Stacking and dispensing module
A stacking and dispensing module ( 2 ) for use in an automatic teller machine ( 4 ), the module is configured to be arranged in connection with a banknote storage unit ( 6 ) comprising a banknote tray ( 8 ) on which banknotes ( 10 ) are stacked, the stacking and dispensing module ( 2 ) is configured to be in a banknote stacking mode, when banknotes are stacked in said storage unit ( 6 ), and in a banknote dispensing mode, when banknotes are dispensed from said storage unit ( 6 ). A stacking wheel member ( 12 ) is active both during the banknote stacking mode and during the banknote dispensing mode, and that the rotation of the stacking wheel member ( 12 ) is configured to be controlled by a first direct current (DC) motor ( 20 ), and the rotation of a dispensing wheel member ( 16 ) is configured to be controlled by a second DC motor ( 22 ). The module further comprises: —a current measuring unit ( 24 ) configured to measure the currents applied to drive said first and second DC motors ( 20, 22 ) and to generate current signals ( 26, 28 ) in dependence thereto, —a control unit ( 30 ) configured to receive said current signals ( 26, 28 ), wherein the control unit ( 30 ) is configured to evaluate said current signals ( 26, 28 ) and to determine control signals ( 32, 34 ) for various functions of said module in dependence of said evaluation, and to apply said control signals for controlling said functions.
1. A stacking and dispensing module for use in an automatic teller machine, the module is configured to be arranged in connection with a banknote storage unit comprising a banknote tray on which banknotes are stacked, the stacking and dispensing module is configured to be in a banknote stacking mode, when banknotes are stacked in said storage unit, and in a banknote dispensing mode, when banknotes are dispensed from said storage unit, the stacking and dispensing module comprises:
a stacking wheel member configured to receive and stack banknotes on said tray, comprising at least two stacking wheels distributed along a common rotation shaft A,
a dispensing wheel member configured to dispense banknotes from said tray, comprising a predetermined number of dispensing wheels arranged for rotation around a common first rotation shaft B, the dispensing wheels are configured to be rotated in a first dispensing direction when banknotes are dispensed from the storage unit, wherein said stacking wheel member is active both during the banknote stacking mode and during the banknote dispensing mode, and that the rotation of said stacking wheel member is configured to be controlled by a first direct current (DC) motor, and the rotation of said dispensing wheel member is configured to be controlled by a second DC motor, and the rotation of the stacking wheel member and the rotation of the dispensing wheel member are synchronized and controlled by the first and second DC motors,
and wherein the stacking and dispensing module further comprises:
a current measuring unit configured to measure the currents applied to drive said first and second DC motors and to generate current signals in dependence thereto,
a control unit configured to receive said current signals, wherein the control unit is configured to evaluate said current signals and to determine control signals for various functions of said stacking and dispensing module in dependence of said evaluation, and to apply said control signals for controlling the functions that are driven by directional rotation and speed of rotation the dispensing wheel member and the stacking wheel member.
2. The stacking and dispensing module according to claim 1 , wherein said evaluation of the current signals comprise comparing current values to predetermined threshold values related to the respective functions.
3. The stacking and dispensing module according to claim 1 , wherein said functions comprise at least one of controlling the vertical movement of said tray and controlling a dispensing wheel member parameter.
4. The stacking and dispensing module according to claim 3 , wherein said dispensing wheel member parameter is related to the thickness of one banknote.
5. The stacking and dispensing module according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit is configured to determine a first control signal in dependence of said current signal from said first DC motor, and to apply said first control signal to a tray movement member to perform vertical movement of said tray.
6. The stacking and dispensing module according to claim 1 , wherein said stacking wheels are distributed along said common rotation shaft A, such that they essentially cover a major part of a banknote on the banknote tray, thereby performing a levelling of the banknote in a horizontal plane.
7. The stacking and dispensing module according to claim 1 , wherein said stacking wheel member comprises four stacking wheels which are symmetrically distributed along said rotation shaft A.
8. The stacking and dispensing module according to claim 1 , wherein said stacking wheel member is active in the sense that it is rotated and current is measured both during the banknote stacking mode and banknote dispensing mode.
9. The stacking and dispensing module according to claim 1 , wherein the dispensing wheel member is configured to receive banknotes moved from the stack of banknote in the banknote storage unit by a banknote moving member.
10. The stacking and dispensing module according to claim 1 , wherein said module comprises a predetermined number of separating rolls for cooperation with the dispensing wheels during movement of banknotes, said separating rolls are arranged for rotation around a common second rotation shaft C, being parallel to shaft B, and wherein a movement member is provided configured to vary the perpendicular distance d between said shafts B and C in dependence of a second control signal from said control unit.
11. The stacking and dispensing module according to claim 10 , wherein said dispensing wheels in addition are configured to be rotated in a second returning direction, opposite to said first direction, where banknotes are returned to the banknote storage unit.
12. The stacking and dispensing module according to claim 11 , wherein the rotation of the separating rolls is only allowed for cooperating with the dispensing wheels when rotating in the returning direction, but prevented in the opposite direction.
13. The stacking and dispensing module according to claim 1 , wherein each stacking wheel is provided with a predetermined number of banknote receiving slots, and that each slot has an essentially semi-circular curvature running from an outer edge of the wheel in a tangential direction in the outer third part of the radius of the stacking wheel, wherein the radius of the slot curvature essentially corresponds, or is slightly shorter, to the radius of the stacking wheel.
14. An automatic teller machine comprising a predetermined number of banknote storage units, wherein each storage unit is provided with a stacking and dispensing module according to claim 1 .
15. The automatic teller machine according to claim 14 , wherein the machine comprises an advanced upper unit comprising an input/output module adapted to receive and/or dispense banknotes, a detection unit configured for passage of banknotes in one direction and arranged to detect various parameters of banknotes to determine if a banknote is accepted or not accepted, an intermediate storage module comprising two drum storage units including a first drum storage unit for accepted banknotes and a second drum storage unit for non-accepted banknotes.
16. The automatic teller machine according to claim 15 , wherein non-accepted banknotes are controlled to pass the detection unit at least one more time.
17. The automatic teller machine according to claim 16 , wherein the upper unit is provided with a banknote route such that the banknote is turned upside down every consecutive passage through said detection unit.
18. The automatic teller machine according to claim 15 , wherein non-accepted banknotes stored in said second drum storage unit are controlled to pass the detection unit at least one more time.
19. The automatic teller machine according to claim 15 , wherein said upper unit comprises a banknote adjusting unit configured to adjust said banknote on a transport path to be in a central position of said path.
20. The automatic teller machine according to claim 19 , wherein said banknote adjusting unit comprises one or more omni-wheels.