JP6518895B2 - Collation device - Google Patents

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a collating apparatus that stacks sheets fed from a plurality of sheet feeding units while conveying them to create a sheet bundle.

  There is known a collating apparatus provided with a plurality of sheet feeding units for separating and feeding sheets stacked on a sheet feeding tray one by one, and stacking the sheets fed from each sheet feeding unit while conveying them to form a sheet bundle. ing. In such a collating apparatus, a merging and conveying path is provided along the arrangement direction of the plurality of sheet feeding units arranged in series in the vertical direction. The sheets fed from the respective sheet feeding units are sent to the merging conveyance path, stacked one on another, and sent downward. Delivery timings from the respective sheet feeding units are determined such that the sheets delivered from the respective sheet feeding units overlap each other when they merge (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP, 2013-136462, A

  In the collating apparatus, generally, if the frequency of feeding the sheets from each sheet feeding unit is increased, the number of sets of sheet bundles to be prepared per unit time increases, and the working efficiency is improved, but the power consumption is also increased. Therefore, if the frequency of delivery is set too high, the allowable limit may be exceeded depending on the use environment of the device.

  On the other hand, although the collating apparatus is provided with a plurality of sheet feeding units, not all of the plurality of sheet feeding units are always used, and in some cases, collating processing is performed using only a part. The smaller the number of sheet feeding units used, the lower the power consumption. However, since there is a case where all the sheet feeding units are simultaneously used, it is necessary to determine the frequency at which each sheet feeding unit feeds sheets in consideration of the case where all the sheet feeding units are simultaneously used. This can be a limitation in increasing the frequency of feeding sheets from each sheet feed unit.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a collating apparatus capable of improving work efficiency while suppressing power consumption.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a collating apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is a collating apparatus for producing a sheet bundle by superposing each other while conveying sheets fed from a plurality of sheet feeding units. A determination unit that determines the maximum processing speed that can be set as the upper limit value of the processing speed of the collation device based on the number of used sheet feeding units, which is the number of sheet feeding units used to create a sheet bundle among the sheet feeding units Equipped with The determination unit determines the maximum processing speed to be a larger value when the acquired number of used sheet feeding units is less than the predetermined number than when the number of used sheet feeding units is the predetermined number or more.

  It is to be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements, and one in which the constituent elements and expressions of the present invention are mutually replaced among methods, systems, etc. is also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve work efficiency while suppressing power consumption.

It is a perspective view showing a collation device concerning an embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the internal structure of a collation apparatus. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a sheet feeding unit and the periphery thereof. It is a block diagram which shows the function and structure of a control part. It is a figure which shows a main screen. It is a figure which shows a setting screen. It is a figure which shows a shelf screen. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a collation apparatus.

  Hereinafter, the same or equivalent constituent elements, members, and processes shown in the respective drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be appropriately omitted. In addition, dimensions of members in each drawing are shown appropriately enlarged or reduced for easy understanding. In each drawing, a part of members which are not important in describing the embodiment is omitted and displayed.

  The collation apparatus according to the embodiment is suitably used to create a bundle of delivery units of newspaper advertisements.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a collation device 10 according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the internal structure of the collating apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. The collating apparatus 10 stacks a plurality of sheets to create a sheet bundle. The collating apparatus 10 includes a housing 12, sheet feeding units 14A to 14T, a folding sheet feeding unit 16, a conveying unit 18, a folding unit 20, a discharging unit 22, a stacking unit 24, and a control unit 70. A main operation unit 90 and a plurality of sub operation units 92 are provided.

  The sheet feeding units 14A to 14J are arranged on the left side surface of the housing 12 in this order from the lower side. The sheet feeding units 14K to 14T are arranged on the right side surface of the housing 12 in this order from the upper side. Hereinafter, when collectively referring to the sheet feeding units 14A to 14T, or when no distinction is made, the sheet feeding units 14A to 14T are simply referred to as the "sheet feeding unit 14".

  The paper feed unit 14 is detachably mounted to the housing 12. Specifically, when the lock mechanism (not shown) is released by the user, the engagement between the sheet feeding unit 14 and the housing 12 is released, and the sheet feeding unit 14 can be removed from the housing 12. Such an engagement method is known and thus the description thereof is omitted. Note that FIG. 2 shows a state in which the sheet feeding unit 14T is removed.

