JPH0669860B2 - Sheet sorting and conveying device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet sorting / conveying apparatus, and more particularly, to distribute sheets, for example, accumulative phosphor sheets to respective trays according to their size, type, or the like. The present invention relates to a configured sheet sorting / conveying device.

Recently, a radiation image information recording / reproducing system that obtains a radiation image of a subject using a stimulable phosphor has attracted attention. Here, the stimulable phosphor means radiation (X-ray, α-ray, β-ray, γ
(A ray, electron beam, ultraviolet ray, etc.) accumulates a part of this radiation energy, and a fluorescent substance that emits stimulated emission light according to the accumulated energy by irradiating excitation light such as visible light afterwards. Say.

The above-mentioned radiation image information recording / reproducing system uses this accumulative phosphor. First, a sheet having a layer made of an accumulative phosphor is used to temporarily store radiation image information of a subject such as a human body. Fluorescent sheet, or simply "sheet"). Then, this stimulable phosphor sheet is scanned with excitation light such as laser light to generate stimulated emission light, and the obtained stimulated emission light is photoelectrically read to obtain an image signal, and this image signal Based on the above, the radiation image of the subject is output as a visible image on a recording material such as a photographic light-sensitive material or a CRT. This type of technique is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 55-12429.

By the way, this system has a practical advantage that an image can be recorded over a very wide radiation exposure area as compared with a conventional radiographic system using an intensifying screen and an X-ray film. That is, in the stimulable phosphor, it has been recognized that the amount of emitted light that is stimulated and emitted by excitation after storage is proportional to a radiation exposure amount over an extremely wide range.

Therefore, even if the radiation exposure amount changes considerably due to various imaging conditions, the light amount of the emitted light is read by the photoelectric conversion means and read by the photoelectric conversion means to be converted into an electric signal. If you output it as a visible image on a recording material such as a photographic photosensitive material or a display device such as a CRT using
It is possible to obtain a radiation image that is not affected by variations in radiation exposure dose.

Further, according to this system, after converting the radiation image information accumulated in the stimulable phosphor into an electric signal, appropriate signal processing is performed, and using this electric signal, a recording material such as a photographic light-sensitive material, a CRT, etc. It is also possible to obtain a very large effect that a radiation image having an excellent observation and interpretation suitability (diagnosis suitability) can be obtained by outputting a visible image to the display device.

In such a radiation image information recording / reproducing system, since the stimulable phosphor sheet does not store the image information but finally gives the image to the recording medium as described above, the radiation image information is temporarily held. This stimulable phosphor sheet may be used repeatedly, and if it is used repeatedly in this way, it is extremely economical and convenient.

Therefore, in order to reuse the stimulable phosphor sheet, the residual energy image information is emitted by irradiating with the light of the radiation energy remaining in the stimulable phosphor sheet after the reading by the irradiation of the excitation light. Is erased, and this stimulable phosphor sheet may be used again for recording a radiation image.

A technique for erasing the radiation energy remaining on the stimulable phosphor sheet in this manner is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 56-11.
No. 392.

Therefore, in order to erase the residual image information as described above, it is possible to irradiate the erasing light with high illuminance evenly and use it for the next image recording. It is used for recording a radiographic image or is temporarily housed in a tray and stands by for the next recording of a radiographic image.

By the way, in particular, in connection with the latter case, the accumulative phosphor sheets have various types and sizes, and therefore when they are temporarily stored, the accumulative phosphors of the same type and size are used. It is desirable that the sheets be stored in the same tray. For recording a new radiographic image, a storage phosphor sheet of various types and sizes is required due to differences in the imaged site of the subject, the imaged area, etc. Therefore, the same type or the same size is required. This is because each tray is accommodated in one tray, which has the advantage of being able to respond to the capturing of the next radiation image extremely quickly and accurately. To do this, for example, arrange a plurality of trays in the vertical direction,
A device that sorts each type or size according to the lifting device is also conceivable. However, this kind of sorter has a complicated structure as a whole, and in addition, the installation space must be extremely large,
Especially in a radiation image information reader that is unitized and made compact, it is not suitable for reading image information by exciting light irradiation and selecting accumulative phosphor sheets after erasing residual image information by erasing erasing light. .

