JPH068353U - Paper feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] It is an object to provide a paper feeding device capable of automatically discriminating sheets having the same width and different lengths. [Arrangement] An appropriate position of the auxiliary sheet feeding plate 5 is provided with an actuator 6 which rotates around a fulcrum 7 due to the weight of the sheet, and a photo sensor 9 which detects a displacement of the actuator 6. When the sheet length is short, the detection unit 6a of the actuator 6 is in a state of protruding above the auxiliary sheet feeding plate 5, and the photosensor 9 receives the light output from the light source in the light receiving unit and outputs the sheet non-detection signal. Output. On the other hand, when the sheet length is long, the detection unit 6a of the actuator 6 is pressed by the sheet, and the other end of the actuator 6 blocks the optical path of the photosensor 9, so the photosensor 9 outputs a sheet detection signal.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a sheet feeding device that feeds sheets from a sheet (paper) bundle placed on a sheet feeding plate in a paper folding machine or the like, and particularly has a function of automatically discriminating various sheets of different sizes. Paper feeder.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 In a paper folding machine that folds advertisements for direct mail, etc., it is necessary to set the folding position according to the sheet size. In a conventional paper feeder used in a paper folding machine, a pair of paper feed guides that interlock with the width direction of the sheets are erected on a paper feed plate on which a sheet bundle is placed. Some have a function to detect the standard of the sheet by adjusting the interval of the sheet width to the width of the sheet. By detecting the sheet standard, the sheet folding machine can accurately fold the sheet at a predetermined position.

By the way, for example, in the case of a paper folding machine for the United States, standard papers to be processed include those shown in Table 1 below. As shown in Table 1, standard papers having the same width but different lengths are used.

[0004]

[Table 1]

In a conventional paper folding machine, standard papers having the same paper width and different lengths cannot be distinguished from each other. Therefore, it is necessary for an operator to set the folding position according to the length of the sheet to be processed. .

[0006]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 However, in the above-described paper folding machine equipped with the paper feeding device, the operator needs to set the folding position in accordance with the length of the sheet, which is complicated and the folding failure due to an operation error is caused. It has a drawback that it is likely to occur.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a paper feeding device capable of automatically distinguishing standard papers having the same width but different lengths. Target

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 The paper feeding device according to the present invention is characterized by having an actuator which is arranged at an appropriate position on the paper feeding plate and is movable by the weight of the sheet, and a photo sensor which detects a displacement of the actuator.

[0009]

[Action]

 In the present invention, standard papers having different lengths are discriminated by detecting the displacement of the actuator that moves according to the weight of the sheet with a photo sensor. For example, in order to distinguish between a letter size sheet and a legal size sheet shown in Table 1, the actuator and the photo sensor are arranged at a portion corresponding to the difference between the letter size and the legal size in the sheet feeding plate. As a result, when a letter size sheet is placed on the paper feed plate, the actuator does not move, while when a legal size sheet is placed, the actuator moves and the photo sensor detects it. It is possible to distinguish between letter size sheets and legal size sheets.

In this case, for example, a hole is provided at an appropriate position of the sheet feeding plate, a photo sensor is arranged in the hole or below the hole, and a light source is arranged above the sheet feeding plate so that light is blocked by the sheet. It is also possible to detect the size of the sheet depending on whether or not. However, in this case, when the number of sheets becomes small, there is a drawback that the photo sensor is apt to malfunction due to the influence of external light.

In the paper feeding device according to the present invention, the sheet size is detected by the displacement of the actuator that moves according to the weight of the sheet, so that the photo sensor is not easily affected by external light and malfunctions can be avoided.

The actuator is preferably lightweight because it needs to be moved by the weight of the seat, and is preferably made of plastic or the like.

[0013]

【Example】

 Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an example in which the paper feeding device according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to a paper folding machine.

The sheet feeding plate 3 and the auxiliary sheet feeding plate 5 are arranged in the length direction of the sheet 11. The paper feed plate 3 is rotatably supported at one end (the end on the side of the auxiliary paper feed plate 5) by the paper feed plate shaft 4, and the other end is supported by the paper feed shaft 2 by a spring or the like. Further, the sheet feeding roller 1 is biased toward the sheet feeding roller 1. A pair of guide plates 12 are arranged on the sheet feeding plate 3 at positions symmetrical with respect to the central axis of the sheet feeding plate 3 in a top view as in the conventional case. The pair of guide plates 12 are mechanically connected via a pinion rack and a rack (neither of which is shown), and interlock with the width direction of the sheet feed plate 3.

