JP2020175964A - Sheet loader and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a sheet loader adapted to prevent jumping out of a sheet placed on a comb-like loading tray.SOLUTION: A sheet loader comprises: a comb-like sheet loading tray in which a comb tooth portion having a rod-like member and a comb-groove portion having an air gap are arranged alternately by horizontally arranging a plurality of rod-like members extending vertically to a discharge direction of a sheet and rectangular in section at a predetermined pitch; a discharge unit that discharges the sheet onto the sheet loading tray; a sheet-size acquiring unit that acquires a size of the sheet to be discharged from the discharge unit; a sheet-pressing unit that is provided on the sheet loading tray so as to regulate a sheet discharged on the sheet loading tray from moving downstream in the sheet-discharge direction; a first drive unit that moves the sheet-pressing unit along the sheet-discharge direction; a second drive unit that moves the sheet loading tray along a sheet-loading direction; and a control unit that controls the first and second drive units based on the sheet size acquired by the sheet-size acquiring unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a paper loading device and an image forming system including a paper loading tray.

Conventionally, in a paper loading device for loading paper discharged from an image forming apparatus on a tray, a member called a tip stopper is provided on the downstream side of the loading tray in the paper transport direction in order to prevent the paper from popping out of the tray. It is provided. Then, by touching the tip of the paper to the tip stopper, the paper is prevented from popping out from the tray.

Further, for printing including tab paper, printing including both A3 size and A4 size, etc., it is known that the tip stopper can be moved according to the paper size discharged to the tray. (See Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-141485

On the other hand, in order to improve the productivity of the paper loading device, a configuration in which two comb-shaped loading trays are combined can be considered. Comb-shaped loading trays with comb teeth and comb grooves (gap) on the loading surface (loading surface) have irregularities on the surface of the loading tray, so the tip stopper can be moved according to the paper size. The problem of difficulty can occur.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to prevent paper from popping out of a comb-shaped loading tray.

In order to solve the above problems and to solve the problems of the present invention, the paper loading device of the present invention horizontally arranges a plurality of rod-shaped members having a rectangular cross section extending in a direction perpendicular to the paper ejection direction at a predetermined pitch. Then, the comb-shaped paper loading tray in which the comb-toothed portion having the rod-shaped member and the comb-groove portion having the gap are alternately arranged, the discharging portion for discharging the paper to the paper loading tray, and the paper discharged from the discharging portion. A paper size acquisition unit for acquiring the size of the paper, a paper retainer provided on the paper loading tray, and a paper retainer for restricting the movement of the paper ejected to the paper loading tray to the downstream side in the paper ejection direction. The first drive unit that moves along the paper ejection direction, the second drive unit that moves the paper loading tray along the paper loading direction, and the first drive unit and the first drive unit based on the paper size acquired by the paper size acquisition unit. It includes a control unit that controls the second drive unit.

The above-mentioned paper loading device is one aspect of the present invention, and the image forming system reflecting one aspect of the present invention has the same configuration as the paper loading device reflecting one aspect of the present invention.

According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the paper loaded on the comb-shaped loading tray from popping out.

It is a front view which shows typically the structure of the image formation system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the image formation system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the main part of the paper loading apparatus mainly consisting of the 1st tray and the 2nd tray which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the 1st tray and the 2nd tray which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation flow of the 1st tray and the 2nd tray of the image formation system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the operation flow of the 1st tray and the 2nd tray of the paper loading apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the stopper moving device which is the 1st moving part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the flow of the paper holding process carried out in the paper transporting apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure used for demonstrating the paper holding process when a large-sized paper is ejected to a 1st tray. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the flow of the alignment process performed by reciprocating the tip stopper in the paper ejection direction and hitting the upstream end portion of the paper when a large number of papers are loaded on the 1st tray. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the flow of the paper holding process which moves the tip stopper on the paper loaded on the 1st tray which is carried out by the paper transporting apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the flow of the paper holding process carried out in the paper transporting apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the flow of the paper holding process which moves a tip stopper when the tip stopper is on the paper loaded on the 1st tray. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation of the moving process of the paper holding part by the paper loading apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation of the moving process of the paper holding part by the paper loading apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, examples of embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “this example”) will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same function or configuration are designated by the same reference numerals, so that duplicate description will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a front view schematically showing a configuration of an image forming system according to this example. The image forming system according to this example includes an image forming device 1 and a paper loading device 2.

The image forming apparatus 1 is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, and forms an image on paper S based on image data. The image forming device 1 is composed of an image reading unit 6, an image processing unit 7, an image writing unit 8, and an image forming unit 9. Specifically, the document reading device 5, the photoconductor 11, the charging unit 12, and the image exposure. It has a unit 13, a developing unit 14, a transfer unit 15A, a separation unit 15B, a cleaning device 16, a fixing device 18, and an image formation control unit 19.

The document reading device 5 is arranged in the upper part of the housing of the image forming device 1 and includes an automatic document feeding unit that automatically moves the document when the image is read. The document reading device 5 reads an image formed on the document and outputs a predetermined image signal. The output image signal is created as image data by performing A / D conversion.

The image reading control unit (not shown) included in the document reading device 5 applies processing such as shading correction, dither processing, and compression to the image data, and the data obtained by this processing is used as the final image data to control image formation. Output to unit 19. The image formation control unit 19 may not only acquire image data from the document reading device 5, but may also acquire image data from a personal computer or another image forming device 1 connected to the image forming device 1.

The surface of the photoconductor 11 is uniformly charged by the charging portion 12. The image exposure unit 13 scans and exposes the surface of the photoconductor 11 with a laser beam based on the output information output from the image formation control unit 19 based on the image data. As a result, a latent image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor 11. The developing unit 14 develops the latent image with toner to form an image (toner image) on the surface of the photoconductor 11.

The paper S housed in the paper tray 17A is fed to the transfer unit 15A. The transfer unit 15A transfers the image on the surface of the photoconductor 11 to the paper S. The separation unit 15B separates the paper S on which the image is transferred from the photoconductor 11. The cleaning device 16 removes the toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor 11 after the image is transferred to the paper S. The intermediate transport unit 17B transports the separated paper S to the fixing device 18.

The fixing device 18 performs a fixing process for fixing an image on the paper S by heating and pressurizing. The paper ejection roller 17C discharges the fixed paper S to the outside of the apparatus.

On the other hand, when image formation is performed on both sides of the paper S, the paper S that has been fixed by the fixing device 18 is conveyed downward from the paper ejection roller 17C side by the transfer path switching plate 17D (reversal transfer unit 17E). ) Can be switched to the side. The reverse transfer unit 17E reverses the front and back sides of the paper S by switching back the paper S, and then transfers the paper S to the transfer unit 15A.

The image formation control unit 19 controls the image formation device 1. As the image formation control unit 19, a microcomputer mainly composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and an I / O interface shown in FIG. 2 to be described later can be used. The CPU 101 executes various programs (processor). The ROM 102 stores various programs executed by the CPU in the form of a program code that can be read by the CPU. Further, the ROM 102 stores data necessary for executing the program. The RAM 103 is a memory that serves as a storage area for work. When the program and data stored in the ROM are read by the CPU, they are expanded on the RAM. Then, the CPU performs various processes based on the program and data expanded on the RAM.

