JP6755482B2 - Paper feed device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a paper feed device.

A paper feeding device that sends out the paper loaded on the loading unit is known. For example, a paper feed roller that feeds out paper by pressing against the highest paper among the paper loaded on the loading unit and rotating the paper, and a paper feed roller that is provided to face the paper feed roller and is the second or less sheet from the top. A paper feeding device including a sabaki member for preventing the paper from being fed out is known. Conventionally, a paper feeding device capable of adjusting the pressure generated between the paper feeding roller and the sabaki member (hereinafter, also referred to as “sabaki pressure”) has been proposed (Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-48218

In the paper feed device, when a paper jam occurs between the paper feed roller and the sabaki member, it is necessary to remove the jammed paper. If you try to forcibly pull out the jammed paper while the sabaki pressure is generated, the paper may tear and remain in the device. Therefore, usually, the paper is removed after separating the Sabaki member from the paper feed roller. Therefore, if a paper jam occurs, the sabaki pressure must be adjusted again prior to restarting paper feeding. As a result of intensive studies, the present inventors have recognized that there is room for improvement in the time required for adjusting the sabaki pressure again.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a paper feeding device capable of shortening the time required for adjusting the sabaki pressure.

In order to solve the above problems, the paper feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention is rotated by pressing against a loading portion on which paper is loaded and the highest-ranking paper among the paper loaded on the loading portion. A paper feed roller that feeds out paper, a sabaki member that is provided facing the paper feed roller to prevent the second and lower sheets of paper from being fed out, and a sabaki member that is pressed or separated from the paper feed roller. a moving mechanism for moving in a direction, an actuator for driving the movement mechanism, by controlling the actuator, and a separator position controller for adjusting the position of the spreader member, the pressure generated between the paper feed roller and a separation member It is provided with a storage unit that stores the adjustment position, which is the position of the paper member when the adjustment process for adjustment is performed . When the paper feed roller and the sabaki member are separated from each other and the input of the return process for returning the position of the sabaki member is received, the sabaki position control unit moves the sabaki member to a position based on the adjustment position stored in the memory unit. To control the actuator.

The adjustment process may be a process in which the sabaki position control unit adjusts the pressure generated between the paper feed roller and the sabaki member based on the information from at least one sensor of the paper feed device.

An acquisition unit for acquiring paper information regarding the paper loaded in the loading unit may be included. In the adjustment process, when it is determined that the pressure generated between the paper feed roller and the sabaki member has reached a predetermined limit value based on the information from at least one sensor, the sabaki position control unit has reached the limit value. The process may be a process of moving the Sabaki member in a direction away from the paper feed roller by an amount corresponding to the paper information from the position.

The "paper information" may be a dimension (numerical value) indicating the thickness of the paper, or information for calculating the thickness of the paper (for example, a fold shape such as folding in half or folding in four). It may also include other information that affects the sabaki pressure. For example, the paper quality may be an index for estimating the coefficient of friction or the like.

It may include an acquisition unit that acquires paper feed status information regarding the paper feed status when paper feed is performed. The adjustment process may be a process in which the sabaki position control unit adjusts the pressure generated between the paper feed roller and the sabaki member based on the paper feed state information.

The "paper feed status information" assumes that even if double feed occurs, the second and lower sheets are hung on the top paper when the top paper is fed, although double feed has not occurred. Whether it is information indicating that the paper is moving downstream of the paper feed direction (that is, a sign of the occurrence of double feed), blank feed, or other paper feed status. Good.

A paper detection sensor that detects paper between the sabaki member and the paper feed roller may be provided. When there is paper between the sabaki member and the paper feed roller, the sabaki position control unit does not operate the actuator even if it receives a predetermined input.

A paper presence / absence detection sensor that detects whether or not paper is loaded in the loading unit may be provided. When paper is loaded on the loading unit, the Sabaki position control unit does not operate the actuator even if it receives a predetermined input.

An operation member that accepts an operation by a user and a conversion mechanism that converts an operation on the operation member into an operation of a moving mechanism may be provided separately from the actuator.

When the Sabaki position control unit receives an input different from the input for paper jam processing , the actuator may be controlled to move the Sabaki member to a position where pressure is not generated between the paper feed roller and the Sabaki member.

It should be noted that any combination of the above components and those in which the components and expressions of the present invention are mutually replaced between methods, devices, systems and the like are also effective as aspects of the present invention.

According to the present invention, the time required for adjusting the sabaki pressure can be shortened.

It is a perspective view which shows the collating apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which looked at the internal structure of a collating device from the front side. It is a figure which shows the paper feed mechanism and its periphery. It is a figure which shows the paper feed mechanism and its periphery. It is a figure which shows the paper feed mechanism and its periphery. It is a figure which shows the paper feed mechanism and its periphery. It is a figure which shows the paper feed mechanism and its periphery. It is a figure which shows the paper feed mechanism and its periphery. It is an enlarged view which shows the vicinity of the adjustment knob for manually adjusting the Sabaki pressure provided in the housing. It is a top view which shows the structure in the housing. It is an enlarged view which shows the sub operation panel. It is a schematic diagram which shows the electric structure centering on the control part of a collating device. It is a flowchart which shows the initial adjustment process by a collating device. It is a flowchart which shows the collating process by a collating device. It is a flowchart which shows the return process by a collating device. It is a flowchart which shows the initial adjustment process which concerns on 2nd Embodiment in detail. It is a flowchart which shows the initial adjustment process which concerns on 3rd Embodiment in detail. It is a figure which shows the paper feed apparatus which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the paper feed apparatus which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the collating process in 4th Embodiment.

Hereinafter, the same or equivalent components, members, and processes shown in the drawings shall be designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted as appropriate. In addition, the dimensions of the members in each drawing are shown enlarged or reduced as appropriate for easy understanding. In addition, some of the members that are not important for explaining the embodiment in each drawing are omitted and displayed.

(First Embodiment)
The outline of the collating device according to the embodiment will be described.
The collating apparatus according to the embodiment executes an initial adjustment process for adjusting the sabaki pressure prior to the collating process, starts the collating process with the initially adjusted sabaki pressure, and applies the sabaki pressure during the collating process. Perform additional adjustment processing to make fine adjustments. The collating device 10 stores the height of the sabaki member when the sabaki pressure is initially adjusted or the height position of the sabaki member when the sabaki pressure is additionally adjusted as an “adjustment position”. When a paper jam occurs and the paper feed roller and the sabaki member are separated from each other in order to clear the paper, the collating device returns the sabaki member to this adjustment position when it receives a predetermined input. As a result, the time required for adjusting the sabaki pressure can be shortened as compared with the case where the initial adjustment process is performed again to adjust the sabaki pressure when the paper jam is cleared and the collating process is restarted. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a collating device 10 according to the first embodiment. The collating device 10 is provided with 10 shelves on each side of the housing 12, paper feed trays 14A to 14J are installed on the left shelf, and paper feed trays 14K to 14U are installed on the right shelf. ing. A folding paper feed tray 14X is installed below the paper feed tray 14A at the bottom on the left side. The paper feed trays 14A to 14X have the same structure, although the mounting positions and mounting directions for the housing 12 are different. In the following description, when these are not particularly distinguished, they are collectively referred to as "paper tray 14".

A main operation panel 16 is provided on the front side of the housing 12. The main operation panel 16 has a touch panel type liquid crystal display, and the user can perform a predetermined operation input for collating processing. On the other hand, a sub operation panel 20 is provided so as to correspond to the paper feeding mechanism 18 of each shelf. The sub operation panel 20 is provided with a plurality of operation buttons for the user to input a predetermined operation for the paper feed process. The details will be described later.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the internal structure of the collating device 10 as viewed from the front side. The collating device 10 further includes a sub transport mechanism 22 and a main transport mechanism 24. The sub-conveying mechanism 22 is provided corresponding to the paper feeding mechanism 18 of each shelf. The paper feed mechanism 18 feeds the top-level paper of the paper bundle loaded on the paper feed tray 14 one by one to the transport path of the sub transport mechanism 22.

The sub transport mechanism 22 feeds the paper fed from the paper feed mechanism 18 to the main transport mechanism 24. The main transport mechanism 24 is provided in the housing 12 so as to extend in the vertical direction. The main transport mechanism 24 transports the paper fed from each sub-convey mechanism 22 downward, either individually or in layers.

The paper feed tray 14 and the paper feed mechanism 18 are detachably attached to the housing 12. Specifically, the paper feed tray 14 is configured so that when a lock mechanism (not shown) is released by the user, the engagement with the housing 12 is released and the paper feed tray 14 can be removed from the housing 12. Since such an engaging method is known, the description thereof will be omitted.

The collating device 10 further includes a paper transport plate 26, a paper loading plate 28, a stopper 30, a folding knife 32, and a pair of rollers 34. The folding paper feed tray 14X is loaded with paper that is folded in half so as to sandwich the paper bundle conveyed by the main transfer mechanism 24 inside. The folding paper feed tray 14X is also provided with a paper feed mechanism 18. The paper feed mechanism 18 feeds the top-level paper of the paper bundle loaded on the folding paper feed tray 14X to the paper transport plate 26 one by one.

The paper transport plate 26 is arranged so that the end portion on the downstream side (hereinafter, simply referred to as “downstream side”) in the paper transport direction is located slightly to the left of the lower end of the main transport mechanism 24. The paper mounting plate 28 is provided so that the two plates are overlapped with each other at intervals. The paper loading plate 28 is arranged so that the end portion on the upstream side (hereinafter, simply referred to as “upstream side”) in the paper transport direction is located slightly to the right of the lower end of the main transport mechanism 24. The stopper 30 is arranged so that the tip of the paper guided into the paper mounting plate 28 comes into contact with the stopper 30. The stopper 30 is configured to be movable upstream and downstream along the paper mounting plate 28 by operating an actuator such as a motor.

The collating device 10 is provided with a control unit 50. The control unit 50 has a CPU that executes various operations, a ROM that stores various control programs, and a RAM that is used as a work area for data storage and program execution, and is provided inside the collating device 10. It controls the operation of the actuator. The user can input various settings on the main operation panel 16 or the sub operation panel 20. The control unit 50 acquires the information input to the user in this way, and controls the operation of the collating device 10 according to the acquired information.

