JPH04122558U - sorter - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] Introducing a sheet carried out from an image forming apparatus, conveying the sheet in a nearly horizontal direction, and then conveying the sheet almost vertically upward, and sorting the conveyed sheets by a branching means and arranging them in multiple stages. In a sorter for sorting and storing images into a plurality of bins, the structure of the plurality of sorters connectable to an image forming apparatus main body is simplified, and the connection of each sorter is facilitated. [Structure] In a bin fixed type sorter, a first sorter that can be directly connected to the main body of an image forming apparatus is composed of a downward conveyance section, a horizontal conveyance section, an upward conveyance section, and a plurality of bins; A sorter characterized in that the second and subsequent sorters connected to the first sorter have the same structure as the first sorter except for the downward conveyance section.

Description

[Detailed explanation of the idea]

0001

[Industrial application field]

This idea is based on image forming equipment such as copying machines, printing machines, and laser beam printers. Automatically collates a large number of sheets attached to the image forming device and output from the image forming device. (sorting) and sorting (grouping) and storing them in each bin. In particular, it concerns bin-fixed sorters that allow multiple sorters to be connected. Ru.

0002

[Conventional technology]

Automatically prints multiple sheets (copy paper) ejected from image forming devices such as copying machines The sorter methods for collating and sorting are fixed bin method and all bin moving method. There is a system that moves the opening for each bottle.

0003 With the bin-fixing method, the image forming device prints multiple recording sheets from multiple originals. When creating images, the sheets delivered from the image forming apparatus are sequentially transferred to the receiving section of the sorter. During this transport, a portion consisting of a large number of bins is Operation of the branch guide (switching gate) installed at the sheet receiving port of each bin of the distribution device are taken into each bin in an orderly manner and assembled, and the maximum number of pieces is as many as the number of bins. Department record sheets are arranged.

0004 This bin fixed type sorter has the advantage of being able to store a relatively large number of bins, and Consoles have advantages such as fast response speed and the ability to connect multiple It is widely used in high-speed copying machines. For example, approximately 50 sheets can be stored in multiple sorting bins. sheets, but approximately 250 sheets can be stacked in each non-sort tray. I can do that.

[0005]

[Problem that the idea aims to solve]

ejected from the image forming apparatus and received by the bin fixed type sorter. Sheets are conveyed at high speed through the downward conveyance path, horizontal conveyance path, and upward conveyance path within the sorter. and transported into each of the bins or non-sort trays.

[0006] The number of bins in the sorter is generally a maximum of 20 bins, and the number of sheet bundles is 20 or more. To store the sorters that are ejected from the image forming device, connect multiple sorters in multiple stages. Sheets are sorted and stored in each bin in sequence.

[0007] However, conventionally, the first sorter is directly connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus, and the first sorter is connected directly to the image forming apparatus main body. The structure is different from the second sorter connected to the sorter because the sheet conveyance path is different. Further, a dual adapter was required to connect the above sorters to each other. this This increases the cost of the sorter and requires additional work and labor when installing a second sorter. Troublesome work such as product installation is required.

[0008]

[Means to solve the problem]

This idea aims to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it We provide a sorter that facilitates expansion, reduces manufacturing costs, and simplifies parts management. The purpose is to

[0009] The sorter of this invention that achieves the above purpose is a sorter that can handle sheets that are carried out from an image forming apparatus. a downward conveyance section that introduces the sheet and conveys the sheet to a horizontal conveyance section below; A horizontal conveyance section that conveys the sheet almost horizontally, and an upward conveyance section that conveys the sheet almost vertically upward. The sheets conveyed from the conveyance section and the upward conveyance section are sorted and stored in each bin. It consists of a plurality of bins arranged in multiple stages and can be connected to the paper output section of the image forming apparatus. The second and subsequent sorters that are additionally connected to the first sorter that can be and has the same structure as the first sorter.

0010

【Example】

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a sorter connected to the main body 1 of an image forming apparatus (for example, a copying machine). Ru. The sorter of the present invention includes a base section 10, a downward conveyance section 20, an upward conveyance section 30, and a bin transfer section. It is composed of a moving part 40.

0012 The base section 10 is connected to the image forming apparatus main body 1 by connecting means 102, 103, and It is installed on the floor by the stand 11A and legs 11B. On the upper surface side of the base portion 10, the lower The up transport section 20 and the up transport section 30 are fixedly installed, and the bin moving section 40 is movable in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper. It is. Also, inside the base section 10, a lower guide plate 12, a conveyor belt 13, a drive roller 131, a conveyance roller consisting of a driven roller 132, a tension roller 133, and a plurality of pressure rollers. 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, upper guide plate 15, sheet conveyance drive means and bin transfer A means of movement is provided.