The paper loading device 2 is a device for loading and accommodating the paper S supplied from the image forming device 1 when the paper S is taken into the device. The paper loading device 2 is arranged on the downstream side of the image forming device 1 in the paper conveying direction so as to be adjacent to the image forming device 1. The paper loading device 2 moves the discharge unit 20, the first tray 21 as the paper loading tray of this example, the tip stopper 45 as the paper holding portion, and the stopper movement as the first drive unit that moves the tip stopper 45 in the paper discharging direction. As a second drive unit for moving the device 46 and the first tray 21 in the paper loading direction (the height direction of the device), the elevating device 24, the second tray 25, the front / rear drive device 28, and the loading control unit 31 are mainly configured. There is. The details of the configuration of the first tray 21 and the stopper moving device 46 will be described later.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system in the image forming system 100 of this example, and only typical ones are shown here.

A personal computer, which is a terminal such as a personal computer, is connected to the image forming apparatus 1 via a network. The CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101 as the image forming control unit 19 controls the operation of the entire image forming apparatus 1, and is connected to a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, and the like. .. The CPU 101 reads various control programs stored in the ROM 102 and expands them in the RAM 103 to control the operation of each part. Further, the CPU 101 executes various processes according to the program expanded in the RAM 103, and stores the process results in the RAM 103. Then, the processing result stored in the RAM 103 is stored in a predetermined storage destination.

The image data generated by the image reading unit 6 and the image data transmitted from the PC connected to the image forming apparatus 1 are image-processed by the image processing unit 7. The image forming unit 9 receives the image data image-processed by the image processing unit 7 and forms an image on the paper S.

The CPU 201 as the control unit 31 in the paper loading device 2 controls the operation of the entire paper loading device 2 in cooperation with the ROM 202 and the RAM 203, and is a series based on the signal transmitted from the image forming device 1 which is the pre-stage machine. To perform the operation of. The CPU 201 reads various control programs stored in the ROM 202 and deploys them in the RAM 203, and operates each part such as the discharge roller 132 as the discharge unit 20, the tip stopper 100 as the paper holding unit, and the elevating device 24 of the first tray 21. To control. Further, the CPU 201 includes a paper size acquisition unit 50, a tray position detection unit 55, a paper information acquisition unit 60, a matching determination unit 65, a movement time calculation unit 70, a movement determination unit 75, and a paper holding unit position detection unit 80.

The paper size acquisition unit 50 acquires the size of the paper to be ejected to the first tray 21. In this example, the size of the paper carried from the image forming apparatus 1 to the paper loading apparatus 2 is detected by the inlet sensor 134 provided on the upstream side of the first tray 21 and near the discharging portion 20. The sensor provided in the image forming apparatus 1 may be used instead of the entrance sensor 134.

The tray position detecting unit 55 calculates the position of the first tray 21 in the paper loading device 2, and detects the position of the first tray 21 in the device height direction. Specifically, a height detection sensor 133 that detects the position of the first tray 21 is provided in the vicinity of the first tray 21, and the first tray is based on the amount of deviation between the position detected by the sensor and the home position of the first tray 21. The movement amount of 21 is calculated.

The paper information acquisition unit 60 acquires information such as the number of sheets loaded on the first tray 21, the basis weight, the paper attributes, and the height of the paper bundle. In this example, the inlet sensor 134 is used to observe the number of sheets, the basis weight, or the sheet attributes of the sheets loaded on the first tray 21, but the sheet information held by the image forming apparatus 1 may be used.

The alignment determination unit 65 determines whether or not to perform the alignment process on the paper loaded on the first tray 21 by moving the tip stopper 45 in the paper ejection direction by the stopper moving device 46.

The movement time calculation unit 70 calculates the time required for the tip stopper 45 to move on the first tray 21 based on the size of the paper discharged from the first tray 21 and the like.

The movement determination unit 75 compares the size of the paper loaded on the first tray 21 acquired by the size acquisition unit 50 with the size of the paper ejected on the paper loaded on the first tray 21. Then, the stopper moving device 46 determines whether or not to move the tip stopper 45 in the paper ejection direction. Further, the movement determination unit 75 determines whether or not it is necessary to move (lower) the first tray 21 downward in the paper loading direction by the elevating device 24 before moving the tip stopper 45.

The paper holding unit position detection unit 80 detects the position of the tip stopper 45 on the first tray 21 by the top surface detection sensor 135 provided above the first tray 21.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a main part of the paper loading device 2 mainly composed of the first tray 21 and the second tray 25.

When the discharge unit 20 receives the paper S supplied from the image forming apparatus 1, the discharge unit 20 takes the paper S into the inside of the device of the paper loading device 2 (inside the housing 2a) and discharges the paper S to the first tray 21. The position of the discharge roller 132 of the discharge unit 20 is set so as to correspond to the paper discharge roller 17C of the image forming apparatus 1.

The first tray 21 is a paper loading tray for loading the paper S discharged from the discharge unit 20. The first tray 21 is configured to be movable along the vertical (paper loading) direction. The first tray 21 is composed of a plurality of first support members 22 formed in a comb-teeth shape. A plurality of the first support members 22 are horizontally arranged at a predetermined pitch along the paper transport direction. Each of the first support members 22 extends from the base member 23 located on the rear side (back side of the device) to the front side (front side of the device). That is, in the paper loading tray of this example, a plurality of first support members 22 composed of rod-shaped members having a rectangular cross section extending in a direction perpendicular to the paper discharge direction are arranged horizontally at a predetermined pitch, and the first support member 22 is arranged horizontally. 1 The comb-toothed portion 222 in which the support member 22 is present and the comb-groove portion 223 in which the gap portion is present are alternately arranged to form a comb-toothed shape. Further, the upper surface 21a of each first support member 22 constitutes a loading surface of the paper loading tray.

The elevating device 24 is a device that elevates (moves) the first tray 21 along the vertical direction. The elevating device 24 includes a drive motor, a drive pulley that rotates when power is transmitted from the drive motor, a driven pulley, a timing belt that is hung between the drive pulley and the driven pulley, and a timing belt to which the first tray 21 is connected. It is composed mainly of. The elevating device 24 is controlled by the (loading) control unit 31.

The elevating device 24 sets the first tray 21 to the home position. This home position corresponds to the position of the first tray 21 when the loading of the paper S is started. When the paper S is ejected from the ejection unit 20, the elevating device 24 lowers (moves) the first tray 21 so that the highest-level paper S loaded on the first tray 21 maintains a predetermined height. .. The lowering of the first tray 21 accompanying the loading of the paper S is performed until the number of the paper S loaded on the first tray 21 reaches the upper limit number or the set number of sheets. The upper limit number of sheets sets the maximum number of sheets S that can be loaded on the first tray 21, and is set by, for example, mechanical restrictions caused by the structure of the paper loading device 2. On the other hand, the set number of sheets is, for example, the number of sheets set by a user or the like among the maximum number of sheets S to be loaded on the first tray 21, and any number of sheets is set within the range of one or more and less than the upper limit. ..

On the other hand, when the number of sheets S loaded on the first tray 21 reaches the upper limit number or the set number of sheets, the elevating device 24 moves the first tray to the paper delivery position where the sheets S are delivered to the second tray 25. 21 is lowered. When the delivery of the paper S from the first tray 21 to the second tray 25 is completed, the elevating device 24 raises (moves) the first tray 21 from the paper delivery position to the home position.

