JP3964296B2 - Paper sheet feeding device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a paper sheet feeding apparatus capable of separating and feeding stacked paper sheets one by one.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, when stacking paper sheets are separated and fed one by one, thin paper sheets and high friction paper sheets have a problem of causing double feeding or feeding failure. The same problem has arisen in the case of paper sheets with uneven leading ends in the feeding direction or paper sheets of different sizes.
[0003]
In view of this, a paper sheet feeding device has been proposed which is configured to improve the separating ability of paper sheets to be fed out by sequentially providing two separation units having different formats (Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-152409). The paper sheet feeding device according to the prior application includes an overlap-type first separation unit composed of a conveyor belt and an overlap roller, and a pressure-contact type first composed of a feed roller and a pressure roller downstream thereof. 2 separation parts.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The paper sheet feeding device according to the above-mentioned prior application has the following problems. First, since a certain distance between the first separation unit and the second separation unit is required, it is not possible to handle paper sheets with a very short length in the feeding direction, and there is a limit to downsizing of the apparatus. There is.
[0005]
Next, when the “continuous paper feeding mode” is set in which the stacked sheets are separated and fed out one by one, a plurality of sheets of sheets such as continuous forms are fed out manually one by one. There is a problem that it cannot support the “manual feed mode”. In other words, if a plurality of sheets of paper are to be fed out manually, each separation unit acts to separate the bound sheets, and the bound sheets may be damaged. is there. For this reason, the continuous paper feed mode and the manual feed mode cannot be used properly.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and while ensuring the separation ability of paper sheets, paper sheets with a short length in the feeding direction can be handled and miniaturization can be achieved. An object of the present invention is to provide a paper sheet feeding device that can use the continuous paper feeding mode and the manual feed mode properly.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A first invention is a stacking unit that stacks paper sheets, a sheet feeding unit that feeds paper sheets from the stacking unit, and a feed roller that feeds the sheet fed by the sheet feeding unit further downstream. And an overlap roller that is opposed to the feed roller so as to overlap with the feed roller, and is disposed adjacent to the overlap roller in the circumferential direction of the feed roller, and is opposed to be in pressure contact with the feed roller A pressure roller, and switching means for switching between a restrained state in which rotation of the overlap roller and the pressure roller is prevented and a release state in which rotation of the overlap roller and the pressure roller is allowed are provided. Is a paper sheet feeding device.
[0008]
According to the first aspect of the invention, the overlap roller and the pressure contact roller facing the feed roller are disposed adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the feed roller, so that the overlap type separation unit and the pressure contact type separation unit are arranged. Are formed adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the feed roller. As a result, the paper sheets fed from the stacking unit by the paper feeding means are first sprinkled by the overlap type separation unit to promote separation, and finally separated one by one by the pressure contact type separation unit. The paper sheet can be separated so as to be fed out. And by making the distance between two separation parts approach, paper sheets with a shorter length in the feeding direction can be handled, and the apparatus can be miniaturized.
[0009]
Furthermore, by setting the overlap roller and the pressure roller in a restrained state by the switching means, a “continuous sheet feeding mode” is set in which the stacked sheets are reliably separated and fed out one by one by the separating action of each separating section. I can. Similarly, by setting the release state, the separation action of each separation unit can be canceled, and a “manual feed mode” can be set in which a plurality of sheets of paper sheets are reliably fed out manually by hand. Therefore, it is possible to use the continuous paper feed mode and the manual feed mode properly.
[0010]
According to a second invention, in the first invention, there is further provided interlocking means for forcibly interlocking the overlap roller and the pressure roller with each other.
[0011]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the configuration can be simplified by integrally switching the overlap roller and the pressure contact roller between the constrained state and the released state by the switching means for both the rollers. Specifically, for example, it can be configured as in the following third invention.
