JPH01181674A - Sheet stack accommodating device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide location varying function for an aligning material by varying it to the desired position on the basis of the location information signal for the aligning material and the sheet dimension information signal, and hindering this location variation in case the aligning material is accommodated near the stack accommodation position. CONSTITUTION:The current position of an aligning material 5 is sensed by a location sensing means 9, and the aligning material 5 is shifted to the desired position by a location varying means. When the aligning material 5 is to be shifted to a position near a sheet stack accommodation position 14 in case a sheet 2 or sheets are accommodated already stacked on a receptacle 3, it is informed by a sheet stack accommodation sensing means 7 and a judging means 13. Action of the location varying means is hindered by a location variation hindering means 15, and the aligning material 5 is not shifted to avoid it from failure. Accordingly this is equipped with an aligning material location variation function without requiring manual operation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a sheet stacking and storing device that aligns and stacks and accommodates a plurality of supplied sheets using an aligning material, and in particular, the present invention relates to a sheet stacking and storing device that aligns and stacks and accommodates a plurality of supplied sheets using an aligning material. It relates to something that has the function of setting the position of the material.

``Prior Art'' This type of device includes a recording paper stacking device in a copying machine, a printer, or the like. A conventional recording paper stacking device includes a paper discharge tray that receives recording paper supplied from a recording section. The recording paper stack surface of this paper output tray is sloped downward in order to easily receive the recording paper.The paper output tray has an alignment stopper that aligns the recording paper by coming into contact with the leading edge of the recording paper. It is provided so as to protrude from the top.

The alignment stopper is fixed at a plurality of positions corresponding to the size of the recording paper. Conventionally, in such a configuration, before starting the paper ejection operation, an alignment stopper is fixed at a position corresponding to the size of the ejected recording paper, so that the ejected recording paper is placed on the paper output tray. They were to be aligned and stacked.

``Problems to be Solved by the Invention'' However, in conventional recording paper stacking devices, each time the size of the output recording paper changes, the alignment stopper must be manually re-fixed at a position corresponding to the changed size. I had to. Especially, for example, from 85 size to A4 size.
When changing from a small size to a large size, such as when changing from a small size to a large size, if you forget to change the fixed position of the alignment stopper, the ejected recording paper may become crumpled or paper jams may occur at the ejection port. There were problems such as causes.

In view of such problems, the present invention provides a sheet stacking and storing device that aligns and stacks and stores a plurality of supplied sheets using a matching material, in which the matching material is stacked and stored based on sheet size information output from the sheet feeding device. The purpose is to provide a device that has a control function to change the position.

"Means for Solving the Problems" Here, the means taken by the present invention to solve the above problems and achieve the above objects will be explained using the drawings. The present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, provides a sheet stacking and storing apparatus comprising the following means.

A Receiving tray 3 for storing the sheets 2 supplied from the sheet supply device 1. Here, the "sheets 2" refer to thin plate-like articles, and include paper materials and similar materials.

B Aligning material 5°, which is provided on the receiving tray 3 so that its position can be changed freely, and contacts the edge 4 of the sheet 2 to align the edge 4 C. Detects the accumulation and accommodation of the sheet 2 on the receiving tray 3, and detects sheet accumulation. Sheet accumulation detection means 7°D that outputs the signal 6 Position detection means 9°D that detects the position of the alignment material 5 and outputs the position information signal 8 Here, "detecting the position of the alignment material 5" means In addition to directly physically detecting the position of the alignment material 5, when the position of the alignment material 5 is changed, the sheet size information signal 10 at that time is stored (for example, indirectly detecting the alignment material 5). It also includes a mode of detecting the current position.

E: a position changing means 11 for changing the position of the aligning material 5 based on the sheet dimension information signal 10 and the position information signal 8 manually inputted from the sheet feeding device 1; Based on this, the determination means 13 determines that the change in the position of the alignment material 5 is a change to the position on the sheet 2 side, and outputs the determination signal 12.
"Change to the position on the sheet 2 side" refers to a change to a position close to the sheet stacking and storage position 14.

G. Position change prevention means 15° that prevents the operation of the position change means 11 when the discrimination signal 12 and sheet accumulation detection signal 6 are input. It does not matter whether it acts on the electrical control part or the mechanical drive part.

"Function" The function of the sheet stacking and storing device according to the present invention will be explained using FIG. 1 as well. This sheet stacking and storing device receives sheets 2 supplied from a sheet supply device 1 in a tray 3, aligns the sheets 2 by bringing an alignment material 5 into contact with the edge 4 of the sheet 2, and stacks the sheets on the tray 3. It is meant to accommodate.

