JP3566442B2 - Paper processing apparatus, paper processing method, and mail processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a paper sheet processing apparatus and a mail processing apparatus which are provided in, for example, a route assembling machine for assembling mail, and take out mail one by one.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The route assembling machine includes a supply unit that accommodates a plurality of mails and conveys the mails to a predetermined take-out position, a take-out unit that takes out the mails supplied to the take-out position one by one, and a taken-out mail. A reading unit for reading address information from an object, a converting unit for converting the read address information into a preset route number, a sorting / stacking unit for sorting / accumulating mails according to the route number, an extracting unit, a reading unit, And a transport path extending through the sorting / stacking section. The sorting / stacking section has a plurality of sorting pockets along the transport path, and all mails are sorted into predetermined sorting pockets according to the route numbers.
[0003]
The take-out section for taking out mail has a main chamber and a sub-chamber provided below the main chamber, and a take-out belt is stretched around the main chamber.
[0004]
The mail conveyed and supplied to the take-out unit by the supply unit is attracted to the take-out belt by the suction force of the main chamber and the sub-chamber, and is taken out one by one by the running of the take-out belt.
[0005]
When the mail is exhausted due to the removal, the absence of the mail is detected by a detection sensor provided in the vicinity of the extraction unit. Due to this detection, the mail is again conveyed and supplied to the take-out unit by the supply unit, and the mail is taken out.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the related art, after the detection sensor detects that the postal matter has run out in the take-out unit, the supply unit is driven to move the postal matter to the take-out unit. It leads to a decline in ability.
[0007]
In particular, when a target of removing 36,000 to 40,000 sheets per hour is targeted, the interruption of the continuous removal is a serious problem.
[0008]
Furthermore, immediately after the resumption of the take-out after the interruption, the take-out start position of the postal matter on the take-out belt is random, which often induces two-sheet pick-up.
[0009]
Therefore, the present invention feeds paper sheets (posts) before all the paper sheets (posts) are taken out by the take-out means, so that taking out of paper sheets (posts) is not interrupted. It is an object of the present invention to provide a paper sheet processing apparatus and a mail processing apparatus which can be continuously taken out.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems. It is installed on the floor surface and the paper sheets are standing Place and transport First Transport means; A second transport unit that is provided on a vertical surface perpendicular to the floor surface, and that contacts the side surface of the sheet and transports the sheet together with the first transport unit; Said First and second Provided on the unloading side of the transport means, By the first and second transport means Suction means for sucking the conveyed paper sheets, take-out means which is stretched over the suction means and takes out the paper sheets one by one, and paper sheets taken out by the take-out means in the vicinity of the take-out means And a pair of first detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a sheet, and a pair of first detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a sheet. It is provided on the upstream side in the transport direction and at a position facing the bottom side of the paper sheet and the side intersecting with this side, and the suction force of the suction means acts as the paper sheet is taken out by the take-out means. A pair of second detection means for detecting a gap formed between the paper sheet within the range and the paper sheet outside the range in which the suction force acts, and the paper sheet by the pair of first detection means; Based on the detection of no Based on a gap has been detected by the second detecting means, to operate said first and second conveying means I'll Control means for controlling The first detection means provided on the floor surface and located at a position facing the bottom of the paper sheet or the second detection means provided at a position facing the bottom of the paper sheet. When the paper sheet is not detected for a time, a third transport unit that transports the paper sheet to the takeout unit side; Is provided.
[0011]
According to claim 2, Provided on the floor and on the first transport means To Leave paper sheets in a standing position Placing and transporting; Transporting the paper sheet together with the first transport means by a second transport means provided on a vertical surface perpendicular to the floor surface and in contact with a side surface portion of the paper sheet; Said First and second transport means Provided on the carry-out side of By means of suction means by means of said first and second transport means A step of sucking the conveyed paper sheets, and By taking out means A step of taking out the paper sheets one by one, and providing the paper sheet near the take-out means at a position facing a bottom side of the paper sheets taken out by the take-out means and a side intersecting with this side, respectively; By a pair of first detecting means A step of detecting the presence or absence of paper sheets; In the vicinity of the pair of first detection means, The sheet is provided at an upstream side in the transport direction of the sheet, and at a position facing a bottom side of the sheet and a side intersecting with this side. By a pair of second detecting means Along with the removal of the paper sheet by the removal means, a gap formed between the paper sheet within the range where the suction force of the suction means acts and the paper sheet outside the range where the suction force acts. Detecting, By the pair of first detecting means Based on the detection of no paper, or By the pair of second detecting means Operating the first and second transport means based on the detection of the gap; I'll Controlling by control means, The first detection means provided on the floor surface and located at a position facing the bottom of the paper sheet or the second detection means provided at a position facing the bottom of the paper sheet. If the paper sheet is not detected for a time, transporting the paper sheet to the take-out means side by a third transport means; Is provided.