  Each paper feed unit 14 includes a paper feed tray 26 and a paper feed mechanism 28. Paper is stacked on the paper feed tray 26. The paper feed tray 26 is disposed to be inclined as it approaches the paper feed mechanism 28. The sheet feeding mechanism 28 separates the top sheet among the sheets stacked on the sheet feeding tray 26 based on a signal from the control unit 70 and sends it to the conveyance unit 18. In the following, feeding the uppermost sheet of the sheets stacked on the sheet feeding tray 26 in order is also referred to as “sheet feeding”. In particular, the sheet feeding mechanism 28 feeds sheets at such a timing that the sheets fed from the sheet feeding mechanism 28 of the other sheet feeding unit 14 and the main conveyance section 36 (described later) overlap. The detailed configuration of the sheet feeding unit 14 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The folding sheet feeding unit 16 is disposed below the sheet feeding unit 14A. The folded sheet feeding unit 16 includes a sheet feeding tray 30 and a sheet feeding mechanism 32. The sheet feeding tray 30 and the sheet feeding mechanism 32 have the same configuration as the sheet feeding tray 26 and the sheet feeding mechanism 28, respectively. Folded sheets are stacked on the sheet feed tray 30. The paper feed mechanism 32 feeds the sheets stacked on the paper feed tray 30 to the folding unit 20 based on a signal from the control unit 70. The folded sheet is folded in two as described later, and sandwiches the sheet bundle conveyed by the conveying unit 18.

  The transport unit 18 includes a plurality of sub-transport units 34 and a main transport unit 36. The plurality of sub-conveying units 34 are provided corresponding to the respective sheet feeding units 14, and convey the sheet fed from the corresponding sheet feeding unit 14 to the main conveyance unit 36. The main transport unit 36 is provided to extend vertically in the housing 12. The main transport unit 36 transports the sheet transported from each of the sub transport units 34 downward. The sheets fed from the sheet feeding units 14 overlap each other in the main conveyance unit 36. That is, a sheet bundle is created in the main conveyance unit 36.

  The folding unit 20 includes a folding plate 38, a stopper 40, a folding knife 42, and a folding roller 44. The folding plate 38 is provided below the sheet feeding unit 14T. The folded sheet fed from the folding sheet feeding unit 16 is conveyed onto the folding plate 38 and is stopped when the leading end thereof abuts against the stopper 40. In particular, the folded sheet is stopped with its center positioned below the transport unit 18. The sheet bundle having lowered the main conveyance unit 36 strikes the folded sheet. At this timing, the folding knife 42 descends, and the center of the folded sheet is caught in the folding roller 44 and folded in two, and the sheet bundle that has descended the conveyance unit 18 enters in between.

  The discharge unit 22 includes a conveyance belt 46 and a discharge roller 48. The transport belt 46 transports the sheet bundle toward the discharge roller 48. The discharge roller 48 discharges the sheet bundle conveyed by the conveyance belt 46 to the stacking unit 24.

  A main operation unit 90 is provided on the front side of the housing 12. The main operation unit 90 has a touch panel type display unit. An operation screen is displayed on the display unit, and the user inputs, via the operation screen, information on a process of creating a sheet bundle (hereinafter, also referred to as “collation process”). The control unit 70 controls the sheet feeding unit 14, the folding sheet feeding unit 16, the conveying unit 18, the folding unit 20, and the discharging unit 22 in accordance with the user's input to the operation screen to create a sheet bundle. Do. The detailed function and configuration of the control unit 70 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  A plurality of sub operation units 92 are provided on the left side surface and the right side surface of the housing 12. The plurality of sub operation units 92 are provided to correspond to the respective sheet feeding units 14. The sub operation unit 92 has a touch panel type display unit. The sub operation unit 92 may be provided with operation buttons in place of or in addition to the display unit. The user performs predetermined input for the sheet feeding process via the display unit or the operation button.

  FIG. 3 shows the sheet feeding unit 14 and its surroundings. The sheet feeding mechanism 28 has an auxiliary sheet feeding roller 54, a sheet feeding roller 56, and a separation sheet 58. The auxiliary sheet feeding roller 54 is disposed above the end of the sheet feeding tray 26 and is brought into pressure contact with the uppermost sheet of the sheets stacked on the sheet feeding tray 26 and rotates to feed the uppermost sheet.

  The sheet feeding roller 56 is disposed downstream of the auxiliary sheet feeding roller 54 in the sheet conveyance direction (hereinafter simply referred to as “downstream side”). The feed roller 56 is rotationally driven by a feed motor (not shown) which is a DC brushless motor. The auxiliary sheet feeding roller 54 is connected to the sheet feeding roller 56 via a timing belt (not shown), and rotates with the rotation of the sheet feeding roller 56. The auxiliary sheet feeding roller 54 is in pressure contact with the uppermost sheet of the sheets stacked on the sheet feeding tray 26 and rotates, and feeds out the uppermost sheet between the sheet feeding roller 56 and the cover plate 58.

  The cover plate 58 is disposed below the feed roller 56 so as to be in contact with the feed roller 56. When the uppermost sheet is fed between the sheet feed roller 56 and the cover plate 58 by the auxiliary sheet feed roller 54 and the sheet feed roller 56, the sheet feed roller 56 feeds the sheet further downstream.

