JP2016026973A - Paper feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a paper feeder which is relatively inexpensive and is capable of detecting double feeding of even folded paper or unfolded paper with relatively high accuracy.SOLUTION: A paper feeder includes: paper feeding means for feeding paper from a paper loading section on which either folded paper or unfolded paper is loaded; a mechanical double feeding detection means which includes thickness detection means for detecting information on thickness of paper fed by the paper feeding means and is configured to detect double feeding on the basis of the information detected by the thickness detection means; an ultrasonic double feeding detection means; and a paper form determination section 122 for determining a paper form of the paper loaded on the paper loading section. The paper form determination section 122 determines that the paper loaded on the paper loading section is folded paper when double feeding is detected by second detection means when a sheet of paper of paper loaded on the paper loading section is fed by the paper feeding means in test paper feeding. The paper form determination section 122 determines that the paper loaded on the paper loading section is unfolded paper when double feeding is not detected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a paper feeding device.

  2. Description of the Related Art A paper feeding device that feeds paper one by one by a paper feeding unit is known. In general, a sheet feeding device includes a double feed detection unit that detects double feed when two or more sheets that should originally be sent one by one overlap each other. As the double feed detection means, an ultrasonic double feed detection means, an optical double feed detection means, and a mechanical double feed detection means are known.

  The ultrasonic double feed detection means oscillates ultrasonic waves on the paper sent from the paper feed unit, measures the amplitude of the ultrasonic waves passing through the paper, and if the amplitude is below a predetermined threshold, Determine (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). This utilizes the property that the attenuation of ultrasonic waves is larger in a sheet in which two or more sheets overlap than in a single sheet.

  The optical double feed detection means irradiates the paper delivered from the paper supply unit with light, measures the amount of light transmitted through the paper, and determines that double feed is achieved if the amount is below a predetermined threshold (for example, , See Patent Document 2). This is based on the fact that the amount of transmitted light is smaller when two or more sheets overlap than one sheet.

  The mechanical double feed detection means allows the paper fed from the paper feed section to pass between a reference roller whose position is fixed and a displacement roller whose position can be displaced, and the displacement amount of the displacement roller at that time is determined. If it is measured and the amount of displacement is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, it is determined that double feeding is performed (for example, see Patent Document 3). This is based on the fact that two sheets are thicker than one sheet.

JP 2011-168400 A JP 2009-35399 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-144792

  When the stacked paper is folded (hereinafter referred to as “folded paper”), the amplitude of the ultrasonic wave passing through the paper is greatly attenuated even if double feeding is not generated. Similarly, the light transmitted through the paper is greatly reduced even when double feeding does not occur. For this reason, it is difficult to detect the double feed of the folded paper with high accuracy by the ultrasonic or optical double feed detection means.

  On the other hand, it is relatively easy to detect the double feed of the folded paper by the mechanical double feed detection means. However, in the case where the stacked paper is not folded (hereinafter referred to as “peller paper”), the difference in the displacement amount of the displacement roller between one sheet and two stacked sheets is Relatively small. For this reason, if it is attempted to detect the double feed of the peller paper with high accuracy by the mechanical double feed detection means, high component accuracy is required, and the apparatus becomes expensive.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sheet feeding device that is relatively inexpensive and capable of detecting double feeding with relatively high accuracy regardless of whether it is a folded sheet or a paper sheet. Is in the provision of.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a sheet feeding device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a sheet feeding unit that feeds a sheet from a sheet stacking unit on which one of folded sheets or pear sheets is stacked, and a sheet fed by the sheet feeding unit. A first detection means configured to detect double feed based on information detected by the thickness detection means, and a first detection means different in weight from the first detection means. Second detection means configured to detect feeding, and determination means for determining whether the paper stacked on the paper stacking unit is a folded paper or a perforated paper. The determination unit is loaded on the sheet stacking unit when the second detection unit detects a double feed when one of the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking unit in the test sheet feeding is sent out by the sheet feeding unit. If the double sheet is not detected, it is determined that the paper stacked on the paper stacking unit is a peller paper.

  Another embodiment of the present invention is also a paper feeding device. The apparatus includes a sheet feeding unit that feeds a sheet from a sheet stacking unit on which one of folded sheets or pear sheets is stacked, and a thickness detection unit that detects information about the thickness of the sheet fed by the sheet feeding unit. A first detection unit configured to detect double feed based on information detected by the detection unit; a second detection unit configured to detect double feed based on a principle different from the first detection unit; Determination means for determining whether the paper stacked on the stacking unit is a folded paper or a pear paper. The determination unit determines the thickness of the sheet specified by the information on the thickness detected by the thickness detection unit when one of the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking unit in the test sheet feeding is sent out by the sheet feeding unit. When the thickness is equal to or greater than the predetermined thickness, it is determined that the paper stacked on the paper stacking unit is a folded sheet, and when the thickness is smaller than the predetermined thickness, the paper stacked on the paper stacking unit is determined to be a pella sheet.

  Yet another embodiment of the present invention is also a paper feeding device. This apparatus has a paper feeding means for feeding paper from a paper stacking unit on which one of folded paper or pear paper is stacked, an oscillator that oscillates ultrasonic waves, and a geophone that is disposed across the oscillator and the paper transport path. In addition, ultrasonic double feed detecting means for detecting double feed based on the amplitude of the ultrasonic wave received by the geophone when the paper passes through the paper transport path, and the paper loaded on the paper stacking section are folded. Determining means for determining whether the sheet is a sheet or not. In the test paper feeding, the judging means loads the paper on the paper stacking section when the multifeed detecting means detects double feeding when one of the papers stacked on the paper stacking section by the paper feeding means is sent. The determined sheet is determined to be a folded sheet.

  Yet another embodiment of the present invention is also a paper feeding device. This apparatus includes a determination unit that determines whether or not the sheet fed by the sheet feeding unit is a folded sheet.

  Note that any combination of the above-described constituent elements, and those obtained by replacing the constituent elements and expressions of the present invention with each other among methods, apparatuses, systems, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a paper feeding device that is relatively inexpensive and that can detect double feeding with relatively high accuracy, whether it is a folded paper or a paper sheet.

It is a perspective view which shows the paper feeder which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the internal structure of a paper feeder. FIG. 4 is a top view showing a sheet feeding unit and its periphery. FIG. 4 is a side view showing a sheet feeding unit and its periphery. It is a block diagram which shows the function and structure of a control part. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the sheet feeding device. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the sheet feeding device.

  Hereinafter, the same or equivalent components, members, and processes shown in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated description is appropriately omitted. In addition, the dimensions of the members in each drawing are appropriately enlarged or reduced for easy understanding. Also, in the drawings, some of the members that are not important for describing the embodiment are omitted.

  The paper feeding device according to the embodiment is preferably used to create a bundle of newspaper advertisement delivery units, in particular, a bundle of newspaper advertisements in which newspaper advertisements that are folded paper and newspaper advertisements that are pella paper overlap. .

An outline of the sheet feeding device according to the embodiment will be described.
As described above, when the paper stacked on the paper supply unit is a folded paper, it is difficult to detect the double feeding of the folded paper with high accuracy by the ultrasonic double feed detecting means. On the other hand, according to the mechanical double feed detection means, it is possible to detect double feed of folded sheets. In particular, in the case of folded sheets, the difference in displacement amount of the displacement roller is relatively large between one sheet and two stacked sheets. Therefore, according to the mechanical double feed detection means, it is possible to detect double feed with high accuracy even with a relatively inexpensive configuration. In addition, as described above, when the paper loaded in the paper feeding unit is pear paper, high precision of parts is required to detect the ply paper double feed with high accuracy by the mechanical double feed detection means. Equipment becomes expensive. On the other hand, according to the ultrasonic double feed detection means, it is possible to detect double feed with high accuracy even with a relatively inexpensive configuration. Therefore, the double feed of the paper feed unit loaded with folded paper is detected by a mechanical double feed detection unit, and the double feed of the paper feed unit loaded with pella paper is detected by an ultrasonic double feed detection unit. Is desirable.

  Here, as described above, when the paper stacked on the paper supply unit is a folded paper, the amplitude of the ultrasonic wave passing through the paper is greatly attenuated even if double feeding does not occur. That is, according to the ultrasonic double feed detecting means, it is detected that double feed has occurred even when one folded sheet is sent out. Then, conversely, using this property, it is possible to determine whether the fed sheet is a single folded sheet or a single peller sheet. That is, on the assumption that no double feed actually occurs, when the double feed is detected by the ultrasonic double feed detection means, it can be determined that the fed paper is a folded paper. On the other hand, when double feed is not detected by the ultrasonic double feed detection means, it can be determined that the fed paper is a pella paper.

