JPH05178496A - Double feed detecting device for paper sheet - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automatically detect the double feed of paper sheets from the thickness of the paper sheets by setting a gap to a value enough for the passage of a single paper sheet by means of a gap setting reference member and a moving member and detecting movement of a moving member owing to the passage of two or more paper sheets by means of a sensor. CONSTITUTION:A conveyance roller 62 made of rigid rubber is arranged on the one side of a paper sheet passage 61 and a wheel piece 72 is positioned facing the conveyance roller 62 with a gap 74 therebetween small enough to allow the passage of a single paper sheet. The wheel piece 72 is provided with a notch groove 77 for transmission light and a light reflection surface part 78, and the projecting and light receiving part 46a of a reflection type photo microsensor 46 is disposed under the notch groove 77 for light transmission. When two or more paper sheets pass between the conveyance roller 62 and the wheel piece 72, the wheel piece 72 is rotated and the light reflection surface part 78 is sensed by the projection and light receiving part 46a of the sensor 46 to detect the double feed of paper sheets. Then, by rotating a gap regulating screw 66 making contact with a stopper 67, rotation around a regulating plate 63 is effected, and through movement of a shaft 73, the gap 74 is regulated according to the thickness of a paper sheet.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet double feed detecting apparatus used in general office machines having a sheet feeding mechanism.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a printing apparatus used for a form issuing process such as bills and checks, it is necessary to feed the sheets one by one from a hopper that stores sheets of the forms to a printer.

Conventionally, in this type of device, there is always the idea that the number of sheets sent from the hopper is always one, and there is no mechanism that can detect the overlapped feeding state in which two or more sheets are fed at the same time. . Therefore, the operator visually monitors the occurrence of the duplicate feed state, and when the duplicate feed state occurs, recovery is performed at any time.

[0004]

As described above, since the conventional method relies on human eyes to monitor the paper feed state, one operator must be provided for each device, and
Although the operator's burden is heavy, there is a problem that it is not easy to accurately detect duplicate feeds.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an apparatus capable of automatically detecting the overlapped feeding of sheets from the thickness thereof.

[0006]

According to the present invention, a gap setting reference member provided on one side of a sheet passage and a gap setting reference member are opposed to each other via a gap through which one sheet can pass. A duplicate feed detecting device for a sheet, which includes a movable member and a sensor that is provided for the movable member and detects a movement of the movable member when two or more sheets pass.

[0007]

According to the present invention, the movable member moves when two or more sheets pass through the gap between the gap setting reference member and the movable member.
The sensor detects double feed of the paper based on the movement.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a printing apparatus equipped with the double feed detecting apparatus according to the present invention. Each unit is controlled by a central processing unit (CPU).

First, an outline of this printing apparatus will be described.
In the first part of the paper transport line, form paper (bills, checks, etc.) is stored by type (main paper, cover, receiving paper, back cover, partition paper, etc.), and this paper is designated as the paper transport line. A plurality of hoppers for sequentially sending out in order (for example, two hoppers 21a for the main sheet, a hopper 21b for the cover sheet, a hopper 21c for the receiving sheet, a hopper 21d for the back cover sheet, a hopper 21e for the partition sheet).
) Is installed. The main paper hopper 21a can store 1000 × 2 sheets, and the other hoppers can store 500 sheets.

The plurality of sheet conveying lines 22 drawn out from the hoppers 21a to 21e are unified, and a bar code reader 24 is provided to face the unified sheet conveying line 23. The paper carrying line 23 is branched into a plurality of printer carry-in lines 25, and a supply-side gate 26 for selecting the printer carry-in line 25 is provided at each of the branch parts.
A plurality of printers 27 for printing predetermined requirements on paper are provided at the tip of each printer carry-in line 25.

The sheet conveying line is composed of a pair of guide plates provided in parallel and a large number of rollers which will be described later and are inserted into the guide plates.

Further, a plurality of printer carry-out lines 31 drawn out from each of the printers 27 are unified and a shutter 32 is provided.
And is connected to a magnetic printing machine (MICR encoder) 33 via. Hereinafter, this magnetic printing machine 33 is referred to as MICR. Further, a shutter 35 is also provided on the paper carrying line 34 on the carry-out side of the MICR 33, and the paper carrying line passing through the shutter 35 is branched into a plurality of stacker collecting lines 37, 37a. Collection side gates 38, 38a for selecting 37a are provided, and a plurality of stackers 39 for storing properly printed sheets and rejects for storing improper sheets are provided at the tip of each stacker collection line 37, 37a. A stacker 39a is provided.