[0025]
According to the present invention, when the sheet is taken out by the take-out means, a sheet (mail) within a range where the suction force of the suction means acts and a sheet (mail) outside the range where the suction force acts. When the second detecting means detects a gap formed in the paper sheet, the transport means is operated to feed the paper sheet (mail) into the gap, so that the taking out of the paper sheet (mail) is continued without interruption. And take it out.
[0026]
Further, the inclination of the paper (mail) sent to the take-out means is detected by the inclination detecting means, and when the inclination of the paper (mail) is detected, the paper (mail) is erected by the upright means. It can be made to stand upright by moving it in the direction opposite to the direction of its inclination.
[0027]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the first embodiment shown in FIGS.
[0028]
Here, a description will be given of a route assembling machine that arranges postal items as paper sheets in an order along a delivery order (route order).
[0029]
FIG. 2 shows a route assembling machine 1 in which a plurality of (for example, 1000) mails as paper sheets are accommodated with their rear ends aligned in a vertical position and these mails are sequentially supplied to a predetermined take-out position. A supply unit 2 is provided as a supply unit for performing the operation. Further, the route assembling machine 1 is provided with a take-out part 4 provided at a position facing the mail supplied to the take-out position and acting as a take-out means. Then, the mail moved to the take-out position by the supply unit 2 is taken out by the take-out unit 4 one by one toward the front end thereof (upward in the figure). The take-out position indicates an initial position at which the take-out unit 4 starts taking out paper sheets.
[0030]
The mail stored in the supply unit 2 is oriented such that the surface (first surface) on which the address information as the sorting information is recorded faces the extraction unit 4 and the postal code frame faces upward. The address information is given in advance by, for example, a bar code display or the like corresponding to the address of the delivery destination of the mail.
[0031]
A scanner 6 acting as a reading unit for reading address information recorded on a mail is provided on a transport path 3 from the take-out unit 4 to a sorting / stacking unit to be described later, and a mail is transported without rotating the mail. A reversing mechanism 8 for reversing the direction by 180 ° and a rejection stacking unit 10 for stacking postal items whose address information could not be read by the scanner 6 are sequentially provided.
[0032]
The scanner 6 is provided on the side facing the first surface of the postal matter taken out by the take-out section 4 and conveyed through the conveyance path 3. The address information read by the scanner 6 is converted into a preset route number (section number). The route number is a serial number in accordance with the delivery order of the delivery staff, and is prepared in advance corresponding to the address.
[0033]
The reversing mechanism 8 includes a direction conversion unit 8a that changes the transport direction of the mail extracted by the extraction unit 4 by 180 °, and a positioning unit that adjusts the transport reference of the mail whose direction is inverted by the direction conversion unit 8a. 8b.
[0034]
On the transport path 3 on the downstream side of the reversing mechanism 8, there is provided an exclusion stacking unit 10 for stacking mails whose address information could not be read by the scanner 6. The rejection stacking unit 10 is connected via a transport path 12 branched from the transport path 3, and a switching gate 14 for selectively switching the transport path is provided at the branch position.
[0035]
On the transport path 3 on the downstream side of the exclusion stacking section 10, a sorting stacking section 20 is provided which functions as sorting means for sorting each mail into a predetermined sorting pocket (sorting storage section) based on the above-mentioned route number. ing.
[0036]
The sorting / stacking section 20 has, for example, thirteen sorting pockets 22 along the direction in which the mail is transported, and a sorting transport path 21 connected to the transport path 3 extends above each of the sorting pockets 22. A plurality of switching gates 24 are provided on the sectioned conveyance path 21 for connecting the sectioned conveyance path 21 to the respective section pockets 22. Each switching gate 24 is connected to a solenoid or the like, and acts so as to selectively communicate the sorting transport path 21 to a sorting pocket 22 corresponding to a route number.
[0037]
The end sorting pocket 22a functions as a reject pocket for accumulating mail whose sorting destination has been lost. As an example of losing the sorting destination, a case where a shift error occurs due to a gap clogging caused by sticking to a subsequent postal matter or a skew caused by being lifted from a transport path can be considered.
[0038]
As shown in FIG. 3, the leading end of a stacking and pushing mechanism 25 having a plurality of rollers and a conveyor belt is inserted into each of the sorting pockets 22, and the sheets conveyed via the stacking and pushing mechanism 25 are stored in the sorting pockets 22. 22.
[0039]
The paper sheets taken out in the direction of the leading end by the take-out part 4 are reversed by the reversing part 8 and guided to the respective partition pockets 22 from the rear end side. Therefore, the paper sheets conveyed via the stacking and pushing mechanism 25 take the first surface on the bottom plate 32 of the sorting pocket 22 with the rear ends thereof aligned to the side of the takeout unit 4 and raise the postal code frame upward. It is accumulated toward.
