EP3376480B1 - Device for aligning vouchers - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for aligning notes of value during transport along a transport route, for example within an ATM or an automatic vault or a cash register system. The bill of value can in particular be bank notes or checks which, for example, are to be fed to a receiving area of a cassette for storing bills of value or have been removed from it. The device contains at least one transport element for transporting the banknote along the transport route. The transport element is driven with the aid of at least one first drive unit. The device further comprises at least one counter-pressure element arranged opposite the transport element. The transport element can in particular be designed as a roller, cylinder or belt.

In the case of value note machines, such as ATMs, automatic vaults and machines for issuing and / or receiving vouchers and tickets, notes of value to be entered are transported from an input compartment to a receiving area and / or notes of value to be dispensed are transported from a receiving area to an output compartment. The receiving area can be provided by a transport cassette for storing and transporting the notes of value. In order to achieve the highest possible throughput of security notes when transporting the notes and disruptions due to traffic jams of the notes of value, so-called paper jams, the usually rectangular notes of value are aligned with their longitudinal axis transverse to the transport direction. Such an alignment is also known as a long-side-first alignment. The risk of a paper jam is particularly high with used notes of value, since the rigidity of such notes of value decreases with use and the contamination of the surface of the notes of value increases. Especially with such used notes of value, the notes of value can be drawn in or pulled incorrectly during transport. As a result, the notes of value can have a lateral offset and / or an angular offset to a desired target position, so that they should be aligned.

A device for aligning bank notes is for example from the document DE 10 2004 060 191 A1 known. In this device, lateral guide elements, such as those used for aligning and guiding single sheets in printers or copiers, are dispensed with. In the case of notes of value, the use of lateral guide elements would lead to misalignment and / or to a disruption due to a paper jam due to the different rigidity and the different edge quality of notes of value. Further devices for aligning notes of value are from the documents DE10 2008 050 534 A1 , DE 10 2008 038 771 A1 , DE 10 2011 000 783 A1 and DE 102 03 177 C1 known. Furthermore, the documents show US 2013/0307213 A1 and US 2016/0280487 A1 Devices for aligning documents according to the preamble of claim 1.

The object of the invention is to provide a device for aligning a note of value by means of which at least one lateral offset of the note of value can be corrected in a simple manner during its transport along a transport route.

This object is achieved by a device for aligning at least one bill along a transport route with the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

In the device for aligning at least one note of value along a transport route with the features of claim 1, the counter-pressure element, in contrast to the known prior art, is spherical and is freely rotatable. Furthermore, a second drive unit is provided for moving the transport element arranged opposite the spherical counter-pressure element along its axis of rotation, so that a note arranged between the transport element and the counter-pressure element is moved transversely to the transport direction when the transport element is moved. If the value note is additionally moved in the transport direction or in the opposite transport direction with the help of a drive through the first drive unit with the help of the transport element, the value note is transported at an angle to the transport direction when the second drive unit is activated at the same time, so that a lateral offset is generated. This is a very compact and robust structure of the device is possible. The device according to the invention can alternatively or additionally be used in devices for handling notes of value, such as cash machines, automatic vaults, ticket machines or cash register systems.

In an advantageous development, the first drive unit drives the transport element via at least one drive shaft. A simple drive of the transport element is hereby possible. Furthermore, the transport element can easily be moved together with or on the drive shaft with the aid of the second drive unit.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the spherical counter-pressure element presses a note of value arranged between the transport element and the counter-pressure element against the outer surface of the transport element. As a result, the transport element can be arranged at a constant distance in relation to a transport plane of the transport path, so that the transport element itself does not exert any force on a note arranged between the transport element and a counterpressure element orthogonally to the transport plane, whereas the counterpressure element exerts a force on the banknote in the direction of the transport element. This pressing force runs essentially orthogonally or obliquely to the transport plane. This enables a simple and robust construction of the device.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if, during a rotation of the transport element by a drive with the aid of the first drive unit, the second drive unit displaces the transport element, so that the value note is transported at an angle to the transport direction. The value note is thus simultaneously shifted transversely to the transport direction and transported in the transport direction. As a result, the value note is moved independently of whether the value note is transported transversely to the transport direction to reduce or correct a lateral offset of the value note in the transport direction or is not moved continuously in the transport direction T1. Thus, the bill passes through the device at the same time, regardless of whether the bill is moved transversely to the transport direction with the aid of the second drive unit during transport through the device.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the transport element is non-rotatably connected to at least one drive shaft and is axially displaceable thereon. This results in a simple drive of the transport element at the same speed with which the drive shaft is also driven. Due to the axial displaceability of the transport element on the drive shaft, the transport element can easily be moved transversely to the transport direction with the aid of the second drive unit. A simple and compact design of the device is achieved in this way.