[0012]
In a third aspect based on the second aspect, the interlocking means is a synchronous rotating member provided to forcibly rotate synchronously with the overlap roller and the pressure contact roller, and the switching means is the restraint The rotation of the synchronous rotation member is constrained in the state, and the rotation of the synchronous rotation member is allowed in the released state. Specifically, for example, it can be configured as in the following fourth invention.
[0013]
In a fourth aspect based on the third aspect, the overlap roller and the pressure contact roller are each provided with a coaxial gear fixed coaxially with each roller, and the synchronous rotating member is disposed between the coaxial gears. It is a connecting gear meshed so as to be coupled, and the switching means has a meshing member meshed with the coupling gear and an advancing / retreating mechanism for advancing / retracting the meshing member with respect to the coupling gear. .
[0014]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the engagement member is advanced / retracted with respect to the connection gear by the advancing / retreating mechanism, so that the rotation of the connection gear is restricted / allowed by the engagement / disengagement with the engagement member. Switching between the restraining / releasing states of the overlap roller and the pressure roller via the coaxial gear can be performed reliably.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 5 are views showing an embodiment of a paper sheet feeding device according to the present invention. Hereinafter, the overall configuration of the present embodiment, the configuration of the feeding unit, the operation, the effects, and the modifications will be sequentially described.
[0016]
[overall structure]
In FIG. 1, a paper sheet feeding device includes a stacking unit 1 that stacks paper sheets P in a substantially vertical direction, and a feeding unit 2 that can separate and feed the paper sheets P one by one from the stacking unit 1. It has. Further, a transport unit 3 for transporting the fed paper sheet P further downstream is provided on the downstream side of the feed unit 2.
[0017]
The stacking unit 1 includes an elevating stage 10 that supports the stacked paper sheets P, and a sensor PI1 for detecting the presence of the paper sheets P on the stage 10. Specifically, the sensor PI1 optically detects the ascending / descending position of the stage 10 via the plate-like member 12 extending downward from the stage 10. Further, a guide plate 14 having an extension portion 16 extending into the feeding portion 2 is provided on the feeding direction side of the paper sheets P in the stacking portion 1.
[0018]
Next, the feeding unit 2 feeds the pickup roller (paper feeding means) R1 that feeds the paper sheets P from the upper part of the stacking unit 1 and the paper sheet P fed by the pickup rollers R1 further downstream. And a roller R2. As will be described later, the feed roller R2 forms a first separation portion S1 and a second separation portion S2 between the overlap roller R3 and the pressure roller R4. The pickup roller R1 and the feed roller R2 are driven to rotate by belts B1 and B2 by stepping motors SM1 and SM2, respectively. Further, a sensor PI2 for detecting the height of the pickup roller R1 is provided so that the uppermost surface of the paper sheet P is detected.
[0019]
Next, the transport unit 3 includes two transport rollers R5 and R6 and pinch rollers R7 and R8 that face the transport rollers R5 and R6, respectively. The transport rollers R5 and R6 are rotationally driven via the belt B by the stepping motor SM3. A first transmission sensor PS1 for detecting the paper sheet P is provided between the feeding unit 2 and the transport unit 3 (immediately after the second separation unit S2). A second transmission sensor PS2 for detecting the paper sheet P is also provided between the transport rollers R5 and R6.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 5, the paper sheet P feeding device includes a control unit U connected to the sensors PI1, PI2, PS1, PS2 and the motors SM1 to SM3. The control unit U is further connected with a mode switch SW, a solenoid SD, and a sensor PI3, which will be described later. As will be described later, the control unit U is configured to perform drive control of the motors SM1 to SM3 and the solenoid SD based on the input from each sensor and the changeover switch SW.
[0021]
[Configuration of feeding section]
Next, a specific configuration of the feeding unit 2 will be described mainly with reference to FIGS.