[0040]
A backup plate 26 is attached to each section pocket 22, and the backup plate 26 is attached to a shaft 28 via a slide bearing 27 so as to be able to reciprocate. The backup plate 26 is urged in a direction toward the stacking and pushing mechanism 25 by a spring 29 having elasticity, so that the sheets are pressed and sandwiched between the backup plate 26 and the stacking and pushing mechanism 25. Has become.
[0041]
In addition, each partition pocket 22 is provided with a position for detecting the final position of the backup plate 26, that is, a position where the backup plate 26 is most separated from the stacking and pushing mechanism 25, thereby detecting that the partition pocket 22 is full. A switch serving as a detecting means is provided, and when this switch is turned on, an overflow of the divided pocket is determined.
[0042]
Further, a transfer mechanism 30 is provided at the bottom of the division pocket 22. The transfer mechanism 30 is provided between the sorting / stacking unit 20 and the supply unit 2 and functions to transfer all mail items sorted and stacked in the respective sorting pockets 22 to the supply unit 2 without changing the order. I do.
[0043]
The transfer mechanism 30 is provided for each section pocket 22 of the section stacking section 20, and is a bottom plate of the section pocket 22, and a pair of bottom plates 32 a and 32 b divided at a central position along the sheet stacking direction. A rotating shaft 34 for rotatably supporting an end of each of the bottom plates 32a and 32b remote from the dividing position, and a rotating mechanism 36 for rotating the rotating shaft 34 in both forward and reverse directions.
[0044]
When the rotation shaft 34 is rotated by the rotation mechanism 36, the bottom plate 32a (represented by a representative) moves a position supporting the rear end of the paper sheet (a position indicated by a solid line in the drawing) and a rear end of the paper sheet. It is selectively rotated between a position where it is not supported (a position shown by a broken line in the figure). Therefore, when the bottom plate 32a is turned to the position shown by the broken line in the figure, the paper sheets accumulated in the sorting pocket 22 are simultaneously transferred to the supply section 2 by their own weight.
[0045]
Each of the transport paths 3, 12, and 21 shown in FIG. 2 is provided with a plurality of transport rollers and transport guides, and a transport belt running along each transport path is wound around each transport roller.
[0046]
Next, a control system of the route assembling machine 1 configured as described above will be described.
[0047]
As shown in FIG. 4, the control system of the route assembling machine 1 includes a CPU 40 as control means and conversion means. The CPU 40 has, via an input interface 42, a control panel 41 for inputting various commands, a ROM 43 in which route numbers and control data preset according to address information are stored, A switch 45 for detecting the position is connected. The route numbers stored in the ROM 43 are prepared in advance based on the experience of the delivery person in accordance with the delivery area of the mail, and are set in consideration of the overflow of the sorting / stacking unit 20.
[0048]
Further, a motor controller 47 and a mechanical controller 48 are connected to the CPU 40 via an output interface 44. A drive motor 49 for driving each transport roller is connected to the motor controller 47, and a movement mechanism 2a provided in the supply unit 2 for moving paper sheets to a predetermined takeout position is connected to the mechanical controller 48. A take-out unit 4; a switching gate 14 for selectively switching the transport path 3 to the transport path 12; a switching gate 24 for selectively connecting the partitioned transport path 21 to each of the partitioned pockets 22; And a rotation mechanism 36 for rotating the shafts 32a and 32b.
[0049]
Further, the CPU 40 has, via an input / output interface 46, a scanner 6 for reading the address information of the mail, a RAM 50 as storage means for buffering the address information read by the scanner 6, and a buffer 50 for the RAM 50. And a route number setting unit 52 that functions as a setting unit that sets a new route number in consideration of the overflow of the sorting / stacking unit 20 based on the address information.
[0050]
Next, the operation of the route assembling machine 1 configured as described above will be described. Before that, as an example of a method of assembling a postal matter, as an example of a method of assembling a mail having 10 sorting pockets (the other configuration is the same as that of the above-described route assembling machine 1), 1000 are randomly arranged. A method of rearranging mail items according to the directions will be described with reference to FIGS. In this case, the address information attached to the postal matter is converted into a three-digit route number (000 to 999) in decimal notation, and the postal matter is supplied to the route assembling machine three times and rearranged.
[0051]
As shown in FIG. 5, in the first supply, postal items with the 1's place are accumulated in the leftmost division pocket (1) in accordance with the 1's place of the route number, and the next division pocket (2) is collected. The mails of the first place are accumulated in the first place, and the mails of the first place are arranged in the rightmost sorting pocket (10). Then, after the first supply is completed, all the mails are transferred to the supply unit 2 by the transfer mechanism 30 without changing the order.
[0052]
In the second supply, mails are sorted and collected in the respective sorting pockets (1) to (10) in the same manner as in the first supply described above, according to the tenth place of the route number, and the order is changed to the supply unit 2 without changing the order. Transfer. Then, in the third supply, mails are sorted and collected in the sorting pockets (1) to (10) in the same manner as in the first and second supplies described above, according to the order number 100.