The second tray 25 is arranged below the first tray 21. The second tray 25 is a tray for receiving the paper S loaded on the first tray 21 from the first tray 21. The second tray 25 is composed of a plurality of second support members 26 formed in a comb-teeth shape. A plurality of the second support members 26 are arranged horizontally at a predetermined pitch along the paper transport direction. Each second support member 26 is erected on a base member 27 located below the second support member 26.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the second tray 25 and the first tray 21. The plurality of second support members 26 are provided at positions corresponding to a plurality of gaps formed in the first tray 21, that is, spaces existing between adjacent first support members 22. Therefore, even when the first tray 21 moves downward and the first tray 21 and the second tray 25 are present on the same horizontal plane, they do not interfere with each other. That is, the first tray 21 and the second tray 25 can pass each other in the vertical direction. With this configuration, the upper surface 21a of the first tray 21 descends below the upper surface 25a of the second tray 25, so that the paper S loaded on the first tray 21 is delivered to the second tray 25. Can be done.

The front-rear drive device 28 includes a pedestal portion 29 on which the second tray 25 is detachably mounted, and a drive portion 30 that moves the pedestal portion 29 along the front-rear direction and sends the second tray 25 to the outside of the device. have. The drive unit 30 is mainly composed of a drive motor, a drive pulley that rotates when power is transmitted from the drive motor, a driven pulley, a timing belt that is hung between the drive pulley and the driven pulley, and a timing belt to which the pedestal portion 29 is connected. It is configured in. The front-rear drive device 28 is controlled by the load control unit 31.

The front-rear drive device 28 sets the second tray 25 to the home position. This home position exists below the first tray 21 inside the apparatus, and is a position where the paper S can be delivered to and from the first tray 21 when the first tray 21 is lowered. .. When the paper S is delivered from the first tray 21, the front-rear drive device 28 moves the second tray 25 to the front side and sends the second tray 25 to the outside of the device. As a result, when the second tray 25 is removed from the pedestal portion 29, the second tray 25 is mounted on the carriage 40 that conveys the paper S. As a result, the paper S can be conveyed together with the second tray 25 through the carriage 40.

On the other hand, when the paper S is removed from the second tray 25 mounted on the carriage 40, the second tray 25 is removed from the carriage 40 and mounted on the pedestal portion 29. When the second tray 25 is mounted on the pedestal portion 29, the front-rear drive device 28 moves the second tray 25 to the rear side and returns the second tray 25 to the home position. The housing 2a of the paper loading device 2 is provided with a shutter (not shown). This shutter is opened and closed according to the entry and exit of the second tray 25.

The loading control unit 31 controls the paper loading device 2. As the loading control unit 31, as shown in FIG. 2, a microcomputer mainly composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and an I / O interface can be used. The CPU 201 executes various programs (processor). The ROM 202 stores various programs executed by the CPU in the form of a program code that can be read by the CPU. Further, the ROM 202 stores data necessary for executing the program. The RAM 203 is a memory that serves as a storage area for work. When the program and data stored in the ROM are read by the CPU, they are expanded on the RAM. Then, the CPU performs various processes based on the program and data expanded on the RAM.

Hereinafter, the operations of the first tray 21 and the second tray 25 of the image forming system according to this example will be described. Here, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the image forming system. Further, FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an operation flow of the paper loading device 2. The process shown in this flowchart is executed by the image formation control unit 19 and the load control unit 31 with the user's print start command as a trigger.

First, in step S10, the image forming control unit 19 controls each part of the image forming apparatus 1 and executes the image forming operation. By this image forming operation, a series of processes such as feeding the paper S, forming an image on the fed paper S, and discharging the image-formed paper S to the paper loading device 2 are performed. Similarly, the loading control unit 31 controls the discharge unit 20, receives the paper S supplied from the image forming apparatus 1 at the discharge unit 20, and discharges the paper S to the first tray 21 (FIG. 6A). )).

In step S11, the loading control unit 31 determines whether or not the number of sheets S loaded on the first tray 21 has reached the upper limit number or the set number of sheets. When the number of sheets S loaded on the first tray 21 reaches the upper limit number or the set number of sheets, a positive determination is made in step S11, and the process proceeds to step S12. On the other hand, if the number of sheets S loaded on the first tray 21 has not reached the upper limit number or the set number of sheets, a negative determination is made in step S11, and the process returns to step S10.

In step S12, the image forming control unit 19 controls each part of the image forming apparatus 1 and stops the image forming operation. Similarly, the loading control unit 31 controls the ejection unit 20 and stops the ejection of the paper S to the first tray 21.

In step S13, the loading control unit 31 controls the elevating device 24 to lower the first tray 21 (FIG. 6B). The lowering operation of the first tray 21 is performed until the first tray 21 reaches the paper delivery position. The paper delivery position is set according to the height of the second tray 25 mounted on the pedestal portion 29. When the first tray 21 reaches the paper delivery position, the upper surface 25a of the second tray 25 reaches above the upper surface 21a of the first tray 21, so that the paper S loaded on the first tray 21 reaches the first tray 21. Is delivered to the second tray 25 (FIG. 6 (c)).

In step S14, the load control unit 31 controls the front-rear drive device 28 to move the pedestal unit 29 forward (FIG. 6 (d)). This forward movement is performed until the pedestal portion 29 and the second tray 25 mounted on the pedestal portion 29 are discharged to the outside of the device.

In step S15, the loading control unit 31 controls the elevating device 24 to raise the first tray 21 (FIG. 6 (e)). The ascending operation of the first tray 21 is performed until the first tray 21 reaches the home position.

The second tray 25 discharged to the outside of the apparatus is removed from the pedestal portion 29 with the paper S loaded, and is mounted on the carriage 40 prepared outside the apparatus (FIG. 6 (f)). The second tray 25 and the paper S loaded on the second tray 25 can be conveyed through the carriage 40.

In step S16, the image forming control unit 19 controls each part of the image forming apparatus 1 and restarts the image forming operation. Similarly, the loading control unit 31 controls the discharge unit 20 and restarts the discharge of the paper S to the first tray 21. The resumption of the image forming operation and the resumption of paper ejection to the first tray 21 are executed so that the paper S is ejected to the first tray 21 at the timing when the first tray 21 reaches the home position. ..

In step S17, the image formation control unit 19 determines whether or not the job has been completed. When the job is completed, a positive determination is made in step S17, and this routine is terminated. On the other hand, if the job is not completed, a negative determination is made in step S17, and the process returns to step S10.

When the paper S loaded on the second tray 25 is removed and the second tray 25 is emptied, the second tray 25 is removed from the carriage 40 and mounted on the pedestal portion 29. When the second tray 25 is mounted, the loading control unit 31 controls the front-rear drive device 28 to move the pedestal unit 29 backward. This reverse operation is performed until the pedestal portion 29 and the second tray 25 mounted on the pedestal portion 29 reach the home position. As a result, the second tray 25 is returned to the inside of the device.

It is preferable that the second tray 25 is returned to the pedestal portion 29 before the number of sheets S loaded on the first tray 21 reaches the upper limit number or the set number of sheets. Further, since the pedestal portion 29 may be an obstacle if it is discharged to the outside of the device, the pedestal portion is until the second tray 25 is removed from the pedestal portion 29 and reattached to the pedestal portion 29. 29 may be returned to the inside of the device.