  Further, here, the sheet feeding device performs test sheet feeding before performing actual sheet feeding. “Real paper feeding” refers to a process of creating a specified number of sheets of paper bundles, each of which feeds paper and creates a paper bundle in which they overlap. The “test paper feed” is a process of feeding paper to adjust the paper pressure (described later) and the paper feed pressure (described later) of each paper feed unit. Is a process of feeding paper only while the button is pressed. The user adjusts the suction pressure and the paper feed pressure in the test paper feed so that the double feed does not occur. For this reason, the frequency of occurrence of double feeding decreases as the adjustment proceeds. In particular, when the adjustment is completed, that is, at the time of the last test paper feed, it is considered that no double feed has occurred.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, in the test paper feed (particularly the last test paper feed), the double feed is detected by the ultrasonic double feed detecting means, and the fed paper (that is, the stacked paper) is detected based on the detection result. It is determined whether the sheet is a folded sheet or a perforated sheet. Specifically, when it is detected by the ultrasonic double feed detection means that double feed has occurred, it is determined that the fed paper is folded paper. On the other hand, if it is determined that double feeding has not occurred, it is determined that the fed sheet is a pella sheet. Hereinafter, the sheet feeding device according to the embodiment will be described in detail.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a sheet feeding device 10 according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the internal structure of the sheet feeding device 10. The sheet feeding device 10 includes a housing 12, sheet feeding units 14 </ b> A to 14 </ b> T, a sandwich sheet feeding unit 16, a transport unit 18, a sandwiching unit 20, a discharge unit 22, a stacking unit 24, and a main operation unit 104. And a plurality of sub operation units 106 and a control unit 110.

  The sheet feeding units 14A to 14J are arranged on the left side surface of the housing 12 in this order from the lower side. The sheet feeding units 14K to 14T are arranged on the right side surface of the housing 12 in this order from the upper side. Hereinafter, when the paper feeding units 14A to 14T are collectively referred to or not particularly distinguished, they are simply referred to as “paper feeding unit 14”.

  The paper feeding unit 14 is detachably attached to the housing 12. Specifically, when a lock mechanism (not shown) is released by the user, the engagement between the paper feeding unit 14 and the housing 12 is released, and the paper feeding unit 14 can be detached from the housing 12. Since such an engagement method is well-known, description is abbreviate | omitted. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the paper feeding unit 14T is removed.

  Each paper feed unit 14 includes a paper feed tray 26 and a paper feed mechanism 28. On the paper feed tray 26, a bundle of folded sheets or a bundle of pear sheets is stacked. The paper feed tray 26 is disposed so as to be inclined downward as it approaches the paper feed mechanism 28. The paper feed mechanism 28 sends out the paper stacked on the paper feed tray 26 to the transport unit 18 based on a signal from the control unit 110. Hereinafter, sending out the uppermost sheet among the sheets stacked on the sheet feeding tray 26 is also referred to as “sheet feeding”. In particular, the paper feed mechanism 28 sends out the paper at a timing such that the paper fed from the paper feed mechanism 28 of the other paper feed unit 14 and the main transport unit 36 (described later) overlap. The detailed configuration of the paper supply unit 14 will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  The transport unit 18 includes a plurality of sub transport units 34 and a main transport unit 36. The plurality of sub-conveying units 34 are provided corresponding to the respective paper feeding units 14 and convey the paper fed from the corresponding paper feeding units 14 to the main conveying unit 36. The main transport unit 36 is provided so as to extend up and down in the housing 12. The main transport unit 36 transports the paper transported from each sub transport unit 34 downward. The sheets sent out from each paper supply unit 14 overlap in the main transport unit 36. That is, a sheet bundle is formed in the main transport unit 36. For this reason, the sheet feeding device 10 functions as a collating device.

  The sandwich paper feeding unit 16 is disposed below the paper feeding unit 14A. The sandwich paper feed unit 16 includes a paper feed tray 30 and a paper feed mechanism 32. The paper feed tray 30 and the paper feed mechanism 32 have the same configuration as the paper feed tray 26 and the paper feed mechanism 28, respectively. Sheets for sandwiching a bundle of sheets conveyed by the main conveyance unit 36 (hereinafter, referred to as “interposing sheets”) are stacked on the sheet feeding tray 30. Based on a signal from the control unit 110, the paper feeding mechanism 32 sends out the nipping sheets stacked on the paper feeding tray 30 to the nipping unit 20.

  The sandwiching portion 20 includes a folding plate 38, a stopper 40, a folding knife 42, and a folding roller 44. The folding plate 38 is provided below the paper feeding unit 14T. The nipping paper fed from the nipping paper feeding unit 16 is conveyed onto the folding plate 38 and stops when the leading edge of the nipping paper abuts against the stopper 40. In particular, the sandwiched paper is stopped in a state where the center thereof is located below the transport unit 18. The sheet bundle that has descended from the main conveyance unit 36 abuts against the sandwiched sheet. At this timing, the folding knife 42 descends, the center of the sandwiched paper is wound around the folding roller 44 and folded into two, and the sheet bundle that has descended the transport unit 18 enters between them.

  The discharge unit 22 includes a conveyance belt 46 and a discharge roller 48. The conveyance belt 46 conveys the sheet bundle toward the discharge roller 48. The discharge roller 48 discharges the sheet bundle conveyed by the conveyance belt 46 to the stacking unit 24.

  A main operation unit 104 is provided on the front side of the housing 12. The main operation unit 104 has a touch panel display unit. An operation screen is displayed on the display unit, and the user inputs information regarding processing for creating a sheet bundle via the operation screen. The control unit 110 controls the paper feeding unit 14, the nipping paper feeding unit 16, the conveying unit 18, the nipping unit 20, and the discharging unit 22 in accordance with a user input on the operation screen. The detailed function and configuration of the control unit 110 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  A plurality of sub operation units 106 are provided on the left side surface and the right side surface of the housing 12. The plurality of sub operation units 106 are provided so as to correspond to the respective paper feeding units 14 and the sandwich paper feeding unit 16. The sub operation unit 106 includes a touch panel type display unit. For example, an operation screen including a test paper feed button that is pressed when performing test paper feed is displayed on the display unit.

  FIG. 3 is a top view showing the paper supply unit 14 and its periphery. FIG. 4 is a side view showing the paper feed unit 14 and its periphery. Although the configuration of the paper feeding unit 14 will be described as a representative, the same description applies to the sandwich paper feeding unit 16 as well.

  The paper feed unit 14 further includes a thickness detection mechanism 50, an ultrasonic sensor 52, a paper presence / absence detection sensor 74, and a paper feed sensor 82. The paper feed mechanism 28 includes an auxiliary paper feed roller 54, a paper feed roller 56, a paper plate 58, and a paper pressure adjustment mechanism 66. The auxiliary paper feed roller 54 is disposed above the end of the paper feed tray 26. The paper feed roller 56 is disposed downstream of the auxiliary paper feed roller 54 in the paper conveyance direction (hereinafter simply referred to as “downstream side”). The shaft 54 a of the auxiliary paper feed roller 54 and the shaft 56 a of the paper feed roller 56 are fixed to the bracket 62. The suction plate 58 is disposed below the paper feed roller 56 so as to contact the paper feed roller 56.

  The paper feed roller 56 is rotationally driven by a paper feed motor 64. The auxiliary paper feed roller 54 is connected to the paper feed roller 56 via the timing belt 60 and rotates as the paper feed roller 56 rotates. The auxiliary paper feed roller 54 rotates in pressure contact with the uppermost paper sheet stacked on the paper feed tray 26, and sends the uppermost paper between the paper feed roller 56 and the suction plate 58. The pressure applied to the uppermost sheet by the auxiliary sheet feeding roller 54 (hereinafter referred to as “sheet feeding pressure”) can be adjusted.

  The paper feed roller 56 sends out the paper fed by the auxiliary paper feed roller 54 to the sub-transport unit 34. Since the paper feed roller 56 is made of silicon rubber and the rubber plate 58 is made of urethane rubber, the paper feed roller 56, the paper plate 58, and the paper are separated (between the paper feed roller 56 and the paper). )> (Coefficient of friction between the paper plate 58 and the paper)> (coefficient of friction between the paper). When a plurality of sheets are fed in an overlapping state, the next and subsequent sheets are prevented from being sent out due to the magnitude of this frictional force, and only the uppermost sheet passes between the feed roller 56 and the suction plate 58. It is pulled out and sent to the sub-transport section 34.

  The suction pressure adjusting mechanism 66 is provided below the suction plate 58. The crumbling pressure adjusting mechanism 66 adjusts the pressure generated between the crumbling plate 58 and the paper feed roller 56 (hereinafter referred to as “subbling pressure”). The surface pressure adjustment mechanism 66 includes a surface base 68 that supports the surface plate 58 and an inclined member 70 provided below the surface base 68. The Sabaki base 68 is rotatably provided around the rotation shaft 68a, and a hemisphere 72 is fixed to the lower surface thereof. The hemisphere 72 is in contact with the inclined surface 70 a that is the upper surface of the inclined member 70. The inclined surface 70a of the inclined member 70 is formed to be inclined from the near side to the far side in FIG. When the inclined member 70 slides between the near side and the far side by a drive mechanism (not shown), the sucker base 68 moves up and down to adjust the sucker pressure.

  The sheet presence / absence detection sensor 74 is provided on the upstream side of the bottom plate 58. The sheet presence / absence detection sensor 74 is a reflective optical sensor and detects whether or not sheets are stacked on the sheet feed tray 26. The sheet presence / absence detection sensor 74 and the suction pressure adjusting mechanism 66 are housed in the housing member 76. The housing member 76 is a box-shaped member formed by bending a plate. The both ends of the accommodating member 76 are fixed to frames 78 and 80 which are plates erected on both sides of the apparatus.