[0013] A stay member 16A is fixed to the base portion (horizontal conveyance portion) 10 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. It is set up. A rack gear RG is fixed to the upper surface side of the stay member 16A. .

[0014] Inside the casing of the bin moving unit 40, rollers 17A and 17B for moving the casing are supported pivotally. The rollers 17A, 17B slide on the rails 16B of the base section 10 and move the housing of the bottle moving section 40. The body can be moved in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper.

[0015] A drive motor M1 is installed inside the housing of the bin moving unit 40, and a worm motor Drives and rotates pinion gear PG via gear G1 and reduction gear train G2, G3, G4. Ru. The pinion gear PG meshes with the rack gear RG fixed to the stay member 16A. Therefore, due to the driving rotation of the motor M1, the casing of the bin moving unit 40 is rotated in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper. Move in the direction. In addition, 18 is a freely rotatable roller installed coaxially with the pinion gear PG. The roller 18 rolls into contact with the stay member 16A and guides it.

[0016] Next, the downward conveyance section 20 is connected to the paper ejection roller 2 and paper ejection port 3 of the image forming apparatus main body 1. However, it is fixedly installed on the base 101 of the base section 10. Inside the casing of the downward conveyance section 20 , the conveyor belt 22 stretched between the driving roller 23A and the driven roller 23B is rotatable. The discharged sheet S is received by the guide plate 21 and conveyed downward to the base. It is fed into the horizontal conveyance path in section 10. Also, branching from this conveyance path, ADF and When a jam occurs in the sorter, the preceding sheet in the image forming apparatus main body 1 is ejected. A conveying means 24 and a tray 25 are provided.

[0017] The upward conveyance section 30 is connected to a driving roller 32 at the bottom of the support frame and a driven roller 33 at the top. , several endless conveyor belts 31 are stretched. Inside the conveyor belt 31, , a plurality of rollers 34 corresponding to the later-described bottle insertion opening are rotatably in contact with each other. A plurality of conveyor rollers 35 are in rolling contact with the outer side of the conveyor belt 31 facing the roller 34. Rotates as a result of rotation.

[0018] In addition, branch guides 36 are located at the entrances of the bins in the middle of the conveyance rollers 35. Place and rock. These branch guides 36 are provided at the shaft end of the rotating shaft 37. Not swung by swing lever and solenoid. Therefore, the branch guide 36 By rotating clockwise, the lower end claw of the branch guide 36 connects to the conveyor belt 31. The paper is moved vertically upward by crossing the paper transport path consisting of the transport roller 35. The branching guide 36 adjusts the paper receiving attitude. Paper S is transported there. When the sheet S is deflected in a substantially right angle direction along the inner curved surface of the branching guide 36, and is accepted into bin 41.

[0019] In other words, the paper S (dotted chain line in the figure) transported at high speed to the upward conveyance section 30 of the sorter is , is lifted up between the conveyor belt 31 and the conveyor roller 35, and is activated by a solenoid. The bin 41 is deflected to the right by the branch guide 36 which is swung clockwise, and the bin 41 is erected. The paper passes above the stopper wall 41S, rises to the right along the slope of the bin 41, and After the rear end of the paper S passes above the stopper wall 41S, the paper S is lowered from rising. The paper S slides down on the surface of the bin 41 due to its own weight, and the rear end of the paper S hits the stopper. It hits wall 41S and stops.

[0020] For sorters equipped with a stapler device, the main body of the image forming device must be a bin moving unit 40 that moves and positions the paper ejected from 1 to one side reference position; , an alignment device that aligns paper stacks stored in multiple bins 41 against one reference wall. 50, a paper holding device that presses the stack of paper stacked on each bin, and a paper holding device that presses the stack of paper stacked on each bin, and A bin moving device 70 that moves the bin to the stapling position and drives the staples electrically. The stapler device 80, the bin swinging device 70, and the stapler device 80 are integrated and driven vertically. A lifting device is provided.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which two sorters are connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus. 3 is a front view of the double sorter.

[0022] The first sorter connected to the paper discharge section of the image forming apparatus main body 1 includes a downward conveyance section 20, It is composed of a horizontal transport section 10, an upward transport section 30, and a bin moving section 40. Horizontal conveyance above Front and back of the lower part of the base 101 of the unit 10 facing the side of the image forming apparatus main body 1 Positioning pins 102 of the connecting means are fixed at two locations. The positioning pin 102 is removably inserted into the hole of the connection means 103 fixed at the bottom of the image forming apparatus main body 1. between the paper ejection section of the image forming apparatus main body and the paper introduction section of the downward conveyance section 20 of the sorter. Position in the vertical and longitudinal directions.