[0022]
First, in FIG. 1, the pickup roller R <b> 1 constituting the paper feeding means contacts the surface of the (uppermost) paper sheet P collected in the stacking unit 1 and sends it out. The pickup roller R1 can be moved up and down between an “acting position” that contacts the surface of the (uppermost) paper sheet P accumulated in the accumulating unit 1 and a “standby position” that is separated from the surface. ing. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the arm member 20 that supports the rotation shaft RS1 of the pickup roller R1 is provided so as to be swingable around the rotation shaft RS2 of the feed roller R2. The sensor PI2 optically detects the height of the pickup roller R1 via the extension plate 22 formed at the tip of the arm member 20, and thereby detects the uppermost surface of the paper sheet P. It has become.
[0023]
Next, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first separation portion S1 is formed between the feed roller R2 and the overlap roller R3 facing the feed roller R2 so as to overlap in the radial direction. It is a so-called overlap type. As shown in FIG. 3, the feed roller R2 has three roller portions RP2 arranged at intervals along the rotation axis RS2. In addition, the overlap roller R3 has two roller portions RP3 arranged at intervals along the rotation axis RS3. The roller portion RP3 of the overlap roller R3 is disposed so as to correspond between the roller portions RP2 of the feed roller R2.
[0024]
Next, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the second separation portion S2 is formed between the feed roller R2 and the pressure roller R4 facing the feed roller R2 in a radial direction. The so-called pressure contact type. As shown in FIG. 4, the pressure roller R4 has three roller portions RP4 that are arranged at intervals along the rotation axis RS4. The roller portion RP4 of the pressure roller R4 is disposed so as to face the roller portion RP2 of the feed roller R2.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 2, the overlap roller R3 and the pressure roller R4 are arranged adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the feed roller R2. For example, if the sandwiching angle θ between the center position of the overlap roller R3 and the center position of the pressure roller R4 with respect to the center of the feed roller R2 is 35 °, the overlap roller R3 and the pressure roller R4 overlap each other in the radial direction. Are arranged to be. The pressure roller R4 (second separation portion S2) is located downstream of the overlap roller R3 (first separation portion S1) in the paper sheet feeding direction.
[0026]
Here, switching means C is provided for switching between a restrained state in which the rotation of the overlap roller R3 and the pressure roller R4 is prevented and a released state in which the rotation of the rollers R3 and R4 is allowed. In addition, a connecting gear (synchronous rotating member) G that is forcibly and synchronously rotated with these rollers R3 and R4 is provided as interlocking means for forcibly interlocking the overlap roller R3 and the pressure roller R4. And the switching means C is comprised so that rotation of the connection gear G may be restrained in a restrained state, and rotation of the connection gear G may be permitted in a release state.
[0027]
Specifically, the overlap roller R3 and the pressure roller R4 are respectively provided with coaxial gears G3 and G4 that are fixed coaxially with the rollers R3 and R4. Further, the connecting gear G is meshed so as to connect the coaxial gears G3 and G4. The switching means C includes a meshing member 24 that meshes with the teeth of the connection gear G, and a solenoid (advance / retreat mechanism) SD that advances / retreats the meshing member 24 with respect to the connection gear G. In order to detect the operation of the meshing member 24 by the solenoid SD, a sensor PI3 is attached.
[0028]
Note that the pressure roller R4 is configured to incorporate a known torque limiter mechanism so that it can rotate when a torque exceeding a reference value is applied even in a restrained state.
[0029]
[Operation]
Next, the operation content of the paper sheet feeding device configured as described above based on the control by the control unit U will be described separately for (1) continuous paper feed mode and (2) manual feed mode. Note that switching between the two modes is performed by operating a mode switch SW (FIG. 5) connected to the control unit U.
[0030]
(1) Continuous feeding mode This is an operation mode for separating and feeding out the sheets P from the stacking unit 1 one by one. In this continuous paper feed mode, the overlap roller R3 and the pressure roller R4 are in a restrained state by the switching means C. That is, the meshing member 24 advanced by the solenoid SD is meshed with the connecting gear G, and the rotation of the overlap roller R3 and the pressure roller R4 is prevented.