On the other hand, an actuator 6 and a photo sensor 9 are attached to the auxiliary paper feed plate 5 via brackets 8 and 10, respectively. The actuator 6 is rotatable about a fulcrum 7, and a detection unit 6a provided at one end of the actuator 6 slightly projects onto the auxiliary sheet feeding plate 5 through a slit provided in the auxiliary sheet feeding plate 5. Is becoming. Since the actuator 6 is made of plastic and is extremely lightweight, when the sheet is placed on the detection unit 6a, the actuator 6 rotates about the fulcrum 7 due to the weight of the sheet.

The photo sensor 9 includes a light source and a light receiving section, and as shown in FIG. 2, the photo sensor 9 is arranged so as to sandwich the actuator 6 between the light source and the light receiving section. That is, when the detector 6a of the actuator 6 is projected onto the auxiliary sheet feeding plate 5, the light output from the light source is detected by the light receiver, and the sensor 9 outputs a sheet non-detection signal. Further, when the detection unit 6a is pressed by the sheet and pushed into the auxiliary sheet feeding plate 5, the light output from the light source is blocked by the other end of the actuator 6, so that no light is input to the light receiving unit. A sheet detection signal is output from the sensor 9. The output of this sensor 9 is given to a control device (not shown). This control device adjusts the adjusting portion of the paper folding machine based on the position of the guide plate 12 and the output of the sensor 9 to determine the folding position.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. In order to simplify the description, the detector 6a of the actuator 6 is located at a position slightly rearward of the rear end of the sheet (that is, when the letter size sheet is mounted on the sheet feed plate 3 and the auxiliary sheet feed plate 5). , The letter size sheet is arranged at a position where it does not come into contact with the detection portion 6a). Further, a case of distinguishing between a letter size sheet and a legal size sheet will be described.

In the apparatus of this embodiment, when the sheets have different widths and lengths, for example, A3 size sheets and B4 size sheets, the guide plate 12 is used as the sheet as in the conventional case. The sheet standard is detected by adjusting the width. On the other hand, when discriminating between the letter size sheet and the legal size sheet, the control device determines that the sheet mounted on the sheet feeding plate 3 from the position of the guide plate 12 is the letter size or the legal size. Detect that. In this case, if the sheet is a letter size sheet, the detecting portion 6a of the actuator 6 projects above the auxiliary sheet feeding plate 5 as shown in FIG. 1, and the sensor 9 outputs a sheet non-detection signal. Based on the output of the sensor 9, the control device determines that the sheet placed on the paper feed plate 3 is letter size. Then, adjust the adjustment part of the paper folding machine to correspond to the letter size, and set the folding position automatically.

On the other hand, if the sheet placed on the paper feed plate 3 is of a legal size, the detecting portion 6a of the actuator 6 is pressed by the sheet and the actuator 6 rotates as shown in FIG. Since the other end cuts off the optical path of the sensor 9, the sensor 9 outputs a sheet detection signal. Based on this signal, the control device determines that the sheet placed on the paper feed plate 3 is a legal size, adjusts the adjusting unit of the paper folding unit to correspond to the legal size, and automatically sets the folding position. .

In this embodiment, various sheets having the same width but different lengths can be discriminated, and malfunction due to the influence of external light or the like can be avoided.

It is needless to say that by providing a plurality of actuators and photosensors at appropriate places of the sheet feeding plate and the auxiliary sheet feeding plate according to the sheet size, the invention can be applied to other than the above-mentioned discrimination between the letter size and the legal size. .

[0023]

[Effect of device]

 As described above, in the present invention, since the actuator that moves by the weight of the seat and the photo sensor that detects the displacement of this actuator are provided, seats with the same width and different lengths are automatically Can be determined.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an example in which a paper feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a paper folding machine.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the actuator and the photosensor of the same.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a state in which a legal size sheet is placed on a sheet feeding plate and an auxiliary sheet feeding plate.

[Explanation of reference numerals] 1; paper feed roller 2; paper feed shaft 3; paper feed plate 4; paper feed plate shaft 5; auxiliary paper feed plate 6; actuator 6a; detection unit 7; fulcrum 8, 10; bracket 9; photo sensor 11; Seat 12; guide plate

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A paper feeding apparatus comprising: an actuator which is arranged at an appropriate position on a paper feeding plate and is movable by a weight of a sheet; and a photo sensor which detects a displacement of the actuator.