JP2015205758A - Booklet transport device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent occurrence of a transportation failure and so on when a booklet having a step part is held and transported by plural roller pairs arranged in a transportation direction.SOLUTION: A booklet transport device is equipped with: roller pairs R1, R2 which hold and transport a booklet W having a thin region W1 and a thick region W2 with a step part Ws interposed therebetween; and a roller drive mechanism 70 for applying a driving force onto the roller pairs. In the device, an interval adjustment mechanism 80 which so adjusts an interval between the roller pairs as to adjust a holding force for holding the booklet by the roller pairs according to thicknesses of the thin region and the thick region of the booklet, and control means 121 which controls driving of the interval adjustment mechanism are provided. Thus, the device can smoothly transport the booklet without occurrence of a transportation failure.

Description

  The present invention relates to a booklet conveying apparatus that sequentially conveys a thin conveyed product such as a booklet with a roller, and in particular, when a booklet or the like is opened and conveyed, the booklet whose thickness changes in the conveying direction with a binding portion as a boundary. The present invention relates to a booklet transport device for transporting the like.

  The conventional booklet transport device includes a driving roller and a driven roller (pinch roller) that rotate while sandwiching both sides of the booklet in order to transport a booklet having a binding portion in a predetermined direction. The hardness of the material of the driven roller Is a value of A15 / S to A45 / S, the load on the driving roller and the driven roller increases when the binding portion of the booklet passes through the nip portion between the driving roller and the driven roller. Since the hardness of the material is any value within the range of A15 / S to A45 / S, the driven roller pressed by the binding portion is appropriately deformed, so that the booklet is held between the driving roller and the driven roller. However, the conveying force of the booklet is ensured, and a plurality of concave and convex portions are alternately formed over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the driven roller, and the convexity of the driven roller pressed by the binding portion of the booklet. It was further easily deformed, while maintaining the holding state by the driving roller and the driven roller that is adapted to ensure the transport force of the booklet are known (e.g., see Patent Document 1).

  However, in this booklet transport device, if the thin area (with a small number of pages) and the area with a large number of pages (a thick area) are always constant, the material hardness of the driven roller and the uneven shape set in advance Although it is good, if the dimensions of the thin region and the thick region change according to the type of booklet to be conveyed, it is necessary to prepare a plurality of types of driven rollers having material hardness and uneven shape according to each booklet in advance. Yes, the number of parts increases and the cost increases, and according to the type of booklet to be transported, the driven roller is replaced in one booklet transport device, or a plurality corresponding to the type of booklet It is necessary to manufacture a booklet transport apparatus.

JP 2013-119477 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described prior art, and the object of the present invention is to provide a booklet having a stepped portion while simplifying the structure, reducing the types of parts, reducing costs, and the like. Booklet transport apparatus capable of smoothly performing a transport operation without causing a transport failure in the binding section, for example, when a booklet having a binding section is sandwiched and transported (with a different thickness opened) Is to provide.

A booklet transport apparatus according to the present invention is a booklet transport apparatus including a roller pair that sandwiches and transports a booklet having a thin region and a thick region with a stepped portion as a boundary, and a roller driving mechanism that exerts a driving force on the roller pair. The roller pair clamps the booklet so that the holding force is adjusted according to the thickness of the thin area and the thick area of the booklet. Means.
According to this configuration, when a booklet is carried in from the upstream side in the conveyance direction (for example, in the order of a thin region → a stepped portion → a thick region) while the roller pair is driven by the roller driving mechanism, the booklet is conveyed. The distance between the roller pairs is adjusted by the distance adjusting mechanism driven and controlled by the control means according to the thickness of the thin area and the thick area of the booklet. Therefore, a predetermined holding force for holding and conveying the booklet is secured. Is done. As a result, the stepped portion of the booklet is not pinched by the roller pair (the booklet is not jammed), the holding force is maintained constant, and the booklet is loaded at a predetermined timing without causing a conveyance failure such as clogging or misalignment. It can be smoothly transported from the upstream side toward the downstream side.