Therefore, as a result of earnest studies and trials, the present inventor
When the accumulative phosphor sheet is classified according to a predetermined selection criterion such as its size or type, a plurality of trays are arranged with their opening surfaces facing upward at a predetermined angular displacement and arranged at predetermined intervals. A cam plate having an opening defined therein is mounted and a storage sheet transporting unit for accumulative phosphors which is self-propelled in the horizontal direction is arranged, and the cam plate is made to face a detecting means for detecting the movement amount of the transport unit. For example, the transport unit is self-propelled by receiving a signal relating to the type, size, etc. of the stimulable phosphor sheet, and then the detection means engages with the opening of the cam plate to detect its displacement amount. , It stops very directly above a specific tray for each type and size, and the accumulation fluorescent sheet related to that type and size is dropped inside the tray, and this is repeated for each type and size to achieve extremely smooth accumulation. Fluorescent body It is possible to sort the sheets according to their type or size, and the installation space is extremely small, and a sheet sorting and conveying device for accumulative phosphor sheets that can be manufactured at low cost is obtained. It was found that the above-mentioned various inconveniences can be eliminated.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a sheet selection / conveying device capable of surely accommodating sheets such as accumulative phosphor sheets in various trays according to their types, sizes, etc. with a simple structure. is there.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a plurality of trays that are inclined at a predetermined angle with their opening surfaces facing upward, a conveyor belt conveyor for inserting sheets into one of the trays, and this belt. A sheet conveying unit that includes a rotary drive source that drives a conveyor and is movably arranged along a traveling path that is arranged above the tray; a detecting unit that detects a moving position of the sheet conveying unit; Designating means for designating an insertion tray corresponding to the sheet transferred to the belt conveyor, and waiting the sheet transport unit at a position for receiving the sheet from the sheet transport means of the preceding stage,
After the sheet conveyance unit receives the sheet conveyed by the preceding sheet conveyance unit, the sheet conveyance unit is moved until the position of the sheet conveyance unit detected by the detection unit matches the value designated by the designation unit. And a control means for driving the belt conveyor at the coincident position.

Next, a preferred embodiment of the sheet sorting / conveying device according to the present invention will be given and described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, a radiation image information reading apparatus incorporating the sheet sorting / conveying apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

This apparatus includes a radiation image information reading unit 10, an erasing / erasing unit 42 integrated with the reading unit 10, and a transport unit.
52 and a sorting unit 60.

The reading unit 10 generally includes an optical surface plate 20 that supports a light guide sheet 12, a photomultiplier 14, a laser light source 16, and a galvanometer mirror 18 in a hollow shape. A first belt conveyor 24 for conveying the stimulable phosphor sheet 22 to the light guide sheet 12 side is provided, and the exit side of the first belt conveyor 24 is directly below the light guide sheet 12. Secondly installed
The belt conveyors 26 are arranged in series. In addition,
A nip roller 28 for catching the stimulable phosphor sheet 22 is provided on one roller of the second belt conveyor 26.

Further, the second belt conveyor 26 faces the third belt conveyor 30 whose outlet side is bent, and the third belt conveyor 30 has a first roller group 32 at the bent portion. Further, a fourth belt conveyor 34 is disposed in sliding contact with the third belt conveyor 30 which is bent and extends forward. The third belt conveyor 30 and the fourth belt conveyor 34 are provided.
A first guide member 36 is provided immediately above the first guide member 36.

The first guide member 36 faces the second guide member 40 via a pair of rollers 38. Substantially, this second guide member
40 is attached to the erasing unit 42. That is, a part of the fifth belt conveyor 44 is provided opposite to the second guide member 40,
As a whole, the fifth belt conveyer 44 enters the lower part of the casing 46 which constitutes the erasing unit 42 for erasing the residual image. In this case, the erasing unit 42 includes the erasing light sources 45a to 45d therein.

Next, a sixth bending belt conveyor 48 is arranged immediately above the fifth belt conveyor 44 and the second guide member 40, and a seventh bending belt conveyor 50 is arranged in contact with the sixth belt conveyor 48 and further bent. Set up. The exit side of the sixth belt conveyor 48 and the seventh belt conveyor 50 is a stimulable phosphor sheet 22.
Are exposed to the transport unit 52 that sorts and transports them according to their size. As will be described later, the transport unit 52 has an eighth belt conveyor 54 and a ninth belt conveyor 56 slidably in contact therewith, as will be described later.
52 itself can be self-propelled in the horizontal direction in the figure as shown by the arrow. A sorting unit 60 including a plurality of trays 58 is arranged below the transport unit 52.
As can be easily understood from FIG. 1, the trays 58 forming the sorting section 60 are arranged side by side with a predetermined angular displacement.

