JPH0493198A - Punch - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a remarkably quick response speed by transmitting the dimensional distortion of an electricity-machine sensing element with its amplification to a punching member and also providing a magnifying mechanism which executes the punching motion of the punching member. CONSTITUTION:A punching member 78 arranged corresponding to a transfer pass for punching at the specified position of a sheet decided by a position deciding means, a piezoelectric element 80 which generates a dimensional distortion by a piezoelectric effect and the electricity - machine sensing element of a magnetostrictive element, etc., which generates a dimensional distortion by the magnetic force, are provided. Then, the dimensional distortion of this electricity - machine sensing element 80 is transmitted to the punching member 78 with magnification by a magnifying mechanism 82 and also the punching motion of the punching member 78 is executed.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention is a method for receiving sheet-like members such as cards and copy paper (hereinafter simply referred to as sheets) one by one and placing them at desired positions on the sheets for filing, etc. It relates to punches that punch holes in paper, especially automatic paper feeders (APF)
), a punch suitable for installation in a plain paper copying machine (RPC), etc.

[Prior Art] Generally, when punching holes for filing or the like on a sheet of copy paper, etc., a manual or electric punch is used to punch one or more sheets in a predetermined position. Set it up and do it. Then, to move the sheet to a predetermined position, use the positioning guide and center mark provided on the punch as a guide, and adjust the positioning guide to adjust the size of the sheet and punch from the edge of the sheet. The distance to the hole, etc. can be adjusted.

On the other hand, in recent years, with the widespread use of office equipment that processes sheets, such as plain paper copiers (PPC) and automatic paper feeders (APF), as well as their increased speed and efficiency, the need for filing after copy processing has increased. There is also a need to perform punch processing quickly and efficiently. As a solution to this problem, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 121862/1983 proposes to install a perforator on the paper output side of a copying machine, so that the copy paper that has been copied and discharged one by one by the paper output roller is A structure has been proposed in which a punching member is operated in synchronization with the timing of the paper being ejected by a cam interlocked with the paper ejection roller to perform punching.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] When punching multiple sheets using a conventional manual or electric punch, it is necessary to overlap the sheets and align them accurately. There is a problem that the file may not be aligned properly when it is created. Additionally, punching multiple sheets at once may cause curling or burrs around the punched holes, so even if this is not a problem when filing, it is especially important to use an automatic paper feeder (A) when copying again.
When used in a copying machine equipped with PF), there was a problem in that the sheets could not be conveyed smoothly due to the effects of scratches and creases on the sheets.

On the other hand, in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-121862, since the copied paper is punched one by one before being discharged to the copy tray, paper handling when punching multiple sheets at once is difficult. The second problem is solved,
This is compatible with the streamlining of current administrative processes. However, in the configuration disclosed herein, the punching member that performs punching forms the punch holes on the paper by obtaining a mechanical two-part stroke by the operation of a cam that is linked to the paper ejection roller. , and the perforations are made while the copy paper is in motion.

Therefore, if the paper feeding speed is too fast, the vertical movement of the perforating member cannot follow it, and this poses a problem in that increasing the copy processing speed on the copying machine side is restricted. In addition, since punching is performed while moving, problems such as the punching member getting caught on the periphery of the punch hole are likely to occur due to the relationship between the time during which the punching member is in contact with the paper during punching and the feeding speed of the paper, resulting in poor quality of punch hole formation. There were also some problems that neither of us could have expected.

The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the conventional configurations described above, and its purpose is to quickly and accurately form punch holes at desired positions on sheets such as copy paper, and to provide automatic paper feeders with It is an object of the present invention to provide a punch that can be attached to equipment such as an APF (APF) or a plain paper copying machine (PPC) and can sufficiently cope with the increased speed of these equipment.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the object described in item 1, the present invention assumes a structure in which sheets such as cards and copy paper are conveyed and punched one by one, and the sheet is not accepted. a detecting means for detecting, a conveying means for sequentially conveying the sheets one by one along a conveying path in accordance with the detection of acceptance of the sheet, and a position determining means for determining a predetermined perforation position of the sheet conveyed by the conveying means. and a perforating member disposed corresponding to the conveyance path for perforating the sheet at a predetermined position determined by the position determining means, and a piezoelectric element that generates dimensional distortion due to piezoelectric effect, and a dimensional correction member that generates dimensional distortion by magnetic force. A perforation means comprising an electro-mechanical transducer such as a magnetostrictive element that generates strain, and an enlargement mechanism that enlarges and transmits the dimensional strain of the electro-mechanical transducer to the perforation member and causes the perforation member to perform a perforation operation. This paper proposes a punch characterized by a configuration including the following.