It is particularly advantageous if the transport element comprises at least one pair of rollers, the rollers of which have a Connecting element are connected with circumferential teeth in the manner of a rack and that the connecting element is arranged together with the rollers along the axis of rotation of the rollers on at least one drive shaft. This enables simple drive of the rollers and simple power transmission from the second drive unit to the connecting element for moving the rollers of the roller pair in the direction of their axis of rotation. The circumferential teeth are preferably in engagement with a gearwheel which can be driven with the aid of the second drive unit. The second drive unit is preferably an electric motor, in particular a stepping motor. This enables a simple drive and simple power transmission to the connecting element for moving the rollers. In particular, this also enables the device to be constructed in a compact manner.

It is particularly advantageous if the toothing of the gear is in engagement with the circumferential toothing of the connecting element, so that when the gear is rotated by the second drive unit, the transport element is axially displaced on the drive shaft. As a result, the rollers of the roller pair or the transport element can simply be shifted along their axis of rotation on the drive shaft.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the transport route for the notes of value is delimited by a first guide element and a second guide element, the first guide element is arranged opposite the second guide element in such a way that it can be pivoted from an operating position into a maintenance position. As a result, when the notes of value are being transported through the device, the notes of value are guided by the guide elements. Furthermore, in the event of a paper jam or for maintenance purposes, easy access to the transport path and the transport elements is possible.

In other embodiments, the guide elements can also be arranged such that they cannot pivot with respect to one another.

In a further advantageous embodiment, at least two spherical counter-pressure elements are provided, which are preferably each arranged opposite a roller of a driven roller pair serving as a transport element. It is advantageous here if the first spherical counter-pressure element is arranged freely rotatable in a first bearing unit and if the second spherical counter-pressure element is freely rotatable in a second bearing unit. The bearing units can be pivotably connected to the first guide element, the first spherical counter-pressure element protruding through an opening of the first bearing unit, which is preferably dimensioned such that the first spherical counter-pressure element cannot be moved completely through the opening. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the second spherical counter-pressure element protrudes through an opening in the second bearing unit, which is preferably dimensioned such that the second spherical counter-pressure element does not pass completely through the Opening can be moved through. This ensures that the balls serving as counter-pressure elements cannot fall out of the bearing units when the counter-pressure elements are lifted from the opposite transport element or from the opposite rollers of the pair of rollers. In the bearing unit, bearing shells can be provided in which the balls of the spherical counter-pressure elements are freely rotatably mounted.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the device comprises at least one elastically deformable element which generates a pressing force of the spherical counter-pressure element on a note arranged between the transport element and the counter-pressure element. As a result, it is easily possible to exert a desired pressure force on the spherical counter-pressure element and thus on a note of value arranged between the counter-pressure element and the transport element.

