JP2020050475A - Medium discharging device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a medium discharging device to smoothly carry out medium discharge.SOLUTION: A sheet discharging device 1 (one example of a medium discharging device) comprises: a first conveyor 10 (one example of a first conveying part) that conveys a sheet bundle SB (one example of a media bundle) which is a plurality of loaded sheets S (one example of media); a first conveyor conveyance driving part 51 (one example of a first conveyance driving part) that drives the first conveyor 10; a lifting part 30 that lifts/lowers the first conveyor 10 to one or more of loading positions P1-1, P1-2 and P1-3 where the sheets S are loaded, and a delivering position P2 from which sheet bundle SB are delivered to a second conveyor 20 (one example of a second conveying part); and a control part 41. The control part 41, when the first conveyor 10 is moved from the loading position P1-3 to the delivering position P2, controls the first conveyor conveyance driving part 51 and the lifting part 30 in such a manner that the conveyance of the sheet bundle SB is started before the first conveyor 10 reaches the delivering position P2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3D

Description

  The present invention relates to a medium discharge device that conveys a medium bundle such as a sheet bundle.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a paper discharge device arranged on a paper discharge side of a printing device, a paper discharge device including a belt conveyor on which continuous paper discharged from the inside of the printing device is stacked, and transporting the paper by the belt conveyor is known. (For example, see Patent Document 1).

JP-A-9-301627

  By the way, when a sheet bundle (medium bundle) including a plurality of sheets (mediums) such as sheets discharged from a printing apparatus is transported by a transport unit such as a belt conveyor, sheets are sequentially stacked on the transport unit. Go. Thereafter, the transport unit descends to the transfer position, and transports the sheet bundle to the downstream transport unit.

  For example, a transport unit on which a large amount (thousands) of papers are loaded is loaded with paper so that the loading surface height (the height of the uppermost paper loaded on the transport unit) is kept constant. It descends as it goes. Then, the transport unit detects that the height of the stacked sheet bundle has reached the upper limit height, that is, when it is detected based on the height of the transport unit that the limit amount of sheets has been loaded, or When the number of sheets reaches the set number, when the print job is completed, etc., the sheet bundle moves down to the lowermost transfer position, and conveys the sheet bundle to the conveyance unit on the downstream side.

  However, a printing device or the like that performs processing on the paper from when the transport unit starts descending from the loading position to the transfer position, reaches the transfer position, conveys the sheet bundle, and rises again to the loading position. This causes a downtime in the processing device, and it is impossible to efficiently process the medium and eventually discharge the medium.

  Alternatively, when the transport unit transfers the sheet bundle to the transport unit on the downstream side in the transport direction at the transfer position, the sheet may be damaged such that the leading end of the lowermost sheet contacts the downstream transport unit and breaks. . Also, when the lowermost sheet that is in contact with the surface of the conveyance unit such as a belt is conveyed before or after the sheet bundle, stacking disorder is generated in the sheet bundle, and consequently the sheet bundle is broken. There is.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a medium discharge device that can discharge a medium smoothly.

  In one aspect, the medium discharge device includes a first transport unit that transports a plurality of stacked media bundles of media, a first transport drive unit that drives the first transport unit, and a first transport unit. Control unit controls the first transport driving unit and the lifting unit to move up and down to one or more loading positions where the medium is loaded, and to a transfer position for transferring the medium bundle to the second transport unit. A control unit, wherein, when moving the first transport unit from the loading position to the transfer position, the control unit starts transporting the medium bundle before the first transport unit reaches the transfer position. The first transport drive unit and the elevating unit are controlled so as to perform the operation.

  According to the above aspect, it is possible to smoothly discharge the medium.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a printing system including a sheet discharging device according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a control configuration of a sheet discharging device according to one embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram (part 1) for explaining the operation of the paper discharge device according to the embodiment; FIG. 6 is a diagram (part 2) for explaining the operation of the paper discharge device according to the embodiment; FIG. 6 is a diagram (part 3) for explaining the operation of the paper discharge device according to the embodiment; FIG. 10 is a view (No. 4) for explaining the operation of the paper discharge device according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a view (No. 5) for describing the operation of the paper discharge device according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a view (No. 6) for describing the operation of the paper discharge device according to the embodiment. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the paper discharge device according to one embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram (part 1) for describing an operation of the paper discharge device according to the modification of the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram (part 2) for explaining the operation of the paper discharge device according to the modification of the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a view (No. 3) for explaining the operation of the paper discharge device according to the modification of the embodiment. FIG. 14 is a view (No. 4) for explaining the operation of the paper discharge device according to the modification of the embodiment. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of a sheet discharging device according to a modification of the embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a sheet discharging device (an example of a medium discharging device) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a printing system 100 including a paper discharge device 1 according to an embodiment.

