JP2577658Y2 - Sorter - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

This invention relates to a copying machine, a printing device,
The present invention relates to a sorter for distributing sheets discharged one by one from an image forming apparatus such as a printing apparatus and other sheet material output apparatuses to a plurality of bins.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, sorters are roughly classified into a bin moving type and a bin fixed type.

In the bin moving type, the entire bin row is moved to a sheet discharge port of a sheet material output device, and sheets are sequentially distributed to each bin.

In the fixed-bin type, the entire row of bins is immobilized, and sheets discharged from a sheet discharge port of the sheet material output device are sequentially distributed to each bin.

[0005] As one type of the fixed bin type, there is a type provided with a sheet material holding / conveying means movable between a sheet discharge port of a sheet material output device and each bin.

Conventionally, as an apparatus having the sheet material nipping and conveying means, an apparatus having one sheet material nipping and conveying means is known. In this known device, the sheet discharged from the sheet discharge port of the sheet output device is received by the sheet holding and conveying means. Next, the sheet material holding / conveying means moves to a position opposing the sheet material entrance of the predetermined bin, stops, and discharges the sheet to the bin. After the end of the discharging operation, the sheet holding and conveying means returns to the sheet discharging port. This operation cycle is repeated.

However, in this known apparatus, the sheet material nipping / conveying means returns to the sheet discharge port until the rear end of the sheet distributed from the sheet material nipping / conveying means to the bin is completely removed from the sheet material nipping / conveying means. Unable to start moving. Therefore, there is a problem that the processing speed is reduced.

[0008] To deal with this problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-262373 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
No. 2371.

The apparatuses disclosed in both publications are provided with two sheet material nipping and conveying means. That is, this apparatus is capable of pinching and conveying a sheet material, is provided so as to be movable up and down along the arrangement direction of the sheet material inlets of a plurality of bins, and is a first sheet material nipping and conveying apparatus for discharging the sheet material to the bin. Means for pinching and transporting the sheet material, being provided so as to be vertically movable along the arrangement direction of the plurality of bins, receiving the sheet material discharged from the sheet material output device, and receiving the sheet material by the first sheet material clamping and transporting means. There is provided a second sheet material holding and conveying means to be delivered.

In the apparatuses disclosed in JP-A-63-262373 and JP-A-63-262371, an endless endless moving means for vertically moving the sheet holding and conveying means at the left and right ends of the first and second sheet holding and conveying means. The belt is connected. This endless belt also serves as a support means for the first and second sheet material nipping and conveying means.

[0011]

Incidentally, the sheet material nipping and conveying means may be inclined to one of the right and left sides due to aging.

In the apparatuses disclosed in JP-A-63-262373 and JP-A-63-262371, the first.
There is a possibility that the inclination directions of the sheet material nipping and conveying means 2 are different from each other. Therefore, when a sheet is transferred from the second sheet material nipping / conveying means to the first sheet material nipping / conveying means, the rate of occurrence of a jam in which the sheet fails to enter the sheet conveying path of the first sheet material nipping / conveying means There is a big problem.

An object of the present invention is to provide a device provided with two sheet material nipping and conveying means, and a jam occurrence rate when a sheet material is transferred from the second sheet material nipping and conveying means to the first sheet material nipping and conveying means. Another object of the present invention is to provide a sorter in which the number is reduced.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, the sorter is vertically erected on one side of the sheet material in the width direction, and the first sheet material holding and conveying means of the first sheet material holding and conveying means is arranged vertically. Of the support frame is vertically movable, and the other end is extended in a direction orthogonal to the sheet material conveying direction.
And a first rotating shaft for transmitting a driving force to the first pair of rollers of the first sheet material sandwiching and conveying means, and a same side as the first rotating shaft of the sorter. And vertically in the sheet material conveyance direction upstream side,
An end of the second support frame of the second sheet material nipping and conveying means on the same side in the sheet material width direction as the first support frame is vertically movably held, and the second support frame is moved. A second rotating shaft for supporting the cantilever and transmitting a driving force to the second pair of rollers of the second sheet material nipping and conveying means.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a copying machine 1 exemplified as a sheet material output device and a sorter 2 mounted on the sheet discharge side of the copying machine 1.

In the copying machine 1, reference numeral 3 denotes a pair of discharge rollers as discharge means for discharging a copied sheet (hereinafter, referred to as a sheet).

The sorter 2 has a bin B for storing sheets arranged in a plurality of stages (21 stages in this example) in the vertical direction.
1 to 21, a first delivery unit 4 serving as a first sheet material sandwiching / conveying means capable of moving vertically up and down along the arrangement direction of the sheet entrances of the bins B and discharging sheets to the bins B; First delivery unit 4 that can move up and down in the arrangement direction
And a second delivery unit 5 serving as a second sheet material sandwiching / transporting means for transferring the sheet to the second sheet feeding unit.
And a carry-in means 6 for delivering the sheet to the delivery unit 5 of the first embodiment.

The uppermost bin B1 is dedicated to the non-sort mode.