The above configuration includes a first booklet detection sensor and a second booklet detection sensor which are arranged at a predetermined interval in the transport direction and detect the position of the booklet in the transport direction, and the control means detects the first booklet detection sensor. An interval adjustment mechanism is provided to adjust the roller pair to an interval corresponding to the thin area of the booklet based on the signal, and to adjust the roller pair to an interval corresponding to the thick area of the booklet based on the detection signal of the second booklet detection sensor. It is possible to adopt a configuration that controls driving.
According to this configuration, when the first booklet detection sensor detects the booklet carried in from the upstream side, the interval adjusting mechanism is driven and controlled based on the detection signal, so that the roller pair has an interval corresponding to the thin area of the booklet. As a result of the adjustment, a clamping force suitable for a thin area is secured, and when the second booklet detection sensor detects the booklet that has been carried in, the distance adjustment mechanism is driven and controlled based on the detection signal, and the roller pair is By adjusting the interval corresponding to the thick area of the booklet, a clamping force suitable for the thick area is ensured.

In the above configuration, the roller pair includes a driving roller that is driven by a roller driving mechanism and supports the booklet from the lower side, and a driven roller that is supported so as to be movable up and down and pressed to press the booklet from the upper side, The interval adjusting mechanism can adopt a configuration that is configured to adjust the interval by moving the driven roller up and down relative to the driving roller.
According to this configuration, the booklet is conveyed with the lower surface supported by the driving roller and the upper surface pressed against the driving roller by the driven roller. Therefore, even if the driven roller moves up and down by the interval adjusting mechanism. The booklet can be smoothly transported without causing the booklet to fall or be displaced.

In the above configuration, the interval adjusting mechanism can employ a configuration including a follower member that supports the driven roller so as to lift up, and a cam member that exerts a cam action that moves the follower member up and down.
According to this configuration, the cam member is rotated as appropriate, and the cam action corresponding to the thickness of the booklet is exerted on the follower member (and the driven roller), whereby the interval between the roller pairs depends on the thickness of the booklet. Adjusted.
As described above, by adopting the follower member that supports the follower roller to lift the follower roller and the cam member that exerts a cam action on the follower member, the structure can be simplified, the number of parts can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced. While achieving, a predetermined clamping force can be ensured by appropriately adjusting the interval (gap) between the roller pairs in accordance with the thickness change in the booklet transport direction, and a stable transport operation can be performed. .

The said structure can employ | adopt the structure containing the cam position detection sensor which detects the cam position of a cam member.
According to this configuration, by detecting the cam position of the cam member by the cam position detection sensor, it is possible to adjust the interval between the roller pairs with high accuracy in accordance with the change in the thickness of the conveyed booklet.

In the above configuration, the roller pair includes a first roller pair disposed on the upstream side in the conveying direction and a second roller pair disposed on the downstream side of the first roller pair, and the first roller pair is driven by a roller. A first drive roller driven by the mechanism and supporting the booklet from below; a first driven roller supported by the follower member to be lifted and urged to press the booklet from above; The roller pair is driven by a roller driving mechanism and supports a booklet from the lower side, and a second driven roller supported to be lifted by a follower member and urged to press the booklet from the upper side. Configurations including rollers can be employed.
According to this configuration, the first driving roller and the second driving roller are driven by the roller driving mechanism, the first driven roller is interlocked with the first driving roller, and the second driven roller is interlocked with the second driving roller. The booklet is conveyed while being sandwiched, the cam member is appropriately driven, and the follower member is lifted by exerting a desired (corresponding lift amount) cam action, so that the first driven roller and the second driven roller become the follower member. It moves upward together and is adjusted to an interval according to the thickness of the booklet. The booklet is nipped by a pair of rollers (driving roller and driven roller) with a predetermined holding force regardless of the change in thickness and conveyed. The Accordingly, a booklet having a thin region and a thick region with the stepped portion as a boundary can be smoothly transported from the upstream side to the downstream side at a predetermined timing without causing a transport failure such as clogging or misalignment. .

  According to the booklet transport apparatus having the above-described configuration, the booklet having the stepped portion (for example, the booklet having the binding portion having different thicknesses) is achieved while achieving simplification of the structure, reduction of the types of parts, cost reduction, and the like. When the paper is sandwiched and transported (in an open state), the transport operation can be performed smoothly without causing a transport failure in the binding portion.