In a further embodiment, it is advantageous if the transport element comprises a first roller and a second roller, the first roller being non-rotatably arranged on a first drive shaft and axially displaceable along the longitudinal axis of the first drive shaft and if the second roller is non-rotatably mounted on a second drive shaft and is arranged axially displaceably along the longitudinal axis of the second drive shaft. The first drive shaft can be driven with the aid of the first drive unit. The second drive shaft can be driven with the aid of a third drive shaft. The first roll and the second roll are over a connecting element coupled to one another in such a way that they can be displaced together with the connecting element along the axis of rotation of the rollers or along the central axis of the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft. The connecting element preferably has circumferential teeth in the manner of a rack. At least one of the rollers is arranged to be freely rotatable relative to the connecting element, so that the rollers can be driven at different speeds. The first drive unit and the third drive unit can be controlled in such a way that they have different speeds, so that at different speeds a rotation of the note about an axis of rotation running perpendicular to the transport plane of the transport path takes place. As a result, an angular offset can also be corrected or at least reduced at the same time as a lateral offset of the note of value relative to a target position.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the device has a bank note reader which detects the position of the note of value. The banknote reader or a control unit determines, based on the detected position, a lateral offset to a preset target position. The bank of value is then aligned in that the second drive unit for moving the transport element is controlled as a function of the determined lateral offset in such a way that the lateral offset is reduced or corrected. This enables the lateral offset to be recorded easily. Since bank note readers are generally used to check authenticity in ATMs, it is advantageous to do this already in the ATM to use existing device to detect the position of the banknote in order to determine a lateral offset of the banknote on the basis of this.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the direction of rotation of the transport element can be changed. This is done in particular by changing the direction of rotation of the first drive unit. This enables bidirectional transport of the notes of value along the transport route in a first transport direction and in a second transport direction opposite to the first transport direction. This makes it possible, in particular, to transport bank notes to be paid in through the device in the first transport direction and bank notes to be paid out in the second transport direction. Furthermore, it is possible to transport a note of value through the device in the first transport direction and to carry out a first correction of the lateral offset and, when the same note of value is transported through the device in the second transport direction, a second correction of the lateral offset. This further improves the correction option for correcting a determined lateral offset.

A second aspect of the invention relates to an arrangement with a first device according to claim 1 or a claim referring back to claim 1 or according to one of the above-mentioned embodiments and with a second device according to claim 1 or a claim referring back to claim 1 or a development given above. Of the Value note is fed to the first device and the second device one after the other. A first alignment of the banknote can be carried out by the first device and a second alignment of the banknote by the second device. As a result, compared to arrangements with only one device for correcting a lateral offset of a banknote, a lateral offset that is twice as large can be corrected.

The transport route is preferably limited by several transport elements, at least some of which are arranged one behind the other in the transport direction. Furthermore, the transport path can be arranged between a first guide element and a second guide element. In particular, the transport elements can be arranged and the guide elements can be designed such that the transport plane has a curved or curved course in the transport direction. A note transported along the transport path is transported along the transport path in such a way that its front side is arranged opposite a contact area of the first guide element and that its rear side is arranged opposite a contact area of the second guide element.

The transport elements can include driven and / or non-driven rotating transport rollers, conveyor belts and / or rollers.

The value note can in particular be a bank note, a check, a value voucher or a ticket.

Further features and advantages of the invention emerge from the following description which, in conjunction with the accompanying figures, explains the invention in more detail using an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung mehrerer entlang einer Transportstrecke transportierter Wertscheine,

Fig. 2

eine Seitenansicht einer Transporteinheit mit einer Vorrichtung zum Ausrichten von Wertscheinen gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform der Erfindung,

Fig. 3

eine Draufsicht auf die Transporteinheit nach Figur 2,

Fig. 4

eine Ansicht von unten der Transporteinheit nach den Fig. 2 und 3,

Fig. 5

eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung der Vorrichtung zum Ausrichten von Wertscheinen der Transporteinheit nach den Fig. 1 bis 4,

Fig. 6

eine Ansicht der Vorrichtung zum Ausrichten von Wertscheinen nach Figur 5 von unten,

Fig. 7

eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung eines Teils der Vorrichtung zum Ausrichten von Wertscheinen nach den Fig. 1 bis 6,

Fig. 8

eine Ansicht einer Vorrichtung zum Ausrichten von Wertscheinen gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform der Erfindung von unten, und

Fig. 9

eine Draufsicht einer Transporteinheit mit einer ersten Vorrichtung zum Ausrichten von Wertscheinen und mit einer zweiten Vorrichtung zum Ausrichten von Wertscheinen gemäß einer dritten Ausführungsform der Erfindung.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of several notes of value transported along a transport route,

Fig. 2

a side view of a transport unit with a device for aligning notes of value according to a first embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 3

a plan view of the transport unit according to Figure 2,

Fig. 4

a view from below of the transport unit after Fig. 2 and 3 ,

Fig. 5

a schematic perspective view of the device for aligning notes of value of the transport unit according to the Figs. 1 to 4 ,

Fig. 6

a view of the device for aligning notes of value Figure 5 from underneath,

Fig. 7

a schematic perspective illustration of part of the device for aligning notes of value according to the Figs. 1 to 6 ,

Fig. 8

a view of a device for aligning notes of value according to a second embodiment of the invention from below, and

Fig. 9

a plan view of a transport unit with a first device for aligning notes of value and with a second device for aligning notes of value according to a third embodiment of the invention.

