JP2927786B1 - Sheet supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide an external test / operating method for various sheet-like materials by an easy operation.
Provided is a small and highly efficient sheet supply device which can be smoothly and reliably supplied to a processing device. In a sheet supply apparatus according to the present invention, a cassette unit in which a plurality of cassettes are vertically stacked.
The vertical drive mechanism 6 for raising and lowering is controlled by the control means 7. Each cassette can individually store various sample sheets, and includes a horizontal drive mechanism for horizontally transporting each sample sheet. When receiving the cassette selection command, the control means 7 raises and lowers the cassette unit 4 via the vertical drive mechanism 6, and controls the selected cassette so as to be always at a fixed height position. Therefore, the sample sheets delivered from the selected cassette are aligned in a straight line with the height required by the external device, and can be smoothly supplied via the pressing guide mechanism 5.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet feeding apparatus for appropriately selecting and feeding a sheet such as a single sheet or a rolled sheet having various properties and types. The present invention is particularly applied to automatically supply one sample at a time to various sheet-like materials in various industries such as paper pulp, fiber, and textiles, to inspect, test or process, and process equipment. The present invention relates to a sheet-like material supply device capable of selectively feeding single sheets or rolled sheet-like materials having different physical properties and types such as thickness and length.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a wide variety of sheet products in the paper pulp, fiber, and textile industries, etc., require quality testing and inspection in order to prevent the shipment of defective products and stabilize the quality. Test and inspection equipment suitable for each industry and each product is used. Above all, in the pulp and paper industry, various devices for continuously performing a paper quality test have been developed and put into practical use.

For example, in the case of paper pulp, there are many testing machines such as a paper thickness testing machine, a surface smoothness testing machine, an ultrasonic testing machine, and a Parker print surf testing machine. Well-known examples include, for example, an automatic line (trade name, manufactured by Lorentzen Wettre), which is a system in which a large number of testing machines are juxtaposed to perform various measurements automatically in testing. There is also a paper laboratory (Valmet Automation, trade name) that can combine a plurality of miniaturized measuring instruments into one test apparatus to perform a plurality of tests.

Conventionally, in order to supply a sheet material to such a test system or apparatus, for a single sheet,
There is a method of supplying one sheet at a time by hand, and a supply apparatus for stacking a plurality of pre-cut samples in a cassette and sequentially feeding the samples one by one from above or below has also been known.

On the other hand, for example, in various printers for computers, facsimile machines, copiers, and the like, there is also known an apparatus having two to four cassettes for supplying sheets of different sizes and types. However, each of these apparatuses targets a sheet cut in advance to the same fixed size, such as a postcard-sized paper sheet of B6 size to A3 size.

[0006] On the other hand, as a sheet-like material supply device different from the above, for example, as used in continuous slip paper, recorder paper, printing machines, line printers and the like, a sheet core or a dedicated core is used. It is also known to continuously supply the sheet from a roller around which the sheet is wound or from a state where the sheet is folded. These devices also
Again, this is for a sheet of a predetermined fixed size.

[0007] When inspecting, testing, or processing a sheet-like material, frequently, various types of sample sheets having different types, physical properties, or dimensions of the sheet-like material are prepared and supplied to the apparatus using a cassette system. However, when these various types of sample sheets are mixed in one cassette, the following inconveniences occur: (1) It is necessary to arrange the samples so as to match the size of each cassette. In addition, a long sample cannot be supplied continuously. (2) When feeding one sheet sample at a time from a state in which sheet samples having different types and physical properties are stacked, the thickness, thickness,
Since the hardness, the surface roughness, and the frictional force are different, it is difficult to automatically supply one sheet at a time, and a trouble such as a so-called “double feed” in which two or three sheets are fed simultaneously occurs.

[0008] In addition, 1
Methods for taking out samples one by one include an air vacuum method and a friction force method. This air vacuum system is
If the surface of the sheet is rough, the suction is poor, and if the surface is too dense, the sample may be damaged.Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the vacuum force to an appropriate range according to the surface condition of the sheet. There is a limit on the number of types.

In this regard, the frictional force method is such that the tip of a member or a coating material made of an elastic substance having a large frictional force such as rubber is brought into contact with the uppermost or lowermost sample sheet surface and sequentially sent to the next step. As described above, the uppermost or lowermost sample is sent forward by using a frictional force, and it is widely used. However, in the frictional force method, when the frictional force between the stacked samples is larger than the frictional force between the rubber-like elastic body and the surface of the sample sheet, double feeding of several samples is caused.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, the present invention aims to improve the efficiency of handling operations by continuously supplying a plurality of types of sheets regardless of the paper quality and type. Has already proposed a single type feeding device (Japanese Patent Application No.
-132617). This unitary feeder can supply not only single sheet samples but also rolled sheet samples, which significantly improves the problems of the prior art.

However, this apparatus has a structure in which the supply path of the sheet-like sample is bent depending on the position of the cassette in which the sample is fed. It was found that there was a problem such as causing or scratching the sample. In particular, a thick sample sheet is too stiff and will not completely bend on a curved path, and may exhibit a jam phenomenon at a subsequent supply path or an entrance of a test / processing apparatus even after passing through the curved path. Had trouble handling. Also,
A thin sheet is too stiff and can cause jams. Furthermore, even if it is supplied to the testing / processing equipment through the supply path,
If the sample is damaged during supply, a correct measurement value cannot be obtained as a regular sample.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the problems of the above-described prior art and the already proposed sheet-like material supply apparatus, and is intended to provide a plurality of types of sheet-like materials having different types, thicknesses, surface roughnesses, and the like. A main object of the present invention is to provide a sheet-like material supply device which can be smoothly and reliably supplied to a test / processing device without causing a jam or a damage. Another object of the present invention is to further improve the already-provided single-type sheet-like material supply apparatus to meet various needs, to facilitate handling, and to increase the reliability. .