  Since the paper feed roller 56 is formed of silicone rubber and the perforated plate 58 is formed of urethane rubber, the paper feed roller 56, the perforated plate 58, and the sheet The following relationship is established: coefficient of friction)> (coefficient of friction between sheet 58 and sheet)> (coefficient of friction between sheets). When a plurality of sheets are fed in an overlapping state, the magnitude relation of the frictional force prevents the delivery of the next and subsequent sheets, and only the uppermost sheet is between the sheet feed roller 56 and the separation plate 58. Then, the sheet is sent out to the sub conveyance unit 34.

  The sub conveyance unit 34 has a pair of sub conveyance rollers 62. The pair of sub-conveying rollers 62 conveys the sheet fed by the sheet feeding unit 14 to the main conveyance unit 36. The main conveyance portion 36 has a plurality of pairs of main conveyance rollers 66 and a plurality of pairs of main guide plates 68. In FIG. 3, a pair of main conveyance rollers 66 and a pair of main guide plates 68 are displayed. The pair of main conveyance rollers 66 and the pair of main guide plates 68 are disposed corresponding to the left and right two sheet feeding units 14. The pair of main transport rollers 66 transports the sheet fed through the sub transport unit 34 downward. The pair of main guide plates 68 guides the sheet to be conveyed vertically downward.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the function and configuration of the control unit 70. As shown in FIG. Each block shown here can be realized by hardware as an element such as a CPU of a computer or a mechanical device, and as software as a computer program or the like, but here it is realized by cooperation of them. Are drawing functional blocks. Therefore, it is understood by those skilled in the art who have been mentioned in the present specification that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by a combination of hardware and software.

  The control unit 70 includes a display control unit 71, an acquisition unit 72, a counting unit 73, a determination unit 74, a setting unit 75, a notification unit 76, a paper feed control unit 78, a conveyance control unit 80, and the like. A control unit 82 and a storage unit 86 are included.

  The display control unit 71 causes the display unit of the main operation unit 90 to display the operation screen. FIG. 5 shows the main screen 100 of the operation screen. The display control unit 71 displays the main screen 100 when the power of the collating apparatus 10 is turned on. The display control unit 71 also displays the main screen 100 when the main screen tab 102 is touched. The main screen 100 includes an apparatus schematic diagram 104, a processing condition setting field 106, a ten key 108, and a speed level setting field 110.

  In the apparatus schematic diagram 104, various settings for the sheet feeding unit 14 are displayed. In the apparatus schematic diagram 104, a number for identifying the sheet feeding unit 14 is displayed. In FIG. 5, numbers 1 to 20 are displayed. These correspond to the sheet feeding units 14A to 14T in FIG. 1, respectively. In the apparatus schematic view 104, sheet feeding unit setting information (“single”, “continuous”, “stopped”) indicating which sheet feeding unit 14 feeds a sheet is displayed. The display of “single” means that the sheet feeding unit 14 feeds a single sheet. The display of "repetition" indicates that the sheet feeding unit belongs to the continuous group. When one of the plurality of sheet feeding units 14 belonging to the same series group feeds a sheet, and the sheets in the sheet feeding section 14 run out, another sheet feeding section 14 of the same series group feeds To paper. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a time during which the collation device 10 is inoperative due to the absence of sheets in the sheet feeding unit 14. The indication "stopped" means that the sheet feeding unit 14 does not belong to any continuous group, and the sheet feeding unit 14 does not feed the sheet.

  The processing condition setting column 106 includes a district display column 112, a district selection button 114, a number of copies display column 116, a district counter 118, a total counter 120, and a collation number display column 122. The district display column 112 displays a district to be set. The user changes the area to be set by touching the area selection button 114. In the number of copies display column 116, the number of copies of the sheet bundle to be created in the area displayed in the area display column 112 is displayed. The user touches and selects the number of copies display field 116, and then touches the ten key 108 to input the number of copies of the sheet bundle to be created in the area displayed in the area display field 112.

  The area counter 118 displays the number of copies of the sheet bundle to the area during job execution. The total counter 120 displays the total number of copies of the sheet bundle including other areas. In the collation number display column 122, the number of collations in the area displayed in the area display column 112 is displayed.

  The speed level setting field 110 includes a speed level display field 124 and a speed level selection button 126. In the speed level setting field 110, the number of sheet bundles (hereinafter, also referred to as "processing speed") created by the collating apparatus 10 per unit time is set. In the speed level display field 124, before the start of the collating process, the speed level of the collating process is displayed in seven stages of 1 to 7. The collating apparatus 10 executes the collating process at the lowest processing speed when the speed level is “1”, and executes the collating process at the highest processing speed when “7”. Specifically, the collating apparatus 10 slows the processing speed by increasing the interval at which the sheet feeding units 14 feed the sheets, and increases the processing speed by shortening the processing speed. The user touches the speed level selection button 126 to change the speed level of the collating process (and thus the processing speed). The speed level may be changed after the start of the collating process. In this case, the processing speed changes in real time. In the present embodiment, the collating apparatus 10 will be described as creating a sheet bundle in which the speed level displayed in the speed level setting field 110 is multiplied by 10 per unit time (one minute). That is, the processing speed is described as a value obtained by multiplying the speed level displayed in the speed level setting field 110 by 10.