  The printing system 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a printing device 110, an intermediate device 120, and a sheet discharging device 1.

  In FIG. 1, the straight transport path R1 of the sheet S, which is an example of a medium, is indicated by a solid line, the circulating transport path R2 is indicated by a two-dot chain line, and the reverse transport path R3 is indicated by a broken line in the printing device 110 and the intermediate device 120. .

  The printing apparatus 110 includes a paper feed table 111, a paper feed roller 112, a plurality of transport roller pairs 113, a suction transport unit 114, a print unit 115, switching mechanisms 116 and 117, a discharge roller pair 118, And a paper stand 119.

Sheets S before printing are stacked on the sheet feeding table 111.
The paper feed roller 112 feeds out and transports the uppermost sheet S out of the plurality of sheets S stacked on the paper feed table 111.

  A plurality of pairs of transport rollers 113 are arranged in each of the straight transport path R1, the circulating transport path R2, and the reverse transport path R3 in the printing apparatus 110, and transport the paper S while nipping.

  The suction conveyance section 114 is arranged to face the printing section 115. The suction conveyance unit 114 conveys the sheet S by a belt while adsorbing the sheet S.

  The printing unit 115 has, for example, a line head type inkjet head (not shown) for each color used for printing. The printing method of the printing unit 115 may be a printing method other than the inkjet printing method.

  The switching mechanism 116 switches the transport path of the paper S on which printing has been performed by the printing unit 115, to a straight transport path R1 that continues to the intermediate device 120, and a circulating transport path R2 that continues to the discharge tray 119 and the reverse transport path R3. .

  The switching mechanism 117 switches the circulating transport path R2 of the sheet S between a transport path that continues to the sheet discharge tray 119 and a transport path that continues to the reverse transport path R3. The sheet S is turned upside down in the reverse conveyance path R3, and is conveyed to the printing unit 115 again.

The discharge roller pair 118 discharges the sheet S from the printing device 110 to the paper discharge tray 119.
Sheets S that are not ejected to the sheet ejection device 1 are stacked on the sheet ejection tray 119.

The intermediate device 120 has a transport roller pair 121 and a discharge roller pair 122.
The transport roller pair 121 transports the sheet S discharged from the printing apparatus 110.

  The discharge roller pair 122 discharges the sheet S transported by the transport roller pair 121 to the sheet discharge device 1.

  The intermediate device 120 may have, for example, a reverse transport path for reversing the front and back of the sheet S on which printing on both sides is performed.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a control configuration of the sheet discharging device 1.
As shown in FIG. 1, a paper discharge device 1 includes a first conveyor 10 that is an example of a first transport unit that transports a sheet bundle SB (an example of a medium bundle), which is a plurality of stacked sheets S, The first conveyor 10 includes a second conveyor 20 that is an example of a second conveyor that conveys the sheet bundle SB conveyed from the first conveyor 10, and an elevating unit 30 that elevates the first conveyor 10.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the paper discharge device 1 includes a control unit 41, a storage unit 42, an interface unit 43, a sensor 44, and a first conveyor transport, which is an example of a first transport driver (actuator). A drive unit 51 and a second conveyor transfer drive unit 52 which is an example of a second transfer drive unit (actuator) are provided. The elevating unit 30 shown in FIG. 1 has a first conveyor elevating driving unit 33 shown in FIG. 2 which is an example of an elevating driving unit (actuator).

  Although the sheet discharging device 1 is arranged in the printing system 100 including the single printing device 110, it may be arranged in a printing system including a plurality of printing devices or a processing device other than the printing device.

  Further, the paper discharge device 1 is arranged adjacent to the intermediate device 120, but may be arranged adjacent to the printing device 110 without the intermediate device 120. Further, the sheet discharging device 1 may be a sheet discharging device integrally including the intermediate device 120. The sheet discharge device 1 does not include the second conveyor 20 if the first conveyor 10 conveys the sheet bundle SB to the second conveyor 20 disposed in another device so as to transfer the sheet bundle SB. Is also good.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the first conveyor 10 has a belt 11 and pulleys 12 and 13.