The collating device 10 further includes a belt transport mechanism 36, a discharge roller 38, and a stacker tray 40. When collating the paper loaded on the folding paper feed tray 14X so as to sandwich the paper bundle, the paper is first conveyed from the folding paper feed tray 14X toward the paper mounting plate 28. The tip of the paper bundle formed while being conveyed downward by the main conveying mechanism 24 abuts on the paper conveyed to the paper placing plate 28. The control unit 50 rotates the folding knife 32 at this timing, abuts the tip of the folding knife 32 against the paper placed on the paper mounting plate 28, and presses the folding knife 32 toward the pair of rollers 34. In this way, the paper bundle is sandwiched by the rollers 34 together with the paper arranged on the paper mounting plate 28, the paper arranged on the paper mounting plate 28 is folded so as to sandwich the paper bundle, and is conveyed to the belt transport mechanism 36. Will be done.

The belt transport mechanism 36 transports a bundle of papers further downstream. The discharge roller 38 discharges the conveyed paper bundle to the stacker tray 40. The stacker tray 40 is detachably attached to the housing 12, and the created paper bundle is loaded and stored. When the paper bundle is not sandwiched between the origami papers as described above, the paper is not supplied from the folding paper feed tray 14X, and the paper bundle formed while being conveyed downward by the main transport mechanism 24 is a pair as it is. It is sandwiched by the rollers 34 and conveyed to the belt conveying mechanism 36.

The control unit 50 executes the paper collating process according to the number of copies specified by the user via the main operation panel 16 (hereinafter, also referred to as “collating set number of copies”). Further, the control unit 50 executes an "initial adjustment process" for appropriately adjusting the sabaki pressure by the paper feeding mechanism 18 prior to the collating process, and appropriately readjusts the sabaki pressure during the collating process. Execute "additional adjustment processing". In addition, the control unit 50 executes a "return process" to restore the sabaki pressure after performing a paper jam process or the like. Details of the initial adjustment process, additional adjustment process, and return process will be described later.

3 to 8 are diagrams showing the paper feeding mechanism and its periphery. 3 is a front view, FIG. 4 is a background view, FIGS. 5 and 6 are top views, FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the Sabaki member accommodating frame 206 is removed from FIG. In each figure, for convenience of explanation, some structures are not shown as appropriate.

Paper loaded by the user is loaded on the paper feed tray 14. That is, the paper feed tray 14 functions as a “loading unit”. Since the paper feed tray 14 is installed so as to be tilted diagonally, the paper on the paper feed tray 14 is loaded in a state of being slanted so that the higher paper is positioned forward (downstream side in the paper feed direction). Will be done. In addition, in FIGS. 3 to 8, for convenience, the state before the paper is set is shown.

A guide plate 41 and a paper feed mechanism 18 are provided in front of the paper feed tray 14. The guide plate 41 constitutes a horizontal transport path provided with the sub transport mechanism 22, supports the paper fed by the paper feed mechanism 18 from below, and guides the paper toward the main transport mechanism 24. The guide plate 41 is supported by a pair of frames 49 provided on both sides thereof.

The paper feeding mechanism 18 includes a paper feeding roller 42, an auxiliary paper feeding roller 44, a first sabaki member 45, a second sabaki member 46, a third sabaki member 47, and the like. The shafts of the paper feed roller 42 and the auxiliary paper feed roller 44 are supported by brackets 48. The paper feed roller 42 is a drive roller that is rotationally driven by a paper feed motor 77 (described later in FIG. 12), and is pressed against the uppermost surface of the paper bundle to rotate and feed out the uppermost paper. The auxiliary paper feed roller 44 is a driven roller connected to the paper feed roller 42 via a timing belt 52, and rotates in contact with the uppermost surface of the paper bundle. The bracket 48 is rotatably supported by a fulcrum shaft 42A coaxial with the paper feed roller 42. The fulcrum shaft 42A extends in a direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction (hereinafter, referred to as “width direction”), and both ends thereof are rotatably supported by a pair of frames 49. Therefore, the position of the fulcrum shaft 42A is fixed, and the angle of the bracket 48 changes around the fulcrum shaft 42A according to the number of sheets of paper to be loaded. The lower end of the spring 404 is connected to the upper end of the bracket 48 on the upstream side in the paper feeding direction. The upper end of the spring 404 is connected to a member (not shown) supported by the pair of frames 49.

A paper remaining amount detecting mechanism 400 is provided above the downstream end of the bracket 48 in the paper feeding direction. The paper remaining amount detection mechanism 400 includes a detected surface 401 provided at the downstream end of the bracket 48 in the paper feeding direction, and a displacement sensor 402. The rotatable detector 402a of the displacement sensor 402 is in contact with the surface to be detected 401. When the remaining amount of the paper bundle changes, the angle of the bracket 48 changes, and the surface to be detected 401 is displaced. When the surface to be detected 401 is displaced, the detector 402a is rotated. With this configuration, the height of the surface to be detected 401 is detected by the displacement sensor 402. The higher the position of the surface to be detected 401 is, the larger the remaining amount of paper is. As the remaining amount of paper increases, the height of the auxiliary paper feed roller 44 increases and the height of the detected surface 401 also increases. Therefore, the displacement sensor 402 and the detected surface 401 function as the remaining amount of paper detecting mechanism.

Below the paper feed roller 42, a sabaki member switching mechanism 200 is provided. The Sabaki member switching mechanism 200 is housed in a housing member 55 fixed to a pair of frames 49. The Sabaki member switching mechanism 200 includes a first slide base 202, a second slide base 204, a Sabaki member accommodating frame 206, a fourth link 208, and a switching lever 210.

The first slide base 202 and the second slide base 204 extend in the width direction and are arranged at intervals in the width direction. The first slide base 202 and the second slide base 204 are fixed to the bottom of the accommodating member 55. The Sabaki member accommodating frame 206 is provided so as to be slidable in the width direction on the first slide base 202 and the second slide base 204. The Sabaki member accommodating frame 206 has three accommodating portions (accommodation spaces) of a first accommodating portion 212, a second accommodating portion 214, and a third accommodating portion 216 in which both sides in the width direction and one side in the paper feeding direction are enclosed. The first accommodating portion 212, the second accommodating portion 214, and the third accommodating portion 216 accommodate the first sabaki member 45, the second sabaki member 46, and the third sabaki member 47, respectively.

One end of the fourth link 208 is rotatably connected to one end of the Sabaki member accommodating frame 206, and one end of the switching lever 210 is rotatably connected to the other end of the fourth link 208. There is. An intermediate portion of the switching lever 210 is rotatably supported by a lever fulcrum 218 erected on the bottom of the accommodating member 55, and the other end thereof projects outward from the accommodating member 55.

When the other end of the switching lever 210 is moved to the right, one end of the switching lever 210 moves to the left. As a result, the Sabaki member accommodating frame 206 is pulled to the left via the fourth link 208, and slides to the left on the first slide base 202 and the second slide base 204. When the other end of the switching lever 210 is moved to the left, one end of the switching lever moves to the right. As a result, the Sabaki member accommodating frame 206 is pulled to the right via the fourth link 208, and slides to the right on the first slide base 202 and the second slide base 204. By operating the switching lever 210 left and right to slide the sabaki member accommodating frame 206 in the width direction in this way, the sabaki members (hereinafter, "opposed sabaki members") arranged to face each other below the paper feed roller 42 can be switched. Can be done. Note that FIG. 5 shows a state in which the first sabaki member 45 is an opposing sabaki member.

A plate-shaped sabaki plate made of, for example, urethane rubber is attached to each of the first sabaki member 45, the second sabaki member 46, and the third sabaki member 47. In the present embodiment, the first sabaki member 45 is a general-purpose sabaki member, and can be widely used from one sheet to two, four, or eight-folded sheets. The second sabaki member 46 is a sabaki member for thin paper, and is used for a single sheet in which the papers are in close contact with each other and difficult to separate. Specifically, a step is provided on the sabaki plate of the second sabaki member 46. In this case, the apex of the step and the paper feed roller are brought into pressure contact with each other, and the paper can be separated by the strong pressure contact force generated in the line along the apex of the step.

The third sabaki member 47 is a sabaki member for a booklet, and is used for saddle stitch booklets, tabloid plates, and the like. Specifically, as the sabaki plate of the third sabaki member 47, a plate having a lower frictional force than the sabaki plate of the first sabaki member 45 and the second sabaki member 46 is used. In a relatively thick booklet, in addition to the frictional force of the sabaki member, two or more sheets of paper (two or more booklets) pass through the gap between the paper feed roller 42 and the third sabaki member 47. It is not necessary to increase the frictional force of the Sabaki member so much, and the smaller the frictional force, the more effective it is to prevent the advancement of the second and subsequent sheets (second booklet) by adjusting the gap. This is because the gap can be passed smoothly.

The bottom of each accommodating portion of the Sabaki member accommodating frame 206 is open. Therefore, the first Sabaki member 45, the second Sabaki member 46, and the third Sabaki member 47 are supported by the first slide base 202, the second slide base 204, or the Sabaki base 72 (described later). The opposing Sabaki member is particularly supported by the Sabaki base 72. It can be said that the sabaki member supported by the sabaki base 72 is the opposing sabaki member. Note that FIG. 5 shows a state in which the first Sabaki member 45 is supported by the Sabaki base 72, and the second Sabaki member 46 and the third Sabaki member 47 are supported by the second slide base 204.

Due to the resistance when the rotational driving force of the paper feed roller 42 is transmitted to the auxiliary paper feed roller 44, a torque in the direction of clockwise rotation in FIG. 3 is applied to the bracket 48, and this torque and the auxiliary paper feed roller 44 and The auxiliary paper feed roller 44 is pressed against the uppermost paper by the force obtained by subtracting the tensile force of the spring 404 from the sum of the weight of the bracket 48 and its own weight. Therefore, the auxiliary paper feed roller 44 rotates in that state. Feed the top-level paper. When the top-level paper is fed between the paper feed roller 42 and the opposing sabaki member by the auxiliary paper feed roller 44, the paper feed roller 42 feeds the paper further downstream. This paper is fed while being sandwiched between the paper feed roller 42 and the opposing sabaki member at an appropriate pressure. At this time, due to the difference between the frictional force between the paper feed roller 42 and the paper and the frictional force between the opposing sabaki member and the paper, the feeding of the second and lower sheets from the top is suppressed. As a result, only the top-level sheet of paper is fed out between the paper feed roller 42 and the facing sabaki member.

A timing sensor 56 is provided in the accommodating member 55 on the downstream side of the facing Sabaki member (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The timing sensor 56 is a reflection type optical sensor, and detects when the second or less sheets from the topmost sheet stay in the vicinity of the downstream side of the paper feeding mechanism 18 due to a decrease in the sabaki pressure. That is, when the top-level paper is fed, the second and lower sheets are hung on the top-level paper and proceed to the downstream side in the paper feed direction (that is, the downstream side in the paper feed direction from the timing sensor 56). Detects that double feeding may occur.