[0053]
As described above, by supplying three times, all 1000 mails are rearranged in the order of the route number.
[0054]
However, when the destination of the mail is partially concentrated at a certain address, the corresponding sorting pocket may overflow and the route of the mail may not be assembled. Hereinafter, a case where one section pocket overflows will be described.
[0055]
For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when 100 mails are concentrated on the address of the address information [3-2-1], a route number [002] preset according to the address is assigned to the 100 mails. When the mail is sorted to mail, the route number [002] is assigned to all 100 mails. As a result, in the first supply, the number of postal items whose first digit of the route number is 2 exceeds at least 100, an overflow occurs in the third sorting pocket (3), and the route of the postal items cannot be assembled.
[0056]
Therefore, when overflow occurs in the sorting pocket (3), the route assembly of the mail is stopped, and the mode is switched to the pre-supply mode. That is, when the switch 45 of the sectioned pocket (3) in which the overflow has occurred is operated and the overflow is determined, thereafter, only the address information is read from the postal matter taken out by the take-out section 4 and buffered in the RAM 50. Is done. Then, the mails from which the address information has been read are sequentially accumulated in the vacant sorting pockets. The pre-supply mode described in the detailed description of the invention and the claims is a mode in which only address information is read in advance from all postal items before starting assembling of postal items, and the address information is buffered. And stored as control data in the ROM 43.
[0057]
When the address information of all the mails is buffered and the pre-supply is completed, a new route number (segment number) is set based on the address information in consideration of the overflow. This route number is set in consideration of overflows in the second and third supply.
[0058]
For example, in the example shown in FIG. 6, continuous new route numbers from [003] to [101] are assigned to 100 pieces of mail having address information [3-2-1]. This prevents mail from concentrating on one sorting pocket and prevents overflow.
[0059]
Then, all postal items are supplied to the route assembling machine 1 three times (main supply) according to the new route number, and the route of the postal items is assembled.
[0060]
If the mail does not overflow in the sorting / accumulating section 20 in the first supply, the first supply is continued without switching to the pre-supply mode, and then the second and third supplies are performed. .
[0061]
Next, based on the above-described route assembling method, a route assembling operation of the route assembling machine 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. The address information recorded on the first side of each mail is converted into a three-digit route number (serial number) in a decimal system prepared in advance in accordance with the number of division pockets 22 (12 excluding reject pockets). Is converted.
[0062]
First, as shown in step 1, a plurality of (for example, 1000) mails accommodated in the supply unit 2 are supplied one by one to a predetermined take-out position by the moving mechanism 2a of the supply unit 2, and the first time. Supply is started. The postal matter supplied to the take-out position is taken out by the take-out section 4 and conveyed on the conveying path 3, and is provided on one side of the conveying path 3, that is, on the side facing the first surface of the conveyed mail. It is led to the scanner 6.
[0063]
Then, as shown in step 2, the address information recorded on the first side of the mail is read by the scanner 6, and the address information is buffered in the RAM 50 and converted into a preset three-digit route number. Is done.
[0064]
The postal matter whose address information has been read by the scanner 6 is guided to the reversing mechanism 8, the conveyance direction is changed by 180 ° by the direction conversion unit 8 a, the conveyance standard is adjusted in the alignment unit 8 b, and the mail is conveyed. It is led to the accumulation unit 20.
[0065]
In addition, the postal matter whose address information cannot be read by the scanner 6 is guided by the switching gate 14 and is eliminated by the elimination stacking unit 10. The rejected mail is manually sorted and collected in a predetermined sorting pocket 22 after the first supply of all mail is completed.
[0066]
The postal matter guided to the sorting / accumulating section 20 is sorted and accumulated in a predetermined sorting pocket 22 based on the first digit of the route number, as shown in step 3. That is, the switching gate 24 communicating with the sorting pocket 22 corresponding to the first digit of the route number is switched, the sorting transport path 21 is communicating with the sorting pocket 22, and the mail is sorted and accumulated in the sorting pocket 22. You.
[0067]
During the sorting operation, the user always looks at the switch 45 provided in each of the sorting pockets 22 and determines whether there is any overflowing sorting pocket as shown in step 4.
[0068]
As a result of the determination shown in step 4, if an overflow occurs in one of the division pockets 22 during the first supply, as shown in step 5, the mode is switched to the pre-supply mode and the division work is stopped. If no overflow occurs in all the sorting pockets 22 as a result of the determination, the supply of the mail is continued, all the mails are sorted and collected, and the first supply is completed as shown in step 6. .
[0069]
When one section pocket 22 overflows and is switched to the pre-supply mode (step 5), as shown in step 7, only the address information is read from all the mails, and the address information is buffered in the RAM 50. Then, as shown in Step 8, the pre-supply is terminated.
