Patent Publication Number: US-7900916-B2

Title: Paper sheet transport mechanism and paper handling device

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention claims priority from Japanese Application No. 2008-044387 filed on Feb. 26, 2008, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference into this application. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a paper sheet handling device, and particularly to a paper sheet transport mechanism. 
     A paper sheet handling device typically includes an upper unit for storing a paper sheet receiving/dispensing mechanism, and a lower unit for storing a paper sheet storage box. The paper sheet receiving/dispensing mechanism and the paper sheet storage box are linked by a paper sheet transport path. Typically, when doing maintenance of the paper sheet handling device, the staff member displaces the upper unit to perform maintenance, and after maintenance has ended, returns the upper unit to its original position and fixes it. 
     However, after maintenance, when the staff member fixes the upper unit at its original position, there are cases when the upper unit ends up being fixed in a state with the upper unit and the lower unit displaced. Also, because it is possible to move the upper unit in relation to the lower unit, even if the staff member fixes the upper unit in the proper position, there are cases when the upper unit becomes displaced after that. In these cases, the paper sheet transport path that connects the paper sheet receiving/dispensing mechanism and the paper sheet storage box is also displaced, and there was the problem that the paper sheets became jammed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is retain the paper sheet transport path so as to be able to transport the paper sheets without paper jamming even when the unit is displaced. 
     To address at least part of the problems noted above, the present invention has the following modes. 
     The first aspect of the present invention is a paper sheet transport mechanism. This mechanism comprises a first paper sheet guide that forms a first paper sheet transport path, the first paper sheet guide having a rotating shaft; a pushing unit that pushes the first paper sheet guide in a specified direction around the rotating shaft; a projecting member that moves in conjunction with movement of the first paper sheet guide; a second paper sheet guide that forms a second paper sheet transport path such that paper sheets are transferred between the first and second paper sheet guides; and a alignment unit that moves in conjunction with a return movement of the second paper sheet guide to be in contact with the projecting member against the pushing by the pushing unit and to align one end of the first paper sheet guide and one end of the second paper sheet guide. With this aspect, one end of the first paper sheet guide and one end of the second paper sheet guide are aligned by the pushing unit and the alignment unit, so it is possible to retain a paper sheet transport path that is able to transport paper sheets without jamming. 
     With the first aspect, it is also possible to have the first paper sheet guide be an integrated body with the projecting member. With this aspect, the first paper sheet guide receives resistance force to the pushing force when the projecting member is in contact with the alignment unit, and aligns one end of the first paper sheet guide and one end of the second paper sheet guide. 
     With the first aspect of the present invention, it is also possible to have it so that the first paper sheet guide includes guide members that sandwich a paper sheet; and the projecting member holds a gap of the first paper sheet transport path at a fixed level or greater. With this aspect, it is possible to reduce the number of structural parts. 
     The first aspect of the present invention can also further comprise a gap holding unit that holds a gap of the first paper sheet transport path at a fixed level. It is also possible to equip a gap holding unit other than the projecting member. 
     With the first aspect of the present invention, it is also possible to have the second paper sheet guide includes guide members that sandwich the paper sheet; and the aliment unit and one surface of the second paper sheet guide are present on an identical plane. With this aspect, the aliment unit and one of both surfaces of the second paper sheet guide are present on an identical plane, so it is possible to align one end of the first paper sheet guide and one end of the second paper sheet guide. 
     With the first aspect of the present invention, it is also possible to have the alignment unit have an integrated constitution with the second paper sheet guide. With this aspect, it is possible to reduce the number of parts. 
     The second aspect of the present invention is a paper sheet handling device. This aspect comprises a first unit that houses a paper sheet storage box for storing paper sheets; a second unit that houses a paper sheet receiving/dispensing processing mechanism for performing paper sheet receiving and dispensing processing of paper sheets, the second unit being movable in a specified direction during maintenance; and a paper sheet transport mechanism according to any one of first aspects arranged at a junction between the first unit and the second unit. With this aspect, when returning the second unit to its original position after maintenance, even if the first unit and the second unit are displaced, it is possible to transfer paper sheets between the paper sheet storage box and the paper sheet receiving and dispensing processing mechanism without the paper sheets jamming. 
     Note that the present invention can be realized in various aspects, and for example, can be realized in a aspect such as a paper sheet transport mechanism, a paper sheet transport method, paper sheet handling, and the like. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the external appearance of an automatic teller machine of this embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a control block diagram showing the control relationship of the automatic teller machine. 
         FIG. 3  is a transparent side view of the paper sheet handling mechanism. 
         FIG. 4  is a control block diagram showing the control relationship of the paper sheet handling mechanism. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view near the linking part on the upper paper sheet mechanism side. 