Further, in the present invention, the conveyance means includes a feed roller mechanism that is movable between a pressing position where the sheet is conveyed while being pressed between the sheets and an open position where the sheet is separated from the sheet, and the position determining means includes: A configuration has been proposed that includes a roller moving mechanism for temporarily moving the feed roller mechanism to an open position when determining a drilling position, and further, the roller moving mechanism includes an actuating member coupled to the feed roller mechanism. , an electromechanical transducer element such as a piezoelectric element that generates dimensional strain due to piezoelectric effect or a magnetostrictive element that generates dimensional strain due to magnetic force; A configuration is also proposed that includes an enlarging mechanism that carries out enlarged transmission and moves the feed roller mechanism.

[Function] In the punch of the present invention having the above configuration, an electro-mechanical conversion element is applied as a drive source for operating the punching member, and dimensional distortion due to the electrical strain effect of the element is transmitted through the enlarging mechanism. Since the configuration is such that the response speed for operating the drilling member (the time from the determination of a predetermined drilling position by the position determining means to the activation of the drilling member and the return time after completion of drilling) is controlled by the cam, etc. It is much faster than a mechanical drive source using a solenoid or an electromagnetic drive source using a solenoid. It can fully correspond to the processing speed of sheet processing equipment such as In particular, it is possible to cope with the case where a plurality of punch holes are continuously punched in the sheet feeding direction on the sheets 1 to 1 without any problem.

Furthermore, since the expansion mechanism is used to expand the dimensional distortion of the electro-mechanical transducer and transmit it to the perforation member, the element itself is small in size and inexpensive. Furthermore, when forming punch holes in a continuously fed sheet, the positioning means stops and positions the sheet at a predetermined punching position, and the punching means performs the punching in this state. , because the response speed of the perforating member is fast,
It is fully compatible with the processing speed of sheet processing equipment such as APF and PPC, and the punching operation is performed while the sheet is substantially stationary, ensuring that there are no problems such as the punching member getting caught on the periphery of the punched hole and causing creases. is prevented by
More accurate and beautiful punch holes can be formed.

[Example] Fig. 1 shows a punch according to the present invention in an automatic paper feeder (hereinafter referred to as
(called APF) to cut and seam to a specified size.
This figure shows a mode in which the sheet P is conveyed as indicated by the arrow and punching is performed at a desired position on the sheet P.

In the figure, 10 is a punch according to the present invention, 12 is an APF connected thereto, 14 is a sheet 1 to a supply cassette for supplying sheets 1-P to the APF, and 16 is a discharge tray.

The sheets P are guided by a pair of sheet guides 18 from the cassette 14 and fed one by one into the APF 12 in a vertically elongated state along the center line XX in the transport direction shown by the arrow. The APF 12 automatically feeds the sheets P and sequentially feeds them to the punch O, where punching is performed on the sheet 1-P, and the sheets P are sent out to the discharge 1 to the lay 16.

In this embodiment, an A P F 1.2 is connected to the punch 10 as a feeding device for feeding the sheet 1- to the punch 10, but instead of this A P F 12, an ordinary Connect a paper copying machine (hereinafter referred to as PPC),
A configuration in which the punch 10 is arranged on the discharge side of the PPC is also possible.

In this embodiment, the cassette 14 has two types of cuts.
Showing a configuration in which a seat can be attached, a seat 1 of the illustrated size is guided by a seat guide 18 placed at the solid line position.
~P, and a sheet 1~ (not shown) which is larger in size and is guided in a position where the sheet guide 18 is spread laterally as shown by the chain line.

The seat guide 18 has a known structure that can be adjusted in a so-called sliding manner according to the width of the seat.

If such a sheet P is not punched, holes A will be punched on the sheet P, depending on the filing format, but from a commonly used filing format.