[0070]
When the pre-supply is completed, all the mails are rotated by the rotating mechanism 36 of the transfer mechanism 30 to the bottom plates 32a and 32b of the respective pockets 22 to the positions indicated by broken lines in FIG. The sheet is transferred to the supply unit 2 without changing the order, and the first supply preparation is performed as shown in step 9. Then, the mails are classified based on the first digit of the route number, as in step 3, and the first supply of all mails is completed, as in step 6.
[0071]
When the first supply of all mails is completed as described above, the mails in the respective sorting pockets 22 are transferred to the supply unit 2 by the transfer mechanism 30 without changing the order, and step 10 As shown in (2), a second supply preparation is made.
[0072]
Then, as shown in step 11, mail items are sorted and collected based on the second digit of the route number. When the second supply is completed as shown in step 12, all the mails are transferred to the supply unit 2 by the transfer mechanism 30 in preparation for the third supply as shown in step 13.
[0073]
Finally, as shown in step 14, a third sorting operation is performed in the same manner as the first and second sorting operations described above, and all mails are sorted into predetermined sorting pockets according to the third digit of the route number. After the accumulation, as shown in step 15, the third supply is completed. As a result, all the mail items are rearranged in the order of the route numbers, and as shown in step 16, the route assembly of the mail items is completed.
[0074]
FIG. 1 shows the supply unit 2 and the take-out unit 4 in an enlarged manner.
[0075]
In the figure, reference numeral 61 denotes a floor constituting the supply unit 2, on which two floor belts 62, 62 as conveying means for mounting and conveying a postal letter are arranged in parallel. A vibration unit 63 for vibrating a postal letter is provided between the two floor belts 62,62.
[0076]
Supply pins 64 as holding pins for holding the postal letter in an upright position are arranged on the rear wall portion of the supply section 2 at predetermined intervals in the postal letter transport direction. I have. The supply pins 64 project from pin belts 65 that run endlessly.
[0077]
A sub-chamber 66 is provided on the carry-out side of the two floor belts 62, 62 as suction means for sucking a postal letter. On the upper side of the sub-chamber 66, a main chamber 67 is also provided as suction means for sucking a postal letter. A take-out belt 68 as a take-out means for taking out a postal letter is wrapped around the main chamber 67, and the take-out belt 68 is provided with suction ports 69 communicating with a suction portion of the main chamber 67.
[0078]
Near the main and sub-chambers 67 and 66, a pair of upper and lower sensors 70a and 70b constituting a first sensor 70 as first detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a letter of a letter is disposed. A pair of upper and lower sensors constituting a second sensor 71 for detecting a gap 75 to be described later is located near the pair of upper and lower sensors 70a and 70b constituting the first sensor 70 and on the upstream side in the mail letter transport direction. 71a and 71b are provided. When the second sensors 71a, 71b detect the gap 75, the floor belts 62, 62 and the pin belts 65, 65 run.
[0079]
The postal letter is conveyed by the traveling of the floor belts 62, 62 and the pin belts 65, 65 and sent to the take-out belt 68. The sent postal letters are attracted to the surface of the take-out belt 68 by the suction force of the main and sub-chambers 67 and 66, and are taken out one by one by the running of the take-out belt 68. At the time of taking out the postal letters, the postal letters within the range where the suction force of the main and sub-chambers 67 and 66 act are sequentially taken out, but outside the range where the suction force of the main and sub-chambers 67 and 66 act. As shown in FIG. 8, a certain postal letter remains at the same position without being adsorbed, and a gap 75 is generated between the postal letter A to be adsorbed and the postal letter A not to be adsorbed. The gap 75 increases as the letter A is taken out.
[0080]
Conventionally, the gap 75 expands to the limit, that is, expands until all of the absorbed letter A is taken out, and when one of the first sensors 70a, 70b detects that the letter A is gone, The postal letter A is fed into the gap 75 by running the floor belts 62, 62 and the pin belts 65, 65, and is attracted to the take-out belt 68.
[0081]
However, in this embodiment, the second sensors 71a, 71b are provided upstream of the first sensors 70a, 70b in the mail letter transport direction, and the gaps 75 are expanded to the limit by the second sensors 71a, 71b. Detect before you do. That is, before all the postal letters A adsorbed on the take-out belt 68 are taken out, the gap 75 is detected and the floor belts 62, 62 and the pin belts 65, 65 are run. As a result, the postal letter A is fed into the gap 75 as shown in FIG. 9, and the postal letter A is continuously sucked and taken out by the take-out belt 68 without interruption.
[0082]
FIG. 10 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0083]
In the figure, reference numeral 81 denotes a floor constituting the supply section 2. On this floor 81, two floor belts 82a, 82b and toothed belts 83a, 83b as transporting means for placing and transporting a postal letter are provided. Spiral rollers 95a and 95b which are also used as upper means are arranged in parallel. On the rear wall surface of the supply unit 2, toothed belts 84a, 84b and 85a to 85c as conveying means are provided in parallel with the vertical direction, and spiral rollers 95c and 95d which are also used as rising means are arranged. Have been.