         FIG. 6  is a transparent view near the linking part seen from the y axis direction of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a drawing showing the A-A cross section of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 8  is a drawing showing the B-B cross section of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 9  is an explanatory drawing showing the state when the upper paper sheet mechanism is completely pulled in the arrow  701  direction. 
         FIG. 10  is an explanatory drawing showing the state when the receiving unit and the projecting part are exactly in contact. 
         FIG. 11  is an explanatory drawing showing the state when the upper paper sheet mechanism is in the standard position. 
         FIG. 12  is an explanatory drawing showing the state when the upper paper sheet mechanism goes past the standard position and moves in the arrow  702  direction. 
         FIG. 13  is an explanatory drawing showing the state when the upper paper sheet mechanism is moved to the boundary in the arrow  702  direction. 
         FIG. 14  is an explanatory drawing showing the state when starting to pull out the upper paper sheet mechanism. 
         FIG. 15  is an explanatory drawing showing the state when midway of pulling out the upper part paper sheet mechanism. 
         FIG. 16  is an explanatory drawing showing the state when pulling out of the upper paper sheet mechanism is completed. 
         FIG. 17  is an explanatory drawing showing an example applying the constitution described with this embodiment to the constitution between the lower paper sheet mechanism and the linking part. 
         FIG. 18  is an explanatory drawing showing an example applying the constitution described with this embodiment to the constitution between the bill validator and the transport path. 
         FIG. 19  is an explanatory drawing showing a variation example. 
         FIG. 20  is an explanatory drawing showing a variation example. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Following, we will describe an embodiment of the present invention using the drawings.  FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the external appearance of an automatic teller machine of this embodiment. The automatic teller machine  100  uses a medium such as a card, a paper sheet money (hereafter called “paper sheet”), a passbook and performs processing with the user such as deposits, payments, transfers. The automatic teller machine  100  has a card and account statement processing mechanism  110 , a customer operating unit  120 , and a paper sheet handling mechanism  200 . The card and account statement processing mechanism  110  is arranged on the top of the automatic teller machine  100 . The card and account statement processing mechanism  110  has a card slot  112 . The card and account statement processing mechanism  110  performs, for example, reading of data from the user&#39;s card, and printing of the passbook and transaction statement. The customer operating unit  120  has a display unit for displaying the transaction contents with the customer, and an input unit for receiving operations from the customer. The paper sheet handling mechanism  200  performs, for example, determination and storage of paper sheets input from the user, and dispensing of paper sheets to the user. The paper sheet handling mechanism  200  has a shutter  212 . 
       FIG. 2  is a control block diagram showing the control relationship of the automatic teller machine  100 . The automatic teller machine  100  has a main unit controller  130 , an external interface unit  140 , a staff operating unit  150 , an external storage device  160 , and a power supply unit  170 . The main unit controller  130  and the card and account statement processing mechanism  110 , the customer operating unit  120 , the paper sheet handling mechanism  200 , the external interface unit  140 , the staff operating unit  150 , and the external storage device  160  are connected by a bus, for example. The main unit controller  130  performs overall control of the automatic teller machine  100 . The external interface unit  140  performs exchange of data with the outside computer (not illustrated). The staff operating unit  150  is operated by the staff member during maintenance, for example. The external storage device  160  stores data processed by the main unit controller  130 . The power supply unit  170  supplies power to the card and account statement processing mechanism  110 , the customer operating unit  120 , the main unit controller  130 , the external interface unit  140 , the staff operating unit  150 , the external storage device  160 , and the paper sheet handling mechanism  200 . 
     We will describe the paper sheet handling mechanism  200  using  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 3  is a transparent side view of the paper sheet handling mechanism  200 .  FIG. 4  is a control block diagram showing the control relationship of the paper sheet handling mechanism  200 . In  FIG. 3 , the right side of the drawing corresponds to the front side of the automatic teller machine  100 , and the left side of the drawing corresponds to the back side. The paper sheet handling mechanism  200  has an upper paper sheet mechanism  202  and a lower paper sheet mechanism  204 . 
     The upper paper sheet mechanism  202  has a paper sheet receiving/dispensing unit  210 , a bill validator  220 , a paper sheet escrow box  230 , and a paper sheet loading collection box  240 . With this embodiment, the paper sheet receiving/dispensing unit  210  is arranged at the farthest front of the upper paper sheet mechanism, the paper sheet escrow box  230  is arranged at the back part of the paper sheet receiving/dispensing unit  210 , the bill validator  220  is arranged at the back part of the paper sheet escrow box  230 , and the paper sheet loading collection box is arranged at the back part of the bill validator  220 . The user, for example, inputs paper sheets to the paper sheet receiving/dispensing unit  210  when making a deposit or transfer, and takes paper sheets from the paper sheet receiving/dispensing unit  210  during dispensing. The shutter  212  noted above is arranged at the paper sheet receiving/dispensing unit  210 . The shutter  212  opens when inputting or taking paper sheets. The bill validator  220  performs determination of the authenticity and face value of the paper sheet. The paper sheet escrow box  230  temporarily stores received paper sheets until the transaction is established. The paper sheet loading collection box  240  is used when loading paper sheets to the storage box of the lower paper sheet mechanism  204 , or when collecting paper sheets from the storage box of the lower sheet paper mechanism  204 . 