A paper presence / absence detection sensor 57 is provided on the upstream side of the accommodating member 55 with respect to the facing Sabaki member (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The paper presence / absence detection sensor 57 is a reflective optical sensor, and detects whether or not paper is loaded in the paper feed tray 14.

A lower roller 70 and a jam sensor 58 are provided side by side (see FIG. 4). The jam sensor 58 is a reflection type optical sensor, and detects a paper jam when a paper jam occurs in the paper feeding process. The jam sensor 58 also functions as a "paper sensor" used together with the timing sensor 56 when determining the shortage of the sabaki pressure.

A double feed detection mechanism 60 is provided so as to be adjacent to the downstream side of the paper feed mechanism 18 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The double feed detection mechanism 60 has a reference roller 62 and a displacement roller 64. The displacement roller 64 functions as a “measurement roller” and comes into contact with the reference roller 62 from above. Both ends of the shaft of the reference roller 62 are fixed to a pair of frames 49. On the other hand, the shaft of the displacement roller 64 is fixed to one end side of the lever member 65. Since the other end side of the lever member 65 is rotatably supported by a fulcrum shaft (not shown) provided on the frame 49, the displacement roller 64 can be displaced relative to the reference roller 62. A detection surface 67 is provided at one end of the lever member 65, and a displacement sensor 69 for detecting the displacement of the detection surface 67 is provided on the frame 49.

A rolling roller 66 is provided below the reference roller 62. A pair of transport rollers constituting the sub transport mechanism 22 are provided on the downstream side of the double feed detection mechanism 60. That is, the transport upper roller 68 and the transport lower roller 70 are provided vertically. The upper transfer roller 68 and the lower transfer roller 70 can come into contact with each other, and the rolling roller 66 comes into contact with each of the lower transfer roller 70 and the reference roller 62. The transport upper roller 68 and the transport lower roller 70 are driven by a motor (a transport motor described later) (not shown). The driving force of the lower roller 70 is transmitted to the reference roller 62 via the rolling roller 66.

When the paper passes between the reference roller 62 and the displacement roller 64, the axial position of the displacement roller 64 rises by the thickness of the paper. The displacement sensor 69 detects the amount of rise of the detection surface 67 at this time. Since the lever member 65 is urged by a pulling spring (not shown), the displacement roller 64 is in pressure contact with the reference roller 62 by the urging force of the pulling spring while the paper is not passing. Based on the detection information of the displacement sensor 69, it is possible to determine whether or not double feeding of paper has occurred.

Below the opposing sabaki member, a sabaki pressure adjusting mechanism 54 for adjusting the sabaki pressure generated between the opposing sabaki member and the paper feed roller 42 is provided. The sabaki pressure adjusting mechanism 54 displaces the sabaki base 72 that supports the opposing sabaki member, the inclined member 74 provided below the sabaki base 72, and the inclined member 74 in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the paper feed roller 42. It includes a link mechanism 76 and an adjustment motor 78 as an actuator for driving the link mechanism 76.

The Sabaki base 72 has a main body extending in the paper feeding direction, and one end of the main body is rotatably supported by a rotation shaft 80. The rotating shaft 80 is provided parallel to the rotating shaft of the paper feed roller 42 and is fixed to the accommodating member 55. An opposing Sabaki member is placed on the upper surface of the other half of the Sabaki base 72.

A ball 82 is embedded and fixed on the lower surface of the Sabaki base 72 so as to expose the lower half thereof. An inclined member 74 is provided below the sphere 82. The inclined member 74 has an inclined surface 84 that is inclined in a direction parallel to the rotation shaft 80 (see FIG. 7), and the sphere 82 can be slid along the inclined surface 84. Since the positional relationship between the sphere 82 and the Sabaki base 72 does not change, the sphere 82 slides on the inclined surface 84, so that the Sabaki base 72 rotates about the rotation shaft 80. Thereby, the height position of the facing Sabaki member can be changed. That is, the sabaki base 72, the ball 82, and the inclined member 74 form an "elevating mechanism" that changes the height position of the opposing sabaki member, and also exerts a pressing force on the paper feed roller 42 by the opposing sabaki member. It constitutes a "pressure mechanism". Further, the connecting structure of the link mechanism 76 and the inclined member 74 constitutes a "coordination mechanism" in which the link mechanism 76 and its pressurizing mechanism are operated and linked according to the displacement of the link mechanism 76.

The link mechanism 76 is configured by sequentially connecting the first link 90, the second link 92, and the third link 94 in the longitudinal direction. The link mechanism 76 functions as a "transmission member" for transmitting the driving force of the adjusting motor 78 to the above-mentioned pressurizing mechanism. In the present embodiment, the second link 92 and the third link 94 constitute the "first link member", and the first link 90 constitutes the "second link member". The first link 90 has an elongated shape, and one end thereof is fixed to one end of the inclined member 74. An elongated hole 96 extending in the longitudinal direction is provided in the middle portion of the first link 90, and a support column 98 erected at the bottom of the accommodating member 55 is inserted. As a result, the first link 90 can be displaced in the longitudinal direction while being guided by the support column 98. A support column 104 is erected on the other end side of the first link 90.

The second link 92 has an elongated shape, and an elongated hole 106 extending in the longitudinal direction is provided at one end thereof, and a support column 104 is inserted therethrough. As a result, the second link 92 can be displaced in the longitudinal direction while being guided by the support column 104. One end of the third link 94 is rotatably connected to the other end of the second link 92. The other end of the third link 94 is connected to the adjustment motor 78 via a speed reducer 120 (described later). The other end of the third link 94 is rotatably connected to the peripheral edge of the gear 122. A pull spring 105 is provided between the other end of the second link 92 and the support column 104.

When the adjusting motor 78 is rotated in the normal direction, the link mechanism 76 is driven to the left in FIG. As a result, the inclined member 74 is displaced to the left and the sphere 82 rises along the inclined surface 84. As a result, the sabaki base 72 rotates in one direction to raise the opposing sabaki member, and the sabaki pressure can be increased. On the contrary, when the adjustment motor 78 is reversed, the link mechanism 76 is driven to the right in FIG. As a result, the inclined member 74 is displaced to the right and the sphere 82 descends along the inclined surface 84. As a result, the Sabaki base 72 rotates in the other direction, and the opposing Sabaki member descends. As a result, the sabaki pressure can be reduced. The sabaki pressure can be adjusted by driving such an adjustment motor 78.

The first link 90 is provided with an inclined member 91 projecting upstream in the paper feeding direction in the middle portion thereof. The inclined member 91 has an inclined surface 97 that inclines so as to move away from the first link 90 as it approaches the facing Sabaki member. The limit sensor 220 is arranged so as to face the inclined surface 97 in the paper feeding direction. The limit sensor 220 is a displacement sensor and is attached to the bottom of the accommodating member 55. The drive bar 221 of the limit sensor 220 is in contact with the inclined surface 97. When the opposing Sabaki member moves up and down, that is, when the first link 90 moves left and right, the inclined member 91 also moves left and right. At this time, the inclined surface 97 of the inclined member 91 moves the drive bar 221 of the limit sensor 220 in the axial direction thereof. The limit sensor 220 acquires the height position of the facing Sabaki member by detecting the displacement of the drive bar 221.

The second link 92 is provided with a protruding portion 110 projecting downstream in the paper feeding direction on one end side thereof. A detection unit (not shown) is erected at the tip of the protrusion 110. A home sensor 222 and an upper limit sensor 224 are arranged in the vicinity of the protrusion 110 so as to be arranged in the width direction. The home sensor 222 and the upper limit sensor 224 are attached to the bottom of the accommodating member 55. The detection unit erected on the protrusion 110 moves back and forth with respect to the home sensor 222 or the upper limit sensor 224 according to the displacement of the second link 92. The home sensor 222 detects that the sabaki pressure can be adjusted (that is, the opposing sabaki member is in the lowermost position) when the detection unit shields the optical axis. The upper limit sensor 224 detects that the sabaki pressure is excessive (that is, the opposing sabaki member reaches a predetermined upper limit position) when the detection unit shields the optical axis.

A housing 86 is provided on one side (front side) of the accommodating member 55, and an adjusting motor 78, a speed reducer 120, and the like are accommodated. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of the adjustment knob 378 for manually adjusting the sabaki pressure provided on the housing 86. FIG. 10 is a top view showing the configuration inside the housing 86.

The adjustment motor 78 is a DC brushless motor in this embodiment. The adjusting motor 78 may be a stepping motor or other motor. The speed reducer 120 includes a gear 122 rotatably supported by the accommodating member 55 and an output gear 124 attached to the rotating shaft of the adjusting motor 78. A third link 94 of the adjustment motor 78 is rotatably connected to the peripheral edge of the gear 122. The speed reducer 120 transmits the rotation of the adjustment motor 78 to the third link 94.

The adjustment knob 378 is an operating member manually operated by the user. An output gear 376 is provided at the tip of the shaft 375 of the adjustment knob 378 and is connected to the gear 122. The output gear 376 and the gear 122 function as a "conversion mechanism" that converts the operation of the adjustment knob 378 into the operation of the Sabaki pressure adjustment mechanism 54. A gear 370 is further provided on the shaft 375, and meshes with a gear 372 directly connected to the output shaft of the adjustment motor 78. A bidirectional clutch 374 is interposed between the adjustment motor 78 and the gear 372. In the bidirectional clutch 374, the rotational force input from the shaft on the adjustment motor 78 side is transmitted to the shaft on the gear 372 side, but the rotational force input from the shaft on the gear 372 side is transmitted to the shaft on the adjustment motor 78 side. It is configured not to be. Therefore, when the adjustment knob 378 is operated clockwise or counterclockwise in FIG. 9 to manually adjust the sabaki pressure, the rotational force is not transmitted to the adjustment motor 78. Therefore, the adjustment knob 378 can be operated regardless of the load of the adjustment motor 78 in the stopped state. Since such a configuration is known, detailed description thereof will be omitted. A memory is attached around the adjustment knob 378 in the housing 86, and when it is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 9, the sabaki pressure can be increased, and when it is rotated clockwise, the sabaki pressure can be decreased. When a paper jam occurs, the jammed paper can be removed by rotating the adjustment knob 378 counterclockwise in FIG. 9 to lower the facing sabaki member to a height position where the sabaki pressure does not occur.

Above the adjustment knob 378, a display unit 380 for displaying the recommended adjustment amount of the sabaki pressure and an adjustment-requiring lamp 382 that is lit when the sabaki pressure needs to be adjusted are provided. Further, a locking mechanism 384 is provided for locking or unlocking the manual adjustment by the user. The control unit 50 executes a process for urging the user to properly adjust the sabaki pressure. Return to FIGS. 3 to 8.