Next, the transport unit 52 configured as above will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

The transport unit 52 substantially includes a housing 62. Case 62
The side plates 62a and 62b that configure the motor hold the motor 61 for self-propelling and the motor 63 that drives the belt conveyors 54 and 56, and further, the rollers that configure the belt conveyor 54.
54a, 54b, 54c, 54d and 54e are bridge-held. A conveyor belt 64 is stretched around these rollers 54a to 54e.
On the other hand, the belt conveyor 56 includes rollers 56a, 56b and 56c. A conveyor belt 66 is stretched around these rollers 56a to 56c. Incidentally, the rollers 54e and 5
In 6c, the position of those rotation axes can be adjusted so that the tension applied to the belt can be adjusted.

As can be easily understood from FIG. 3, at least the roller 54a and the roller 56a are arranged close to each other. Also, belt 64
An auxiliary roller 68 is disposed on the upper part of the. As shown in FIG. 3, in this case, the sprocket 70 is fitted on the rotating shaft of the belt driving motor 53, and the chain 72 meshing with the sprocket 70 is provided with the roller 56a that substantially drives the belt conveyor 56. It meshes with the sprocket 74 fitted to the rotating shaft. A gear 76 is fitted on the rotation shaft of the roller 56a.

On the other hand, a gear 78 is fitted to the rotation shaft of the roller 54a that substantially drives the belt 64. The gear 78 and the gear 76 mesh with each other, and therefore, the rotation of the motor 63 causes the chain 72 to exert its rotational force on the sprocket 7.
When transmitted to the gear 76 via 0, 74, the gear 78 becomes the gear 7
Rotate in the opposite direction to 6, resulting in belt 64 and belt 6
The conveyance operation is performed while slidingly contacting with 6 within a predetermined range. At this time, the auxiliary roller 68 cooperates with the belt 64 to transfer the stimulable phosphor sheet 22 conveyed to the belt 64 in the arrow A direction.

Further, the side walls 62a and 62b of the housing 62 are used to pivotally mount the rotating shafts 80 and 82 in parallel with each other at a predetermined distance.
Rollers 84a and 84b are rotatably supported at both ends of the rotary shaft 80, and rollers 86a and 86b are similarly rotatably supported at both ends of the rotary shaft 82. A sprocket 88 is attached to the rotary shaft 80, while a sprocket 90 is similarly attached to the rotary shaft of the motor 61. A chain 92 is stretched between the sprockets 88 and 90. Therefore,
When the self-propelled motor 61 is driven, the sprocket 90 rotates, and its rotational force reaches the sprocket 88 via the chain 92. In this case, the rollers 84a, 84b and the rollers 86a, 86b
Are in parallel with each other, that is, in contact with the horizontal portions of the angle members 94a and 94b, so that when the rotational force of the motor 61 is transmitted to the rollers 84a and 84b as described above, the rollers 84a and 84b. Is the angle member 94a, 9 together with the housing 62
4b will be displaced and transferred. In this case, the angle member
A pair of guide rollers 96 so that they sandwich the vertical part of 94b.
Since the a and 96b and the guide rollers 98a and 98b are axially attached to the casing 62, the casing 62 itself can be transferred smoothly, which is preferable.

Next, below the angle members 94a and 94b, that is, below the housing 62 that is displaced in the horizontal direction, the sorting section is provided as described above.
The trays 58a to 58g forming the unit 60 are arranged. Tray 58
The sizes a to 58g are different from each other in accordance with the size of the accumulative phosphor sheet 22 to be selected. The trays 58a to 58g are arranged so as to face the transport unit 52 with their opening surfaces facing upward and are inclined at a predetermined angle (θ °) with respect to the vertical direction. In the device of the present invention, the cam plate 100 is further provided on the side plate 62b of the housing 62.
To fix. The cam plate 100 has a rectangular opening pointing downwards, as can be easily understood from FIGS. 2 and 5.
The protrusions 100a to 100g are formed so that the protrusions formed by the openings 100a to 1000g are detected by the photoelectric detector 102 including a light emitting element and a light receiving element. This photoelectric detector 102 is a casing that moves together with the cam plate 100.
Configure a control system to stop 62.