Before the supply of the sheets 2 is started, the sheet size information signal 10 is first inputted from the sheet supply device 1 to the present sheet stacking and storing device. The position detecting means 9 detects the current position of the alignment material 5 and outputs a position information signal 8 indicating the position. The position changing means 13 receives these sheet size information signals 1.
0 and the position information signal 8, the position that the alignment material 5 should take and the current position of the alignment material 5 are compared. Then, when these positions are different, the position of the alignment material 5 is changed to a required position.

Here, consider a state in which the sheets 2 are already stacked and stored in the tray 3. In this case, if the position of the alignment material 5 is changed to a position close to the sheet stacking and storage position 14, there is a risk that an accident such as damage to the sheet 2 may occur. For this reason,
In this case, the position change prevention means 15 prevents the operation of the position change means 11. That is, the determining means 13, based on the sheet size information signal 10 and the position information signal 8,
It is determined that the change in the position of the alignment material 5 is a change to a position close to the sheet stacking and storage position 14, and a determination signal 12 is output. On the other hand, the sheet accumulation detection means 7 outputs a sheet accumulation detection signal 6. Then, the position changing means 15 blocks the operation of the position changing means 11 when the discrimination signal 12 and the sheet accumulation detection signal 6 are input.

"Example" An embodiment of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

First, the outline of the recording paper stacking device according to this embodiment will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 2, the recording paper 17 sent out from the recording section 16 (see FIG. 3) is conveyed by a conveyance mechanism 18.

Then, this recording paper 17 is peeled off from the conveyance mechanism 18 by a peeling/discharging mechanism 19 and discharged onto a paper discharging tray 20 .

The recording paper 17 discharged in this way is transferred to the pressure roll 2
1 and an alignment stopper 22, and are stacked. Here, the alignment stopper 22 is previously transferred to a required position corresponding to the size of the recording paper 17 by a transfer mechanism 23. As shown in FIG. 3, this transfer mechanism 23 is controlled based on the recording paper size information signal 24 sent from the recording paper R16 that supplies the recording paper 17, etc. i! s 25 does.

Next, each part of this recording paper stacking device will be explained in detail.

As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of frames 26 (the frame on the near side is not shown) are vertically installed facing each other. A transport mechanism 18 and a support platform elevating mechanism 27 are provided between the frames 26 . The transport mechanism 18 transports the recording paper 17 supplied from the recording section from above to below.

The support platform elevating mechanism 27 is for elevating and lowering the support platform 28 . The support stand 28 is configured by a pair of side plates (the front side plate is not shown) fixed to each other. This support stand 28
A peeling/discharging mechanism 19 is provided between the side plates, and includes a pair of nip rolls 30 that rotate in the direction of arrow 29, and a peeling claw 31 whose free end projects into the recording paper conveying path of the conveying mechanism 18.

The paper ejection tray 20 receives and stacks the recording paper 17 ejected from the peeling ejection mechanism 19.
It is fixed at 6. On the top surface of this paper ejection tray 20,
A recording paper stacking surface 32 is formed that is slightly inclined downward. On this recording paper stack surface 32, the recording paper 17
A recording paper sensor 33 is attached to detect whether or not paper is loaded. Further, an alignment stopper 22 is mounted substantially perpendicular to this recording paper stack surface 32 so as to be movable in the front and rear directions (the forward direction indicated by arrow 34 and the backward direction indicated by arrow 35). This alignment stopper 22
In the movement range of 8, corresponding to the size of the recording paper 17.
A 5 size position, an A4 size position, and an 84 size position are set. In the figure, the position of the alignment stopper 22 shown by the solid line is the 85 size position, the position 36 of the alignment stopper 22 shown by the chain line is the A4 size position, and the position 37 of the alignment stopper 22, also shown by the chain line, is the 84 size size position. It's the location. The position sensors 38, 39, and 40 detect when the alignment stopper 22 is at the 85-size position, the A4-size position, and the 84-size position, respectively. Further, on the lower surface of the paper discharge tray 20, there is provided a transport mechanism 23 for transporting the alignment stopper 22 between the 85 size position and the B4 size position.

A support arm 41 is pivotally attached to the upper part of the support base 28 by a shaft 42, and this support arm 41 is connected to a stopper (
(not shown), the recording paper stack surface 3 of the paper output tray 20 is
2, and is rotatable in the direction of arrow 43. Further, a short arm 44 is attached to one end of the shaft 42.
The base of is fixed. This short arm 44 is connected to the support base 2.
When the pin 8 is raised, the pin 4 fixed to the frame 26
5 to rotate the support arm 41 in the direction of arrow E043.