A housing 88 is provided on the other side (rear side) of the accommodating member 55, and a control board (not shown) for controlling the input / output of the sub operation panel 20 is accommodated. FIG. 11 is an enlarged view showing the sub operation panel 20. On the sub operation panel 20, in addition to the display device 162 that displays the number of the corresponding shelf, the usage setting button 164 and 168 that are pressed when setting whether or not to use the corresponding shelf, and the initial adjustment process are executed. Initial adjustment button 166 pressed when adjusting the paper feed timing, timing buttons 170 and 172 pressed when adjusting the paper feed timing, forward rotation button 174 for rotating the paper feed motor in the normal direction, reverse button 176 for reversing the paper feed motor, A test paper feed button 178 or the like that is pressed when performing test paper feed is provided. Return to FIGS. 3 to 8.

Next, a method of adjusting the sabaki pressure will be described.
First, the sabaki pressure adjusting mechanism 54 is driven to the decompression side that reduces the sabaki pressure. That is, the adjusting motor 78 is reversed to drive the link mechanism 76 to the right in FIG. 5, and the inclined member 74 is displaced in the same direction. As a result, the height of the inclined surface 84 with which the sphere 82 abuts becomes low, so that the opposing sabaki member descends. As a result, when the home sensor 222 is in the detection state, the drive of the adjustment motor 78 is stopped. If the home sensor 222 is in the detection state from the beginning, the reverse drive of the adjustment motor 78 is not performed.

Subsequently, the Sabaki pressure adjusting mechanism 54 is driven to the pressure increasing side for increasing the Sabaki pressure. That is, the adjusting motor 78 is rotated in the normal direction to drive the link mechanism to the left in FIG. 5, and the inclined member 74 is displaced in the same direction. As a result, the height of the inclined surface 84 with which the sphere 82 abuts increases, so that the opposing sabaki member rises. When the opposing sabaki member rises, it comes into contact with the paper feed roller 42, and as it rises, the contact pressure between them, that is, the sabaki pressure increases. When the sabaki pressure reaches a predetermined limit value, the displacement of the inclined member 74 is regulated.

From this state, the Sabaki pressure adjusting mechanism 54 is further driven to the pressure increasing side. That is, the adjustment motor 78 is further rotated forward. As a result, the pull spring 105 extends, and the second link 92 is displaced to the left in FIG. 5 while the first link 90 and the inclined member 74 are stopped. Then, when the limit sensor 220 detects that the rising of the opposing Sabaki member has stopped, the drive of the adjustment motor 78 is stopped. When the pull spring 105 starts to extend, in other words, the sabaki pressure when the oncoming sabaki member stops rising even though the adjustment motor 78 is driven is set as the limit value, and is used as a reference for adjusting the sabaki pressure. To do. Then, from this state, the Sabaki pressure adjusting mechanism 54 is driven to the decompression side by a predetermined amount. That is, the adjustment motor 78 is reversed by a predetermined rotation amount, and the position of the tilting member 74 is returned to the right side in FIG. 5 by a predetermined return amount.

In this way, when the sabaki pressure is equal to or less than the limit value, when the second link 92 is moved to the pressurizing side, the first link 90 can be moved integrally with the second link 92 in the same direction, thereby facing each other. The Sabaki member can be raised. On the other hand, when the sabaki pressure reaches the limit value, the movement of the first link 90 is restricted even if the second link 92 is further moved to the pressurizing side.

The amount of rotation of the adjustment motor 78 for obtaining the return amount is determined based on the data on the thickness of the paper. That is, the return amount is determined as an amount according to the paper information. For example, the rotation amount is set so that the thicker the paper, the larger the return amount. The relationship between the thickness of the paper and the amount of rotation is obtained by conducting a test or the like in advance, and an optimum value is obtained and a database is created. The control unit 50 keeps the database table and refers to them when adjusting the sabaki pressure. When the thickness information is specified by the folding shape of the paper, the optimum amount of rotation for the folding shape such as no folding, double folding, or four folding is obtained and stored in advance, and the folding is input by the user. Determine the amount of rotation corresponding to the shape.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing an electrical configuration centered on the control unit 50 of the collating device 10. Functional blocks are shown for the control unit 50. The control unit 50 includes an acquisition unit 192, a sabaki position control unit 194, and a storage unit 196.

Signals from the main input device 150 provided on the main operation panel 16 and the sub input device 160 provided on the sub operation panel 20 are input to the control unit 50. The main input device 150 includes various switches such as a start switch 152 for starting the collating process and a stop switch 154 for stopping the collating process. On the other hand, the sub-input device 160 includes various switches corresponding to the buttons shown in FIG. Further, the control unit 50 includes the limit sensor 220, the home sensor 222, the upper limit sensor 224, the timing sensor 56, the paper presence / absence detection sensor 57, the jam sensor 58, the displacement sensor 69, and the stacker tray 40 which have already been described. The detection signal from the paper ejection sensor 180 or the like that detects the above is input.

The control unit 50 executes predetermined arithmetic processing for paper feed control, transfer control, folding control, etc. based on the switch sensor inputs, and controls the paper feed motor 77, the adjustment motor 78, the main motor 182, and the like. Output a command signal. The main motor 182 is a motor shared by each of the transfer rollers and the like that constitute the sub transfer mechanism 22 and the main transfer mechanism 24. Further, the control unit 50 causes the main display device 190 to display a setting screen for collating processing, an error notification, and the like. The main display device 190 is provided on the main operation panel 16 as a liquid crystal display.

The acquisition unit 192 of the control unit 50 acquires the input via the main operation panel 16 and the sub operation panel 20 and the switch / sensor input. The Sabaki position control unit 194 adjusts the height position of the opposing Sabaki member by controlling the adjustment motor 78 as an actuator, as will be described later. The storage unit 196 stores various types of data. For example, the storage unit 196 stores the height position of the opposing sabaki member when the sabaki pressure is adjusted by the initial adjustment process or the additional adjustment process.

Next, the initial adjustment process, the collating process, and the return process executed by the collating device 10 will be described.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the initial adjustment process by the collating device 10. The initial adjustment process is performed to properly adjust the sabaki pressure prior to the collating process.

When the folding form information is input by the user (Y in S20), the control unit 50 stores the folding form information (S22). That is, when the user inputs a fold shape (no fold, two folds, four folds, etc.) of each shelf via the main operation panel 16 or the sub operation panel 20, the acquisition unit 192 acquires this and stores it as the fold form information. Stored in part 196.

When the initial adjustment switch is turned on by pressing and holding the initial adjustment button 166 (Y in S24), the Sabaki position control unit 194 is in a state where the Sabaki pressure can be adjusted based on the output of the home sensor 222. (S26). Specifically, if the home sensor 222 is in the detection state (that is, if the detection unit standing at the tip of the protruding portion 110 shields the optical axis of the home sensor 222), the sabaki position control unit 194 will perform the sabaki. It is determined that the pressure is in an adjustable state. If it is not in the adjustable state (N in S26), the Sabaki position control unit 194 reverses the adjustment motor 78 and lowers the opposing Sabaki member (S28). When the adjustment becomes possible (Y in S30), the Sabaki position control unit 194 stops the adjustment motor 78 (S32). On the other hand, if the adjustment is already possible (Y in S26), the processes from S28 to S32 are skipped.

Subsequently, the Sabaki position control unit 194 rotates the adjustment motor 78 in the normal direction to raise the opposing Sabaki member (S34), and determines whether or not the Sabaki pressure has reached the limit value (S36).
Specifically, the Sabaki position control unit 194 determines that the Sabaki pressure has reached the limit value when the Sabaki member stopped rising detected by the limit sensor 220 even though the adjustment motor 78 is being driven. To do. When the Sabaki position control unit 194 determines that the Sabaki pressure has reached the limit value (Y in S36), the adjustment motor 78 is stopped (S38).

The Sabaki position control unit 194 calculates the rotation amount (number of steps) of the adjustment motor 78 corresponding to the appropriate return amount based on the folding form information stored in the storage unit 196 (S40), and adjusts according to the rotation amount. The motor 78 is reversed and the opposing Sabaki member is lowered (S42). When the drive corresponding to the return amount is completed (Y in S44), the Sabaki position control unit 194 stops the adjustment motor 78 (S46). By the initial adjustment process as described above, the sabaki pressure is properly adjusted. The storage unit 196 stores the height position of the opposing sabaki member when the sabaki pressure is adjusted by this initial adjustment process as the adjustment position H (S48).

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a collating process by the collating device 10. The collating process includes an additional adjustment process for finely adjusting the sabaki pressure. The additional adjustment process is performed at the time of the first additional adjustment process performed by referring to the detection result of the timing sensor 56, the second additional adjustment process performed in response to the occurrence of a double feed or blank feed error, and the paper replenishment. It includes a third additional adjustment process and a fourth additional adjustment process performed according to the remaining amount of paper.

When the collating set number N is input by the user (Y in S50), the acquisition unit 192 acquires this and stores it in the storage unit 196 as the collating remaining number N (remaining number to be collated) (S52). ..

When the paper feed start switch is input via the main operation panel 16 (Y in S54), the control unit 50 drives the main motor 182 for operating each transfer mechanism of the collating device 10 (S55). Then, at that time, the height position information D (hereinafter, simply referred to as “position information D”) of the detected surface 401 of the bracket 48 detected by the displacement sensor 402 is cleared to zero (S56). After that, the displacement sensor 402 outputs the position information D with a positive value at a position higher than that position and a negative value at a position lower than that position. Next, the number of adjustment determination copies N3 as the calculated value is cleared to zero (S57), and the number of base copies N1 and the number of adjustment determination copies N2 are zero-cleared (S58). Here, the "base number of copies N1" is the number of collating processing copies that serves as a determination cycle when determining whether or not the first additional adjustment processing is executed. That is, the determination is reset every number of processing copies (6 in the present embodiment) that is the determination cycle. The “adjustment determination number N2” is the number of collating processing units that serves as an index for determining the shortage of the sabaki pressure in the determination cycle. That is, in the process of repeating the collating process of the determination cycle, when the number of adjustment determination copies N2 reaches the reference value (3 in the actual embodiment), the first additional adjustment process is executed. The “adjustment determination number N3” is a collating processing number that serves as an index for determining the excess or deficiency of the sabaki pressure when a double feed or blank feed error occurs. That is, if the number of adjustment determination units N3 does not exceed the reference value (500 in the present embodiment), the second additional adjustment process is executed.