  The paper feed sensor 82 is provided on the downstream side of the paper feed roller 56. The paper feed sensor 82 is a transmissive sensor in which a light emitting element and a light receiving element are opposed to each other with a paper conveyance path interposed therebetween, and the optical axis is blocked by the paper fed by the paper feed roller 56, thereby Detect the passage of. The paper feed sensor 82 can detect the idle feed.

  The thickness detection mechanism 50 is provided on the downstream side of the paper feed roller 56. The thickness detection mechanism 50 includes a reference roller 84 and a displacement roller 86. The displacement roller 86 contacts the reference roller 84 from above. The shaft 84 a of the reference roller 84 is fixed to the reference roller bracket 88. The shaft 86 a of the displacement roller 86 is fixed to one end of the displacement lever 90. The other end of the displacement lever 90 is rotatably supported by a fulcrum shaft (not shown) fixed to the frames 78 and 80. Therefore, the displacement roller 86 can be displaced relative to the reference roller 84. A detection surface 90a is formed at one end of the displacement lever 90, and the rotation end of the rotation lever 92a of the displacement sensor 92 is in contact with the detection surface 90a.

  When the sheet passes between the reference roller 84 and the displacement roller 86, the axial position of the displacement roller 86 is raised by the thickness of the sheet, and the detection surface 90a is also raised accordingly. When the detection surface 90a rises, the rotation lever 92a rotates. The displacement sensor 92 detects the displacement angle of the rotation lever 92a, thereby detecting the amount of elevation of the detection surface 90a, that is, the thickness of the paper that has passed between the reference roller 84 and the displacement roller 86. Based on the thickness of the paper detected by the displacement sensor 92, it is determined whether or not double feeding has occurred as will be described later. Since the displacement lever 90 is biased by the pulling spring 96, the displacement roller 86 is pressed against the reference roller 84 by the biasing force of the pulling spring 96 while the sheet is not passing.

  The ultrasonic sensor 52 is provided on the downstream side of the thickness detection mechanism 50. The ultrasonic sensor 52 includes an oscillator 100 and a geophone 102. The oscillator 100 and the geophone 102 are disposed so as to face each other with the paper conveyance path interposed therebetween. In this embodiment, the oscillator 100 is disposed below the paper transport path, and the vibration receiving device 102 is disposed above the paper transport path. The oscillator 100 oscillates ultrasonic waves. The geophone 102 receives the ultrasonic wave oscillated by the oscillator 100. Based on the amplitude of the ultrasonic wave detected when the paper passes between the oscillator 100 and the geophone 102 detected by the geophone 102, it is determined whether or not double feeding has occurred as will be described later.

  The sub transport unit 34 includes a pair of sub transport rollers 94. The pair of sub-conveying rollers 94 sends out the paper sent out by the paper feed unit 14 to the main transport unit 36 (not shown in FIGS. 3 and 4).

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the function and configuration of the control unit 110. Each block shown here can be realized by hardware and other elements such as a computer CPU and a mechanical device, and software can be realized by a computer program or the like. Draw functional blocks. Therefore, it is understood by those skilled in the art who have touched this specification that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by a combination of hardware and software.

  The control unit 110 includes a display control unit 112, a reception unit 114, a paper feed control unit 116, a physical property information acquisition unit 118, a multifeed determination unit 120, a paper form determination unit 122, and a multifeed detection control unit 124. A conveyance control unit 126, a pinching control unit 128, a discharge control unit 130, and a storage unit 132. The physical property information acquisition unit 118, the multi-feed determination unit 120, the paper form determination unit 122, and the multi-feed detection control unit 124 mainly describe multi-feed detection of the paper feed unit 14. The same explanation applies to 16 double feed detection.

  The display control unit 112 displays various operation screens on the display unit of the main operation unit 104 or the sub operation unit 106. The accepting unit 114 accepts instructions and information input via the operation screen displayed on the display unit of the main operation unit 104 or the sub operation unit 106. For example, the accepting unit 114 accepts a start instruction for the actual paper feed together with the number of copies of the sheet bundle to be created via the operation screen displayed on the display unit of the main operation unit 104. Further, for example, the reception unit 114 receives a test paper feed start instruction and a stop instruction via the operation screen displayed on the display unit of the sub operation unit 106.

  The paper feed control unit 116 controls each paper feed unit 14 to send out paper. Specifically, the paper feed control unit 116 sends a signal to each paper feed unit 14 to start the paper feed motor 64 and drives the auxiliary paper feed roller 54 and the paper feed roller 56. As a result, the paper feed unit 14 feeds the paper. In the case of a test paper feed, the paper feed control unit 116 controls the paper feed unit 14 that has been instructed to test the paper feed to send out the paper. Further, the paper feed control unit 116 controls each paper feed unit 14 to send out the paper in the case of actual paper feed.

  The physical property information acquisition unit 118 acquires physical property information of the paper sent from the paper supply unit 14, that is, the paper stacked on the paper supply tray 26. In the present embodiment, the physical property information acquisition unit 118 acquires the thickness of the paper as the physical property information of the paper. Specifically, the physical property information acquisition unit 118 acquires the thickness of the paper detected by the thickness detection mechanism 50 during the test paper feeding. The physical property information acquisition unit 118 registers the acquired thickness of the paper or a thickness obtained by multiplying the thickness by a margin rate in the storage unit 132 as a “thickness reference value”.

  The test sheet feeding is performed to adjust the suction pressure and the sheet feeding pressure of each sheet feeding unit, and is normally performed a plurality of times for each sheet feeding unit 14. In the present embodiment, the physical property information acquisition unit 118 acquires the physical property information of the paper for each paper supply unit 14 for each paper supply unit, and overwrite-registers the thickness reference value based on the acquired physical property information in the storage unit 132. . Therefore, the storage unit 132 stores the thickness reference value based on the physical property information acquired in the last test paper feed. In the test paper feed, the suction pressure and the paper feed pressure are adjusted so that the double feed does not occur. Therefore, it is considered that the double feed has not occurred in the last test paper feed for which the adjustment has been completed. Of course, the user also visually confirms that double feed has not occurred in order to check whether the adjustment has been properly performed. That is, the thickness reference value based on the physical property information acquired in the last test paper feed stored in the storage unit 132 can be said to be the thickness reference value based on the physical property information when no double feed occurs.

  Note that the physical property information acquisition unit 118 acquires physical property information of the paper for each test paper feed, and the storage unit if the thickness reference value based on the acquired physical property information is smaller than the thickness reference value registered in the storage unit 132 The thickness reference value registered in 132 may be overwritten and registered. That is, the storage unit 132 may hold the minimum thickness reference value. In addition, the physical property information acquisition unit 118 may acquire physical property information of a sheet for each test paper feed, and additionally register a thickness reference value based on the acquired physical property information in the storage unit 132. That is, the storage unit 132 may hold the thickness reference value based on all the physical property information acquired by the physical property information acquisition unit 118 in the test paper feeding. In this case, the physical property information acquisition unit 118 determines the minimum thickness reference value of all the thickness reference values as the thickness reference value used in the multifeed determination at a predetermined timing such as after the end of the test paper feed. Also good.

  The double feed determination unit 120 includes a first double feed determination unit 134 and a second double feed determination unit 136. The first double feed determination unit 134 determines whether double feed has occurred for each paper feed unit 14 using the detection result of the thickness detection mechanism 50. Specifically, the first double feed determination unit 134 determines whether the thickness of the paper detected by the thickness detection mechanism 50 is thicker than the thickness reference value. When it is thicker than the thickness reference value, the first double feed determination unit 134 determines that double feed has occurred. Therefore, the thickness detection mechanism 50 and the first double feed determination unit 134 function as mechanical double feed detection means for detecting the occurrence of double feed.

  The second double feed determination unit 136 determines whether double feed has occurred for each paper feed unit 14 using the detection result of the ultrasonic sensor 52. Specifically, in the second double feed determination unit 136, the amplitude of the ultrasonic wave detected by the geophone 102 when the paper passes between the oscillator 100 and the geophone 102 is stored in the storage unit 132 in advance. It is determined whether or not it is smaller than a predetermined “amplitude reference value”. When smaller than the amplitude reference value, the second double feed determination unit 136 determines that double feed has occurred. Therefore, the ultrasonic sensor 52 and the second double feed determination unit 136 function as ultrasonic double feed detection means for detecting the occurrence of double feed.

  The paper form determination unit 122 determines, for each paper supply unit 14, whether the paper sent out by the paper supply mechanism 28, that is, the paper stacked on the paper supply tray 26, is a folded paper or a pear paper. . That is, the paper form determination unit 122 determines the paper form of the sheets stacked on each paper feed tray 26. When the multi-feed is detected by the ultrasonic multi-feed detection unit in the test paper feed, the paper form determination unit 122 determines that the paper stacked on the corresponding paper feed tray 26 is a folded paper. On the other hand, when the multi-feed is not detected by the ultrasonic multi-feed detection unit in the test paper feed, the paper form determination unit 122 determines that the paper stacked on the corresponding paper feed tray 26 is a pell paper. . The paper form determination unit 122 registers the determination result of the paper form in the storage unit 132.