  The belt 11 is stretched over pulleys 12 and 13. As described above, the sheet S discharged from the intermediate device 120, that is, the printed sheet S is stacked on the belt 11. Thus, the sheets S printed by the printing device 110 are sequentially stacked on the first conveyor 10 (belt 11). That is, the first conveyor 10 functions as a paper discharge tray. The belt 11 conveys a sheet bundle SB that is a plurality of sheets S.

  One of the pulleys 12 and 13 is a drive pulley to which power is transmitted from a first conveyor transport driving unit 51 described later, and the other is a driven pulley.

  The first conveyor 10 moves up and down along a pair of vertically extending guides 31 and 32 while being held by an arm (not shown) of the elevating unit 30.

The second conveyor 20 has a belt 21, pulleys 22 and 23, and a base 24.
The belt 21 is stretched over pulleys 22 and 23. The belt 21 is disposed downstream of the belt 11 in the transport direction D of the first conveyor 10 and transports the sheet bundle SB transported from the belt 11 to, for example, the center of the second conveyor 20 in the transport direction D. Thereafter, the sheet bundle SB is received by the user.

  However, a third transport unit such as a trolley on which a transport member such as a roller is disposed or a third conveyor may be disposed further downstream of the second conveyor 20 in the transport direction D. In addition, the second conveyor 20 itself may be a conveyance unit such as a carriage on which a conveyance member such as a roller is arranged, and in that case, a second conveyor conveyance driving unit 52 to be described later that drives the second conveyor 20 is omitted. It is possible.

  One of the pulleys 22 and 23 is a driving pulley to which power is transmitted from a second conveyor transport driving unit 52 described later, and the other is a driven pulley.

The base 24 is arranged below the second conveyor 20.
Here, since the first conveyor 10 and the second conveyor 20 have the belts 11 and 21, they can be said to be belt conveyors, but may be other conveyance units such as a roller conveyor. Also, in FIG. 1, the first conveyor 10 is accommodated in the casing, and the second conveyor 20 is not accommodated in the casing. However, both the first conveyor 10 and the second conveyor 20 are accommodated in the casing. It may be housed in the body, or both may not be housed in the housing. Further, a side fence, an end fence, or the like may be provided around the first conveyor 10.

  The control unit 41 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes a processor (for example, a central processing unit (CPU)) that functions as an arithmetic processing unit that controls the operation of the entire sheet discharging device 1, and includes a first conveyor transport driving unit 51 and a first conveyor elevating unit. The operation of each unit such as the driving unit 33 is controlled. The control unit 41 is not limited to a single control unit, and controls, for example, a control unit that controls the first conveyor transport driving unit 51 and the first conveyor lifting / lowering driving unit 33 and a second conveyor transport driving unit 52. The control unit and the control unit may be separately arranged.

  The storage unit 42 is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) which is a read-only semiconductor memory in which a predetermined control program is recorded in advance, and a work storage area as necessary when the processor executes various control programs. A random access memory (RAM), which is a semiconductor memory that can be written and read as needed, is used.

  The interface unit 43 exchanges various information with an external device such as a control unit of the printing system 100. For example, the interface unit 43 receives, from the control unit of the printing system 100, information that the printing of the print job has been completed, or information that the number of printed sheets has reached the set number, and the control unit 41 performs processing based on the information. The first conveyor lifting drive unit 33 is controlled so that the first conveyor 10 is lowered to the lower end transfer position P2 shown in FIGS. 3E and 3F. Then, the control unit 41 controls the first conveyor transport driving unit 51 so that the first conveyor 10 transports the sheet bundle SB.

  Alternatively, the control unit 41 determines that the height of the stacked sheet bundle SB has reached the upper limit height (that is, the limit amount of sheets S has been stacked on the first conveyor 10), or has reached the set height. When this is detected by the sensor that detects the height of the first conveyor 10, the first conveyor 10 is lowered to the transfer position P2, and the first conveyor lifting / lowering drive unit 33 and You may control the 1st conveyor conveyance drive part 51. Note that the number of stacked sheets SB of the upper limit height is larger than that of plain paper if the paper is thin.

