JP2006103807A - Stacker device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a stacker device capable of eliminating oblique stacking of paper sheets even when the paper sheet delivered onto a stack table causes oblique stacking, preventing the stack table from lowering beyond necessity due to delay of release of a paper detection sensor, and keeping a position of the uppermost position face of cutform paper sheets stacked on the stack table in a fixed scope to prevent improper stacking. <P>SOLUTION: A control part 21 performs a series of stack putting-in-order operation for lowering the stack table 12 by fixed amount after lifting it by fixed amount and a series of stack position return operation for lowering the stack table 12 by fixed amount after lifting it up to a position where the uppermost position face of cut paper sheet 6 is detected by driving a table driving motor 17 through a motor driver 23 based on detection signals inputted from the paper detection sensor 20. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a stacker device that stacks discharged sheets (sheets), and more particularly, to a stacker device that stacks discharged sheets on a stack table that can move up and down.

  In a stacker device that stacks (stacks) the paper (single sheets) discharged on a stack table that can be moved up and down, keeps the fall distance of the paper from the paper exit in a certain range, In order to stack the sheets in order, the stack table is lowered according to the stack amount.

  Control of the lowering of the stack table according to the stack amount is performed using a paper detection sensor that detects the uppermost surface of the paper stacked on the stack table. When the paper closes the paper detection sensor, that is, the paper detection sensor. When the uppermost surface of the stacked paper is detected, the stack table is lowered, and when the paper detection sensor is released from the paper, that is, when the uppermost surface of the stacked paper is not detected by the paper detection sensor. Stop the descent of the stack table. This keeps the falling distance of the sheet from the sheet carry-out port within a certain range, and enables the sheets to be stacked in order (for example, see Patent Document 1).

However, in the prior art, when the paper stacks obliquely in such a way that it is caught on the walls (guides) provided before and after the stack table, the release of the paper detection sensor is delayed and the stack table falls more than necessary. , The distance from the paper discharge port to the uppermost surface of the stacked paper becomes long, and the paper discharged from the paper discharge port moves irregularly such as rising (rise) or flipping (reversing), and stacking is defective. There was a problem of causing (out of order, stack collapse, paper jam).
JP 2003-40509 A

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to eliminate the oblique stacking of the paper and detect the paper even when the paper discharged on the stack table causes the oblique stacking. Prevents the stack table from dropping more than necessary due to delayed sensor release, and prevents stack failure by keeping the position of the top surface of the cut sheets stacked on the stack table within a certain range. It is in providing a stacker device that can be used.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following configurations.
That is, it has a stack table that can move up and down to stack the cut sheet discharged from the sheet discharge port, and a sheet detection sensor that detects the uppermost surface of the cut sheet stacked on the stack table. A stacker device for lowering the stack table based on a detection signal output from the sheet detection sensor, wherein the stack table is detected when the uppermost surface of the cut sheet is detected by the sheet detection sensor. A first control means for lowering the stack table by a series of stack ordering operations combined with rising and lowering, and when the topmost surface of the cut sheet is no longer detected by the series of stack ordering operations, Raise the stack table to the position where the uppermost surface of the cut sheet is detected by the sheet detection sensor. Is allowed, characterized by comprising a second control means further performing a series of stack position return operation for the stack table by a predetermined distance descent.
Further, the first control means is configured to detect the uppermost surface of the cut sheet by the sheet detection sensor even if the stack table is lowered a predetermined number of times by the series of stack arranging operations. The stack error is set to be notified.

  Since the stacker device of the present invention is configured to lower the stack table by a series of stacking operations that combine the raising and lowering of the stack table when the uppermost surface of the cut sheet is detected by the sheet detection sensor. Even if the cut paper ejected on the stack table causes an oblique stack, the stacking operation can eliminate the oblique stack of the cut paper ejected on the stack table and release the paper detection sensor. There is an effect that it is possible to prevent the stack table from dropping more than necessary with a delay and to prevent a stack failure.

  In addition, the stacker device of the present invention has a stack table up to a position where the uppermost surface of the cut sheet is detected by the paper detection sensor when the uppermost surface of the cut sheet is not detected by a series of stacking operations. Since it is configured to perform a series of stack position return operations that raise and lower the stack table a predetermined distance, the drop position of the cut sheet (the top surface of the cut sheet) can always be controlled within a certain range, There is an effect that stack failure can be prevented.

  Furthermore, the stacker device of the present invention notifies a stack error when the top surface of a cut sheet is detected by the sheet detection sensor even if the stack table is lowered a predetermined number of times by a series of stacking operations. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the stack table from being lowered more than necessary due to the delay of the release of the sheet detection sensor, and it is possible to prevent a stack failure.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a printer incorporating an embodiment of a stacker device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing a configuration of the stacker device shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the stacker device 1 according to the present embodiment is placed on the upper surface of the printer stand 3 together with the printer device 2 that prints continuous paper and carries it out from the front surface, and is carried out from the front surface of the printer device 2. The continuous sheets are cut into cut sheets, and the cut sheets are arranged in the issue order and stacked. Reference numeral 4 shown in FIG. 1 denotes a display unit such as a liquid crystal panel provided in the printer apparatus 2.

