Patent Publication Number: US-2023136058-A1

Title: Replaceable stack sheet

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present disclosure relates to a replaceable stack sheet, and more particularly, to a replaceable stack sheet that is replaceably provided in a medium integration/separation device to guide integration of medium. 
     2. Discussion of Related Art 
     In general, automated teller machines (ATMs) can provide convenient financial services to customers regardless of location and time at banks or other financial institutions. For example, ATMs may provide various financial services such as depositing or withdrawing media such as banknotes or checks or checking a balance and transferring money between accounts. 
     A medium storage unit of the ATM is provided with a medium integration/separation device for integrating a medium in the medium storage unit or separating the medium loaded in the medium storage unit one by one. 
     The medium integration/separation device may include a pick-up roller for separating the medium from the medium storage unit one by one, a feeding roller that is disposed adjacent to the pick-up roller to transport the medium separated by the pick-up roller onto a transport path or to integrate the medium transported along the transport path onto the medium storage unit, a guide roller for transporting the medium while overlapping the feeding roller, and a stack sheet in which a plurality of sheet pieces are formed on an outer circumferential surface. 
     When the medium is integrated, the stack sheet may be rotated by a driving unit, enter the transport path of the medium, and hit a rear end of the integrated medium, so that the medium may be evenly integrated in the medium storage unit. 
     However, in a stack sheet according to the related art, an excessive concentrated load is applied to a root portion of the stack sheet due to interference and collision with a counterpart such a power transmission shaft of the guide roller, a front plate mold, and an integrated banknote during rotation. Thus, when used for a certain period of time, the stack sheet is broken. 
     The related art related to the stack sheet according to the related art is disclosed in Korean Patent Laid-Open No. 10-2021-0049574. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure is directed to providing a replaceable stack sheet which can distribute a concentrated load applied to a stack sheet to improve durability and maintain stack performance. 
     A replaceable stack sheet replaceably provided in a medium integration/separation device to guide integration of a medium according to the present disclosure includes a body which is coupled to a rotary shaft and in which a plurality of support shafts are spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction, and a plurality of sheet pieces having ends rotatably coupled to the plurality of support shafts. 
     The plurality of sheet pieces each include a root part formed to extend from a coupling part to which the support shaft is coupled, and a hollow part is formed in the root part to distribute a concentrated load applied to the root part due to interference and collision with a counterpart when the rotary shaft rotates in an integration direction of the medium. 
     The root part includes a first root part having two strands of a first portion and a second portion on both sides of a position in which the hollow part is formed and a second root part formed in one strand at a position in which the hollow part is not formed and extending from the first root part. 
     Thicknesses of the first portion and the second portion of the first root part is smaller than a thickens of the second root part. 
     The first portion is positioned on a side facing a rotation direction when the medium is integrated, and the second portion is positioned on an opposite side to the rotation direction when the medium is integrated, and a first flat portion in which a portion of a side surface facing the hollow part has a flat shape is formed in the second portion. 
     A second flat portion having a partially flat shape is formed on one surface of the second root part positioned on an opposite side to a rotation direction when the medium is integrated. 
     The plurality of sheet pieces each include a sheet part extending from the root part in a curved surface and hitting a rear end of the integrated medium. 
     A protrusion for hitting the rear end of the medium in a downward direction when the medium is integrated is formed at a distal end of the sheet part. 
     The plurality of sheet pieces are unfolded outward from the body to guide integration of the medium when the rotary shaft is rotated in the integration direction of the medium and are folded on an outer surface of the body when the rotary shaft is rotated in a separation direction of the medium. 
     The rotary shaft is rotated in the separation direction of the medium, the plurality of sheet pieces are folded on the outer surface of the body while adjacent sheet pieces partially overlap each other in a radial direction. 
     A first catching step is formed at one end of the coupling part of the sheet piece, and a first catching part by which the first catching step is caught and which limits a rotation range of the sheet piece when the medium is integrated is formed in the body. 
     A second catching step and a third catching step are formed in the first portion and the second portion, and a first catching end on which the second catching step and the third catching step are seated and supported when the medium is separated is formed in the body. 
     The plurality of sheet pieces each include a root part formed to extend from a coupling part to which the support shaft is coupled, a bent part formed to be bent and extend at a predetermined angle toward an opposite side to a rotation direction when the medium is integrated in the root part, and a sheet part which is formed to be bent and extend at a predetermined angle in the rotation direction when the medium is integrated at an extension end of the bent part and hits a rear end of the integrated medium. 