As described above, in this example, the first tray 21 and the second tray 25 have at least three operating states as their operating states. Specifically, in the first operating state, the first tray 21 is in the paper loading position where the paper S discharged from the ejection unit 20 is loaded, and the second tray 25 is located below the first tray 21. It is in the operating state. In the second operating state, the upper surface 25a of the second tray 25 is located above the upper surface 21a of the first tray 21, and the paper S loaded on the first tray 21 can be delivered to the second tray 25. It is in an operating state. The third operating state is an operating state in which the first tray 21 that has delivered the paper S to the second tray 25 is returned to the paper loading position.

According to this configuration, the paper S can be delivered to the second tray 25, so that the paper S can be taken out of the device through the second tray 25 while leaving the first tray 21 in the device. Can be done. Further, the first tray 21 that has delivered the paper S to the second tray 25 can be returned to the paper loading position (home position). Therefore, the loading of the paper S on the first tray 21 can be resumed promptly. As a result, the occurrence of downtime can be suppressed.

Further, each of the first tray 21 and the second tray 25 is provided with a gap for passing the other tray so that the trays do not interfere with each other on the same surface. Specifically, the first tray 21 and the second tray 25 are each set to have a comb tooth shape.

According to this configuration, the first tray 21 and the second tray 25 do not interfere with each other on the same surface, so that the upper surface 21a of the first tray 21 reaches below the upper surface 25a of the second tray 25. be able to. As a result, the paper S can be easily delivered from the first tray 21 to the second tray 25.

Further, in this example, the paper loading device 2 changes from the first operating state to the second operating state by moving the first tray 21 and reaching the paper delivery position according to the height of the second tray 25. It is transitioning.

According to this configuration, the paper S can be easily delivered from the first tray 21 to the second tray 25 by moving the first tray 21.

Further, in this example, in the first operating state, the second tray 25 is located below the first tray 21, and when the first tray is lowered, the transition from the first operating state to the second operating state is made. ..

According to this configuration, the paper S can be easily delivered from the first tray 21 to the second tray 25 by moving the first tray 21 in the vertical direction. Further, since the first tray 21 has a function of moving up and down in the vertical direction when the paper S is loaded, the existing configuration is used to deliver the paper S from the first tray 21 to the second tray 25. be able to.

Further, in this example, the paper loading device 2 further has a pedestal portion 29 that moves between the inside of the device and the outside of the device. In this case, the second tray 25 is mounted on the pedestal portion 29. According to this configuration, by moving the pedestal portion 29, the second tray 25 can be moved between the inside of the device and the outside of the device.

Further, in this example, the second tray 25 is detachably mounted on the pedestal portion 29. According to this configuration, since the second tray 25 can be attached and detached, the paper S can be handled together with the second tray 25.

Further, in this example, the paper loading device 2 further includes a trolley 40 on which a second tray 25 discharged to the outside of the machine is mounted and which conveys the second tray 25.

According to this configuration, since the second tray 25 can be transported by the carriage 40, a large amount of paper S can be easily transported.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the stopper moving device 46 provided above the first tray 21 of this example.
As shown in FIG. 7, the stopper moving device 46 installed inside the housing 2a of the paper transport device 2 is provided above the first tray 21 in the home position and faces the loading surface of the first tray 21. It is provided with a support housing 47 arranged in.

A groove (not shown) is provided in the central portion of the support housing 47 along the paper ejection direction. The tip stopper 45 is composed of a rod-shaped member extending toward the loading surface of the first tray 21, and is movably engaged with a groove formed in the support housing 47. The support housing 47 is provided with a stopper drive unit 48 including a motor, and the stopper drive unit 48 moves the tip stopper 45 along the groove of the support housing 47 to load the first tray 21. Move on the surface in the paper ejection (FD) direction.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the flow of the paper holding process performed by the paper transport device 2 of this example.

FIG. 8A is a front view showing a state in which a bundle of small-sized paper S1 is loaded on the upper surface 21a of the first tray 21. 8B to 8D are diagrams for explaining the flow of movement of the tip stopper when the paper S2 having a size larger than that of the paper S1 loaded on the first tray 21 is ejected.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the paper S1 loaded on the first tray 21 is placed on the upper surface 21a of the three support members 22 arranged on the downstream side in the paper discharge direction. Further, the tip stopper 45 is arranged in a state where the tip portion is inserted into the gap portion of the comb groove portion 223 corresponding to the tip end of the loaded paper S1. In this state, the tip stopper 45 prevents the paper S1 discharged to the first tray 21 from popping out. In this example, since the tip portion of the tip stopper 45 is inserted into the comb groove portion 223, it is possible to reliably prevent the paper from popping out from the first sheet of paper discharged to the first tray 21.

FIG. 8A shows the position of the tip stopper 45 in order to avoid collision with the ejected paper S2 when the paper S2 having a size larger than the paper S1 loaded on the first tray 21 is loaded. It is necessary to move it from the position to the downstream side in the paper ejection direction. In this example, when the paper size acquisition unit 50 detects that the paper S2 having a size larger than the paper S1 loaded on the first tray 21 is ejected, first, as shown in FIG. 8B, first. The elevating device 24 moves (descends) the first tray 21 downward in the paper loading direction. As a result, the position of the tip of the tip stopper 45 is positioned above the upper surface 21a of the first tray 21, and the tip stopper 45 is pulled out from the gap portion of the comb groove portion 223.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8C, the tip stopper 45 is moved to the downstream side in the paper ejection direction by the stopper moving device 46. The amount of movement of the tip stopper 45 at this time is determined based on the size of the paper S2 acquired by the paper size acquisition unit 50. In this example, the tip stopper 45 is moved to a position facing the upper surface 21a of the comb tooth portion 222 adjacent to the downstream side of the comb groove portion 223 in which the tip stopper 45 is inserted in FIG. 8A. When moving the tip stopper 45, a table in which the amount of movement of the tip stopper is predetermined according to the size of the paper may be used. In this example, since the tip portion of the tip stopper 45 is moved in the paper ejection direction in a state of being pulled out from the gap portion of the comb groove portion 223, the tip stopper 45 collides with the comb tooth portion 222 adjacent to the comb groove portion 223. Can be prevented.

As described above, according to the paper transport device 2 of this example, the tip stopper 45 is moved in the paper ejection direction even when the comb-tooth-shaped loading tray 21 having the comb-toothed portion and the comb-groove portion is used. Can be done.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8D, after moving the tip stopper 45, the first tray 21 is moved (raised) upward in the paper loading direction by the elevating device 24. In this example, since the position of the tip stopper 45 is moved to the downstream side in the paper ejection direction, the tip is ejected even when the large-sized paper S2 is ejected on the paper S1 loaded on the first tray 21. It is possible to prevent the paper S2 from popping out without bending the paper S2 with the stopper 45.

In this example, when the tip stopper 45 is moved from the comb groove portion 223 to the adjacent comb groove portion 233 by the stopper moving device 46, or when it is moved from the comb groove portion 223 to the comb tooth portion 222, the lifting device 24 is used. After lowering the first tray 21, the tip stopper 45 is moved in the paper ejection direction by the stopper moving device 46, and the first tray 21 is raised by the elevating device 24.

