JP2003251213A - Shredder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve usability for a user and to secure sufficient safety by making the takeoff of a bitten paper sheet easier by making the attachment and detachment of a feeding port possible. <P>SOLUTION: The shredder is provided with: a cutter unit 10 to shred paper sheets P; a feeding port 20 having an upper opening 21 for receiving the paper sheets P and a lower opening 22 for discharging the paper sheets P toward the cutter unit 10; an exterior case 30 for supporting the feeding port 20; and a supporting structure 50 for supporting the feeding port 20 in a detachable manner from the exterior case 30. Operation control considering the safety of the user is realized by further providing a control means for detecting the state of the feeding port 20 to the exterior case 30 so as to carry out the operation control of the cutter unit 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a shredder for shredding paper sheets into small pieces. In particular, the present invention relates to a technology in consideration of the structure of a paper sheet input port.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The input port of a shredder of this type has, for example, a so-called funnel shape with a wide inlet and a narrow outlet so that a bundle of paper can be easily input. That is, the input port has an expanded upper opening (entrance) for receiving the input paper sheets and a tapered lower opening (exit) for discharging the received paper sheets to the cutting portion of the cutter unit. .

The reason why the lower opening is made narrow is to guide the paper sheets (hereinafter referred to as paper) to the cutting portion of the cutter unit with high accuracy. Furthermore, for safety reasons, it is desirable to be as narrow as possible so that the fingers are not pulled along the stack of paper. On the other hand, on the other hand, when a paper jam occurs, a wider lower opening is easier to deal with. Less than,
Let us consider these issues.

In a general shredder, when a stack of paper is thrown in excessively, the motor stops due to overload. then,
Reverse operation is performed to eject (return) the bundle of paper remaining in the input port. In the state of the bundle of papers that is output by this reverse rotation operation, the leading end is shredded and the front side is uncut. The state of being returned to the insertion opening by the reverse operation is roughly the following three types.

(1) The bundle of papers returned to the input port can be easily picked up with a finger. (2) If the uncut portion is grasped and pulled while reversing, the whole can be taken out together with the cut portion at the tip. (3) A bundle of paper remains on the bottom of the loading slot, and it gets caught in the back and cannot be picked out.

Here, the problem (3) is a problem. With the existing shredder, in the case of (3), the following operation (work) is performed. Using a screwdriver or a tool like an awl,
Unravel the jammed paper, divide it into smaller pieces, and dig out sequentially. If the work of is not possible, take out the jammed paper by removing the upper case that is provided with the insertion port. Call the manufacturer's service person and have them deal with it.

All of these operations are quite troublesome, and there is a problem in safety in the operation. Moreover, during such work, the operation of the shredder has to be stopped for a long time.

Further, the operation, stop, automatic stop, display of a dangerous state, etc. of the shredder have conventionally been arranged around the operation switch. However, the line of sight of the shredder work was poured near the exit (lower opening) of the input port and on the paper, when shredded chips became full, when the motor was heated, or when it stopped due to excessive number of sheets, The display of the situation was outside the line of sight. Therefore, there was an inconvenience that the eyes had to be shifted once in the displayed direction.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to make the input port detachable so that the jammed paper sheets can be easily taken out, thereby improving the usability for the user. In addition, the purpose is to provide shredder technology that ensures sufficient safety.

[0010]

A shredder according to the present invention has a cutter unit for shredding paper sheets, an upper opening for receiving the paper sheets, and a lower opening for discharging the paper sheets toward the cutter unit. The charging device includes an input port portion, an exterior case that supports the input port portion, and a holding device that detachably holds the input port portion with respect to the external case.

According to the present invention, by making the insertion port part detachable from the outer case, only the insertion port part can be detached (separated) from the outer case as required. Since only the input port is detached from the outer case, this part is relatively small and lightweight. Therefore, the work of removing the charging port can be easily performed. As a result, it is possible to easily take out a paper sheet jammed in the cutting portion of the cutter unit or the like, and improve the usability for the user.