     The bent part is formed at a position that interferes with a counterpart when the rotary shaft is rotated in the rotation direction when the medium is integrated, and reduces a concentrated load applied to the root part. 
     The plurality of sheet pieces are formed to extend from the root part in a curved shape. 
     A protrusion for hitting the rear end of the medium in a downward direction when the medium is integrated is formed at a distal end of the sheet part. 
     The plurality of sheet pieces are unfolded outward from the body to guide integration of the medium when the rotary shaft is rotated in the integration direction of the medium and are folded on an outer surface of the body when the rotary shaft is rotated in a separation direction of the medium. 
     When the rotary shaft is rotated in the separation direction of the medium, the plurality of sheet pieces are folded on the outer surface of the body while adjacent sheet pieces partially overlap each other in a radial direction. 
     A fourth catching step is formed at one end of the coupling part of the sheet piece, and a second catching part by which the fourth catching step is caught and which limits a rotation range of the sheet piece when the medium is integrated is formed in the body. 
     A fifth catching step is formed in the bent part, and a second catching end on which the fifth catching step is seated and supported when the medium is separated is formed in the body. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by describing exemplary embodiments thereof in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view illustrating a replaceable stack sheet according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is a front view illustrating the replaceable stack sheet according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view illustrating a body constituting the replaceable stack sheet according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  4    is a view illustrating a sheet piece constituting the replaceable stack sheet according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure when viewed in different directions; 
         FIG.  5    is a front view illustrating the sheet piece constituting the replaceable stack sheet according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  6    is a front view illustrating a state in which the sheet piece of the replaceable stack sheet according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is unfolded; 
         FIG.  7    is an operation state diagram illustrating a state in which a medium integrated in a medium integration/separation device including the replaceable stack sheet according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  8    is an operation state diagram illustrating a state in which the medium is separated in the medium integration/separation device including the replaceable stack sheet according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  9    is a front view illustrating a replaceable stack sheet according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  10    is a front illustrating a sheet piece constituting the replaceable stack sheet according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  11    is a perspective view illustrating a replaceable stack sheet according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  12    is a front view illustrating the replaceable stack sheet according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  13    is a perspective view illustrating a body constituting the replaceable stack sheet according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  14    is a view illustrating a sheet piece constituting the replaceable stack sheet according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure when viewed in different directions; 
         FIG.  15    is a front view illustrating a state in which the sheet piece of the replaceable stack sheet according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure is unfolded; 
         FIG.  16    is an operation state diagram illustrating a state in which a medium is integrated in a medium integration/separation device including the replaceable stack sheet according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG.  17    is an operation state diagram illustrating a state in which the medium is separated in the medium integration/separation device including the replaceable stack sheet according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, configurations and operations of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1  to  8   , a replaceable stack sheet  100  according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure includes a body  110  which is coupled to a rotary shaft  231  of a medium integration/separation device  1  and in which a plurality of support shafts  113  are spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction, and a plurality of sheet pieces  120 ;  120 - 1 ,  120 - 2 ,  120 - 3 , and  120 - 4  having ends rotatably coupled to the plurality of support shafts  113 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  2  and  3   , the body  110  includes a pair of support plates  111 ;  111 - 1  and  111 - 2  which are spaced apart from each other in a front-rear direction, are arranged in parallel to each other, and have a rotary shaft coupling hole  114  formed in a center thereof to which a rotary shaft  231  (see  FIG.  8   ) is coupled, a connection support part  112  that interconnects the pair of support plates  111 ;  111 - 1  and  111 - 2 , and the plurality of support shafts  113  coupled to pass through edge portions of the pair of support plates  111 ;  111 - 1  and  111 - 2  in a front-rear direction. 
     First catching ends  111   a  and  111   b  by which a first catching step  121   b  formed in the sheet piece  120 , which will be described below, is caught are formed at edges of the pair of support plates  111 ;  111 - 1  and  111 - 2 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  7   , the first catching step  121   b  and the first catching ends  111   a  and  111   b  function as a stopper for limiting an angle at which the sheet piece  120  is unfolded and rotated when the stack sheet  100  is rotated in an integration direction of the medium. 
     A first catching part  112   a  on which a second catching step  122   a  and a third catching step  122   b  formed in the sheet piece  120 , which will be described below, are seated and supported is formed on an outer surface of the connection support part  112 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  8   , when the stack sheet  100  rotates in a separation direction of a medium, the second catching step  122   a  and the third catching step  122   b  may be seated and supported on the first catching part  112   a,  and the plurality of sheet pieces  120 ;  120 - 1 ,  120 - 2 ,  120 - 3 , and  120 - 4  may be folded on an outer surface of the body  110  while adjacent sheet pieces partially overlap each other in a radial direction. 