[0023] After positioning both devices, the horizontal adjustment of the first sorter is performed using legs 11B that can be raised and lowered. Then, fix the image forming apparatus main body 1 and the base part 10 using a fixing plate (not shown). to complete the hemming of the first sorter.

[0024] The second sorter connected to the first sorter includes a horizontal conveyance section 10, an upward conveyance section 30, It consists of a bin moving section 40, and except for the descending conveyance section 20 from the first sorter, everything else is It has a common structure with the first sorter.

[0025] A connection similar to that of the first sorter is also provided at the lower right side of the second sorter (see Figure 3). The positioning pin 102 of the stage is fixedly installed, and the connecting handle is fixedly installed at the lower left side of the first sorter. It is inserted into the hole of step 104 and positioned. Further, the first and second sorters are After positioning and adjustment, it is fixed by a fixing plate (not shown).

[0026] FIG. 4 is a front sectional view of the double sorter, and FIG. 5 is a front sectional view of the horizontal conveyance section. A branch gate plate 19 swings automatically around a swing shaft 191 on the downstream side of the transport belt 13. Currently supported. The branch gate plate 19 is oscillated by a solenoid (not shown). an ascending sheet conveyance path leading to the upward conveyance section 30 and a horizontal path leading to the second sorter. Branches into a conveyance path. 192 is a fixed lower guide plate, which forms a paper ejection path 135 do. It should be noted that out of the entrance section 134 and paper discharge path 135, unused openings are covered with shielding plates. 136 to prevent foreign matter from entering.

[0027] The branch gate plate 19 is normally located at the position shown by the solid line in FIG. The paper S conveyed by is guided upward along the upper guide plate 15, and then Store it in the bin 41 of the container.

[0028] After the sheets S are stored in all the bins 41 of the first sorter, the branch gate The plate 19 is swung by a solenoid to the position shown by the broken line in FIG. is closed and the horizontal conveyance path is opened. Therefore, it is transported by the transport belt 13. The paper S that has been It passes through the formed horizontal transport path and is transported to the entrance part 134 of the horizontal transport section 10 of the second sorter. The fixed branch gate plate 19 and the upper guide plate 15 are transferred through the horizontal conveyance section 10 It passes through the conveyance path and rises, and is stored in the bin 41.

[0029] In this way, the sheets S are sequentially stored in each bin 41 of the second sorter, and then placed in the first sorter. A maximum of 40 sets of paper can be stored separately, including the sorter bin.

[0030] Although a double sorter is shown in the above embodiment, a second sorter having the same structure as the second sorter may also be used. It is also possible to connect three sorters to sort and store stacks of paper of up to 60 copies, for example. Ru.

[0031]

[Effect of the idea]

As explained above, according to the present invention, multiple units connectable to the main body of the image forming apparatus Since all sorters have the same basic configuration, manufacturing costs can be reduced. , simplifies additional work when adding a second or later sorter, and simplifies maintenance management. be effective.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a sorter connected to an image forming apparatus main body.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which two sorters are connected to the main body of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the double sorter.

FIG. 4 is a front sectional view of the sheet conveyance system of the double sorter.

FIG. 5 is a front sectional view of the horizontal conveyance section.

[Explanation of symbols]

1... Image forming apparatus main body 10... Base part (horizontal conveyance part) 101... Base 102... Connection means (positioning pin) 103,104... Connection means (hole) 12... Lower guide plate 13... Conveyance belt 131... Drive roller 132...Followed roller 134...Entrance section 135...Paper discharge path 136...Shielding plate 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D...Press roller 15...Upper guide plate 19...Branch gate plate 191...Swing shaft 192...Lower guide plate 20 ... Downward transport section 30 ... Upward transport section 40 ... Bin moving section (moving housing) 41 ... Bin 80 ... Stapler device S ... Paper (sheet)

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A downward conveyance section that introduces a sheet carried out from an image forming apparatus and conveys the sheet to a horizontal conveyance section below; a horizontal conveyance section that conveys the sheet in a substantially horizontal direction; an upward conveyance section for almost vertically upward conveyance;
It consists of a plurality of bins arranged in multiple stages for sorting and storing sheets conveyed from the upstream conveyance section into respective bins, and is additionally connected to a first sorter connectable to the paper discharge section of the image forming apparatus. A sorter characterized in that the second and subsequent sorters have the same structure as the first sorter except for the downward conveyance section.