JP2633123B2 - Sorter bin elevation control device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method in which pins fixed to the ends of bins of respective stages are fitted into spiral grooves formed in an upright cylinder, and the cylinder is rotationally driven by a drive motor. The present invention relates to a bin lifting / lowering control device for a sorter for driving a bin up and down by rotating the cylinder and stopping the cylinder by a set amount after the rotation of the cylinder starts.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, pins fixed at both ends of a plurality of sorting bins (hereinafter, simply referred to as bins) for sorting are fitted into spiral grooves formed in a vertical cylinder provided side by side. 2. Description of the Related Art A sorter that raises and lowers a bin by rotating a cylinder by driving means including a driving motor or the like is known.

In this sorter, a rotation pulse plate is attached to a rotation shaft of a drive motor so as to stop the cylinder at a predetermined angle, and the rotation amount is controlled.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned sorter, it is difficult to accurately stop the cylinder at a stop angle because inertial force acts on the rotating shaft of the drive motor, the cylinder, and the like. Furthermore, it is difficult to accurately stop the cylinder at the stop angle due to rattling by a gear, a timing belt, or the like that transmits the driving force of the drive motor to the cylinder.

Particularly, in a sorter provided with a sheet processing device such as a stapler or a punch for performing post-processing of the sorted sheets, control of the stop angle is required to be accurate. That is, as such a sorter, after the bin is to be processed and the pins of the bin are retracted along the guide to retreat the bin from other bins, the paper placed in the bin is moved by the paper pressing mechanism. It is conceivable to press and hold the bin with its rear end open to move the paper processing device to an arbitrary position to process the paper.In this type of sorter, the pins of the bin are moved along the guides. To do so, the groove of the cylinder must be precisely aligned with the guide. For this reason, a pulse plate that generates a stop timing signal to stop the drive motor on the rotation axis of the drive motor and the stop position of the rotation axis of the drive motor are detected to check whether the drive motor has stopped at an appropriate position In order to stop the cylinder accurately at the stop angle, a pulse plate may be provided.

However, if the pulse plate for the stop timing and the pulse plate for the stop position confirmation are separately provided, the number of parts increases, the structure becomes complicated, and the cost increases.

In addition, the control timing of the drive motor may be shifted due to the mounting error of the stop timing pulse plate and the stop position detection pulse plate. In this case, the cylinder cannot be stopped at an appropriate position, the groove of the cylinder does not match the guide, and the pin cannot be retracted. As a result,
The paper cannot be processed.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sorter bin lifting / lowering control device capable of accurately stopping a cylinder at a stop angle with a simple configuration.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a pin fixed to an end of a bin of each stage is fitted into a spiral groove formed in an upright cylinder. The bin is moved up and down by rotating the cylinder with a drive motor, and the bin is moved up and down by a set amount after the start of rotation of the cylinder, and the bin is moved up and down by the sorter bin elevation control device. A first storage unit for storing a target amount substantially the same as the set amount; a rotation signal for detecting relative rotation of both members from a member and a stationary member that rotate integrally with the cylinder; A rotation signal generating means for outputting a rotation amount; a rotation amount detection means for calculating the rotation amount of the cylinder from the rotation signal; and a stop to the drive motor when the rotation amount of the cylinder reaches the target amount after the start of rotation of the cylinder. Drive control means for outputting a signal, rotation amount measurement means for measuring the rotation amount of the cylinder until the cylinder is stopped by the stop signal after the start of rotation of the cylinder, and the measured rotation amount And a correction driving means for correcting and rotating the driving motor by the rotation amount of the obtained difference.

In the present invention, the target amount is set to a value equal to or less than the set amount.

Further, in claim 3, the correction driving means includes:
The drive motor is rotated at a lower speed than the rotation speed between the start of driving and the output of the stop signal.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the sorter is provided with a sheet processing device for performing a sheet process on a sheet on a bin inserted into a specific position of a cylindrical groove in each bin, and the sorter is provided at the specific position. A guide member that guides the pin of the bin in the groove from the specific position to enter and exit from the specific position, and guides the bin toward the sheet processing apparatus. Processing was performed.

[0013]

According to the sorter bin raising and lowering control device of the first aspect, the set amount and the target amount substantially the same as the set amount are stored, and the rotation of the cylinder is detected by the rotation signal generating means, and the rotation signal is detected. Is output, and the rotation amount of the cylinder is obtained. When the rotation amount of the cylinder reaches the target amount after the start of rotation of the cylinder, a stop signal is output to the drive motor and the drive motor is braked, while the rotation amount of the cylinder until the cylinder is stopped by the stop signal. Is measured, the difference between the measured rotation amount and the set amount is calculated, and the drive motor is corrected and rotated by the obtained difference rotation amount, whereby the cylinder is stopped at the set amount.

Further, according to the bin raising / lowering control device of the second aspect of the present invention, the target amount is set to a value equal to or less than the set amount, so that even if the cylinder rotates by inertia after the output of the stop signal, it is substantially set. Can be stopped in quantity.

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the rotation speed of the correction rotation of the drive motor is lower than the rotation speed between the start of driving and the output of the stop signal. Rotated by

According to the sorter bin raising and lowering control device of the fourth aspect, the pin of the bin inserted into the specific position of the cylindrical groove of each bin escapes from the specific position by the guide member and the paper The paper is guided to the processing device side, and the paper on the bin is subjected to paper processing by the paper processing device.