1 is an external perspective view showing an embodiment of a booklet transport apparatus according to the present invention. 1 is an external perspective view showing an embodiment of a booklet transport apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a structure in which a main body frame is removed in the booklet conveying apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 3 is a side view showing a state in which a thin area of a booklet is carried in the booklet transport apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where a thin area of a booklet is carried in the booklet transport apparatus shown in FIG. 4. In the booklet transport apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a thick region of the booklet is carried in, the interval adjusting mechanism (cam member, follower member) is activated, and the driven roller is lifted by a predetermined amount to correspond to the thick region of the booklet. It is a side view which shows the state adjusted to the space | interval to do. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing states of a driving roller, a driven roller, and a booklet in the booklet transport apparatus shown in FIG. 6. In the booklet transport apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the thin area of the booklet is unloaded, the thick area of the booklet is loaded, the interval adjusting mechanism (cam member, follower member) is operated, and the driven roller is lifted by a predetermined amount. It is a side view which shows the state adjusted to the space | interval corresponding to the thick area | region of a booklet. FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating a state of a driving roller, a driven roller, and a booklet in the booklet transport apparatus illustrated in FIG. 8. Control system for controlling the booklet conveying device according to the present invention (control unit, motor drive circuit for drive motor of roller drive mechanism and interval adjustment mechanism, signal processing circuit for first booklet detection sensor and second booklet detection sensor, cam position 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration including a signal processing circuit of a detection sensor, a storage unit, and the like.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the booklet transport apparatus according to this embodiment includes a first roller pair R1 (first roller pair) arranged as a roller pair arranged at a predetermined interval in the transport direction L of the main body frame F and the booklet W. 1 driving roller 10, first driven roller 20, first biasing spring 30) and second roller pair R2 (second driving roller 40, second driven roller 50, second biasing spring 60), first roller pair R1 And a roller driving mechanism 70 (driving motor 71, driving pulley 72, driven pulley 73, endless belt 74, interlocking gears 75, 76, 77, and auxiliary rotating shaft 78a for auxiliary operation that exert driving force on the second roller pair R2. , Auxiliary pulleys 78b and 78c, auxiliary endless belt 78d), a distance adjusting mechanism 80 for adjusting the distance between the first roller pair R1 and the second roller pair R2 (driving motor 81, gears 82 and 83, rotating shaft 84, coupling) Member 85, follower member 86, detected piece 87), first booklet detection sensor 90 and second booklet detection sensor 100 arranged at predetermined intervals in the conveying direction L so as to detect the tip region Wt of the booklet W, cam A cam position detection sensor 110 for detecting the cam position of the member 85, a control system 120 including a control unit 121 as control means for processing detection signals and generating various control signals, and the like are provided.