[0012] It is desirable that the holding device has a lock mechanism that allows the insertion port to be attached to and detached from the outer case by relatively displacing the insertion port with respect to the outer case. When the holding device is configured in this way, the insertion port can be attached to and removed from the outer case very easily. Therefore, the work for taking out the paper jammed paper sheet is greatly facilitated, and the usability for the user is further improved.

In the present invention, it is desirable to include a control means for detecting the detachment of the insertion opening from the outer case and stopping the drive of the cutter unit. As described above, by providing the control means for controlling the operation of the cutter unit by detecting the state of the insertion opening with respect to the outer case, it becomes possible to perform the operation control in consideration of the safety of the user.

The holding device includes a mounting member that holds the mounting state of the insertion opening portion with respect to the outer case, and the holding force of the mounting member is the force of ejecting the paper sheets generated when the cutter unit is rotated in the reverse direction. It is also desirable that the insertion opening is set to a force for withdrawal. In this way, the safety is ensured because the charging port is normally held during normal operation. Since the input port part is detached from the outer case by the reverse rotation operation, the jammed paper sheets are easily returned to the input port part side. Therefore, it becomes easy to take out the caught paper sheets.

It is also possible to provide the input section with a display section for displaying the operating state including the state in which the input section is attached to the outer case. In the case of such a configuration, since the display unit is provided in the insertion port, the display unit exists in the area where the line of sight is concentrated when the paper sheets are shredded. As a result, it is possible to perform the work while constantly checking the status on the display unit.

The upper opening and the lower opening are each formed in a rectangular shape in plan view, and the charging port portion has a pair of inner side surfaces facing each other in the longitudinal direction of the lower opening. It is desirable to be formed on the inclined surface. When a pair of inner surfaces facing each other is formed into an inclined surface, in addition to the action of guiding the inserted paper sheets to the lower opening, the shape that makes it easy to return the paper sheets to the input port even when the cutter unit is reversed. Become.

Let L be the external dimension of the upper opening in the longitudinal direction.
1, the outer dimension of the lower opening in the longitudinal direction is L2, and the height from the upper opening to the lower opening is H, the input port is L1-L2 / 2> Htan (tan- ¹ · H / L
It is desirable that the structure satisfy the relational expression 1). In such a configuration, the higher the height H from the upper opening to the lower opening, the greater the inclination of the inner surfaces facing each other. Therefore, especially when the cutter unit is rotated in the reverse direction, the paper sheets are obliquely positioned. However, due to the action of the inclination of the inner surfaces facing each other, the paper sheets can be smoothly guided to the insertion port. This makes it easier for the paper sheets to come out.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. These figures are
1 shows an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a shredder for shredding paper sheets such as paper and sheets (hereinafter abbreviated as paper). FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a charging port and a cutter unit. FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the inlet and the cutter unit in directions different by 90 degrees. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the charging port. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a holding device for the charging port, and FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view thereof.

The shredder according to this embodiment is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, a cutter unit 10 that shreds a bundle of paper, an upper opening 21 that receives the bundle of paper, and a lower portion that discharges (falls) the bundle of paper toward the cutting portion of the cutter unit 10 by its own weight An input port 20 having an opening 22 and a housing (exterior case) 3 that supports the input port 20.
0, and a holding device 50 that holds the input port 20 detachably with respect to the outer case 30.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cutter unit 10 includes a pair of cutter shafts 1 and 1 which are arranged in parallel with each other so as to mesh with each other. For each cutter axis 1, 1,
A plurality of cutters 11 are provided at intervals in the axial direction of the cutter shafts 1, 1. The separators 4 are arranged between the cutters 11, respectively. Each separator 4 is positioned by a plurality of separator guides 6.