If there is no input of the paper feed stop switch (N in S60) and the remaining number of collating N is not zero (N in S62), the control unit 50 drives the paper feed motor 77 to feed paper once. Is started (S64). When the paper is detected by the jam sensor 58 (Y in S66), the paper feed motor 77 is temporarily stopped at that timing (S68). As long as no paper jam has occurred, the paper detected at this time is conveyed to the downstream side as it is. In the present embodiment, since the one-way clutch is provided between the paper feed roller 42 and its rotation shaft, the paper feed roller 42 can continue to rotate due to the load of an external force even if the paper feed motor 77 is stopped. This is because the paper transfer is not regulated as long as the transfer force of the transfer upper roller 68 and the transfer lower roller 70 acts.

In the Sabaki position control unit 194, the predetermined determination reference period has elapsed (Y in S70), no paper jam has occurred (N in S400), and neither double feed nor blank feed has occurred (N in S500). ), The position information D does not increase (N of S600), and if D = Dx (N of S700), the remaining number of collating N is decremented by 1, and the number of adjustment determination units N3 is incremented by 1 (S72). The cases of Y of S400, Y of S500, Y of S600, Y of S700 and Dx will be described later. In the present embodiment, the "determination reference period" is set as a predetermined time from the start of rotation of the paper feed motor 77 to ensure that one paper feed is completed. At this time, if the paper is still detected by the timing sensor 56 (Y in S74), the Sabaki position control unit 194 increments the adjustment determination number N2 by 1 (S76). It is determined that the next or lower paper is detected as being misaligned because the sabaki pressure is insufficient in the one paper feeding process. At this time, if the number of adjustment determination units N2 has not reached 3 (N in S78), the Sabaki position control unit 194 increments the number of base units N1 by 1 (S76). At this time, if the number of base copies N1 has not reached 6 (N in S82), the process returns to S60, and if the number of base copies N1 has reached 6 (Y in S82), the process returns to S58.

On the other hand, if the number of adjustment determination units N2 reaches 3 (Y in S78), the Sabaki position control unit 194 executes additional adjustment of the Sabaki pressure (first additional adjustment process). That is, the Sabaki position control unit 194 rotates the adjustment motor 78 in the normal direction and raises the opposing Sabaki member by a predetermined height (S84). An appropriate value is set in advance for the rotation amount of the adjustment motor 78 at this time based on a test or the like. The storage unit 196 overwrites and stores the height position of the opposing sabaki member when the sabaki pressure is adjusted by the first additional adjustment process as the adjustment position H (S86). Then, the process returns to the process of S58. When the paper feed stop switch is input (Y in S60) or when the remaining number N becomes zero (Y in S62), the control unit 50 stops the main motor 182 and performs this process. Finish (S90).

If a paper jam occurs in S400 (Y in S400), the main motor stops (S90). Whether or not a paper jam has occurred is determined based on the detection information of the jam sensor 58. That is, if the jam sensor 58 still detects the paper even after the determination reference period, which is the predetermined time for surely completing one paper feed from the start of rotation of the paper feed motor 77, a paper jam occurs. to decide. If a predetermined period longer than the "determination reference period" is set and the paper is still detected by the jam sensor 58 even after the predetermined period has elapsed, it may be determined that the paper is jammed.

When double feed or blank feed occurs in S500 (Y in S500), the main motor stops (S502). Whether or not double feed has occurred is determined based on the detection information of the displacement sensor 69 of the double feed detection mechanism 60. Whether or not a blank feed has occurred is determined based on the detection information of the jam sensor 58. That is, if the jam sensor 58 does not detect the arrival of paper even after the determination reference period, which is a predetermined time for surely completing one paper feed from the start of rotation of the paper feed motor 77, is determined as blank feed. to decide. A predetermined period shorter than the "determination reference period" may be set, and if the jam sensor 58 does not detect the arrival of the paper even after the predetermined period has elapsed, it may be determined as blank feed.

Next, if the number of adjustment determination units N3 is 500 or less (Y in S504), the Sabaki position control unit 194 executes additional adjustment of the Sabaki pressure (second additional adjustment process). If the error that occurred is double feed (Y in S506), the adjustment motor 78 is rotated in the normal direction to raise the opposing Sabaki member by a predetermined height (S508). If the generated error is a blank feed (N in S506), the adjustment motor 78 is reversed and the opposing Sabaki member is lowered by a predetermined height (S510). An appropriate value is also set in advance for the rotation amount of the adjustment motor 78 at this time based on a test or the like. The storage unit 196 overwrites and stores the height position of the opposing sabaki member when the sabaki pressure is adjusted by the second additional adjustment process as the adjustment position H (S511).

Next, if N3 is 100 or more (Y in S512), the position information D of the surface to be detected 401 detected by the displacement sensor 402 at that time and the content of the second additional adjustment process this time, that is, the adjustment motor. The rotation direction of 78 is associated with the amount of rotation and stored in the storage unit 196 (S514) (the position information D stored in association with the content of the additional adjustment process is hereinafter referred to as position information Dx). Next, when the number of adjustment determination units N3 is cleared to zero (S516) and the paper feed start input is made again (Y in S518), the main motor is driven (S520), and the process returns to S58 to continue the process. In S504, if the number of adjustment determination units N3 exceeds 500 (N in S504), the additional adjustment process of the sabaki pressure is skipped, and the process proceeds to S516. If the number of adjustment determination units N3 is not 100 or more in S512, the storage of the adjustment content of the second additional adjustment process is skipped, and the process proceeds to S516. The reason will be described later.

That is, the number of adjustment determination units N3 is incremented by 1 in S72 each time paper feeding is performed, unless a double feed or blank feed error occurs. If a double feed or blank feed error occurs, it is cleared to zero in S516. Therefore, when N3 exceeds 500 in S504, an error has not occurred at least 500 times since the previous double feed or blank feed occurred, so that relatively stable paper feeding is performed. Judging that there is, the second additional adjustment process is postponed. In this embodiment, it is determined whether or not to forgo the second additional adjustment process based on whether or not N3 exceeds 500, but this numerical value is determined in advance to an appropriate value based on a test or the like. Needless to say, it is not limited to 500.

Next, the case where the position information D increases in S600 (Y in S600) will be described. The paper feed device of the present embodiment lifts the upstream end of the loaded paper bundle in the paper feed direction when the remaining amount of paper is low, and adds a new paper bundle under the "paper replenishment". This can be done during the paper feeding operation. When the paper is replenished, the upstream side of the bracket 48 in the paper feeding direction is lifted, so that the detected surface 401 is raised and the position information D is also increased. That is, when the position information D increases in S600, this paper replenishment is performed. Then, it is determined whether D ≧ Dx (S602), and if D ≧ Dx (Y in S602), the adjustment content stored in the storage unit 196 in association with the position information Dx is reversed. Adjust the direction (third additional adjustment process). The adjustment in the reverse direction means that the directions of pressurization and depressurization of the Sabaki pressure are opposite and the adjustment amount is the same.

When the Sabaki pressure is adjusted in response to the occurrence of a double feed or blank feed error, in S514, the adjustment content is stored in the storage unit 196 in association with the position information Dx at the time of adjustment. If D ≧ Dx in S602, it means that the height of the detected surface 401 is higher than the position information Dx stored in the storage unit 196 due to this paper replenishment, so a past error. This means that the remaining amount of paper after refilling the paper was larger than the remaining amount of paper when the sabaki pressure was adjusted due to the occurrence. In this case, the sabaki pressure before adjustment performed due to the occurrence of an error in the past may be more appropriate, so the adjustment in the direction opposite to the adjustment stored in the storage unit 196 in association with the position information Dx is performed. Do.

For example, when double feed occurs in the position information Dx in the past and the adjustment motor 78 is rotated forward by the rotation amount Z in response to this, in S514, "forward rotation by the rotation amount Z" is associated with the position information Dx. The adjustment contents are memorized. After that, when the paper is replenished and the position information D exceeds Dx, that is, when the remaining amount of paper when double feeding occurs is exceeded, "only the rotation amount Z" stored in association with the position information Dx is stored. The reverse direction adjustment of "forward rotation", that is, "reverse rotation by the amount of rotation Z" is performed in S604.

The storage unit 196 overwrites and stores the height position of the opposing sabaki member when the sabaki pressure is adjusted by the third additional adjustment process as the adjustment position H (S606).

Next, a case where D = Dx in S700 (Y in S700) will be described. When D = Dx (Y in S700), the same adjustment as the adjustment content stored in association with the position information Dx is performed (S702) (fourth additional adjustment process).

D = Dx means that when the Sabaki pressure is adjusted in response to the occurrence of a double feed or blank feed error in the past, the height of the detected surface 401 is the same as when the adjustment content is stored in S514. That is, the remaining amount of the paper bundle is the same. In that case, the same adjustment as that made in the position information Dx in the past is performed. For example, if double feed occurs in the position information Dx in the past and the adjustment motor 78 is rotated forward by the rotation amount Z in response to this, the same adjustment, that is, "forward rotation by the rotation amount Z" is performed this time as well.

The storage unit 196 overwrites and stores the height position of the opposing sabaki member when the sabaki pressure is adjusted by the fourth additional adjustment process as the adjustment position H (S704).

According to the second to fourth additional adjustment processes, when double feed or blank feed occurs at a certain remaining amount of paper in the operation of repeatedly feeding the paper, the additional adjustment of the sabaki pressure (second additional adjustment process) is performed. If the paper is replenished after that and the remaining amount is higher than that at the time of the second additional adjustment, the pressure is returned to the Sabaki pressure before the second additional adjustment (third additional adjustment process). Further, when the feeding is continued and the remaining amount at the time of the second additional adjustment is reached again, the same adjustment (fourth additional adjustment process) as the adjustment content at the time of the previous second additional adjustment is performed. Therefore, there is an effect that an appropriate sabaki pressure according to the remaining amount of the paper bundle can be automatically obtained while referring to the past adjustment results.

If N3 ≧ 100 in S512 (Y in S512), S514 is skipped. If N3 is not 100 or more in S512, it means that it has occurred again within 100 times since the previous double feed or blank feed occurred. Since the adjustment is performed when the remaining amount becomes the same after refilling the paper based on the adjustment content memorized in S514, the adjustment content memorized in S514 is performed according to the change in the appropriate sabaki pressure due to the remaining amount of paper. It is desirable to be an adjustment. However, if double feed or blank feed occurs frequently, it is possible that the sabaki pressure is far from the proper value, and therefore it may have occurred regardless of the change in the proper sabaki pressure due to the remaining amount of paper. high. In addition, even if the second additional adjustment process is performed in a situation where double feed or blank feed frequently occurs, there is a high possibility that the adjusted sabaki pressure will not be appropriate, and in such a case, After a plurality of additional adjustment processes, the appropriate sabaki pressure will be approached. The closer to the proper Sabaki pressure, the less likely it is that double feed or blank feed will occur, and the frequency will decrease. Therefore, when the occurrence frequency of double feed or blank feed is denser than the predetermined value, the adjustment content of the additional adjustment process is not memorized, and the adjustment content at the stage where the occurrence frequency becomes sparser than the predetermined value is memorized. After that, the sabaki pressure adjustment after replenishing the paper can be performed more appropriately. Further, it goes without saying that this numerical value 100 is also set to an appropriate value in advance based on a test or the like, and is not limited to 100.