Therefore, next, the control system will be described with reference to FIG.

The Schmitt circuit 104 is connected to the output side of the phototransistor 102a constituting the photoelectric detector 102, and the output side of the Schmitt circuit 104 is connected to the monostable multivibrator 106. The output side of the monostable multivibrator 106 is connected to one input terminal of the NAND gate circuit 108, and the output side of the Schmitt circuit 104 is introduced to the other input terminal of the NAND gate circuit 108. The output of the NAND gate circuit 108 is introduced to the input side of the counter 112, and the output of the Schmitt circuit 104 is introduced to the counter 112. The output side of the counter 112 is then connected to a comparator 114, the output side of the comparator 114 is connected to one input terminal of an AND gate 116, and the output side of the AND gate 116 is a first amplifier 118. Connected to. The output side of the NAND gate circuit 108 is connected to the flip-flop 120, and the output side of the flip-flop 120 is further connected to the second amplifier 1.
Connected to 22. A command to move to the origin is introduced to the flip-flop 120, and this command signal is connected to the other input terminal of the AND gate 116.

The sheet sorting / conveying apparatus according to the present invention is basically constructed as described above, and its operation and effect will be described below.

Accumulative phosphor sheet 22 in which radiation image information is stored and recorded
Is conveyed by the first belt conveyor 24, is nipped between the nip roller 28 and the second belt conveyor 26, and starts to be conveyed in the sub-scanning direction, the laser light from the laser light source 16 is indicated by a chain line. Galvanometer mirror as shown
The laser light reflected by 18 scans the surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet 22 in the main scanning direction. In this case, the size of the accumulative phosphor sheet 22 introduced in the reading unit 10, for example, is detected by a detection unit (not shown) via a barcode or the like attached in advance to it,
This detection signal is temporarily held. By the way, as described above, the stimulable luminescent light generated as a result of being excited by the laser light is generated in the stimulable phosphor sheet 22, and this reaches the photomultiplier 14 via the light guide sheet 12, and an electric signal is transmitted. After being converted to and amplified, the image information can be directly displayed on a CRT or the like as a visible image, or the image information can be stored in a magnetic recording device. Therefore, the accumulative phosphor sheet 22 that has been read is bent and conveyed vertically upward by the third belt conveyor 30, the roller group 32, and the fourth belt conveyor 34, and then guided by the guide member 36 and the rollers.
It reaches between the 2nd guide member 40 and the 5th belt conveyor 44 via 38. At this time, since the sixth belt conveyor 48 and the seventh belt conveyor 50 are driven by a rotary drive source (not shown), the accumulative phosphor sheet 22 is temporarily
It is sandwiched between the sixth belt conveyor 48 and the seventh belt conveyor 50.

After the stimulable phosphor sheet 22 is conveyed for a predetermined distance in the state of being sandwiched as described above, the sixth belt conveyor 48 and the seventh belt conveyor 50 start rotating in the opposite directions, and thus,
The accumulative phosphor sheet 22 is so-called switched back and is conveyed to the fifth belt conveyor 44, and is introduced into the casing 46 that constitutes the erasing unit 42.

When the stimulable phosphor sheet 22 is thus introduced into the housing 46, the radiation image information remaining on the stimulable phosphor sheet 22 is erased by the irradiation light from the erasing light sources 45a to 45d. Will be.

When the erasing is completed, the belt conveyor 44 is driven again. That is, the stimulable phosphor sheet 22 is again transported toward the second guide member 40 under the re-driving of the belt conveyor 44, and is sandwiched by the sixth belt conveyor 48 and the seventh belt conveyor 50 to convey the sheet. To unit 52.

Then, the belt conveyor driving motor 63 is driven.
That is, as described above, the driving force causes the gear 76 to rotate via the chain 72, and the rotation of the gear 76 causes the gear 78 to rotate.
Rotates in a direction different from its direction of rotation.

As a result, since the rollers 56a and 54a rotate, the belt conveyor 54 and the belt conveyor 56 slide in contact with each other and are displaced in the opposite directions. That is, the belt 64 of the belt conveyor 54 is displaced in the arrow A direction, while the belt 66 constituting the belt conveyor 56 is displaced in the arrow B direction. For this purpose, first, the stimulable phosphor sheet 22 is sandwiched between the belt 64 and the roller 68, and then the belt 66.
Is transferred to the direction. The driving of the motor 63 is temporarily stopped while the belts 64 and 66 that are in sliding contact with each other hold the accumulative phosphor sheet 22 thus conveyed.