  FIG. 6 shows the setting screen 130 of the operation screen. When the setting screen tab 132 is touched, the display control unit 71 displays the setting screen 130. The setting screen 130 includes a paper absence detection operation setting field 134. The paper absence detection time operation setting field 134 includes an on / off switching button 136. The user touches the on / off switching button 136 to set an operation when the absence of paper is detected. When the on-off switching button 136 is set to "ON", the collating process is stopped regardless of which paper feeding unit 14 detects the absence of paper. When the on-off switching button 136 is set to "OFF", the collating process does not stop even if no paper is detected in any of the paper feeding units 14. That is, the collating process is continued in the sheet feeding unit 14 in which the sheets are stacked. In this case, for the sheet feeding unit 14 in which the absence of a sheet is detected, the sheet feeding unit setting information changes from “single” or “continuous” to “stopped”, and the display of the device schematic diagram 104 of the main screen 100 in FIG. It will be updated.

  The operation when the absence of paper is detected can also be set individually for each paper feed unit 14. The individual settings may be input to the sub operation unit 92 of each sheet feeding unit 14. If a paper out is detected in the paper supply unit 14 which is set not to stop the collation process even if the paper out is detected (hereinafter referred to as “continuation paper supply setting”), the paper supply in the paper supply unit 14 is performed. The section setting information changes from “single” or “continuous” to “stop”, and the display of the device schematic diagram 104 of the main screen 100 of FIG. 5 is updated.

  FIG. 7 shows the shelf screen 140 of the operation screen. The display control unit 71 displays the shelf screen 140 when the shelf screen tab 142 is touched. The shelf screen 140 includes an apparatus schematic diagram 144, a processing condition setting field 146, and a ten key 148. If there is a sheet feeding unit 14 that feeds only a part of the sheet bundle, the setting is performed on the shelf screen 140. Hereinafter, this setting is referred to as “random sheet feeding setting”.

  The device schematic 144 corresponds to the device schematic 104 of FIG. In the apparatus schematic diagram 144, sheet feeding unit setting information is displayed. Further, in the device schematic diagram 144, a random box 160 is displayed. By touching the random box 160, the sheet feeding unit 14 for performing random sheet feeding setting is designated.

  The processing condition setting column 146 includes a sheet feeding unit column 150, a number of copies display column 152, an number of inserted copies column 154, an insertion mode setting button 156, and a set button 158. In the paper feed unit column 150, a paper feed unit 14 for performing random paper feed setting is displayed. The number of copies displayed in the number of copies display field 116 of the processing condition setting field 106 of the main screen 100 is displayed in the number of copies display field 152. That is, the number of copies of the sheet bundle to be created for the area set on the main screen 100 is displayed. The number of inserted copies column 154 indicates the number of sheets fed by the paper feed unit 14 displayed in the paper feed unit column 150. The user touches and selects the number of inserted copies column 154, and then touches the ten key 148 to enter the number of copies in the number of inserted copies column 154. The number of copies smaller than the number of copies displayed in the number of copies display field 152 can be input in the number of inserted copies column 154. In the example of FIGS. 5 and 7, “100 copies” of the “500 copies” bundle of sheets created for distribution to “District A” are from the 11th-stage sheet feeder (that is, sheet feeder 14K) It indicates that a sheet to be fed is inserted.

  By touching the insertion mode setting button 156, the user switches and sets four insertion modes of "first half", "middle", "second half", and "even". In the example of FIGS. 5 and 7, when “first half” is set to the insertion mode setting button 156, “first set to 100” of the “500 copies” sheet bundle to be created for distribution to “district A” The sheet fed from the eleventh-stage sheet feeding unit (that is, the sheet feeding unit 14K) is inserted into the set. Similarly, when "middle" is set, "201st to 300th copies" is set, and if "second half" is set, "eventh set of 401st to 500th copies", "even" is set. For example, the sheet fed from the eleventh-stage sheet feeding unit (that is, the sheet feeding unit 14K) is inserted by skipping the fourth copy. When the set button 158 is touched, settings are registered. Then, a stripe pattern is displayed in the random box of the paper feed unit 14 in which the random paper feed setting is made.

  When the first half of the insertion mode setting button 156 is set, if the sheets of the paper feed unit 14 are fed by the number of insertions, the paper feed unit setting information of the paper feed unit 14 is set to “single” or “single”. Switch from "Ren" to "Stop". Similarly, when “middle” is set, the sheet feeding unit setting information changes from “stop” to “single” or “continuous” in the middle, and then the number of sheets inserted in the sheet feeding unit 14 is inserted. When the paper is fed by a minute, it is switched to "stop". If “second half” is set, the sheet feeding unit setting information is “stop” at first, and “stop” from “stop” when the remaining number of copies to be collated for distribution to the area becomes equal to the number of inserted copies. Switch to "or". When the sheet feeding unit setting information is switched, the display of the device schematic diagram 104 of the main screen 100 of FIG. 5 is updated.