  As described above, the test paper feed is performed a plurality of times for each paper feed unit. The ultrasonic double feed detection unit operates for each test paper feed, and the paper form determination unit 122 determines the paper form for each test paper feed, and overwrites and registers the determination result in the storage unit 132. Therefore, the storage unit 132 stores the determination result of the paper form in the last test paper supply that can be said to have no double feed.

  The double feed detection control unit 124 determines, for each paper feed unit 14, whether the double feed in the actual paper feed is detected by the mechanical double feed detection unit or the ultrasonic double feed detection unit. The double feed detection control unit 124 determines that the paper feed unit 14 whose determination result by the paper form determination unit 122 is folded paper detects double feed by the mechanical double feed detection unit. On the other hand, the multi-feed detection control unit 124 determines that the paper feed unit 14 whose determination result by the paper form determination unit 122 is pelled paper is to detect double feed by the ultrasonic multi-feed detection means.

  The storage unit 132 stores various types of information. For example, the storage unit 132 stores information that uniquely identifies the paper feeding unit 14, a thickness reference value, and an ultrasonic reference value in association with each other. In addition, for example, the storage unit 132 stores information that uniquely identifies the paper feeding unit 14 and the determination result by the paper form determination unit 122 in association with each other.

  The transport control unit 126 controls the transport of paper by the sub transport unit 34 and the main transport unit 36. The sandwiching control unit 128 controls the sandwiching sheet feeding unit 16 and the sandwiching unit 20. Specifically, the pinch control unit 128 sets the pinch paper feed unit 16 so that the pinch paper is positioned below the main transport unit 36 before the sheet bundle conveyed by the main conveyance unit 36 reaches the pinch unit 20. Let the paper feed. Further, the pinching control unit 128 lowers the folding knife 42 at the timing when the sheet bundle conveyed by the main conveyance unit 36 hits the pinching sheet. The discharge control unit 130 controls the discharge of the sheet bundle by the discharge unit 22 and loads the created sheet bundle on the stacking unit 24.

  6 and 7 are flowcharts showing the operation of the sheet feeding device 10. FIG. 6 shows an operation when a test paper feed button (not shown) displayed on the operation screen of the sub operation unit 106 of a paper feed unit 14 is pressed by the user. As shown in FIG. 6, the accepting unit 114 accepts a test paper feed start instruction (S10). Then, the thickness detection mechanism 50 and the ultrasonic sensor 52 are started (S12). In this state, the paper feed control unit 116 feeds paper to the paper feed unit 14 whose test paper feed button has been pressed (S14). The physical property information acquisition unit 118 acquires the thickness of the paper detected from the thickness detection mechanism 50, and registers it as a thickness reference value in the storage unit 132 (S16).

  The second double feed determination unit 136 determines whether double feed has occurred using the detection result of the ultrasonic sensor 52 (S18). When the second double feed determination unit 136 detects double feed, the paper form determination unit 122 determines that the paper stacked on the paper feed tray 26 is a folded sheet, and the second double feed determination unit 136 determines the double feed. If the feeding is not detected, it is determined that the paper loaded on the paper feed tray 26 is a pelled paper (S20). The paper form determination unit 122 registers the determination result in the storage unit 132. If the test paper feed button is kept pressed (Y in S22), the process returns to S14. If the test paper feed button has not been pressed (N in S22), the process ends.

  FIG. 7 shows an operation when a real paper feed button (not shown) displayed on the operation screen of the main operation unit 104 is pressed by the user. As shown in FIG. 7, the accepting unit 114 accepts a start instruction for actual paper feeding (S30). The double feed detection control unit 124 refers to the determination result of the paper form of each paper feed unit 14 stored in the storage unit 132, and for each paper feed unit 14, the double feed in the actual paper feed is detected by the mechanical double feed detection. It is determined which of the means and the ultrasonic double feed detection means is used for detection (S32). Subsequently, the thickness detection mechanism 50 and the ultrasonic sensor 52 are started (S34). In this state, the paper feed control unit 116 feeds each paper feed unit 14 (S36). The double feed determination unit 120 determines whether double feed has occurred for each paper feed unit 14 (S38). If it is determined that double feeding has occurred in at least one paper feed unit 14 (Y in S40), the paper feed control unit 116 stops paper feed for all the paper feed units 14 (S42). If it is determined that double feeding has not occurred (N in S40), if the creation of the designated number of sheet bundles has been completed (Y in S44), the process ends. If not completed (N in S44), the process returns to S36.

  According to the paper feeding device 10 according to the present embodiment, when the paper loaded on the paper feeding tray 26 is a pella paper, the double feeding is detected by the ultrasonic double feeding detecting means and is loaded on the paper feeding tray 26. When the folded paper is folded paper, the double feed is detected by the mechanical double feed detecting means. That is, depending on the form of the stacked paper, it is possible to detect double feed by a more accurate double feed detection means, and it is possible to improve the detection accuracy of double feed. The mechanical double feed detecting means is used when the sheet is a folded sheet, that is, when the difference in thickness is relatively large between one sheet and two stacked sheets. Therefore, even if the component accuracy of the components constituting the mechanical double feed detection means is relatively low, it is possible to detect double feed with high accuracy. For this reason, the cost of the sheet feeding device 10 is reduced.

  The sheet feeder according to the embodiment has been described above. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it is understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. Hereinafter, a modification is shown.

(Modification 1)
The paper form determination unit 122 may determine whether or not the thickness of the paper detected by the thickness detection mechanism 50 in the test paper feed is equal to or greater than a predetermined thickness. Then, when the detected sheet thickness is equal to or greater than the predetermined thickness, the sheet form determination unit 122 may not detect the double feed by the ultrasonic double feed detection unit in the test paper feed, but the paper is folded. It may be determined that In other words, when the detected paper thickness is equal to or greater than a predetermined thickness, the paper form determination unit 122 may determine that the mechanical double feed detection unit detects double feed in the actual paper feed. . This is because if the paper is a predetermined thickness or more, the double feed can be detected with relatively high accuracy by the mechanical double feed detection means whether it is a folded paper or a paper sheet. On the other hand, when the thickness of the detected paper is smaller than a predetermined thickness, the paper form determination unit 122 may determine that the double feed in the actual paper feed is detected by the ultrasonic double feed detection unit. This is because, when the paper is thinner than a predetermined thickness, it is difficult to detect double feed by the mechanical double feed detection means whether it is folded paper or perforated paper.

  For example, the sheet form determination unit 122 has a thickness that is not less than the minimum thickness and not more than the maximum thickness of the sheets detected by the thickness detection mechanism 50 in the test sheet feeding, and is detected by the thickness detection mechanism 50. Whether or not the sheets stacked on the sheet feed tray 26 are folded sheets may be determined based on whether or not the thickness determined based on the thickness of the sheet is equal to or greater than a predetermined thickness.

  More specifically, for example, the sheet form determination unit 122 determines whether the minimum thickness of the sheet thicknesses detected by the thickness detection mechanism 50 in the test sheet feeding is equal to or greater than a predetermined thickness. It may be determined whether or not the sheets stacked on the paper 26 are folded sheets. Although the thickness detection mechanism 50 rarely detects a thickness larger than the actual paper thickness due to paper flapping or the like, the thickness detection mechanism 50 detects a thickness smaller than the actual paper thickness. Since there is no minimum thickness, it is the most reliable value. Therefore, by determining based on the minimum thickness, it is possible to more accurately determine whether or not the sheet is folded paper.

  Further, for example, the paper form determination unit 122 determines whether or not the thickness of the paper detected by the thickness detection mechanism 50 in the final test paper feed is equal to or greater than a predetermined thickness, and the paper stacked on the paper feed tray 26. It may be determined whether or not is a folded sheet. As described above, it is considered that no double feed has occurred at the time of the final test paper feed. Therefore, by determining based on the thickness of the paper detected in the final test paper feed, it is possible to more accurately determine whether or not the paper is folded.

  Further, for example, the paper form determination unit 122 is stacked on the paper feed tray 26 depending on whether or not the average thickness of the paper detected by the thickness detection mechanism 50 in the test paper feed is equal to or greater than a predetermined thickness. It may be determined whether or not the sheet is a folded sheet.

  Here, the “predetermined thickness” may be determined by experiment in consideration of the performance of the thickness detection mechanism 50 and the thickness of the thinnest paper that may be mounted. As an example, the “predetermined thickness” may be set to a thickness (for example, 70 μm) that is smaller than the thickness (80 to 90 μm) of two thinnest sheets that are generally in circulation. In this case, if the paper stacked on the paper feed tray 26 is a folded paper, the thickness of the paper detected by the thickness detection mechanism 50 naturally exceeds a predetermined thickness. Can be determined to be folded paper.

  Further, for example, each time a sheet is fed by test paper feed, the paper form determination unit 122 determines whether or not the thickness of the paper detected by the thickness detection mechanism 50 is equal to or greater than a predetermined thickness. It may be determined whether or not the sheets stacked on the tray 26 are folded sheets. In this case, once it is determined that the thickness of the sheet detected by the thickness detection mechanism 50 is smaller than the predetermined thickness, that is, it is determined that the sheet loaded on the sheet feeding tray 26 is not a folded sheet but a pella sheet. Then, regardless of the detection result of the thickness detection mechanism 50 in the subsequent test paper feed, it may be determined that the double feed in the actual paper feed is detected by the ultrasonic double feed detector.