In this example, when the tip stopper 45 is moved in the paper ejection direction, the first tray 21 is moved in the paper loading direction. At this time, if the position of the moving destination of the tip stopper 45 is within the range of the comb groove portion 223 in which the tip portion is inserted, the control unit 31 uses the elevating device 24 to load the first tray 21 in the paper loading direction. The tip stopper 45 may be moved in the comb groove portion 223 in the paper ejection direction by the stopper moving device 46 without moving to.

Further, when the position of the tip stopper 45 is on the comb tooth portion 222 and the moving destination of the tip stopper 45 is on the comb tooth portion (including other comb tooth portions), the control unit 31 The elevating device 24 may move the tip stopper 45 in the paper discharging direction by the stopper moving device 46 without moving the first tray 21 in the paper loading direction.

Further, in this example, the case where the tip stopper 45 is moved in the paper ejection direction is described, but the tip stopper 45 does not necessarily have to be moved in the paper ejection direction. For example, when the paper size acquisition unit 50 detects that paper having a size smaller than the paper loaded on the first tray 21 is ejected, the tip stopper 45 does not have to be moved.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the flow of the paper holding process performed when a large number of sheets are loaded on the first tray 21.
As shown in FIG. 9A, when a large number of sheets S1 are loaded on the first tray 21, the first tray 21 is lowered due to the weight of the sheets. As a result, the position of the tip of the tip stopper 45 is located above the upper surface 21a of the first tray 21, and as shown in FIG. 9A, the tip portion of the tip stopper 45 is located from the gap portion of the comb groove portion 223. It will be in a pulled out state.

From this state, as shown in FIG. 9B, even if the tip stopper 45 is moved downstream in the paper ejection direction by the stopper moving device 46, the tip portion of the tip stopper 45 is pulled out from the gap portion of the comb groove portion 223. Since it is in the state, the tip stopper 45 does not collide with the comb tooth portion 222 adjacent to the comb groove portion 223. Then, as shown in FIG. 9C, the tip stopper 45 can prevent the large-sized paper S2 ejected onto the paper S1 loaded on the first tray 21 from popping out.

In this example, the height detection sensor 133, which is the tray position detection unit 55, is used to detect the amount of movement of the first tray 21 from the home position, and the tip portion of the tip stopper 45 is pulled from the gap portion of the comb groove portion 223. Determine if it is in a pulled out state. When it is determined that the tip portion of the tip stopper 45 is in a state of being pulled out from the gap portion of the comb groove portion 223, and the large-sized paper S2 is discharged, the elevating device 24 raises the first tray 21. The tip stopper 45 is moved to the downstream side in the paper ejection direction by the stopper moving device 46 in a state where the paper is not lowered. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9C, the paper S2 can be brought into contact with the tip stopper 45 to prevent the paper S2 from popping out of the first tray 21.

As described above, according to this example, even when the paper S2 having a size larger than the paper S1 loaded on the first tray 21 is ejected, the elevating device 24 does not lower the first tray 21. Therefore, the time required for the paper holding process can be shortened and the productivity of the apparatus can be improved.

When the position of the first tray 21 is detected, the result of the number of sheets, the basis weight, or the paper attribute of the paper loaded on the first tray 21 observed by the entrance detection sensor 134 of the paper information acquisition unit 60 is used. Based on this, the position of the first tray 21 may be calculated. That is, when the number of sheets of paper discharged to the first tray is large, or when thick paper having a large basis weight is used, the amount of movement of the first tray 21 downward in the paper loading direction is large. Further, the height of the bundle of paper loaded on the first tray 21 may be measured to calculate the position of the first tray 21.

FIG. 10 is for explaining a flow of matching processing performed by reciprocating the tip stopper 45 in the paper ejection direction and hitting the upstream end of the paper when a large number of papers are loaded on the first tray 21. It is explanatory drawing of.

FIG. 10A shows a state in which the upstream end of the paper bundle loaded on the first tray 21 is located in the gap of the comb groove 223, and the tip of the tip stopper 45 is inserted into the same comb groove 223. Is shown. In this state, the alignment process is performed by reciprocating the tip stopper 45 in the direction of the arrow in the drawing and tapping the upstream tip of the paper bundle a plurality of times.

In FIG. 10B, the upstream end of the paper bundle loaded on the first tray 21 is at a position facing the upper surface 21a of the comb tooth portion 223, and the tip portion of the tip stopper 45 is on the upstream side of the comb tooth portion 222. Indicates a state in which the comb groove portion 223 adjacent to the is inserted. In this state, in order to reciprocate the tip stopper 45 in the paper ejection direction to perform the matching process, it is necessary to lower the first tray 21.

In this example, the alignment determination unit 65 determines whether or not to perform the alignment operation for aligning the sheets loaded on the first tray 21. Whether or not the alignment determination unit 65 performs the alignment process based on the position of the tip stopper 45 on the first tray 21 and the tip position of the paper on the first tray 21 detected by the top surface position detection sensor 135. Make a decision.

In this example, when the tip stopper 45 on the first tray 21 and the tip position of the paper are in the same comb tooth portion 222 or the comb groove portion 223, it is not necessary to lower the first tray, so the tip stopper 45 is used as the paper. Matching processing is performed by reciprocating in the discharge direction. On the other hand, as in the case where the tip stopper 45 on the first tray 21 is at the position corresponding to the comb tooth portion 222 and the tip position of the paper is at the comb groove portion 223, the first tray 21 is lowered when the matching process is executed. If is required, the matching process is not performed in order to shorten the processing time.

The matching determination unit 65 determines whether or not to perform the matching operation, and the paper such as the number of sheets, the basis weight, or the paper attributes observed by the entrance sensor 134 is loaded on the first tray 21. In consideration of the information, for example, when the number of sheets of paper loaded on the first tray 21 is small, the matching process may not be performed.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the flow of the paper holding process for moving the tip stopper onto the paper loaded on the first tray, which is carried out by the paper transport device of this example. FIG. 11A is a diagram showing a state in which a large-sized paper S2 is placed on the first tray 21, and FIGS. 11B to 11D are larger in size than the paper S2 loaded on the first tray 21. It is a figure for demonstrating the flow of movement of the tip stopper 45 when the small paper S1 is ejected.

As shown in FIG. 11A, the paper S2 loaded on the first tray 21 is placed on the upper surface 21a of the three support members 22 arranged on the downstream side in the paper discharge direction. Further, the tip stopper 45 is arranged in a state where the tip portion is inserted into the gap portion of the comb groove portion 223 facing the tip of the loaded paper S2.

In this case, in order to prevent the small-sized paper S1 from popping out, it is necessary to move the position of the tip stopper 45 from the position shown in FIG. 11A to the upstream side in the paper ejection direction as shown in FIG. 11C. In this example, when the paper size acquisition unit 50 detects that the small-sized paper S1 is ejected, as shown in FIG. 11B, the elevating device 24 lowers the first tray 21 and then lowers the first tray 21. The stopper moving device 46 moves the tip stopper 45 upstream in the paper ejection direction.