As shown in B and C, the perforation patterns can be summarized into horizontal binding 2-hole type A, vertical binding 2-hole type B, and vertical binding multi-hole type C. In the case of types A and B, the distance between the two holes S, , S2 and the dimension from the seat edge T1. T2 is almost standardized, and it is also standardized that these two holes are located symmetrically with respect to the vertical and horizontal center lines x-x and y-y of the sheet. In addition, the number of holes in vertical binding perforated type C is almost standardized, although there are some differences depending on the filing method, the hole spacing S3 is equal, and the distance T3 from the edge of the sheet to the first hole is also the same. It is generally set to .

The present invention is based on the above-mentioned standardized perforation pattern conditions, and has made it possible to easily and accurately perform punching corresponding to these conditions. For this purpose, an entry detection sensor E for detecting the entry of the sheet P and an ejection detection sensor Z for detecting the ejection are provided on the punch 10.
Punch position AP1 for type A. ．． Detection sensor AS for type A and detection sensor BSI for type B function as position determining means, corresponding to AP2, punch position BP for type B, and punch position CP for type C, respectively.
, BS2. A detection sensor C8 for type C is provided respectively.

Further, as will be described later, the pair of auxiliary guides 20 for controlling the width direction of the sheet P in the punch 10 have a comb-like shape and can be selectively set in the conveyance path of the sheet P as necessary. There is.

Punch positions API and AP2 are symmetrical with respect to the center line x-x, and the spacing is the spacing S1 of two holes to the type
, and the distance between these punch positions and the sensor AS is set equal to the distance T1. Also, punch position B
The distance between P and one of the auxiliary guides 20 is the same as T2 of type B, and the distance between this punch position BP and sensor BSI is the same as the distance T4 from the front edge of sheet P to the first hole of type B. Further, the distance between the punch position BP and the sensor BS2 is set to be equal to the distance s2 between the two holes of type B. Furthermore, the distance between the punch position CP and the sensor O8 is the type C distance T3. Similarly to S3, the distance between the punch position CP and the other auxiliary guide 20 is set to be equal to the distance T5 from the type C perforation to the side edge of the sheet P.

The sensor used here detects the edge of the sheet P and the punched holes, and the sensor is used to detect the edge of the sheet P and the punched holes.
A sensor lever is interposed between the seat and the seat.
It is possible to adopt a configuration in which minute movements corresponding to irregularities at the hole position are detected by an optical detection device such as a photo interlator and a required timing signal is sent out.

As will be described later, a punching device constituting the punching means is arranged at each punching position, and performs a punching operation in response to a signal from a sensor.

Further, the sensor and punch position can be set more accurately by adjusting the mounting position of the sensor and punching device.

In FIGS. 1 to 3, in order to convey the sheet P, a feed roller mechanism 24 and a solenoid 26 that controls the drive timing of the feed roller mechanism 24 and the like are built in the APF 12, and the sheet is driven in response to a start signal of the conveyance cycle. P
is fed into the conveyance path 22 of the punch 10. However, APF
The configuration of l2 itself may be a known one.

The conveyance system in the punch 10 that conveys the sheet 1-P includes a first feed roller mechanism 28 placed on the sheet entry side, a second feed roller mechanism 30 placed on the sheet discharge side, and pulleys and belts connected to these. It has a drive motor 32 that supplies driving force via. The first feed roller mechanism 28 has a fixed shaft 3
a drive roller 36 rotating around 4;
It has a corresponding driven roller 38 across the conveyance path 22,
The roller 38 is connected to a first roller moving mechanism 40 that positions the sheet at a stop. The mechanism 40 includes a solenoid 42 serving as a driving source, an operating lever 44 connecting the solenoid and the roller 38, and a spring 46 that normally holds the roller 38 in the open position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, which is spaced apart from the driving roller 36. has.

On the other hand, the second feed roller mechanism 30 includes a drive roller 50 rotating around a fixed shaft 48 and a conveyance path 22
A corresponding driven roller 52 is provided on both sides of the roller 5.
2 is connected to a second roller moving mechanism 54 that performs stop positioning of the sheet. The mechanism 54 includes a solenoid 56 serving as a driving source, an operating lever 57 connecting the solenoid and the roller 52, and a spring that holds the roller 52 in a pressed position (not shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) that is normally in pressure contact with the driving roller 50. 58
has.