[0017]

FIG. 16 is an external view showing the entire image forming apparatus 1 to which the present invention is applied. The image forming apparatus 1 has a first
Of the first housing 2
A contact glass (not shown) is provided at the center of the upper surface of the.

Inside the first housing 2, an optical system for optically scanning an original, an image forming means having a photosensitive drum and members around the photosensitive drum for forming images, and transfer paper Each component such as a transfer system is provided. The document to be copied is placed on a contact glass with its copy surface facing down, and the document surface is optically scanned by the optical system. Then, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum by the image forming means based on the light reflected from the document surface, and further developed into a toner image. The developed toner image is transferred onto a transfer sheet, and is fixed on the transfer sheet by a fixing unit.

Reference numeral 3 denotes an automatic document feeder for automatically feeding a document, and includes an original placing section 4, a document loading section 5, a document transport section 6, and a document unloading section 7. The originals placed on the original placing section 4 are automatically moved one by one from the original carrying-in section 5 to a predetermined position on the contact glass by the original carrying section 6 and temporarily stopped. To be carried out.

Reference numerals 9, 10, and 11 denote cabinets for accommodating transfer papers, and sheets of different sizes can be set. An operation panel 12 includes a copy switch, a switch for indicating the number of copies, and the like. 1
Reference numeral 3 denotes a sorter mode switching key and a sheet processing selection key such as stapling or punching.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a second housing, the internal structure of which will be described later. Also, the second housing 1
4 has an opening / closing panel 14a, and by opening the opening / closing panel 14a, a sheet processing unit 30 described later can be pulled out. Reference numeral 15 denotes a sorter, in which a plurality of bins 16 are provided in a stepped manner, and reference numeral 17 denotes a paper discharge unit. The transfer paper is sequentially discharged to the bin 16 when sorting is performed, and discharged to the paper discharge unit 17 when sorting is not performed.

Next, referring to FIG.
Will be described. FIG. 1 is a side view showing the internal configuration of the second housing 14. 20, 21, 2
Reference numeral 2 denotes a first pin, a second pin, and a third pin which are disposed on both left and right sides of the bin 16 in the width direction of the paper so that a part of the bin 16 protrudes. ing.
Each bin 16 has a pair of first pins 20 provided in a groove provided inside the left and right side plates with a slight inclination to the right in the drawing, and second pins 21 provided upright on both left and right sides. Column 23
It is supported so as to be able to ascend and descend by being fitted into a spiral groove 24 cut into a rectangular shape. The third pin 22 is provided on the right side of the second pin 21 in the figure with a predetermined minute interval. The bin 16 connects the stopper 25 and the flat plate portion 26 with the stopper 25 for regulating and aligning the trailing edge of the sheet, and attaches the stopper 25 counterclockwise by engaging a spring or the like with the connection shaft. And a connecting portion 27 that is energized.

The lower end of the cylinder 23 is connected to a drive motor 230 via a timing belt 231, bevel gears 232, 233 and a timing belt 234. When the drive motor 230 is driven to rotate,
The driving force is the timing belt 234, the bevel gears 233, 2
The light is transmitted to the cylinder 23 via the timing belt 231 and the timing belt 231, and the cylinder 23 is driven to rotate.

Each of the bins 16 is moved upward or downward one by one in synchronization with the transfer paper discharge timing by rotating the cylinder 23 by 360 ° by the drive motor 230 or the like. It has become. In addition, when copying and sorting are completed and when a predetermined sheet processing such as stapling or punching is performed on each transfer sheet, the cylinder 23 is rotated by 360 ° (set amount) and stopped at a predetermined stop angle. As a result, each bin on which the paper processing is performed is moved up and down one step at a specific position therefor. In this state, an opening surface of a guide rail 60 to be described later and a groove 24 of the cylinder 23 face each other, and the bin 16 at the specific position retreats by a predetermined distance along the inclination of the guide rail 60 (rightward in the figure). ).

Reference numeral 28 denotes a sheet processing device for performing predetermined processing such as staples and punches on the transfer papers sorted in the bin 16, and reference numeral 29 denotes a support frame on which the sheet processing device 28 is mounted. Reference numeral 30 denotes a sheet processing unit, 31 denotes a belt provided on the sheet processing unit 30, and 32 denotes a motor for driving the belt 31. The support frame 29 is placed on the belt 31 and is reciprocally movable in the width direction of the bin, that is, in the width direction of the paper by rotating the belt 31 through a gear from a motor 32.
Thus, the bin 16 moves forward by a predetermined distance in the inclined direction (to the left in the drawing), approaches the transfer paper side, and can perform processing on an arbitrary position of the transfer paper.

In addition, a pulse plate 235 and a rotation sensor 236 are provided at an appropriate position below the column 23.
As shown in FIG. 17, the pulse plate 235 is axially mounted on the column 23 concentrically, and has a plurality of cutout holes 235a formed at a predetermined pitch in the circumferential direction of the pulse plate 235. The rotation sensor 236 is fixed to the sorter main body, and includes a light emitting unit and a photosensor arranged to face each other with the cutout hole 235a of the pulse plate 235 interposed therebetween. When the column 23 is rotated by the drive motor 230, the pulse plate 235 rotates integrally with the column 23 and passes between the light emitting unit and the photosensor in which the cutout hole 235a is stationary. Turns on and off to generate a pulse. As a result, a pulse corresponding to the amount of rotation of the pulse plate 235, that is, the column 23, is output from the rotation sensor 236 to the control unit 162 described later.