[0013]

According to the present invention, there is provided a cassette unit (4) in which a plurality of cassettes (4i) capable of individually storing a plurality of different types of sheet-like materials (SSi) are vertically stacked. A vertical drive mechanism (6) for vertically displacing the cassette unit (4), displacement measuring sensors (64 to 66) for measuring the displacement of the cassette unit (4), and each cassette (4).
i), a horizontal drive mechanism (8) provided with a pair of upper and lower rollers (84, 85) for moving the sheet material (SSi) in a horizontal direction, and a plurality of rollers arranged along the sheet material movement path. Sheet detection sensors (86i, 87i, 55,
56) and control means (7) which receives detection signals from displacement measurement and sheet detection sensors (64-66; 86i, 87i, 55, 56) and controls the vertical and horizontal drive mechanisms (6, 8). ), And a cassette selection command (9
7), the vertical driving mechanism (6) is driven by the control means (7), and the cassette (4i) corresponding to the command (97) is moved to a position where the desired cassette (4i) becomes a constant height (Po). This problem is solved by moving the unit (4).

[0014] The sheet-like material supply device (1) of the present invention comprises:
Further, the sheet-like material (SSi) delivered from the desired cassette (4i) is pressed and guided on a sheet conveying surface (Lo) of an external test / processing device (OC) having a certain height (Po). A pressing guide mechanism (5) is provided, and a pressing roll (52) of the pressing guide mechanism and a pair of upper and lower rollers (84, 85) of which the pinching force is adjustable are formed of a sheet-like material (SSi) moving in a horizontal direction. Since it acts on both ends in the width direction, the central portion of the sheet-like material (SSi) is not damaged, and the sheet-like material can be smoothly and reliably supplied to the transport means of the external device (OC).

When the control means (7) of the sheet supply apparatus (1) of the present invention receives a cassette selection command (97s) for sequentially moving the cassette unit (4) by one cassette, a certain cassette ( 4i) (S)
Si) When the sending end is detected (55), the movement of the next one cassette is executed via the vertical drive mechanism (6) even if the sheet-like material supply from the pressing guide mechanism (5) is not completed. Let it. When the sheet-like material (SSi) is inserted into the insertion opening of the cassette (4i), the inserted sheet-like material (SSi) is detected based on a detection signal from the sheet detection sensor (86i, 87i). The horizontal drive mechanism (8) is controlled so as to be held after being pulled. Therefore,
Handling and operation are facilitated, and efficiency can be improved.

[0016]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the present invention will be described with reference to specific examples. However, these are merely examples, and various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[Overall Configuration] FIG. 1 is a schematic external perspective view of a sheet supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, the sheet supply device 1 is in a state in which the case cover is removed, and the delivery side is drawn so as to be the front side. Therefore, the rear side is the sheet insertion side. Four vertical guide rails 3 are fixed inside the left and right support frames 2, and a cassette unit 4 is disposed between the frames 2 so as to be able to move up and down. 8 guide blocks 4g
Are provided so as to sandwich the guide rail 3, and guide the cassette unit 4 in the vertical direction. A pressing guide mechanism 5 is provided substantially at the center of the front surface, and a vertical driving mechanism 6 is provided above and behind the pressing guide mechanism 5, and the cassette unit 4 is vertically moved along the guide rail 3 by the vertical driving mechanism 6. Can be driven in any direction.

The pressing guide mechanism 5 is provided with pressing rolls 52 operated by a pressing driving device 51 on both sides of the sheet feeding section. In this example, an air cylinder is used as the driving device 51. Further, the pressing roll 52 is provided with a sheet guide device 54 having a roll axis guide device 53 on both sides, and the guide device 54 has an opening 54W for guiding the movement of the pressing roll 52. It is provided inside each.

The vertical drive mechanism 6 includes a lifting drive 61 with a reduction gear, a timing pulley 62, and a pair of left and right timing belts 63. In this example, an encoder 64 is mounted on the drive shaft as the lifting drive 61. An attached AC servomotor is used. The cassette unit 4 is connected to the timing belt 63, and the cassette unit 4 is positioned and driven in the vertical direction. Although not shown, a brake is provided at an arbitrary position of the drive system of the vertical drive mechanism 6 such as a motor shaft and a pulley shaft, and when the positioning is completed or abnormal, the brake is operated to stop the cassette unit 4. Can be.

The control device 7 includes a lifting controller for controlling the vertical drive mechanism 6, a paper feed controller for controlling the horizontal drive mechanism, a press controller for controlling the press guide mechanism 5, and the like. Is provided on the lower side surface. The control device 7 is electrically connected to an operation panel provided on an upper side surface of the case cover and an operation unit of a transport device (hereinafter, referred to as an “applied device”) of a test / processing device provided on a sheet sending side so as to be able to exchange signals. Connection is made. Note that the operation panel may be provided directly on the side surface of the control device 7 instead of the side surface of the case cover. In that case, the control device 7 may be provided on the upper portion of the support frame 3.