     Referring to  FIG.  4   , the sheet piece  120  includes a coupling part  121 , root parts  122  and  124 , and a sheet part  125 . 
     The coupling part  121  is a part to which the support shaft  113  is coupled, a support shaft through-hole  121   a  is formed in a center of the coupling part  121 , and the first catching step  121   b  is formed at a lower end of one side of the coupling part  121 . 
     The root parts  122  and  124  are parts extending from the coupling part  121  and supporting the sheet part  125  and include a first root part  122  formed at a portion adjacent to the coupling part  121  and a second root part  124  extending from the first root part  122  and connected to the sheet part  125 . 
     A hollow part  123  is formed inside the root parts  122  and  124  to distribute a concentrated load applied to the root parts  122  and  124  due to interference and collision with a power transmission shaft of a guide roller, a front plate mold, and an integrated banknote (hereinafter, referred to as a “counterpart”) when the rotary shaft  231  rotates in an integration direction of a medium M. 
     The root parts  122  and  124  include the root part  122  having two strands of a first portion  122 - 1  and a second portion  122 - 2  on both sides of a position in which the hollow part  123  is formed and the second root part  124  formed in one strand at a position in which the hollow part  123  is not formed and extending from the first root part  122 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  5   , thicknesses t 1  and t 2  of the first portion  122 - 1  and the second portion  122 - 2  of the first root part  122  are thinner than a thickness t 3  of the second root part  124 . According to this configuration, when the stack sheet  100  rotates in the integration direction of the medium, when the concentrated load is applied to the root parts  122  and  124  due to the interference and collision with the counterpart, since the concentrated load is distributed to the first portion  122 - 1  and the second portion  122 - 2  having the thicknesses t 1  and t 2  that are relatively smaller than the thickness t 3  of the second root part  124 , a damage to the first root part  122  due to the concentrated load can be prevented, and thus the durability of the sheet piece  120  can be improved. 
     Further, when the medium M is integrated, the first portion  122 - 1  and the second portion  122 - 2  of the first root part  122  serve to push the medium M together, and thus the integration performance of the medium M can be maintained at the same level as when the first root part  122  is thickly formed as one strand. 
     The first portion  122 - 1  is positioned on a side facing a rotation direction when the medium M is integrated, the second portion  122 - 2  is positioned on a side opposite to the rotation direction when the medium M is integrated, and a first flat portion P 1  in which a portion of a side surface facing the hollow part  123  has a flat shape is formed in the second portion  122 - 2 . 
     In this way, the first flat portion P 1  is formed in a portion of the second portion  122 - 2 , the thickness of the second portion  122 - 2  at a position in which the first flat portion P 1  is formed becomes thinner, and thus the concentrated load applied to the second portion  122 - 2  can be further alleviated. 
     The sheet part  125  is formed to extend from the root parts  122  and  124  in a curved shape and functions to guide the integration of the medium M by hitting a rear end of the integrated medium M. 
     In this way, the sheet part  125  is formed in a curved shape rather than a flat shape. Thus, when the medium M is integrated, a rear end of the medium M may be hit downward, so that the medium M can be more stably integrated. When the medium M is separated, the plurality of sheet pieces  120 ;  120 - 1 ,  120 - 2 ,  120 - 3 , and  120 - 4  are folded on the outer surface of the body  110  while partially overlapping each other, so that interference with the separated medium M can be prevented. 
     A protrusion  126  for hitting a rear end of the medium M in a downward direction when the medium M is integrated may be formed at a rear end of the sheet part  125 . The protrusion  126  is formed in a shape bent at a predetermined angle from the rear end of the sheet part  125  to press the rear end of the integrated medium M in the downward direction so as to perform a function in which the medium M can be integrated more stably. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  6  and  7   , when the rotary shaft  231  is rotated in the integration direction of the medium M, the plurality of sheet pieces  120  are unfolded outward from the body  110  to guide the integration of the medium M. 
     Referring to  FIG.  8   , when the rotary shaft  231  is rotated in the separation direction of the medium M, the plurality of sheet pieces  120  are folded on the outer surface of the body  110  while adjacent sheet pieces partially overlap each other in the radial direction. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  7  and  8   , the medium integration/separation device  1  including the replaceable stack sheet  100  according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure includes the replaceable stack sheet  100 , an integration/separation unit  200 , and a medium storage unit  300 . 