The cutter unit 10 generally has
There are an integral type shown in FIG. 6A and a single-wafer type shown in FIG. 6B. Explaining these outlines, the integrated type of (a) is mainly made of metal, and the grooves 1a are cut with a highly accurate width and pitch on the outer periphery of the cutter shaft 1 which is a cylindrical or cylindrical shaft, and each groove 1a The large diameter part between 1a is a cutter (cutting blade)
It is processed as 11, 11. Cutter 11, 11
A separator is arranged between them.

The single-wafer type (b) has a structure in which the cutter plate 2, the distant piece 3, and the separator 4 are sequentially fitted onto the outer peripheral portion of the cutter shaft 1, and both ends are stopped by stop rings 5. Between the cutter plate 2 and the cutter shaft 1, for example, as shown in the same figure, a hexagonal cross-sectional shape is formed so that relative rotation between the cutter plate 2 and the cutter shaft 1 is prevented.

Since this single-wafer type is an assembly type, the shapes of the cutter plate 2, the separator 4, etc. can be determined relatively freely, but the structure is complicated. On the other hand, the integrated type is
The structure is simple, but high precision and special processing technology are required. However, this integrated type tends to become the mainstream in the future. Therefore, in this embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to an integrated type is shown.

The input port 20 arranged above the cutter unit 10 has an upper opening 21 and a lower opening 22, and is formed in a funnel shape as a whole as shown in FIGS. The input port section 20 is configured as a separate body from the exterior case 30 that supports the input port section 20.

As shown in FIG. 3, each of the upper opening 21 and the lower opening 22 is formed in a plane rectangular shape. Therefore, the charging port 20 has a pair of guide surfaces 23, 23 facing each other in the end direction of the lower opening 22, and a pair of inner side surfaces 24, 24 facing each other in the longitudinal direction of the lower opening 22. .

The one guide surface 23 guides one surface side of the stack P of paper fed from the upper opening 21 to guide the lower opening 22.
Lead to. The other guide surface 23 guides the other one side of the paper stack P fed from the upper opening 21 and the lower opening 2
Lead to 2. Therefore, the inclination of the guide surfaces 23, 23 facing each other is relatively gentle, and is set to about 45 degrees, for example.

Around the upper opening 21 of the charging port 20,
A rectangular frame-shaped flange 25 shown in FIG. 3 is provided. At the lower end of the lower opening 22, a downward widening portion 26 is provided in which the lower opening 22 is slightly enlarged as it goes downward from the lower opening 22. This downward expansion portion 26
The reason for providing is that, as shown in FIG. 1, when the cutter unit 10 is rotated in the reverse direction, a guide action for facilitating the return of the sheet bundle P to the inside of the insertion port 20 is exhibited.

Further, the inner side surfaces 24, 24 of the charging port section 20
Are formed on an inclined surface with a smaller distance toward the lower opening 22. That is, the inner side surfaces 24, 24 are
As shown in FIG. 2, when the outer dimension of the upper opening 21 in the longitudinal direction is L1, the outer dimension of the lower opening in the longitudinal direction is L2, and the height from the upper opening to the lower opening is H, the charging port portion 2
0 is configured to satisfy the relational expression of L1-L2 / 2> Htan (tan- ¹ · H / L1).

The reason for this construction is that the upper opening 21
As the height H from the lower opening 22 to the lower opening 22 becomes higher, the inclinations of the opposing inner side surfaces 24, 24 are set to be larger. Therefore, particularly when the cutter unit 10 is rotated in the reverse direction.
Even if the stack P of paper is diagonally positioned, the inner surface 2 facing each other
This is because the sheet bundle P can be smoothly guided to the insertion port 20 by the action of inclination of 4 and 24 (guide action).