  Here, the above-described components are provided on the main body frame F and supported or fixed. Further, as shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and 9, the booklet W includes a thin area W <b> 1 (with a small number of pages) and a thick area W <b> 2 (with a large number of pages) with the stepped portion Ws as a boundary. The tip region Wt is directed in front of the sheet, and the thin region W1 → the stepped portion Ws → the thick region W2 is conveyed in this order.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the first roller pair R <b> 1 is supported so as to be lifted by a first drive roller 10 and a follower member 86 that support the booklet W from below, and presses the booklet W from above. The first driven roller 20 that is biased and the first biasing spring 30 that biases the first driven roller 20 downward are configured.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the first drive roller 10 is formed to rotate integrally with a first drive shaft 11 that is rotatably supported by the main body frame F.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the first drive shaft 11 connects the driven pulley 73 of the roller drive mechanism 70 at one end so as to rotate integrally, and connects the retaining ring 31 so as to be idle, In addition, the other end portion is formed so as to be coupled so as to rotate integrally with the interlocking gear 75 of the roller driving mechanism 70 and to connect the retaining ring 31 so as to be able to rotate freely.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the first driven roller 20 is rotatably supported by the first driven shaft 21 inserted into the vertically long hole 86 b of the follower member 86.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the first driven shaft 21 is formed so as to connect the retaining ring 32 at one end so as to be able to idle and to connect the retaining ring 32 at the other end so as to be able to idle. Yes.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the first biasing spring 30 is an endless coil spring and is wound around the retaining ring 31 of the first drive shaft 11 and the retaining ring 32 of the first driven shaft 21. The first driven shaft 21 (and the first driven roller 20) is urged downward toward the first drive roller 10.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the second roller pair R2 is arranged downstream from the first roller pair R1 in the conveyance direction L of the booklet W, and supports the booklet W from below. The second driven roller 40 and the second driven roller 50 supported by the follower member 86 so as to be lifted up and urged to press the booklet W from the upper side. The second driven roller 50 urges the second driven roller 50 downward. A force spring 60 is used.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the second drive roller 40 is formed so as to rotate integrally with a second drive shaft 41 that is rotatably supported by the main body frame F.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the second drive shaft 41 connects the auxiliary pulley 78 c of the roller drive mechanism 70 at one end so as to rotate integrally, and connects the retaining ring 61 so as to be idle, In addition, at the other end, the interlocking gear 76 of the roller drive mechanism 70 is connected so as to rotate integrally, and the retaining ring 61 is connected so as to be able to idle.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the second driven roller 50 is rotatably supported by a second driven shaft 51 inserted into the vertically long hole 86 b of the follower member 86.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the second driven shaft 51 is configured to connect the retaining ring 62 at one end so as to be able to rotate freely and to connect the retaining ring 62 at the other end so as to be able to rotate freely. Yes.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the second biasing spring 60 is an endless coil spring and is wound around the retaining ring 61 of the second drive shaft 41 and the retaining ring 62 of the second driven shaft 51. The second driven shaft 51 (and the second driven roller 50) is urged downward toward the second drive roller 40.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the roller drive mechanism 70 includes a drive motor 71 fixed to the main body frame F, a drive pulley 72 directly connected to the rotation shaft of the drive motor 71, and one end of the first drive shaft 11. A driven pulley 73 connected to rotate integrally, a drive pulley 72, an endless belt 74 wound around the driven pool 73, and the other end of the first drive shaft 11 are connected to rotate integrally. The interlocking gear 75, the interlocking gear 76 that is connected to the other end of the second drive shaft 41 so as to rotate integrally, and the body frame F that rotates between the interlocking gear 75 and the interlocking gear 76 to mesh with each other. An interlocking gear 77 that is freely supported, an auxiliary rotating shaft 78a that is rotatably supported by the main body frame F for auxiliary operation, and an auxiliary pulley 78b that is connected to one end of the auxiliary rotating shaft 78a so as to rotate integrally. , 2 coupled so as to rotate integrally with the one end of the drive shaft 41 auxiliary pulleys 78c, it is constituted by the auxiliary pulleys 78b and wound around the auxiliary pulley 78c auxiliary endless belt 78d and the like.

When the drive motor 71 rotates in one direction, the first drive roller 10 is rotated through the drive pulley 72 → the endless belt 74 → the driven pulley 73 → the first drive shaft 11, and the first drive shaft 11 → interlocked The second drive roller 40 is rotated via the gear 75 → the interlocking gear 77 → the interlocking gear 76 → the second drive shaft 41.
When the driving force of the driving motor 71 is not used, for example, when the auxiliary rotating shaft 78a is rotated by manual operation, the auxiliary pulley 78b → the auxiliary endless belt 78d → the auxiliary pulley 78c → the second driving shaft 41 is used. The second driving roller 40 is rotated, and the first driving roller 10 is rotated via the second driving shaft 41 → the interlocking gear 76 → the interlocking gear 77 → the interlocking gear 75 → the first driving shaft 11.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the interval adjusting mechanism 80 has a worm 81a and a drive motor 81 fixed to the main body frame F, and a gear 82 that is rotatably supported by the main body frame F and meshes with the worm 81a. A gear 83 meshing with the gear 82, a rotating shaft 84 supported by the main body frame F to rotate integrally with the gear 83, and two cam members connected to both ends of the rotating shaft 84 so as to rotate integrally. 85, two cam members 85 and a follower portion 86a facing from above, and supporting the first driven shaft 21 and the second driven shaft 51 so that the first driven shaft 21 and the second driven shaft 51 are lifted up and moving up and down so as to move upward. Two follower members 86 supported, a detected piece 87 provided on the rotation shaft 84 and detected by the cam position detection sensor 110, and the like are provided.
As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 6, and 8, the cam member 85 includes a cam portion 85a that removably engages with the follower portion 86a of the follower member 86 to exert a vertical cam action. ing.
The follower member 86 is supported by the main body frame F so as to be movable in the vertical direction, and engages with the cam portion 85a of the cam member 85 to receive a cam action, the first driven shaft 21 and the second driven shaft. 51 is provided with a vertically elongated hole 86b formed so as to extend vertically so that the inner edge of the lower end engages and lifts, and a vertically elongated hole 86c supported by the body frame F so as to be movable in the vertical direction.