In Figure 1 a schematic representation of several notes of value 12 to 18 arranged along a transport plane 10 is shown. The notes of value 12 to 18 are transported with the help of means of transport, not shown, such as rollers, Rolls, belts and / or switches are transported along the transport route 10 in the transport direction T1. The dash-dotted line 20 indicates the central axis of the transport route 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 also designated with the reference number 10.

The notes of value 12 to 18 should have a target position relative to the transport route 10. The positions of the notes of value 12 to 18 should only deviate from this target position within small tolerances. In the target position, the long sides of the note 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. Of the in Figure 1 The value notes 12 to 18 shown are only the value note 18 in the target position. In the present exemplary embodiment, the long sides of the notes of value 12 to 18 are oriented essentially transversely to the transport direction T1, at least in the desired position. Such an alignment of the long sides of the notes of value 12 to 18 orthogonal to the transport direction T1 is also referred to as a long-side-first (LSF) alignment. It is also advantageous if two consecutive notes of value 12 to 18 each have the same distance Y from one another. Alignment of the notes of value 12 to 18 in the desired position is particularly important when the notes of value 12 to 18 are transported at high speed along the transport route 10 of an ATM or an automatic safe. To align the notes of value 12 to 16, the location of the desired position deviates laterally, a device for aligning these notes of value 12 to 16 is provided according to the invention. The structure and function of the device for aligning notes of value 12 to 18 is described below in connection with FIGS Figures 2 to 9 described in more detail. The notes of value 12 to 18 pass through the device at the same transport speed as when they are transported along other transport routes 10 in the ATM or in the automatic cash register system or safe cash register. With the aid of a note checking unit (not shown) for checking the authenticity of notes of value 12 to 18, the deviation of the position of note of value 12 to 18 from its target positions is determined in the present exemplary embodiment. The bill checking unit is arranged upstream of the device for aligning the bills 12 to 18 in the transport direction T1. Such a bill checking unit is also referred to as a bank note reader.

Deviations of the position of the notes of value 12 to 18 from the target position can occur in particular when removing notes of value 12 to 18 from note cassettes with poorly stacked notes of value 12 to 18, in the case of incorrect entry of notes of value 12 to 18 by a customer and / or by a Skewing of notes of value 12 to 18 occur when moving in or during transport along the transport route 10. When such deviations occur, it is necessary that the notes of value 12 to 18 are brought into their desired position with the aid of the device for aligning notes of value 12 to 18 in order to correct at least one detected lateral offset.

Furthermore, by aligning the notes of value 12 to 18 in the target position, the alignment of the notes of value 12 to 18 in stacks for issuing 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 banknote cassette, is improved. In this way, the notes of value 12 to 18 can be stored in a space-saving manner. Furthermore, the notes of value 12 to 18 can be conveniently and conveniently issued to a customer as an ordered bundle.

The in Figure 1 The value note 14 shown is not in the target position. Its long sides are aligned 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 14 is offset to the right, so that the note 14 has no angular offset but a lateral offset. The note 14 must therefore be shifted to the left until the short central axis of the note 14 lies on the central axis 20 of the transport plane 10 in order to bring the note 14 into the target position.

The value note 12 has approximately the same lateral offset transverse to the central axis 20 of the transport route 10 as the value note 14. However, the value note 12 is additionally rotated by an angle A to an orthogonal to the central axis 20 of the transport route 10. Such a deviation by one Angle from the nominal position is also referred to as an angular offset. The value note 12 would have to be rotated by the angle -A and additionally shifted to the left as seen in the transport direction T1 until the short central axis of the value note 12 lies on the central axis 20 of the transport path 10 in order to bring the value note 12 exactly into the target position .