  The sensor 44 is a loading surface detection sensor that detects the loading surface height h2 shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C, which is the height at which the paper S is loaded on the first conveyor 10, and the above that detects the height of the first conveyor 10. And a sensor for detecting passage of the sheet bundle SB between the first conveyor 10 and the second conveyor 20. Note that the loading surface detection sensor irradiates, for example, light horizontally to a predetermined loading surface height h2, and detects that the loading surface height h2 has risen when the detection light is blocked by the sheet bundle SB. . Based on the detection result, the control unit 41 controls the first conveyor lifting / lowering drive unit 33 to lower the first conveyor 10 by, for example, a thickness of several sheets S.

  Further, the sensor 44 may include an airflow detection sensor that detects an airflow that is an example of environment information of an environment in which the paper discharge device 1 is installed, a humidity detection sensor that detects humidity that is another example of the environment information, and the like. . These airflow detection sensor and humidity detection sensor function as an example of an environment information detection unit that detects environment information. The environment information detected in this way is acquired by the control unit 41, and is used, for example, for determining an overlap length L1 described later. Note that environmental information such as airflow and humidity may be detected by a sensor disposed outside the sheet discharging device 1 and acquired by the control unit 41 via the interface unit 43.

  The first conveyor transport driving unit 51 drives the first conveyor 10. The first conveyor transport driving unit 51 is, for example, a motor.

  The second conveyor transport driving section 52 drives the second conveyor 20. The second conveyor transport driving unit 52 is, for example, a motor.

  The first conveyor lifting / lowering drive unit 33 moves the first conveyor 10 to one or more loading positions P1 (for example, loading positions P1-1, P1-2, and P1-3 shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C) on which the sheets S are loaded. ) And a transfer position P2 for transferring the sheet bundle SB to the second conveyor 20 along the guides 31 and 32 described above. The first conveyor lifting drive unit 33 is, for example, a motor.

  When the loading position P1 of the first conveyor 10 is a single position (height), the discharge height h1 is the height at which the sheet S is discharged by the discharge roller pair 122 of the intermediate device 120 shown in FIG. And the height of the stacking surface h2 fluctuates, and the stacking position of the sheets S varies, so that the first conveyor 10 descends as the sheets S are stacked, and the stacking surface height h2 is constant. It should be a position.

  When there are a plurality of loading positions P1, the height of the lowermost loading position P1 may be equal to the height of the transfer position P2. In this case, when the sheet bundle SB is transported from the stacking position P1 corresponding to the height of the transfer position P2, the processing of the present embodiment relating to the overlap described later is not performed, and the first conveyor 10 is lowered. Instead, the sheet bundle SB is transferred from the first conveyor 10 to the second conveyor 20 as it is.

  Further, a drive unit serving as at least two of the first conveyor transfer drive unit 51, the second conveyor transfer drive unit 52, and the first conveyor up-down drive unit 33 may be provided.

Hereinafter, the operation of the paper discharge device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3F and FIG.
Note that each process of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 4 is performed by the control unit 41 illustrated in FIG.

  For example, when the sheet S is stacked on the stacking surface height h2 lower than the discharge height h1 as shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C described above, and the printing of the print job is completed, Or when the number of printed sheets reaches the set number, or when the sheets S are stacked on the first conveyor 10 to the limit amount (or when the stacked sheet bundle SB reaches the set height). The first conveyor transport drive unit 51 is controlled so that one conveyor 10 starts descending to the transfer position P2 (step S11).

  Next, the control unit 41 determines the overlap length at which a part of the sheet bundle SB overlaps above the second conveyor 20 as shown in FIG. By determining the length L1, the position of the sheet bundle SB in the transport direction D at the time of overlap is determined (step S12). The control unit 41 may determine the position of the sheet bundle SB in the transport direction D by determining the length L2 of the sheet bundle SB protruding from the first conveyor 10 based on the stacked sheet information. The protrusion length L2 is the sum of the length of the gap between the loading surfaces of the first conveyor 10 and the second conveyor 20 and the overlap length L1. If the overlap length L1 or the protruding length L2 is determined to be a predetermined length, the determination process (step S12) can be omitted.

  The protruding length L2 is less than half the length of the sheet S in the transport direction D so as not to cause the sheet bundle SB to collapse, and is, for example, about one third or less than one third. The overlap length L1 may be determined within a range satisfying the protrusion length L2.

  The loaded paper information is, for example, the size of the paper S and the orientation of the paper S. The control unit 41 determines the overlap length L1 or the protruding length L2 by referring to a table based on the stacking sheet information or by calculating a set value corresponding to the stacking sheet information. The stacking sheet information is acquired by the control unit 41 based on a print job, for example.