     The integration/separation unit  200  is provided on one side of an upper portion of the medium storage unit  300  to function to integrate the medium M transported along a transport path  10  in the medium storage unit  300  or transport the medium M separated one by one from the medium storage unit  300  to the transport path  10 . 
     The integration/separation unit  200  includes a pickup roller  210  that separates the medium M in units of sheets, a feed roller  220  that is disposed adjacent to the pickup roller  210  in transport the medium M separated by the pickup roller  210  to the transport path  10  or integrate the medium M transported along the transport path  10  to the medium storage unit  300 , and a guide roller  230  for transporting the medium M while overlapping the feed roller  220 . 
     The stack sheet  100  and the guide roller  230  are coupled to the same rotary shaft  231 . 
     A medium integration space  310  is provided inside the medium storage unit  300 , and a push plate  320  supporting the integrated medium M and vertically moving is provided in the medium integration space  310 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  9  and  10   , a replaceable stack sheet  100 ′ according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure has the same overall configuration as the above-described embodiment and is different from the above-described embodiment in terms of partial forms of sheet pieces  120 ′;  120 - 1 ′,  120 - 2 ′,  120 - 3 ′, and  120 - 4 ′ being transformed. 
     In the present embodiment, a second flat portion P 2  having a partially flat shape is formed on one surface of the second root part  124  positioned on an opposite side to the rotation direction when the medium M is integrated. 
     In this way, as the second fiat portion P 2  is formed on the one surface of the second root part  124 , the thickness of the second root part  124  at a position in which the second flat portion P 2  is formed is formed thinner, and thus the concentrated load applied to the second root part  124  can be further alleviated. 
     Hereinafter, a configuration of a replaceable stack sheet  1000  according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Referring to  FIGS.  11  to  17   , a replaceable stack sheet  1000  according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure includes a body  1100  which is coupled to a rotary shaft  2310  of a medium integration/separation device  1 - 1  and in which a plurality of support shafts  1130  are spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction, and a plurality of sheet pieces  1200 ;  1200 - 1 ,  1200 - 2 ,  1200 - 3 , and  1200 - 4  having ends rotatably coupled to the plurality of support shafts  1130 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  12  and  13   , the body  1100  includes a pair of support plates  1110 ;  1110 - 1  and  1110 - 2  which are spaced apart from each other in a front-rear direction, are arranged in parallel to each other, and have a rotary shaft coupling hole  1140  formed in a center thereof to which a rotary shaft  2310  (see  FIG.  16   ) is coupled, a connection support part  1120  that interconnects the pair of support plates  1110 ;  1110 - 1  and  1110 - 2 , and the plurality of support shafts  1130  coupled to pass through edge portions of the pair of support plates  1110 ;  1110 - 1  and  1110 - 2  in a front-rear direction. 
     Second catching ends  1110   a  and  1110   b  by which a fourth catching step  1210   b  formed in the sheet piece  1200 , which will be described below, is caught are formed at edges of the pair of support plates  1110 ;  1110 - 1  and  1110 - 2 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  16   , the fourth catching step  1210   b  and the second catching ends  1110   a  and  1110   b  function as a stopper for limiting an angle at which the sheet piece  1200  is unfolded and rotated when the stack sheet  1000  is rotated in an integration direction of the medium. 
     A second catching part  1120   a  on which a fifth catching step  1230   a  formed in the sheet piece  1200 , which will be described below, is seated and supported is formed on an outer surface of the connection support part  1120 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  17   , when the stack sheet  1000  rotates in the separation direction of the medium, the fifth catching step  1230   a  may be seated and supported on the second catching part  1120   a,  and the plurality of sheet pieces  1200 ;  1200 - 1 ,  1200 - 2 ,  1200 - 3 , and  1200 - 4  may be folded on an outer surface of the body  1100  while adjacent sheet pieces partially overlap each other in the radial direction. 
     Referring to  FIG.  14   , the sheet piece  1200  includes a coupling part  1210 , a root part  1220 , a bent part  1230 , and a sheet part  1240 . 
     The coupling part  1210  is a part to which the support shaft  1130  is coupled, a support shaft through-hole  1210   a  is formed in a center of the coupling part  1210 , and the fourth catching step  1210   b  is formed at a lower end of one side of the coupling part  1210 . 
     The root part  1220  is a part extending from the coupling part  1210  and supporting the bent part  1230  and the sheet part  1240 . 
     The bent part  1230  is formed to be bent and extend at a predetermined angle toward an opposite side to the rotation direction when the medium M is integrated in the root part  1220 . 