The note 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 seen in the transport direction T1. In order to bring this banknote 16 into the desired position, it must be rotated through the angle A and shifted to the right until the short central axis of the banknote 16 lies on the central axis 20 of the transport plane 10. It was recognized that in many cases it is sufficient to correct the lateral offset of a note of value. In many cases, it is not absolutely necessary to correct the angular offset.

In Figure 2 a side view of a transport unit 30 with a device 200 for aligning notes of value 12 to 18 is shown. The transport path 10 of the notes of value 12 to 18 is delimited by an upper part serving as a first guide element 60 and by a lower part serving as a second guide element 80.

The transport unit 30 comprises several drive shafts, of which in Figure 2 three drive shafts 102, 108 and 220 are shown. The direction of rotation of the drive shafts 102, 108 and 220 determines the transport direction T1 of the notes of value 12 to 18. The drive shafts 102, 108 and 220 are freely rotatably mounted in the lower part 80 via bearings, so that the value rails 12 to 18 in a transport direction T1 or opposite to the transport direction T1 can be transported by the transport unit 30.

The transport unit 30 also comprises two non-driven transport shafts 104 and 106, which are freely rotatably mounted in the upper part 60 via bearings and are arranged opposite the drive shafts 102 and 108.

The drive shafts 102, 108 and 220 are in engagement with one another via gears 40 to 56, so that the drive shafts 102, 108 and 220 can be driven by a first drive unit (not shown). The first drive unit can be a central drive unit of the transport unit.

Furthermore, the first guide element 60 has three openings 62a to 62c and the second guide element 80 has six openings 82a to 82f, which serve to accommodate and support further drive and transport shafts (not shown).

The device 200 for aligning notes of value comprises a second drive unit 210 which drives a gear 212 and which is firmly connected to the lower part 80 via a holding device 214.

Figure 3 shows a plan view of the transport unit according to FIG Figure 2 . Two pressure units 260 and 262 are connected to the first guide element 60 so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis D. In the interior of the pressure units 260, 262, a ball is freely rotatably mounted in each case and serves as a spherical counter-pressure element 280 and 282. The spherical counter-pressure elements 280, 282 are shown in FIG Figure 3 hidden, their arrangement is in Figure 5 shown. The pressure units 260, 262 are also generally referred to as storage units.

Two pairs of rollers are also visible. The first pair of rollers comprises rollers 120 and 122 and the second pair of rollers comprises rollers 124 and 126. The first pair of rollers is firmly connected to the transport shaft 104 and the second pair of rollers is firmly connected to the transport shaft 106.

The rollers 120, 122, 124 and 126 are arranged on the transport shafts 104 and 106 in such a way that the lateral distance between the rollers 120 and 124 and the central axis 20 is the same as the lateral distance that the one on the opposite side of the central axis 20 arranged rollers 122 and 126 to the central axis 20 have. The rollers 120 to 126 are not driven and they therefore only rotate when they are pressed onto opposite drive rollers 128 to 134, or onto a note 12 to 18 arranged between the respective roller 120 to 124 and the drive roller 128 to 134 located opposite it. The drive rollers 128 to 134 are shown in FIG Figure 3 covered by rollers 120 to 124, their exact arrangement is shown in Figure 4 shown. In other embodiments, the rollers can be arranged on the transport shafts 104, 106 so that they can rotate freely and cannot be displaced in the axial direction.

The openings 140 to 144 present in the transport direction T1 after the transport shaft 106 serve to accommodate sensor elements for detecting the position and location of the notes of value 12 to 18. The signals generated by the sensor elements are evaluated in a control unit (not shown) and any possible or Current lateral and / or angular offset and / or paper jam of the supplied notes of value 12 to 18 are determined and / or note tracking is carried out.