The rotation sensor 236 is fixed to the column 23, and the pulse plate 235 is formed in a concentric donut plate shape facing the column 23 and fixed to the sorter main body. Pulse plate 23
5 so as to sandwich the notch hole 235a of FIG.
A pulse corresponding to the amount of rotation of No. 3 may be output.

Here, the control system of the drive motor 230 will be described with reference to FIG. This control system includes an input interface 160, a memory 161, a control unit 162, and an output interface 163. Memory 161
Is composed of a ROM and a RAM, and after the high-speed rotation of the cylinder 23 is started by the drive motor 230 in order to perform sheet processing on the sheets on the bins 16 of each stage, the drive motor 230
To the number of pulses before outputting the stop signal
It stores the predetermined number of pulses, the number of pulses (hereinafter referred to as the number of reference pulses) from immediately after the output of the stop signal to the drive motor 230 until the cylinder 23 stops, and a control program and the like. The control unit 162 includes the counting unit 1
62a, a calculating means 162b, and a drive control means 162c. A pulse signal from the rotation sensor 236 is input through the input interface 160, and the drive motor 230 is controlled through the output interface 163 in accordance with the pulse signal. It outputs a signal.

The counting means 162a includes the rotation sensor 23
The pulse signal from the counter 6 is counted, and the counted number is output to the arithmetic means 162b and the drive control means 162c as the rotation amount of the cylinder 23. The calculation means 162b
Immediately after the output of the stop signal to the drive motor 230, the cylinder 23
Is calculated and the difference between the count number until the stop is performed and the reference pulse number stored in the memory 161 is calculated and output to the drive control means 162c.

The drive control means 162c controls the bins 16 of each stage.
When the count from the counting means 162a reaches the predetermined number of pulses stored in the memory 161 after the rotation of the cylinder 23 is started to perform the sheet processing on the upper sheet, the rotation of the drive motor 230 is stopped. Drive motor 2
A stop signal is output to 30. Further, the drive control means 162c drives the drive motor 230 forward or reverse at a low speed, for example, at a low speed in order to rotate the drive motor 230 by the rotation amount corresponding to the difference calculated by the calculation means 162b.

If the predetermined number of pulses (target amount) is substantially equal to the amount of rotation (set amount) of the cylinder 23 by 360 °, the amount of correction rotation of the drive motor 230 can be reduced. it can. Further, since the cylinder 23 rotates to some extent after the output of the stop signal to the drive motor 230 due to the inertial force of the drive motor 230 and the cylinder 23, it is necessary to output the stop signal before the cylinder 23 reaches the original stop angle. Preferably, the predetermined number of pulses is set to be equal to or less than the number of pulses corresponding to the amount of rotation of the cylinder 23 by 360 °.

Next, the operation of the control system will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this flowchart, the drive motor 230 is driven to rotate forward at high speed in order to raise the bin 16 to the specific position.

When the forward rotation of the drive motor 230 is started, counting of pulse signals from the rotation sensor 236 is started (step S41). Then, it is determined whether or not the count number of the pulse signal has reached the predetermined pulse number (step S42), and the drive motor 230 is continuously driven forward until the count number reaches the predetermined pulse number (step S42). NO).

On the other hand, when the counted number reaches the predetermined pulse number (YES in step S42), the driving motor 23
A stop signal is output to the drive motor 230 to stop 0 (step S43), and the operation of stopping the rotation of the drive motor 230 is started. At this time, the drive motor 230 and the column 2
Due to the inertial force of No. 3, the cylinder 23 rotates to some extent and stops. Therefore, the pulse signal from the rotation sensor 236 is counted from the output of the stop signal to the actual stop (step S44).

Then, after the output of the stop signal, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has passed to allow a sufficient time for the drive motor 230 to actually stop (step S45). Then, step S is performed until the predetermined time elapses.
Returning to step 44, the pulse signal from the rotation sensor 236 is counted (NO in step S45).

On the other hand, when the predetermined time elapses (YES in step S45), the rotation of the cylinder 23 has stopped, and the difference between the count number K of the pulse signal from the rotation sensor 236 and the reference pulse number K0 during this period. X is calculated by the following equation (step S46).

X = K-K0 Subsequently, the sign of the difference X is determined (step S4).
7) When the difference X is a positive value, the cylinder 23 has stopped beyond the original stop angle, and the drive motor is driven by an amount corresponding to the difference X to return the cylinder 23 to the original stop angle. 2
30 is driven reversely, for example, at a low speed (step S4).
8).

On the other hand, when the difference X is a negative value,
Does not reach the original stop angle, so that the drive motor 230 is driven forward at a low speed, for example, by a drive amount corresponding to the difference X in order to drive the cylinder 23 to the original stop angle (step S49).

When the difference X is zero, the cylinder 23
Is stopped at the original stop angle, so that the drive motor 23
0 is not driven.

In the case where the cylinder 16 is stopped at a predetermined stop angle by lowering the bin 16, in the flowchart of FIG.
Is driven in the reverse direction, and is driven in the forward direction in step S47, while it is changed in the reverse direction in step S48.