Next, in each of the hoppers 21a to 21e, a feed roller 41 for feeding the sheets in the hopper one by one is provided on one side where a large number of sheets stored inside are pressed. The feed rollers 41 of each of the hoppers 21a to 21e are driven by a feed motor 41a to feed the sheets one by one. Further, the presence or absence of the paper in the hopper is detected by an empty sensor 42 (reflection type photo sensor). In addition, a double feed prevention roller 43, which rotates in the direction opposite to the paper feeding direction and gives a light resistance to one side of the paper to prevent double feeding of the paper, is provided at the hopper outlet and is reversely rotated by the reverse motor 43a. ing.

A common motor is used for the paper transport line 22.
A large number of paper conveyance rollers 13a driven by the rotation transmission mechanism 12a by the 11a, and a large number of jam sensors 44 (reflective type) that confirm the paper feeding from each of the hoppers 21a to 21e and detect the presence of a jam (JAM) Photo sensor). The paper carrying roller 13a carries a paper by sandwiching the paper between a roller on one side which is always driven in the normal direction and a roller on the other side which faces the roller.

The jam condition is an abnormal condition in which the paper is crumpled in the conveyance line and causes a paper jam. Even if a predetermined time has elapsed after the feed motor 41a was started, the corresponding jam sensor 44 causes the paper jam. If the paper is not sensed, it can be detected that the paper is jammed at the feeding portion before the jam sensor 44. Each jam sensor 44
Check the paper passing time between the
Jam detection between 44 can also be performed.

Each jam sensor 44 has a hopper 21a to 21e.
When the sheet is detected, it also has a function of stopping the feed motor 41a of the corresponding hopper to stop the sheet feeding by the corresponding feed roller 41. That is, from one of the hoppers 21a to 21e to the feed roller 41
When the corresponding jam sensor 44 detects the sheet sent by, the jam sensor 44 stops the feed motor 41a of the corresponding hopper. At this time, the jam sensor 44
Since the constantly rotating sheet conveying roller 13a located in front of the sheet sandwiches the sheet, the roller 13a keeps conveying the sheet without any trouble.

In the single sheet conveying line 23,
Along with the bar code reader 24, a paper length sensor 45 for detecting an abnormality in the length of the paper conveyed in a state where the front and rear papers are partially overlapped by the paper detection time and the paper moving speed.
A (reflective photosensor) and a movable member that rotates due to an abnormality in the thickness of a sheet that is conveyed in a state where two sheets are completely overlapped with each other (see FIG. Double feed sensor 46
(Reflective photo micro sensor), a bar code sensor 47 (reflective photo sensor) that detects the edge of the paper and activates the bar code reader 24, and a jam sensor 48 (a jam sensor 48 that detects the jam condition based on the presence or absence of the paper. Reflective photo sensor)
And are provided.

The bar code reader 24 reads the type, size, etc. of the paper from the bar code attached to the form paper, and confirms that the paper taken out from the hoppers 21a to 21e is the proper one as instructed. Check whether or not.

A paper feed control roller 49 is provided on the paper feed side of the bar code reader 24. The paper feed control roller 49 holds the paper at the bar code reader position until the printer 27 issues a paper feed command, and is driven by the motor 49a.

The plurality of printer carry-in lines 25 are provided with a large number of paper carrying rollers 13b driven by a common motor 11b via a rotation transmission mechanism 12b.

The supply side gate 26 provided at the branch portion of the printer carry-in line 25 is a switching blade attached to a support shaft 51 rotated by a rotary solenoid (not shown), and the tip of the switching blade is one side. Close the printer carry-in line and open the other printer carry-in line.

Each of the plurality of printers 27 has therein a print head (wire dot printer head) (not shown) which is two-dimensionally moved relative to the required printing surface of the paper in relation to the paper. There is.

The plurality of printer carry-out lines 31 are provided with a large number of sheet carrying rollers 13c driven by a common motor 11c via a rotation transmission mechanism 12c.