Figure 4 FIG. 13 shows a view from below of the transport unit 30 according to FIG Fig. 2 and 3 , in which the second guide element 80 and the underside of the device 200 for aligning notes of value 12 to 18 are visible. The device 200 comprises a transport element 230, consisting of the rollers 222, 224 and their connecting element 226. The rollers 222, 224 and the connecting element are connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the drive shaft 220 and are axially thereon movable. The connecting element 226 comprises circumferential teeth in the manner of a toothed rack, in which a toothed wheel 212 engages, which is driven by the second drive unit 210. If the gear 212 is rotated with the aid of the second drive unit, the transport element 230 is axially displaced on the drive shaft 220.

Furthermore, two pairs of drive rollers are visible, the first comprising the drive rollers 128 and 130 fixedly connected to the drive shaft 102 and the second comprising the drive rollers 132 and 134 fixedly connected to the drive shaft 108.

The drive rollers 128 to 134 are preferably each one of the in Figure 3 rollers 120 to 126 shown are arranged exactly opposite one another. The drive roller 128 is thus arranged opposite the roller 122, the drive roller 130 opposite the roller 120, the drive roller 132 opposite the roller 126 and the drive roller 134 opposite the roller 124.

Figure 5 shows a schematic perspective illustration of the device 200 for aligning notes of value 12 to 18, which are part of the transport unit 30 according to the Figs. 1 to 4 is.

The device 200 comprises a transport element 230 with rollers 222 and 224 and with a connecting element 226, a drive shaft 220 which is driven via a first drive unit, not shown, and a drive unit 210 which drives a gear 212 which engages in a circumferential toothing of the connecting element 226. The rotation of the gear 212 causes an axial displacement of the transport element 230 on the drive shaft 220 along the axis of rotation of the drive shaft or the axis of rotation of the rollers 222 and 224.

Furthermore, the device 200 comprises two spherical counter-pressure elements 280 and 282, which are each arranged opposite a roller 222 and 224 of the transport element 230 and are each freely rotatably mounted in a bearing unit 260 and 262. The bearing units 260 and 262 are connected to the first guide element 60 so as to be pivotable about the pivot axis D. The storage units 260 and 262 are each in engagement with an elastically deformable element 240 and 242, which thereby cause a counterpressure force of the spherical counterpressure elements 280 and 282 on a note 12 arranged between the transport element 230 and the counterpressure elements 280 and 282.

If a note 12 is arranged during transport along the transport path 10 between the rollers 222, 224 of the transport element 230 and the counter-pressure elements 280, 282, it is pressed by the counter-pressure elements 280, 282 against the outer surface of the rollers 222, 224. During the rotation of the transport element 230 via the drive shaft 220, the rollers 222, 224 of the transport element 230 move with it With the aid of the second drive unit 210, it is axially displaced on the drive shaft 220, so that the note 12 is transported at an angle to the transport direction T1.

Figure 6 FIG. 12 shows a view of the device 200 for aligning notes of value 12 to 18 according to FIG Figure 5 from underneath.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the bearing units 260 and 262, in the interior of which the two spherical counter-pressure elements 280 and 282 formed as balls are freely rotatably mounted in a bearing shell (not shown). Thus, the spherical counter-pressure element 280 is stored in the bearing unit 260, the spherical counter-pressure element 282 is stored in the bearing unit 262. The spherical counter-pressure elements 280 and 282 protrude through an opening of the respective bearing unit 260 and 262, which is dimensioned such that they cannot be moved completely through the opening.

The storage units 260 and 262 are each coupled to an elastically deformable element 240 and 242, which generates a counter-pressure force of the spherical counter-pressure elements 240 and 242 on a note 12 to 18 arranged between the transport element 230 and the counter-pressure elements 280 and 282, as has already been mentioned in connection With Figure 5 has been described.

The elastically deformable elements 240 and 242 are coupled to a cover plate 160 of the first guide element 60 of the transport unit 30 in such a way that they generate a force on the bearing units 260, 262 towards the transport plane. They are rotated around the pivot axis D in the process. In order to move the storage units 260, 262 away from the transport plane, they must be moved against the pressing force of the elastically deformable elements 240, 242. The elastically deformable elements 240, 242 are designed as coil springs in the present embodiment. In other embodiments, the elastically deformable elements can also comprise other springs or an elastomer block.