     The paper sheet receiving/dispensing unit  210  and the bill validator  220  are connected by the transport path  252  and the transport path  254 . In the middle of the transport path  252  and the transport path  254  is provided a paper sheet switching gate  282  for allocating paper sheets to the lower paper sheet mechanism  204 . The bill validator  220  and the paper sheet escrow box  230  are connected by the transport paths  256 ,  258 , and  260 . In the middle of the transport path  256  and the transport path  258  is provided the paper sheet switching gate  284  for allocating paper sheets to the paper sheet loading collection box  240  via the transport path  262 . In the middle of the transport path  258  and the transport path  260  is provided a paper sheet switching gate  286  for allocating paper sheets to the paper sheet receiving/depositing unit  210  via the transport path  264 . At the bottom of the paper sheet switching gate  282  is provided the transport path  266  for performing transfer of the paper sheets with the lower paper sheet mechanism  204 . At least the transport paths  254 ,  256 ,  258 ,  260 ,  262 , and  264  are bidirectional transport paths that can transport paper sheets in both directions forward and back. 
     The lower paper sheet mechanism  204  has recycle boxes  312  to  318  and reject box  320 . The recycle boxes  312  to  318  store paper sheets by money denomination. The paper sheets stored in the recycle boxes  312  to  318  are provided for dispensing. The reject box  320  stores paper sheets which were deposited but not provided for dispensing. Whether or not paper sheets are provided for dispensing is based on the paper sheet face value and the paper sheet damage state. 
     The lower paper sheet mechanism  204  is enclosed by a cashbox  300 . The top of the cashbox  300  has an opening part  302  opened in it. The opening part  302  has a linking part  304  arranged on it. The transport path  266  described above passes through the inside of the linking part  304 . The transport path  266  is connected to the recycle boxes  312  to  318  and the reject box  320  via the transport path  268 . The paper sheet switching gates  288  to  296  are arranged on the transport path  268 , and allocate paper sheets to the recycle boxes  311  to  314  and the reject box  320 . The transport paths  266  and  268  are bidirectional transport paths which are capable of transporting paper sheets in both forward and backward directions. 
     Using  FIG. 4 , we will describe the constitution of the control of the paper sheet handling mechanism  200 . The paper sheet handling mechanism  200  has a paper sheet handling mechanism controller  330 . The paper sheet handling mechanism controller  330  is connected to the main unit controller  130 , receives instructions from the main unit controller  130 , and controls the operation of the paper sheet receiving/dispensing unit  210 , the bill validator  220 , the paper sheet escrow box  230 , transport path  252  to transport path  268 , paper sheet switching gates  280  to  296 , recycle boxes  312  to  318 , and the reject box  320 . 
     Next, we will describe the operation of the paper sheet handling mechanism  200 . 
     First, we will describe the operation during receiving transaction processing. When paper sheets are inserted to the paper sheet receiving/dispensing unit  210 , the paper sheet handling mechanism controller  330  transports them to the bill validator  220  using the transport paths  252  and  254 . The paper sheet handling mechanism controller  330  uses sensors mounted in the bill validator  220  to determine the paper sheet authenticity, face value, and damage status, and sends the results to the main unit controller  130  via the paper sheet handling mechanism controller  330 . The paper sheet handling mechanism controller  330  transports the paper sheets from the back part of the bill validator  220  to the paper sheet switching gate  284  using the transport path  256 . The paper sheet handling mechanism controller  330  allocates paper sheets with the paper sheet switching gate  284  based on the results of the bill validator  220 . The paper sheet handling mechanism controller  330  transports paper sheets determined to be acceptable to the paper sheet escrow box  230  using the transport paths  258  and  260 , and transports paper sheets determined to be unrecognizable to the paper sheet receiving/dispensing unit  210  using the transport path  264 . The main unit controller  130  displays the total value of the received paper sheets on the customer operating unit  120 . When establishment of a receiving transaction is received from the customer through the customer operating unit  120 , the paper sheet handling mechanism controller  330  receives instructions from the main unit controller  130 , the paper sheets stored once in the paper sheet escrow box  230  are sent out in the reverse direction in the opposite sequence from the sequence when they were stored and pass through the bill validator  220 . The paper sheet handling mechanism controller  330  changes the transport direction of the paper sheets to the transport path  266  direction using the paper sheet switching gate  282 . The paper sheet handling mechanism controller  330  uses the transport path  268  and the paper sheet switching gates  288  to  296  to store the paper sheets in any of the recycle boxes  312  to  318  and the reject box  320 . By doing this, the receiving transaction process is ended. 