As shown in FIG. 7, the first delivery unit 4 includes a conveying path 8 comprising a pair of upper and lower guide members 7a and 7b.
And two drive rollers 9 a and 9 b provided in the conveyance path 8.
And pinch rollers 11a and 11b pressed against the drive rollers 9a and 9b via urging springs 10a and 10b. Then, as shown in FIG.
Reference numerals 7b and the like are provided on first support frames 4a and 4b which are supported and connected to a rotating shaft 36 described later so as to be vertically movable.

As shown in FIG. 7, the second delivery unit 5 includes a transport path 13 composed of a pair of upper and lower guide members 12a and 12b, and one drive roller 1 provided in the transport path 13.
4, a pinch roller 16 pressed against the drive roller 14 via a biasing spring 15, and a pair of driven rollers 17a, 1
7b. And these guide members 12
The components a, 12b and the like are provided on second support frames 5a, 5b which are supported and coupled to a rotating shaft 46 described later so as to be vertically movable. Note that the second support frames 5a and 5b are actually integrally connected as shown in FIG. 5, and slide at two upper and lower positions with respect to the rotary shaft 46 with a bevel gear 48 described later interposed therebetween. It is something that is connected. The first support frame 4
a and 4b have the same structure and are slidably connected to the rotating shaft 36 at two upper and lower positions with a bevel gear 38 to be described later interposed therebetween, but in FIG. It is hidden behind the unit 5.

The reason why the pair of driven rollers 17a and 17b are provided on the outlet side of the second delivery unit 5 is as follows. After the leading end side of the sheet delivered from the second delivery unit 5 is sandwiched by the first delivery unit 4 at the delivery position where the second delivery unit 5 and the first delivery unit 4 are arranged in a horizontal direction, the second delivery unit 5 When the second delivery unit 5 and the first delivery unit 4 move relatively vertically apart from each other, the first delivery unit 4 and the second delivery unit 5
Between the driven rollers 17a and 17b along the curved shape of the driven rollers 17a and 17b, and the rotatable driven roller 17
This is to minimize the load generated between the guide surface and the sheet by a and 17b and prevent the sheet from being damaged or deformed. Second delivery unit 5 and first delivery unit 4
After the leading end side of the sheet delivered from the second delivery unit 5 is sandwiched by the first delivery unit 4 at the delivery position where the second delivery unit 5 and the first delivery unit 4 are arranged in parallel, the second delivery unit 5 and the first delivery unit 4 are relatively moved. It is necessary to prevent the sheet from being detached from the first delivery unit 4 due to a tensile force acting on the sheet between the second delivery unit 5 and the first delivery unit 4 when the sheet is vertically moved apart. There is. Therefore, the spring constant k1 of the biasing springs 10a and 10b for pressing the pinch rollers 11a and 11b of the first delivery unit 4 against the drive rollers 9a and 9b is calculated from the spring constant k2 of the biasing spring 15 of the second delivery unit 5. Is also set large.

The carry-in means 6 includes an introduction path 18 for introducing the sheet discharged by the discharge roller 3 of the copying machine 1, and a first conveyance path 19 and a second conveyance path 20 branched vertically from the introduction path 18. A gate 21 serving as gate means (switching means) for switching between the first transport path 19 and the second transport path 20; transport rollers 22 and 23 provided in the two transport paths 19 and 20; Roller 2
4 and 25.

The outlet 19a of the first conveying path 19 is located at substantially the same height as the sheet inlet of the uppermost bin B1. The exit 20a of the second delivery route 20 is 14 in this example.
The bin B14 is located at substantially the same height as the sheet entrance of the bin B14.

The rollers 14, 16 of the second delivery unit 5 from the discharge roller 3 of the copying machine 1 via the first transport path 19
Is set to be longer than the length of a predetermined sheet, for example, a sheet discharged horizontally in the A4 standard, in the conveying direction. As a result, when the leading end of the A4-side sheet discharged from the discharge roller 3 of the copying machine 1 is nipped by the rollers 14 and 16 on the upstream side of the second delivery unit 5, the trailing end of the sheet is discharged. It is detached from the roller 3. Accordingly, the second delivery unit 5 can be moved up or down at a moving speed V1 exceeding the conveying speed V0 of the discharge roller 3 of the copying machine 1 from when the sheet is nipped by the second delivery unit 5. .

On the other hand, from the discharge roller 3 to the second transport path 20
Is set to be longer than the horizontal length of A4 (for example, set to be longer than the length of the A3 vertical sheet in the conveying direction). As a result, as in the case of the first transport path 19 described above, the moving speed V1 of the second delivery unit 5 is
Irrespective of the transport speed V0 of the discharge roller 3 of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first transport path 19 can be opened to remove the jammed sheet.
Further, the second transport path 20 can be divided and opened to remove the jam sheet in the transport path 20 and also to remove the jam sheet on the second delivery unit 5 and the first delivery unit 4 side. It can be opened to the whole.

The one-way clutch (which allows free rotation in the transport direction) is provided on each of the transport rollers 22 and 23 of the first and second transport paths 19 and 20 and the drive roller 14 and the pinch roller 16 of the second delivery unit 5. (Not shown). By the action of this one-way clutch, the first
When the second delivery unit 5 sandwiches the sheets received from the second transport paths 19 and 20, the first and second transport paths 1
It is possible to carry or move up and down at a speed exceeding the carrying speeds 9 and 20. Similarly, the second delivery unit 5
The first delivery unit 4 sandwiches the sheet taken over from the second delivery unit 5 and the first delivery unit 4
When the sheets move relatively away from each other, the sheet can be prevented from being pulled out by the second delivery unit 5 and falling out of the first delivery unit 4.