The shutter 32 provided on the carry-in side of the MICR 33 is driven back and forth by a solenoid to drive the MIC.
At the time of R33 magnetic printing, the paper is retracted from the paper transport line and fed into the MICR 33. At other times, it projects into the paper transport line and locks the paper. In front of the shutter 32 and on the unloading side of the MICR 33, a sheet is detected to detect the shutter 32.
Paper detection sensors 52 and 53 (reflective photosensors) for opening the paper are respectively provided. When the paper detection sensor 52 on the front side detects the paper and the paper detection sensor 53 on the carry-out side detects the carry-out of the paper from the MICR 33, the shutter 32 is opened and the paper detected by the sensor 52 is detected by M.
Carry it into the ICR33.

A common motor is used in the paper transport line 34.
A large number of paper conveyance rollers 13d driven by the rotation transmission mechanism 12d by 11d are provided.

The shutter 35 provided on the paper carrying line 34 is driven back and forth by a solenoid, and when a jam occurs in the stacker collecting lines 37, 37a, it projects into the paper carrying line to lock the paper, and otherwise. In this case, the sheet detection sensor 54 (reflective photosensor) provided on the front side detects the sheet, and moves backward from the sheet conveyance line to convey the sheet to the stackers 39 and 39a.

The stacker collection lines 37, 37a are provided with a large number of sheet conveying rollers 13e driven by a common motor 11e via a rotation transmission mechanism 12e.

The recovery-side gates 38, 38a are switching blades attached to a support shaft rotated by a rotary solenoid (not shown). The tips of the switching blades close one stacker recovery line and the other stacker recovery line. Open the line.

The stacker for storing proper sheets in order
For 39, the jam sensor 55 (reflective photo sensor) for detecting the paper jam condition that occurred in front of the entrance, and the fact that a certain amount of paper (finally the back cover) has been stored in the stacker is detected A storage completion detection sensor 56 (reflective photosensor), a lock 57 that is detachably attached to the apparatus main body to fix the mounting state of the stacker 39, and a plurality of detection units for detecting the storage paper length set in the stacker 39. Sensor 58 and a sensor 59 for detecting whether or not the stacker 39 is set in the apparatus main body.

When the storage completion detection sensor 56 detects that the stacker 39 is full of paper, the collecting side gate 38 is automatically switched, and the paper is conveyed from one stacker 39 to the other stacker 39. Can be switched. The stacker 39 on the storage completion side releases the lock 57 and removes it from the apparatus main body so that the sheets stored inside can be taken out without breaking the storage order.

The reject stacker 39a for storing an inappropriate sheet also includes a jam sensor 55a (reflection type photo sensor) for detecting a sheet jam state occurring in front of the entrance of the reject stacker 39a.

The drive motor 11a for the rollers 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 13e provided on each of the lines 22, 25, 31, 34, 37.
, 11b, 11c, 11d, and 11e are stopped when the jam condition of the paper is detected by various jam sensors or when the open state of the apparatus door is detected by a door open detection sensor (not shown).

In the above-mentioned structure, this printing apparatus sends out a designated type of paper one by one from a plurality of hoppers 21a to 21e in a predetermined order according to a command from a central processing unit (CPU) (not shown). Then, the type, size, thickness, etc. of the paper are checked by the bar code reader 24 and various detection sensors in the vicinity thereof in the integrated transport line 23. Then, the proper paper that conforms to the command from the CPU is transferred to the printer carry-in line 25 selected by the plurality of supply side gates 26 by the paper feed control roller 49 which is activated only when the printer 27 to be printed is in the paper receiving state. Then, the sheets are sequentially carried in to the selected printer 27, and the predetermined requirements are printed on the designated XY coordinates of the paper inside the printer 27.

Further, the printed paper is carried out from the printer 27 while keeping the order of carrying into the printer, and the MICR
When the sheet 33 is in the sheet receiving state, the shutter 32 is opened and the sheet is carried into the MICR 33, where magnetic printing is performed. Further, when the stacker collection line 37 and the stacker 39 are in the sheet receiving state, the shutter 35 is opened, and the sheets are carried into the stacker 39 selected by the collection side gate 38 and are stored in the stacker 39 in order. Storage completion detection sensor 56
When the stacking completion state is detected by one of the stackers, the collection side gate 38 is switched, and the collection of the paper by the other stacker is started.

If the paper is judged to be improper by checking with the bar code reader 24, the printer 27, MIC
R33, etc. are passed through, and a reject stacker 39a is passed through a recovery line 37a selected by a combination of gates 38, 38a.
To store.