     Next, we will describe the operation during dispensing transaction processing. When instructions to dispense a specified amount are received from the user, the main unit controller  130  gives instructions to the paper sheet handling mechanism controller  330  to transport the paper sheets to the paper sheet receiving/dispensing unit  210 . The paper sheet handling mechanism controller  330  uses the bill validator  220  to determine the paper sheet authenticity, face value, and damage state. The paper sheet handling mechanism controller  330  allocates the paper sheets judged to be dispensable using the paper sheet switching gates  284  and  286 , and transports them to the paper sheet receiving/dispensing unit  210 , and allocates the paper sheets judged not to be dispensable to the transport path  262  direction using the paper sheet switching gate  284 , and stores them in the paper sheet loading collection box  240 . When the paper sheet transport operation ends, the main unit controller  130  opens the shutter  212 , and makes it possible for the user to take the paper sheets. By doing this, the dispensing transaction process ends. 
     We will describe the constitution near the linking part  304  using  FIG. 5  to  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 5  is a perspective view near the linking part  304  on the upper paper sheet mechanism side.  FIG. 6  is a transparent view near the linking part  304  seen from the y axis direction of  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 7  is a drawing showing the A-A cross section of  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 8  is a drawing showing the B-B cross section of  FIG. 5 . Note that  FIG. 6  shows the state when the upper paper sheet mechanism  202  is pulled. 
     The upper paper sheet mechanism  202  has paper sheet guides  500  and  501 , an alignment unit  502 , and a roller  515 . The paper sheet guide  500  and the paper sheet guide  501  are arranged with a specified gap open, and are a pair constituting part of the transport path  266  described above (hereafter referred to as “transport path  266   a ”). The paper sheet guides  500  and  501  tips form a comb shape. Note that in  FIG. 6  through  FIG. 8 , the paper sheet guides  500  and  501  have a shape for which the tips are bent to the outside, but in  FIG. 5 , the shape of the tip bent to the outside is omitted. The alignment unit  502  is an L shaped member projecting from the upper paper sheet mechanism  202  to the linking part  304  side. The alignment unit  502  is adjacent to the paper sheet guide  500  and attached to the upper paper sheet mechanism  202  so that the surface formed by the projecting part and the surface that the paper sheet guide  500  forms become a flush surface. Note that the alignment unit  502  can also be attached to the paper sheet guide  500 , and it is also possible for the alignment unit  502  and the paper sheet guide  500  to have an integrated constitution. The roller  515  transports the paper sheets. 
     The linking part  304  has paper sheet guides  503  and  504 , springs  508  and  509 , the roller  510 , and a guide stopper  512 . The paper sheet guide  503  and the paper sheet guide  504  are arranged with a specified gap open, these form a pair and constitute part of the transport path  266  (hereafter called “transport path  266   b ”). The paper sheet guides  503  and  504  have holes, and the rotating shafts  505  and  506  go through the holes. The rotating shafts  505  and  506  are fixed so that the paper sheet guides  503  and  504  can be rotated. The paper sheet guides  503  and  504  tips have comb shape. Note that in  FIG. 6  through  FIG. 8 , the paper sheet guides  503  and  504  tips have a shape bent to the outside, but in  FIG. 5 , the tip shape bent to the outside is omitted. The paper sheet guide  503  has a projecting part  507  at the base paper sheet guide  504  side for which the tip bends to the outside. The projecting part  507  is in contact with the paper sheet guide  504 , and keeps a fixed gap between the paper sheet guide  503  and the paper sheet guide  504 . The spring  508  pushes the paper sheet guide  503  in the clockwise direction on the figure in  FIG. 6 . The spring  509  pushes the paper sheet guide  504  in the counterclockwise direction on the figure in  FIG. 6 . Note that with this embodiment, the elastic force of the spring  509  is stronger than the elastic force of the spring  508 . The roller  510  drives the transport belt  511 . Note that with this embodiment, the gripping force of the roller  510  that sandwiches the paper sheets is set to be weaker than the gripping force of the roller  515  that sandwiches the paper sheets. The transport belt  511  transports the paper sheets. The guide stopper  512  makes it so that the paper sheet guide  504  does not slant at a fixed level or greater in the clockwise direction. 
