Banknote centering device for a validator

A banknote centering device comprising an oversized slot for receiving banknotes longitudinally,

• side engaging members associated with said slot and movable from an open position either side of said slot to a narrow position defining a minimum spacing between said side engaging members,
• a drive mechanism for initially driving a banknote from an insert position to a position for centering by movement of said side engaging members in a controlled manner towards one another and thereby center a banknote within said drive,
• said banknote drive arrangement including a drive member which engages and releases said banknote when moved longitudinally from said insert position to said centered position and releasing said banknote when said banknote is in said centering position, and said side engaging members including a separate drive arrangement for moving said side engaging members, said separate drive arrangement including a motor drive for initially accelerating said side engaging members towards said narrow position unopposed by a banknote to provide sufficient inertia of said engaging members to center a floating banknote between said side engaging members until the movement of said side members is opposed by a resistance of a banknote to buckling sufficient to stall said motor drive.

A banknote centering device comprising an enlarged slot for receiving a banknote longitudinally,

• side engaging members associated with said slot and movable from an open either side of said slot to a narrow position defining a minimum position between said side engaging members,
• a banknote drive mechanism for driving a banknote from an insert position to a centering position where the banknote is freely centered within said slot,
• a side engaging members drive arrangement for moving said side engaging members in a controlled manner towards one another and equally spaced either side of a centerline of said slot, said side engaging member drive arrangement including a motor for accelerating said side engaging members from said open position towards said narrow position until further inward movement of said side engaging members is opposed by the sides of a banknote being parallel therewith and contacting said side engaging members over a substantial length thereof centering the banknote in the slot, and including a current setting level circuitry for controlling the power of said motor for said drive arrangement, said current setting level circuitry adjusting the current level based on cycle times of said side engaging members between fully open to said narrow position and back to said fully open position without a banknote present.