By the way, as described above, the reading unit 10 obtains the size information of the conveyed stimulable phosphor sheet by a bar code or the like in advance and temporarily holds it. Therefore, the signal related to this size is converted into the drive signal of the motor 61 and introduced. As a result, the motor 61 starts driving, and its rotational force reaches the chain 92 via the sprocket 90, and the chain 92 rotates the sprocket 88. As a result, the rollers 84a and 84b rotate, and these rollers 84a and 84b displace the upper surfaces of the horizontal portions of the angle members 94a and 94b and move the entire housing 62 in the direction of arrow C. During this time, the guide roller 96
Since a, 96b and 98a, 98b abut and rotate on the vertical portion of the angle member 94b, the housing 62 can smoothly transfer the same.

The operation of the control system when the sheets are thus sorted will be described below.

Phototransistor 102 forming a part of photoelectric detector 102
The output of a is supplied to a short pulse detection circuit 110 including a monostable multivibrator 106 and a NAND gate circuit 108 via a Schmitt circuit 104 provided for waveform shaping.
That is, the monostable multivibrator 106 is triggered by the falling edge of the output of the Schmitt circuit 104 to generate an output pulse having a pulse width of the period T, and this output pulse and the output of the Schmitt circuit 104 are supplied to the NAND gate circuit 108. . The output of the Schmitt circuit 104 is supplied to the counter 112 for counting and the output of the NAND gate circuit 108 clears the count value of the counter 112. The count value of the counter 112 is supplied to a digital comparator 114 in which binary number data corresponding to "0" to "6" assigned to the trays 58a to 58g is set, and the count value A of the counter 112 and the binary number data are supplied. A match with B is detected. The output detected from the digital comparator 114 is inverted and supplied to the AND gate 116 as one input. Since a signal obtained by inverting the movement instruction signal to the origin (low potential) is supplied to the AND gate 116 as the other input signal, the output of the AND gate 116 is amplified by the amplifier 118 and the self-propelled motor is driven. Supplied to 61. In this case, the self-propelled motor 61 is the transport unit.
Move 52 to the left. On the other hand, the movement instruction signal to the origin is supplied to the flip-flop 120, and the flip-flop 120 is set at the rising edge of the movement signal to the origin. The output signal of the flip-flop 120 is amplified by the amplifier 122 and supplied to the self-propelled motor 61.
Moves the transport unit 52 to the right in this case.
The output of the NAND gate circuit 108 is supplied to the counter 112 and the flip-flop 120 and used as a signal for clearing the counter 112 and the flip-flop 120.

Here, for convenience of description, the opening 100 is formed in the cam plate 100.
It is assumed that a to 100d are formed, while the trays 58a to 58d are arranged side by side on the tray side with an inclination.

Therefore, set the position of tray 58a to the origin "000", and set tray 58a
When the distance between the tray 58b and the tray 58b is l ₀ , the distance between the tray 58b and the tray 58c is l ₀ , and the distance between the tray 58c and the tray 58d is l ₂ , the cam plate 100 is schematically shown in FIG. As described above, an opening is formed between the intervals l ₁ , l _2, ... And a protrusion having a narrow width for forming a short pulse is formed at the leftmost end. The output pulse width T of the monostable multivibrator 106 is t ₁ for the leftmost protrusion of the cam plate 100 and t for the opening.
_{2. When} the widths of the protrusions following the openings are t ₃ , t ₅ , ₇ , and t ₉ and the widths of the openings are t ₄ , t ₆ , and t ₈ , respectively, t ₁ <T <t _{2 to} t ₉ It is set.