In the flowchart of FIG. 19,
In step S45, it is determined that the rotation of the cylinder 23 has stopped when the predetermined time has elapsed. However, the rotation of the cylinder 23 has stopped, for example, by detecting that the pulse signal is no longer output from the rotation sensor 236. May be determined.

As described above, the amount of rotation of the cylinder 23 is detected by one detecting means including the pulse plate 235 and the rotation sensor 236 disposed on the cylinder 23, and the output timing of the stop signal to the drive motor 230 is set. Since the deviation from the original stop angle (set amount) of the cylinder 23 is determined, the structure can be simplified as compared with the case where these mechanisms are separately provided, and the driving due to the mounting error of these mechanisms is performed. A shift in control of the motor 230 can be prevented. Further, since the detecting means is provided on the cylinder 23, the timing belt 23
The cylinder 23 can be reliably stopped at the stop angle without being affected by the backlash caused by the bevel gears 1 and 234 and the bevel gears 232 and 233.

Next, the movement of the transfer paper side, that is, the movement of the bin 16 during the paper processing will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a paper moving mechanism.
2A is a plan view, and FIG. 2B is a side view. 51 is a motor for moving the bin 16 in the front-rear direction, 52 is a worm wheel, 53, 54, 55 and 56 are gears, and these gears 53, 54, 55 and 56 are chain wheels 57.
Is hung. The torque of the motor 51 is transmitted to the gear 53 through the worm wheel 52 and further transmitted to each gear through the chain wheel 57.

Reference numeral 58 denotes the chain wheel 57 and the connecting portion 5
9 are working plates connected at 9. The action plate 58 causes the bin 16 to move in the front-rear direction when performing a predetermined process on a sheet as described later, and the second pin 21 engages with the spiral groove 24 during the sorting process.
It also serves to regulate so as not to be detached.

Reference numeral 60 denotes a guide rail for guiding the second pin 21 to guide the moving direction of the operation plate 58. 6
Reference numerals 1 and 62 denote a first sensor and a second sensor configured by a photo interrupter or the like, which detect the presence / absence of the action plate 58 and regulate the movement range. With this configuration, the action plate 58 reciprocates within a predetermined distance range according to the rotation of the motor 51.

A fourth pin 71 partially projects from the bin 16 and is pushed by an eccentric cam 75, which will be described later, to
Cancel. 72 is a motor for rotating the stopper 25 clockwise to release it, 73 is a worm wheel, 74 is a gear, 75 is an eccentric cam, 76 is a chain hung between the gear shaft of the gear 74 and the eccentric cam 75. Wheel. In this way, the rotational force of the motor 72 is transmitted to the eccentric cam 75 via the chain wheel 76.

Reference numeral 77 denotes a pulse plate that rotates integrally with the gear 74, and reference numeral 78 denotes a third sensor, such as a photo interrupter, that detects the amount of rotation of the gear 74 by the pulse plate 77. The release amount of the stopper 25 is set to a predetermined amount by the third sensor 78.

It should be noted that, as shown in FIG.
A cutout portion 251 is formed on one end of the front end 5 for a reason to be described later.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a mechanism for pressing a sheet. The paper pressing mechanism is arranged as shown in FIG. 7 and is for pressing and fixing the transfer paper sorted in the bin 16 to the flat plate portion 26 of the bin 16 immediately before the stopper 25 is released.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 81 denotes a motor for driving the paper press, and reference numerals 82, 83, 84, and 85 denote gears. The torque of the motor 81 is transmitted to the gears 84 and 85 through the gears 82 and 83. I have. 86 is a paper presser for pressing and fixing the transfer paper, and 88 is a link bar connecting the gear 85 and the paper presser 86. The upper end of the link rod 88 is rotatably attached to an eccentric position on the side surface of the gear 85. Reference numeral 89 denotes a guide rail that guides the direction of movement of a connection point 92 between the link rod 88 and the paper presser 86. Reference numeral 87 denotes a spring provided between the connection point and the paper presser 86. A suitable pressing force is applied according to the number of sheets.

Reference numeral 90 denotes a pulse plate that rotates integrally with the gear 84, and reference numeral 91 denotes a fourth sensor, such as a photo interrupter, that detects the amount of rotation of the gear 84 by the pulse plate 90.

Next, the operation of the paper moving mechanism and the pressing mechanism will be described. First, the transfer paper moving mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2B shows a state of the forward (original) position, and FIG. 4 shows a state of the retracted position.

When the motor 51 rotates and the worm wheel 5
When the gear 53 starts rotating through the gear 2, the gears 53, 5
The chain wheel 57 hung around 4, 55, 56 rotates counterclockwise. By the rotation of the chain wheel 57, the action plate 58 connected by the connecting portion 59 starts to retreat (to the right in the drawing) along the guide rail 60.

At this time, the operation plate 58 is connected to the third pin 22
The bin 16 provided with the third pin is moved in the retreating direction by the movement of the action plate 58. Then, when the action plate 58 reaches the position of the second sensor 62, it is detected and the motor 51 stops. In this way, the transfer paper is moved by a predetermined distance by the backward movement of the bin 16.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a state after the sheet has been moved. The action plate 58 is stopped at a position detected by the second sensor 62.

Next, the forward operation for returning to the original state will be described.

At this time, the motor 51 is rotated in the opposite direction, and the chain wheel 57 is rotated in the opposite direction. By the rotation of the chain wheel 57, the action plate 58 starts to move forward (to the left in the drawing) along the guide rail 60.