  The size of the paper S is, for example, A3 (297 × 420 mm), A4 (210 × 297 mm), or the like. A3, which is larger in size than A4, has a longer length in the transport direction D in the same paper direction, so that the overlap length L1 and the protruding length L2 can be increased.

  The direction of the sheet S is vertical in which the longitudinal direction of the sheet S is parallel to the transport direction D, or horizontal in which the longitudinal direction of the sheet S is orthogonal to the transport direction D. Since the length in the transport direction D is longer in the vertical direction than in the horizontal direction, the overlap length L1 and the protruding length L2 can be made longer. Assuming that the protruding length L2 is one third of the length of the sheet S in the transport direction D, the center of gravity of the sheet bundle SB is larger when the sheet S is in the vertical direction than when the sheet S is in the horizontal direction. And the distance from the front end of the first conveyor 10 in the transport direction D is increased.

  The loaded paper information is not limited to the two of the size of the paper S and the direction of the paper S. For example, the size of the paper S, the direction of the paper S, and the type of the paper S (for example, plain paper, thick paper, thin paper) And at least one of the number of stacked sheets S (sheet bundle SB).

  The control unit 41 determines the overlap length L1 based on the above-described environmental information such as the airflow and the humidity of the environment in which the paper discharge device 1 is installed, in addition to (or instead of) the above-described loaded paper information. Alternatively, the protrusion length L2 may be determined. For example, when the airflow is strong, paper collapse is likely to occur, so the overlap length L1 and the protruding length L2 may be shortened.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3D, while the first conveyor 10 is descending from the loading position P1 to the transfer position P2 (P1 → P2), the sheet bundle SB extends beyond the first conveyor 10. The transport speed of the sheet bundle SB by the first conveyor 10 is determined so that the sheet bundle SB protrudes by L2 and a part of the sheet bundle SB overlaps the second conveyor 20 by the overlap length L1 (step S13). The lower the transport speed is, the more it is possible to prevent the paper bundle SB from collapsing. Therefore, before the first conveyor 10 reaches the transfer position P2, a part of the paper bundle SB It is good to slow down as long as it can overlap upward. Alternatively, when a predetermined transport speed is employed, at this predetermined transport speed, a part of the sheet bundle SB cannot overlap above the second conveyor 20 before the first conveyor 10 reaches the transfer position P2. Only in this case, the transport speed may be determined so as to increase the transport speed.

  Then, the control unit 41 controls the first conveyor conveyance driving unit 51 to convey the sheet bundle SB at the above-described conveyance speed, thereby starting the conveyance of the sheet bundle SB by the first conveyor 10 (Step S14). Then, when a part of the sheet bundle SB overlaps above the length of 20 by the overlap length L1, the conveyance is stopped (step S15).

  As shown in FIG. 3E, when the first conveyor 10 reaches the transfer position P2, the control unit 41 controls the first conveyor transport driving unit 51 to stop the lowering of the first conveyor 10 (Step S16).

  Next, the control unit 41 restarts the conveyance of the sheet bundle SB by the first conveyor 10 and starts the conveyance of the sheet bundle SB by the second conveyor 20, and controls the first conveyor conveyance driving unit 51 and the second conveyor conveyance. The driving unit 52 is controlled (step S17). Note that the transport speed of the sheet bundle SB at the time of resuming the transport need not be the one determined in step S13, but is a predetermined transport speed, for example.

  In step S15, the transport of the sheet bundle SB is stopped in a state where a part of the sheet bundle SB overlaps the second conveyor 20 by the overlap length L1. Even if the transport of the sheet bundle SB is continued before and after the timing (step S16) at which the first conveyor 10 reaches the transfer position P2 without stopping (step S15) and restarting (step S17) the transport. Good.

  Further, in the above-described step S16, when the first conveyor 10 reaches the transfer position P2, a part of the sheet bundle SB does not have to overlap above the second conveyor 20. Even in this case, by starting the conveyance of the sheet bundle SB (Step S14) before the first conveyor 10 reaches the transfer position P2 (Step S16), a part of the lowering operation and the operation of the conveyance operation are performed. By performing the partial period at the same time, the delivery of the sheet bundle SB to the second conveyor 20 can be completed quickly. Further, a part or the whole period of the lowering operation (steps S11 to S16) and the part or the whole period of the transport operation (steps S14 and S15) may be performed simultaneously.