  Returning to FIG. 4, the acquisition unit 72 acquires information input via the various operation screens displayed on the display unit of the main operation unit 90 and information input via the sub operation unit 92. The acquisition unit 72 acquires, for example, the values of the respective items shown on the main screen 100 of FIG. 5, the setting screen 130 of FIG. 6, and the shelf screen 140 of FIG. The acquisition unit 72 receives, for example, the speed level, sheet feeding unit setting information, and the number of sets of sheet bundles to be created.

  The counting unit 73 refers to the sheet feeding unit setting information acquired by the acquiring unit 72 to count the number of sheet feeding units used in the collating process (hereinafter, referred to as “the number of sheet feeding units used”). As described above, in the sheet feeding unit 14 belonging to the continuous group, one of the plurality of sheet feeding units 14 belonging to the same continuous group is fed (i.e., used). Therefore, the continuous group may be counted as one used sheet feeding unit. That is, the counting unit 73 may count the number of sheet feeding units 14 set to “single” and the number of continuous group.

  In addition to the start of the collation process, the counting unit 73 counts even when an event occurs in which the number of used sheet feeding units can be changed after the start of the collation process. For example, the updated paper feed unit is detected when the absence of paper is detected in the paper feed unit 14 in which the continuous paper feed setting is made, or when the paper feeding by the paper feed unit 14 in which the random paper feed setting is made is started or completed. The setting information is sent to the control unit 70, and the acquisition unit 72 acquires it. The counting unit 73 refers to the sheet feeding unit setting information newly acquired by the acquiring unit 72 to count the number of used sheet feeding copies.

  In the example of FIG. 5, the three sheet feeding units 14 of the sheet feeding unit 14A (first stage), the sheet feeding unit 14B (second stage), and the sheet feeding unit 14G (seventh stage) are set to “single”. There is. Also, "sheet feeding unit 14C (third stage) and sheet feeding unit 14D (fourth stage)", "sheet feeding unit 14E (fifth stage) and sheet feeding unit 14F (sixth stage)", "sheet feeding unit 14H (eighth stage), sheet feeding section 14I (ninth stage) and sheet feeding section 14J (10th stage), "sheet feeding section 14K (11th stage), sheet feeding section 14L (12th stage) and sheet feeding Five consecutive step groups of paper portion 14M (13th stage), sheet feeding section 14N (14th stage), sheet feeding section 14O (15th stage) and sheet feeding section 14P (16th stage) are set. ing. Therefore, the number of used sheet feeding units is counted as "8".

The determination unit 74 is a value that can be set as the upper limit value of the speed level based on the counted number of used sheet feeding units every time the counting unit 73 counts the number of used sheet feeding units (hereinafter referred to as “temporary maximum speed level” To determine). When the number of used sheet feeding units is less than a predetermined number, the determining unit 74 determines the provisional maximum speed level to a larger value than when the number of used sheet feeding units is equal to or more than the predetermined number. In the embodiment, the determination unit 74 determines in accordance with the following correspondence held in the storage unit 86. This correspondence relationship is defined so that the power consumption of the collating apparatus 10 does not exceed the specification value.
Number of copies used: Temporary maximum speed level 11 to 20: 7 (70 copies / minute)
6 to 10: 8 (80 parts / minute)
3 to 5: 9 (90 parts / min)
1 to 2: 10 (100 copies / minute)
That is, the temporary maximum speed level increases as the number of paper feeding copies used decreases.

  The setting unit 75 sets the temporary maximum speed level determined by the determination unit 74 as the upper limit value of the speed level. As a result, when the upper limit value of the speed level is increased, the display control unit 71 updates the gauge 128 of the main screen 100 of the main screen 100 in accordance with the increased upper limit value. For example, when the maximum value of the speed level is 7 to 9, the scale of the gauge 128 is updated from 7 to 9. Conversely, when the upper limit of the speed level is reduced, the display control unit 71 updates the gauge 128 of the main screen 100 of the main screen 100 in accordance with the reduced upper limit value.

  If it becomes necessary to lower the speed level because the upper limit of the speed level has become smaller, the setting unit 75 automatically lowers the speed level (and thus the processing speed). The setting unit 75 may notify the user that the speed level needs to be lowered via the notification unit 76 while stopping the collation process via the paper feed control unit 78. For example, if the number of paper feeding units used is "5" and the speed level is set to "9", the upper limit of the speed level will be "8" when the number of used paper feeding units is "6". As the upper limit decreases, it is necessary to reduce the speed level from "9" to "8" or less.