     Following, we will describe the state before maintenance of the linking part  304 . Note that hereafter, the position of the upper paper sheet mechanism  202  before maintenance is called the “standard position.” At the standard position, the paper sheet guide  504  is in contact with the projecting part  507 , and the projecting part  507  is in contact with the alignment unit  502 . In this state, the paper sheet guides  503  and  504  are pushed so as to turn from the spring  509  in the counterclockwise direction, but on the other hand, it receives force resistant to the push from the alignment unit  502  via the projecting part  507 . Therefore, as described above, the paper sheet guide  504  is in contact with the projecting part  507 , and the projecting part  507  is in a state in contact with the receiving unit. At this time, the alignment unit  502  and the paper sheet guide  500  form a flush surface, so the tip of the paper sheet guide  500  and the tip of the paper sheet guide  503 , and the tip of the paper sheet guide  501  and the tip of the paper sheet guide  504  respectively exactly interlock with each other and are aligned. 
     Using  FIG. 9  through  FIG. 13 , we will describe the operation when moving the upper paper sheet mechanism  202 .  FIG. 9  is an explanatory drawing showing the state when the upper paper sheet mechanism is completely pulled in the arrow  701  direction.  FIG. 10  is an explanatory drawing showing the state when the receiving unit and the projecting part are exactly in contact.  FIG. 11  is an explanatory drawing showing the state when the upper paper sheet mechanism is in the standard position.  FIG. 12  is an explanatory drawing showing the state when the upper paper sheet mechanism goes past the standard position and moves in the arrow  702  direction.  FIG. 13  is an explanatory drawing showing the state when the upper paper sheet mechanism is moved to the boundary in the arrow  702  direction. 
     Using  FIG. 9 , we will describe the state when the upper paper sheet mechanism  202  is completely pulled in the arrow  701  direction. As described above, the paper sheet guides  504  and  503  are pushed in the counterclockwise direction by the elastic force of the spring  509 . Here, the alignment unit  502  moves in the arrow  701  direction together with the upper paper sheet mechanism  202 , so even when the paper sheet guides  504  and  503  slant in the counterclockwise direction, the projecting part  507  does not contact the alignment unit  502 . However, by the paper sheet guide  503  slanting in the counterclockwise direction, the spring  508  contracts and the elastic force becomes larger. Meanwhile, the spring  509  expands and the elastic force becomes smaller. Therefore, the paper sheet guides  504  and  503  are slanted until the position at which the elastic force of the spring  508  and the spring  509  balance out. Therefore, the position of the projecting part  507  is set. Here, the length of the alignment unit  502  linking part  304  direction is longer than the gap between the upper paper sheet mechanism  202  and the projecting part  507 , so when the staff member returns the upper paper sheet mechanism  202  to the standard position, the alignment unit  502  is in contact with the projecting part  507 , and it is possible to rotate the paper sheet guides  503  and  504  in the clockwise direction. 
     Using  FIG. 10 , we will describe the state when the upper paper sheet mechanism  202  moves from the state completely pulled out to the standard position direction, and the alignment unit  502  is exactly in contact with the projecting part  507 . When the upper paper sheet mechanism  202  moves in the arrow  702  direction, the paper sheet guides  500  and  501  and the receiving unit also move in the arrow  702  direction. The alignment unit  502  is in contact with the projecting part  507 . At this time, the alignment unit  502  and the paper sheet guide  500  form a flush surface, so the paper sheet guides  500  and  501  move to a position for which the tips align with the tips of the paper sheet guides  503  and  504 . Therefore, the tips of the paper sheet guides  500  and  501  and the tips of the paper sheet guides  503  and  504  exactly interlock with each other. In this state, the center line  703  of the transport path  266   a  and the center line  704  of the transport path  266   b  are almost aligned at the transport opening  705 . Specifically, the bottom edge part of the transport path  266   a  and the top edge part of the transport path  266   b  are exactly aligned, and transfer of paper sheets between the transport path  266   a  and the transport path  266   b  is performed smoothly. 
     After this, when the upper paper sheet mechanism  202  moves further in the arrow  702  direction, the paper sheet guides  500  and  501  move in the arrow  702  direction, but the alignment unit  502  also moves in the arrow  702  direction. The alignment unit  502  resists the pushing force by the spring  509  and presses the projecting part  507  in the arrow  702  direction, and the paper sheet guides  503  and  504  also rotate in the clockwise direction. As a result, the paper sheet guides  503  and  504  rotate by the amount that the paper sheet guides  500  and  501  moved, so the interlocking of the tips of the paper sheet guides  500  and  501  and the paper sheet guides  503  and  504  is maintained. Therefore, the smooth transfer of paper sheets between the transport path  266   a  and the transport path  266   b  is maintained. 