The above-mentioned first and second roller moving mechanisms 40°54 are also the various detection sensors AS mentioned above.

BS, BS2. Together with C5, it constitutes a position determining means.

The conveyance path 22 is formed by a pair of upper and lower guide plates 1 to 60 and 62 that are arranged in parallel with a vertical gap that allows the sheet P to pass smoothly.
0 above-mentioned first and second roller movement mechanisms 40.5
4 is provided, and drive side portions of the first and second feed roller mechanisms 28,30 are provided on the other play 1-62''F side.

Further, a punching device 64 is arranged on the upper guide plate 60, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, which will be described later.
The lower guide plate 62 has the aforementioned auxiliary guide 2.
0 is movably supported.

The structural relationship between the auxiliary guide 20 and the guide plates 60 and 62 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 4) is attached to the guide plate 62 by a support bracket 68 so as to be rotatable around the guide plate 62,
A comb-shaped guide portion 20a is formed at each rotating end portion. On the other hand, the upper and lower guide plates 60°62
, the open lower portions 2 of the elongated sleeves 1 to 2 are formed penetratingly in correspondence with the comb-tooth convex portions 70 of the guide portion 20a, and these open lower portions 2 are arranged in two straight lines at intervals in the conveying direction of the sheet. The distance W (FIG. 5) between the open lowers 2 of both groups corresponds to the width of the sea 1-P.

Both auxiliary guides 20 are configured to operate in response to a signal corresponding to the size of the sheet being fed from the APF 14, and although not shown, they receive a size detection signal from a sensor on the APF 14 and operate according to the size of the sheet fed. When the signal indicates the narrow sheet P shown in the figure, a solenoid 74 is attached to the lower surface of the lower guide plate 62 in correspondence with each guide.
Due to the excitation, both auxiliary guides 20 are attracted and rotated from the solid line position (non-guide position) to the chain line position (guide position) shown in FIG. Then, the guide portion 20a of each guide 20
are inserted into the open lower portions 2 of the upper and lower guide plates 60 and 62 to regulate the width direction of the conveyance path 22 between the two plates.

Therefore, the sheet 1-P passing through the conveyance path 22 is restricted from moving in the width direction, and is guided so as to be conveyed correctly along the center line xx.

When a sheet wider than the sheet P is fed, a corresponding size detection signal causes the solenoid 74 to not be energized and both guides 20 to be held at the non-guide position.

Although not shown, both seats 20 are held in the non-guide position by appropriate slips 1 to 20 so as not to move further downward. Also, both guide plates 60.62
The distance is determined by the spacer 76 (
(Fig. 4).

As described above, the guide portion 20a of the auxiliary guide 20 is shaped like a comb and is configured to engage with the opening lower portion 2 formed on both guide plates 60, 62, so that the guide plate 6
There is no need to provide a long guide hole at 0.62 mm, and weakening of the plate material can be prevented.

A punching device 64 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is installed on the play 1-60 so as to be movable up and down by a support member 77 corresponding to a punch operation hole 76 formed in communication with the guide plays 1-60. A perforation member 78 consisting of a punch claw, a piezoelectric element 80 that generates dimensional distortion due to piezoelectric effect in accordance with applied voltage, and an enlarged transmission of the dimensional distortion of the piezoelectric element 80 to the perforation member 78 to cause the perforation member 78 to It is provided with an enlarging mechanism 82 for performing a drilling operation in the direction shown in FIG. 6). Enlargement mechanism 82
is integrally formed of a metal plate such as steel so as to surround the piezoelectric element 80, and as shown in FIG.
A pair of mounting portions 82a are provided on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric element 80, and each mounting portion 82a is provided on both sides of the piezoelectric element 80.
2a via a hinge portion 82b, and a pair of movable links 82e movably connected to output ends 82c and 82d via hinge portions 82b, respectively.

When vertical dimensional distortion occurs in the piezoelectric element 80 due to the piezoelectric effect as shown in FIG.
The movement is caused by the relationship between each hinge part 82b and the link connecting them, as shown by the dashed line in the figure, from the attachment part 82a. The hinge portions 82b on which the output ends 82c and 82d are located are moved in the direction of bringing them closer to each other.The amount of movement is expanded according to the link ratio and transmitted to the output ends 82c and 82d, moving both output ends to the seventh Move them in the directions facing each other as shown by the arrows in the figure.