It should be noted that a plurality of associations between the position information Dx and the adjustment contents can be stored. When a double feed or blank feed error occurs a plurality of times and a second additional adjustment process is performed for each, if N3 is a predetermined number or more (100 in the present embodiment), the second additional adjustment process is performed. The position information Dx and the adjustment content are stored in association with each other, and the subsequent third additional adjustment process and the fourth additional adjustment process are also performed for each of the stored position information Dx and the adjustment content. ..

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a return process by the collating device 10. The return process is executed prior to resuming the collating process when the adjustment knob 378 is operated to separate the paper feed roller 42 and the facing sabaki member for the paper jam process.

When the return switch is turned on by pressing the timing button 170 and the forward rotation button 174 at the same time (Y in S100), the Sabaki position control unit 194 is in a state in which the return process can be executed based on the output of the timing sensor 56. It is determined whether or not there is (S102). Specifically, if the timing sensor 56 is in the detection state, the sabaki position control unit 194 determines that the return process is not in the executable state because there is paper between the facing sabaki member and the paper feed roller 42. On the other hand, if the timing sensor 56 is in the non-detection state, it is determined that there is no paper between the facing sabaki member and the paper feed roller 42 and the return process can be executed.

If it is not in the executable state (N in S102), the process ends without executing the return process. In the case of the executable state (Y in S102), if the opposing Sabaki member is not in the adjustment position H (N in S104), the Sabaki position control unit 194 rotates the adjustment motor 78 in the normal direction and adjusts stored in the storage unit 196. The facing Sabaki member is moved to the position H (S106). If the opposing Sabaki member is already in the adjustment position H (Y in S104), the process in S106 is skipped and the process ends. After the return process is completed, the collating process can be executed.

According to the present embodiment described above, the position of the facing sabaki member is returned to the height of the "adjustment position H" stored in the storage unit 196 by the return process started by the button operation. Specifically, if no double feed or blank feed error has occurred since the collating process was started, or if the error frequency is low from the beginning of the collating process (for example, double feed or empty feed). The frequency at which a feed error occurs is less than once because the feeding error is 500 times or more), and the storage unit 196 stores the height of the sabaki member when the sabaki pressure is adjusted by the initial adjustment process as the adjustment position H. ing. Therefore, in this case, the Sabaki member is returned to the height position at the time of initial adjustment. On the other hand, if double feed or blank feed errors occur at a predetermined frequency during the collating process, the height of the sabaki member when the sabaki pressure is adjusted by the additional adjustment process is adjusted in the storage unit 196. It is remembered as H. Therefore, in this case, the Sabaki member is returned to the height position when it is additionally adjusted. In any case, according to the present embodiment, the facing sabaki member is returned to the height of the "adjustment position H" stored in the storage unit 196, so that the sabaki pressure is adjusted again when the collating process is restarted. The time required to adjust the Sabaki pressure is shortened compared to the case where the pressure is adjusted.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the folding form information is used as the paper information for specifying the return amount in the initial adjustment process. In the second embodiment, the thickness information of the paper detected by the double feed detection mechanism 60 is used as the paper information for specifying the return amount. That is, in the initial adjustment process, only one sheet of paper is loaded, the paper is fed, the thickness of the paper is calculated based on the detection value of the displacement sensor 69 shown in FIG. 3, and the return amount corresponding to the thickness information is calculated. Is calculated (specified). Further, the storage unit 196 of the control unit 50 holds a table in which the relationship between the thickness of the paper and the rotation amount of the adjustment motor 78 is associated with each other. In the initial adjustment process, the table is referred to based on the paper thickness calculated based on the detection value of the displacement sensor 69, the rotation amount of the adjustment motor 78 corresponding to the appropriate return amount is calculated, and the opposite sabaki plate is used. Adjust the height.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing in detail the initial adjustment process according to the second embodiment. Since this initial adjustment process has many parts in common with the initial adjustment process of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the common processing parts are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted or simplified. To become. In the initial adjustment process of the present embodiment, the user sets only one sheet of paper to be loaded in the paper feed tray 14 for each shelf, and presses and holds the initial adjustment button 166.

When the initial adjustment switch is input by pressing and holding the initial adjustment button 166 (Y in S220), the main motor 182 is driven (S222). Subsequently, the adjustment motor 78 is reversed, and the Sabaki member is lowered until the home sensor 222 is in the detection state (S223). When the Sabaki member is lowered, the paper feed motor 77 is driven (S224). As a result, when the displacement sensor 69 detects it (S226), the paper feed motor 77 is stopped (S228). Then, when the paper is detected by the paper ejection sensor 180 (Y in S230), the main motor 182 is stopped (S232), the displacement detected by the displacement sensor 69 is acquired by the acquisition unit 192, and the paper thickness information is obtained. Is stored in the storage unit 196 (S234).

This thickness information is used in the processing of S240. That is, the control unit 50 refers to the table based on the thickness information stored in S234, calculates the rotation amount of the adjustment motor 78 corresponding to the appropriate return amount, and adjusts the height of the opposing sabaki plate. Since the processing after S26 is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 13 except for S240, the description thereof will be omitted.

According to the first embodiment, since the thickness information of the paper actually detected by the double feed detection mechanism 60 is used in the feeding of one sheet at the time of the initial adjustment processing, it is more than the first embodiment. The accuracy of the initial adjustment process is improved. In addition, it is not necessary to separately input the thickness information from the outside, which improves the workability of the user. In addition, in the return process, the position of the facing Sabaki member is returned to the adjustment position H which has been initially adjusted and further adjusted. That is, when resuming the collating process, it is not necessary to load only one sheet of paper again and send the paper for initial adjustment. Therefore, the burden on the user is reduced.

(Third Embodiment)
In the third embodiment, the initial adjustment process is manually performed by operating the adjustment knob 378, and the additional adjustment process during the collating process for finely adjusting the sabaki pressure is automatically performed by the adjustment motor 78.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing in detail the initial adjustment process according to the third embodiment. When the folding form information is input by the user (Y in S320), the storage unit 196 of the control unit 50 stores the folding form information (S322). Then, the return amount based on the folding form information is calculated for each shelf (S324), and the operation amount of the adjustment knob 378 corresponding to the return amount is displayed on the display unit 380 (S326).

At this time, the user operates the adjustment knob 378 in the direction of increasing the sabaki pressure. As a result, let go when the limit is applied. It should be noted that this "limit" is determined by the user sensing that the pull spring 105 shown in FIG. 5 is extended and resistance is applied to the operation in the same direction. When the user releases the adjustment knob 378 in this way, the adjustment knob 378 is settled at the limit position by the urging force of the pull spring 105. The user adjusts the facing sabaki member to an appropriate height by returning the adjustment knob 378 in the opposite direction by the amount of operation displayed on the display unit 380 from the limit position.

Subsequently, when the test paper feed button 178 (see FIG. 11) is pressed (Y in S328), the main motor 182 is driven (S330). Then, the adjustment-required lamp 382 is turned off (S332), and the paper feed motor 77 is driven to start one paper feed (S334). When the paper is detected by the jam sensor 58 (Y in S336), the paper feed motor 77 is temporarily stopped at that timing (S338). As long as no paper jam has occurred, the paper detected at this time is conveyed to the downstream side as it is. This is because the one-way clutch is provided between the paper feed roller 42 and its rotating shaft also in this embodiment.

Then, when the predetermined determination reference period elapses (Y in S340) and the paper is detected by the timing sensor 56 (Y in S342), the adjustment required lamp 382 is turned on (S344). It is determined that the next or lower paper is detected as being misaligned because the sabaki pressure is insufficient in the one paper feeding process, and the readjustment of the sabaki pressure is urged. If the paper is not detected by the timing sensor 56 (N in S342), the adjustment required lamp 382 is turned off (S346). As the "determination reference period", a predetermined time is set in which one paper feed is surely completed from the start of rotation of the paper feed motor 77.

When the adjustment-required lamp 382 is turned on in this way, the user can operate the adjustment knob 378 by a predetermined amount in the direction in which the sabaki pressure increases. That is, the lighting of the adjustment-required lamp 382 is a guidance display prompting the user to increase the sabaki pressure. After that, if the adjustment required lamp 382 is turned off by executing the test paper feeding again, it can be recognized that the sabaki pressure has been properly adjusted.

This test paper feed process is performed only while the user holds down the test paper feed button 178. That is, if the press of the test paper feed button 178 is not released (N in S348), the process returns to S334 and the next test paper feed is executed. When the press of the test paper feed button 178 is released (Y in S348), the main motor 182 is stopped (S350). The storage unit 196 stores the height position of the facing Sabaki member at this time as the adjustment position H (S352). If the test paper feed button 178 is not pressed in S328 (N in S328), the processes from S330 to S350 are skipped. According to the present embodiment, it is also possible to adjust the sabaki pressure by turning the adjustment knob 378 while holding down the test paper feed button 178 and repeating paper feed until the adjustment required lamp 382 goes out.

In the present embodiment, the start switch 152 of the main input device 150 (see FIG. 12) corresponds to the "first paper feed switch", and the test paper feed button 178 corresponds to the "second paper feed switch". .. Since the first paper feed switch serves as a collating start switch, paper feed on all shelves is continuously operated all at once. Further, a second paper feed switch (test paper feed switch) is provided for each paper feed unit (paper feed mechanism 18), and only the paper feed of the corresponding paper feed unit operates continuously.

According to the present embodiment, it is possible to manually adjust the sabaki pressure in the initial adjustment process. Therefore, a device that is easy to use even for a user who is accustomed to manual initial adjustment can be obtained. Further, the adjustment-required lamp 382 and the display unit 380 make it easier to perform manual adjustment.

After the manual initial adjustment process, the collating process is started by operating the start switch 152, and the additional adjustment process is automatically performed. This additional adjustment process is the same as that of the first embodiment. The initial adjustment process may be manual or automatic, or the user may be able to select in advance.

Further, the additional adjustment process may be manual or automatic, or may be selected by the user in advance. If manual is selected and the timing sensor 56 detects the paper when the predetermined determination reference period elapses, the adjustment required lamp 382 may be turned on. By doing so, it is possible to prompt the user to make adjustments when the sabaki pressure is insufficient.