     Using  FIG. 11 , we will describe the state when the upper paper sheet mechanism  202  matches the standard position. Furthermore, when the upper paper sheet mechanism  202  moves in the arrow  702  direction, the upper paper sheet mechanism  202  reaches the standard position. This state is the same as the state before maintenance, the center line  703  of the transport path  266   a  and the center line  704  of the transport path  266   b  become a straight line, and make an ideal transport path connection. 
     Using  FIG. 12 , we will describe the state when the upper paper sheet mechanism  202  moves further in the arrow  702  direction from the standard position. When the upper paper sheet mechanism  202  goes past the standard position and moves in the arrow  702  direction, the paper sheet guides  500  and  501  and the alignment unit  502  also move in the arrow  702  direction. The projecting part  507  is moved further in the arrow  702  direction by the alignment unit  502 , and the paper sheet guides  503  and  504  are further rotated in the clockwise direction. In this state as well, the interlocking of the tips of the paper sheet guides  500  and  501  and the tips of the paper sheet guides  503  and  504  is maintained, and the center line  703  of the transport path  266   a  and the center line  704  of the transport path  266   b  still almost match at the transport opening  705 . Specifically, even when the upper paper sheet mechanism  202  goes past the standard position and moves in the arrow  702  direction, the bottom edge part of the transport path  266   a  and the upper edge part of the transport path  266   b  exactly align, and the transfer of paper sheets between the transport path  266   a  and the transport path  266   b  is performed smoothly. 
     Using  FIG. 13 , we will describe the state with which the upper paper sheet mechanism  202  is moved to the boundary in the arrow  702  direction. When the upper paper sheet mechanism  202  moves further in the arrow  702  direction, the paper sheet guide  504  comes up against the guide stopper  512 . The paper sheet guide  504  receives the resistance force in the counterclockwise direction from the guide stopper  512 , so the slanting is restricted so as not to slant in the clockwise direction at a fixed level or greater. As a result, the movement of the projecting part  507  in the arrow  702  direction is restricted. The movement of the alignment unit  502  in the arrow  702  direction is also restricted, and the movement of the upper paper sheet mechanism  202  in the arrow  702  direction is also restricted. 
     After maintenance, the staff member returns the upper paper sheet mechanism  202  to its original position and fixes it, but there are cases when it is displaced from the standard position. However, if the position of the upper paper sheet mechanism  202  is the position shown in  FIG. 10  through  FIG. 12 , the tips of the paper sheet guides  500  and  501  and the tips of the paper sheet guides  503  and  504  are aligned and interlocked, so transfer of paper sheets between the transport path  266   a  and the transport path  266   b  is performed smoothly. Specifically, with this embodiment, after maintenance, when the staff member returns the upper paper sheet mechanism  202  to its original position, even if the position of the upper paper sheet mechanism  202  is slightly displaced from the standard position in the arrow  701  direction or the arrow  702  direction, the transfer of paper sheets between the transport path  266   a  and the transport path  266   b  is performed smoothly, and a suitable transport path is retained. 
     Note that when the staff member returns the upper paper sheet mechanism  202  to the standard position, the upper paper sheet mechanism  202  has a heavy weight, so with the standard position as the center, it moves alternately in the arrow  701  and the arrow  702  directions, and returns to the standard position while attenuating. Specifically, there are cases when the upper paper sheet mechanism  202  goes past the standard position and moves in the arrow  702  direction. Following, we will describe the operation when the upper paper sheet mechanism  202  goes from a state going past the standard position and moving in the arrow  702  direction to returning to the standard position. The upper paper sheet mechanism  202  moves in the arrow  701  direction. At this time, the paper sheet guides  500  and  501  and the receiving unit  502  also similarly move in the arrow  701  direction. When the alignment unit  502  moves in the arrow  701  direction, the projecting part  507  no longer receives the force resistant to the elastic force of the spring  509 , so by the elastic force of the spring  509 , it slants in the counterclockwise direction and the contact with the alignment unit  502  is maintained. The paper sheet guides  500  and  501  move in the arrow  701  direction, but because the paper sheet guides  503  and  504  rotate in the counterclockwise direction, the interlocking of the tips of the paper sheet guides  500  and  501  and the tips of the paper sheet guides  503  and  504  is maintained, and the center line  703  of the transport path  266   a  and the center line  704  of the transport path  266   b  are still almost aligned at the transport opening  705 . Therefore, transfer of paper sheets between the transport path  266   a  and the transport path  266   b  is performed smoothly. 