Therefore, in the control system configured as described above, when the movement instruction signal to the origin becomes high potential, that is, when the movement instruction to the origin is issued, the AND gate 116 is operated by the inverted signal of the movement instruction signal. Has its gate closed and the output of the digital comparator 114 is blocked. On the other hand, the flip-flop 120 is set by the rise of the movement instruction signal, the Q output of the flip-flop 120 becomes a high potential and is amplified by the amplifier 122, and the self-propelled motor 61 moves the transport unit 52 to the right. . When the transport unit 52 is moved to the right, the photoelectric detector 102 is moved to the cam plate 1
The output pulse shown in FIG. 9 (a) corresponding to the shape of 00 is generated. In addition, in synchronization with the falling edge of the output pulse shown in FIG.
An output pulse having the waveform shown in FIG. As a result, the output of the short pulse detection circuit 110 is generated when the protrusion corresponding to the opening 10a of the cam plate 100 moves to the right side of the photoelectric detector 102, as shown in FIG. 9 (c). . The flip-flop 120 is cleared by this output pulse. Therefore, the self-propelled motor 61 stops after the short pulse detection circuit 110 generates an output, and the transport unit 52
Does not move to the right, and remains stopped at the origin position.When the movement instruction signal to the origin is in the low potential state,
The AND gate 116 has its gate opened.
In this state, when the binary data B corresponding to the moving position from the origin is supplied to the digital comparator 114, the digital comparator 114 generates a low potential output until the count value A of the counter 112 matches. In this case, AND gate 116
Since the gate of is controlled to the open state, when the output of the digital comparator 114 becomes low potential, the output of the AND gate 116 becomes high potential. As a result, the transport unit 52 is moved leftward by the self-propelled motor 61. By this leftward movement, the photoelectric detector 102 detects the passage of the protrusion corresponding to the opening 100a of the cam plate 100, and the short pulse detection circuit 110
Pulse is generated from. The pulse from the short pulse detection circuit 110 clears the counter 112. Here, when the binary data B given to the digital comparator 114 is "000", the digital comparator 114 generates a high potential output, and the AND gate 116 generates a low potential output. The transport unit 52 is not driven and remains in the original position. When the binary number data B of B ≠ “0” is applied to the digital comparator 108, it is self-running until the count value A of the counter 112 matches the binary number data B given to the digital comparator 114. The motor 61 is driven and the transport unit 52 moves leftward. These states are shown in FIGS. 10 (a) to (c). That is, FIG. 10 (a) shows the output of the Schmitt circuit 104, FIG. 10 (b) shows the output of the monostable multivibrator 106, and FIG. 10 (c) shows the output of the short pulse detection circuit 110. Shows.

Based on the above description, the operation of the above control system will be described in more detail as shown in the flowchart of FIG.

That is, when the power is turned on, the movement instruction signal to the origin becomes low potential (step a), the count value of the counter 112 is cleared (step b), and "B = 001" is designated as binary number data to the digital comparator 114. (Step c). The reason why "B = 001" is designated in step c is because it is unknown where the position of the transport unit 52 is when the power is turned on. By step c, the transport unit 52 moves to the left (step d) and waits for the count value of the counter 112 to become "1" (steps d and e). When the count value A of the counter 112 and the binary number data B of the digital comparator 114 match in step d, the transport unit 52 stops (step f). Following step f, the movement instruction signal to the origin becomes high potential (step g). When the movement instruction signal to the origin becomes high potential, the transport unit 52 moves rightward (step h) and waits for the short pulse detection circuit 110 to generate its output (step i). When the short pulse detection circuit 110 generates an output in step i, the flip-flop 1
20 is cleared (step j), and the transport unit 52 stops (step k). Transport unit at step k
The stop position of 52 is of course the origin position.

In this state where steps a to k correspond to the initial setting, the transport unit 52 is located at the rightmost end, and the sheets transported by the sixth and seventh belt conveyors are transferred to the transport unit 52 ( Step l). Following step l, when the movement instruction signal to the origin becomes a low potential (step m), subsequently, as described above, the sheet size or the like, for example, a signal detected by a bar code or the like attached in advance is used as a digital comparator. By supplying the binary data B of 114, the tray into which the sheets are to be placed is designated (step n).

After step n, it is checked whether the binary data B is "000" (step o). When it is determined in step o that the binary data B is not "000", the transport unit 52 moves to the left (step p), and the counter
It waits until the count value A of 112 = binary data B (step q). In step q, the count value A of the counter 112 =
When the binary data B is reached, the transport unit 52 stops (step r). It goes without saying that the stop position of the transport unit 52 in step r is the position where the sheet is inserted into the tray given in step n. Step r
Then, the drive motor 63 is driven for a predetermined time (step s). By driving the driving motor 63, the eighth and ninth belt conveyors 54 and 56 are driven and the sheet is inserted into a desired tray. When a predetermined time has elapsed after step s, the driving of the drive motor 63 is stopped (step t). After step t, the process is repeated from step g.