(Fourth Embodiment)
The fourth embodiment includes a near-end detection mechanism 410 instead of the paper remaining amount detection mechanism 400 in the first embodiment, and automatically adjusts the sabaki pressure when a double feed or blank feed error occurs. If the adjustment is made after the near-end is detected, the number of paper feeds after the near-end is detected at that time and the adjustment contents are stored in association with each other, and the near-end is detected again after refilling the paper. When the number of subsequent paper feeds becomes the same as the stored number of paper feeds, the same adjustment is performed.

18 and 19 are diagrams showing a paper feeding device according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 18 shows a case where the remaining amount of paper is large, and FIG. 19 shows a case where the remaining amount of paper is small. The same members as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same numbers, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The paper feed device according to the present embodiment includes a near-end detection mechanism 410 on the downstream side of the bracket 48 in the paper feed direction. The near-end detection mechanism 410 includes a near-end sensor 411 and a detected plate 412. The near-end sensor 411 is a reflective optical sensor. The detected plate 412 is a plate-shaped member fixed to the downstream side of the bracket 48 in the paper feeding direction and extending downward of the near-end sensor 411.

As shown in FIG. 18, when the remaining amount of paper is large, the detected plate 412 is below the near-end sensor 411, so that the near-end sensor 411 detects the detected plate 412 and is in the ON state. When the remaining amount of paper becomes low, as shown in FIG. 19, the detected plate 412 is displaced to the right in the drawing due to the rotation of the bracket 48 and is disengaged from below the near-end sensor 411, so that the near-end sensor 411 is turned off. Therefore, when the remaining amount of paper decreases and reaches a predetermined remaining amount, the near-end sensor 411 switches from the ON state to the OFF state. Whether the near-end sensor 411 is in the ON state or the OFF state is input to the control unit 50.

Also in the present embodiment, the initial adjustment process and the additional adjustment process are performed as in the first embodiment. The initial adjustment process is the same as the initial adjustment process (FIG. 13) of the first embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a collating process according to the fourth embodiment. The collating process includes an additional adjustment process for finely adjusting the sabaki pressure, as in the first embodiment. The same processing as that of the first embodiment is assigned the same number, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The additional adjustment process according to the present embodiment includes a first additional adjustment process performed with reference to the detection result of the timing sensor 56, a second additional adjustment process performed in response to the occurrence of a double feed or blank feed error, and a sheet. The fifth and sixth additional adjustment processes performed in response to the near-end detection of the above are included.

When the paper feed start switch is input via the main operation panel 16 (Y in S54), the main motor 182 for operating each transfer mechanism of the collating device 10 is driven (S55). Then, the adjustment determination number N3 and the near-end number N4 as the calculated values are cleared to zero (S57, S557), and the near-end flag F1 is set to zero (S558). Further, the number of base copies N1 and the number of adjustment determination copies N2 are cleared to zero (S58). The number of base copies N1 and the number of adjustment determination copies N2 and N3 are the same as those in the first embodiment. The “near-end number of copies N4” is the number of copies that have been collated after the near-end detection, and is used to determine the excess or deficiency of the sabaki pressure after the near-end detection.

After the determination reference period has elapsed (Y in S70), it is determined whether or not the near-end sensor 411 has changed from the ON state to the OFF state (S570). When the state changes from the ON state to the OFF state (Y in S570), the near-end flag F1 is set to 1 (S572). If the near-end sensor 411 has not changed (if it remains ON or remains OFF), S572 is skipped. Next, if the near-end flag F1 is 1 (Y in S574), N4 is incremented by 1 (S576).

When double feed or blank feed occurs in S500 (Y in S500), the main motor is stopped (S502), and if the number of adjustment determination units N3 is 500 or less (Y in S504), the second additional adjustment process is performed. Do. This second additional adjustment process is the same as that of the first embodiment. The storage unit 196 overwrites and stores the height position of the opposing sabaki member when the sabaki pressure is adjusted by the second additional adjustment process as the adjustment position H (S511).

Next, if the near-end flag F1 = 1 (Y in S530), the number of near-end copies N4 at that time is associated with the content of the second additional adjustment process this time, that is, the rotation direction and rotation amount of the adjustment motor 78. , Stored in the control unit 50 (S532) (the number of near-end copies N4 stored in association with the content of the additional adjustment process is hereinafter referred to as “adjustment near-end number N4x”). After that, S516 and subsequent steps are the same as in the first embodiment.

When there is no occurrence of double feed or blank feed (N in S500), it is then determined whether or not the near-end sensor has changed from the detection OFF state to the ON state (S620). If it changes (Y in S620), the adjustment in the opposite direction to the adjustment content corresponding to the adjustment near-end number N4x stored in the second additional adjustment process performed in response to the past double feed or blank feed. (S622) (fifth additional adjustment process). The storage unit 196 overwrites and stores the height position of the opposing sabaki member when the sabaki pressure is adjusted by the fifth additional adjustment process as the adjustment position H (S623). Further, the number of near-end copies N4 is cleared to zero (S624), and the near-end flag F1 is also set to zero (S626). After that, if N4 = N4x (Y of S720), the same adjustment as the adjustment content stored in association with the N4x is performed (S722) (sixth additional adjustment process). The storage unit 196 overwrites and stores the height position of the opposing sabaki member when the sabaki pressure is adjusted by the sixth additional adjustment process as the adjustment position H (S623).

The change from the detection ON state to the OFF state of the near-end sensor in S570 means that the remaining amount of paper has decreased and reached a predetermined amount. The near-end flag F1 is set to 1 while the remaining amount of paper is equal to or less than this predetermined amount. The number of near-end copies N4 is incremented by 1 in S576 each time paper feeding is performed while the near-end flag F1 is 1. That is, N4 is equal to the number of paper feeds performed after the remaining amount of paper has decreased and reached a predetermined amount.

When double feed or blank feed occurs and the second additional adjustment process is performed, the number of near-end copies N4 at the time of performing the additional adjustment process is set as the number of adjustment near-end copies N4x and stored in the control unit 50 together with the adjustment content. That is, after the remaining amount of paper has decreased and reached a predetermined amount, the history of how many times the paper is fed and what kind of adjustment is made is stored.

On the other hand, the change from the near-end sensor detection OFF state to the ON state in S620 means that the remaining amount has increased due to paper replenishment. When the remaining amount increases, the adjustment in the direction opposite to the adjustment content of the second additional adjustment process performed in the state where the remaining amount is low in the past is performed, that is, the state before the adjustment is returned. After that, when the remaining amount becomes less than the predetermined amount again and the number of times of feeding after that becomes the same number of times of feeding as when the second additional adjustment process was previously performed, the second additional adjustment process is performed. It means that additional adjustment processing with the same contents will be performed.

According to the present embodiment, the position of the bracket 48 is not always detected, only a certain point when the remaining amount of paper is low is detected, and the content of the additional adjustment process and the adjustment time point generated after the detection are stored. As a result, the same adjustment can be automatically performed when the remaining amount is reached again after refilling the paper. Therefore, it is possible to make adjustments corresponding to an appropriate change in the sabaki pressure when the remaining amount of paper is low, at a lower cost than in the first embodiment.

A plurality of adjustment near-end copies N4x can be stored in the same manner as the position information Dx in the first embodiment. When a double feed or blank feed error occurs multiple times and the second additional adjustment process is performed for each, the adjustment near-end number N4x is stored in association with the adjustment content for each of the second additional adjustment processes. After that, the fifth additional adjustment process and the sixth additional adjustment process are also performed for each of the stored adjustment near-end copies N4x.

Further, also in the present embodiment, as in the third embodiment, the adjustment knob 378 may be provided so that the initial adjustment process can be performed manually.

The present invention is not limited to each of the above-described embodiments, and an appropriate combination of the elements of each embodiment is also effective as an embodiment of the present invention. Further, it is possible to add various modifications such as design changes to each embodiment based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, and the embodiments to which such modifications are added are also included in the scope of the present invention. sell. The following is an example of such a situation.

(Modification example 1)
In the first and third embodiments, the configuration in which the folding form (folding form) is set as the paper information input by the user is shown, but in the modified example, the thickness (numerical value) of the paper is input. May be good. For example, the user may measure the thickness of the paper with a micrometer and input the measured value. Alternatively, a micrometer capable of outputting the measured value to the control unit 50 may be used. Alternatively, the paper thickness information such as "thick paper, plain paper, thin paper" may be input instead of the numerical value.

Further, the paper quality may be input as an element that affects the sabaki pressure. For example, paper quality information such as "coated paper, art paper, matte paper, high-quality paper, and medium-quality paper" can be input. In addition to this, the user can also input density information such as size information which is the paper size and the ream amount. However, the control unit 50 holds a table in which the correspondence between the paper information and the return amount (rotation amount of the adjustment motor 78, etc.) is set, and adjusts the sabaki pressure based on the input paper information. It shall be possible to do it properly. Further, in the above embodiment, the example in which the paper information is input via the sub operation panel 20 is shown, but they may be input via the main operation panel 16.

(Modification 2)
In the embodiment, in S70 of FIG. 14 and S340 of FIG. 17, an example is shown in which the "determination reference period" is set as a predetermined time for surely completing one paper feeding from the start of rotation of the paper feeding motor 77. In the modified example, for example, the period from the start of rotation of the paper feed motor 77 to the detection of the rear end of the paper by the jam sensor 58 may be set as the “determination reference period”.

(Modification 3)
Although the configuration in which the limit detection mechanism is not provided is shown in the third embodiment, the limit value may be detected by the limit sensor 220 as in the first and second embodiments. In that case, when the sabaki pressure reaches the limit value in the process of operating the adjustment knob 378 to the pressurizing side, the operation amount corresponding to the return amount may be displayed on the display unit 380 at that time.

(Modification example 4)
Although not described in the embodiment, if a blank feed or the like occurs during the collating process, the adjustment process may be executed so as to change the sabaki pressure to the decompression side. Further, when double feeding or chaining occurs during the collating process, the adjustment process may be executed so as to change the sabaki pressure to the pressurizing side.

(Modification 5)
In the second embodiment, an example is shown in which information on the thickness of the paper is obtained based on the detected value of the displacement sensor 69 that measures the amount of rotation of the lever member 65 using an encoder. In the modified example, the ultrasonic sensor may be used to obtain information on the thickness of the paper. That is, a transmission sensor that transmits ultrasonic waves and a reception sensor that receives ultrasonic waves may be provided above and below the lateral transport path. For example, the folded shape of the paper may be obtained by utilizing the fact that the amplitude of the ultrasonic wave is smaller when the paper passed through the ultrasonic sensor is folded in half than when the paper is folded in half. Alternatively, an optical sensor may be used to obtain information about the thickness of the paper. That is, the light emitting sensor and the light receiving sensor may be arranged above and below the horizontal transport path to obtain the folded shape and thickness information of the paper based on the amount of light transmitted when the paper passes through.