At this time, depending on the size of the discharged paper S1, the destination of the tip stopper 45 is located at a position facing the comb groove portion 223 on the upstream side as shown in FIG. 11D1, and as shown in FIG. 11D2. It may be at the corresponding position facing the comb tooth portion 222 on the upstream side.

In the case corresponding to FIG. 11D1, for example, when the first tray 21 is raised by the elevating device 24, the paper S2 loaded on the first tray 21 at the tip of the tip stopper 45 is placed in the gap portion of the comb groove portion 223. There is a risk that the paper S2 will be damaged by pushing it into the paper. In particular, when the number of sheets of the paper bundle is small, the basis weight of the paper S2 is small and soft, or when the paper has attributes such as coated paper, the possibility of damaging the paper is high. On the other hand, in the case of FIG. 11D2, since the tip of the tip stopper 45 does not come into contact with the upper surface 21a of the comb tooth portion 222 and is pushed into the gap portion, there is little possibility of damaging the paper S2.

In this example, the size of the paper loaded on the first tray 21 acquired by the size acquisition unit 50 and the paper ejected from the ejection unit 20 onto the paper loaded on the first tray 21 by the control unit 31. Based on the size of, it is determined whether or not to move the tip stopper 45 onto the paper loaded on the first tray 21. This makes it possible to reduce the possibility of damaging the paper loaded on the first tray 21.

Further, when determining whether or not to move the tip stopper 45 onto the paper loaded on the first tray 21, the tip stopper 45 is loaded on the first tray 21 observed by the paper information acquisition unit 60. Consider the existing paper attributes (state). For example, when the state of the paper loaded on the first tray 21 is small, the basis weight of the paper S2 is small and soft, or the paper has an attribute like coated paper. By not moving the tip stopper 45, it is possible to reduce damage to the paper loaded on the first tray 21.

Further, when determining whether or not to move the tip stopper 45 onto the paper loaded on the first tray 21, the control unit 31 determines the destination of the tip stopper 45 on the first tray 21. Based on the above, it is determined whether or not to move the tip stopper 45. For example, when the destination of the tip stopper 45 is a position corresponding to the comb groove portion 223 of the first tray 21, the paper loaded on the first tray 21 is damaged by not moving the tip stopper 45. You can reduce that.
In this case, the control unit 31 may change the destination of the tip stopper 45 to the comb tooth portion 222 adjacent to the comb groove portion 223 instead of the comb groove portion 223. As a result, there is no possibility that the tip stopper 45 is pushed into the gap portion, and damage to the paper can be reduced.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the flow of the paper holding process performed by the paper transport device of this example.

FIG. 12A is a front view showing a state in which the small-sized paper S1 is loaded on the upper surface 21a of the first tray 21.
As shown in FIG. 12A, the bundle of paper S1 loaded on the first tray 21 is placed on the upper surface 21a of the three support members 22 arranged on the downstream side in the paper discharge direction. Further, the tip stopper 45 is arranged in a state where the tip portion is inserted into the gap portion of the comb groove portion 223 adjacent to the downstream side of the comb tooth portion 222 where the tip end of the loaded paper S1 is located. In this state, the tip stopper 45 prevents the paper S1 from popping out while being ejected to the first tray 21.

In order to load the large-sized paper S2 on the paper S1 loaded on the first tray 21, the position of the tip stopper 45 needs to be moved to the downstream side in the paper ejection direction. At this time, as shown in FIG. 12B, when moving the tip stopper 45 to the upper surface 21a of the comb tooth portion 222 adjacent to the downstream side of the comb groove portion 223 into which the tip stopper 45 has been inserted, the tip stopper 45 is pulled out from the gap portion. In addition, it becomes necessary to lower the first tray 21.

Therefore, in this example, when the tip stopper 45 is moved, the tip stopper 45 is located in the comb groove portion 223, and the destination of the tip stopper 45 is the comb tooth portion adjacent to the comb groove portion 223. In the case of 222, the control unit 31 controls the tip stopper 45 so as to move within the range of the comb groove portion 223 in which the tip portion is inserted. In this example, as shown in FIG. 12C, the position of the tip stopper 45 is moved from the upstream side to the downstream side in the comb groove portion 223 in which the tip portion is inserted to prevent the paper S2 from popping out. According to this example, the time for the paper holding process can be shortened by omitting the movement of the first tray 21 in the paper loading direction.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the flow of the paper holding process for moving the tip stopper when the tip stopper 45 is on the paper S loaded on the first tray 21.

As shown in FIG. 13A, the paper S2 loaded on the first tray 21 is placed on the upper surface 21a of the three support members 22 arranged on the downstream side in the paper ejection direction, and is placed on the paper S2. , A bundle of paper S1 is placed. Further, the tip stopper 45 is arranged in a state where the tip portion of the stopper is in contact with the upper surface of the comb tooth portion 222 where the position of the tip of the loaded paper S1 faces.

In this state, in order to load the large-sized paper S2 on the bundle of paper S1 loaded on the first tray 21, it is necessary to move the position of the tip stopper 45 to the downstream side in the paper ejection direction. .. At this time, if the tip stopper 45 is moved in the paper ejection direction without moving the first tray 21 downward in the paper loading direction, the tip portion of the tip stopper 45 is moved to the first tray 21 as shown in FIG. 13B. When the paper S2 moves in contact with the surface of the placed paper S2, and the paper S2 has a small basis weight and is soft, or has an attribute like coated paper, the paper is used. There is a high possibility that S2 will be damaged.

In this example, when the tip stopper 45 is located on the paper loaded on the first tray 21, it is determined whether or not to move the tip stopper 45 based on the paper attributes observed by the paper information acquisition unit 60. To control the stopper moving device 46 and the elevating device 24. In this way, by considering the nature of the paper S on the tray in contact with the tip stopper 45, it is possible to reduce the damage of the paper S loaded on the first tray 21 due to the movement of the tip stopper 45.

For example, when the basis weight of the paper S2 loaded on the first tray 21 is small, the first tray 21 is lowered by the elevating device 24, and then the tip stopper 45 is moved to the downstream side in the paper discharge direction by the stopper moving device 46. Is moved to the state shown in FIG. 13C. As a result, it is possible to prevent the paper S2 from being damaged and to bring the paper S2 discharged onto the bundle of the paper S1 into contact with the tip stopper 45 to prevent the paper S2 from popping out from the first tray 21.

On the other hand, when the basis weight of the paper S2 loaded on the first tray 21 is large, it is unlikely that the paper S2 will be damaged due to the movement of the tip stopper 45, so the elevating device 24 lowers the first tray 21. Instead, the tip stopper 45 is moved to the downstream side in the paper ejection direction by the stopper moving device 46 to bring about the state shown in FIG. 15C. By omitting the lowering of the first tray 21, the time for the paper holding process is shortened, and the paper S2 discharged on the bundle of the paper S1 is brought into contact with the tip stopper 45 to be brought from the first tray 21. It is possible to prevent popping out. Depending on the observation result of the paper information acquisition unit 60, the stopper moving device 46 may not move the tip stopper 45 in the paper ejection direction.

As described above, the elevating device 24 lowers the first tray 21 as compared with the case where the tip stopper 45 is moved in the paper ejection direction by the stopper moving device 46 without lowering the first tray 21 by the elevating device 24. After that, when the tip stopper 45 is moved in the paper ejection direction by the stopper moving device 46, the processing time of the paper holding process increases. Therefore, if the timing for discharging the paper S from the discharging unit 20 to the first tray 21 is always set to be the same, when the first tray 21 is lowered by the elevating device 24, the tip stopper 45 does not move in time, and the first Paper may pop out from 1 tray 21.