Then, when the drive motor 81 rotates and the follower member 86 is lifted upward by a predetermined amount via the worm 81a → the gear 82 → the gear 83 → the rotating shaft 84 → the cam member 85 (the cam portion 85a), the first driven The first driven roller 20 and the second driven roller 50 together with the shaft 21 and the second driven shaft 51 are lifted according to the lift amount of the cam portion 85a, and the distance between the first drive roller 10 and the first driven roller 20 and The distance between the second driving roller 40 and the second driven roller 50 is adjusted according to the thickness of the booklet W, and the first roller pair R1 (the first driving roller 10 and the first driven roller 20) holds the booklet W. The holding force by which the force and the second roller pair R2 (second driving roller 40, second driven roller 50) hold the booklet W is adjusted according to the thin area W1 and the thick area W2 of the booklet W. Yes.
Here, the cam position of the cam member 85 is detected by detecting the detected piece 87 provided on the rotating shaft 84 by the cam position detection sensor 110, and according to the change in the thickness of the booklet W being conveyed. The drive is controlled so as to exert a cam action at a predetermined timing.
As described above, by providing the follower member 86 that supports the first driven shaft 21 and the second driven shaft 51 so as to lift up and the cam member 85 that exerts a cam action for the vertical movement on the follower member 86 as the interval adjusting mechanism. The roller pair R1, R2 can be changed according to the thickness change (thin area W1, thick area W2) in the conveyance direction L of the booklet W while achieving simplification of the structure, reduction in the number of parts, cost reduction, etc. By appropriately adjusting the interval (gap), a predetermined clamping force can be secured, and a stable transport operation can be performed.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first booklet detection sensor 90 and the second booklet detection sensor 100 are transmissive optical sensors that are provided on the main body frame F and include a light projecting element and a light receiving element. The first booklet detection sensor 90 is disposed on the upstream side and the second booklet detection sensor 100 is disposed on the downstream side at a predetermined interval in the conveyance direction L of W.
Then, the first booklet detection sensor 90 detects the leading edge region Wt of the booklet W when the thin region W1 of the booklet W is carried to the downstream side of the first roller pair R1 (the first driving roller 10 and the first driven roller 20). Is detected and a detection signal is issued.
Further, the second booklet detection sensor 100 detects the leading end region Wt of the booklet W when the stepped portion Ws of the booklet W is carried in just before the first roller pair R1 (the first driving roller 10 and the first driven roller 20). A detection signal is generated upon detection.
When the first booklet detection sensor 90 detects the booklet W carried in from the upstream side, the interval adjustment mechanism 80 is driven and controlled based on the detection signal, and the roller pair R1, R2 is moved to the thin area W1 of the booklet W. The clamping force suitable for the thin region is secured by adjusting the corresponding interval.
When the second booklet detection sensor 100 detects the booklet W that has been carried in, the interval adjusting mechanism 80 is driven based on the detection signal, and the roller pair R1, R2 corresponds to the thick region W2 of the booklet W. As a result, the clamping force suitable for a thick region is ensured.

The cam position detection sensor 110 is a transmissive optical sensor that is fixed to the main body frame F and includes a light projecting element and a light receiving element, and is provided on the rotating shaft 84 as shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and 9. The detected piece 87 can be detected.
Then, when the cam position detection sensor 110 detects the cam position of the cam member 85, the interval adjustment mechanism 80 that is driven and controlled based on the detection signal causes the interval between the roller pair R1 and R2 to be conveyed. It is adjusted with high accuracy according to the thickness.