     Using  FIG. 14  through  FIG. 16 , we will describe the jam removal process for cases when a jam occurs at the connection part of the upper paper sheet mechanism  202  and the linking part  304 , and a paper sheet  801  remains.  FIG. 14  is an explanatory drawing showing the state when starting to pull out the upper paper sheet mechanism  202 .  FIG. 15  is an explanatory drawing showing the state when midway of pulling out the upper part paper sheet mechanism  202 .  FIG. 16  is an explanatory drawing showing the state when pulling out of the upper paper sheet mechanism  202  is completed. 
     We will assume that a jam has occurred with the paper sheet  801  sandwiched in the roller  515  and the roller  510 . To recover from the jam of the automatic teller machine  100 , as shown in  FIG. 14 , the staff member pulls the upper paper sheet mechanism  202  from the standard position in the arrow  701  direction. At this time, the paper sheet  801  is sandwiched in the roller  515  by the gripping force  802 , so the paper sheet  801  tries to move together with the upper paper sheet mechanism  202 . Thus, the paper sheet guide  503  receives force from the paper sheet  801  in the arrow  803  direction, and slants in the arrow  804  direction. Here, the size of the elastic force of the spring  508  is a size that will not tear the paper sheet  801  and for which the paper sheet guide  503  slants when force is received from the paper sheet  801  in the arrow  803  direction. 
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , when the upper paper sheet mechanism  202  is further pulled out, the paper sheet guide  503  receives force from the paper sheet  801  to the arrow  803  direction, and slants up to the position at which at its maximum it bumps up against the back end of the linking part  304 . Also, the gripping force  805  of the roller  510  is weaker than the gripping force  802  of the roller  515 . So as shown in  FIG. 16 , the paper sheet  801  is pulled out together with the upper paper sheet mechanism  202 . As a result, removing the remaining paper sheet  801  becomes easy. By doing this, there are fewer cases of the paper sheet  801  remaining in the linking part  304 , so the jam removing function is improved. It is also possible to prevent damage to the paper sheet guide  503  by the remaining paper sheet  801 . 
     As described above, with this embodiment, the paper sheet guides  503  and  504  are pushed by the spring  509 , and the projecting part  507  provided on the paper sheet guide  503  receives resistance force that is against to the pushing force of the spring from the alignment unit  502 , and the tips of the paper sheet guides  500  and  501  and the tips of the paper sheet guides  503  and  504  are aligned. As a result, it is possible to retain a suitable paper sheet transport path. 
     With this embodiment, when the upper paper sheet mechanism  202  moves, the paper sheet guides  500  and  501  and the alignment unit  502  move in conjunction with this movement of the upper paper sheet mechanism  202 . When the projecting part  507  is moved by the alignment unit  502 , the paper sheet guides  503  and  504  are rotated. Therefore, even when the position of the paper sheet guides  500  and  501  moves, it is possible to align the tips of the paper sheet guides  500  and  501  and the tips of the paper sheet guides  503  and  504 . 
     With this embodiment, the paper sheet guide  503  has the projecting part  507 , so it receives resistance force from the alignment unit  502  to the pushing force of the spring  509 , and it is possible to align the tips of the paper sheet guides  500  and  501  and the tips of the paper sheet guides  503  and  504 . 
     With this embodiment, the projecting part  507  is in contact with the paper sheet guide  504 , and a fixed level gap is kept between the paper sheet guide  503  and the paper sheet guide  504 . As a result, it is possible to convey pushing force applied to the paper sheet guide  504  to the paper sheet guide  503  or to convey resistance force applied to the paper sheet guide  503  to the paper sheet guide  504  with a small number of parts. 
     With this embodiment, the surface formed by the paper sheet guide  500  and the surface formed by the alignment unit  502  become a flush surface. As a result, when the alignment unit  502  is in contact with the projecting part  507 , it is possible to align the tips of the paper sheet guides  500  and  501  and the tips of the paper sheet guides  503  and  504 . 
     With the description above, we described a case of the upper paper sheet mechanism  202  being displaced when it is returned to the standard position, but there are also cases when the upper paper sheet mechanism  202  is properly returned to the standard position, but after that, during use of the automatic teller machine  100 , the fixing of the upper paper sheet mechanism  202  becomes loose, and the upper paper sheet mechanism  202  is displaced from the standard position. In this case, when displaced in the arrow  701  direction, the paper sheet guides  503  and  504  slant in the counterclockwise direction due to the spring  509 , and when displaced in the arrow  702  direction, the paper sheet guides  503  and  504  slant in the clockwise direction due to the alignment unit  502 . So it is possible to align the tips of the paper sheet guides  500  and  501  and the tips of the paper sheet guides  503  and  504 , and smooth transport of paper sheets is maintained. 