  Next, the control unit 41 determines that the sheet bundle SB has been delivered from the first conveyor 10 to the second conveyor 20 by, for example, a sensor disposed between the first conveyor 10 and the second conveyor 20. When the detection is made based on the detection of the passage of the SB, the first conveyor transport driving unit 51 is controlled so that the driving of the first conveyor 10 is stopped (step S18). After that, as shown in FIG. 3F, after the sheet bundle SB is conveyed to, for example, the center of the second conveyor 20 in the conveying direction D, the control unit 41 controls the second conveyor conveyance driving unit to stop driving the second conveyor 20. 52 is controlled.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 5A, for example, when the sheets S are stacked on the first conveyor 10 to the limit amount, the loading position P1-4 of the first conveyor 10 is close to the height of the transfer position P2 shown in FIG. 5C. In some cases, a part of the sheet bundle SB cannot be overlapped above the second conveyor 20 while the first conveyor 10 is descending. In such a case, with reference to FIG. 5A to FIG. 5D and FIG. 6, processing of a modified example in which the conveyance of the sheet bundle SB is started after a part of the sheet bundle SB is overlapped above the second conveyor 20. I will explain while.

  The control unit 41 cannot overlap a part of the sheet bundle SB above the second conveyor 20 while the first conveyor 10 is descending, such as when the sheets S are stacked to the limit amount on the first conveyor 10. In some cases, the processing shown in FIG. 6 is started.

  First, the control unit 41 determines an overlap length L1 at which a part of the sheet bundle SB overlaps above the second conveyor 20 as shown in FIG. 5B based on the above-described stacked sheet information. The position of the sheet bundle SB in the transport direction D at the time of the overlap is determined (step S21). Regarding the overlap length L1 in this modified example, the sheet bundle SB is not conveyed when the first conveyor 10 descends, so that the longer the overlap length L1 becomes when the conveyance is resumed, the sooner the sheet bundle SB is moved to the second position. It cannot be delivered to the conveyor 20. Therefore, the overlap length L1 may be a short length, and may be a predetermined length without being based on the stacking paper information.

  Next, the control unit 41 determines the transport speed of the sheet bundle SB by the first conveyor 10 (Step S22). In this modification, since the sheet bundle SB is not conveyed when the first conveyor 10 descends, the conveyance of the sheet bundle SB by the first conveyor 10 is synchronized with the timing when the first conveyor 10 reaches the transfer position P2. No need to adjust speed. Therefore, a predetermined speed may be used as the transport speed.

  Next, the control unit 41 controls the first conveyor conveyance driving unit 51 so as to convey the sheet bundle SB at the above-described conveyance speed, thereby starting the conveyance of the sheet bundle SB by the first conveyor 10 (Step S23). Then, when a part of the sheet bundle SB overlaps the upper part of the sheet bundle SB by the overlap length L1, the conveyance is stopped (step S24).

  Next, the control unit 41 controls the first conveyor transport driving unit 51 to start lowering the first conveyor 10 to the transfer position P2 (Step S25). Note that the lowering of the first conveyor 10 may be started while the sheet bundle SB is being conveyed.

  As shown in FIG. 5C, when the first conveyor 10 reaches the transfer position P2, the control unit 41 controls the first conveyor transport driving unit 51 so as to stop the lowering of the first conveyor 10 (Step S26).

  Next, the control unit 41 restarts the conveyance of the sheet bundle SB by the first conveyor 10 and starts the conveyance of the sheet bundle SB by the second conveyor 20, and controls the first conveyor conveyance driving unit 51 and the second conveyor conveyance. The drive unit 52 is controlled (step S27).

  Next, the control unit 41 determines that the sheet bundle SB has been delivered from the first conveyor 10 to the second conveyor 20 by, for example, a sensor disposed between the first conveyor 10 and the second conveyor 20. Is detected based on the detection of the passage of the first conveyor, and the first conveyor transport driving unit 51 is controlled so as to stop driving the first conveyor 10 (step S28). After that, as shown in FIG. 5D, after the sheet bundle SB is conveyed to, for example, the center of the second conveyor 20 in the conveying direction D, the control unit 41 drives the second conveyor 20 to stop driving the second conveyor 20. The section 52 is controlled.