In Figure 8 a view of a device 200 'for aligning notes of value 12 to 18 according to a second embodiment of the invention is shown. The device 200 'differs from the device 200 of FIG Figures 1 to 8 in that in addition to a central drive unit which drives the drive shaft 220 'and to the drive unit 210 a further, third drive unit, not shown, is provided which drives the drive shaft 232. Elements with the same structure or with the same function have the same reference symbols.

The roller 222 is arranged non-rotatably on the drive shaft 220 'and is axially displaceable along the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft 220'.

The roller 224 is arranged non-rotatably on the drive shaft 232 and is axially displaceable along the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft 232.

The rollers 222 and 224 are coupled to one another by a connecting element 226 with circumferential teeth in the manner of a rack so that they can be displaced together with the connecting element 226 along the axis of rotation of the rollers 222 and 224. At least one of the rollers 222 and 224 is freely rotatable relative to the connecting element 226, so that the rollers 222 and 224 can be driven at different speeds.

The correction of the lateral offset of a note 12 to 18, which is located between the spherical counter-pressure elements 280 and 282 and the rollers 222 and 224, takes place as in the first embodiment, which is in connection with the Figures 1 to 7 has been described, by the displacement of the transport element 230, ie by the displacement of the rollers 222, 224 along their axis of rotation.

In addition to correcting the lateral offset, it is also possible to correct the angle A. For this purpose, the drive unit, which rotates the drive shaft 220 ', and the third drive unit, which rotates the drive shaft 232, drive the shafts 222, 232 at different speeds, so that the note of value 12 to 18 is rotated about an axis of rotation running perpendicular to the plane of the transport path 10.

Figure 9 shows a plan view of a transport unit 30 with a first device 200 ″ for aligning notes of value 12 to 18 and with a second device 200 ″ ′ for aligning notes of value 12 to 18 arranged in the transport direction T1 downstream of the first device according to a third embodiment of the invention. The first device 200 "can be designed like the device 200 or like the device 200 '. The second device 200"' can also be designed like the device 200 or like the device 200 '. Elements with the same structure or with the same function have the same reference symbols

A note 12 to 18 is fed one after the other in the transport direction T1 to the device 200 "and to the device 200"'. A first alignment of the notes of value 12 to 18 fed to the device is carried out by the device 200 "and a second alignment of the notes of value 12 to 18 by the device 200"'. In Figure 9 the position of two notes of value 12 and 14 is shown by a dashed line.

List of reference symbols

• 10 transport route
• 12, 14, 16, 18 note
• 20 central axis
• 30 transport unit
• 40 to 56, 212 gear
• 60, 80 guide element
• 62a to 62c, 82a, 82b, 82c, 82d, 82e, 82f, 140 to 144 openings
• 102, 108, 220, 220 ', 232 drive shafts
• 104, 106 transport shafts
• 120, 122, 124, 126 rolls
• 128, 130, 132, 134, 222, 224 drive rollers
• 160 cover plate
• 200, 200 ', 200 ", 200"' device
• 210 drive unit
• 214 holding device
• 226 connector
• 230 transport element
• 240, 242 elastically deformable element
• 260, 262 storage unit
• 280, 282 counter pressure element
• Y distance
• T1 transport direction
• A angle
• D swivel axis

Claims (14)