[0031]
First, the sheet P is sent out from the upper part of the stacking unit 1 by the rotation of the pickup roller R1 at the operation position. The fed paper sheet P is further fed downstream by the feed roller R2. In the process, first, the overlap type first separation part S1 picks up the paper sheet P and promotes the separation, and then the pressure contact type second separation part S2 finally separates the paper sheet P one by one. Then, the action is taken out.
[0032]
Thus, the paper sheets P separated one by one are sent out to the transport unit 3 side mainly by the feed roller R2. Meanwhile, when the sensor PS1 detects the leading edge of the paper sheet P, the rotation of the pickup roller R1 is stopped. The paper sheet P that has entered the transport unit 3 is transported downstream by transport rollers R5 and R6. Meanwhile, when the sensor PS2 detects the leading edge of the paper sheet P, the rotation of the feed roller R2 is stopped. Further, when the sensor PS1 detects the trailing edge of the paper sheet P, the rotation of the pickup roller R1 is resumed and the feeding of the next paper sheet P is started. By repeating the above operation, the sheets P of the stacking unit 1 are separated and fed out one by one from the top. The pickup roller R1 and the feed roller R2 each have a built-in one-way clutch so as not to prevent the paper sheet P from proceeding in the transport direction.
[0033]
(2) Manual feed mode This is an operation mode for manually feeding out a plurality of sheets of sheets such as continuous forms one by one. In this manual feed mode, the overlap roller R3 and the pressure roller R4 are released by the switching means C. That is, the meshing member 24 retracted by the solenoid SD is disengaged from the connecting gear G, and the overlap roller R3 and the pressure roller R4 are allowed to rotate synchronously.
[0034]
In this state, a plurality of sheets of paper sheets manually fed to the feeding unit 2 are fed to the conveying unit 3 side by the feed roller R2 without being subjected to the separating action of the separating units S1 and S2, and the conveying roller R5. , R6, it is conveyed downstream.
[0035]
[Function and effect]
Next, the effect of the paper sheet feeding device of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.
[0036]
According to this embodiment, the overlap-type first separation portion S1 and the pressure-contact type second separation portion are formed adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the feed roller R2. As a result, the paper sheet P sent out from the stacking unit 1 by the paper feeding means is first spread by the overlap type first separation unit S1 and then promoted to be separated, and then finally pressed by the pressure type second separation unit S2. Thus, the separation ability of the paper sheet P can be ensured by separating and feeding out one by one. By making the distance between the two separation parts S1 and S2 closer, it is possible to handle the paper sheet P having a shorter length in the feeding direction, and to reduce the size of the apparatus.
[0037]
Further, the overlap roller R3 and the pressure roller R4 are brought into a restrained state by the switching means C, whereby the stacked sheets P are reliably separated and fed out one by one by the separating action of the separating sections S1 and S2. Continuous feed mode ”. In the same release state, the separating action of the separating sections S1 and S2 is canceled, and a plurality of sheets of paper sheets are reliably separated one by one (avoids separation of spelling, damage to paper, etc.). ) It can be set to “manual feed mode” that is manually fed out. Therefore, it is possible to use the continuous paper feed mode and the manual feed mode properly.
[0038]
Further, the engagement member 24 is advanced / retracted with respect to the connection gear G by the solenoid SD, so that the rotation of the connection gear G is constrained / allowed by the engagement / disengagement with the engagement member 24, and each coaxial gear G3. , G4 can reliably switch the restraint / release state of the overlap roller R3 and the pressure roller R4. Further, since the switching means C switches the restraint state and the release state of the overlap roller R3 and the pressure roller R4 integrally with respect to the rollers R3 and R4 via the connecting gear G, the configuration is simplified. can do.
[0039]
[Modification]
In the switching means C, the case where the meshing member 24 meshed with the teeth of the connection gear G has been described. However, instead of this, a stopper or the like that engages the side surface or shaft of the connection gear G may be used.