[Elevation System] FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of a main part of a sheet-like material supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
This figure shows a state where the cassette unit 4 is at the initial position, that is, the “home position”. The cassette unit 4 includes both ends 63e1, 6 of the timing belt 63.
3e2, which can be moved up and down and controlled by the control device 7, for example, an AC drive motor 61
As a result, it is driven in the vertical direction via the timing pulley 62 and the timing belt 63. FIG. 3 shows a state where the cassette unit 4 is located at the lowermost position, that is, the “end position”.

On the fixed side of the support frames 2, 3, etc., a home position sensor 65 and an end position sensor 66 for detecting the absolute position of the cassette unit 4 are provided so as to face the cassette unit 4. It is possible to detect that the unit 4 is located at the home position and the end position. As these position sensors 65 and 66, optical sensors having a quick response may be used, and the mounting position may be finely adjusted up and down for alignment. The AC servomotor 61 has
An encoder 64 for measuring the relative position of the cassette unit 4 is provided, whereby the position of the cassette unit 4 between the home position and the end position is detected with high accuracy, and the positioning is accurately performed. be able to. Preferably, the encoder 64 also uses an optical sensor.

The detection signals from the position detection sensors 64 to 66 are input to an elevation controller of the control device 7, which controls the AC servomotor 61 to raise and lower the cassette unit 4 to perform accurate positioning control. Used for Therefore, the cassette unit 4 can be positioned and controlled at any desired position as shown in FIG. 4 from the home position in FIG. 2 to the end position in FIG.

The cassette unit 4 includes n (n: an integer of 2 or more) cassettes 41, 42,
.., 44n. Here, assuming that i is an integer in the range of 2 to n and an arbitrary cassette is represented by 4i, each of the cassettes 4i includes a horizontal drive mechanism 8i and individually accommodates inserted sample sheets. It can be transported horizontally. The number n of cassettes
Is 10, for example, but is not limited to this, and can be appropriately increased or decreased as necessary.
As will be described later, an emergency cassette can be added in addition to a routinely used routine cassette in terms of function.

In order to supply a take-up type sample sheet SSr, a roll cassette holder 4H is detachably provided at the rear portion of the support frame 2 or at the sheet insertion port side of each cassette 4i of the cassette unit 4, as shown in FIG. In the example, it is provided in the lowermost first cassette 41.

The cassette unit 4 of the supply device 1 is located at the home position at the beginning of the operation. In the home position, as shown in FIG.
P1 of sheet feeding port OUT1 with respect to reference position G
Is preferably equal to the sheet introduction position Po with respect to the reference position G of the application device OC, and the cassette 41 is aligned with the application device OC. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, even when the cassette unit 4 is lowered to the lowest end position, the sheet outlet OU of the uppermost n-th cassette 4n can be used.
The position Pn of Tn may be made equal to the sheet introduction position Po of the application device OC, and the cassette 41 may be aligned with the application device OC.

According to the elevation position control of the present invention, when the desired cassette 4i (i = 1 to n) is operated, the elevation cassette and the vertical drive mechanism 6 as shown in FIG. Sheet exit O
The position Pi of the UTi is matched with the sample sheet introduction position Po of the application device OC, and the sheet transport path L of the cassette 4i is set.
i can be accurately aligned in a straight line with the sheet conveying path Lo of the application device OC.

An upper limit switch 67 and a lower limit switch 68 are provided on the fixed side. These limit switches 67 and 68 are mechanical switches, and when the controller of the vertical drive mechanism 6 operates abnormally. Is used to forcibly stop the vertical drive mechanism 6.

[Sample Sheet Feeding System] FIG.
FIG. 4 is a side view for describing the configuration of the main part in the cassette in more detail. The horizontal driving mechanism 8i provided in each cassette 4i (i = 1 to n) includes a variable speed driving device 81i for feeding paper, a plurality (three in this example) of timing belts 82ai, 8
2bi, 82ci and timing pulley 83ai, 8
3bi, 83ci, a pair of left and right pairs (3
Set) of drive rollers 84ai, 84bi, 84ci and pressing rollers (also referred to as pinch rollers) 85ai, 85b.
i, 85 ci, and first and second position sensors 86
i, 87i.

The plurality of drive rollers 84ai to 84ai
The ci and the pressing rollers 85ai to 85ci are provided in a straight line in the horizontal direction, and each set is connected to a pair of right and left by a common shaft. The number of pairs (sets) of these rollers is determined by the number of sample sheets handled by each cassette 4i. By appropriately increasing or decreasing the thickness and length of the SSi in accordance with the thickness and the length of the SSi, the sample sheet SSi can be reliably and smoothly transferred in the cassette 4i. Note that these rollers are actually provided with dashed lines 84 ', with respect to the adjacent cassettes 4i-1, 4i + 1.
85 ', the rollers are alternately inserted between these cassettes 4i-1 and 4i + 1 to be compressed vertically. In order to shorten the vertical interval between the transport paths Li-1, Li, and Li + 1 of the sample sheets in the inside.

The driving rollers 84 ai to 84 ci are connected to the timing pulleys 83 ai to 83 ci and the timing belts 82 ai to 82 ci, respectively.
1i, for example, driven by a reversible DC geared (with a reduction gear) motor 81i so as to be capable of normal and reverse rotation. Drive rollers 84ai-84ci and opposing pressing rollers 85a-8
Reference numeral 5c is for causing the sample sheet SSi to travel in the horizontal direction with the sample sheet SSi sandwiched between the peripheral surfaces of both rollers when the cassette 4i is operated.