The top plate 31 of the outer case 30 is provided with an opening 32 into which the insertion port 20 is fitted. The insertion port 20 is stably supported by the outer case 30 by the flange 25 contacting the surface of the upper surface plate 31 of the outer case 30 while being fitted into the opening 32 from above. In this embodiment, the holding device 50 for detachably holding the input port 20 in the outer case 30 includes the flange 25 and a locking mechanism R shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

The lock mechanism R has an engaging recess 33 formed by cutting out a rim of the opening 32 of the top plate 31 in a U shape.
And an L-shaped engaging protrusion (hook) 27 cut and raised to the lower surface side of the flange 25 of the charging port 20. The lock mechanisms R are provided at two positions which are opposed to each other in the longitudinal direction of the upper opening 22.

The lock mechanism R displaces the charging port 22 relative to the outer case 30 to thereby cause the charging port 2 to move.
0 can be attached to and detached from the outer case 30. That is, after the insertion opening 20 is pushed down so that the engagement projection 27 fits into the engagement recess 33 from above, the insertion opening 20 is exteriorly moved by moving the insertion opening 20 slightly horizontally in the direction of arrow A in FIG. It is configured to be locked so as not to separate from the case 30.

In this embodiment, the holding device 50 includes a plurality of magnets (mounting members) 51 in addition to the lock mechanism R. These magnets 51 are embedded in the upper surface plate 31 located immediately below the flange 25. The magnet 51 has a force (holding force) for temporarily fixing the inlet 22 to the outer case 30 by attracting the flange 25 by its magnetic force. Therefore, the magnet 51 also has a part of the function of the lock mechanism R. However, when a force exceeding the holding force of the magnet 51 acts on the insertion opening 20, the insertion opening 20 is disengaged from the outer case 30, but the locking mechanism R can prevent it. The function is different.

Further, the lock mechanism R does not exhibit the lock function by simply fitting the engaging convex portion 27 into the engaging concave portion 33. That is, the lock function is not exhibited unless the insertion port 20 is relatively moved in the horizontal direction. Therefore, when the holding force (adsorption force) of the magnet 51 is sufficient, it may be assumed that the lock function R need not be provided. On the contrary, when the holding force is weak or when it is difficult to adjust the holding force, the lock mechanism R is necessary. Further, it may be assumed that the lock mechanism alone is sufficient. However, from the viewpoint of convenience, it is desirable to provide both in this way so that both functions can be used properly as needed.

In FIG. 7, the paper stack P is the cutter unit 10.
It is the figure which expanded and showed the state shredded by. In this figure, a state is shown in which the sheet bundle P is drawn and is being cut by the tip of the shredding blade 11a of the cutter 11 on the right side of the figure. Below that is the left separator 6
The state of the cutting waste P2 pushed out by is shown.

As shown in the figure, when a paper jam occurs in a state where the rear end of the stack P of papers is at a distance G'above from the position of the minimum width B of the insertion slot, it can be easily grasped and pulled out. However, when the rear end of the stack of paper P is G, it is difficult to grip it. In this case, when the operation of reversing the cutter unit 10 is performed, the discharging force of the bundle of paper P is applied to the insertion port 20. In order to effectively utilize this force, the following configuration can be adopted.

For example, a mounting member (magnet) of the holding device 50
As shown in FIG. 8, the holding force of 51 can be set to the force of ejecting the insertion port 20 from the outer case 30 by the discharging force of the sheet bundle P generated when the cutter unit 10 is rotated in the reverse direction. In this case, the insertion port 20 may be simply inserted and mounted in the opening 32 so that the lock mechanism R does not function. Here, the ejecting force of the sheet bundle P refers to the force that pushes up the insertion port 20 at the bent portion (the portion curved in a rhombus) P1 of the sheet bundle P by the reverse rotation of the cutter unit 10.

In this way, the injection port 20 is normally held during normal operation, so that safety can be ensured. Further, since the throw-in port 20 is separated from the outer case 30 by the reverse rotation operation, the jammed sheet bundle P is easily returned to the throw-in port 20 side. Therefore, it becomes easy to take out the bundle P of caught papers. Instead of the magnet, a male / female coupling type button, a hook, a velvet type fastener or the like that can exhibit the same function as the magnet can be used as the mounting member.