A sensor 47 for detecting the stack amount of the recording paper 17 is provided at the free end of the mounting member 46 whose base is fixed to the support arm 41 . A base of a slide member 48 is slidably attached to the support arm 41, and a paper discharge tray 2 is disposed near the free end of the slide member 48.
A pressure roll 21 for pressing the recording paper 17 on the paper 17 with its own weight is pivotally mounted. A guide roll 50 that can come into contact with the wall surface 49 of the alignment stopper 22 is pivotally attached to the free end of the support arm 41 .

In this way, the paper alignment mechanism 51 is
is configured. This paper alignment mechanism 51 is normally stopped at a non-operating position 52 shown by a chain line, that is, a position where the short arm 44 engages with the pin 45 and the support arm 41 is rotated counterclockwise.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the recording paper stacking device 53 is
Control unit 2 that controls the operation of the transfer mechanism 23 (see Figure 2)
It is equipped with 5. This control section 25 includes a recording paper sensor 3.
3, the recording paper detection signal 54 is manually inputted to the position sensor 38.
．． 39.40 to matching stopper detection signal 55.56.5
7 is input. The memory 58 also contains error 7, which will be described later.
It holds the lug 59. The timer 60 performs a timing operation, which will be described later. The transfer instruction signal 61 is a signal that instructs the transfer of the alignment stopper 22, and is a signal that instructs the transfer of the alignment stopper 22.
is output to the transfer mechanism 23.

The recording unit 16 also has a control system that performs various control operations on the recording unit 16. 11 parts 62 are provided. A recording paper size information signal 24, an alignment stopper position information signal 63, and a warning signal 64 are exchanged between the control section 25 of the recording paper stacking device 53 and the control section 62 of the recording section 16.

Next, the operation of the present recording paper stacking device will be explained using FIGS. 2 to 5.

The control f162 of the recording 11s16 sends the recording paper size information signal 24 to the recording paper stacking device 53 before starting the supply of the recording paper 17.

The control unit 25 of the recording paper stopper device 53 monitors the reception of this recording paper size information signal 24 (step ■).
. When this recording paper size information signal 24 is received, it is checked whether or not the error flag 59 is held in the memory 58 (step 2). This error 7 lag 59 is
As will be described later, this is stored in the memory 58 when an error occurs. If the error flag 59 is held in the memory 58, it is assumed that there was an error state previously and the error state has not been cleared, and error processing is performed (step (2)). That is, the control section 25 controls the recording section 16
An error signal (warning signal) 64 is sent to the server, and the process is terminated without performing the following procedure.

If the error flag 59 is not held in the memory 58, it is assumed that there is no error state, and the control unit 25 detects the position of the alignment stopper 22 (step 2). That is, it is checked whether any of the alignment stopper detection signals 55, 56, and 57 are output from the position sensors 38, 39, and 40.

If any of the matching stopper detection signals 55, 56, 57 is output, the position sensor 38, 39, .
The position corresponding to 40 is the alignment stopper current position (SOLD
).

At this time, the alignment stopper 22 is not necessarily the position sensor 38 .
It does not necessarily mean that the vehicle is stopped at the position detected at 39.40. For example, in the previous operation, if the power was turned off while the alignment stopper 22 was being transferred from the 35 size position to the A4 size position, the alignment stopper 22
This means that it is stopped between the 5 size position and the A4 size position. In this state, the position sensor 38.39
．． Matching stopper detection signal 55.56 from any of 40
．． 57 is not output. In this case, the control B25 moves the alignment stopper 22 to the initial position.

This transfer operation will be explained using an example in which the initial position is set to the 34-size size position.

First, the control unit 25 sets a reference time in the timer 60 and starts measuring time (step 2). This reference time is a time set corresponding to the transport distance, and serves as a reference for monitoring the transport time, which will be described later. In the case of transfer to the initial position, the reference time is the maximum transfer distance of the alignment stopper 22, that is, 85 mm from the 85 size position.
The transport distance to the 4-size size position is set. Next, the control unit 25 starts sending a transfer instruction signal 61 to the transfer mechanism 23 instructing transfer in the backward direction 35 (step
). The transfer mechanism 23 receives this transfer instruction signal 61 and operates a motor (not shown) to transfer the alignment stopper 22 in the backward direction 35. When the alignment stopper 22 reaches the 84 size position, the position sensor 40 detects this and outputs an alignment stopper detection signal 57. The control B25 monitors whether or not the transfer is completed within the reference time, that is, whether or not the matching stopper detection signal 57 is output (steps ①, ①). If the transfer is not completed within the standard time,
The control unit 25 performs predetermined error processing (step 2).