With reference to FIGS. 2 to 8, a description will be given of the carrying-in means 6 and the transport drive mechanism for driving the respective drive rollers 9a, 9b, 14 of the first delivery unit 4 and the second delivery unit 5. .

With one motor M1, the driving rollers 9a and 9b of the first delivery unit 4, the driving roller 14 of the second delivery unit 5, and the transport rollers 22 and 23 of the loading means 6 are provided.
Is configured to be driven. The transport speed of the first delivery unit 4 can be switched to V1, and the transport speed of the second delivery unit 5 can be switched to V1 or V2 (about twice V1).

When the belt 26 is rotated by the drive of the motor M1, the pulley gear 27, the gear 28, and the belt 29 are rotated.
, The transport roller 23 of the second transport path 20 is driven at a transport speed V0 (substantially the same as the speed of the discharge roller 3 of the copying machine 1).

The rotation of the belt 26 rotates the belt 31 via the pulley 30. Then, the transport roller 22 of the first transport path 19 is driven at the transport speed V0 (substantially the same as the speed of the discharge roller 3 of the copying machine 1) via the pulley 22a with the gear and the gear 22b. .

When the belt 31 is rotated, the gear 32 with the pulley, the pulley 33 with the gear, the belt 34, the bevel gear 35 with the pulley, and the bevel gear 3 fixed to the rotating shaft 36
The rotation shaft 36 is rotated via 7. The bevel gear 38, the bevel gear 39, and the drive rollers 9 a and 9 slidably attached to the rotary shaft 36 by the rotation of the rotary shaft 36.
The drive rollers 9a and 9b of the first delivery unit 4 are driven at the V1 speed via the gear 40 fixed to the shaft 41b. As shown in FIG. 4, the rotating shaft 36 is provided upright at the left end of the sheet in the sheet width direction as viewed from the copying machine 1 in this embodiment.

When the belt 31 is rotated, one of the two power transmission paths is selected and connected to the second delivery unit 5.

When the same transmission mechanism as that of the first delivery unit 4 described above, which is one of the power transmission paths, is connected, the drive roller 14 of the second delivery unit 5 drives the transport speed V1 (the first delivery unit 4). (At substantially the same speed as the unit 4).
That is, the transmission mechanism includes a gear 42 with a pulley, a pulley 43 with a gear, a belt 44, and a bevel gear 4 with a pulley.
5, bevel gear 47 fixed to rotating shaft 46, rotating shaft 46,
It comprises a bevel gear 48 slidably mounted on a rotating shaft 46, a gear 49 with a bevel gear, and a gear 50 fixed to a shaft 51 of the drive roller 14. As shown in FIG. 4, the rotating shaft 46 is also located on one side in the sheet width direction, in this embodiment, on the left end when viewed from the copying machine 1 side, that is, on the same side as the rotating shaft 36 on the first delivery unit 4 side. It is erected.

When the other power transmission path is selected, the rotation is transmitted to the bevel gear 45 via the gear 52 with pulley, the pulley 53 with gear, and the belt 53a. In this case, the drive roller 14 of the second delivery unit 5
It is driven at a transport speed V2 of (V1 × 2 + α) (substantially double speed of the first delivery unit 4).

A clutch CL1 for turning on / off the transmission of the driving force to the drive rollers 9a and 9b of the first delivery unit 4 via the rotation shaft 36 of the first delivery unit 4 is provided. When the clutch CL1 is ON, the first delivery unit 4 conveys the sheet at the speed V1.

The clutches CL2 and CL3 for turning ON / OFF the drive transmission to the drive roller 14 of the second delivery unit 5 via the rotation shaft 46 of the second delivery unit 5 are provided.

When the clutch CL2 is turned on, the second delivery unit 5 conveys the sheet at the speed V1. Clutch CL3
Is ON, the second delivery unit 5 conveys the sheet at the speed V2.

A brake BL1 is provided for immediately stopping the first delivery unit 4 when the clutch CL1 is turned off. Further, a brake BL2 for immediately stopping the second delivery unit 5 when the clutches CL2 and CL3 are turned off is provided. When the belt 31 is rotated, the transport roller 22 fixed to the pulley 54 of the first transport path 19 is driven. The vertical drive mechanism of the first delivery unit 4 and the second delivery unit 5 will be described with reference to FIGS.

As described above, the first delivery unit 4 and the second delivery unit 5 are connected to the rotary shaft 3 via the bevel gears 39 and 49 meshed on the left and right sides.
6, 46. Further, guide portions 55 and 56 formed at the other side end portions on the left and right sides are connected to guide rails 57 and 58.
Is engaged.

A belt 59 is connected to the left and right sides of the first delivery unit 4, and the belt 59 is a pair of upper and lower pulleys 60,
One pulley 61 is drivingly connected to a motor M2 via a belt 62.