Since the insertion port 20 is detached, this embodiment is provided with control means for detecting that the insertion port 20 is detached from the outer case 30 and stopping the drive of the cutter unit. This is in consideration of user safety. Although various methods can be considered for this control means, in the example shown in FIG.
And a control circuit (not shown) for stopping the drive motor of the cutter unit 10 based on the output signal from the limit switch 7. As shown in FIG. 8, the limit switch 7 is provided on the lower surface side of the upper surface plate 31, and the normally open contact 7a is provided on the lower surface side of the upper opening plate 31.
It is set to detect that 0 has separated from the outer case 30.

Further, the guide surface 23 of the input port 20 is provided with a light emitting display 8 for indicating that the input port 20 is mounted on the outer case 30. For the light emitting display unit 8, for example, a light emitting diode is used. The position where the light emitting display unit 8 is provided may be at or near the input port 20, but the most conspicuous position is preferable, and at that point, as shown in FIG. 3, it is between the upper opening 21 and the lower opening 22. In addition, the vicinity of the center of the upper opening 21 in the longitudinal direction is preferable.

With this configuration, since the light emitting display section 8 is provided in the insertion opening section 20, the light emitting display section 8 exists in the area where the line of sight is concentrated when the paper bundle P is shredded. As a result, it is possible to perform work while constantly checking the state of the light emitting display unit 8. In FIG. 3, 8a, 8b, and 8c represent operation buttons for driving, stopping, reversing, and the like.

According to this embodiment, by making the insertion port 20 attachable to and detachable from the outer case 30, only the insertion port 20 can be separated (separated) from the outer case 30 as needed. it can. Since only the loading port 20 is detached from the outer case 30, this part is relatively small and lightweight. Therefore, the work of removing the charging port 20 can be easily performed. This makes it possible to easily take out the jammed paper P that has been caught in the cutting portion or the like of the cutter unit 10, and improve the usability for the user.

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view showing a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, an example in which the size of the lower opening 22 of the charging port 20 can be made variable is shown. That is, the lower opening 22 has a portion that is set to the minimum width B of the insertion port in consideration of various points including safety, and a portion that can be set to a width B1 wider than that.

Specifically, one guide plate 23A is constructed so as to be rotatable (shown by a chain double-dashed line in the figure) via a hinge 28. 28a is a stopper for positioning the guide plate 23A at a fixed position. The edge 28b of which the minimum width B of the inlet is set by the stopper 28a is the guide plate 23.
It is formed at the lower end of A. A partition plate 28c for setting the lower opening 22 to have a wide width B1 is arranged below the lip portion 28b.

In this embodiment, the cutter unit 1
The guide plate 2 is discharged by the discharge force of the paper stack P when the reverse rotation of 0 is performed.
By rotating 3A upward, the lower opening 22 has a wide width B.
Change to 1. Further, from the lower opening 22 to the cutter 11
The distance (height) S to the meshing part of can be set to a shorter distance S ′. As a result, it is possible to easily pull out the bundle of paper sheets P in the jammed state to the insertion port 20 side.

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view showing a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the distance S from the lower opening 22 to the meshing portion of the cutter 11 is configured to be a distance S'which is shorter than that.
That is, the guide plate 23B is bent into an L shape, and the hinge 28b
It is configured so as to be able to rotate upwards about. Guide plate 2
Below the 3B, a short partition plate 28d is arranged.
In this embodiment, it is possible to more easily extract the jammed paper bundle P to the insertion opening 20 side.

FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional view showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the charging port portion 20 of this embodiment, a pair of half cylinders 29, 29, which are formed by dividing a cylinder into two, are arranged with their peripheral surfaces facing each other, and the rotation shafts 29a, 29 of the half cylinders 29, 29 are arranged.
a is shifted downward. Of course, a pair of end plates (not shown) are arranged on the end side of the rotary shaft 29a.