[0084]
A subchamber 86 and a main chamber 87 are provided on the carry-out side of the spiral rollers 95a to 95d as suction means for sucking a postal letter. A take-out belt 88 as a take-out means for taking out a postal letter is wrapped around the main chamber 87, and the take-out belt 88 is provided with suction ports 89 communicating with a suction portion of the main chamber 87.
[0085]
Near the main and sub-chambers 87 and 86, a pair of upper and lower sensors 90a and 90b constituting a first sensor 90 for detecting the presence or absence of a letter of a letter are arranged. A pair of upper and lower sensors 91a, 91b constituting a second sensor 91 for detecting a gap, which will be described later, are located upstream of the pair of upper and lower sensors 90a, 90b constituting the first sensor 90 in the mail letter transport direction. Are arranged. When the sensors 91a and 91b detect a gap to be described later, the floor belts 82a and 82b and the toothed belts 83a and 83b run, the spiral rollers 95a and 95b are rotated, and the toothed belts 84a and 84b, And 85a to 85c run, and the spiral rollers 95c and 95d are rotated.
[0086]
Reference numeral 92 denotes a backup plate for backing up a postal letter. The backup plate 92 is moved along a guide shaft 93.
[0087]
Thus, the postal letter is run by the floor belts 82a and 82b and the toothed belts 83a and 83b, and further by the rotation of the spiral rollers 95a and 95b, and by the toothed belts 84a, 84b and 85a to 85c, and further by the spiral. It is conveyed by the rotation of the rollers 95c and 95d, and is sent to the take-out belt 88 side.
[0088]
The sent letter is attracted to the surface of the take-out belt 88 by the suction force of the main and sub-chambers 87, 86, and is taken out one by one by the running of the take-out belt 88. At the time of removal, mail letters within the range where the suction force of the main and sub-chambers 87 and 86 act are attracted to the surface of the ejection belt 88, but mail letters outside the range where the suction force acts are attracted. In this case, a gap 75 is formed between the postal letter to be sucked and the postal letter not to be sucked, as shown in FIG. This gap 75 expands as the letter is taken out.
[0089]
Conventionally, the gap 75 has expanded to the limit, that is, expanded until all postal letters adsorbed on the take-out belt 88 have been taken out, and when one of the sensors 90a, 90b detects that the postal letter has disappeared, While the floor belts 82a and 82b and the toothed belts 83a and 83b are running, the spiral rollers 95a and 95b are rotated, and the toothed belts 84a, 84b and 85a to 85c are running and the spiral rollers 95c and 95d are running. Is rotated to send out the postal letter to the take-out belt 88 side.
[0090]
However, in the second embodiment, the second sensors 91a and 91b are provided upstream of the first sensors 90a and 90b in the mail letter transport direction, and the gaps 75 are detected by the second sensors 91a and 91b. While the gap 75 is not expanded to the limit, that is, while the postal letter is being sucked and taken out by the take-out belt 88, the floor belts 82a and 82b and the toothed belts 83a and 83b are run, and the spiral rollers 95a and 83b are driven. 95b is rotated, and the toothed belts 84a, 84b, and 85a to 85c are run, and the spiral rollers 95c, 95d are rotated to send the postal letter into the gap 75. Thus, the postal letter can be continuously sucked and taken out by the take-out belt 88 without interrupting the postal letter.
[0091]
FIG. 11 shows a driving device 96 for driving the floor belts 82a and 82b, the toothed belts 83a and 83b, and the toothed belts 84a and 84b and 85a to 85c.
[0092]
In the drawing, reference numeral 97 denotes a drive motor, and the toothed belt 84b is driven by the drive of the drive motor 97, and the vertical rotation shaft 98 is rotated by the movement of the toothed belt 84b. A toothed belt 84a and toothed belts 85a to 85c are wound around the vertical rotation shaft 98 via driven pulleys 99.
[0093]
A horizontal rotation shaft 100 is connected to the lower end of the vertical rotation shaft 98 via bevel gears 99a and 99b. Floor belts 82a and 82b and toothed belts 83a and 83b are stretched around the horizontal rotating shaft 100 via a driven pulley 101.
[0094]
A projection 92a is provided on one side of the backup plate 92, and the projection 92a is engaged with the toothed belt 84b.
[0095]
When the drive motor 97 is driven, the toothed belt 84b runs, and by this running, the vertical rotation shaft 98 is rotated, and the toothed belt 84a and the toothed belts 85a to 85c run via the driven pulleys 99. At the same time, the backup plate 92 is moved. At this time, the horizontal rotating shaft 100 is rotated via the bevel gears 99a and 99b, and the rotation causes the floor belts 82a and 82b and the toothed belts 83a and 83b to run via the driven pulleys 101.