As shown in FIG. 10, the control system 120 performs arithmetic processing based on various information to control the motor 121, the motor drive circuit 122 that drives the drive motor 71 of the roller drive mechanism 70, and the interval adjustment mechanism 80. A motor drive circuit 123 for driving the drive motor 81, a signal processing circuit 124 for processing a signal of the first booklet detection sensor 90, a signal processing circuit 125 for processing a signal of the second booklet detection sensor 100, and a signal of the cam position detection sensor 110 A signal processing circuit 126 for processing the information, a storage unit 127 for storing various information (information on the size and the like of the booklet W, information on the control map of the interval adjusting mechanism 80, and the like).
Then, the control unit 121 performs arithmetic processing based on various detection signals and information stored in advance, and determines the clamping force with which the roller pair R1 and R2 sandwich the booklet W between the thin area W1 and the thick area W2 of the booklet W. Adjust according to the thickness (based on the detection signal of the first booklet detection sensor 90, the roller pair R1, R2 is adjusted to an interval corresponding to the thin area W1 of the booklet W, and the detection signal of the second booklet detection sensor 100 is adjusted. Based on this, the distance adjustment mechanism 80 is driven and controlled so as to adjust the roller pair R1 and R2 to the distance corresponding to the thick area W2 of the booklet W.

Next, the conveying operation (and the interval adjusting operation) of the booklet conveying apparatus having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, the roller driving mechanism 70 is activated, and the first driving roller 10 of the first roller pair R1 and the second driving roller 40 of the second roller pair R2 are driven and arranged on the upstream side in the conveying direction L. When the booklet W is loaded (in the order of the thin area W1 → the stepped portion Ws → the thick area W2) by the conveying means (not shown) and the leading edge area Wt of the booklet W is detected by the first booklet detection sensor 90, the interval The adjustment mechanism 80 is driven and controlled, and the cam member 85 lowers the follower member 86. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first roller pair R1 (the first driving roller 10 and the first driven roller 20) and the first roller The two-roller pair R2 (second driving roller 40 and second driven roller 50) is adjusted to an interval corresponding to the thickness of the thin area W1 of the booklet W, and the thin area W1 of the booklet W is clamped by a predetermined clamping force. , Booklet W is in conveyance direction L It is conveyed toward the downstream side.

  Subsequently, when the stepped portion Ws of the booklet W reaches immediately before the first roller pair R1 (the first driving roller 10 and the first driven roller 20), the leading end region Wt of the booklet W is detected by the second booklet detection sensor 100. When detected, the distance adjustment mechanism 80 is driven and controlled, and as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the cam member 85 raises the follower member 86 by a predetermined amount, and the first roller pair R1 (first driving roller 10 and The first driven roller 20) and the second roller pair R2 (second driving roller 40 and second driven roller 50) are adjusted to an interval corresponding to the thickness of the thick area W2 of the booklet W, and the first roller pair R1 (first The thick area W2 of the booklet W is clamped by a predetermined clamping force by the one driving roller 10 and the first driven roller 20), and the booklet W is transported toward the downstream side in the transport direction L.

Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, not only the first roller pair R1 (first driving roller 10 and first driven roller 20) but also the second roller pair R2 (second driving roller 40 and second driven roller 50). ), The thick area W2 of the booklet W is sandwiched by a predetermined clamping force, and the booklet W is transported toward the downstream side in the transport direction L.
Then, when the booklet W is carried out to a predetermined position on the downstream side, the next booklet W is carried in from the upstream side, and the control sequence for performing the conveying operation and the interval adjusting operation shown in FIGS. 4 to 9 is repeated. It will be.

In this manner, the booklet W is carried in from the upstream side in the transport direction L (for example, in the order of the thin area W1 → the stepped portion Ws → the thick area W2) with the roller pair R1 and R2 being driven by the roller driving mechanism 70. Then, according to the thickness of the thin area W1 and the thick area W2 of the booklet W to be conveyed, the distance between the roller pair R1, R2 is set by the distance adjusting mechanism 80 that is driven and controlled by the control means (control unit 121). Therefore, a predetermined clamping force for sandwiching and transporting the booklet W is secured.
As a result, the stepped portion Ws of the booklet W is not pinched by the roller pair R1, R2 (the booklet W is not clogged), the holding force is maintained constant, and the conveyance failure such as clogging or misalignment does not occur. The booklet W can be smoothly conveyed from the upstream side toward the downstream side at a predetermined timing.

  As described above, according to the booklet conveying apparatus having the above configuration, the booklet W having the stepped portion Ws by the roller pairs R1 and R2 while achieving the simplification of the structure, the reduction of the number of parts, the cost reduction, and the like. (For example, when the booklet W having a binding portion is opened in different thicknesses) and transported, the transport operation can be performed smoothly without causing a transport failure.