By the movement of the operation plate 58, the second pin 21 is pushed to the left in the drawing, and the bin 16 moves in the forward direction. When the operation plate 58 reaches the position of the first sensor 61, it is detected and the motor 51 stops.

If the number of pulses from the rotation sensor 236 is counted and the cylinder 23 deviates from the original stop angle, the drive motor 230 is rotated by a drive amount corresponding to the deviation to correct the rotation of the drive motor 230. Since the cylinder 230 is driven to stop the cylinder 23 at the original stop angle, the stopping accuracy of the cylinder 23 is improved. Therefore, the bin on which the paper processing is performed stops at the specific position accurately, the opening surface of the guide rail 60 and the groove 24 of the cylinder 23 face each other, and the bin 16 at the specific position moves along the inclination of the guide rail 60. Can be surely retreated.

Next, the operation of the paper pressing mechanism will be described with reference to FIG. The motor 81 rotates, and the gears 82 and 83
When the gears 84 and 85 start rotating through the gear 85,
, The paper presser 86 connected by the link rod 88
Moves down along the guide rail 89 and presses the sheet between the flat plate portion 26 by the force of the spring 87. And the gear 84
The rotation amount of the pulse plate 90 integrally rotating with the fourth sensor 9
1 and the motor 81 is stopped at a predetermined position to press and fix the sheet.

On the other hand, when the paper presser is released, the motor 81 is further rotated to rotate the gear 85 exactly once, and the paper presser 86 connected by the link rod 88 rises along the guide rail 89 to return to the original position. Return to the position.

Next, the operation of releasing the stopper 25 so that a predetermined process can be performed on the pressed and fixed sheet will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 shows a state before the release, and FIG. 5 shows a state after the release.

When the bin 16 is in the retracted position shown in FIG. 5, the motor 72 rotates to rotate the worm wheel 73.
When the gear 74 rotates clockwise through the shaft, the chain wheel 76 rotates clockwise, and the eccentric cam 7 rotates.
5 is rotated clockwise. Due to the rotation of the eccentric cam 75, the peripheral surface of the eccentric cam 75 comes into contact with the fourth pin 71 to generate a clockwise rotation force on the fourth pin 71. When the eccentric cam 75 further rotates, the connecting portion 27
The fourth pin 71 is rotated clockwise against the urging force of the inner spring, and the stopper 25 is rotated clockwise about the connecting portion 27 as a fulcrum, and the stopper 25 is released. With this release, a predetermined process can be performed on the sheet.

The pulse plate 7 that rotates integrally with the gear 74
7 is detected by a third sensor 78, and the motor 72 is stopped at a predetermined position.

When returning the stopper 25 to the original position, the motor 72 is further rotated and the worm wheel 7 is rotated.
3, the eccentric cam 75 is rotated clockwise through the gear 74 and the chain wheel 76.
Is rotated in the clockwise direction, the stopper 25 returns to the original position by the urging force of the spring in the connecting portion 27.

It should be noted that the position at which processing is performed on paper is
In the case of one corner of the paper, ie, the notch 251
Is within the range, the above-described release of the stopper 25 is not performed.

Next, the configuration of the sheet processing unit 30 will be described. The sheet processing device 28 is detachable from the support frame 29. 6 to 9 for the configuration.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6 is an external view showing a schematic configuration of the support frame 29 with the sheet processing device 28 removed. FIG.
Is a partial cross-sectional view mainly showing the structure of the support frame 29 as viewed from the side. FIG. 8 is an external view showing a schematic configuration of a punch 40 as an example of the sheet processing device 28. FIG. 9 is an external view showing a schematic configuration of a stapler 41 as another example of the sheet processing device 28. Note that a drive mechanism and the like are omitted in FIGS. 8 and 9.

Reference numeral 31 denotes a belt horizontally disposed on the left and right sides of the upper portion of the sheet processing unit 30 and is reciprocally movable by a motor 32. The support frame 29 includes a slide 42 and a mount 44.

The slide table 42 reciprocates the support frame 29 in the left-right direction by the rotation of the belt 31. The mounting base 44 is configured to advance and retreat the sheet processing device 28 along a slope by rotating the motor 43 via gears and the like.

Reference numerals 140, 141, 142 and 143 denote gears, and 141 and 142 are provided coaxially.
The torque generated in step No. 3 is transmitted. 14
Reference numeral 4 denotes a pulse plate that rotates together with the gear 143, and 145 denotes a cylindrical body. Reference numeral 146 denotes a connecting rod which is rotatably attached to the eccentric position on the upper surface of the pulse plate 144 and the lower part of the cylinder 145, and connects the pulse plate 144 and the cylinder 145. Reference numeral 147 denotes a cylindrical guide rod attached to the slide table 42 side, and has the same inclination as the guide rail 60 for guiding the bin 16 to retreat.

The cylindrical body 145 is penetrated by the guide rod 147, and reciprocates along the guide rod 147 by the rotation of the pulse plate 144. 149 is the mounting base 4
4, the cylindrical body 145 is provided with the notch 149.
The mounting base 44 is moved in the front-rear direction by contacting the edge of the mounting base 44.

Reference numeral 148 denotes a fifth sensor for detecting the amount of rotation of the pulse plate 144, such as a photo interrupter.