Next, an apparatus for detecting double feed of the sheet by the double feed sensor 46 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, a paper guide plate forming the paper transport lines 22 and 23 is provided on the mounting base surface. A hard rubber conveyance roller 62 as a gap setting reference member is provided at a fixed position on one side of the paper path 61 formed in the guide plate. The carrying roller 62 is rotated at a speed suitable for paper feeding.

An adjusting plate 63 is attached to the attachment base surface on the opposite side of the conveying roller 62 so as to be rotatable around a shaft 64. A female screw portion 65 is integrally provided on one side portion of the adjusting plate 63, and a gap adjusting screw 66 is screwed into the female screw portion 65. A stopper 67 protruding from the mounting base surface is located at the tip of the adjusting screw 66. Further, a screw 68 attached to the lower surface of the adjusting plate 63 and a side screw of the stopper 67.
A tension coil spring 70 is stretched between the tension adjustment coil 69 and the coil 69, and the tip of the gap adjusting screw 66 is brought into contact with the stopper 67 by the spring 70. By rotating the adjusting screw 66 with the gap adjusting knob 71 and adjusting the tip position of the adjusting screw 66, the distance between the female screw portion 65 and the stopper 67 is adjusted, and the adjusting plate is adjusted.
63 is pivotally adjusted about the shaft 64.

A wheel piece 72 as a movable member is rotatably mounted on the adjusting plate 63 by a shaft 73, and by adjusting the turning of the adjusting plate 63, one sheet of paper can pass through the conveying roller 62. The sheet detection surface 75 of the foil piece 72 is opposed via the gap 74. A turning range setting cutout groove 76 and a light transmitting cutout groove 77 are formed on the outer peripheral portion of the wheel piece 72, and a light reflecting surface portion 78 is provided between the both cutout grooves 76, 77.

A stopper 79 protruding from the mounting base surface is engaged with the turning range setting notch groove 76 of the wheel piece 72, and the adjusting plate 63 is provided below the light transmitting notch groove 77. The light emitter / receiver 46a of the double feed sensor 46 (reflection type photomicrosensor) mounted above is opposed. A small hole 81 formed in the wheel piece 72 and an adjusting plate
A tension coil spring 83 is stretched between the screw 82 mounted on 63 and the screw 82. The spring 83 rotates the wheel piece 72 counterclockwise to engage with the stopper 79.

When two or more sheets of paper overlap each other and pass through the gap 74 between the conveying roller 62 and the foil piece 72, the gap 74 is enlarged against the spring 70 and the paper of the hard foil piece 72 is also expanded. Paper transport direction that acts on the detection surface 75
The resistance of 84 increases and the foil piece 72 springs 83
The paper rotates clockwise as the paper advances. At this time, the light reflecting surface portion 78 of the wheel piece 72 is positioned on the light emitting and receiving portion 46a of the reflection type double feed sensor 46, and the light emitting and receiving portion 46a senses the light reflected by the light reflecting surface portion 78 and overlaps the paper. Detect feed.

When the sensor 46 detects the overlapped feeding of the paper, the sensor 46 informs the operator of the status by a lamp, a buzzer or the like, and stops the paper carrying motor. The operator only has to deal with the sheet by removing it from the transport line.

When the thickness of the paper is changed, the adjusting plate 66 is rotationally adjusted by the adjusting screw 66 to manually adjust the gap 74 between the conveying roller 62 and the wheel piece 72.

[0045]

According to the present invention, a gap through which one sheet can pass is set by the gap setting reference member and the movable member,
Since the movement of the movable member due to the passage of two or more sheets is detected by the sensor, it is possible to automatically detect the overlapped feeding of the sheets from the thickness thereof, and it is possible to improve the operator's office work efficiency and save labor.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a double feed detection device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a printing device equipped with the above detection device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 46 Sensor 61 Paper path 62 Hard rubber conveyor roller as gap setting reference member 72 Wheel piece as movable member 74 Gap

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A gap setting reference member provided on one side of a sheet passage, a movable member facing the gap setting reference member with a gap through which one sheet can pass, and the movable member. An overlapped sheet feeding detection device, comprising: a sensor provided opposite to the sensor for detecting movement of a movable member caused by passage of two or more sheets.