The second delivery unit 5 also has a pulley 6
It is drivingly connected to a motor M3 via a belt 65 and a belt 66 stretched between 3, 3 and 64.

The first delivery unit 4 and the second delivery unit 5 are moved up and down by forward and reverse rotation of the motors M2 and M3. At this time, the bevel gear 39 of each unit 4, 5
The bevel gears 38, 48 meshing with the unit 49,
The support frames 4a, 4b, 5
a, 5b, and slides up and down along the rotating shafts 36, 46. Also, the guide portions 55, 56 of the respective units 4, 5
Slides up and down along the guide rails 57 and 58.

As shown in FIG. 8, the pulse generators 67 and 68 for controlling the positioning of the units 5 and 4 moving up and down are provided with encoders 69 having radial slits attached to the shafts of the motors M2 and M3. 70, and photosensors S4 to S7 for counting the light passing through the slits of the encoders 69 and 70 as pulses.

The encoder 69 has two photo sensors S
4 and 5 are provided with two phases shifted from each other. Similarly, two photosensors S6 and S7 are provided on the encoder 70 with their phases shifted. Therefore, the positioning accuracy when the units 4 and 5 are moved up and down to the predetermined bin can be improved.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first delivery unit 4
The second delivery unit 5 is cantilevered on a first rotation shaft 36 and a second rotation shaft 46, respectively. When each unit 4, 5 is inclined downward to its non-support side, the non-support side of each unit 4, 5 is lifted to correct the level. However, due to the correction, the rotation axes 36, 46
There is a risk that the positional relationship between the motor and the bearings of the units 4 and 5 coupled to the rotating shafts 36 and 46 will be disturbed, and the units 4 and 5 will not be able to smoothly slide up and down along the rotating shafts 36 and 46. is there. To solve this problem, as shown in FIG. 7, sliding bodies 73 and 74 are slidably mounted on the rotating shafts 36 and 46.
And holding members 75, 76 are vertically rotatably coupled to the curved outer surfaces of the sliding members 73, 74, and are fixed to the first delivery unit 4 and the second delivery unit 5 side. Aligning bearings 77 and 78 are configured.

The change in the attitude of the delivery units 4 and 5 with respect to the rotating shafts 36 and 46 is determined by holding members 75 and 76 and sliding members 73 and
It is absorbed as a relative displacement with respect to 74. Therefore, even if the delivery units 4 and 5 are inclined, the delivery units 4 and 5 can smoothly move up and down along the rotation shafts 36 and 46.

The delivery units 4 and 5 are both cantilevered at one end in the width direction of the sheet entrance of the bin B. Therefore, the delivery units 4 and 5 have the same inclination direction. Therefore, even if the delivery units 4 and 5 are tilted due to aging or the like, it is possible to reduce the occurrence rate of a jam when the sheet is taken over from the second delivery unit 5 to the first delivery unit 4.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 7, the second
Pulleys 63 and 6 of the vertical movement mechanism of the delivery unit 5
4 have a plurality of reels 81, 82, respectively.
Is provided. Between the upper and lower reels 81 and 82,
A guide ribbon 83 is stretched as a guide member.
The guide ribbon 83 extending from the reels 81 and 82 is
Are connected to the upper and lower parts of the delivery unit 5. Reel 8
A tension spring (not shown) for applying a tension to the guide ribbon 83 is provided on the first and second guides 82. This guide ribbon 83
After the sheet is delivered from the second delivery unit 5 to the first delivery unit 4, the first delivery unit 4 and the second delivery unit
When the delivery unit 5 of the second delivery unit 5 is relatively separated in the up-down direction, the sheet whose leading end is held by the first delivery unit 4 is prevented from entering the moving area side of the second delivery unit 5.

Sheet delivery from the second delivery unit 5 to the first delivery unit 4 is performed at a delivery position preset for each bin B. In this example, the movement of the delivery units 4 and 5 is controlled according to the following Table 1. Table 1
, The number of bin columns is the bin to distribute, the number of columns for the second delivery unit and the first delivery unit is the range of bins to which each unit moves (the underline is the delivery position), and the number of columns for the amount of movement is The number of bins moved by each unit is shown.

Table 1 Movement patterns of the second and first delivery units Bin Second unit Movement amount First unit Movement amount 2 1 0 1 → 2 1 3 1 → 2 → 1 2 2 → 3 → 2 2 4 1 → 2 → 1 2 2 → 4 → 3 3 5 1 → 3 → 1 4 3 → 5 → 4 3 6 1 → 4 → 1 6 4 → 6 → 5 3 7 1 → 5 → 1 8 5 → 7 → 6 3 8 1 → 6 → 1 10 6 → 8 → 7 3 9 1 → 7 → 1 12 7 → 9 → 10 3 10 1 → 10 → 14 14 10 → 11 1 11 14 → 11 → 14 6 11 → 12 1 12 14 → 12 → 14 4 12 → 13 0 13 14 → 13 → 14 2 13 → 14 1 14 14 0 14 0 15 14 0 14 → 15 1 16 14 → 15 → 14 2 15 → 16 1 17 14 → 16 → 14 4 16 → 17 1 18 14 → 17 → 14 6 17 → 18 1 19 14 → 18 → 14 6 18 → 19 1 20 14 → 19 → 14 10 19 → 20 1 21 14 → 20 → 14 12 20 → 21 1 As described above, in this example, in the sort mode, the second delivery unit 5 reciprocates between the exit of the first transport path 19 and the transfer position to sheets of 2 to 10 bins,
The sheets of 11 to 21 bins reciprocate between the exit of the second transport path 20 and the transfer position.