In this example, a movement time calculation unit 70 for calculating the movement time of the tip stopper 45 in the paper holding process is provided, and the paper is discharged from the discharge unit 20 to the first tray 21 based on the movement time calculated by the movement time calculation unit 70. The waiting time of the paper S is determined. The movement time calculation unit 70 calculates the time required for the tip stopper 45 to move on the first tray 21. For example, when the tip stopper 45 is moved in the paper ejection direction by the stopper moving device 46 after the first tray 21 is lowered by the elevating device 24, the moving time is calculated to be long, so that the control unit 31 is the ejection unit. The waiting time until the paper is ejected to the first tray 21 in 20 is set to be long. On the other hand, when the tip stopper 45 is moved in the paper ejection direction by the stopper moving device 46 without lowering the first tray 21 by the elevating device 24, the moving time is calculated to be short, so that the control unit 31 is the ejection unit. The waiting time until the paper is ejected to the first tray 21 in 20 is set short.

According to this example, since the paper S is ejected to the first tray 21 in accordance with the movement time of the tip stopper 45 in the paper holding process, the ejected paper is ejected because the tip stopper 45 does not move in time. Can be prevented. Further, since the optimum standby time in the paper ejection unit can be set, the productivity of the apparatus can be improved.

Next, the moving process of the paper holding portion in the paper holding process by the paper loading device 2 of this example will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the moving process of the tip stopper 45 in this example.

First, the paper size acquisition unit 50 acquires the size information of the paper S discharged to the first tray 21 (step S100). At the same time, the discharge unit 20 is notified of the standby time calculated by the travel time calculation unit 70.

Next, the control unit 31 ejects the paper size of the topmost paper loaded on the first tray 21 and then the first tray 21 based on the size information acquired by the paper size acquisition unit 50. Compare with the paper size of the paper (step S101).

When the paper sizes of the two are different (YES in S101), the tray position detecting unit 55 detects the position of the first tray 21 in the height direction of the apparatus, and the tip position of the tip stopper 45 and the first tray. The positional relationship of the support member 22 of 21 with the upper surface 21a is confirmed (step S102).

Next, the position of the tip stopper 45 on the first tray 21 is detected by the paper holding portion position detecting portion 80, and the tip position of the tip stopper 45 is either the comb tooth portion 222 or the comb groove portion 223 of the first tray 21. (Step S103).

Next, the control unit 31 calculates the moving destination of the tip stopper 45 based on the size information acquired by the paper size acquiring unit 50, and the tip position of the tip stopper 45 at the moving destination is any of the first trays 21. It is confirmed whether it faces the comb tooth portion 222 or the comb groove portion 223 (step S104).

Next, the movement determination unit 75 determines whether or not to move the tip stopper 45 in the paper ejection direction by the stopper moving device 46 (step S105). If it is determined in step S105 that the tip stopper 45 is to be moved in the paper ejection direction (YES in step S105), the movement determination unit 75 raises and lowers the first tray 21 by the elevating device 24 when moving the tip stopper 45. It is determined whether or not it is necessary to lower it (step S106).

If it is determined in step S106 that the first tray 21 needs to be lowered (YES in S106), the control unit 31 lowers the first tray 21 by the elevating device 24 (step S107).

After lowering the first tray 21 in step S107, the control unit 31 moves the tip stopper 45 in the paper ejection direction by a predetermined distance by the stopper moving device 46 (step S108).

After moving the tip stopper 45 in the paper ejection direction in step S108, the control unit 31 raises the first tray 21 by the elevating device 24 (step S109), and ends the movement process of the paper holding unit.

If it is determined in step S105 that the tip stopper 45 is not moved in the paper ejection direction (NO in step S105), the paper holding portion movement process is terminated.

If it is determined in step S106 that it is not necessary to lower the first tray 21 (NO in S106), the control unit 31 moves the stopper without lowering the first tray 21 by the elevating device 24. The tip stopper 45 is moved by the device 46 in the paper ejection direction by a predetermined distance (step S108).

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the paper holding portion moving process when it is determined in step S104 of FIG. 14 that the moving destination of the tip stopper 45 is a position facing the comb groove portion 223.

In step S104 of FIG. 14, when it is determined that the moving destination of the tip stopper 45 is a position facing the comb groove portion 223 of the first tray 21, the paper S loaded on the first tray 21 is the tip stopper 45. It is determined whether or not the paper is prohibited from moving (movement prohibited paper) (step S201). For example, when the property of the paper S observed by the paper information acquisition unit 60 is a movement-prohibited paper that is easily scratched, such as when the basis weight is small and soft, or when it has an attribute like coated paper. (YES in S201), the control unit 31 ends the process of moving the paper holding unit without moving the tip stopper 45.

When it is determined that the paper placed on the first tray 21 is not movement-prohibited paper (NO in S201), the height of the paper bundle loaded on the first tray 21 by the paper information acquisition unit 60. (Paper height) is calculated, and the control unit 31 determines whether or not the position of the top of the paper bundle exceeds the specified value that defines whether the position of the top of the paper bundle is below the position of the tip of the tip stopper 45. (Step S202).

If it is determined in step S202 that the specified value is not exceeded (NO in S202), if the tip stopper 45 is moved in the paper ejection direction in that state, it will collide with the paper bundle, so that the control unit 31 , The first tray 21 is lowered by the elevating device 24 (step S203). After lowering the first tray 21 in step S203, the control unit 31 moves the tip stopper 45 in the paper ejection direction by the stopper moving device 46 (step S204). Next, after moving the tip stopper 45 in the paper ejection direction in step S204, the control unit 31 raises the first tray 21 by the elevating device 24 (step S205), and ends the movement process of the paper holding unit. ..

If it is determined in step S202 that the value exceeds the specified value (YES in S202), the control unit 31 is a stopper moving device because it does not collide with the paper bundle even if the tip stopper 45 is moved in the paper ejection direction. The tip stopper 45 is moved in the paper ejection direction by 46 (step S206), and the movement process of the paper holding portion is completed.

Although the image forming system 100 and the paper loading device 2 according to this example have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and is within the scope of the invention described in the claims. Various modifications can be performed.

For example, in this example, the image forming system 100 is composed of an image forming device 1 that has an image forming function and a paper loading device 2 that loads paper. However, the paper processing apparatus itself that constitutes the image forming system also functions as one aspect of the present invention. Further, the image forming system may include a paper loading device as one function of the image forming device, in addition to the image forming device and the paper loading device being configured as independent devices.

Further, in this example, the paper loading device is provided with a dedicated control unit (loading control unit), and the control unit controls the paper loading device. However, the control unit that controls the image forming apparatus may control the paper loading device, and in this case, the loading control unit may be omitted.

Further, in this example, the paper includes not only a recording medium produced by using pulp as a main raw material but also a recording medium in which an image can be formed by an image forming apparatus and can be discharged to a paper loading tray.