If the transfer is completed within the reference time, the control section 25 stops sending the transfer instruction signal 61 to the transfer mechanism 23 (step 2). As a result, the motor of the transfer mechanism 23 stops operating, and the transfer of the alignment stopper 22 to the initial position is completed. Then, the control unit 25 clears the timer 60 and sets it in step Q). is set at the 84 size position (step 0).

Next, the control unit 25 outputs the recording paper size information (Swvw) and S indicated by the recording paper size information signal 24. Compare LD (stack 0, [present]).

S) If +1w and 5oto match, control a'32
5 sends the alignment stopper position information signal 63 to the recording unit 16 without moving the alignment stopper 22 (step ■)
. A display section (not shown) is provided on the recording section 16 side, and the size is displayed based on the alignment stopper position information signal 63.

S□1 is S. If it is larger than LD, the control 825 operates the timer 60 (step ■) and also controls the reverse direction 3.
Transfer mechanism 23 of transfer instruction signal 61 instructing transfer to 5
(Step O).

SOW is S. If it is smaller than LD, the control unit 25 checks whether the recording paper detection signal 54 is output from the recording paper sensor 33 (step 0). Recording paper stack surface 3
If the alignment store 22 is moved forward with the recording paper 17 loaded on the recording paper 17, the recording paper 17 may be damaged. Therefore, if the recording paper detection signal 54 is output, error handling is performed without moving the alignment stopper 22 (step 2). If the recording paper detection signal 54 is not output, the timer 60 is operated (step Φ), and the sending of the transfer instruction signal 61 instructing the transfer in the forward direction 34 to the transfer mechanism 23 is started (step 0).

The transfer mechanism 23 moves the alignment stopper 2 by receiving the above transfer instruction signal 61 in steps O to (3).
2 in a forward direction 34 or a backward direction 35. Thereafter, the alignment stopper 22 is transferred by the same operations as described above (steps @ to ■), and the size is displayed (step 0).

Seeing this size display, the operator starts the operation of the recording section 16. Then, the support base 28 first descends, and as a result of this descent, the support arm 41 rotates clockwise from the position indicated by the chain line. During this rotation, the slide member 48 slides along the support arm 41 toward the free end. The support stand 28 is
The sensor 47 stops the printer near the paper discharge tray 20 and waits.

Note that the slide member 48 is pushed against the alignment stopper 22 by its own weight.
When sliding to the side, the guide roll 50 faces the top of the alignment stopper 22. As a result, the pressing roller 21 is automatically set at a predetermined position on the paper discharge tray 20 by simply lowering the support stand 28.

The recording paper 17 transported by the transport device 18 is transported by the peeling claw 3.
1, the sheet is peeled off from the conveyance device 18, and further discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 20 by the nip rolls 30. Then, the leading edge 65 of the recording paper 17 comes into contact with the wall surface 49 of the alignment stack 22 and is aligned, and the recording paper 17 is stacked in this state. The actuator 66 of the sensor 47 is in contact with the recording paper 17 on the paper output tray 20, and gradually rotates as the stack amount of the recording paper 17 on the paper output tray 20 increases, and the sensor 47 detects this. do. The support base 28 is raised by this detection by the sensor 47.

As shown in FIG. 5, as the stack amount of the recording paper 17 on the paper discharge tray 20 increases, the leading edge 65 of the recording paper 17 is displaced forward (to the right in FIG. 2) and the nip roll 3
0 and the wall surface 49 of the alignment stopper 22 increases, and the upper part of the alignment stopper 22 experiences a maximum displacement of β. However, when the support base 28 is raised, the guide roll 50 of the slide member 48 moves against the wall surface 49 of the alignment stopper 22.
The slide member 48 moves up according to the alignment stopper 2.
Move forward slightly to the 2nd side. This movement of the slide member 48 allows the pressure roll 21 to be always positioned at a constant distance from the alignment stopper 22, so that the recording paper 17 on the paper output tray 20 can be aligned regardless of the stack amount of the recording paper 17. Actions can be performed with high precision.

In the above description, the operation of the paper alignment/mechanism 51 was explained taking as an example the case where the alignment stopper 22 is at the 85 size position.
Even in the case of the 4-size size position, the pressure roll 21 can be placed at a predetermined position by a similar operation.