However, in the embodiment, since one output end 82d is a fixed end fixed to a base 84 for installing the punching device 64 on the guide plate 1-60, the piezoelectric element 80
The movable claws of both output ends of the two series caused by dimensional distortion are combined and transmitted to the other movable output end 82c, which is transmitted to the lever 86. The proximal end 86a of the lever 86 is pivotally supported on the base 84, and the free end 86b corresponds to the upper end of the piercing member 78, so that the lever 86 is connected to the movable output end 82.
It rotates counterclockwise in Fig. 6 under the force from c. Depending on the lever ratio between the attachment position 88 of the movable output end 82c with respect to the lever 86 and the pivoted base end 86a of the lever 86 and the free end 86b corresponding to the piercing member 78,
The dimensional strain of the piezoelectric element 80 transmitted to the movable output end 82c is further expanded here and transmitted to the punching member 78, whereby the punching operation of the punching member 78 is performed against the return spring 90.

As described above, in the present invention, a so-called piezoelectric actuator that utilizes dimensional distortion due to the piezoelectric effect of the piezoelectric element 80 is used as a drive source for performing the drilling operation of the drilling member 78, so that it is not necessary for cam operation or solenoid drive. In comparison,
It is possible to perform extremely high-speed operation, and its response is on the order of milliseconds when a solenoid is used, but with this piezoelectric actuator, it is on the order of microseconds, making it much faster.

In addition, the amount of strain generated by the piezoelectric element itself is determined by its dimensions, and if used as is without using an expansion mechanism, the dimensions of the piezoelectric element will become large in order to obtain the necessary drilling stroke, or However, since the cost of the elements is high, the cost of the entire device increases to 1. In the present invention, since the dimensional distortion of the piezoelectric element is expanded by the expansion mechanism and transmitted to the perforation member, the size of the piezoelectric element can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced and miniaturization is also possible.

Next, referring to FIG. 8, the second roller moving mechanism 54 that cooperates with the second feed roller mechanism 30 will be briefly described.

A solenoid 56 serving as a driving source for the moving mechanism 54 moves the driven roller 52 in response to the bias of a spring 58 in a non-energized state.
is placed in a pressing position where it is in pressure contact with the drive roller 50, and the transport path 2
The sheet P that has entered the roller 2 is held between both rollers 50 and 52 and is fed in the conveyance direction shown by the arrow. However, when the punch position on P to sea 1 reaches the punch position, the solenoid 56 is energized and momentarily returns to the non-energized state again. When this solenoid is energized, the spring 5
8, the operating lever 57 rotates clockwise around the fixed pivot shaft 59, moves the driven roller 52 to the open position shown by the chain line, releases the pressure on the drive roller 50, and instantaneously returns to its original position. Return to the pressed position. As a result, the sheet P stops at the punching position and is conveyed again in response to the completion of punching. That is, by instantly releasing the driven roller 52 from the pressure of the driving roller 50, the frictional force between the sheet P and the driving roller 5o becomes small. On the other hand, the seas 1 to P and the guide plates 60 and 62
The frictional force that is constantly applied between the sheet P and the drive roller, that is, the conveyance resistance, is larger than the frictional force between the sheet P and the drive roller, so the conveyance force on the sheet P is canceled, and the sheet P
can be stopped instantly. In this way, the perforation position of the sheet P is determined by the roller moving mechanism 54.

FIG. 9 shows a piezoelectric actuator 92 in place of the solenoid 56 serving as the drive source in the roller moving mechanism 54 of FIG.
This shows a modification example in which the following is applied. The piezoelectric actuator 92 has the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 7 applied to the punching device 64, and is composed of a piezoelectric element 94 and an expanding mechanism 96 that surrounds the element 94 and is integrally formed with a hinge and a link. One output end 78 of is a fixed end, the other output end 10
0 is a movable end connected to one end of the operating lever 57.

Therefore, when C+-p reaches a predetermined punch position, a voltage is temporarily applied to the piezoelectric element 94. As a result, dimensional strain shown by the arrow occurs in the element 94, and the magnetostriction is expanded by the expansion mechanism 96 and further expanded by the lever ratio of the actuating lever 57, causing the lever 57 to rotate in the clockwise direction shown by the arrow. Then, the driven roller 52 is instantaneously moved from the pressing position to the release position and returned to the original pressing position, similar to the structure shown in FIG. As a result, the sheet P is positioned at a predetermined punching position as in FIG. 8.