[0096]
FIG. 12 shows a driving device 105 for the spiral rollers 95a to 95d.
[0097]
In the drawing, reference numerals 106 and 107 denote first and second drive motors, and driven pulleys 111 a and 111 b of spiral rollers 95 a and 95 b are connected to a drive pulley 108 of the first drive motor 106 via a drive belt 110. . 112 are idle pulleys around which the drive belt 110 is wound.
[0098]
Driven pulleys 115a and 115b of spiral rollers 95c and 95d are connected to a drive pulley 113 of the second drive motor 107 via a drive belt 114. 116 are idle pulleys around which the drive belt 114 is wound.
[0099]
When the first drive motor 106 is driven, the spiral rollers 95a and 95b are rotated via the drive belt 110 and the driven pulleys 111a and 111b.
[0100]
When the second drive motor 107 is driven, the spiral rollers 95c and 95d are rotated via the drive belt 114 and the driven pulleys 115a and 115b.
[0101]
FIG. 13 shows a control system of the drive unit.
[0102]
That is, the first and second sensors 90a, 90b and 91a, 91b are connected to the CPU 120 via the interface 119, and the CPU 120 is connected to the driving motor 97 via the motor drivers 97a, 106a, 107a, 118a. The second drive motors 106 and 107 and a chamber motor 118 are connected.
[0103]
When the first sensor 90a, 90b detects that there is no postal letter, or when the second sensor 91a, 91b detects the gap 75, the CPU 120 sends the message via each motor driver 97a, 106a, 107a, 118a. Each of the drive motors 97, 106, 107, 118 is rotationally driven.
[0104]
In the above-described first and second embodiments, the postal letters supplied in response to the detection signal of the sensor are not sent all at once, but are divided into one to four times according to a predetermined program. The drive motor is driven to send the letter.
[0105]
For example, in the second embodiment, when a detection signal is sent from the first sensor 90a, 90b or the second sensor 91a, 91b as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14 (step ST1), the CPU 120 The drive motors 97, 106, and 107 are driven (step ST2), and the drive motors 97, 106, and 107 are driven for t seconds according to the firmware programmed in the memory, and then stopped (stepper ST3). Next, when the detection signal is turned on or off from the first sensor 90a, 90b or the second sensor 91a, 91b (step ST4), if it is on, the drive motors 97, 106, 107 are driven (step ST2). If the switch is off, the drive motors 97, 106, and 107 are stopped (step ST5).
[0106]
Further, in the case of the pinless supply system according to the second embodiment, a postal letter A is inserted as shown in FIG.
[0107]
When this stacking occurs, two-sheet picking, gap variation, removal of missing teeth, and the like deteriorate, so that the letter A must be returned to an upright state.
[0108]
In this embodiment, the following operations are added.
[0109]
As shown in FIG. 15, when the mail letter A is in front of the letter A, the first and second sensors 90b and 91b disposed on the lower side do not detect the letter of the mail for a certain period of time.
[0110]
In this case, the postal letter is erected as shown in FIG. 16 according to the flowchart of the postal letter transcript shown in FIG.
[0111]
That is, when the detection signals from the first and second sensors 90b and 91b disposed on the lower side do not arrive at the CPU 120 for A seconds (step ST1), it is determined that the front-end state of the postal letter has occurred. The drive motor 106 is driven for B seconds to rotate the spiral rollers 95a and 95b (step ST2). Thereafter, when the detection signals from the first and second sensors 90b and 91b are turned on and off (step ST3), the operation returns to (step ST2) when the detection signal is off, and when the detection signal is on, the drive of the drive motor 106 is performed. Is stopped (step 4), and the postal letter A is erected as shown in FIG.
[0112]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 17, when the postal letter A is folded backward, the detection signals from the first and second sensors 90a and 91a disposed on the upper side are set for C seconds according to the flowchart of FIG. If the mail does not come to the CPU 120 side (step ST1), it is determined that the rearward tail of the mail has occurred, the driving of the motor 106 is stopped for D seconds (step ST2), and the first and second sensors 90a and 91a are turned off. When the detection signal is turned on and off (step ST3), the process returns to step ST2 when the detection signal is off, and cancels the drive stop of the motor 106 when the detection signal is on (step ST4).
[0113]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when taking out a paper sheet (postal matter), the paper sheet (postal matter) which is within the range where the suction force of the suction means acts and is outside the range where the suction force acts. The gap formed between the paper sheet (postal matter) is detected by the second detecting means, and by this detection, the conveying means is operated to feed the paper sheet (postal matter) into the gap. The leaves can be continuously sucked and adsorbed to the extracting means.
[0114]
Therefore, the paper sheets (mail) can be continuously taken out without interruption of the paper sheet (mail) taken out by the take-out means. Processing capacity can be realized.