According to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, by rotating the half cylinders 29, 29 in the arrow direction, the interval between the lower openings 22 is widened. Therefore, for example, the discharge force of the sheet bundle P when the cutter unit 10 is rotated in the reverse direction is set so that the half cylinders 29, 29 rotate in the arrow direction so that the sheet bundle P can be easily taken out. be able to.

In the above embodiment, the hinge 2 is used.
Instead of 8, a link or a flexible member that rotatably connects the guide plate to the outer case 30 may be used.
Further, also in the second to fourth embodiments, the insertion port section 20 can be configured to be attachable to and detachable from the outer case 30 via the holding device.

[0050]

As described above, according to the shredder of the present invention, the shroud is provided with the exterior case that supports the insertion opening and the holding device that detachably holds the insertion opening with respect to the exterior case. By doing so, it is possible to easily take out the paper sheets bitten in the cutter unit,
The usability for the user can be improved. further,
By equipping the control unit that detects the state of the inlet with respect to the outer case and controls the operation of the cutter unit,
It is possible to secure sufficient safety for the user.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a main part of a shredder according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a main part of the shredder according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an input port portion of the shredder according to the embodiment of the present invention.

4A and 4B show an input port of a shredder according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 4A is a vertical sectional view thereof, and FIG. 4B is a partial sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 4A. is there.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view showing the lock mechanism of the insertion port according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows the configuration of an existing cutter unit,
(A) is an integral type partial sectional view, (b) is a sheet-shaped partial sectional view.

FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged view showing a positional relationship between the cut state and the rear end of the paper bundle of the shredder according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a returning state of the bundle of papers when the cutter unit according to the embodiment of the present invention is reversed.

FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an input port section according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an input port section according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an input port section according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the operation of the charging port section according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 cutter axis 2 cutter plate 4 separator 6 Separator guide 10 Cutter unit 11 cutter 20 Input port 21 Upper opening 22 Lower opening 23 Guide surface 24 Inside 25 flange 26 downward expansion 27 Engagement protrusion (hook) 28 Hinge 29 half cylinder 29a rotating shaft 30 Exterior case (housing) 31 Top plate 32 openings 33 Engagement recess 50 holding device 51 Mounting member

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Shunichi Yokomine             9-5 Shinsencho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo             -In the bus F-term (reference) 4D065 CA12 CB02 CC01 CC08 DD30                       EB12 ED06 EE19

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A cutter unit for shredding paper sheets,
An input opening having an upper opening for receiving paper sheets and a lower opening for discharging the paper toward the cutter unit, an outer case supporting the input opening, and the input opening with respect to the outer case. Shredder equipped with a holding device that detachably holds. 2. The holding device has a lock mechanism that allows the insertion opening to be attached to and detached from the exterior case by displacing the insertion opening relative to the exterior case. The shredder according to claim 1. 3. The shredder according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a control unit that detects that the insertion opening is detached from the outer case and stops the drive of the cutter unit. 4. The holding device includes a mounting member that holds the mounted state of the insertion port portion with respect to the outer case, and the holding force by the mounting member is the discharging force of the paper sheets generated when the cutter unit is rotated in the reverse direction. The shredder according to claim 1, wherein the shredder is set to have a force with which the insertion port part separates from the outer case. 5. The shredder according to claim 1, wherein the input port section is provided with a display section for displaying an operating state including a state in which the input port section is attached to the exterior case. 6. The upper opening and the lower opening are each formed in a planar rectangular shape, the charging opening has a pair of inner side surfaces facing each other in the longitudinal direction of the charging opening, and both inner side surfaces are the lower opening. The shredder according to claim 1, wherein the shredder is formed into an inclined surface with a distance that decreases toward the front. 7. The outer dimension of the upper opening in the longitudinal direction is L
1. When the outer dimension of the lower opening in the longitudinal direction is L2 and the height from the upper opening to the lower opening is H, the charging port is L1-L2 / 2> Htan (tan- ¹ · H / L1) The shredder according to claim 6, wherein the shredder satisfies the relational expression of.