The peripheral surfaces of the pressing rollers 85ai to 85ci are
The structure is such that the both ends of each pressing roller rotating shaft are pressed downward by utilizing the elasticity of the spring so as to be always in close contact with the peripheral surfaces of the opposing drive rollers 84ai to 84ci. By adjusting the pressure, the pressing force Fd can be appropriately adjusted. That is, the driving roller 84a
The forces Fai to Fci sandwiching the sample sheet SSi between i to 84ci and the pressing rollers 85ai to 85ci can be changed by appropriately changing the elasticity of the spring.
Therefore, by adjusting these sandwiching forces Fai to Fci according to individual sample sheets, different types of sample sheets can be reliably sent.

As an example of such a pressure applying mechanism utilizing the elasticity of the spring, as shown in FIG. 6, an L-shaped movable arm 85 is provided such that a center point 85C of the arm becomes a fulcrum.
A is rotatably attached to the horizontal frame of the cassette 4i. The rotating shaft 85S of the pressing roller 85 is fitted into one end of the movable arm 85A, one end of a spring 85P having one end fixed to a horizontal frame is attached to the other end of the arm 85A, and the spring 85P is arranged in the horizontal direction. To cassette 4
i, the elastic force F of the spring 85P
p is converted into a force F for pressing the rotation shaft 85S downward.

In order to guide the sample sheet SSi conveyed in the cassette 4i, a pair of belt-like upper and lower guide plates 4U are provided at the center of the conveyance path Li.
i, 4Li, and sample sheets S on both sides
A side guide plate with an adjuster (not shown) that can be adjusted according to the width dimension of Si is provided. This adjuster is
It is provided at the sheet insertion opening INi of each cassette 4i on the back of the cassette unit 4.

The first and second position sensors 86i and 87i provided for each cassette 4i are connected to a sample sheet SSi.
Are attached before the first drive roller 84ai and after the second drive roller 84bi, respectively,
Each DC geared motor 81i is controlled by a sheet feed controller of the control device 7 which responds to the detection signals from the position sensors 86i and 87i, and the sample sheet SSi
Is driven by a DC geared motor 81i.
It is driven at a predetermined feed speed via i to 84ci.

Here, as described later, after the sample sheet SSi is sent out from the sheet feeding port OUTi and pressed by the pressing roll 52 onto the pin belt PB of the application device OC, it is also driven from the pin belt PB side. When the sample sheet feed speed in each cassette becomes slightly higher than the pin belt moving speed of the application device OC,
A jam may occur on the sheet conveying path up to the pin belt PB. However, even if the transport speed of the pin belt PB is different from the sample sheet feed speed in the cassette by the drive rollers 84ai to 84ci, if the pin belt transport speed is higher, jamming can be prevented. To this end, each drive roller 8
A one-way bearing as shown in FIG. 7 is employed for the drive shaft 84W of the 4ai to 84ci, and the DC geared motor 81i
Is set slightly lower (for example, about 10%) than the pin belt conveying speed so that an appropriate tension is applied to the sample sheet SSi.

As the one-way bearing of FIG. 7, for example, a commercially available one such as model number "NHF06" manufactured by NTN can be used. An outer wheel 84W is provided outside a roller driving shaft 84S driven by the DC motor 81i via the timing pulleys 83ai to 83ci, and the outer wheel 84W has pressing rollers 85ai to 85ci on the outer periphery.
To form a roller portion of the drive rollers 84ai to 84ci. Inside the outer ring 84W, a plurality of recesses having an inner cam surface 84C inclined in the circumferential direction with respect to one wall portion are provided. A roller 84R that is stretched on the other wall with an appropriate pressing force by a spring 84P is stored between the recess and the peripheral surface 84F of the roller shaft 84S.

Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG.
When a leftward rotational force indicated by an arrow AS is applied to the roller drive shaft 84S by the C motor 81i, the roller 84R
Is pressed against the engagement position of the internal cam surface 84C together with the pressing force of the spring 84P.
It is fixed to the drive shaft 84S by the wedge action of C and the shaft peripheral surface 84F, and is rotated leftward with the drive shaft 84S.

On the other hand, as shown by an arrow AW in FIG.
When the roller 84R is rotated to the left earlier than the rotation AS ′ of 4S, the roller 84R separates from the inner cam surface 84C regardless of the pressing force of the spring 84P, so that the outer ring 84W
4S can rotate to the left with respect to the pin belt PB.
The sample sheet can be sent forward from the side. Further, even in a state where the drive shaft 84S is stopped, for example, when a leftward rotational force indicated by an arrow AW is manually applied to the outer wheel 84W, the outer wheel 84W can be freely rotated to the left similarly. Become. Therefore, the external application device OC
And the sample sheet can be easily extracted in the transport direction. When the drive shaft 84S is rotated reversely by the reversible DC geared motor 81i with an appropriate rotation force, the pressing force of the spring 84P presses the roller 84R against the inner cam surface 84C, and the outer ring 84W is rotated rightward, and The sheet SSi can exit.