The sheet will be inserted into the desired tray as described above.

Next, FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of the sheet sorting apparatus according to the present invention. The present embodiment is an example in which two photoelectric detectors are used. In the drawings, the same reference numerals as those in the above-mentioned embodiment indicate the same constituent elements.

In the present embodiment, instead of the cam plate 100, a cam plate having no protrusion for detecting a short pulse is formed.
Use 100A. At the same time, the photoelectric detector 130 for origin detection that detects the origin by detecting the right edge of the cam plate 100A and the cam plate 100A
It is provided with a photoelectric detector 132 for a counter that detects the protruding portion of.

Therefore, the output of the photoelectric detector 132 is supplied to and counted by the counter 112 via the Schmitt circuit 104 for waveform shaping, and the count value A of the counter 112 is supplied to the digital comparator 114, which then supplies it to the digital comparator 114. It is compared with the supplied binary data B as the compared value and the coincidence is detected. The output of the digital comparator 114 is inverted and supplied to the AND gate 116. The AND gate 116 is supplied with the inverted signal of the movement instruction signal to the origin as the other input, and the output of the AND gate 116 is amplified by the amplifier 118 and then supplied to the self-propelled motor 61 to drive the carrier unit 52. Move to the left.

On the other hand, the output of the photoelectric detector 130 is supplied to the AND gate 136 via the Schmitt circuit 134 for waveform shaping, and is also supplied as a clear signal of the counter 112. The AND gate 136 is supplied with the movement instruction signal to the origin as the other input, and the output of the AND gate 136 is amplified by the amplifier 122 and then supplied to the self-propelled motor 61 to move the transport unit 52 to the right. Move in the direction.

The relationship between the distance between the trays 58a to 58d and the opening of the cam plate 100A is the same as in the above-described embodiment.

In the control system configured as described above, when the movement instruction signal to the origin becomes high potential, the AND gate 116 is closed and the movement of the transport unit 52 to the right is prohibited. At the same time, the gate of the AND gate 136 is opened to permit the transport unit 52 to move to the right.
In this state, the Schmitt circuit 134 generates a high potential output until the photoelectric detector 130 detects the cam plate 100A, and the transport unit 52 is moved to the right by the self-propelled motor 61. When the photoelectric detector 130 detects the cam plate 100A, the output of the photoelectric detector 130 becomes low potential, the gate of the AND gate 136 is closed, and the transport unit 52 is stopped. At this time, the transport unit 52 is at the origin position. At the same time, the count value of the counter 112 is cleared.

AND gate 136 when the movement instruction signal to the origin is low potential
The gate is closed and movement of the transport unit 52 to the right is prohibited. At the same time, the AND gate 116 has its gate opened. As a result, the output of the AND gate 116 becomes high potential and the transport unit 52 is moved to the left until the count value A of the counter 112 and the binary data B supplied to the digital comparator 114 match.

The operation of the control system will be described in more detail as shown in the flowchart of FIG.

When the power is turned on, the movement instruction signal to the origin becomes high potential (step v). Following step v, it is checked whether the photoelectric detector 130 has detected the cam plate 100A (step w). At step w, the photoelectric detector 130 moves the cam plate 100.
When A is not detected, the transport unit 52 is not at the origin position. The transport unit 52 moves to the right (step x), and when the transport unit 52 reaches the origin position, the transport unit 52 stops. Yes (step y). Following step y, the count value of the counter 112 is cleared (step z), and following step z, the sheet is transferred to the transport unit 52 (step l ₁ ).

From step l _{1 to} step t ₁ corresponds to the flow from step l to step t of the flowchart shown in FIG. 11, and the same operation is performed. Following step t, the movement instruction signal to the origin becomes high potential (step u), and then step w is executed.

Therefore, even in this embodiment, the sheet is inserted into the desired tray.

As described above, according to the sheet sorting and conveying apparatus of the present invention, the moving position of the sheet conveying unit is
It is possible to move to various tray positions provided according to size and the like, and it is possible to reliably store the conveyed sheets in the tray. Further, since the structure for this is simple, there are many advantages in terms of economic efficiency. Therefore, since trays of the same size and type are selected for each tray and temporarily stored, the next sheet can be promptly used.