1 ... image forming device, 2 ... paper loading device, 5 ... document reading device, 6 ... image reading unit, 7 ... image processing unit, 8 ... image writing unit, 9 ... image forming unit, 19 ... image forming control unit, 20 ... discharging unit, 21 ... first tray (paper loading tray), 21a ... upper surface, 22 ... first support member , 222 ... comb tooth part, 223 ... comb groove part, 23 ... base member, 24 ... lifting device (second drive part), 25 ... second tray, 25a ... top surface, 26 ... 2nd support member, 27 ... base member, 28 ... front and rear drive device, 29 ... pedestal part, 30 ... drive unit, 31 ... loading control unit, 40 ... Cart, 45 ... Tip stopper (paper holding part), 46 ... Stopper moving device (first drive part), 47 ... Support housing, 48 ... Stopper drive part, 50 ... Paper size Acquisition unit, 55 ... Tray position detection unit, 60 ... Paper information acquisition unit, 65 ... Matching judgment unit, 70 ... Movement time calculation unit, 75 ... Movement judgment unit, 80 ... Paper holder position detection unit, 100 ... image formation system, 133 ... height detection sensor, 134 ... entrance sensor, 135 ... top surface detection sensor

Claims (19)

A comb in which a plurality of rod-shaped members having a rectangular cross section extending in a direction perpendicular to the paper ejection direction are horizontally arranged at a predetermined pitch, and comb teeth having the rod-shaped members and comb grooves having gaps are alternately arranged. Tooth-shaped paper loading tray and
A discharge unit that discharges paper to the paper loading tray,
A paper size acquisition unit that acquires the size of the paper ejected from the ejection unit,
A paper holding portion provided on the paper loading tray, which regulates the movement of the paper discharged to the paper loading tray to the downstream side in the paper discharging direction, and
A first drive unit that moves the paper holding unit along the paper ejection direction, and
A second drive unit that moves the paper loading tray along the paper loading direction, and
A paper loading device including a control unit that controls the first drive unit and the second drive unit based on the paper size acquired by the paper size acquisition unit. The control unit
The paper loading device according to claim 1, wherein the second drive unit moves the paper loading tray downward in the paper loading direction, and then the first drive unit moves the paper holding unit in the paper ejection direction. The control unit
A tray position detecting unit for detecting the position of the paper loading tray in the paper loading direction is provided.
The paper loading device according to claim 1 or 2, which controls the first drive unit and the second drive unit based on the position of the paper loading tray detected by the tray position detecting unit. The control unit
A paper information acquisition unit for acquiring paper information of the paper to be loaded on the paper loading tray is provided.
The paper loading device according to claim 3, wherein the tray position detecting unit calculates the position of the paper loading tray based on the paper information acquired by the paper information acquisition unit. The control unit
A paper holding portion position detecting portion for detecting the position of the paper holding portion on the paper loading tray is provided.
The paper loading device according to claim 1 or 2, which controls the first drive unit and the second drive unit based on the position of the paper retainer detected by the paper retainer position detection unit. The control unit
The paper is detected by the first drive unit within the range of the comb teeth where the paper retainer is located, or within the comb groove where the paper retainer is located, which is detected by the paper retainer position detection unit. The paper loading device according to claim 5, wherein the holding portion is moved. The control unit
When the paper holding portion is moved from the comb groove portion to the adjacent comb groove portion by the first driving unit, or when the paper holding portion is moved from the comb groove portion to the comb tooth portion.
The second drive unit moves the paper loading tray downward in the paper loading direction, the first drive unit moves the paper holding unit in the paper ejection direction, and the second drive unit moves the paper loading tray downward. The paper loading device according to claim 1, wherein the paper loading tray is moved upward in the paper loading direction. The control unit
The first is based on the size of the paper loaded on the paper loading tray and the size of the paper ejected from the ejection unit onto the paper loaded on the paper loading tray, which are acquired by the paper size acquisition unit. The paper loading device according to claim 1 or 2, which controls a drive unit and a second drive unit. The control unit
A movement time calculation unit for calculating the movement time of the paper holding unit is provided.
The paper loading device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the waiting time of paper to be discharged from the discharging unit onto the paper loading tray is determined based on the moving time calculated by the moving time calculation unit. The control unit
When the position of the paper holding portion detected by the paper holding portion position detecting unit is on the paper loaded on the paper loading tray, the paper holding portion is based on the paper information acquired by the paper information acquiring unit. The paper loading device according to claim 4, which controls the first drive unit and the second drive unit. The control unit
A comb in which the paper holding portion detected by the paper holding portion position detecting portion is located in the comb groove portion, and the moving destination of the paper holding portion is adjacent to the comb groove portion in which the paper holding portion is located. When it is on the teeth
The paper loading device according to claim 5, wherein the paper holding portion is moved in the comb groove portion by the first driving unit. The control unit
The first drive unit includes a alignment determination unit that reciprocates the paper holding unit in the paper ejection direction to determine whether or not to perform a alignment operation of the paper loaded on the paper loading tray. ,
The paper loading device according to claim 5, wherein the alignment determination unit determines whether or not to perform a paper alignment operation based on the position of the paper retainer detected by the paper retainer position detection unit. According to claim 12, the matching determination unit determines whether or not to perform a paper matching operation based on the paper information acquired by the paper information acquisition unit that acquires the paper information of the paper loaded on the paper loading tray. The paper loading device described. The control unit
The paper loading device according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the paper holding portion is moved by the first driving portion in the comb tooth portion or the comb groove portion where the paper holding portion is located. The control unit
The first is based on the size of the paper loaded on the paper loading tray and the size of the paper ejected from the ejection unit onto the paper loaded on the paper loading tray, which are acquired by the paper size acquisition unit. 1. The paper loading device according to claim 1, wherein the drive unit determines whether or not the paper holding unit is moved onto the paper loaded on the paper loading tray. The control unit
Based on the paper information acquired by the paper information acquisition unit that acquires the paper information of the paper to be loaded on the paper loading tray, the paper holding unit is loaded on the paper loading tray by the first drive unit. The paper loading device according to claim 15, which determines whether or not to move the paper onto the paper. The control unit
Based on the position of the destination of the paper holding portion on the paper loading tray, it is determined whether or not the first driving unit moves the paper holding portion onto the paper loaded on the paper loading tray. The paper loading device according to claim 15. The control unit
In claim 15, when the paper holding portion is moved onto the paper loaded on the paper loading tray, the paper holding portion is moved to a position corresponding to the comb tooth portion by the first driving unit. The paper loading device described. An image forming device that ejects the paper on which the image is formed, and
Comb teeth on which a plurality of rod-shaped members having a rectangular cross section extending in a direction perpendicular to the paper ejection direction for loading the paper discharged from the image forming apparatus are horizontally arranged at a predetermined pitch, and the rod-shaped members are present. Comb-shaped paper loading trays with alternating comb grooves and gaps,
A discharge unit that discharges paper to the paper loading tray,
A paper size acquisition unit for acquiring the size of the paper ejected from the ejection unit and a paper loading tray provided on the paper loading tray that regulates the movement of the paper ejected to the paper loading tray to the downstream side in the paper ejection direction. Paper holder and
A first drive unit that moves the paper holding unit along the paper ejection direction, and
A second drive unit that moves the paper loading tray along the paper loading direction, and
An image forming system including a control unit that controls the first drive unit and the second drive unit based on the paper size acquired by the paper size acquisition unit.

Images