[Pressing Guide System] FIG. 8 is a side view of the pressing guide mechanism 5. The pressing guide mechanism 5 includes a pair of a pressing drive device 51 such as an air cylinder, a pressing roll 52, and a roll axis guide device 53. The driving device 51 is controlled by a pressing controller of the control device 7, and the pressing roll 52
The outer end of the common shaft is inserted into the long hole 53H of the shaft guide device 53. An upper and lower sheet guide plate 54 is provided between the shaft guide devices 53.
A sheet guide device 54 having U and 54L is provided, and both roll shaft guide devices 53 are provided so that the guide device 54 can be horizontally inclined with the sheet inlet 54I side as a fulcrum.
The rear end is rotatably supported by the fixed portion.

The pressing roll 52 is provided on its peripheral surface with a groove for accommodating each pin PN on a conveyer belt with pins (pin belt) PB of the application device OC, and is provided on both sides of the upper sheet guide plate 54U. It is guided by the opening 54W. The upper and lower sheet guide plates 54U and 54L define a transport path Lp for the sample sheet sent from the cassette unit 4, and the upper sheet guide plate 54U is connected to the entrance 54 of the transport path Lp.
Section I is bent upward to facilitate sample sheet acceptance. The lower sheet guide plate 54L lacks a portion corresponding to the opening 54W, and the upper end of the pin belt PB can be set here. Further, third and fourth position sensors 5 for detecting the presence or absence of a sample sheet are provided at the entrance 54I and the exit of the transport path Lp.
5, 56 are provided.

Accordingly, when the pressing roll 52 is driven by the air cylinder 51, the outer end of the roll shaft moves along the elongated hole 53H of the roll shaft guide device 53, so that the guide device 54 is tilted horizontally. , The transport path Lp to the transport path Li of the cassette 4i and the transport path Lo of the application device OC.
Line up. The pressing roll 52 has an opening 54W.
By moving the inside forward (to the left in the drawing), both ends of the sample sheet can be pressed onto the pin belt PB.

An adjuster is provided at each cassette sheet insertion opening on the back of the cassette unit 4 to adjust the guide in the width direction according to the width of the sample sheet. Although not shown in the figure, an adjustable mounting device is provided which can slide in the left-right direction according to the sample sheet width. Further, the opening 54W of the upper sheet guide plate 54L is adapted to be able to cope with such position adjustment of the pressing roll 52 in the width direction.
Although it has a sufficient width, the width itself may be configured to be adjustable.

[Explanation of Operation] FIG. 9 is a block diagram for controlling the sheet supply apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. The operation panel 9 for giving various operation commands to the control device 7 includes a drive button 91, a home (return) button 92, a DOWN button 93, a paper feed button 94, an exit button 95, a stop button 96, etc., and a cassette. A cassette selection area 97 including selection buttons 97i (i = 1 to n), a sequential button 97s, an emergency button 97e, and the like is provided.
These buttons have built-in operation indicator lamps.

The control device 7 includes a management unit 70 for sending and receiving signals to and from the operation panel 9 and managing and controlling each controller.
Various operation commands are received from the operation panel 9 to the operation unit of the application device OC, and the sensors 64 to 66, 86i, 87i, 55,
Based on the detection signal from the controller 56, the drive units 61, 81
i and 51, and the display of the operation panel 9 is controlled by the management unit 70. Note that the sheet feed controller 72 is shared by the horizontal drive mechanisms 8i.
A paper feed controller can be provided for each individual cassette 4i or a predetermined cassette group. Hereinafter, the operation of the sheet supply apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[Pre-setting] This sheet-like material supply device 1
In operation, the supply device 1 and the application device OC are connected, and the pin belts PB on both sides of the application device OC are set so as to be located immediately below the opening 54W of the sheet guide device 54, and the type, width, length, and thickness are set. Sample sheets S of different sizes
Si is prepared for each cassette 4i.

Next, when the operation button 91 on the operation panel 9 is pressed, the power of each of the controllers 71, 72i and 73 is turned on, and the built-in lamp of the operation button 91 is turned on to confirm that the apparatus 1 is operating. indicate. At the same time, the elevation controller 71 sets the target position of the cassette unit 4 to a value corresponding to the home position (initial position), and moves the cassette unit 4 to the home position corresponding to the position of the home position sensor 65 as shown in FIG. Position.
Note that the cassette unit 4 is not moved when it is originally at the home position at the start of operation.

[Setting of Sample Sheet] Here, a sample sheet SSi is set in each cassette 4i as follows. First, the sheet insertion port IN of each cassette 4i
The adjuster of i is set according to the prepared sample sheet width. Next, when the sheet sample SSi is inserted into each cassette 4i into the insertion opening INi, the first position sensor 97i detects this and sends an insertion detection signal to the sheet feeding controller 72, so that the DC motor 81i is driven and driven. The roller 84ai and the pressing roller 85ai rotate to draw the sample sheet SSi between the peripheral surfaces of both rollers and send it forward.

The sample sheet SSi is driven by the driving roller 84b.
i and the second position sensor 87 passing through the pressing roller 85bi.
When the vehicle advances to the position i, the DC motor 81i is stopped by the detection signal of the sensor 87i, the rollers in the cassette 4i are also stopped, and the setting of each sample sheet SSi to each cassette 4i is completed. Therefore, both position sensors 86i, 87
When i detects the sample sheet SSi, it is determined that the sample sheet SSi is set in the cassette 4i.

Also, a winding type sample sheet SS
When supplying r, the roll cassette holder 4H is attached to the insertion port side of the cassette unit 4 corresponding to the cassette 4i to be conveyed, the leading end of the sheet is rewound from the unreel portion 4R, and inserted into the cassette 4i. It can be set in the same way as the sample sheet.