  In this case, the double feed detection may be started after the second sheet is fed. Specifically, first, double feed in the test paper feed is detected by the mechanical double feed detection means, and if it is determined that the paper loaded on the paper feed tray 26 is perforated paper, the subsequent test is performed. What is necessary is just to detect the double feed in the paper feed by the ultrasonic double feed detecting means. As a result, the load on the adjustment of the paper pressure and the paper feed pressure by the user is reduced.

(Modification 2)
A paper length detection mechanism that detects the length of the paper fed by the paper feed mechanism 28 may be provided. The paper length detection mechanism may be, for example, an optical sensor (for example, a paper feed sensor 82) provided in the paper conveyance path. While the paper is passing, the optical axis of the optical sensor is blocked. The blockage time is measured to detect the length. Here, the plurality of sheets that are being double-fed usually overlap in a shifted manner in the sheet conveyance direction. For this reason, when double feed occurs, the length of the detected paper becomes longer than usual. Therefore, it is possible to detect the occurrence of double feeding by detecting the length of the paper.

  In this case, the physical property information acquisition unit 118 acquires the length of the paper detected by the paper length detection mechanism in the test paper feed, and uses this length or a length obtained by multiplying this length by a margin rate as a “length reference”. Value ”is registered in the storage unit 132. The double feed determination unit 120 determines that a double feed has occurred when the paper length detected by the paper length detection mechanism in actual paper feeding is longer than the length reference value.

  The length reference value may be set in advance by the user. For example, in the case of a newspaper advertisement, a length obtained by multiplying the length of a newspaper by a predetermined margin rate may be used as the length reference value. This is because the newspaper advertisement usually does not exceed the length of the newspaper. In this case, the double feed determination unit 120 determines that double feed has occurred when the paper length detected by the paper length detection mechanism in actual paper feeding is longer than a reference value set by the user.

  The double feed detection based on the detection result of the length detection mechanism is performed, for example, instead of the ultrasonic double feed detection means in the first modification. One example is described below. For example, a paper length detection mechanism is provided in place of the ultrasonic double feed detection means. The paper form determination unit 122 determines whether the thickness of the paper detected by the thickness detection mechanism 50 in the test paper feed is equal to or greater than a predetermined thickness. When the thickness of the sheet is equal to or greater than a predetermined thickness, the sheet form determination unit 122 determines that the sheet is a folded sheet, regardless of whether the length detection mechanism detects the double feed in the test sheet feeding. In this case, since there is a high possibility that double feeding has actually occurred, it is desirable to perform test paper feeding again to obtain the thickness reference value. The double feed detection control unit 124 determines that the paper feed unit 14 whose determination result by the paper form determination unit 122 is folded paper detects double feed by the mechanical double feed detection unit. On the other hand, the double feed detection control unit 124 determines that the paper feed unit 14 whose determination result by the paper form determination unit 122 is pelled paper is to detect double feed using the detection result of the length detection mechanism.

(Modification 3)
In the second modification, the case where the double feed in the actual paper feeding is detected using the detection result of the paper length detection mechanism has been described, but the detection result of the paper length detection mechanism is used as the determination result of the paper form determination unit 122. It may be used to determine effectiveness.

  Specifically, in the test paper feed, when a double feed is detected based on the detection result of the paper length detection mechanism, the double feed detection control unit 124 determines the paper feed unit 14 in which the double feed is detected. The paper form determination result by the paper form determination unit 122 may be invalidated. The paper form determination unit 122 determines the paper form based on the detection result of the ultrasonic double feed detection means on the assumption that no double feed actually occurs, but the paper length detection mechanism detects the paper form. This is because, when double feed is detected based on the result, there is a high possibility that double feed has actually occurred, and the determination result of the paper form determination unit 122 at this time may be incorrect. In this case, the user may be notified by sound or display that there is a possibility that double feeding has actually occurred. Note that the length reference value used for the multi-feed determination in the test paper feed is a value set in advance by the user or the longest paper length in the specification (in the case of newspaper advertisement, the length of the newspaper folded in four). A value set by default may be used. Further, as the length reference value used for the double feed determination in the actual paper feed, as in the second modification, the length of the paper detected by the paper length detection mechanism in the test paper feed or this length is multiplied by a margin rate. Or a value set in advance by the user may be used.

(Modification 4)
Modification 1 and Modification 3 may be combined. In this case, when the thickness of the sheet detected by the thickness detection mechanism 50 in the test sheet feeding is equal to or greater than a predetermined thickness, the sheet form determination unit 122 determines that the sheet loaded on the sheet feeding tray 26 is a folded sheet. . However, at this time, if double feed is detected based on the detection result of the paper length detection mechanism, the double feed detection control unit 124 sets the paper form determination unit for the paper feed unit 14 in which the double feed is detected. The paper form determination result by 122 is invalidated.

(Modification 5)
In the embodiment, the sheet thickness is acquired in the test sheet feeding, and the thickness reference value is registered. Also, the paper form was determined in the test paper feed. As a modification, these may be performed in preliminary paper feeding. Here, “preliminary sheet feeding” means that each sheet feeding unit 14 feeds only one sheet and creates one sheet bundle. In this modification, when the accepting unit 114 accepts a preliminary paper feed start instruction, the paper feed control unit 116 causes each paper feed unit 14 to feed only one sheet. The physical property information acquisition unit 118 acquires the thickness detected by each thickness detection mechanism 50 at this time, and registers the thickness reference value based on the thickness in the storage unit 132. Further, the sheet form determination unit 122 determines the sheet form of the sheets stacked on the sheet feeding tray 26 of each sheet feeding unit 14 using the detection result of the ultrasonic sensor 52 of each sheet feeding unit 14 at this time. The determination result is registered in the storage unit 132.

(Modification 6)
Modification 3 and Modification 5 may be combined. In this case, in preliminary paper feeding, the paper form determination unit 122 determines the paper form of the paper loaded on the paper feed tray 26 for the paper feeding unit 14. However, when double feed is detected based on the detection result of the paper length detection mechanism, the double feed detection control unit 124 uses the paper form determination unit 122 for the paper feed unit 14 in which double feed is detected. Invalidate the judgment result of. The display control unit 112 displays the sheet feeding unit 14 whose determination result is invalid on the display unit of the main operation unit 104 and notifies the user. As the length reference value used for the multi-feed determination in the preliminary paper feed, a value set in advance by the user or a value set by default may be used as in the test paper feed of the third modification. . Further, as the length reference value used for the multi-feed determination in the actual sheet feeding, a value set in advance by the user or a value set by default may be used as in the actual sheet feeding in the third modification.

(Modification 7)
If there is a paper feed unit 14 that has not been determined by the paper form determination unit 122, or if there is a paper supply unit 14 for which the determination by the paper form determination unit 122 has been invalidated, the actual paper supply may not be performed. Good. In this case, the control unit 110 further includes an execution determination unit. When the accepting unit 114 accepts a start instruction for actual paper feeding, the execution judging unit refers to the judgment result of the paper form registered in the storage unit 132 and the paper feeding unit that has not been judged by the paper form judging unit 122 14 and whether there is a paper feed unit 14 in which the determination by the paper form determination unit 122 is invalidated. If there is no such paper feed unit 14, the process is continued. If there is such a paper supply unit 14, the process is interrupted. In the latter case, the display control unit 112 displays that the main operation unit 104 cannot start the actual paper feeding because there is a paper feeding unit 14 whose paper form has not been judged or a paper feeding unit whose judgment result has been invalidated. May be displayed to inform the user.

(Modification 8)
Instead of determining the sheet form of each sheet feeding unit 14 in the test sheet feeding and the preliminary sheet feeding, the sheet form may be determined in the actual sheet feeding. In this case, the sheet form determination unit 122 determines the sheet form when the first sheet is fed from each sheet feeding unit 14 in the actual sheet feeding. The double feed detection control unit 124 detects the double feed of the second and subsequent sheets based on the determination result of the paper form determination unit 122 at the time of feeding the first sheet and the ultrasonic double feed. It determines which of the detection means is used for detection. In this case, the double feed detection of the first sheet may not be performed.

(Modification 9)
The third modification and the eighth modification may be combined. In this modification, the double feed detection control unit 124 determines the paper form by the paper form determination unit 122 for the paper supply unit 14 for which double feed is detected by the paper length detection mechanism when the first sheet is fed. Results may be invalidated. In addition, when there is a paper feeding unit 14 in which double feeding is detected by the paper length detection mechanism when feeding the first sheet, the feeding may be stopped without feeding the second and subsequent sheets. As the length reference value used for the multi-feed determination in the first sheet feeding, a value set in advance by the user or a value set by default is used as in the test sheet feeding of the third modification. May be. In addition, as the length reference value used for the double feed determination in the second and subsequent sheet feeds, a value set in advance by the user or a value set by default is used as in the case of the actual sheet feed in the third modification. May be.

(Modification 10)
The user may be allowed to input the sheet form of the sheets stacked on the sheet feeding tray 26 of each sheet feeding unit 14. In this case, the reception unit 114 receives the sheet form of each sheet feeding unit 14 input by the user. The double feed detection control unit 124 determines, based on the paper form input by the user, whether the double feed is detected by the mechanical double feed detection unit or the ultrasonic double feed detection unit.