In some cases, the amount of movement of the second delivery unit 5 is set to be larger than the amount of movement of the first delivery unit 4. The second delivery unit 5 holds the leading end of the sheet discharged from the copier 1 or transfers the sheet from the second delivery unit 5 to the first delivery unit 4 so that the first delivery unit 4 Once the tip is pinched, it can be moved immediately. In contrast, the first delivery unit 4
When the sheet is discharged to the bin B, the sheet cannot move until the trailing edge of the sheet is completely removed. That is, the second delivery unit 5
The first delivery unit 4 has a longer stoppage time for sending and receiving the sheet as compared with the first delivery unit. Therefore, when the moving amount of the second delivery unit 5 is set large, the efficiency is improved, the distribution processing time can be shortened, and a large number of sheets can be distributed within a predetermined time.

A second receiving sheet from the copying machine 1
The following first and second home positions are set in the delivery unit 5. Bin B2 to Bin B10
When a sheet is sent to the (first group of bins), the position facing the bin B1 is the first home position. When a sheet is fed to bins B11 to B21 (the second group of bins), the position facing bin B14 is the second home position. Then, the first transport path 19 is
Guide the seat to the home position. The second conveying path 20 guides the sheet to the second home position.

In bins B4 to B9, the sheet transfer position is a position which is successively further away from the first home position for each bin between the first home position and the sheet discharge position and from the immediately preceding sheet discharge position. The first home position is set. Then, the second delivery unit 5 moves downward to the sheet delivery position after nipping the sheet at the first home position. The first delivery unit 4 moves downward from the immediately preceding sheet discharge position to the transfer position.

From bin B16 to bin B21, the sheet transfer position is a position away from the second home position for each bin sequentially between the second home position and the sheet discharge position for each bin, and at the immediately preceding sheet discharge position. Is set. Then, the second delivery unit 5 moves downward to the sheet delivery position after nipping the sheet at the second home position. The first delivery unit 4 is waiting at the immediately preceding sheet discharge position.

In the bin B2, the sheet is transferred from the second delivery unit 5 waiting at the first home position to the first delivery unit 4 waiting at the first home position, and the first delivery unit holding the sheet is held. 4 moves to the sheet discharge position (bin B2). Similarly, in the bin B15, the sheet is transferred from the second delivery unit 5 waiting at the second home position to the first delivery unit 4 waiting at the second home position, and the first delivery unit holding the sheet is held. 4 moves to the sheet discharge position (bin B15).

In the bin B10 immediately before switching from the first transport path 19 to the second transport path 20, or vice versa, the sheet transfer position and the sheet discharge position are the same (bins B10 and B11). It has become.

A sensor for detecting a sheet will be described with reference to FIG.

The sensor S1 is provided on the introduction path 18 and is an entrance sensor for detecting that the sheet has entered the sorter.

When the sensor S1 is turned on (detecting that the leading end of the sheet has reached), the conveying roller 22 of the loading means 6
23, the rollers of the units 4 and 5 start driving. Also,
A sheet counter (not shown) counts the number of sheets by turning off the sensor S2 (detecting that the rear end of the sheet has passed).

The sensor S2 comprises a pair of light-emitting / light-receiving elements provided above and below the vertical movement area of the second delivery unit 5, respectively. The sensor S2 is connected to the second delivery unit 5
And that the sheet has come out of the second delivery unit 5 by ON / OFF.

The sensor S3 comprises a pair of light emitting / receiving elements provided above and below the vertical movement area of the first delivery unit 4, respectively. The sensor S3 is the first delivery unit 4
And that the sheet has come out of the first delivery unit 4 by ON / OFF.

As shown in FIG. 8, the sensors 4 and 5 are photosensors of the pulse generating means 67 for positioning the vertical moving mechanism of the second delivery unit 5 as described above.

The sensors 6 and 7 are photosensors of the pulse generating means 68 for positioning the vertical moving mechanism of the first delivery unit 4.

The drive control of this apparatus is performed by a CPU (not shown).
This is performed by control means such as. That is, the sensor S1
The signals of the sheet conveyance state detected by the steps (1) to (7) are input to the CPU. After the calculation, a control signal is output to drive and control the motors M1 to M3, the clutches CL1 to CL3, and the brakes BL1 and BL2.

The operation of this embodiment constructed as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8 and Table 1 together with the flowcharts of FIGS. 9 and 10 and the operation state diagrams of FIGS. (1) When the A4 horizontal sheet is processed in the sort mode The original (A4 landscape in this example) is set on a platen glass (not shown) of the copying machine 1 or on an automatic document feeder (not shown). A predetermined sort mode condition is input from a screen (not shown).