Reference numerals 100 and 101 denote rollers provided so that the slide table 42 moves smoothly with respect to the sheet processing unit 30 corresponding to the stationary side. 102, 10
Reference numerals 3, 104, and 105 denote rollers provided so that the mounting base 44 smoothly moves with respect to the slide base 42 corresponding to the stationary side when the mounting base 44 moves.

First, the mounting structure of the punch 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. Reference numeral 106 denotes a T-shaped fitting having two points screwed therein, which passes through a slit 107 provided at a lower portion of the punch 40 to assist in fixing the punch 40. Reference numerals 108 and 109 denote connectors for connecting signal lines and the like for controlling the operation of the punch 40, and two holes 110 for inserting pins (not shown) for assisting fixing.
Is provided.

Reference numeral 150 denotes a punching blade for making a hole in the paper.
Reference numeral 1 denotes a table on which sheets are set when punching. Stand 1
On both sides of 51, an auxiliary table 1 for preventing the paper from hanging
52 are provided. An inclined portion 151 for smoothing the sheet setting is provided at each end of the table 151 and the auxiliary table 152.
a and 152a are provided. That is, when the leading end of the sheet to be processed hangs down due to the release of the stopper 25, the inclined sections 151a and 152a are used to pump up the sheet and set it appropriately at the set position.

The punch 40 passes the T-shaped bracket 106 through the slit 107, connects the connectors 108 and 109, and
Screws at one place through 11, 112. In addition, hole 1
Numeral 12 can be adjusted in the direction of contact and separation with the sheet.

Next, the mounting structure of the stapler 41 will be described with reference to FIGS. Reference numeral 113 denotes a U-shaped fitting having two points screwed, and the elastic force of the U-shaped fitting clamps the stapler 41 from both sides to assist in fixing the stapler 41. 114 and 115 are staplers 41
A connector for connecting a signal line or the like for controlling the operation of the device, and has two holes 116 for inserting pins (not shown) for assisting fixing.

Reference numeral 153 denotes a staple binding unit that binds sheets with staples. Reference numeral 154 denotes a table on which sheets are set when stapling.

The stapler 41 has a notch 251
When the stapling is performed at the position where the stopper 25 is not released, the auxiliary table is unnecessary.
1 and the auxiliary table 152 function as an auxiliary table for the stapler 41, and also perform the pumping of the hanging paper, so that there is no need to particularly provide the auxiliary table or the inclined portion. It is sufficient that the above configuration is provided on at least one of the punch 40 and the stapler 41.

The stapler 41 is pinched from both sides by the elastic force of the U-shaped fitting 113 to connect the connectors 114 and 115 and screwed through the holes 117 and 118 to one place.

The sheet processing unit 30 is detachable from the second housing 14. The structure will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. FIG.
FIG. 1 shows a state in which the support frame 29 from which the sheet processing device 28 has been removed is placed on the sheet processing unit 30.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram viewed from the arrow A direction of FIG. FIG.
FIG. 2 is an external view showing a schematic configuration inside the second housing 14 from which the sheet processing unit 30 is removed.

Reference numeral 130 denotes a roller, and a rectangular cut groove 131 is provided at a position corresponding to the second housing 14. 132, 133, 134, 135 and 136 are gears, and the belt 31 is gears 134, 135 and 136.
It is hung on.

Reference numeral 137 denotes a sixth sensor for detecting the initial position of the slide table 42, which is constituted by a photo interrupter or the like. Note that the initial position is set on the front side of the second housing 14, and when stapling to a position facing the inner cutout 251 of the sheet, the slide table 42 does not move.

The paper processing unit 30 is configured such that its front side is longer than the width of the bin 16 by, for example, the dimension length of the punch 40. For this reason, when performing maintenance work or the like on the outer sheet processing device 28, that is, the punch 40, it is only necessary to open the panel of the second housing 14.

When the paper processing unit 30 is pulled out to the near side, the roller 130 comes into contact with the front edge 131a of the rectangular cut groove 131 and stops temporarily. At this temporary stop position, the rollers 130 and the cut grooves 131 are set so that the support frame 29 is pulled out substantially toward the front from the second housing 14. Therefore, in this state, maintenance work and the like can be performed on the inner sheet processing device 28, that is, the stapler 41.

When the paper processing unit 30 is further pulled out, it can be pulled down slightly to disengage the roller 130 from the edge 131a, and the paper processing unit 30 can be easily pulled out by the roller 130.

Here, the movement of the slide table 42 and the mounting table 44 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6, 7 and 10.

First, the operation of moving the slide table 42 will be described. When the motor 32 rotates and the gear 134 starts rotating through the gears 132 and 133, the belt 31 rotates, and the slide table 42 moves in the left-right direction, that is, the direction parallel to the width direction of the sheet being pressed and fixed. I do. The control of the moving distance of the slide table 42 is performed based on the operation time of the motor 32 or the number of motor drive pulses based on the initial position and the like.

When the slide table 42 is returned to the initial position, the motor 32 is rotated in the reverse direction, and when the sixth sensor 137 detects the slide table 42, the motor 32 is stopped.

Next, the operation of moving the mount 44 will be described. When the motor 43 rotates, the gears 140, 141, 1
When the pulse plate 144 starts rotating through 42 and 143, the cylindrical body 145 is moved forward through the connecting rod 146, and the mounting base 44 is moved forward toward the paper side along the inclination integrally therewith. .