Since the modified example shown in FIG. 9 uses a piezoelectric actuator 92, the response can be made faster than the configuration shown in FIG. 8, so that it can cope with faster punching.

Note that for the first roller moving mechanism 40 as well, a piezoelectric actuator similar to that shown in FIG. 9 may be applied instead of the solenoid 42.

Furthermore, regarding the configuration of the piezoelectric actuator, the configuration shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, especially the expansion mechanism 82.96, is preferable because of its small size and simple structure, but it is not necessarily limited to this, and other A known configuration may also be adopted.

In the above embodiment, a piezoelectric element is used as the drive source for the punching device and the feed roller mechanism, but a magnetostrictive element, which is an electro-mechanical transducer similar to a piezoelectric element, may also be used as the drive source. .

A magnetostrictive element utilizes the magnetostrictive phenomenon that occurs when a magnetic field is applied to a magnetostrictive material via a coil, and, like a piezoelectric element, it has excellent responsiveness.

Next, a series of operations for punching a sheet P using the punch of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 10, and 11.

First, the punch operation control system of the present invention shown in the block diagram in FIG. 10 will be briefly described.
An entry detection sensor E and an ejection detection sensor Z are configured to send detection signals to the controller 102 composed of U.
, sensor AS corresponding to each sheet type A, B, C
.

BSI, BS2. C3 is connected. In addition, in order to transmit the detection signals from each of these sensors from the controller 102 to various drive units, the controller 1 to the roller 102 are equipped with a drive motor 32 for sheet conveyance and a drive motor 32 for the first and second roller moving mechanisms. Solenoid 42.56 and type A,
Punch position API of B and C, AP2. The piezoelectric elements of the punching device placed in BP and CP are driven by drive circuits 104 to 104, respectively.
109. Further, the controller 102 is also connected to a sheet feeding device 12 such as APF or CCP in order to exchange signals regarding sheet 1 to conveyance with the punch of the present invention.

First, when performing type A punching on a sheet P, when the sheet P is fed from the APF 12 to the punch 10, the entrance detection sensor E detects the entrance end of the sheet. Here, a rising signal from the sensor E is transmitted to the APF 12 via the controller 102, and the APF 12
At the same time as the feeding operation is stopped, a drive signal is sent from the controller 102 to the drive circuits 1.04 and 105, the drive motor 32 and the solenoid 42 are activated, and the sheet P is further conveyed within the punch 10. Next, when the rear end of the sheet P passes the sensor E, a falling signal is sent from the sensor E, and a drive stop signal is sent from the controller 102 to the drive circuit 104, thereby causing the driven roller 38 to stop.
moves to the open position and leaves the drive roller 36, but the sheet P is further conveyed by the second feed roller mechanism 30.

When the rear end of the sheet P passes the sensor AS, a detection signal is sent from the sensor AS, and at this timing, a drive signal is sent from the controller 1 to the roller 102 to the drive circuit 107 to punch holes at API and AP2 at the punch position. Device 6
By applying a driving voltage to the four piezoelectric elements 80, two holes are simultaneously punched. In synchronization with this punching operation, the controller 102 causes the drive circuit 106 to
A drive signal is sent to the solenoid 56, the driven roller 52 moves to the open position, and the sheet P is temporarily stopped at the punching position, so that the punching operation is performed while the sheet P is momentarily stopped. A beautiful punched hole is formed without causing problems such as smearing of the periphery of the punched hole by the punching member 78.

In this way, the two punched holes are accurately formed at a distance T from one edge of the seam 1 and at a mutual spacing Sl by setting the mutual positional relationship between the sensor AS and the punch positions API and AP2 as described above. be done.

In addition, by adjusting the mounting position of sensor AS,
The depth position 1'' of the punch hole can be adjusted.

After punching, the sheet 1-P is further conveyed, and when the trailing edge of the sheet passes a sensor Z, a detection signal is sent out from the sensor Z, and the roller 102 sends a detection signal to the drive circuit 1.
A drive stop signal is sent to the motor 3.
2 stops, sheets 1 to P are discharged onto sheets 1 to 16, and the punching process for the minus number of sheets is completed.