  Further, even when the paper form is input by the user, the paper form determination unit 122 may determine the paper form in the test paper feed (or the preliminary paper feed or the first paper feed). . When the paper form input by the user is different from the paper form determined by the paper form determination unit 122, the display control unit 112 may display the fact on the display unit of the main operation unit 104.

  Further, it may be possible to select whether or not the determination by the paper form determination unit 122 is performed. In this case, the accepting unit 114 accepts the selection. For the paper feed unit 14 that is not determined by the paper form determination unit 122, the double feed detection control unit 124 determines whether the mechanical double feed detection unit and the ultrasonic double feed detection unit are based on the paper form input by the user. Decide which of the multiple feeds will be detected. In addition, when the input of the paper form by the user for the paper feeding unit 14 that is not determined by the paper form determination unit 122 is not received, the processing may be stopped.

(Modification 11)
The paper supply unit 14 may include an optical sensor that detects the amount of light transmitted through the paper, instead of the ultrasonic sensor 52. In this case, the optical sensor detects the amount of light transmitted through the paper during test paper feeding, preliminary paper feeding, or the first paper feeding of the paper feeding unit 14 in the real paper feeding. This value or a value obtained by subtracting a predetermined margin value from this value is registered in the storage unit 132 as a “transmission amount reference value”. The paper form determination unit 122 determines whether the amount of light detected by the optical sensor in the test paper supply is equal to or less than a transmission amount reference value. Here, since the transmission amount reference value suitable for the paper is not yet determined at the test paper feed stage, the numerical value determined in advance by default based on the light transmission amount of the standard paper is transmitted. Use as quantity reference value. The sheet form determination unit 122 determines that the sheet is a folded sheet when the detected light amount is equal to or less than the transmission amount reference value. On the other hand, when the detected light amount is larger than the transmission amount reference value, the paper form determination unit 122 determines that the paper is a pella paper.

  The double feed detection control unit 124 determines that the paper feed unit 14 whose determination result by the paper form determination unit 122 is folded paper detects double feed by the mechanical double feed detection unit. On the other hand, the multi-feed detection control unit 124 determines that the paper feed unit 14 whose determination result by the paper form determination unit 122 is pelled paper is to detect multi-feed using the detection result of the optical sensor. When the detection result of the optical sensor is used, the double feed determination unit 120 determines that double feed has occurred when the amount of light detected by the optical sensor in actual paper feeding is lower than the transmission amount reference value. Note that the test paper feed in this modification may be the first time of preliminary paper feed or real paper feed.

(Modification 12)
When the thickness of the sheet detected by the thickness detection mechanism 50 in the actual sheet feeding is equal to or smaller than the thickness reference value, the physical property information acquisition unit 118 stores the thickness equal to or smaller than the thickness reference value in the storage unit 132 as a new thickness reference value. You may register. Alternatively, it may be switched so that the double feed detection in the actual paper feed is performed not by the mechanical double feed detection means but by the ultrasonic double feed detection means. In this case, switching to a new thickness reference value or switching to the ultrasonic double feed detection means is automatically performed (that is, the subsequent double feed detection is performed without detecting the instruction from the user). The double feed detection control unit 124 may determine that the sheet feeding operation is performed), and the sheet feeding operation may be continued as it is. When the switching is automatically performed, the display control unit 112 displays on the operation unit of the main operation unit 104 that the switching to the new thickness reference value or the switching to the double feed detection by the ultrasonic sensor 52 is performed. Then, the user may be notified.

  In addition, instead of automatically switching and continuing the paper feed, when the thickness of the paper detected by the thickness detection mechanism 50 is equal to or less than the thickness reference value, the paper feed is temporarily stopped and detected by the actual paper feed. This may be displayed when a thickness equal to or less than the thickness reference value is set as a new thickness reference value, and when switching to double feed detection by the ultrasonic double feed detection means. In this case, when the user presses the actual paper feed button again or presses a confirmation button or the like displayed separately, the real paper feed is resumed. In this way, the user can surely recognize that switching to a new thickness reference value or switching to double feed detection by the ultrasonic multifeed detection means. In addition, the user may be able to select whether to switch to a new thickness reference value or whether to switch to double feed detection by the ultrasonic double feed detection means.

  In addition, the fact that a thickness equal to or less than the thickness reference value is detected in the actual sheet feeding means that double feed has occurred when the thickness reference value is acquired in the first place. When the thickness reference value is acquired, the paper form determination unit 122 may determine the paper form. In this case, there is a possibility that the paper form determination is incorrect. Therefore, when a thickness equal to or smaller than the thickness reference value is detected in the actual paper feeding, the subsequent processing may be stopped. At this time, the display control unit 112 displays on the display unit of the main operation unit 104 that the determination of the paper form of the paper supply unit 14 in which the thickness equal to or less than the thickness reference value is detected may be incorrect. Also good. Further, the display control unit 112 may display on the display unit of the main operation unit 104 that it is necessary to determine the paper form again or accept the correction input of the paper form by the user.

(Modification 13)
When the displacement sensor 92 of the thickness detection mechanism 50 detects that the position of the detection surface 90a has changed stepwise, that is, when the thickness of the paper has changed stepwise, the first double feed determination unit 134 It may be determined that transmission has occurred. A plurality of sheets that are being double-fed usually overlap and deviate in the sheet conveyance direction. For this reason, for example, when two sheets of paper are being double-fed, the detection surface 90a moves up two steps and then moves down two steps.

  Further, the first double feed determination unit 134 determines that double feed has occurred when the maximum thickness of the paper detected by the thickness detection mechanism 50 is equal to or greater than the thickness reference value and the thickness of the paper changes stepwise. May be.

(Modification 14)
In the modified example 13, the case where the double feed in the actual paper feeding is detected using the fact that the displacement sensor 92 of the thickness detection mechanism 50 detects that the position of the detection surface 90a has changed stepwise has been described. The validity of the determination result of the paper form determination unit 122 may be determined based on whether or not the position of the detection surface 90a has changed stepwise. Specifically, when the displacement sensor 92 of the thickness detection mechanism 50 detects that the position of the detection surface 90a has changed stepwise in the test paper feed (or the first paper in the preliminary paper feed or the real paper feed), That is, when the paper thickness changes stepwise, the double feed detection control unit 124 may invalidate the paper form determination result by the paper form determination unit 122. The paper form determination unit 122 determines the paper form on the basis of the detection result of the ultrasonic double feed detection means on the assumption that no double feed actually occurs. This is because there is a high possibility that double feeding has actually occurred if the change has occurred, and the determination result of the paper form determination unit 122 at this time may be incorrect. In this case, the user may be notified by sound or display that there is a possibility that double feeding has actually occurred.

(Modification 15)
In the embodiment, the case where each of the paper feeding units 14A to 14T and the sandwich paper feeding unit 16 includes both the thickness detection mechanism 50 and the ultrasonic sensor 52 has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, one of the paper feeding units 14 </ b> A to 14 </ b> T and the sandwiching paper feeding unit 16 or a part of the paper feeding units may include both the thickness detection mechanism 50 and the ultrasonic sensor 52. Further, the remaining paper feeding units may or may not include either one of the thickness detection mechanism 50 and the ultrasonic sensor 52.

  In this case, the display control unit 112 may display whether each sheet feeding unit 14 includes the thickness detection mechanism 50 and / or the ultrasonic sensor 52. For example, the display control unit 112 includes (1) a sheet feeding unit 14 including the thickness detection mechanism 50, (2) a sheet feeding unit 14 including the ultrasonic sensor 52, and (3) both the thickness detection mechanism 50 and the ultrasonic sensor 52. (4) The sheet feeding unit 14 that does not include any of the thickness detection mechanism 50 and the ultrasonic sensor 52 may be displayed in a distinguishable manner. In this case, a sheet having a large margin is stacked on the sheet feeding unit 14 in (4) and the other sheets are stacked on the sheet feeding unit 14 in (3), or sandwiched sheets are loaded in (2) or (3). For example, stacking on the paper feed unit 14 or stacking of pella paper on the paper feed unit 14 of (1) or (3) is performed on the paper feed unit 14 according to the double feed detection means provided in the paper feed unit 14. The paper form to be loaded can be selected and loaded.