Then, the rotation amount of the pulse plate 144 is detected by the fifth sensor 148, and the motor 43 is stopped at a predetermined position. As a result, the sheet is set on the table 151 and the auxiliary table 152 of the punch 40 or the table 154 of the stapler 41.

To return the mounting base 44 to the initial position, the motor 43 is further rotated in the same direction, and the fifth sensor 148
When it is detected that the mounting base 44 has returned to the initial position, the motor 43 is stopped.

Here, the operation procedure when actually performing the sheet processing will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure when performing the sheet processing. When the position and type of the sheet processing are selected by the selection key 13, the operation of the sheet processing starts.

First, it is determined about the position where the sheet processing is performed (step S1). When processing is performed only at one corner of the initial position side of the sheet processing device 28 (YE in step S1)
S), the process proceeds to step S2 to perform the process (hereinafter referred to as a specific mode), and the process is performed when the position where the sheet processing is performed is not only one corner on the initial position side of the sheet processing device 28 or at one or more other positions. (Step S1
NO), the process proceeds to step S3 to perform the process (hereinafter, referred to as a normal mode).

First, the processing procedure in the specific mode will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure in the specific mode, that is, when the stapling process is performed only at one corner of the sheet.

First, the bin 16 on which the sheets to be stapled are placed is retracted to a predetermined position toward the stapler 41 (step S11). When the backward movement is completed, the paper is pressed and fixed by the paper presser 86 (step S12).

Next, the paper is set on the table 154 of the stapler 41 by moving the mounting table 44 forward at the initial position (step S13). Since the notch 251 is formed in the one corner at the stopper 25, the operation of releasing the stopper 25 becomes unnecessary. Then, the stapler 41 is operated to bind the sheets by the stapling operation (step S14).

When the stapling operation is completed, the mounting table 44
Is retracted to retract the stapler 41 from the sheet and return to the original position (step S15). Next, the paper presser 86 is released (step S16), and the bin 16 on which the stapling process has been completed is advanced to return to the original position (step S17).

Next, it is determined whether or not the stapling process has been performed on all the stages of the bin 16 on which the sheets are placed, and if not completed (NO in step S18), the bin 16 is moved to the first stage. (Step S19). At this time, if the staple process has been started from the lower side of the bin 16, the staple process is raised by one stage, and vice versa. Then, the processing of steps S11 to S18 is repeated for the newly moved bin 16. On the other hand, if the stapling process has been completed for all the required bins (YES in step S18), this process ends.

Next, the processing procedure in the normal mode will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure in the normal mode, for example, when punching two places symmetrical in the width direction of the sheet. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the movement of the punch 40 and the punch position of the sheet at the retracted position.

First, the punch 40 is moved forward in the width direction of the sheet from the initial position (A) and stopped at the position (A) facing the first punch position (C) (step S21). Next, bin 1 on which the sheet to be subjected to the punching process is placed
6 is retracted to a predetermined position (step S22). Subsequently, the paper is pressed and fixed by the paper presser 86 (step S).
23). When the pressing and fixing of the sheet is completed, the stopper 25 of the bin 16 is released (step S24). Since the sheet is already fixed in step S23, the stopper 2
Even when 5 is released, the paper does not slip down.

Next, the paper is set on the table 151 of the punch 40 and the auxiliary table 152 by moving the mounting table 44 forward (step S25). And the punch 40
Is operated to make a hole in the sheet (step S26).
When the punching at the first punch position (c) is completed, the punch 40 is continuously moved in the forward movement direction and stopped at the second punch position (d) (step S27). Then, the punch 40 is operated to make a hole in the sheet (step S28). When the drilling is completed, the mounting table 4
4, the punch 40 is retracted to the position (e) and retracted from the sheet (step S29).

Next, the stopper 25 of the bin 16 is returned from the released state to the set state (step S30).
The paper presser 86 is released (step S31). Then, the punched bin 16 is advanced and returned to the original position (step S32).

Next, it is determined whether or not the punching process has been performed on all the stages of the bin 16 on which the sheets are placed, and if not completed (NO in step S33), the bin 16
Is moved by one step (step S35). At this time,
If the punching process is started from the lower side of the bin 16,
It is raised one step at a time, and conversely, it is lowered one step at a time.

Further, the punch 40 is moved backward from the position (e) in the width direction of the sheet and stopped at the position (a) facing the first punch position (c) (step S36). Then, step S22 is performed on the newly moved bin 16.
To S33 are repeated.

On the other hand, if the punching process has been completed for all the required bins (YES in step S33), the process proceeds to step S33.
Proceeding to 34, the punch 40 is returned to the initial position (A), and this processing ends.

The method of moving the punch 40 is not limited to the above method. For example, step S3
At position 6, without returning from position (e) to position (a), position (e)
To stop at Then, for the next sheet, a hole is made first from the second position (d). Next, a hole is made in the first position (C), and the hole is retracted to the position (A). In this manner, the order in which the holes are formed in the first position (c) and the second position (d) can be alternately changed each time the paper is replaced.

Although the punching process has been described here, the stapling process can be performed under the same control. In this case, since the stapler 41 is placed adjacent to the punch 40 and thus has a different initial position, it is necessary to control the position of the slide table 42 in the reciprocating movement direction by that distance.