The first home positions of the second delivery unit 5 and the first delivery unit 4 are both set at positions opposite to the sheet entrance of the bin B1 as shown by the solid line position in FIG. When the start key (not shown) of the copying machine 1 is pressed and the units 4 and 5 are at positions deviated from the first home position, the units 4 and 5 are moved up or down to the first home position substantially the same as the bin B1. Be moved. The loading means 6 switches the gate 21 so that the gate 21 can be transported from the introduction path 18 to the first loading path 19.

When the second delivery unit 5 and the first delivery unit 4 stop at the first home position, the copying machine 1 starts a copying operation. Feeding of the first sheet to bin B2 (see FIG. 11 ) The first copied sheet enters discharge path 3 of sorter 2 from discharge roller 3 of copying machine 1. Then, the motor M1 starts to drive, and the second delivery unit 5 and the first delivery unit 5
The drive rollers 14, 9a, 9b of the delivery unit 4 start driving to prepare for sheet conveyance.

The first sheet carried into the sorter from the copying machine 1 is transferred from the second delivery unit 5 at the first home position to the first delivery unit 4 at the first home position.

When the leading end side of the sheet reaches the first delivery unit 4, the rollers 9 of the first delivery unit 4
a and 9b stop driving, and hold the leading end side of the sheet (FIG. 1).
1a, b).

First delivery unit 4 holding a sheet
Moves downward from the home position to a position (sheet discharge position) opposite to the sheet entrance of the bin B2 and stops (FIG. 11c). During the downward movement of the first delivery unit 4, the rollers 14 of the second delivery unit 5 are driven at a transport speed of V1.

Here, when the delivery units 4 and 5 relatively move apart from each other, the sheet carried out from the second delivery unit 5 is driven by the driven rollers 17a and 1a of the second delivery unit 5.
In addition to guiding along the curved shape of the sheet 7b, the load generated between the guide surface and the sheet is minimized by the rotatable driven rollers 17a and 17b, thereby preventing the sheet from being damaged or deformed.

When the units 4 and 5 are separated from each other in the vertical direction, the rear end of the sheet whose front end is sandwiched by the second delivery unit 5 is stretched in the vertical direction of the second delivery unit 5. Guided by the guided ribbon 83. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the sheet from entering the moving area side of the first delivery unit 4 and causing damage and deformation. Further, since the sheet does not enter the moving area side of the first delivery unit 4, malfunction of the sheet detection sensor S2 of the second delivery unit 5 can be prevented.

The rollers 14, 16 of the second delivery unit 5
Is driven by the movement of the seat by the action of the one-way clutch. Therefore, the relatively separated units 4,
It is possible to reliably prevent the sheet from being detached from the first delivery unit 4 by the pulling force on the sheet between 5.

The roller 9 of the first delivery unit 4
a and 9b are driven to discharge the first sheet onto the bin B2 (FIG. 11D).

After the sheet is discharged, the first delivery unit 4
Stop at this position to prepare for the next sheet transfer (Fig. 1
1e). Feeding the second sheet to bin B3 (see FIG. 12 ) The second delivery unit 5 at the first home position holds the leading end of the second sheet carried into the sorter from the copying machine 1 . (FIG. 12a).

Next, the second delivery unit 5 moves downward from the home position to a transfer position corresponding to the sheet entrance of the bin B2 while holding the leading end of the sheet.
Line up horizontally with the first delivery unit 4 (FIG. 12b).

When the second delivery unit 5 clamps the leading end of the sheet, the trailing end of the sheet has separated from the discharge roller 3 of the copying machine 1. Therefore, as soon as the second delivery unit 5 grips the leading end of the sheet, the second delivery unit 5 can move at a speed V1 exceeding the transport speed V0 of the discharge roller 3 of the copying machine 1. At this time, the transport roller 2
2 is driven by the seat by the action of the one-way clutch.

Subsequently, the sheet is conveyed from the second delivery unit 5 to the first delivery unit 4 for delivery. The first delivery unit 4 clamps the leading end of the sheet (FIG. 12c).

Next, the first delivery unit 4 holding the leading end of the sheet moves downward to a position facing the sheet entrance of the bin B3. At the same time, the second delivery unit 5 moves upward from the sheet-facing position of the bin B2 to the first home position and returns (FIG. 12D).

Here, the first delivery unit 4 holding the sheet moves downward from the delivery position to the sheet discharge position, and at the same time, the second delivery unit 5 moves upward from the delivery position to the home position. When 5 separates, the second delivery unit 5 is V2 (approximately twice V1)
To convey the sheet. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the sheet from being detached from the first delivery unit 4 due to the tensile force of the sheet between the units 4 and 5.

Subsequently, the sheet is discharged from the first delivery unit 4 onto the bin B3 (FIG. 12e). Feeding the third sheet to bin B4 (see FIG. 13 ) The second delivery unit 5 at the first home position holds the leading end of the third sheet carried into the sorter from the copying machine 1 . (FIGS. 13a, b). Next, the second delivery unit 5 moves downward from the first home position to a position facing the sheet entrance of the bin B2 while holding the sheet leading end side. At the same time, the first delivery unit 4 moves upward to bin B2. As a result, the units 4 and 5 are arranged at the delivery position (FIG. 13C).