  When the upper limit value of the speed level is increased due to the decrease in the number of sheet feeding units, the notification unit 76 notifies the user of that. The notification unit 76 may notify the user, for example, by displaying a message on the display unit of the main operation unit 90. Alternatively, the notification unit 76 may notify the user by making a sound or lighting a display light. The user can set the speed level higher in response to the notification.

  The sheet feeding control unit 78 controls each sheet feeding unit 14 to feed a sheet. The paper feed control unit 78 determines the paper feed start timing with reference to the speed level acquired by the acquisition unit 72. In particular, the sheet feeding control unit 78 determines the sheet feeding start timing so that the sheet bundle of the number of copies corresponding to the speed level is created. Specifically, when the speed level is "1" (i.e., when the processing speed is 10 parts / minute), ten sheet feeding start timings are included in unit time (one minute). Further, when the processing speed is “7” (that is, when the processing speed is 70 copies / minute), the sheet feeding start timing of 70 times is included in the unit time (one minute).

  When the speed level is changed during the collating process, the information on the speed level is sent to the control unit 70, and the acquisition unit 72 acquires the information. The paper feed control unit 78 determines the paper feed start timing again with reference to the speed level newly acquired by the acquisition unit 72.

  The sheet feeding control unit 78 sends a signal to each sheet feeding unit 14 and rotates the auxiliary sheet feeding roller 54 and the sheet feeding roller 56 by driving the sheet feeding motor to send the sheet downstream. In particular, the sheet feeding control unit 78 controls the driving of the sheet feeding motor so that the sheets fed from the respective sheet feeding units 14 overlap in a state in which the leading ends are aligned in the main conveyance unit 36. Specifically, the sheet feeding control unit 78 rotates the auxiliary sheet feeding roller 54 and the sheet feeding roller 56 at timing delayed from the sheet feeding start timing by the time corresponding to the height position of each sheet feeding unit 14. Control to start (hereinafter, also simply referred to as "start"). Since the sheet bundle is conveyed downward by the main conveyance unit 36, the timing of starting the auxiliary sheet feeding roller 54 and the sheet feeding roller 56 of the lower sheet feeding unit 14 is delayed. The sheet feeding control unit 78 stops the rotation of the auxiliary sheet feeding roller 54 and the sheet feeding roller 56 by stopping the sheet feeding motor at the timing when the leading end of the sheet is caught by the sub conveyance roller 62. That is, the sheet feeding control unit 78 intermittently drives the sheet feeding motor so that the sheet feeding motor is driven and stopped once each time one sheet is fed. As the processing speed increases, the frequency of the intermittent driving increases, and as the processing speed decreases, the frequency of the intermittent driving decreases.

  The conveyance control unit 80 controls the conveyance of sheets by the sub-conveying unit 34, the main conveyance unit 36, and the discharge unit 22. Particularly, the conveyance control unit 80 drives a main motor (not shown) which is a common motor, and the sub conveyance roller 62 of the sub conveyance unit 34, the main conveyance roller 66 of the main conveyance unit 36, and the discharge roller 48 of the discharge unit 22. Rotate. In the present embodiment, the transport control unit 80 controls the main motor so that the rotational speed of the main motor increases as the processing speed increases. The main motor is a three-phase alternating current motor, and the number of rotations can be adjusted by controlling the frequency with an inverter.

  The folding control unit 82 controls the feeding of the folding sheet by the folding sheet feeding unit 16 and the folding of the sheet by the folding unit 20. Specifically, the folding control unit 82 causes the folding and feeding unit 16 to position the folded sheet under the main conveyance unit 36 before the sheet bundle conveyed by the main conveyance unit 36 reaches the folding unit 20. Feed the paper. Further, the folding control unit 82 lowers the folding knife 42 at timing when the sheet bundle conveyed by the main conveyance unit 36 abuts on the folding sheet.

  The storage unit 86 stores various setting data prepared in advance and data acquired by the acquisition unit 72. The storage unit 86 holds, for example, the correspondence described above.

  The operation of the collating apparatus 10 configured as described above will be described. FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the operation of the collating apparatus 10 when an event occurs in which the number of fed sheets can be changed after the start of the collating process. The number of fed sheets used is changed, for example, when no paper is detected in the paper feed unit 14 for which continuous paper feed setting has been made, or when paper feeding by the paper feed unit 14 for which random paper feed settings are made is started or completed. In this case, the updated sheet feeding unit setting information is sent to the control unit 70, and the obtaining unit 72 obtains the information (S10). The counting unit 73 counts the number of used sheet feeding units with reference to the sheet feeding unit setting information acquired by the acquiring unit 72 (S12). The determination unit 74 determines the temporary maximum speed level based on the counted number of used sheet feeding units (S14). The setting unit 75 sets the determined temporary maximum speed level as the upper limit value of the speed level (S16). When the upper limit value is increased (Y in S18), the notification unit 76 notifies the user of that effect (S20). When the upper limit becomes smaller (N in S18, Y in S22), and when it becomes necessary to lower the set value of the speed level (Y in S24), the setting unit 75 automatically sets the speed level to the upper limit. Lower (S26). If there is no change in the upper limit (N in S18, N in S22) or if it is not necessary to lower the set value of the speed level (N in S24), S26 is skipped and the process ends.