  Further, the paper feeding sections 14 of (1) to (3) may be detached from the casing 12 and may be freely replaced and attached. A part of the plurality of paper feeding units 14 may be replaceable instead of the whole. When the paper feeding unit 14 is attached, the control unit 110 sends an inquiry signal to the attached paper feeding unit 14 via a connected connector, wireless communication means, or the like. Each paper feed unit 14 returns information indicating which of (1) to (3) is to the control unit 110 in response to the inquiry signal. Based on the returned information, the control unit 110 grasps the position of each paper feed unit 14 and whether the paper feed unit 14 is (1) to (3), and displays it on the display control unit 112. Let

(Modification 16)
In the test paper feed (or preliminary paper feed or the first paper feed), the paper form determination unit 122 determines that the paper stacked on the paper feed tray 26 is a folded paper. When the double feed detection by the mechanical double feed detection means is performed, the double feed detection by the ultrasonic double feed detection means may be performed in parallel (however, the double feed detection by the ultrasonic sensor 52 is not notified to the user). ). If folded sheets are stacked on the paper feed tray 26 as determined by the sheet form determination unit 122, the double feed should be detected every time by the ultrasonic double feed detection means. When the double feed is not detected by the double feed detection means, it is possible that the paper actually loaded on the paper feed tray 26 is the pelled paper, and double feed has occurred during the test paper feed. In this case, there is a possibility that the paper form determination is incorrect. For this reason, even if the sheet feeding is repeated a predetermined number of times in the actual sheet feeding, if the double feeding is not detected every time by the ultrasonic double feeding detecting means, the subsequent sheet feeding may be stopped. At this time, the display control unit 112 may display on the display unit of the main operation unit 104 that there is a possibility that the paper type of the paper supply unit 14 is erroneously determined. In addition, the display control unit 112 may display on the display unit of the main operation unit 104 that it is necessary to determine the paper form again or accept a paper form correction input by the user.

  In addition, when the multi-feed is not detected every time by the ultrasonic multi-feed detection means even if the paper feed is repeated a predetermined number of times in the real paper feed, similarly to the twelfth modification, the double feed detection in the real paper feed is detected by the mechanical double It may be switched so as to be performed not by the feed detection means but by the ultrasonic double feed detection means. In this case, switching to the ultrasonic multifeed detection means may be performed automatically, or a switch may be made after waiting for a user instruction such as pressing the actual paper feed button, Similarly to the twelfth modification, the user may be able to select whether or not to switch to the feed detection.

(Modification 17)
If the passage of paper is detected by only one of the thickness detection mechanism 50 and the ultrasonic sensor 52 during the test paper feed (or the preliminary paper feed or the first paper feed), the paper form determination is performed. Instead of performing the determination by the unit 122, the double feed detection of the actual paper feed may be performed by the mechanism or sensor that detects the passage of the paper. Some sheets to be stacked have a small size in the width direction, and depending on the stacking position in the width direction, either the thickness detection mechanism 50 or the ultrasonic sensor 52 may be out of the sheet passage range. Conceivable. In that case, the mechanism or sensor outside the paper passage range cannot detect the paper passage itself. If the other mechanism or sensor detects the passage of the sheet, the sheet is fed out itself, so that it is possible to detect double feeding with the detected mechanism or sensor. However, when double feed is detected by the ultrasonic sensor 52 in the test paper feed, there is a high possibility that the paper is a folded paper, and the double feed detection of the folded paper is performed by the mechanical double feed detection means, that is, the thickness detection mechanism 50. It is difficult to detect double feed with high accuracy unless double feed detection using the detection result is performed. Therefore, in this case, it is preferable to perform a display prompting the user to correct the sheet stacking position to a position at least detectable by the thickness detection mechanism 50.

  If only one of the thickness detection mechanism 50 and the ultrasonic sensor 52 detects the passage of the paper, it can be detected by both the thickness detection mechanism 50 and the ultrasonic sensor 52 regardless of the detection result. A display prompting the user to correct the paper stacking position at the position may be performed. This is because it is desirable to detect the sheet by both sensors and perform the determination by the sheet form determination unit 122. When the passage of the sheet is not detected by both the thickness detection mechanism 50 and the ultrasonic sensor 52, the sheet is stacked at a position where no mechanism or sensor is applied, or the sheet is not fed out itself ( Since this is one of the cases where a blank feed has occurred), that fact is displayed.

  A mark may be attached so that the position in the width direction of the thickness detection mechanism 50 and the ultrasonic sensor 52 can be seen when the apparatus is viewed from the upstream side in the paper feeding direction. When the user stacks sheets according to this mark, it is possible to prevent the sheets from being stacked in a position that does not pass through the thickness detection mechanism 50 and / or the ultrasonic sensor 52 in advance. And the ultrasonic sensor 52 can be easily corrected when they are stacked at a position that does not pass through either or both of them.

  The thickness detection mechanism 50 and / or the ultrasonic sensor 52 may be movable in the width direction so that the position can be set according to the sheet stacking position. In this case, it is preferable to adopt an integral configuration or an interlocked configuration so that the mark moves as the mechanism or sensor moves. Note that the distance in the width direction between the thickness detection mechanism 50 and the ultrasonic sensor 52 is preferably close. For example, it is desirable to be within 100 mm. This is because even a sheet having a small size in the width direction can be determined by the sheet form determination unit 122 by passing both the thickness detection mechanism 50 and the ultrasonic sensor 52.

(Modification 18)
For each paper feed unit 14 having both the thickness detection mechanism 50 and the ultrasonic sensor 52, whether the double feed in the actual paper feed is detected by the mechanical double feed detection means or the ultrasonic double feed detection means. , May be determined in advance by default. If the test paper feed (or preliminary paper feed) is not performed, and therefore the determination by the paper form determination unit 122 is not performed, the double feed detection in the actual paper feed is performed with the default setting contents. According to this modification, even when the test paper feed (or preliminary paper feed) is omitted, the real paper feed can be started. In addition, when test paper feeding (or preliminary paper feeding) is performed, the double feed detection means determined by the double feed detection control unit 124 based on the determination result of the paper form determination unit 122 and the double feed detection determined by default. The means may be different. In this case, the double feed detection in the actual paper feed may be performed by the double feed detection means determined by the double feed detection control unit 124 instead of the double feed detection means determined by default. Note that the switching from the default double feed detection means to the double feed detection means determined by the double feed detection control unit 124 may be performed automatically, or the user may switch by a switch operation or the like.

(Modification 19)
The actual paper feed proceeds, the sheets stacked in each paper feed unit 14 having both the mechanical double feed detection means and the ultrasonic double feed detection means disappear, and the papers are stacked again on the same paper feed unit 14. After that, when the paper feeding unit 14 performs the actual paper feeding without performing the test paper feeding, the mechanical double feed detecting means and the ultrasonic weight are detected at the first paper feeding after the paper is loaded again. The double feed detection may be performed by both of the feed detection means, and the paper form determination unit 122 may determine the paper form of the stacked paper again. After the sheets run out, different types of sheets may be stacked on the same sheet feeding unit 14 after that. If the user performs a test paper feed on the paper feed unit 14 loaded with paper again, it is sufficient to determine the paper form at that time, but the real paper feed is resumed without the test paper feed due to forgetting. There are cases. In this case, there is a risk of erroneous detection.

  When the folded paper is stacked on the paper feeding unit 14 in which the loaded pella paper has run out, the paper shape determination unit 122 determines that the paper is folded at the time of the first actual paper feeding, and thereafter the mechanical type. Double feed detection means detects double feed. When peller sheets are stacked on the sheet feeding unit 14 in which the folded sheets that have been stacked are no longer present, the sheet form determination unit 122 determines that the sheet is a peller sheet at the time of the first actual sheet feeding, and thereafter ultrasonic waves are used. Double feed is detected by the type double feed detection means. When the paper is loaded again on the paper feeding unit 14 in which the loaded paper has run out, the paper shape determination unit 122 determines that the paper is the paper for the first actual paper feeding after that, and the paper is used after that. In the same manner as before the disappearance, double feed is detected by the ultrasonic double feed detection means. When the folded sheets are stacked again on the sheet feeding unit 14 in which the folded sheets that have been stacked are no longer present, the sheet form determination unit 122 determines that the folded sheets are used during the first actual sheet feeding, and then In the same way as before the paper runs out, the double feed is detected by the mechanical double feed detecting means. However, even if the same pella paper or the same folded paper may have different thicknesses, the thickness acquired in the first actual paper feed after the paper is loaded again is used as a new thickness reference value. Subsequent double feed detection is performed. The same applies to the length reference value and the transmission amount reference value. According to this modification, regardless of whether or not the paper newly stacked on the paper supply unit 14 that has run out of paper and the paper that has been stacked before the paper runs out are different, Therefore, it is possible to perform appropriate multi-feed detection according to the new paper form.

  Whether or not the paper has run out is determined by the paper presence / absence detection sensor 74. When there is no sheet loaded, the sheet presence / absence detection sensor 74 is turned off (no sheet is detected), so that the sheet feeding is temporarily stopped to notify the user of “no sheet”. Thereafter, when the sheets are loaded again, the sheet presence / absence detection sensor 74 detects the sheets again and is turned on. Therefore, after the sheet presence / absence detection sensor 74 is turned off and then on again, when the actual sheet feeding is started without the test sheet feeding, the sheet form determination unit 122 determines the sheet form. Just do it. After the paper form determination unit 122 determines the paper form, the paper supply is stopped again and the user is prompted to press the confirmation button or the real paper supply button again so that the user can reliably recognize that the paper form determination has been performed. It may be. This re-stop is performed only when the determination result of the paper form is different from that before the paper runs out. If the result is the same as before the paper runs out, the real paper feeding may be continued as it is.