[0040]
In addition, the case where the connecting gear G that meshes with the coaxial gears G3 and G4 of the rollers R3 and R4 is used as the synchronous rotating member that forcibly rotates synchronously with the overlap roller R3 and the pressure roller R4. It is also conceivable to use gears connected to the respective coaxial gears G3 and G4 by timing belts.
[0041]
Further, the interlocking means for forcibly interlocking the overlap roller R3 and the pressure roller R4 is not limited to the synchronous rotating member as described above, and the timing for directly connecting the coaxial gears G3, G4 of the rollers R3, R4. A belt or the like can also be used. In that case, the switching means C should just be the structure which can restrain rotation of any one roller R3, R4.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the overlap roller and the pressure contact roller that are opposed to the feed roller are disposed adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the feed roller, so that the overlap type separation unit and the pressure contact type separation unit are fed. It is formed adjacent to the circumferential direction of the roller. As a result, the paper sheets fed from the stacking unit by the paper feeding means are first sprinkled by the overlap type separation unit to promote separation, and finally separated one by one by the pressure contact type separation unit. The paper sheet can be separated so as to be fed out. And by making the distance between two separation parts approach, paper sheets with a shorter length in the feeding direction can be handled, and the apparatus can be miniaturized.
[0043]
Further, according to the present invention, the overlap roller and the pressure roller are brought into a restrained state by the switching means, whereby the stacked sheets are reliably separated and fed out one by one by the separating action of each separating portion. “Paper feeding mode”. Similarly, by setting the release state, the separation action of each separation unit can be released, and a “manual feed mode” can be set in which a plurality of sheets of paper sheets are reliably fed out manually one by one. Therefore, it is possible to use the continuous paper feed mode and the manual feed mode properly.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing an embodiment of a paper sheet feeding apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of a feeding unit in the paper sheet feeding device shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a view showing a feed roller and an overlap roller in the section taken along line III-III in FIG. 2;
4 is a view showing a feed roller and a pressure roller in a section taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control system of the paper sheet feeding device shown in FIG. 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
P Sheets 1 Stacking unit 2 Feeding unit S1 First separating unit S2 Second separating unit R1 Pickup roller (paper feeding means)
R2 Feed roller R3 Overlap roller G3 Coaxial gear R4 Pressure roller G4 Coaxial gear G Connecting gear (interlocking means; synchronous rotating member)
C switching means 24 meshing member SD solenoid (advance / retreat mechanism)
3 Conveying parts R5, R6 Conveying rollers R7, R8 Pinch roller

Claims (4)

An accumulating unit for accumulating paper sheets;
Paper feeding means for sending out paper sheets from the stacking unit;
A feed roller for sending paper sheets fed by the paper feeding means further downstream;
An overlap roller opposed to overlap with the feed roller;
A pressure roller disposed adjacent to the overlap roller in the circumferential direction of the feed roller and facing the feed roller so as to be in pressure contact;
A paper sheet comprising switching means for switching between a restrained state in which rotation of the overlap roller and the pressure contact roller is prevented and a release state in which rotation of the overlap roller and the pressure roller is allowed. Similar feeding device. 2. The paper sheet feeding device according to claim 1, further comprising interlocking means for forcibly interlocking the overlap roller and the pressure roller with each other. The interlocking means is a synchronous rotating member provided to forcibly synchronize with the overlap roller and the pressure roller,
3. The paper according to claim 2, wherein the switching unit is configured to constrain rotation of the synchronous rotating member in the constrained state and allow rotation of the synchronous rotating member in the released state. Leaf feeding device. The overlap roller and the pressure roller are each provided with a coaxial gear fixed coaxially with each roller,
The synchronous rotating member is a connecting gear meshed so as to connect the coaxial gears,
The paper sheet feeding device according to claim 3, wherein the switching means includes a meshing member meshed with the coupling gear and an advance / retreat mechanism for advancing / retracting the meshing member with respect to the coupling gear. apparatus.

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