Background Art Generally, the banks, financial offices or revenue offices deal with a huge amount of various unit bills of the paper moneys. In order to easily and conveniently handle the abundant of those paper moneys, it is necessary to sort, count and bind the same unit bills so as to prevent loosing or mingling one another with the different unit bills. Conventionally, the binding is manually performed to sort the same unit bills, count the 100 bills as a unit bundle and tie with a binding paper strip on the middle of the unit bundle. Such a manual performance of the binding bills is costly required a lot of labors with time consuming that causes a deficit in economical view point. Furthermore, it is sometimes happened to loosen or untie the bindings during the handling process.

It stimulates necessity of the paper money binding devices in the present financial market. Unfortunately, most conventional devices for binding the paper moneys have a complicate mechanism with inconvenient operational function that causes bulky in size and low efficiency of the binding performance.

Therefore, it is demanded to develop a binding device of the paper moneys that is compact in size, high capacity of the reliably mechanism, and excellent efficiency of the binding performance with low production cost.

Disclosure of Invention In order to overcome the aforementioned problems, the present invention is hereby introduced.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a paper money binding

device that simplifies the major mechanisms with a reliably prompt binding performance.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a paper money binding device which is equipped a sensing unit for detecting the position of the first actuating unit activated by the operation of the cam driving unit and transmitting the signals to operate each component.

Still anther objective of the present invention is to provide a paper money binding device which equips a binding strip feeding unit with a guide slot to control both edges of the dispensed binding strips for accurately supplying the binding strip.

Other objective of the present invention is to provide a paper money binding device which equips a sensing unit on the paper money housing to detect the insertion of the bundle of paper moneys, so as to sequentially perform the counting and binding operation.

Still other objective of the present invention is to provide a paper money binding device, which equips the binding strip detecting sensors for controlling the accurate amount of feeding and back feeding the binding strip.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a paper money binding device which equips the binding strip feeding sensors for accurately feeding the proper amount of the binding strip into the paper money housing and preventing miss-operation or mal-function of the binding process.

Brief Description of Drawings Fig. 1a is a schematic diagram of a paper money binding device according to the present invention.

Fig. 1 b shows a major mechanism of the paper money binding device according to the present invention.

Fig. 2a is a plan view illustrating an initial state of cam driving unit of the paper money binding device according to the present invention.

Fig. 2b is a cross sectional view at A-A of Fig. 2a showing an initial state of the cam driving unit of the paper money binding device.

Fig. 2c shows a major part of the cam driving unit of the paper money binding

device at the initial state.

Fig. 3a is a plan view showing one step rotating state of a cam driving unit of the paper money binding device according to the present invention.

Fig. 3b is a cross sectional view at A-A of Fig. 3a showing the cam driving unit of the paper money binding device at one step rotating state.

Fig. 4a is a plan view showing two step rotating state of a cam driving unit of the paper money binding device according to the present invention.

Fig. 4b is a cross sectional view at A-A of Fig. 4a showing the cam driving unit of the paper money binding device at two step rotating state.

Fig. 4c shows a major part of the cam driving unit of the paper money binding device at two step rotating state.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention In order to achieve the above objectives, an apparatus for counting and binding paper money of the present invention is invented that is comprised of a paper money housing installed at one side of a frame for inserting and discharging a bundle of the money, a binding strip feeding unit located above the paper money housing for inwardly supplying the binding strip, a first actuating unit installed horizontally movable with a bill bender disposed at a front tip of the first actuating unit for laterally bending the bundle of the money, a second actuating unit installed horizontally movable at rear of the bill bender and a heater disposed at a front tip of the second actuating unit to press adhering the binding strip, a binding strip holder for holding an end of binding strip on a back of the bill bender while the second actuating unit is advanced, a binding strip cutting unit fixed at the first actuating unit for cutting the binding strip above the heater, a cam driving unit for sequentially operating the first and second actuating unit, and a control unit for controlling each component.

The binding strip feeding unit is comprised of a guide slot (33) to control the both edges of dispensed binding strips.

The binding strip cutting unit is further comprised of a binding strip guide disposed above the heater for guiding the fed binding strip.

The paper money housing is comprised of a paper money detecting sensor

disposed at the mouth of the paper money housing for detecting the insertion or discharge of the bundle of the paper money.

The binding strip feeding unit comprises a binding strip detecting sensor located at the lower part of the guide slot to detect the binding strip and transmit the sensed signal to the control unit.

The second actuating unit is further comprised of a secondary binding strip detecting sensor located at the rear of the bill bender to detect the binding strip and transmit the sensed signal to the control unit.

The paper money housing is further comprised of a third binding strip detecting sensor located at the paper money housing to detect the binding strip and transmit the sensed signal to the control unit.

The aforementioned overall features of the present invention are hereby described in detail, along with the accompanying drawings.

As shown in figures, Fig. 1a shows a schematic diagram of a paper money binding device and Fig. 1b shows a major mechanism of the paper money binding device.

As seen in the device, a frame (10) is installed inside of the housing (1), and a paper money housing (20) is disposed in front of the frame (10) for inserting and discharging a bundle of the money.

