embodiment, the convey path 52c5 and the convey path 52c6 are unidirectional, and the convey path 52c5 and the convey path 52c6 are connected at a node 52c7. In addition, a path may be set at a node 52c8 of the convey path set to achieve the unidirectional path. Moreover, at the node 52c7, a paper sheet is switched to be moved toward the convey path 52c5 or the convey path 52c6 by a banknote dispatching rod SB1. Accordingly, the convey path 52c3 of the embodiment is bidirectional, and the paper sheet handling apparatus 50 is correspondingly a banknote withdrawing apparatus. In another embodiment, the convey path 52c3 may be unidirectional, and the paper sheet handling apparatus 50 is correspondingly a banknote depositing apparatus. The connection relations and the unidirectionality or bidirectionality of the convey paths are described above merely as an example, and the invention is not limited thereto.
The switching mechanism 120 includes a first switching assembly 122, a first actuator 124, a second switching assembly 126, and at least one elastic member 128 (two shown in
Specifically, when the first lever 122a blocks the second convey path P2 and the second lever 126a blocks the third convey path P3, the switching mechanism 120 is in the first state. When the first lever 122a blocks the first convey path P1 and the third lever 126b blocks the third convey path P3, the switching mechanism 120 is in the second state. When the second lever 126a and the third lever 126b respectively block the first convey path P1 and the second convey path P2, the switching mechanism 120 is in the third state. In addition, when the paper sheet is not conveyed to the second lever 126a, the second lever 126a is adapted to block the first convey path P1 as shown in
Accordingly, in the convey path switching module 100 of the embodiment, switching among the first convey path P1, the second convey path P2, and the third convey path P3 is achieved through rotation of the first switching assembly 122 and the second switching assembly 126. In addition, the first switching assembly 122 is driven by the first actuator 124 to pivotally rotate, and is thus an active switching assembly, whereas the second switching assembly 126 resists the elastic force of the elastic member 128 to pivotally rotate through pressing of the paper sheet and is thus a passive switching assembly. In other words, with the single first actuator 124 driving one of the switching assemblies (i.e., the first switching assembly 122) to pivotally rotate, switching among the states of three convey paths (i.e., the first convey path P1, the second convey path P2, and the third convey path P3) is achieved. Thus, the switching among the states of the three convey paths is achieved without requiring multiple actuators. Therefore, the required quantity of the actuators is reduced, and the equipment cost is reduced. In addition, the embodiment exhibits a desirable convey path switching capability.
In the embodiment, when the switching mechanism 120 is in the first state, the first lever 122a and the second lever 126a are adapted to guide the paper sheet to move unidirectionally along the first convey path P1. When the switching mechanism 120 is in the second state, the first lever 122a and the third lever 126b are adapted to guide the paper sheet to move unidirectionally along the second convey path P2. When the switching mechanism 120 is in the third state, the second lever 126a and the third lever 126b are adapted to guide the paper sheet to move bidirectionally along the third convey path P3.
In the following, the elastic member 128 of the embodiment is described in detail. Referring to
Similar to the embodiment shown in
More specifically, the driving member 129b of the embodiment includes a first rod member 129b1, a second rod member 129b2, and a third rod member 129b3. The first rod member 129b1 is disposed to the body 129a and movable along a linear direction, two ends of the second rod member 129b2 are respectively pivotally connected to the first rod member 129b1 and the second lever 126a, and two ends of the third rod member 129b3 are respectively pivotally connected to the first rod member 129b1 and the third lever 126b. When the first rod member 129b1 resists the elastic force of the elastic member 128′ and is moved upward, the first rod member 129b1 respectively drives the second lever 126a and the third lever 126b to pivotally rotate upward through the second rod member 129b2 and the third rod member 129b3. When the first rod member 129b1 is moved downward by the elastic force of the elastic member 128′, the first rod member 129b1 respectively drives the second lever 126a and the third lever 126b to pivotally rotate downward through the second rod member 129b2 and the third rod member 129b3.
With the configuration, the first lever 122a of the first switching assembly 122 is driven by the first actuator 124 to rotate pivotally, and the second lever 126a and the third lever 126b of the second switching assembly 126 are driven by the second actuator 129 to rotate pivotally. In other words, with only two actuators (i.e., the first actuator 124 and the second actuator 129), three levers (i.e., the first lever 122a, the second lever 126a, and the third lever 126b) may rotate pivotally to switch the states among three convey paths (i.e., the first convey path P1, the second convey path P2, and the third convey path P3). Therefore, such configuration does not require three actuators to switch the states among the three convey paths. Consequently, the required quantity of the actuators is reduced, and the equipment cost is reduced. In addition, the embodiment exhibits a desirable convey path switching capability.
Based on the above, the second actuator 129 of the embodiment simultaneously drives the second lever 126a and the third lever 126b to rotate pivotally. However, the invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the second actuator 129 may respectively and independently drive the second lever 126a and the third lever 126b to pivotally rotate.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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106121487 | Jun 2017 | TW | national |