Further, according to the present invention, the sheet conveying unit is made to stand by at the position where the sheet is received from the preceding sheet conveying means, and after the sheet conveyed by the preceding sheet conveying means is received by the sheet conveying unit, the detecting means is provided. The sheet conveying unit is moved until the position of the sheet conveying unit detected by the above coincides with the value designated by the specifying means, and the sheet conveying belt conveyor provided in the sheet conveying unit is driven at the coincident position to designate the sheet. Since the sheets are accommodated in the trays, it is not necessary to lengthen the sheet conveying belt so that the sheets can be conveyed to the tray position at the final end of the plurality of trays, and there is an effect that the sheet selecting / conveying apparatus can be downsized.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment,
It goes without saying that various improvements and design changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view of a radiation image information reading apparatus using a stimulable phosphor sheet in which the sheet selecting / conveying apparatus according to the present invention is incorporated, and FIG. 2 shows a self-propelled portion of the sheet selecting / conveying apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the belt driving mechanism of the sheet sorting and conveying apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a partially omitted perspective explanatory view showing the belt driving mechanism of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective explanatory view showing the correlation with the transport mechanism, FIG. 5 is a front explanatory view showing the arrangement state of the sheet sorting / transporting device according to the present invention and a plurality of trays arranged below it, and FIG. 6 is the present invention. FIG. 7 is a partially omitted plan view of the sheet sorting and conveying apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a control system in this embodiment, and FIG. Schematic diagram and cam plate Front shows a part view, Fig. 9 and the
10 is a waveform diagram for explaining the operation of the control system shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation in the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 12 is a transport unit in another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the tray, the cam plate and the photoelectric detector, FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a control system in another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 14 is a flow chart for explaining the operation in another embodiment of the present invention. Is. 10 …… Reading section, 12 …… Light guide sheet 14 …… Photomultiplier 16 …… Laser light source 18 …… Galvanometer mirror 20 …… Optical surface plate 22 …… Storable fluorescent sheet 24,26 …… Belt Conveyor 28 ...... Nip roller 30 ...... Belt conveyor 32 ...... Roller group 34 ...... Belt conveyor 36 ...... Guide member 38 ...... Roller 40 ...... Guide member 42 ...... Erase unit 44 ...... Belt Conveyors 45a to 45d …… Erasing light source, 46 …… Enclosure 48, 50 …… Belt conveyor, 52 …… Transfer unit 54 …… Belt conveyor, 56 …… Belt conveyor 58 …… Tray, 60 …… Sort section 61 ...... Self-propelled motor, 62 …… Case 63 …… Drive motor, 64, 66 …… Belt 68 …… Auxiliary roller, 70 …… Sprocket 72 …… Chain, 74 …… Sprocket 76,78 …… Gear , 80, 82 …… Rotating shafts 84a, 84b, 86a, 86b …… Rollers 88, 90 …… Sp Rocket, 92 ... Chain 94a, 94b ... Angle member 96a, 96b, 98a, 98b ... Guide roller 100 ... Cam plate, 102 ... Photoelectric detector 104 ... Schmidt circuit 106 ... Monostable multivibrator 108 ... … Nand gate circuit 110 …… Short pulse detection circuit, 112 …… Counter 114 …… Digital comparator, 116 …… Nand gate 118 …… Amplifier 120 …… Flip-flop, 122 …… Amplifier 130, 132 …… Photoelectric detector 134… … Schmidt circuit, 136 …… and gate

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of trays whose opening faces are inclined upward at a predetermined angle, a conveyor belt conveyor for inserting sheets into one of the trays, and a rotary drive source for driving the conveyor belts. A sheet conveying unit that is movably disposed along a running path that is arranged above the tray, a detecting unit that detects a moving position of the sheet conveying unit, and a sheet that is transferred to the belt conveyor. The sheet conveying unit is made to stand by at a position for receiving the sheet from the sheet conveying unit of the preceding stage and the designation unit for specifying the tray for insertion corresponding to the sheet conveying unit of the sheet conveying unit of the preceding stage. After the sheet is received, the sheet transport unit is detected until the position of the sheet transport unit detected by the detecting means matches the value designated by the designating means. Sheet sorting conveying apparatus characterized by a control means for driving the belt conveyor in and the matched positions by moving the.