Subsequently, the sheet is conveyed from the second delivery unit 5 to the first delivery unit 4 and is delivered. The first delivery unit 4 clamps the leading end of the sheet (FIG. 13D).

Next, the first delivery unit 4 holding the leading end of the sheet moves downward to a position facing the sheet entrance of the bin B4. At the same time, the second delivery unit 5 moves upward from the sheet-facing position of the bin B2 to the first home position and returns (FIG. 13E).

Subsequently, the sheet is discharged from the first delivery unit 4 onto the bin B4 (FIG. 13F). Feeding of the fourth sheet to bin B5 (see FIG. 14 ) The second delivery unit 5 at the first home position holds the leading end of the fourth sheet carried into the sorter from the copying machine 1 ( see FIG. 14 ) . Figures 14a, b). Next, the second delivery unit 5 moves downward from the first home position to a position facing the sheet entrance of the bin B3 while holding the sheet leading end side. At the same time, the first delivery unit 4 moves upward to bin B3. As a result, the units 4 and 5 are arranged in the transfer position (FIG. 14C).

Subsequently, the sheet is conveyed from the second delivery unit 5 to the first delivery unit 4 for delivery. The first delivery unit 4 clamps the leading end of the sheet (FIG. 14D).

Next, the first delivery unit 4 holding the leading end of the sheet moves downward to a position facing the sheet entrance of the bin B5. At the same time, the second delivery unit 5 moves upward and returns to the first home position (FIG. 14e).

Subsequently, the sheet is discharged from the first delivery unit 4 onto the bin B5 (FIG. 14f).

Subsequently, the fifth to eighth sheets are distributed from bin B6 to bin B9 according to the operation shown in Table 1. Feeding the ninth sheet to bin B10 (see FIG. 15 ) The second delivery unit 5 at the first home position holds the leading end side of the ninth sheet carried into the sorter from the copying machine 1 . (FIGS. 15a, b). Next, the second delivery unit 5 moves downward from the home position to a position facing the sheet entrance of the bin B10 while holding the sheet leading end side. At the same time, the first delivery unit 4 moves downward from bin B9 to bin B10. by this,
The units 4, 5 are lined up at the transfer position in front of the bin 10 (FIG. 15c).

Subsequently, the sheet is conveyed from the second delivery unit 5 to the first delivery unit 4 and is delivered. The first delivery unit 4 clamps the leading end side of the sheet (FIG. 15D).

Subsequently, the sheet is discharged from the first delivery unit 10 onto the bin B10. At the same time, the second delivery unit 5 moves downward to the first home position facing the bin B14 (FIGS. 14e, 14f).

10 or more sheets (sent to bin B11)
Then, the gate 21 is switched, and the second delivery unit 5 receives the sheet from the exit of the second delivery path 20, and executes the distribution operation according to the operation pattern shown in Table 1. In particular, the feeding of the sixteenth sheet will be described below. Feeding the sixteenth sheet to bin B17 (see FIG. 16 ) The leading end of the sixteenth sheet carried into the sorter from copier 1 is transferred to the second home position at the second home position in front of bin B14. The unit 5 clamps (FIGS. 16a and 16b).

Next, the second delivery unit 5 moves 16 degrees from the second home position while holding the leading end of the sheet.
It moves downward to a position facing the sheet entrance of the bin B16 of the tier. As a result, the units 4 and 5 are arranged at the position facing the bin B16 (FIG. 16c).

Subsequently, the sheet is conveyed from the second delivery unit 5 to the first delivery unit 4 for delivery. The first delivery unit 4 clamps the front end side of the sheet (FIG. 16D).

Subsequently, the first delivery unit 4 receives the bin B1
It moves down before 7. At the same time, the second delivery unit 5
Moves upward to the second home position (FIG. 16).
e).

Sheets from the first delivery unit 4 are bin B
Drain onto 17.

As described above, the receiving positions at which the second delivery unit 5 receives the discharged sheets from the copying machine 1 are defined as the outlets of the first transport path 19 and the bins B11 in bins B2 to B10.
In B21, the outlet is switched to the outlet of the second delivery path 20. Therefore, the distribution efficiency is good, and the distribution processing time can be reduced.

Assume that 14 copies of three originals are copied and sorted. First, 14 copy sheets of the first document are distributed to bins B2 to B15 one by one. Next, 14 copy sheets of the second original are placed in bins B15 to B2.
Distribute one by one in this order. Next, 15 copy sheets of the third document are distributed one by one in the order of bins B2 to B15, and the process is completed. (2) When the A3 horizontal sheet is processed in the sort mode In the case of the A3 horizontal sheet, the distribution processing is performed according to the operation pattern shown in Table 1 in the same manner as in the above (1) of the A4 horizontal sheet.

However, in the case of the A3 horizontal sheet, the sheet guided through the first conveying path 19 does not fall out of the discharge roller 3 of the copying machine 1 only when it reaches the second delivery unit 5. Then, when the entrance sensor S1 detects that the trailing edge of the sheet has separated from the copier main body 1, the second
Is moved at the speed V1. (3) In the case of the group mode Assume that 14 copies of three originals are copied and processed in the group mode.

First, with the units 4 and 5 positioned at the height of the sheet entrance of the bin B2 (the height of the exit of the first transport path 19), 14 copy sheets of the first original are continuously arranged. And store it in bin B2.