     When the rotary shaft  2310  is rotated in the rotation direction when the medium M is integrated, the bent part  1230  is formed at a position that interferes with a power transmission shaft of a guide roller, a front plate mold, and an integrated banknote (hereinafter, referred to as a “counterpart”) to function to reduce the concentrated load applied to the root part  1220 . 
     That is, when it is assumed that a portion in which the bent part  1230  is not formed and the sheet part  1240  is connected to the root part  1220  is formed in a planar shape, when the stack sheet  100  is rotated in the integration direction of the medium M, the root part  1220  and the sheet part  1240  are bent in an opposite direction to the integration direction of the medium M due to interference and collision with the counterpart, a large concentrated load is applied to the root part  1220 , and thus the root part  1220  may be damaged. 
     In contrast, as in the present embodiment, as the bent part  1230  is formed at a portion in which the root part  1220  and the sheet part  1240  are connected, when the stack sheet  100  is rotated in the integration direction of the medium M, even when the stack sheet  1000  interferes or collides with the counterpart, the amount of deformation in which the bent part  1230  is bent is greatly reduced. Thus, the concentrated load applied to the root part  1220  can be significantly reduced, so that the root part  1220  cart be effectively prevented from being damaged. 
     The sheet part  1240  is bent at a predetermined angle toward the rotation direction when the medium M is integrated at an extension end of the bent part  1230 , extends in a curved shape, and hits the rear end of the medium M, thereby serving to guide the integration of the medium M. 
     In this way, the sheet part  1240  is formed in a curved shape rather than a flat shape. Thus, when the medium M is integrated, a rear end of the medium M may be hit downward, so that the medium M can be more stably integrated. When the medium M is separated, the plurality of sheet pieces  1200 ;  1200 - 1 ,  1200 - 2 ,  1200 - 3 , and  1200 - 4  are folded on the outer surface of the body  1100  while partially overlapping each other, so that interference with the separated medium M can he prevented. 
     A protrusion  1250  for hitting the rear end of the medium M in the downward direction when the medium M is integrated may be formed at a rear end of the sheet part  1240 . The protrusion  1250  is formed in a shape bent at a predetermined angle from the rear end of the sheet part  1240  to press the rear end of the integrated medium M in the downward direction so as to perform a function in which the medium M can be integrated more stably. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  15  and  16   , when the rotary shaft  2310  is rotated in the integration direction of the medium M, the plurality of sheet pieces  1200  are unfolded outward from the body  1100  to guide the integration of the medium M. 
     Referring to  FIG.  17   , when the rotary shaft  2310  is rotated in the separation direction of the medium M, the plurality of sheet pieces  1200  are folded on the outer surface of the body  1100  while adjacent sheet pieces partially overlap each other in the radial direction. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  16  and  17   , the medium integration/separation device  14  including the replaceable stack sheet  1000  according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure includes the replaceable stack sheet  1000 , an integration/separation unit  2000 , and a medium storage unit  3000 . 
     The integration/separation unit  2000  is provided on one side of an upper portion of the medium storage unit  3000  to function to integrate the medium M transported along the transport path  10  in the medium storage unit  3000  or transport the medium M separated one by one from the medium storage unit  3000  to the transport path  10 . 
     The integration/separation unit  2000  includes a pickup roller  2100  that separates the medium M in units of sheets, a feed roller  2200  that is disposed adjacent to the pickup roller  2100  to transport the medium M separated by the pickup roller  2100  in the transport path  10  or integrate the medium M transported along the transport path  10  to the medium storage unit  3000 , and a guide roller  2300  for transporting the medium M while overlapping the feed roller  2200 . 
     The stack sheet  1000  and the guide roller  2300  are coupled to the same rotary shaft  2310 . A medium integration space  3100  is provided inside the medium storage unit  3000 , and a push plate  3200  supporting the integrated medium M and vertically moving is provided in the medium integration space  3100 . 
     According to a replaceable stack sheet according to a first embodiment and a second embodiment of the present disclosure, a hollow part is formed in a root part of the stack sheet, a concentrated load applied to the root part due to interference with a counterpart when the stack sheet rotates is distributed to the root part formed in two strands on both sides of the hollow part, and thus the durability of the stack sheet can be improved, and the stack performance cart be maintained. 
     According to a replaceable stack sheet according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure, a bent part is formed between a root part and a sheet part of the stack sheet, a concentrated load applied to the root part due to interference with a counterpart when the stack sheet rotates is reduced, and thus the durability of the stack sheet can be improved, and the stack performance can be maintained. 
     As described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, obvious modifications could be made by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from the technical spirit of the present disclosure claimed by the appended claims, and the obvious modifications belong to the scope of the present disclosure.