  When notified that the upper limit has increased, the user can increase the speed level to the increased upper limit. This improves the work efficiency.

  According to the collating apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment described above, when the number of fed sheets decreases, the upper limit of the value that can be set to the speed level increases accordingly, that is, the processing speed increases. In particular, the upper limit value increases in the range in which the power consumption of the collation device 10 does not exceed the specification value. Also, when the upper limit value is increased, the user is notified of that. As a result, the user can improve the work efficiency by increasing the processing speed to the increased upper limit value while suppressing the power consumption to the specification value or less.

  Heretofore, the collation device according to the embodiment has been described. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it is understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. Moreover, the combination of embodiment is also possible.

(Modification 1)
Instead of setting the speed level on the main screen 100, the processing speed itself may be set. For example, in the speed level setting field 110 of the main screen 100, the processing speed may be set between 1 part / min and 100 parts / min.

(Modification 2)
Although the embodiment has described the case where the speed level is not changed although the user is notified when the upper limit value of the speed level is increased, the present invention is not limited to this. When the upper limit value of the speed level is increased, the setting unit 75 may automatically set the upper limit value increased in the speed level. In this case, the notification unit 76 may notify the user that the speed level (and thus the processing speed) has been increased. Note that, for example, on the main screen 100 or the like, whether or not the speed level is always set to the upper limit may be specified.

(Modification 3)
Although the embodiment has described the case where the temporary maximum speed level is automatically set as the upper limit value of the processing speed when the number of used sheet feeding units increases or decreases, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, when the upper limit of the processing speed can be increased, the notification unit 76 may notify the user of that and when the setting unit 75 receives an approval from the user, the provisional maximum speed level may be set as the upper limit of the processing speed. .

(Modification 4)
Although in the embodiment, the determination unit 74 determines the value that can be set as the upper limit value of the speed level based on the correspondence held in the storage unit 86, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the determination unit 74 may determine the value using a relational expression that indicates the relationship between the number of sheet feeding units used and a value that can be set as the upper limit value of the speed level.

(Modification 5)
In the embodiment, the counting unit 73 has described the case of counting the number of used sheet feeding units with reference to the sheet feeding unit setting information, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, each sheet feeding unit 14 may be provided with a sheet presence sensor. In this case, the counting unit 73 may count the number of shelves detected as having paper. If the continuous group is set, the counting unit 73 may count the continuous group as one sheet feeding unit.

(Modification 6)
In the embodiment, the processing speed is changed by changing the speed of the main motor and the frequency of intermittent driving of the sheet feeding motor. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The processing speed can be changed by changing at least the frequency of intermittent driving of the sheet feeding motor.

(Modification 7)
In the embodiment, the case where the speed of the main motor and the frequency of intermittent driving of the sheet feeding motor are changed stepwise by changing the speed level and the number of unit sheet bundles is changed stepwise is described. It is not limited. The frequency of intermittent driving of the main motor and the sheet feeding motor may be changed steplessly, and the number of unit sheet bundles may be changed steplessly. In this case, the operation unit for adjusting the processing speed may be not the operation panel but a knob.

(Modification 8)
In the embodiment, the case where the upper limit value of the speed level is changed between 7 and 10 when the number of used sheet feeding units increases or decreases is not limited to this. The speed level may be represented by 1 to 7 regardless of the number of used sheet feeding units, and the processing speed may be different depending on the number of used sheet feeding units even with the same speed level. In this case, for example, the range of speed levels may be expanded to the high speed side. Specifically, for example, when the number of used sheet feeding units is 11 to 20, "the value obtained by multiplying the speed level by 10" is set as the processing speed, and when the number of used sheet feeding units is 3 to 5, "the speed level is multiplied by 13 Processing speed.

  Also, for example, the range of speed levels may be shifted to the high speed side of the processing speed. Specifically, for example, when the number of used sheet feeding units is 11 to 20, "the value obtained by multiplying the speed level by 10" is set as the processing speed, and when the number of used sheet feeding units is 3 to 5, "the speed level is multiplied by 10 The value obtained by adding 20 to the above value is taken as the processing speed.