1. Device for aligning at least one note of value (12 to 18) along a transport path (10),
   having at least one transport element (230) driven with the aid of at least one first drive unit, having at least one counter-pressure element (280, 282) arranged opposite the transport element (230), wherein the transport path (10) of the note of value (12 to 18) extends between the transport element (230) and the counter-pressure element (280, 282), wherein the transport element (230) driven in a first direction of rotation moves a note of value (12 to 18) arranged between the transport element (230) and the counter-pressure element (280, 282) in a transport direction (T1),
   wherein a second drive unit (210) for displacing the transport element (230) along the axis of rotation thereof is provided, such that a note of value (12 to 18) arranged between the transport element (230) and counter-pressure element (280, 282) is moved transversely to the transport direction (T1) during the displacement of the transport element (230), characterized in that the counter-pressure element (280, 282) is spherical and mounted in a freely rotatable manner.
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first drive unit drives the transport element (230) via at least one drive shaft (220, 232).
3. Device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the counter-pressure element (280, 282) presses a note of value (12 to 18) arranged between the transport element (230) and the counter-pressure element (280, 282) against the lateral surface of the transport element (230).
4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, while the transport element (230) is rotated by being driven with the aid of the first drive unit, the second drive unit (210) displaces the transport element (230) such that the note of value (12 to 18) is transported obliquely to the transport direction (T1).
5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport element (230) is connected to at least one drive shaft (220, 232) for conjoint rotation and is displaceable axially on the latter.
6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport element (230) comprises at least one pair of rollers, the rollers (222, 224) of which are connected to an encircling toothing in the manner of a rack, and in that the connecting element (226) is arranged on at least one drive shaft (220, 232) so as to be displaceable along the axis of rotation of the rollers (222, 224) together with the rollers (222, 224).
7. Device according to Claim 6, characterized in that the second drive unit (210) is an electric motor, which drives a toothed wheel (212) engaged with the encircling toothing of the connecting element (226).
8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport path of the notes of value (12 to 18) is delimited by a first guide element (60) and a second guide element (80), wherein the first guide element (60) is arranged with respect to the second guide element (80) such that it is pivotable from an operational position into a maintenance position.
9. Device according to Claim 8, characterized in that at least two spherical counter-pressure elements (280, 282) are provided,
   in that the first spherical counter-pressure element (280) is arranged in a freely rotatable manner in a first housing (260),
   in that the second spherical counter-pressure element (282) is arranged in a freely rotatable manner in a second housing (262), in that the housings (260, 262) are each connected to the first guide element (60) in a pivotable manner,
   wherein the first spherical counter-pressure element (280) projects through an opening in the first housing (260), said opening being dimensioned such that the first spherical counter-pressure element (280) cannot be moved completely through the opening,
   wherein the second spherical counter-pressure element (282) projects through an opening in the second housing (262), said opening being dimensioned such that the second spherical counter-pressure element (282) cannot be moved completely through the opening.
10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device has at least one elastically deformable element (240, 242), which generates a counter-pressure force of the spherical counter-pressure element (280, 282) on a note of value (12 to 18) arranged between the transport element (230) and the counter-pressure element (280, 282) .
11. Device according to one of Claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the first roller (222) is arranged on a first drive shaft (220') for conjoint rotation and so as to be axially displaceable along the longitudinal axis of the first drive shaft (220'),
    in that the second roller (224) is arranged on a second drive shaft (232) for conjoint rotation and so as to be axially displaceable along the longitudinal axis of the second drive shaft (232), wherein the first drive shaft (220') is able to be driven with the aid of the first drive unit, wherein the second drive shaft (232) is able to be driven with the aid of a third drive unit,
    wherein the first roller (222) and the second roller (224) are coupled together via a connecting element (226) with an encircling toothing such that they are displaceable along the axis of rotation of the rollers (222, 224) together with the connecting element (226), and at least one of the rollers (222, 224) is freely rotatable relative to the connecting element (226) such that the rollers (222, 224) are able to be driven at different speeds,
    wherein the first drive unit and the third drive unit are actuated at different speeds, such that, with different speeds, the note of value (12 to 18) is rotated about an axis of rotation extending perpendicularly to the plane of the transport path (10) .
12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device has a banknote reader, which senses the position of the note of value (12 to 18), wherein the banknote reader or a control unit determines a lateral offset with respect to a preset intended position,
    wherein the alignment of the note of value (12 to 18) is carried out in that the second drive unit (210) for moving the transport element (230) is actuated in dependence on the determined lateral offset such that the lateral offset is reduced or corrected.
13. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the direction of rotation of the transport element (230) can be changed such that bidirectional transport of the notes of value (12 to 18) by the device in a first transport direction T1 and in a second transport direction opposite to the first transport direction T1 is possible.
14. Arrangement having a first device according to one of the preceding claims and having a second device according to one of the preceding claims,
    wherein the note of value (12 to 18) is fed successively to the first device and the second device, wherein a first alignment of the note of value (12 to 18) is carried by the first device and a second alignment of the note of value (12 to 18) is carried out by the second device.

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