When the recording paper has been stacked onto the paper output tray 20,
The support base 2 is detected by a switch or sensor (not shown).
8 is raised to the upper limit position. During this upward movement, the short arm 44 engages with the pin 45 and does not rotate counterclockwise2.
As the support arm 41 rotates in the same direction, the slide member 48 slides toward the support stand 28 side. Paper alignment mechanism 51
rotates to the non-operating position 52, the paper output tray 2
The recording paper 17 on the top can be easily taken out from the paper discharge tray 20.

According to this embodiment, the alignment stopper 22 can be moved to a desired position under the control of the control section 25 in the recording paper stacking device. Moreover, since the pressure roll 21 is slidably attached to the support arm 41 via the slide member 48, the pressure roll 21 moves as the alignment stopper 22 moves, ensuring accurate paper alignment accuracy. can. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to realize a recording paper stopper device that does not require any manual operation.

Further, according to the embodiment described above, the position of the alignment stopper 22 is changed by moving the alignment stopper 22 to a desired position by the transfer mechanism 23, but there is also an embodiment shown in FIG. 6, for example. There is. In this embodiment, the paper ejection tray 67 has an alignment stepped portion 68 formed at the 84 size position. Also, the alignment stopper 69.70 is located at the 85 size position and A4 size position on the paper output tray 67.
is attached so that it can rotate freely through the required angle. The alignment stops 69.70 include alignment stops 69.7, respectively.
A rotation mechanism 7172 for rotating 0 in forward and reverse directions is attached.

The control unit (not shown) controls the rotation mechanism 71,
When the size of the recording paper (not shown) is 85, the alignment stopper 69 is raised perpendicular to the recording paper stack surface 73 of the paper discharge tray 67. When the size of the recording paper is A4, the alignment stopper 69 is laid down and the alignment stopper 70 is erected. If the recording paper size is 84,
Lay down alignment stop 69.70. At this time, when raising the alignment stoppers 69 and 70, the presence or absence of recording paper on the recording paper stack surface 73 is checked using a recording paper sensor (not shown). If there is recording paper, error processing is performed in the same manner as in the previous embodiment. If there is no recording paper, the alignment stops 69, 70 are normally raised.

"Effects of the Invention" As explained above, according to the present invention, the current position of the alignment material is detected by the position detection means, and the current position of the alignment material is detected based on the position information signal and the sheet dimension information signal input from the sheet feeding device. , the position of the alignment member can be changed to a desired position by the position changing means.

In addition, when sheets are already stored in the tray and the position of the aligning material is to be changed to a position close to the sheet stacking storage position, the sheet stacking/accommodation detection means and discrimination means detect this fact, and The change preventing means prevents the position changing means from changing its position. Therefore, the danger of damaging the matching material can be avoided.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize a sheet stacking and storing apparatus having a function of changing the alignment material position without requiring manual operation.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view showing a recording paper stacking device according to an embodiment of the present invention,
Figure 3 is the same (a block diagram showing the control system of the recording paper stacking device), Figure 4 is the same (a flowchart showing the operating procedure of the recording paper stacking device), and Figure 5 is the same (a flowchart showing the operating procedure of the recording paper stacking device), and Figure 5 is the same (a block diagram showing the control system of the recording paper stacking device). FIG. 6 is a side view showing the operation of a recording paper stacking device according to another embodiment of the present invention. 1. Sheet feeding device; 2. Sheet; 3... 1 tray, 4... Edge of sheet, 5... Alignment material, 6... Sheet accumulation detection signal, 7... ... Sheet accumulation detection means, 8 ... Position information signal, 9 ... Position detection means, 10 ... Sheet dimension information signal, 11 ...
・Position changing means, 12...Discrimination signal, 13...Discrimination means, 14...Sheet accumulation storage position. Applicant: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Agent

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A tray for stacking and accommodating sheets supplied from a sheet feeding device, and an aligning member provided on the tray so that its position can be changed and abutting against the edges of the sheets to align the edges. , sheet accumulation detection means for detecting the accumulation of sheets in the receiving tray and outputting a sheet accumulation detection signal; position detection means for detecting the position of the aligning material and outputting a position information signal; a position changing means for changing the position of the alignment material based on the sheet dimension information signal and the position information signal; The method further includes: a discriminating means for discriminating that it is a change and outputting a discriminating signal; and a position change preventing means for inhibiting the operation of the position changing means when the discriminating signal and the sheet accumulation detection signal are input. Features: Sheet stacking and storage device.