     Also, with this embodiment, the gripping force of the roller  510  is weaker than the gripping force of the roller  515 , and the elastic force of the spring  508  has a power level that the power does not tear the paper sheet  801 , and for which the paper sheet guide  503  slants when force is received from the paper sheet  801  in the arrow  803  direction. So even when a jam occurs with paper sheets remaining in the transport path connection part, it is possible to easily remove the jam without tearing that paper sheet and without damaging the guide. 
     VARIATION EXAMPLE 
     Using  FIG. 17  and  FIG. 18 , we will describe an application example at another position.  FIG. 17  is an explanatory drawing showing an example applying the constitution described with this embodiment to the constitution between the lower paper sheet mechanism  204  and the linking part  304 .  FIG. 18  is an explanatory drawing showing an example applying the constitution described with this embodiment to the constitution between the bill validator  220  and the transport path  256 . With the constitution described with this embodiment, this constitution may be used between the lower paper sheet mechanism  204  and the linking part  304 , and is not limited to be used between the upper paper sheet mechanism  202  and the linking part  304 . Also, the constitution described with this embodiment may also be used between each unit connected by transport paths. For example, as shown in  FIG. 18 , the constitution may be used between the bill validator  220  and the transport path  256 . In this case, after the staff member removes the bill validator  220  for maintenance, when it is returned to its original position, smooth transfer of paper sheets between the bill validator  220  and the transport path  256  is maintained. The constitution described with this embodiment may be used between units constituting adjacent transport paths, or between adjacent units when one transport path is constituted from a plurality of units. In this case, after the staff member removes the unit and does transport path maintenance, when returning the unit to its original position, it is acceptable to not strictly align the unit position, so it is possible to do maintenance easily. 
     This embodiment has a constitution that the upper paper sheet mechanism  202  is pulled out in the arrow  701  direction of  FIG. 5  during maintenance, so the alignment unit  502  is arranged adjacent to the paper sheet guide  500 , and the projecting part  507  is equipped at the paper sheet guide  503 . Conversely, the upper paper sheet mechanism  202  may be pulled out in the arrow  702  direction of  FIG. 5  during maintenance. In this case, the upper paper sheet mechanism  202  may have a alignment unit  513  arranged adjacent to the paper sheet guide  501  instead of the alignment unit  502  and the paper sheet guide  504  may have a projecting part  514  instead of the projecting part  507 . In this case, the elastic force of the spring  508  is made stronger than the elastic force of the spring  509 . 
     With this embodiment, the upper paper sheet mechanism  202  has the paper sheet guides  500  and  501  and the alignment unit  502 , and we described that the paper sheet guides  500  and  501  and the alignment unit  502  move, the upper paper sheet mechanism  202  may have the paper sheet guides  503  and  504  side, with the paper sheet guides  503  and  504  moving. In this case, the paper sheet guides  503  and  504  rotate together with parallel movement. 
     Note that as shown in  FIG. 19 , the linking part  304  may have the receiving unit  516 .  FIG. 19  is an explanatory drawing showing a variation example. With this constitution as well, it is possible to align the tips of the paper sheet guides  500  and  501  and the tips of the paper sheet guides  503  and  504 . 
     Note that in  FIG. 20 , the paper sheet guide  503  may have a gap holding unit  517  that holds at a fixed level the gap between the paper sheet guide  503  and the paper sheet guide  504  in addition to the projecting part  507 .  FIG. 20  is an explanatory drawing showing a variation example. With this constitution, the projecting part  507  is not used for holding the gap, so it can have any desired shape and arrangement. 
     With this embodiment, we described the paper sheet guide  500  and the paper sheet guide  501  as separate members, but these can also be an integrated unit. It is acceptable as long as it has the function of guiding so that the paper sheet is not displaced. With this embodiment, we described the paper sheet guide  500  and the alignment unit  502  as being separate, but it is also possible to have a constitution with the paper sheet guide  500  and the alignment unit  502  as an integrated unit. With this embodiment, we described the paper sheet guide  503  and the projecting part  507  as being separate, but it is also possible to have a constitution with the paper sheet guide  503  and the projecting part  507  as an integrated unit. 
     With this embodiment, the automatic teller machine  100  has the paper sheet handling mechanism controller  330  in addition to the main unit controller  130 . But it is also possible to have a constitution for which the functions of the paper sheet handling mechanism controller  330  are executed by the main unit controller  130 , and the ATM  10  do not have to have the paper sheet handling mechanism controller  330 . 
     With this embodiment, we described an example of an automatic teller machine, but for example, it is also possible to have this be a teller apparatus. If the device has a paper sheet transport path, it is possible to use this mechanism for either device. 
     Above, we described modes of carrying out this invention based on several embodiments, but the aforementioned modes of carrying out the invention are for making the present invention easy to understand, and do not limit the present invention. The present invention can of course have modifications and improvements without straying from the key points and patent claims scope, and the present invention also includes equivalent items.