  Referring to FIG. 2, the stacker device 1 includes a cutter 11 that cuts the continuous paper 5 carried out from the front surface of the printer device 2 and processes it into a single-cut paper 6, and a stack table that is movable in the vertical direction. 12.

  The cutter 11 is driven by a cutter drive motor 13, and the cut sheet 6 processed by the cutter 11 is configured to be discharged from the sheet discharge port 15 onto the stack table 12 by a pair of discharge rollers 14.

  The stack table 12 is attached to a timing belt 16, and the timing belt 16 is stretched between a driving pulley 18 and a driven pulley 19 connected to the table driving motor 17 to drive the table driving motor 17. Is moved up and down.

  Below the sheet discharge port 15, a sheet detection sensor 20 that detects the uppermost surface of the cut sheet 6 stacked on the stack table 12 and outputs a detection signal is provided. As the sheet detection sensor 20, for example, a reflection type optical sensor in which a light emitting element and a light receiving element are combined is used, and when the uppermost surface of the cut sheet 6 stacked on the stack table 12 blocks the sheet detection sensor 20. A detection signal is output.

  Stepper motors are used as the cutter drive motor 13 and the table drive motor 17, and their drive is controlled by the control unit 21. The control unit 21 drives the cutter driving motor 13 via the motor driver 22 based on the timing signal from the printer device 2, and cuts the continuous paper 5 carried out from the front surface of the printer device 2 by the cutter 11. The sheet paper 6 is processed, and the table drive motor 17 is driven via the motor driver 23 based on the detection signal input from the paper detection sensor 20 to raise the stack table 12 by a certain amount, and then drop by a certain amount. A series of stacking operations to be performed, and a stacking position returning operation for lowering the stack table 12 by a predetermined amount after the stack table 12 is raised to a position where the uppermost surface of the cut sheet 6 is detected by the sheet detection sensor 20 are performed. The raising or lowering amount of the stack table 12 is controlled by controlling the rotation speed of the table drive motor 17.

  The control unit 21 has a built-in counter 24 that counts the number of repetitions of a series of stack tidy operations. When the count by the counter 24 reaches a predetermined value, a stack error is notified.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment of the stacker apparatus according to the present invention.

  The control unit 21 monitors the input of the detection signal from the paper detection sensor 20 (step A1), and further monitors the input of the timing signal from the printer device 2 (step A2). The timing signal is a signal for instructing the timing for cutting the continuous paper 5 by the cutter 11, and a timing mark for indicating the cutting position is printed on the continuous paper 5 instead of the timing signal from the printer device 2. In addition, a timing mark sensor for detecting the timing mark may be provided, and a detection signal from the timing mark sensor may be used as the timing signal.

  The control unit 21 determines whether or not a detection signal is input from the paper detection sensor 20 (step A1). If no detection signal is input from the paper detection sensor 20, whether or not a timing signal is further input. (Step A2), and if no timing signal is input, the process returns to step A1. When a timing signal is input from the printer device 2, the control unit 21 drives the cutter driving motor 13 via the motor driver 22 based on the timing signal input from the printer device 2, and the printer 11 uses the printer 11. The continuous paper 5 carried out from the front surface of the apparatus 2 is cut and processed into a cut paper 6 (step A3). The cut sheet 6 processed by the cutter 11 is discharged from the sheet discharge port 15 onto the stack table 12 by a pair of discharge rollers 14.

  On the other hand, when a detection signal is input from the paper detection sensor 20 in step A1, the control unit 21 drives the table drive motor 17 via the motor driver 23 to lower the stack table 12 (step A4). Here, the stack table 12 is lowered by L1.

  Next, after the count number n of the counter 24 is initialized (count number: n = 0) (step A5), the control unit 21 monitors the input of the detection signal from the paper detection sensor 20 (step A6). ), It is determined whether or not a detection signal is input from the paper detection sensor 20. When the detection signal is not input from the paper detection sensor 20, the process proceeds to a process of monitoring the input of the timing signal A2, and when the timing signal is input from the printer device 2, the control unit 21 is input from the printer device 2. Based on the timing signal, the cutter drive motor 13 is driven via the motor driver 22 to cut the continuous paper 5 carried out from the front surface of the printer device 2 by the cutter 11 and process it into a cut sheet 6 (step A3). . The cut sheet 6 processed by the cutter 11 is discharged from the sheet discharge port 15 onto the stack table 12 by a pair of discharge rollers 14. If no timing signal is input, the process returns to step A1.

  On the other hand, when a detection signal is input from the paper detection sensor 20 in step A6, the control unit 21 drives the table drive motor 17 via the motor driver 23 to raise the stack table 12 (step A7). Then, the stack table 12 is lowered (step A8). Here, the amount of descent in step A8 is set to be larger than the amount of increase in step A7. In this case, the difference L2 between the descending amount and the ascending amount may be the same as or different from the above L1.