The sample sheet SS once set
When it is necessary to extract i, by pressing the corresponding cassette selection button 97i and the exit button 95 on the operation panel 9, the DC motor 81i is reversely rotated, and the sample sheet SSi can be exited at any time. At this time, the built-in lamps of both buttons 97i and 95 are lit from the time when both buttons 97i and 95 are pressed to the time when the first position sensor 86i detects that the sample sheet withdrawal is completed.

[Elevation of Cassette Unit] When sample sheets set in one or more specific cassettes are supplied to the application device OC, desired cassette selection buttons 971 to 97n in the cassette selection area 97 of the operation panel 9 are used. The buttons corresponding to the cassettes are sequentially pressed (randomly) without being constrained in the order of the cassette numbers. Then, the built-in lamp of the i-th cassette selection button 97i pressed first turns on red, and the corresponding target position of the cassette 4i is set in the elevation controller 71. The button pressed thereafter turns on yellow, and the corresponding cassette number is sequentially stored in the memory in the controller 71.

Therefore, the elevation controller 71 drives the AC servomotor 61 based on the target position and the position feedback signal from the encoder 64 to move the cassette unit 4 via the timing pulley 62 and the timing belt 63. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 4, the cassette unit 4 accurately positions the position Pi of the sheet feed port OUTi of the desired cassette 4i at the target position corresponding to the sheet introduction position Po of the application device OC.
The transport path Li of the cassette 4i is the transport path Lo of the application device OC.
And a position on a straight line.

[Conveyance and Supply of Sample Sheet] After the sample sheet is set in each cassette of the cassette unit 4 and the above-mentioned positioning is confirmed, the application apparatus OC is started by a start signal of the application apparatus operation unit, and the present invention is started. In preparation for sheet feeding from the sheet supply device 1. This start signal is input to the controller 7 as a paper feed command, or the paper feed start signal is sent to the controller 7 as a paper feed command by pressing the paper feed button 94 after confirming the start of the application device OC. When input, the i-th cassette 4 pressed first
The paper feed operation from i starts, and the paper feed button 94 is turned on.

As a result, the DC motor 81i is driven, and the sample sheet SSi is driven by the drive rollers 84ai, 8ai.
4bi, 84ci and pressing rollers 85ai, 85bi,
Due to the appropriate pinching force of 85 ci, the sheet advances on the transport path Li, is sent out from the sheet outlet OUTi of the cassette 4i, and further enters the inlet 54I of the sheet guide device 54 of the pressing guide mechanism 5. When the sample sheet SSi enters the vicinity of the leading end of the sheet guide device 54, the fourth position sensor 56 detects this and sends a detection signal to the control device 7. In response to the entry detection signal, the control device 7 stops the motor 81i by the sheet feeding controller 72 to temporarily stop the feeding of the sample sheet SSi from the cassette 4i side, while driving the air cylinder 51 by the pressing controller 73. The pressing roll 52 is pressed down while opening the opening 5.
Go forward in 4W.

When the pressing roll 52 is pressed down, the sheet guiding device 54 is tilted horizontally, and the conveying path Lp of the guiding device 54 is
Are aligned with the transport path Li of the cassette 4i and the transport path Lo of the application device OC.
Pressed on B. Thereafter, the pin belt PB of the application device OC is driven, and the DC motor 81i is driven again, so that the sample sheet SSi is transferred to the transport paths Li,
Proceeds in the conveyance path Lp aligned with Lo, and the pin belt P
At B, it is reliably supplied to the application device OC ahead. The feed drive speed by the DC motor 81i in the cassette 4i is set to a speed slightly lower than the pin belt PB as described above, and an appropriate tensile force is applied to the sample sheet SSi from the pin belt PB under the action of the one-way bearing. As a result, no jam or the like occurs in the sample sheet.

Thereafter, when the third position sensor 55 detects that there is no sample sheet SSi, the elevation controller 71 reads the next cassette number from the memory, and sets the target position corresponding to the next selected cassette. Is set, the built-in lamp of the selection button 97i corresponding to the original cassette 4i is turned off, and the lighting color of the next selected button is switched from yellow to red. Therefore, even if there is a sample sheet SSi in the transport path Lp of the sheet guide device 54, the cassette unit 4 is driven toward the next target position by the vertical drive mechanism 6, and the next selected cassette is connected to the application device. Wait for the next paper feed command at the matching position.

Then, when it is confirmed from the signal from the fourth position sensor 56 that there is no sample sheet SSi,
Since the driving of the air cylinder 51 is released, the pressing roll 52 rises and returns to the original position, and the pressing guide mechanism 5 can receive the sample sheet from the next selected cassette and feed the sheet. The button 94 turns off.

Here, when the next paper feed command is input to the control device 7 from the operation panel 9 or the application device operation section, the sample sheet of the next cassette newly coming on the same line as the application device OC is output. The above-described operation is performed in the same manner, and the paper feeding to the application apparatus OC is executed. Then, such an operation is sequentially repeated for all the pressed cassette selection buttons. In this way, the sample sheets of the cassette unit 4 can be continuously supplied to the application device OC.

[Sequential feeding] The sample sheets SS1 to SSn set in the cassettes 41 to 4n are placed in the lower cassette 41.
The sequential paper supply sequentially supplied to the application device OC in order from the first is the most efficient normal routine operation in which the cassette unit 4 is lowered by one cassette at a time. In the case of this sequential sheet feeding, a sequential button 97s in the cassette selection area 97 on the operation panel 9 is pressed. Then, the sequential button 97s and the first cassette selection button 971 light up in yellow, and the target position of the first cassette 41 is set in the elevation controller 71. The cassette unit 4 determines the position P of the sheet outlet OUT1 of the first cassette 41 based on the target position.
1 is precisely positioned at the target position corresponding to the sheet introduction position Po of the application device OC.