  In the present embodiment described above, the paper discharge device 1 is configured to transport the sheet bundle SB (an example of a medium bundle), which is a plurality of stacked sheets S (an example of a medium), to the first conveyor 10 (the first transport). Unit), a first conveyor transport driving unit 51 (an example of a first transport driving unit) that drives the first conveyor 10, and the first conveyor 10 is connected to one or more loading positions P1 on which the sheets S are loaded. (P1-1, P1-2, P1-3), an elevating unit 30 for elevating and lowering the sheet bundle SB to and from a transfer position P2 for transferring the sheet bundle SB to the second conveyor 20 (an example of a second transport unit), and a first conveyor transport. The control unit 41 controls the driving unit 51 and the lifting unit 30 (the first conveyor lifting driving unit 33). When lowering (moving) the first conveyor 10 from the loading position P1 to the transfer position P2, the control unit 41 controls the first conveyor 10 to start conveying the sheet bundle SB before the first conveyor 10 reaches the transfer position P2. It controls the one conveyor transport drive unit 51 and the lifting unit 30.

  Accordingly, when at least a part of the period of the lowering operation (moving operation) from the loading position P1 of the first conveyor 10 to the transfer position P2 and at least a part of the period of the conveying operation of the sheet bundle SB are simultaneously performed, The transfer of the sheet bundle SB to the second conveyor 20 is completed earlier than in the case where the conveyance of the sheet bundle SB is started after the one conveyor 10 reaches the transfer position P2, and the first conveyor 10 is moved to the loading position P1. You can return quickly. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the downtime of the processing device that performs processing on the paper S such as the printing device 110, and restart the processing device quickly. Therefore, the processing efficiency (printing productivity) and, consequently, the paper S discharge efficiency are improved.

  When the first conveyor 10 reaches the transfer position P2 in a state where a part of the sheet bundle SB overlaps above the second conveyor 20, the sheet bundle SB is transferred from the first conveyor 10 to the second conveyor 20. In this case, it is possible to prevent the lowermost sheet S from being easily damaged (eg, broken) and the stacking of the sheet bundle SB from being broken.

  As described above, at least a part of the period of the lowering operation of the first conveyor 10 and at least a part of the period of the conveying operation of the sheet bundle SB are performed simultaneously, or the first conveyor 10 is moved to the loading position P1. Even if a part of the sheet bundle SB does not overlap above the second conveyor 20 before reaching, for example, the first conveyor 10 transports the sheet bundle SB to the center of the first conveyor 10 in the transport direction D. Thereafter, when the descending operation is performed, it is possible to prevent the sheet bundle SB (or some of the sheets S) from dropping from the first conveyor 10 when the stacking disorder of the sheet bundle SB occurs during the descending operation. it can.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to smoothly discharge the sheet S (medium).
Further, in the present embodiment, the control unit 41 performs at least a part of the period of the lowering operation (an example of the moving operation) from the loading position P1 of the first conveyor 10 to the transfer position P2, and the medium bundle by the first conveyor 10. The first conveyor transport drive unit 51 and the first conveyor vertical drive unit 33 are controlled so that at least a part of the SB transport operation is performed simultaneously. Thereby, the delivery of the sheet bundle SB to the second conveyor 20 is completed earlier than in the case where the transport of the sheet bundle SB is started after the first conveyor 10 reaches the delivery position P2, and the first conveyor 10 is It is possible to quickly return to the loading position P1. Therefore, downtime of the processing device such as the printing device 110 can be reduced, and the processing device can be restarted quickly. Therefore, the processing efficiency (printing productivity) and, consequently, the paper S discharge efficiency are improved. The shorter the sheet bundle SB in the transport direction D is, the longer the transportable distance is in the middle of the movement of the first conveyor 10 to the transfer position P2, so that downtime can be further reduced.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when moving the first conveyor 10 from the loading position P1 to the transfer position P2, the control unit 41 removes part of the sheet bundle SB before the first conveyor 10 reaches the transfer position P2. The first conveyor transport driving unit 51 and the elevating unit 30 (the first conveyor elevating driving unit 33) are controlled so as to overlap above the second conveyor 20. As a result, as described above, when the sheet bundle SB is transferred from the first conveyor 10 to the second conveyor 20, damage to the lowermost sheet S (such as breakage), stacking collapse of the sheet bundle SB, or the like is likely to occur. Can be prevented from occurring. Furthermore, since the first conveyor 10 reaches the transfer position P2 with a part of the sheet bundle SB overlapping above the second conveyor 20, the first conveyor 10 does not move to the transfer position P2 with high accuracy. In both cases, the sheet bundle SB can be transferred to the second conveyor 20. Therefore, the accuracy required for the height of the first conveyor 10 can be reduced.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the control unit 41 determines the position of the sheet bundle SB in the transport direction D when the first conveyor 10 reaches the transfer position P2 based on the stacked sheet information of the sheet bundle SB. Thus, the transport amount for transporting the sheet bundle SB in the transport direction D can be increased in a range in which the sheet bundle SB is not likely to collapse or to fall from the first conveyor 10, so that the sheet bundle SB Delivery to the second conveyor 20 can be completed quickly.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention at the stage of implementation. Various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above-described embodiments. For example, all components described in the embodiments may be appropriately combined. Of course, various modifications and applications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. Hereinafter, the inventions described in the claims at the time of filing the application of the present application are additionally described.