During the above process, when the sensor E sends a falling signal, the controller 102 sends a signal to the APF 12 to start the next feeding cycle of sea 1~ in response to the falling signal.
Place the next sheet again from cassettes 1 to 14 and punch 10.
and repeat the above process. or,
If there is no sheet in the cassette 14, the APF 12 will not start and everything will end.

In addition, in the example, type A punching is performed on sheet P.
However, the sensor AS is positioned at the punch position A P 1 in FIG. .

It can also be done at the front end of Sea 1-P by positioning it to the left of AP2.

Next, the case of performing type B punching on the sheet 1-P will be explained with reference to the time chart 1 in FIG. 11.

As in the case of type A described above, when the approach detection sensor E detects the approach end of seas 1 to P, it changes from the OFF state to the ON state and sends out a rising signal, and stops the feeding operation of the APF 12 via the controller 1 to the roller 102. is commanded, and at the same time, a drive signal is sent to the drive circuits 104 and 105, and the motor 3
2 and the solenoid 42 are switched from the OFF state to the ON state and operate, and the sheet is conveyed within the punch 10.

When the leading edge of the sheet P reaches the sensor B S + ,
The sensor BS changes from the ON state to the OFF state, and a falling detection signal is sent out, which causes the controller 1 to
02 sends a drive release signal and a drive signal to the drive circuits 105 and 106, respectively, and the solenoid 56 changes from the OFF state to the ON state, and the solenoid 42 changes from the ON state to the OFF state.
Since the state is instantaneously switched to the F state, the stop position of the sheet 1-P is determined, and at the same time, a drive signal is sent from the controller 102 to the drive circuit 108 to change the punch position BP.
A driving voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 80 of the punching device 64 located at T2.
, a first punch hole is formed at a distance T4 from the front edge of the sheet.

Next, when the sheet P is further conveyed and the first punch hole formed reaches the sensor BS2, the sensor BS2
changes from the OFF state to the ON state and sends out a detection signal,
In the same manner as described above, the solenoids 42 and 56 are actuated instantaneously to position the sheet P to stop, and punching is performed again at the punch position BP to form the second punch hole. Therefore, this punch hole is
The hole is formed at a distance T2 from the side edge of the hole and a distance S2 from the first punch hole.

After punching two holes in the sheet tray as described above, the sheet P is further conveyed, and when the end of the sheet passes the sensor Z, a detection signal is sent from this and the drive motor 32 of the conveyance system is stopped. Sheets 1 to P are discharged to the sheet tray 16, and punching for one sheet is completed.

Note that the command relationship for A PF 1.2, such as a request to feed the next sheet, is the same as for the type.

Further, in this case, by adjusting the mounting positions of the sensors BSL and BS2, the position of each punch hole and the hole interval can be adjusted.

Furthermore, for type A, time chart 1 is not shown, but it can be easily understood from the explanation of type B.

Next, the case where type C punching is performed on C1-P-H will be explained. In this case as well, sensors E and Z detect the approach ends and rear ends of seas 1 to 1 and based on the detection (operations are exactly the same. The approach ends of seas 1 to P are detected by sensor O.
8, a detection signal is sent from the sensor C8, and a drive signal is sent from the controller 102 to the drive circuit 109, whereby a drive voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 80 of the punching device 64 located at the punch position CP. The first punching is then performed at the position CP. That is,
A punch hole is formed at a distance T3 from the front edge of the seat tray and a distance T5 from the side edge of the seat. It should be noted that during this punching, the motor 32 and solenoids 42, 56 are operated to temporarily stop the sheet P to determine the stop position, as in the case of types A and H.

The sheet P is further conveyed, and when the first punched hole reaches the sensor C8, a detection signal is sent again from the sensor C3, and a second punched hole is formed in the sheet tray in the same manner as described above. This second punch hole is
Distance T5 from the sheet side edge, distance S from the first punch hole
It is formed at the position where 3 is placed. This interval S3 is a distance T
It is the same as 3.

In this way, the third and subsequent punch holes are arranged at the same interval S3. T3 is sequentially formed in a row over the length range of sea 1~. Then, when the rear end of the sheet P is detected by the sensor Z, the punching for - sheets is completed.