(Modification 20)
In each paper feed unit 14 having both the thickness detection mechanism 50 and the ultrasonic sensor 52, the paper form determination unit 122 determines that the paper is folded, so that the real paper feed is performed while detecting double feed by the mechanical double feed detection means. The paper is stacked, the paper is stacked again on the same paper feed unit 14, and then the paper is fed again without performing the test paper feed in the paper feed unit 14. If the thickness of the paper detected by the thickness detection mechanism 50 is different from the thickness of the paper before the paper runs out (that is, the thickness reference value) during the first paper feeding after The thickness may be set as a new thickness reference value. In that case, the display control unit 112 notifies the user by displaying on the display unit of the main operation unit 104 that the thickness reference value has changed. Even if the thickness reference value is automatically changed and the sheet feeding is continued, the sheet feeding may be stopped once so that the user can reliably recognize the change of the thickness reference value.

  The thickness of the sheet detected by the thickness detection mechanism 50 at the time of actual sheet feeding after the sheets are stacked again is smaller than the thickness before the sheet runs out, and the difference from before the sheet runs out becomes a predetermined value. When it has exceeded, you may change to the double feed detection by an ultrasonic type double feed detection means. For example, if a thickness of less than half of the thickness before the paper runs out is detected, there is a high possibility that the paper has been loaded while the folded paper has been loaded. It is. Even if it is automatically changed to the double feed detection by the ultrasonic double feed detection means and the paper feed is continued, the paper feed is once stopped and changed to the double feed detection by the ultrasonic double feed detection means. The user may be able to reliably recognize. Alternatively, the paper feed may be temporarily stopped and a display prompting the user to change to the double feed detection by the ultrasonic double feed detection unit may be performed, and the change itself may be performed by a button or switch operation. It should be noted that the paper presence / absence detection sensor 74 determines that the paper has run out and has been loaded again.

(Modification 21)
In each paper feed unit 14 having both the thickness detection mechanism 50 and the ultrasonic sensor 52, the paper form determination unit 122 determines that the paper is a perforated paper, and thus the actual paper feed while detecting double feed by the ultrasonic double feed detection unit. Progresses, the stacked sheets run out, the sheets are stacked again on the same sheet feeding unit 14, and then the sheet feeding unit 14 performs the actual sheet feeding without performing the test sheet feeding. When the double feeding is detected by the ultrasonic double feed detection means at the time of the first paper feeding after being loaded, it may be changed to the double feed detection by the mechanical double feed detection means. This is because when the double feed is detected by the ultrasonic double feed detecting means, there is a high possibility that the folded sheets are stacked. In that case, the display control unit 112 displays on the display unit of the main operation unit 104 that the change to the double feed detection by the mechanical double feed detection unit is displayed and notifies the user. Even if it is automatically changed to the double feed detection by the mechanical double feed means and the paper feed is continued, the user can surely recognize that the paper feed is stopped and the detection is changed to the detection by the mechanical double feed detection. You may do it. Alternatively, the paper feed may be stopped once, and a display prompting the user to change to the double feed detection by the mechanical double feed detection means may be performed, and the change itself may be performed by a button or switch operation by the user. It should be noted that the paper presence / absence detection sensor 74 determines that the paper has run out and has been loaded again.

(Modification 22)
In the embodiment, the case where the paper feeding mechanism 28 is a so-called friction type paper feeding mechanism that feeds paper using frictional force has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The paper feed mechanism 28 may be a so-called suction-type paper feed mechanism that feeds a paper by using an air adsorption force.

  Combinations of the above-described embodiments and any combination of the above-described embodiments and modifications are also useful as embodiments of the present invention. The new embodiment generated by the combination has the effects of the combined embodiment and the modified examples. In addition, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the functions to be fulfilled by the constituent elements described in the claims are realized by the individual constituent elements shown in the embodiments and the modified examples or by their linkage. .

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 paper feeder, 14 paper feeder, 16 pinch paper feeder, 18 conveyance part, 26 paper feed tray, 28 paper feed mechanism, 30 paper feed tray, 32 paper feed mechanism, 50 thickness detection mechanism, 52 ultrasonic sensor , 100 oscillator, 102 geophone, 110 control unit, 112 display control unit, 114 reception unit, 116 paper feed control unit, 118 physical property information acquisition unit, 120 double feed determination unit, 122 paper form determination unit, 124 double feed detection control Part, 132 storage part.

Claims (14)

A paper feeding means for feeding the paper from a paper stacking unit on which one of the folded paper and the pella paper is stacked;
A first detection unit configured to detect a double feed based on information detected by the thickness detection unit, including a thickness detection unit that detects information related to a thickness of the paper fed by the paper feed unit;
Second detection means configured to detect double feed on a principle different from that of the first detection means;
Determination means for determining whether the paper stacked on the paper stacking unit is a folded paper or a pear paper,
The determination means is configured to detect the paper when the second detection means detects double feeding when one of the papers stacked on the paper stacking unit is sent out by the paper feeding means in the test paper feeding. A sheet feeding device that determines that a sheet stacked on the stacking unit is a folded sheet, and determines that a sheet stacked on the sheet stacking unit is a peller sheet when no double feed is detected. . A paper feeding means for feeding the paper from a paper stacking unit on which one of the folded paper and the pella paper is stacked;
A first detection unit configured to detect a double feed based on information detected by the thickness detection unit, including a thickness detection unit that detects information related to a thickness of the paper fed by the paper feed unit;
Second detection means configured to detect double feed on a principle different from that of the first detection means;
Determination means for determining whether the paper stacked on the paper stacking unit is a folded paper or a pear paper,
The determination unit is a sheet specified by information on the thickness detected by the thickness detection unit when one of the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking unit in the test sheet feeding is sent out by the sheet feeding unit. If the thickness of the paper stack is equal to or greater than a predetermined thickness, it is determined that the paper stacked on the paper stacking unit is a folded sheet. If the thickness is smaller than the predetermined thickness, the paper stacked on the paper stacking unit is a pella sheet. It is determined that the sheet feeding device.   The determination means is a thickness determined based on the thickness of the paper detected by the thickness detection means in the test paper feed, and is in a range not less than the minimum thickness detected by the thickness detection means and not more than the maximum thickness. If the thickness of the paper stacking section is equal to or greater than a predetermined thickness, it is determined that the paper stacked on the paper stacking section is a folded sheet. The sheet feeding device according to claim 2, wherein the sheet feeding device is determined to be.   The determination unit determines that the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking unit is a folded sheet when the minimum thickness among the sheet thicknesses detected by the thickness detection unit in the test sheet feeding is a predetermined thickness or more. 4. The paper feeding device according to claim 3, wherein if the thickness is smaller than a predetermined thickness, the paper loaded on the paper stacking unit is determined to be a peller paper.   The determination unit determines that the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking unit is a folded sheet when the thickness of the sheet detected by the thickness detection unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined thickness in the last test sheet feeding, 4. The sheet feeding device according to claim 3, wherein the sheet loaded on the sheet stacking unit is determined to be a peller sheet when the thickness is smaller than the thickness of the sheet stacking unit. When the determination unit determines that the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking unit is a folded sheet, the first detection unit detects double feed in the actual sheet feeding,
6. The multi-feed in the actual paper feeding is detected by the second detection unit when the determination unit determines that the paper stacked on the paper stacking unit is a peller paper. The paper feeder according to any one of the above. A length detecting means for detecting information relating to the length of the paper sent out by the paper feeding means;
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the length of the sheet specified by the information detected by the length detection unit is a predetermined length or more, the determination result by the determination unit is invalidated. The sheet feeding device according to any one of 1 to 6.   The determination result by the determination unit is invalidated when the thickness of the sheet specified by the information on the thickness detected by the thickness detection unit changes stepwise. Item 8. The sheet feeding device according to any one of Items 1 to 7.   The multi-feed in the actual paper feeding is detected by a predetermined detection means of the first detection means and the second detection means when the determination by the determination means is not performed. The paper feeding device according to any one of 8.   In the preliminary feeding instead of the test paper feeding, the determination means performs double feeding by the second detection means when one of the sheets stacked on the paper stacking unit is sent out by the paper feeding means. If detected, it is determined that the paper stacked on the paper stacking unit is a folded paper, and if no double feed is detected, it is determined that the paper stacked on the paper stacking unit is a pella paper. The paper feeding device according to claim 1, wherein: When the second detection unit detects a double feed in the first sheet feeding of the actual sheet feeding instead of the test sheet feeding, the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking unit is a folded sheet. If the multi-feed is not detected, it is determined that the paper stacked on the paper stacking unit is pella paper,
When the determination unit determines that the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking unit is a folded sheet, the first detection unit detects a double feed of the second and subsequent sheets of the actual sheet supply,
When it is determined by the determination means that the paper is stacked on the paper stacking unit, the second detection means detects a double feed of the second and subsequent sheets of the actual paper feed. The sheet feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 9. A receiving unit that receives information indicating whether the paper stacked on the paper stacking unit is a folded paper or a pear paper;
A display control unit configured to display a warning on a predetermined display unit when the paper form specified by the information received by the receiving unit is different from the paper form determined by the determination unit; The paper feeding device according to claim 1. A second paper feeding means;
13. The sheet bundle according to claim 1, wherein the sheet bundle includes a sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit and a sheet fed from the second sheet feeding unit. The paper feeder described. A second paper feeding means;
A third paper feeding means,
A sheet bundle including a sheet fed from the second sheet feeding unit and a sheet fed from the third sheet feeding unit is sandwiched depending on the sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit. The paper feeding device according to claim 1.

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