In this case, at the beginning of the operation by operating the operation button 91, as shown in FIG.
Is in the home position and the height P1 of the sheet feed port OUT1 of the first cassette 41 is equal to the sheet introduction position Po of the application device OC (that is, the initial position = the first target position), the target of the first cassette 41 is It is possible to immediately start the sheet feeding operation from the first cassette 41 without setting the position.

The transport path L1 of the cassette 41 is connected to the application device OC.
After confirming that the sheet is positioned on a straight line with the conveyance path Lo, when a sheet feeding command is input to the control device 7, the sheet feeding button 94 is further turned on and the sheet feeding operation from the first cassette 41 is started. This sheet feeding operation is completely the same as the sheet feeding operation from the i-th cassette described in detail above. However, the sample sheet SS1 from the first cassette 41 is
When the third position sensor 55 detects that there is no sample sheet SS1 while the sheet is being supplied to the front application device OC by the pin belt PB through the conveyance path Lp of No. 4 and the vertical drive mechanism 6 is As the next target position set with respect to the second cassette 42,
The difference is that the downward movement amount for one cassette corresponding to is automatically set.

Therefore, the cassette unit 4 is lowered by one cassette by the time the fourth position sensor 56 detects the completion of the feeding operation of the sample sheet SS1, and switches to the yellow display of the second cassette selection button 972. The standby state is established for the sheet feeding from the second cassette 42. Therefore, when the next sheet feeding command is given, the sample sheet SS2 in the second cassette 42 is similarly sent to the application device OC. Hereinafter, the same operation is repeated for the third, fourth,..., N-th cassettes 43, 44,.

Incidentally, even if a certain time has elapsed after the feed command is given, no sample sheet is sent out from the next cassette, no detection signal is obtained from the third sensor 55, and the first cassette of the next cassette If the second position sensor detects that there is a sheet, it is determined that the sample sheet of this cassette has been jammed, and the corresponding cassette selection button is lit to indicate the fact in red and the operation is temporarily stopped. I do. Then, when this button is reset (after performing the required treatment), the cassette unit 4 is further lowered by one cassette to prepare for a sheet feeding operation from the next cassette. On the other hand, when the detection signal is not obtained from the third sensor 55 and the first and second position sensors do not detect the sheet, it is determined that the sample sheet is not set in the next cassette, and the cassette is immediately determined. The unit 4 is further lowered by one cassette to prepare for a sheet feeding operation from the next cassette.

Then, the sample sheet SSn in the uppermost n-th cassette 4n is sent forward, and the fourth position sensor 5
When the control device 7 confirms that there is no sample sheet SSn by the detection signal of No. 6, the n-th cassette selection button 7n is turned off, and the button 97s is also turned off sequentially. Thereafter, the cassette unit 4 is automatically returned to the home position as shown in FIG. 2 via the elevation controller 71 and the vertical drive mechanism 6. The return to the home position may not be automatic but may be performed at any time by operating the home (return) button 92 on the operation panel 9.

The DOWN button 9 on the operation panel 9
Reference numeral 3 denotes an operation button for lowering the cassette unit 4 to the end position shown in FIG. 3. After operating this button 93, by sequentially operating the button 97s,
The cassette units 4 can be raised one by one in order from the n-th cassette 4n to feed paper sequentially. For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 3, it is advantageous if the n-th cassette 4n is aligned with the application device OC when the cassette unit 4 is at the end position.

Further, the intervals between adjacent cassette transport paths are equalized, and as shown in FIGS.
Is in the home position and the end position, the first cassette 41 and the n-th cassette 4n are
In this case, there is an advantage that the movement amount for one cassette can be easily determined.

[Emergency Feeding] In addition to the above-mentioned normal routine, it is often necessary to feed a sample sheet SSu which needs to be urgently tested to the application apparatus OC. In such an emergency, the emergency button 97e in the cassette selection area 97 is operated, and the lowermost first cassette 41 is operated.
Can be used as an emergency cassette to perform emergency paper feeding.

That is, the pressing of the emergency button 97e and the first
By inserting the urgent sample sheet SSu into the cassette 41, the horizontal drive mechanism 81 and the pressing guide mechanism 5 of the first cassette 41 are sequentially operated regardless of the presence or absence of a paper feed command,
The emergency sample sheet SSu can be supplied to the application device OC. In this case, if the first cassette 41 is aligned with the application device OC as shown in FIG. 2, the emergency sheet feeding operation can be quickly performed from the initial state.

If there is a cassette 4i in operation when the emergency button 97e is pressed, the sample sheet SSi
After the supply of the cassette unit 4 is completed, the cassette unit 4 is
The cassette 41 is returned to the target position or the home position. The sample sheet SS is stored in the first cassette 41.
When 1 is set, after performing the exit operation (95), the emergency sample sheet SSu may be inserted.
In this case, when the supply completion of the emergency sample sheet SSu is detected, the cassette unit 4 is lowered to a position where the cassette scheduled after the supplied cassette 4i is aligned with the application device OC, and is interrupted. Resumes the operation.