A binding strip feeding unit (30) is furnished above the frame (10) for inwardly supplying the binding strip (91) into the paper money housing (20). A binding strip roll (90) can be attached or removed on the frame (10). The binding strip feeding unit (30) is comprised of a servo motor (31) controlled by a control unit and a pair of rollers (32a, 32b) driven by the servo motor (31) for feeding the binding strip. The rotating direction of the rollers (32a, 32b) is controlled by the feeding signal or removing signal.

A first actuating unit (40) is installed through a pair of parallele guide rods (11) for horizontally traveling. A bill bender (41) having wedge-shape disposed at a front tip of the first actuating unit (40) is advanced lateral of the money housing (20) for pushing and bending the money bundle when the first actuating unit (40) is traveled.

On the other hand, a second actuating unit (50) including a heater (51) at front tip is installed horizontally movable at the rear of the bill bender (41).

A cam driving unit (70) is equipped for sequentially operating the first actuating unit (40) and the second actuating unit (50). The cam driving unit installed underneath the frame (10) comprises a servo motor (71) controlled by the control unit, a first disk cam (72) disposed at the rear of the first actuating unit (40) and connected eccentrically to a shaft of the servo motor (71), and a second disk cam (73) installed on the one end of the first disk cam (72) is disposed at the rear of the second actuating unit (50).

Accordingly, when the servo motor (71) is activated, the first disk cam (72) starts rotating and pushing the rear of the first actuating unit (40) to move forward, at a certain point, the second disk cam (73) starts pushing the rear of the second actuating unit (50).

At this moment, a pair of springs (12) installed on the guide rods (11) is exerted the resilient forces toward the first actuating unit (40) to restore the original position according to the rotating position of the first disk cam (72). A sensor (80) is installed on the frame (10) for detecting the positions of the first actuating unit (40).

As shown in figures, Fig. 2a shows an initial state of a cam driving unit of the paper money binding device, Fig. 2b shows a cross sectional view at A-A of Fig.

2a for the initial state of the cam driving unit of the paper money binding device.

As seen in the drawings, a shaft of the servo motor (71) is eccentrically connected to a first disk cam (72), which is disposed at the rear of the first actuating unit (40).

A second disk cam (73) disposed at the rear of the second actuating unit (50) is attached on the one end of the first disk cam (72).

The first actuating unit (40) is horizontally movable on the pair of parallel guide rods (11). The first disk cam (72) is contacted to the rear of the first actuating unit (40) so that the bill bender (41) disposed at a front tip of the first actuating unit (40) is pushed to the lateral of the money housing (20) for press- bending the money bundle.

The second actuating unit (50) is mounted horizontally movable above the first actuating unit (40). The heater (51) attached at a front tip of the second actuating unit (50) is located behind the bill bender (41) to press adhere the binding strip. The second disk cam (73) is firmly fixed on the first disk cam (72) to push the second actuating unit (50).

A binding strip cutting unit (60) mounted on the first actuating unit (40) comprises a fixed cutter (61) fixed to the binding strip feeding unit (30), a rotary cutter (62) paired with the fixed cutter (61) to sever the bonding strip (91), and an actuator (63) to control the rotation of the rotary cutter (62) according to the control signal from the control unit. A solenoid valve type of the actuator (63) is connected to the rotary cutter (62) through a link mechanism for converting a linear movement to a rotation of the rotary cutter (62).

The sensing unit (80) is consisted of the first, second and third sensors (81, 82,83) installed in a certain interval. A sensing probe (42) is located on the side of the first actuating unit (40) for transmitting the sensing unit (80). As seen in Fig.

2a, the sensing probe (42) is located under the first sensor (81) at the initial position to start feeding the binding strip.

The feeding process of the binding strip is described as follows : when the servo motor (31) of the binding strip feeding unit (30) is activated, a pair of strip feeding rollers (32a, 32b) is rotated to feed the binding strip, passing between the fixed cutter (61) and the rotary cutter (62) forwarding to the heater (51) and through the groove (21) formed inside of the paper money housing (20) to insert behind the bill bender (41).

At this moment, a guide slot (33) formed on the binding strip feeding unit (30) is restricted both edges of the dispensed binding strip to evenly pass between the fixed cutter (61) and the rotary cutter (62). When one end of the binding strip is reached at the back side of the bill bender (41), a second detecting sensor (410) located at rear of the bill bender (41) detects the arrival of the binding strip and transmits a signal to the control unit for holding the feeding by stopping rotation of the servo motor (31). Accordingly, the feeding amount of the binding strip is accurately controlled. During the feeding process of the binding strip, a third detecting sensor (23) attached inside of the paper money housing (20) detects the feeding conditions to make sure whether the binding strip is properly traced along the groove (21) inside of the paper money housing (20). If the control unit were not received a safely feeding signal from the third detecting sensor (23), the binding strip feeding unit (30) reels off the binding strip from the unit by reversing the servo motor (31), and issues a warning signal to the user.