Further, the control in the case where the number of processing positions is two has been described. However, the control can be performed in the case where there are more processing positions, and the processing can be performed for any desired set position. Can be applied.
Further, the initial position may be on the rear side of the image forming apparatus 1. In this case, an opening / closing panel 14a for maintenance and inspection is provided on the rear side of the second housing 14.

In the present embodiment, the punch 40 and the stapler 41 have been described as examples of the sheet processing device 28. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and any printing apparatus or any other apparatus that performs processing on sheets may be used. In addition, the mounting portion of the device can be easily replaced by having the same configuration as the other devices.

In the above-described embodiment, the position of the sheet processing device 28 at the processing position with respect to the sheet is controlled by controlling the rotation amount of the motor 43. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A paper presence / absence detection switch that detects the presence of paper and turns on near the processing unit 28 may be provided, and the position of the motor 43 may be turned on and off by turning on and off the switch.
In this case, for example, after the sorting process and before the sheet processing operation,
If the paper is removed from the bin 16, this switch remains off, so that the idle operation of the paper processing device 28 can be prevented.

[0113]

According to the present invention, since the rotation amount of the cylinder is directly measured by the member and the stationary member which rotate together with the cylinder, the rotation amount of the cylinder can be accurately measured. In addition, when the rotation amount of the cylinder reaches the target amount after the start of rotation of the cylinder, the drive motor is braked, and the drive motor corrects the rotation amount by the rotation amount of the difference between the rotation amount of the cylinder and the set amount until the cylinder stops. So that the cylinder can be stopped exactly at the set amount,
The bin can be stopped at the proper position.

Also, since the target amount is set to a value equal to or less than the set amount, the amount of rotation of the cylinder until the rotation of the cylinder is stopped by the inertia force of the drive motor and the cylinder is prevented from greatly exceeding the set amount. Can be reduced, and the bin can be stopped at an appropriate position in a short time.

Further, since the rotation speed of the correction rotation of the drive motor is lower than the rotation speed from the start of driving to the output of the stop signal, the overrun during the correction rotation of the drive motor is performed. Can be prevented, and the bin can be stopped at an appropriate position in a short time.

Further, when a pin of a bin inserted into a specific position of the cylindrical groove is guided to the paper processing apparatus by a guide member, and the paper on the bin is subjected to the paper processing, the bin is accurately stopped at the specific position. Therefore, the pin of the bottle can be smoothly guided from the groove of the cylinder to the guide member.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an internal configuration of a second housing.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams showing a paper moving mechanism, wherein FIG.
(B) is a side view.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a sheet pressing mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a sheet is at a retracted position.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state after a bin stopper is released.

FIG. 6 is an external view showing a schematic configuration of a support frame in a state where a sheet processing apparatus is removed.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view mainly showing the structure of the support frame as viewed from a side.

FIG. 8 is an external view showing a schematic configuration of a punch.

FIG. 9 is an external view showing a schematic configuration of a stapler.

FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a state in which a support frame is placed on a sheet processing unit.

FIG. 11 is an external view showing a schematic configuration inside a second housing.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when performing paper processing.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation in a specific mode.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation in a normal mode.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating movement of a punch.

FIG. 16 is an external view illustrating the entire image forming apparatus.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a detection sensor.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram of a control system for stopping a cylinder at a stop position.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control system in FIG. 18;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 image forming apparatus 14 second housing 15 sorter 16 bin 21 second pin 23 cylinder 24 groove 28 paper processing apparatus 40 punch 41 stapler 58 working plate 60 guide rail 161 memory 162 control unit 162a counting means 162b arithmetic means 162c drive control Means 210 Rail 230 Drive motor 235 Pulse plate 235a Notch hole 236 Rotation sensor

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A pin fixed to an end of a bin of each stage is fitted into a spiral groove formed in an upright column, and the bin is raised and lowered by rotating the column by a driving motor. A first storage means for storing the set amount, the first storage means for storing the set amount, and a target substantially the same as the set amount. Second storage means for storing an amount, rotation signal generation means for detecting a relative rotation of the two members from a member and a stationary member which rotate integrally with the cylinder, and outputting a rotation signal; and Rotation amount detection means for obtaining the rotation amount, drive control means for outputting a stop signal to the drive motor when the rotation amount of the cylinder reaches the target amount after the start of rotation of the cylinder, after the rotation of the cylinder, Rotation amount measurement means for measuring the rotation amount of the cylinder until the cylinder is stopped by the stop signal, calculation means for calculating a difference between the measured rotation amount and the set amount, and A sorter bin raising / lowering control device, comprising: a correction drive means for correcting and rotating the drive motor by the difference rotation amount. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said target amount is set to a value equal to or less than said set amount. 3. The correction driving device according to claim 1, wherein the correction driving means rotates the driving motor at a lower speed than a rotation speed from the start of driving to the output of a stop signal. The sorter bin lifting and lowering control device according to the above. 4. The sorter bin raising / lowering control device according to claim 1, wherein the sorter performs a sheet process on a sheet on a bin fitted into a specific position of the groove of the cylinder among the bins. A processing device, and a guide member that is connected to the specific position and guides a pin of a bin in the groove into and out of the specific position to guide the bin to the paper processing device side, and the bin escapes to the paper processing device side. A bin lifting and lowering control device for a sorter, wherein the sheet on the bin is processed in a state where the bin is moved.