[Appendix 1]
A first transport unit that transports a medium bundle that is a plurality of loaded media,
A first transport drive unit that drives the first transport unit;
An elevating unit that elevates the first transport unit to one or more loading positions where the medium is loaded, and a transfer position that transfers the medium bundle to the second transport unit;
A control unit that controls the first transport drive unit and the elevating unit,
When moving the first transport unit from the loading position to the transfer position, the control unit may control the first transport unit to start transporting the medium bundle before the first transport unit reaches the transfer position. A medium discharge device that controls a transport drive unit and the elevating unit.

[Appendix 2]
The control unit controls at least a part of a period of a movement operation of the first conveyance unit from the loading position to the delivery position and at least a part of a period of a conveyance operation of the medium bundle by the first conveyance unit. The medium discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the first transport drive unit and the elevating unit are controlled so as to be performed simultaneously.

[Appendix 3]
The control unit, when moving the first transport unit from the loading position to the delivery position, before the first transport unit reaches the delivery position, a part of the medium bundle is moved to the second transport unit. The medium discharge device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first transport drive unit and the elevating unit are controlled so as to overlap upward.

[Appendix 4]
The control unit according to claim 3, wherein the control unit determines a position in the transport direction of the medium bundle when the first transport unit reaches the delivery position based on the loaded medium information of the medium bundle. Media ejection device.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 paper discharger 10 first conveyor 11 belt 12, 13 pulley 20 second conveyor 21 belt 22, 23 pulley 24 base unit 30 elevating unit 31, 32 guide 33 first conveyor elevating drive unit 41 control unit 42 storage unit 43 interface unit 44 sensor 51 first conveyor transport drive unit 52 second conveyor transport drive unit 100 printing system 110 printing device 111 paper feed table 112 paper feed roller 113 transport roller pair 114 suction transport unit 115 printing unit 116, 117 switching mechanism 118 discharge roller pair 119 sheet discharge table 120 intermediate device 121 conveyance roller pair 122 discharge roller pair D conveyance direction h1 discharge height h2 stacking surface height L1 overlap length L2 protrusion length P1 stacking position P2 transfer position S sheet SB sheet bundle R1 linear conveyance Route R2 Ring transport path R3 reverse transport path

Claims (4)

A first transport unit that transports a medium bundle that is a plurality of loaded media,
A first transport drive unit that drives the first transport unit;
An elevating unit that elevates the first transport unit to one or more loading positions where the medium is loaded, and a transfer position that transfers the medium bundle to the second transport unit;
A control unit that controls the first transport drive unit and the elevating unit,
When moving the first transport unit from the loading position to the transfer position, the control unit may control the first transport unit to start transporting the medium bundle before the first transport unit reaches the transfer position. A medium discharge device that controls a transport drive unit and the elevating unit. The control unit controls at least a part of a period of a movement operation of the first conveyance unit from the loading position to the delivery position and at least a part of a period of a conveyance operation of the medium bundle by the first conveyance unit. The medium discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the first transport driving unit and the elevating unit are controlled so as to be performed simultaneously. The control unit, when moving the first transport unit from the loading position to the delivery position, before the first transport unit reaches the delivery position, a part of the medium bundle is moved to the second transport unit. The medium discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the first transport drive unit and the elevating unit are controlled so as to overlap upward. The said control part determines the position in the conveyance direction of the said medium bundle when the said 1st conveyance part arrives at the said delivery position based on the stacking medium information of the said medium bundle. Media ejection device.

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