  In addition, the control unit 21 counts the count of the counter 24 indicating the number of executions of a series of second stack tidy operations that combine the raising and lowering of the stack table in correspondence with the driving of the table driving motor 17 via the motor driver 23. : N is incremented by 1 (n = n + 1) (step A9).

  Next, the control unit 21 determines whether or not the count number n of the counter 24 is a set value (step A10). If the count number n of the counter 24 is not a set value, the control unit 21 Then, the detection signal input from the paper detection sensor 20 is monitored (step A11), and it is determined whether or not the detection signal is input from the paper detection sensor 20. When no detection signal is input from the sheet detection sensor 20, it is determined that the diagonal stack of the cut sheet 6 has been eliminated, and the control unit 21 drives the table drive motor 17 via the motor driver 23, After raising the stack table 12 (step A12), the detection signal input from the paper detection sensor 20 is monitored (step A13), and it is determined whether or not the detection signal is input from the paper detection sensor 20. If no detection signal is input from the paper detection sensor 20, the process returns to step A12. When a detection signal is input from the sheet detection sensor 20, the process returns to step A4, and the stack table 12 is lowered in the process of step A4, whereby the return to the predetermined stack position is completed.

  On the other hand, if the count number n of the counter 24 is a set value in step A10, it is recognized as a stack error (step A14), and a stack error signal is output to the printer device 2 to send the stack error to the printer device 2. Notice. The printer device 2 to which the stack error signal has been input stops the printing operation and the carry-out operation, and displays an error message on the display unit 4 to notify the user of the stack error. Note that the notification of the stack error to the user may be notified by a display unit provided in the stacker device 1, or may be further notified by voice output or a buzzer.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the uppermost surface of the cut sheet 6 is detected by the sheet detection sensor 20, a series of stacking operations that combine the rising and lowering of the stack table 12 are performed. Since the stack table 12 is lowered, even if the cut sheet 6 discharged on the stack table 12 is tilted, the cut sheet sheets discharged onto the stack table 12 by the stacking operation are arranged. It is possible to eliminate the oblique stack, and it is possible to prevent the stack table 12 from being lowered more than necessary due to the delay of the release of the sheet detection sensor, thereby preventing the stack failure.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the uppermost surface of the cut sheet 6 is not detected by a series of stacking operations, the uppermost surface of the cut sheet 6 is detected by the sheet detection sensor 20 in the stack table 12. Since it is configured to perform a series of stack position return operations for raising the detected position and further lowering the stack table 12 by a predetermined distance, it is possible to always control the drop position of the cut sheet 6 within a certain range, and stack failure There is an effect that can be prevented.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the top surface of the cut sheet 6 is detected by the sheet detection sensor 20 even if the stack table 12 is lowered a predetermined number of times by a series of stacking operations, Since the stack error is notified, it is possible to prevent the stack table 12 from dropping more than necessary due to delay in releasing the paper detection sensor 20 and to prevent a stack failure.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, when the count number of the counter 24 reaches the set value, it is possible to prevent a stack failure by notifying a stack error. .

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is obvious that the embodiments can be appropriately changed within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. In addition, the number, position, shape, and the like of the constituent members are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be set to a suitable number, position, shape, and the like in practicing the present invention. In each figure, the same numerals are given to the same component.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is obvious that the embodiments can be appropriately changed within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. In addition, the number, position, shape, and the like of the constituent members are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be set to a suitable number, position, shape, and the like in practicing the present invention. In each figure, the same numerals are given to the same component.

1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a printer incorporating an embodiment of a stacker device according to the present invention. It is a schematic side view which shows the structure of the stacker apparatus shown in FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of embodiment of the stacker apparatus which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Stacker apparatus 2 Printer apparatus 3 Printer stand 4 Display part 5 Continuous paper 6 Cut sheet 6
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Cutter 12 Stack table 13 Cutter drive motor 14 Discharge roller 15 Paper discharge port 16 Timing belt 17 Table drive motor 18 Drive pulley 19 Driven pulley 20 Paper detection sensor 21 Control part 22 Motor driver 23 Motor driver 24 Counter

Claims (2)

A stack table that can be moved up and down to stack the cut sheet discharged from the sheet discharge port, and a sheet detection sensor that detects the uppermost surface of the cut sheet stacked on the stack table, A stacker device for lowering the stack table based on a detection signal output from a paper detection sensor,
First control means for lowering the stack table by a series of stacking operations that combine the raising and lowering of the stack table when the uppermost surface of the cut sheet is detected by the paper detection sensor;
When the uppermost surface of the cut sheet is no longer detected by the series of stacking operations, the stack table is raised to a position where the uppermost surface of the cut sheet is detected by the sheet detection sensor; And a second control means for performing a series of stack position return operations for lowering the stack table by a predetermined distance. When the top surface of the cut sheet is detected by the sheet detection sensor even if the stack table is lowered a predetermined number of times by the series of stacking operations, the first control unit stacks 2. The stacker apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an error is notified.

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