Next, the second delivery unit 5 is left at the exit position of the first transport path 19,
Reciprocates 14 times between the second delivery unit 5 and the bin B3, and discharges 14 copy sheets of the second document to the bin B3. Next, after the second delivery unit 5 receives the sheet from the exit of the first transport path 19, the second delivery unit 5 transfers the sheet to the first delivery unit 4 at the height of the bin B4.
The delivery unit 4 repeats the operation of discharging the sheets to the bin B4, and stores 14 copy sheets of the third original in the bin B4, and the operation is completed. (4) In the case of non-sort mode processing With the units 4 and 5 positioned at the height of the sheet entrance of the uppermost bin B1 (the exit height of the first transport path 19),
All the sheets are continuously stored in the bin B1, and the process is completed. (5) In the case of random access mode processing It is assumed that conditions are set so that the first sheet is stored in the fifth-stage bin B5 and the second sheet is stored in the sixteenth-stage bin B16. I do.

First, for the first sheet, the second delivery unit 5 receives the sheet from the exit of the first transport path 19, and then transfers the sheet to the first delivery unit 4 at a position facing the bin B3. Then, the first delivery unit 4 discharges the sheet to the bin B5.

The second delivery unit 5 receives the second sheet from the exit of the second transport path 20, and the first delivery unit 4 takes over the sheet at the height of the bin B15. , The first delivery unit 4 discharges the sheet to the bin B16.

[0104]

According to the invention, the sorter is vertically erected on one side in the width direction of the sheet material and holds one end of the first support frame of the first sheet material holding and conveying means so as to be vertically movable. The first support frame is cantilevered by extending the other end in a direction orthogonal to the sheet material conveying direction, and is driven by the first roller pair of the first sheet material nipping and conveying means. A first rotating shaft for transmitting a force, and a sorter vertically arranged on the same side of the sorter as the first rotating shaft and on the upstream side in the sheet material conveying direction, and Second
The end of the support frame on the same side as the first support frame in the width direction of the sheet material is vertically movably held to support the second support frame in a cantilever manner and hold the second sheet material. And a second rotating shaft for transmitting a driving force to the second roller pair of the conveying means, so that the inclination directions of the first and second sheet material sandwiching and conveying means are both the same, and the second It is possible to reduce a jam occurrence rate when the sheet material is transferred from the sheet material nipping and conveying means to the first sheet nipping and conveying means.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an overall outline of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a partially open state.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing a drive system of a transport unit.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a drive system for vertically moving a second delivery / first delivery unit.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a drive system for moving the unit.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a drive system for moving the unit.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a second delivery / first delivery unit.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a part of a drive system for moving the unit.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart (1) showing the operation of the apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart (2) showing the operation of the apparatus.

FIG. 11 is an operation state diagram of the device.

FIG. 12 is an operation state diagram of the device.

FIG. 13 is an operation state diagram of the device.

FIG. 14 is an operation state diagram of the device.

FIG. 15 is an operation state diagram of the device.

FIG. 16 is an operation state diagram of the device.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Copier (sheet material output device) 2 Sorter 4 1st delivery unit (1st sheet material pinching conveyance means) 4a 1st support frame 4b 1st support frame 5 2nd delivery unit (2nd sheet) Material holding / conveying means) 5a Second support frame 5b Second support frame 9a Driving roller (first roller pair) 9b Driving roller (first roller pair) 11a Pinch roller (first roller pair) 11b Pinch roller (First Roller Pair) 14 Drive Roller (Second Roller Pair) 16 Pinch Roller (Second Roller Pair) 36 First Rotation Axis 46 Second Rotation Axis B1-21 Bin

Claims (1)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] 1. A system which is provided at a predetermined interval in a vertical direction,
To accommodate the sheet material discharged from the sheet material output device
And a plurality of bins facing the sheet material inlet side of the plurality of bins and moving vertically.
A sheet material is sandwiched between movable first support frames and
A first roller for conveying and discharging the sheet material to the bin
A first sheet material nipping / conveying means comprising a pair, and a sheet material conveying direction of the first sheet material nipping / conveying means.
A second support frame movable vertically in the upstream side
Receives the sheet material discharged from the sheet material output device.
Cut and pinch / convey this to the first sheet material pinch
A second roller pair provided with a second roller pair for transferring to the conveying means;
A sheet material sandwiching and conveying means, and a sorter provided with a sheet material vertically arranged on one side in the sheet material width direction of the sorter,
One end of the first support frame of the first sheet material holding and conveying means
The part is movably held up and down, and the other end is
The first support frame is cantilevered by extending in a direction orthogonal to the first support frame.
And the first sheet material nipping and conveying means
A first rotating shaft for transmitting a driving force to the first roller pair , and a sheet material on the same side as the first rotating shaft of the sorter;
The second sheet material is erected vertically on the upstream side in the transport direction.
The first support frame of the second support frame of the nipping and conveying means;
And the end on the same side in the width direction of the sheet material
To support the core second support frame in a cantilever manner, and
Driven by the second pair of rollers of the second sheet material holding and conveying means
A second rotating shaft for transmitting a force .