In addition, also in this case, by adjusting the mounting position of the sensor C8, the position of each punch hole and the hole interval can be adjusted.

Further, although the time chart 1 for type C is not shown, it can be easily understood from the explanation of type B.

The position determining means in this embodiment has been described as being composed of a sensor that detects the end of the sheet in the feeding direction or a perforated portion, and a roller moving mechanism that cooperates with the sensor. The drive motor in the conveying means may be a pulse motor, a servo motor, or the like, and the perforation position may be determined based on the number of pulses or the like without using a sensor or the like.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the sheets 1 to P are temporarily stopped when the position determining means determines the perforation position. Even in a configuration in which the perforation means is operated at the same time, the response speed of the perforation member is high,
Since it is carried out instantaneously, there is almost no effect on Sea 1 to conveyance or on the quality of punch hole formation.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the punch of the present invention, the dimensional distortion due to the electrostriction effect of the electro-mechanical conversion element is used as the drive source for operating the punching member, so that the punch using a cam etc. It is possible to obtain a much faster response speed than those using conventional or solenoids. APF and P that require faster speed
It can also be suitably installed on the side of a sheet processing device such as a PC.
In addition, since the expansion mechanism is used to expand the dimensional distortion of the electro-mechanical conversion element and transmit it to the punching member, the size of the element itself is small (an inexpensive one can be used, the punch can be made smaller, and the cost can be reduced). This provides various effects such as ease of conversion.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view illustrating the conveyance, detection, and perforation operations of sheets 1 to 1 with a punch according to an embodiment of the present invention connected to an APF, and FIG. 2 is a sheet conveyance of the punch shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view of the main parts showing an outline of the apparatus; FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main parts showing the sheet conveying device of the punch shown in FIG. 1, the perforating device, and the movable sheet guide along the sheet transport direction; Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in Fig. 3 showing the configuration of the movable sheet guide, and Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the structural relationship between the upper and lower guide plates that guide the sheet and the movable sheet guide. Figure 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the punching device, Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram for the operation of the piezoelectric element and expansion mechanism of the punching device, and Figure 8 is a diagram showing the operation of the piezoelectric element and the enlarging mechanism of the punching device, and Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional view of the punching device using the feed roller mechanism and solenoid. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of the roller moving mechanism, FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a modification of the roller moving mechanism using a feed roller mechanism and a piezoelectric actuator, and FIG. The operation control block diagram in FIG. 11 is a time chart when B type punching is performed. 10: Punch 12: Automatic paper feeder (APF) 20:
Auxiliary guide 22: Sheet conveyance path 28: First feed roller mechanism 30: Second feed roller mechanism 40: First roller movement mechanism 54: Second roller movement mechanism 64: Perforation device 78: Perforation member 80 : Piezoelectric element 82: Enlargement mechanism

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A detection means for detecting acceptance of a sheet, a conveyance means for conveying the sheets one by one along a conveyance path in response to the detection of acceptance of the sheet, and a predetermined perforation of the sheet conveyed by the conveyance means. a position determining means for determining the position; a perforating member disposed corresponding to the conveyance path for perforating the sheet at a predetermined position determined by the position determining means; and a piezoelectric element that generates dimensional distortion due to piezoelectric effect. It consists of an electro-mechanical transducer such as a magnetostrictive element that generates dimensional strain by magnetic force, and an expansion mechanism that enlarges and transmits the dimensional strain of the electro-mechanical transducer to the punching member and causes the punching member to perform a punching operation. A punch comprising: a perforating means; (2) The conveying means includes a feed roller mechanism that is movable between a pressing position where the sheet is conveyed while being pressed and held, and an open position where the sheet is separated from the sheet, and the position determining means is configured to feed the sheet when determining the position. The punch according to claim 1, including a roller moving mechanism that temporarily moves the roller mechanism to an open position. (3) The roller moving mechanism includes an actuating member connected to the feed roller mechanism, and an electro-mechanical conversion element such as a piezoelectric element that generates dimensional strain due to piezoelectric effect or a magnetostrictive element that generates dimensional strain due to magnetic force; 3. The punch according to claim 2, further comprising an enlargement mechanism that enlarges and transmits the dimensional distortion of the electro-mechanical transducer to the feed roller mechanism via the actuating member and moves the feed roller mechanism.