Banknote handling and transmission apparatus

A banknote handling and transmission apparatus includes a drive roller, a driven structure, and a transmission device. The driven structure includes a mounting member and a first driven roller pivotally mounted to the mounting member. The transmission device includes a guiding panel, a bottom panel, a mounting portion secured to the guiding panel, and a transmission structure pivotally mounted to the guiding panel. A transmission channel is defined between the guiding panel and the bottom panel. The transmission apparatus includes a first transmission roller bearing against, and rotated by, the first drive roller, the first drive roller also forces the rotation of the first driven roller, to pick up deposited banknotes and move them squarely into the transmission channel.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to currency counting machines, and particularly relates to a banknote handling and transmission apparatus used in a currency counter.

2. Description of Related Art

Vending machines are in common use for dispensing many types of items after the customers insert coins or banknotes or credit into the machines. A vending machine typically includes a banknote counter with a transmission apparatus for counting the banknotes. The banknote handling and transmission apparatus includes a shaft, a cushion, a bracket and a plurality of wheels and assembly of the apparatus is laborious and time-consuming.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1shows that a banknote handling and transmission apparatus used in a currency counter, according to one embodiment, includes a drive device10, a driven structure30, and a transmission device50.

The drive device10includes a motor11and a drive structure13. The drive structure13includes a driven shaft131, a plurality of driven rollers133mounted to the driven shaft131, and a driven gear135secured to the driven shaft131. The driven gear135is connected to the motor11via a belt15.

The driven structure30includes a mounting member31, a pivot shaft33, and two driven rollers35parallel to each other. The mounting member31includes a connecting portion311and two mounting tabs313extending from the connecting portion311. The two mounting tabs313are substantially parallel to each other. Each mounting tab313defines a mounting opening3131and a pivot hole3135. The mounting opening3131defines a cutout3132and a mounting hole3133communicating with the cutout3132. The cutout3132is V-shaped. The pivot shaft33includes shaft body331and two mounting protrusions333, extending from the shaft body331. The cross section of the mounting protrusion333is less than that of the shaft body331. The driven roller35defines a rotating hole351corresponding to the pivot shaft33. The driven structure30further includes a rotating shaft37. The rotating shaft37corresponds to the rotating hole351.

The transmission device50includes a guiding panel51, a bottom panel53, a mounting portion55secured to the guiding panel51, and a transmission structure57pivotally mounted to the guiding panel51. The guiding panel51includes a panel body511and a guiding portion513inclined and extending from the panel body511. The panel body511is substantially parallel to the bottom panel53. A transmission channel515is defined between the guiding panel51and the bottom panel53. The mounting portion55includes two rotating portions551substantially parallel to each other. Each rotating portion551defines a securing opening5511. The securing opening5511defines a connecting opening5512and a securing hole5513communicating with the connecting opening5512. The connecting opening5512is V-shaped. The securing opening5511secures the rotating shaft37. The transmission structure57includes two transmission rollers571.

FIGS. 2 and 3show that, in assembly, the pivot shaft33passes through the rotating holes351of the two driven rollers35to enable the two driven rollers35to be pivotally mounted to the pivot shaft33. The two mounting protrusions333of the pivot shaft33are pushed in the mounting holes3133of the mounting openings3131via the cutouts3132. At this time, the two driven rollers35are located between the two mounting tabs313of the mounting member31. The rotating shaft37passes through the two pivot holes3135to enable the mounting member31to be pivotally mounted to the rotating shaft37. The rotating shaft37is pushed into the securing holes5513of the securing openings5511via the connecting openings5512. At this time, the mounting member31is located between the two rotating portions551of the mounting portion55. The drive rollers133of the drive device10make contact with the two driven rollers35of the driven structure3and the two transmission rollers571.

FIG. 4shows that, in use, when a banknote70is located in a position which is between the two driven rollers35and the two drive rollers133, the drive rollers133rotate, driven by the motor11, to drive the two driven rollers35to rotate, thereby moving the banknote70into the transmission channel515. The banknote70is prevented from sticking, or twisting out of alignment, because of the stable frictional forces exerted by the two driven rollers35.