(Modification 6)
In the embodiment, the storage unit 196 stores the height position of the opposing Sabaki member when adjusted by the initial adjustment process as the adjustment position H until the additional adjustment process is executed, and the additional adjustment process is executed. The case where the height position of the facing Sabaki member when adjusted by the additional adjustment process is stored as the adjustment position H has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, the storage unit 196 may store only the height position of the opposing Sabaki member when adjusted by the initial adjustment process as the adjustment position H. That is, the adjustment position H does not have to be updated even if the additional adjustment process is executed. In this case, in the return process, the height position of the facing Sabaki member when adjusted by the initial adjustment process is always returned.

Further, for example, the storage unit 196 may store the height position of the opposing sabaki member when adjusted by the initial adjustment process and the height position of the opposing sabaki member when adjusted by the additional adjustment process. Good. In this case, in the return process, even if the sabaki member is returned to the height position of the opposing sabaki member when adjusted by the initial adjustment process, the sabaki member is returned to the height position of the opposing sabaki member when adjusted by the additional adjustment process. May be returned. Alternatively, in the return process, the user may be able to select which height position to return to, and the facing Sabaki member may be returned to the selected height position.

(Modification 7)
In the embodiment, the Sabaki position control unit 194 returns the paper even if the return switch is turned on, if the timing sensor 56 is in the detection state, that is, if there is paper between the paper feed roller 42 and the facing Sabaki member. On the contrary, the case where the return process is executed when the timing sensor 56 is in the non-detection state even if the paper is loaded in the paper feed tray 14 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. If the paper presence / absence detection sensor 57 is in the detection state, the Sabaki position control unit 194 may not execute the return process even if the return switch is turned on. Further, in addition to the timing sensor 56 and the paper presence / absence detection sensor 57, a sensor is provided at a position where the paper feed roller 42 and the facing Sabaki member come into contact with each other, and if this sensor is in the detection state, even if the return switch is turned on. The return process may not be executed.

(Modification 8)
In the embodiment, it has been described that the jammed paper can be removed by manually operating the adjustment knob 378 to lower the facing sabaki member to a height position where the sabaki pressure does not occur, but the adjustment is not limited to this. The facing sabaki member may be lowered to a height position where the sabaki pressure is not automatically generated by the motor 78.

For example, when the paper jam processing switch is turned on by pressing the timing button 172 and the reverse button 176 at the same time, the sabaki position control unit 194 moves the sabaki position control unit 194 to a predetermined height position where sabaki pressure does not occur (for example, the paper feed roller 42). The adjustment motor 78 may be controlled so that the facing sabaki member moves to a predetermined height position where the facing sabaki member and the facing sabaki member are separated from each other. In this case, the sabaki position control unit 194 adjusts so that the facing sabaki movement moves to a predetermined height position where the sabaki pressure does not occur when the paper jam processing switch is turned on only when a paper jam is detected. The motor 78 may be controlled. That is, even if the paper jam processing switch is turned on when the paper jam is not detected, the sabaki position control unit 194 ends the processing without moving the facing sabaki member.

Further, the button for turning on the paper jam handling switch and the return switch may be combined by the same button operation (for example, pressing and holding the timing button 170 and the forward rotation button 174 at the same time). That is, if the limit sensor 220 does not detect the descent of the opposing sabaki member between the time when the paper jam occurs and the time when the timing button 170 and the forward rotation button 174 are pressed and held at the same time, the paper jam processing switch. Is turned on, and if the timing button 170 and the forward rotation button 174 are pressed and held at the same time again, the return switch is turned on. If the limit sensor 220 detects the descent of the opposing sabaki member between the time when the paper jam occurs and the time when the timing button 170 and the forward rotation button 174 are pressed and held at the same time, the opposing sabaki member has already been manually pressed. May be lowered to determine that the paper jam has been cleared, and the return switch may be turned on without turning on the paper jam clearing switch.

Further, for example, when a paper jam is detected and the main motor is stopped, the sabaki position control unit 194 automatically moves the opposing sabaki member to a predetermined height position where the sabaki pressure does not occur without waiting for input from the user. The adjustment motor 78 may be controlled.

(Modification 9)
In the embodiment, when the height position of the opposing Sabaki member when adjusted by the initial adjustment process or the additional adjustment process is stored in the storage unit 196 as the adjustment position H, and the Sabaki member is returned to the adjustment position H in the return process. Was explained, but it is not limited to this. If a paper jam has occurred, it is possible that the adjustment position H is not appropriate. That is, it is conceivable that the sabaki pressure is too high. Therefore, the Sabaki position control unit 194 may control the adjustment motor 78 so as to move the opposite Sabaki member to a position lower than the adjustment position H by a predetermined distance, for example. The same applies to the case where the facing Sabaki member is returned to the height position adjusted by the initial adjustment process as in the above-mentioned modification.

(Modification example 10)
Although not particularly mentioned in the embodiment, a warning may be displayed when the paper feed start switch is input without performing the return process. Specifically, for example, when the limit sensor 220 detects the movement of the opposing Sabaki member even though the adjustment motor 78 is not driven, and then the paper feed start switch is input without performing the return process. A warning may be displayed on the operation panel 16. Further, for example, a warning may be displayed on the main operation panel 16 when the start switch is input while the opposing Sabaki member is not at the adjustment position H.
As a warning, for example, a message such as "The position of the sabaki has been changed manually. Please put it back and start" may be displayed.

(Modification 11)
Although not particularly mentioned in the embodiment, the remaining amount of paper when the additional adjustment process is performed may be stored in the storage unit 196 in association with the adjustment position H which is the height position of the facing Sabaki member. Then, when the remaining amount of paper is increased or decreased due to the replenishment of paper or the feeding of paper, the Sabaki position control unit 194 is based on the relationship between the remaining amount of paper stored in the storage unit 196 and the adjustment position H. , The facing Sabaki member may be moved to the adjustment position H according to the remaining amount of paper at that time.

(Modification 12)
Since the paper feed roller 42 and the Sabaki member are used in a state of being in pressure contact with each other, wear may occur. As a result of diligent research, the present inventors have recognized that the optimum value of the return amount changes as the amount of wear increases. According to the experiments conducted by the present inventors, it was confirmed that when the amount of wear is large, the optimum value of the amount of return is smaller than when the amount of wear is small. Therefore, in this modification, the return amount is corrected according to the wear amount of the paper feed roller 42 and the sabaki member.

The Sabaki position control unit 194 moves the opposite Sabaki member to the home position where the home sensor 222 is in the detection state, and subsequently drives the Sabaki pressure adjusting mechanism 54 to the boosting side until the Sabaki pressure reaches the limit value. The acquisition unit 192 acquires the displacement amount of the facing Sabaki member at this time from the limit sensor 220. The Sabaki position control unit 194 subtracts the reference displacement amount stored in the storage unit 196 and obtained in the same manner when the paper feed roller 42 and the facing Sabaki member are new from this displacement amount. To calculate the amount of wear.

The Sabaki position control unit 194 has a return amount (rotation of the adjustment motor 78) specified based on "rotation amount specification information" indicating the relationship between the type of the facing Sabaki member, the paper information (folding shape of the paper, etc.) and the rotation amount. The amount) is corrected by adding a "correction value" according to the amount of wear, the adjustment motor 78 is reversed according to the corrected return amount (rotation amount of the adjustment motor 78), and the facing sabaki starts from the position where the limit value is reached. Lower the member. The optimum value of the relationship between the amount of wear and the correction value can be obtained by conducting a test or the like in advance.

According to this modification, even if the paper feed roller 42 and the sabaki member are worn, the sabaki pressure can be adjusted to an accurate value.

14 Paper tray, 42 Paper feed roller, 1st Sabaki member 45, 2nd Sabaki member 46, 3rd Sabaki member 47, 50 Control unit, 54 Sabaki pressure adjustment mechanism, 78 Adjustment motor, Acquisition unit 192, Sabaki position control unit 194, storage unit 196.

Claims (8)

The loading section where the paper is loaded and
A paper feed roller that feeds out paper by pressing and rotating the topmost paper among the paper loaded on the loading unit.
A sabaki member provided facing the paper feed roller to prevent the second and lower sheets of paper from being fed out.
A moving mechanism that moves the sabaki member in a direction of pressure contact or separation from the paper feed roller, and
The actuator that drives the moving mechanism and
A sabaki position control unit that adjusts the position of the sabaki member by controlling the actuator, and
A storage unit for storing an adjustment position, which is a position of the sabaki member when an adjustment process for adjusting the pressure generated between the paper feed roller and the sabaki member is performed, is provided.
When the paper feed roller and the sabaki member are separated from each other and receive an input for a return process for returning the position of the sabaki member, the sabaki position control unit receives a position based on the adjustment position stored in the storage unit. A paper feeding device characterized in that the actuator is controlled so as to move the sabaki member. The adjustment process is characterized in that the sabaki position control unit adjusts the pressure generated between the paper feed roller and the sabaki member based on information from at least one sensor of the paper feed device. The paper feeding device according to claim 1. Includes an acquisition unit that acquires paper information regarding the paper loaded in the loading unit.
In the adjustment process, when it is determined that the pressure generated between the paper feed roller and the sabaki member reaches a predetermined limit value based on the information from the at least one sensor, the sabaki position control unit performs the adjustment process. The paper feeding device according to claim 2, further comprising a process of moving the Sabaki member in a direction away from the paper feeding roller by an amount corresponding to the paper information from a position where the limit value is reached. Includes an acquisition unit that acquires paper feed status information regarding the paper feed status when paper feed is performed.
The adjustment process according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the sabaki position control unit adjusts the pressure generated between the paper feed roller and the sabaki member based on the paper feed state information. Paper feed device. A paper detection sensor for detecting paper between the sabaki member and the paper feed roller is provided.
Claims 1 to 4, wherein the sabaki position control unit does not operate the actuator even if it receives an input of the return process when there is paper between the sabaki member and the paper feed roller. The paper feed device according to any one. A paper presence / absence detection sensor for detecting whether or not paper is loaded in the loading unit is provided.
The sabaki position control unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when paper is loaded on the loading unit, the actuator does not operate even if the input of the return processing is received. Paper feed device. Operation members that accept user operations and
The paper feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a conversion mechanism that converts an operation on the operating member into an operation of the moving mechanism, in addition to the actuator. The Sabaki position control unit is characterized in that when it receives an input for paper jam processing, it controls the actuator so as to move the Sabaki member to a position where pressure is not generated between the paper feed roller and the Sabaki member. The paper feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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