The DOWN button 9 on the operation panel 9
By lowering to the end position by the operation of 3, it is also possible to set sample sheets, check each cassette, etc.
The stop button 96 is used to temporarily stop the operating device, and is also used as an abnormality display lamp at the time of abnormal stop such as when the limit switches 67 and 68 are operating. When the operation button 91 is pressed again at the end of the operation, the operation button 91 is turned off and all power is cut off.

[Effects of the Invention] Although various functions have been described above, in practice, it is sufficient to provide necessary functions. To summarize the sheet-like material supply device according to the present invention, a vertical drive mechanism for vertically displacing a cassette unit in which a plurality of cassettes capable of individually storing a plurality of different types of sheet-like materials are vertically stacked, A horizontal drive mechanism for transferring sheet-like objects provided in each cassette, and control means for controlling both mechanisms are provided, and the control means raises and lowers the cassette unit via the vertical drive mechanism when a cassette selection command is received, This controls the selected cassette so that it is always at a fixed height position.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the sheet-like materials delivered from the selected cassette can be smoothly supplied in alignment with the height required by the external device. In this way, a plurality of various sheets having different paper qualities, types, surface roughnesses, thicknesses, widths, lengths, and the like are securely set in each cassette, and are not jammed or damaged without causing any trouble. In addition, it can be supplied to an external testing / processing apparatus that performs testing, inspection, processing, or processing reliably and with high reliability.

Further, since the cassettes are vertically stacked, the area required for equipment can be reduced, and there is an advantage that the entire apparatus can be made compact.

Further, the cassette unit is moved up and down by the vertical drive mechanism, and a sheet feeding operation for feeding the sheet-like material set in the next cassette to the testing / processing apparatus is sequentially and continuously performed. Even though different types of sheet-like materials can be supplied reliably and can respond to various needs, the workability is improved, and the handling and handling is simple and easy. The efficiency of the apparatus can be greatly improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic external perspective view of a sheet supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a main part of the sheet supply device at a home position.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a main part of the sheet supply device at an end position.

FIG. 4 is a main part side view for explaining position control of a desired cassette in the sheet supply device.

FIG. 5 is a side view for explaining a configuration of a main part in a cassette in the sheet supply device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a pressing force applying mechanism applicable to a pressing roller of the sheet-like material supply device of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a structural example of a one-way bearing applicable to a driving roller of the sheet-like material supply device of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a pressing guide mechanism in the sheet supply apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram for controlling the sheet supply apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

4 A cassette unit in which cassettes 4i (i = 1 to n) are stacked, 4H roll cassette holder, 5 pressing drive device (air cylinder) 51, pressing roll 52, and pressing guide mechanism including a pair of left and right roll shaft guide devices 53 , 54 Upper sheet guide plate 54 provided with opening 54W
U and a sheet guide device having a lower sheet guide plate 54L,
55, 56 Third and fourth position sensors, 6 Lifting drive device (AC servomotor) 6 with encoder 64 attached
1, a vertical drive mechanism provided with a timing pulley 62, a timing belt 63, etc., 65, 66 home and down position sensors, 7 management unit 70, and a control device including a lifting, feeding, pressing and pressing controller 71, 72, 73,
8i Horizontal drive mechanism provided in each cassette 4i, 8
1i Variable speed drive for feeding paper (reversible DC geared motor), 82ai, 82bi, 82ci timing belt, 83ai, 83bi, 83ci timing pulley, 84ai, 84bi, 84ci A pair of left and right drive rollers, 85ai, 85bi, 85ci A pair of left and right Pressing roller, 86i, 87i first and second position sensors, 9
Run button 91, home (return) button 92, DOW
An operation panel having an N button 93, a paper feed button 94, an exit button 95, a stop button 96, etc., a cassette selection area 97 having a cassette selection button 97i (i = 1 to n), a sequential button 97s, an emergency button 97e, etc. .

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A cassette unit in which a plurality of cassettes capable of individually storing a plurality of different types of sheet-like materials are vertically stacked, a vertical drive mechanism for vertically displacing the cassette unit, and a Displacement measuring sensor for measuring displacement, a horizontal drive mechanism provided on each cassette and having a pair of upper and lower rollers for moving the sheet in the horizontal direction, a plurality of sensors arranged along the sheet moving path A sheet detection sensor, and a control unit that receives a detection signal from the displacement measurement and sheet detection sensor and controls the vertical and horizontal drive mechanisms, wherein the control unit is based on a cassette selection command. Driving the vertical drive mechanism to move the cassette unit to a position where a desired cassette corresponding to this command is at a certain height. Sheet feeder according to symptoms. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a pressing guide mechanism for pressing and guiding the sheet-like material delivered from the desired cassette to a sheet conveying surface of the external device having the predetermined height. The sheet supply device according to claim 1. 3. The sheet according to claim 1, wherein the upper and lower roller pairs are provided so as to sandwich both ends in the width direction of the sheet moving in a horizontal direction with an adjustable pressing force. Equipment for supplying materials. 4. When the control means receives a cassette selection command for sequentially moving the cassette unit by one cassette at a time, upon detecting the end of sheet-like material feeding from a certain cassette, the control means controls the next one cassette. The sheet supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the vertical drive mechanism performs the movement of the sheet. 5. The control means according to claim 1, wherein when the sheet is inserted into the insertion slot of the cassette, the sheet is pulled and held based on a detection signal from the sheet detection sensor. The sheet supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the horizontal drive mechanism is controlled.