[0115]
Further, paper sheets (postal matter) can be taken out without impairing the processing capacity of the take-out means in any case of constant gap and constant pitch.
[0116]
Further, since there is no interruption / start cycle of taking out, occurrence of troubles such as taking out two sheets of paper (mail), increase in pitch variation, and taking out of missing teeth can be greatly reduced.
[0117]
Further, since the paper (mail) sent to the take-out means is erected by the erecting means, the positional relationship between the paper (mail) and the suction means can be set in an ideally parallel state, and two sheets can be obtained. Inconveniences such as an increase in picking, variation in pitch, and removal of missing teeth can be eliminated.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a mail letter supply unit and a take-out unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a post-assembly route assembling machine.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a postal letter transfer mechanism and peripheral devices thereof.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control system of the route assembling machine.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of a route assembling method.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of distribution of new route numbers when an overflow occurs in the route assembling machine.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a route assembling operation in the route assembling machine.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which a gap has been created between postal letters;
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which a postal letter has been sent into a gap.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a mail letter supply unit and a take-out unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a drive system of a transport belt.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a driving system of a spiral roller.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a control system of a driving unit.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the driving unit.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a state in which a postal letter is sent in a state where it has fallen forward.
FIG. 16 is a view showing a state in which a postal letter is upright.
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a state in which a postal letter is sent in a state of falling backward.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an operation of erecting a postal letter.
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an operation of erecting a postal letter.
[Explanation of symbols]
64 holding pin (transporting means)
A: Postal letters (sheets)
61, 62, 82a, 82b ... Floor belt (conveying means)
83a, 83b, 84a, 84b, 85a to 85c ... toothed belt (conveying means)
66, 86 ... sub-chamber (suction means)
67, 87: Main chamber (suction means)
68, 88 ... take-out belt (take-out means)
70a, 70b, 90a, 90b... First sensor (first detecting means)
71a, 71b, 91a, 91b ... first sensor (second detecting means)
CPU ... control means

Claims (2)

First transport means provided on the floor surface for transporting the paper sheets placed in an upright position ;
A second transport unit that is provided on a vertical surface perpendicular to the floor surface, and that contacts the side surface of the sheet and transports the sheet together with the first transport unit;
Provided the carry-out side of the first and second conveying means, a suction means for sucking the sheet being conveyed by said first and second conveying means,
A take-out means which is hung over the suction means and takes out sheets one by one;
A pair of first detection means provided near the bottom of the take-out means and opposed to the bottom side of the paper sheet taken out by the take-out means and a side intersecting with this side, and detecting the presence or absence of the sheet,
In the vicinity of the pair of first detection means, the paper sheet is provided on the upstream side in the transport direction of the paper sheet, and at a position opposed to a bottom side of the paper sheet and a side intersecting with this side. A pair of second pair of papers that detect a gap formed between the paper sheet within the range where the suction force of the suction unit acts and the paper sheet outside the range where the suction force acts Detecting means;
The first and second transporting units are controlled based on the detection of the absence of a sheet by the pair of first detecting units or based on the detection of a gap by the pair of second detecting units. and control means for by sea urchin control Ru to operate,
The first detection means provided on the floor surface and located at a position facing the bottom of the paper sheet or the second detection means provided at a position facing the bottom of the paper sheet. A sheet conveying apparatus, comprising: a third conveying unit that conveys the sheet to the unloading unit when the sheet is not detected for a time . A step of mounting the paper sheets in a standing state on the first transport means and transporting the paper sheets on the first transport means ,
Transporting the paper sheet together with the first transport means by a second transport means provided on a vertical surface perpendicular to the floor surface and in contact with a side surface portion of the paper sheet;
A step of sucking the paper sheet conveyed by the first and second transport means by suction means provided on the carry-out side of the first and second conveying means,
A step of taking out sheets one by one by a take-out means spanned by the suction means;
A step of detecting the presence / absence of a sheet by a pair of first detection means provided at positions near the bottom side of the sheet taken out by the take-out means and a side intersecting this side in the vicinity of the take-out means; ,
In the vicinity of the pair of first detection means, the conveyance direction upstream side of the paper sheet, and a second detection of the pair respectively provided at a position opposite to the side that intersects the bottom and the sides of the sheet With the removal of the paper sheet by the removal means, the paper sheet can be formed between the paper sheet within the range where the suction force of the suction means acts and the paper sheet outside the range where the suction force acts. Detecting a gap;
The first and second transporting units are controlled based on the detection of the absence of a sheet by the pair of first detecting units or based on the detection of a gap by the pair of second detecting units. and the step of controlling by by sea urchin control means Ru is operated,
The first detection means provided on the floor surface and located at a position facing the bottom of the paper sheet or the second detection means provided at a position facing the bottom of the paper sheet. A step of transporting the paper sheet to the take-out means side by a third transport means when the paper sheet is not detected for a period of time .

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