In the above embodiment, when the interval adjusting mechanism 80 of the present invention is employed in the configuration including the first roller pair R1 and the second roller pair R2 arranged as a roller pair at a predetermined interval in the transport direction L. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention may be adopted in a configuration including one roller pair or three or more roller pairs.
In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the booklet detection sensors (the first booklet detection sensor 90 and the second booklet detection sensor 100) for detecting the leading end region Wt of the booklet W are shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. If the dimensions of the booklet W are clear, the booklet detection sensor can be used in a configuration in which the booklet detection sensor is abolished, based on various information such as booklet dimension information, transport speed, or when the drive motor is a step motor or the like. By counting the number of steps, the interval adjusting mechanism is driven and controlled at a desired timing, whereby the interval between the roller pairs can be adjusted according to the thickness of the booklet.
In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the booklet detection sensors (the first booklet detection sensor 90 and the second booklet detection sensor 100) for detecting the leading end region Wt of the booklet W are shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, a detection unit that detects the thickness of the booklet W may be employed, and a configuration may be employed in which the interval adjusting mechanism is driven and controlled by the control unit based on the thickness information of the booklet W detected by the detection unit.

  As described above, the booklet transport apparatus of the present invention is different from a booklet having a stepped portion (for example, a booklet having a binding portion) while achieving simplification of the structure, reduction of types of parts, cost reduction, and the like. When the paper is sandwiched and transported (with the thickness open), it can be smoothly transported without causing poor transport at the binding, so the pages can be opened with different numbers at the binding. Of course, the present invention can be applied to transport a booklet, and can also be used as a transport device that transports a transported object other than a booklet as long as it has a stepped portion.

L Transport direction W Booklet W1 Thin region W2 Thick region Ws Stepped portion Wt Tip region 10 First drive roller (first roller pair)
20 First driven roller (first roller pair)
30 First urging spring 40 Second driving roller (second roller pair)
50 Second driven roller (second roller pair)
60 Second urging spring 70 Roller drive mechanism 80 Interval adjustment mechanism 85 Cam member 86 Follower member 90 First booklet detection sensor 100 Second booklet detection sensor 110 Cam position detection sensor 120 Control system 121 Control unit (control means)

Claims (6)

A booklet transport apparatus comprising: a roller pair that sandwiches and transports a booklet having a thin region and a thick region with a stepped portion as a boundary; and a roller driving mechanism that exerts a driving force on the roller pair,
An interval adjusting mechanism that adjusts the interval between the roller pairs in order to adjust the holding force with which the roller pair holds the booklet according to the thickness of the thin area and the thick area of the booklet;
Control means for driving and controlling the interval adjusting mechanism;
A booklet transport device comprising: Including a first booklet detection sensor and a second booklet detection sensor which are arranged at a predetermined interval in the transport direction and detect the position of the booklet in the transport direction;
The control means adjusts the roller pair to an interval corresponding to a thin area of the booklet based on the detection signal of the first booklet detection sensor, and sets the roller pair to the booklet based on the detection signal of the second booklet detection sensor. Driving and controlling the interval adjusting mechanism to adjust the interval corresponding to a thick region of
The booklet transport apparatus according to claim 1. The roller pair includes a driving roller that is driven by the roller driving mechanism and supports the booklet from below, and a driven roller that is supported so as to move up and down and is urged to press the booklet from above.
The interval adjusting mechanism is formed to adjust the interval by moving the driven roller up and down with respect to the drive roller.
The booklet transport apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The spacing adjustment mechanism includes a follower member that supports the driven roller so as to lift up, and a cam member that exerts a cam action for vertical movement on the follower member.
The booklet transport apparatus according to claim 3. A cam position detection sensor for detecting a cam position of the cam member;
The booklet transport apparatus according to claim 4. The roller pair includes a first roller pair disposed on the upstream side in the transport direction, and a second roller pair disposed on the downstream side of the first roller pair,
The first roller pair is driven by the roller driving mechanism and is supported by the first drive roller that supports the booklet from the lower side, and is lifted by the follower member, and urged to press the booklet from the upper side. A first driven roller
The second roller pair is driven by the roller driving mechanism and is supported by the second drive roller that supports the booklet from the lower side and is lifted by the follower member, and is urged to press the booklet from the upper side. A second driven roller
The booklet transport apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein

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