If the processing speed can be increased, the processing speed may be increased automatically, or the processing speed may be increased after the user's approval is received.
(Modification 9)
Although not particularly mentioned in the embodiment, it may be possible to select the paper feed unit 14 to be used for each area before starting the collating process. The sheet feeding control unit 78 causes the sheet feeding unit 14 which has been selected to be used in the first area to feed sheets, and when the collation processing of the area is completed, the sheet feeding control unit 78 is selected to be used in the next area The sheet feeding from the sheet feeding units 14 may be controlled so that the sheet feeding unit 14 feeds sheets. In this case, the speed level (and hence the processing speed) may be automatically accelerated or decelerated according to the number of used sheet feeding units for each area. Note that, at the turn of the district, the collation processing may be stopped once, and the collation processing of the next district may be started when the user presses the start button. When the area is changed, the number of used sheet feeding units is reduced, and when the speed can be increased, the notification unit 76 may notify the user to that effect. Conversely, when deceleration is required, a warning may be notified to the user, and the collation processing of the next area may not be started unless deceleration is performed. Also, the collation processing of the next district may be automatically started without stopping the collation processing at the turn of the district. By changing the area, the number of used paper feeding units is reduced, and if speeding-up is possible, collation processing of the next area may be started with speeding up automatically. Conversely, if it is necessary to decelerate, the collating process of the next area may be started while being decelerated automatically.

(Modification 10)
Although not particularly mentioned in the embodiment and the other modifications, when the speed level is automatically accelerated or decelerated, the display control unit 71 displays, for example, “in acceleration” in the display unit of the main operation unit 90. It is also possible to display a message such as “Mass” or “decelerating” or to display the indicator of the speed level setting field 110 of the main screen 100 lit. Also, for example, the collating apparatus 10 may further include a rotary light, and the control unit 70 may include a rotary light control unit that controls the rotary light. In this case, when the processing speed is automatically accelerated or decelerated, the rotary light control unit may turn on the rotary light. This can prevent the user from misunderstanding that the processing speed has changed due to a failure or the like.

(Modification 11)
In the embodiment, although the case where the sheet feeding roller 56 of the sheet feeding unit 14 is driven by the sheet feeding motor has been described, the present invention is not limited thereto. The paper feed roller 56 of the paper feed unit 14 may also be driven by the main motor, and an electromagnetic clutch may be provided instead of the paper feed motor. In this case, the sheet feeding roller 56 may be intermittently driven by disconnecting and transmitting the drive transmission from the main motor by an electromagnetic clutch.

(Modification 12)
Although not particularly mentioned in the embodiment, the sheet feeding units 14A to 14T are divided into a plurality of groups, and the sheet feeding control unit 78 causes the sheet feeding unit 14 of one of the groups to feed sheets. When the collation processing of the predetermined number of copies is completed, the sheet feeding from the sheet feeding units 14 may be controlled so as to feed the sheets from the sheet feeding units 14 of the next group. In this case, the processing speed may be automatically accelerated or decelerated according to the number of used sheet feeding units of each group. At the change point of the group, the collation process may be stopped once, and the sheet feeding from the sheet feeding unit 14 of the next group may be started when the user presses the start button. In addition, the sheet feeding from the sheet feeding unit 14 of the next group may be automatically started without stopping the collation processing. The number of copies of the sheet bundle to be created may be set for each group, or the collating process of each group may be performed with the same number of copies.

(Modification 13)
The embodiment has described the case where the determination unit 74 determines the temporary maximum speed level based on the number of used sheet feeding units counted by the counting unit 73, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the determination unit 74 may receive an input of the number of used sheet feeding units from the user, and determine the temporary maximum speed level based on the received number of used sheet feeding units.

  Combinations of any of the embodiments and variations described above are also useful as embodiments of the present invention. Further, it is also understood by those skilled in the art that the functions to be performed by the respective constituent elements described in the claims are realized by a single element or a combination of the respective constituent elements shown in the embodiment and the modifications thereof. It is a place.

  10 collation device, 14 paper feeding unit, 18 conveyance unit, 70 control unit, 72 acquisition unit, 74 determination unit, 78 paper feeding control unit.

Claims (5)

A collating apparatus for forming a bundle of sheets by superposing them on one another while conveying sheets fed from a plurality of sheet feeding units.
The maximum processing speed that can be set as the upper limit of the processing speed of the collation device is determined based on the number of used sheet feeding units, which is the number of sheet feeding units used to create a sheet bundle among the plurality of sheet feeding units. And a decision unit to
The determination unit is characterized in that the maximum processing speed is set to a larger value when the acquired number of used sheet feeding units is less than a predetermined number than when the number of used sheet feeding units is the predetermined number or more. Collation device. An acquisition unit that acquires a value set to the processing speed;
And a sheet feeding control unit that controls sheet feeding by the sheet feeding unit,
The collation device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet feeding control unit intermittently drives the sheet feeding unit at a frequency according to a set processing speed. A conveyance control unit configured to control conveyance of the sheet fed from the plurality of sheet feeding units;
The collating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the conveyance control unit controls the conveyance speed of the sheet in accordance with the set processing speed.   The collating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the value which can be set to the processing speed is expanded to the high speed side as the number of paper feeding units used is smaller.   The collating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the value which can be set as the processing speed is shifted to a higher speed side as the number of paper feeding units used is smaller.

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