As seen in Fig. 2c, the second actuating unit (50) comprises a heater (51) at

the front tip, a slider (52) disposed behind the heater (51), and a binding strip holder (53) for holding one end of the binding strip on the back of the bill bender (41) while the second actuating unit (50) is advanced. At this point, a first spring (55) has elastically supported the second actuating unit (50) pushing backward and the second spring (56) installed at rear of the slider (52) is provided with a compressed status.

Further, a binding strip guide (54) located above the heater (51) is connected to the slider (52) for guiding and controlling the binding strip staying in front of the heater. The paper money housing (20) is also equipped a paper money detecting sensor (22) located at the mouth of the paper money housing (20) for detecting the insertion or discharge of the bundle of the paper money. When the control unit receives a signal from the bill detecting sensor (22), it is automatically established the binding mode to perform a binding for the bundle of the bills.

As shown in Fig. 3a, one step rotating state of a cam driving unit of the paper money binding device is presented. Fig. 3b shows a cross sectional view at A-A of Fig. 3a showing one step rotating state of the cam actuating unit of the paper money binding device. As seen in the drawing, a servo motor (71) is activated by the control unit when a binding mode is established. The first cam disk (72) of the cam driving unit (70) starts rotating to push the rear of the first actuating unit (40). Accordingly, the first actuating unit (40) is horizontally traveled along with the parallel guide rods (11), while compressing the spring (12). Then, the bill bender (41) disposed at the front tip of the first actuating unit (40) is advanced for press-bending the lateral of money bundle in the money housing (20).

At this point, the second cam disk (73) does not contact to the second actuating unit (50), yet and the sensing probe (42) of the first actuating unit (40) is just passed under the second sensor (82).

As shown in Fig. 4a, the two step rotating state of a cam driving unit of the paper money binding device is presented. Fig. 4b shows a cross sectional view at A-A of Fig. 4a for the two step rotating state of the cam driving unit of the paper money binding device. As soon as the sensing probe (42) of the first actuating unit (40) passes under the second sensor (82), the servo motor (31) mounted on the

binding strip feeding unit (30) performs back feeding process to tighten the binding strip on the bundle of the bills by drawn back the binding strip (91).

On the other hand, the first cam disk (72) of the cam driving unit (70) continues rotating to push the rear of the first actuating unit (40) until it reaches 180° against the initial position. At the same time, the sensing probe (42) of the first actuating unit (40) is reached under the third sensor (83) to issue a signal for holding the rotation of the servo motors (31,71). At this moment, the paper bills in the paper money housing (20) are bent completely by the bill bender (41).

Furthermore, the second cam disk (73) is contacted to push the second actuating unit (50).

As shown in Fig. 4c, the operation of the cam driving unit for binding a bill bundle is explained in detail as follows : As seen in the drawing, the second actuating unit (50) is advanced while the first spring (55) is elastically compressed. At the same time, the slider (52) moves toward the heater (51) due to the resilient force exerted by the second spring (56).

Accordingly, the binding strip holder (53) equipped with the slider (52) is stopped with the holding state of one end of the binding strip on the back of the bill bender (41) while the heater (51) is continuously advanced to the overlapped binding strips.

When one end of the binding strip is held by the binding strip holder (53) and the back feeding of the binding strip is stopped, the bill bundle in the paper money housing (20) is tightened by the binding strip at the bent state. Then, the heat (51) performs the melt-bonding process to the overlapped binding strips.

Next, the control unit signals to operate the actuator (63) of the binding strip cutting unit (60). Accordingly, the rotary cutter (62) initiates to rotate by the linkage mechanism along the arrow direction to sever the binding strip at the fixed cutter (61).

As the cutting process is completed, the control unit signals to stop rotating the first and second cam disks (72,73) by holding the servo motor (71) of the cam driving unit (70). Accordingly, the first and second actuating units (40,50) are returned to the initial position as shown in Fig. 2a and 2b.

As soon as all components are restored its initial position, the control unit signals to the servo motor (31) of the binding strip feeding unit (30) to perform a

back feeding process once to tension the binding strip. Then, the feeding process of the binding strip is resumed. At this point, the binding strip detecting sensor (34) located at the lower part of the guide slot (33) senses the feeding binding strip and transmit the signal to the control unit for accurately control the feeding amount.

As discussed above, the present invention has advantages that it simplifies the major components with a reliable and prompt binding performance. Thus, it is possible to lower the production cast with compact size.

Furthermore, the control unit employs a plurality of detecting sensors in the first actuating unit, it is possible to detect the process status at each position to control and maintain the accurate performance.

It has an effect to prevent a malfunction or mal-operation during the binding strip feeding process by employing a guide means for properly guiding the binding strip into the first and second actuating units.

It also has advantages of easy operational functions and shortened process time by employing automation and the detector at the mouth of bill housing.

It has an effect to accurately control the back-feeding process and the amount of the feed back binding strip by employing a first sensor located under the guide slot.

It also has an effect to accurately control the amount of feeding binding strip by employing a second sensor located at the back side of the bill bender.

It also has an effect to accurately control the amount of feeding binding strip and preventing waste of the binding strip by employing a third sensor located at the bill housing.

While the present invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.