JPH0761690A - Sheet material distributing device having sheet material carriage - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the deviation of the delivery timing in switching the carriage port where a sorter of the carriage moving type is provided with a plurality of delivery ports to the carriage. CONSTITUTION:A plurality of carrying passages (11, 12) from an output device to carriages (2, 4) are provided, and at the same time, the sheets continuously outputted from a sheet outputting device according to the position of the bin which is the carrying target of the carriage are carried by switching the carrying passage, and delivered to the carriage. The working time from the time when the carriage carries the sheet before the carrying passage is switched from one of the outlet of the carrying passage (13 or 15) to the specified position during the switching operation of the carrying passages, and to the time when the following sheet is moved from the other outlet of the carrying passage (1 5 or 13) to the receiving position is set to be smaller than the time the tip of the following sheet reaches the other outlet of the carrying passage after switching the carrying passage after the tip of the previous sheet before switching the carrying passage reaches one of the outlet of the carrying passages.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sheet material distributing device having a sheet carriage, and more particularly, to a plurality of bins for sequentially ejecting sheet materials one by one from a sheet material output device such as an image forming apparatus. The present invention relates to a sheet material distributing device for distributing and accumulating in a sheet. Specifically, at least one for delivering the discharged sheet material received from the sheet material output device to a plurality of bins
The present invention relates to a sheet material distribution device having one sheet material carriage means. The “image forming apparatus” may be referred to as the image forming apparatus alone or may be referred to as the sheet material distributing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a sheet material post-processing device (sheet material distribution device) having a sheet material sandwiching and conveying means (carriage means) receives a sheet material sandwiching and conveying means as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-262373. Some have only one outlet for delivery.

In this case, in order to distribute the sheet material to a plurality of bins, the moving distance of the sheet material holding and conveying means becomes long, and the moving speed of the sheet material holding and conveying means is remarkably increased in order to speed up the entire system. There must be.

Therefore, as shown below, it is conceivable to provide a plurality of conveying path outlets to shorten the moving distance of the sheet material sandwiching and conveying means so as to cope with the speedup.

FIG. 16 shows an example of a sheet material post-processing apparatus having a plurality of sheet material holding and conveying means. Reference numeral 100 is a sheet material output device main body such as a copying machine, and 116 is a pair of discharge rollers. Reference numeral 16 is a carry-in roller pair, 17 is a deflector for switching between the conveying paths 11 and 12, 13 and 15 are upper and lower discharge roller pairs, and 19 is a relay roller pair. 2 and 4 are sheet material sandwiching and conveying means (hereinafter,
A delivery unit), and B ₁ to _n are bins. The first delivery unit 2 and the second delivery unit 4 are both positions 2 ₍₁₎ to 2 _(n) and 4 ₍₁₎ to 4 corresponding to the bins B ₁ to _n.
It is possible to move to _(n) .

The operation will be briefly described. The sheet material discharged from the sheet material output device is fed by the entrance roller 16 and is switched to the upper or lower direction by the deflector 17, and the discharge roller 13 or 1 is passed through the respective paths.
First delivery unit 2 ₍₁₎ or 2 waiting by 5
_Handed over to _(j) . Meanwhile, the second delivery unit 4 ₍₁₎
.. _(n) stand by at the position 4 _(i) corresponding to the sheet discharge bin B _(i) among the bins B ₁ to _n for distributing the sheet material. The first delivery unit 2 moves to the corresponding position 2 _(i) of the second delivery unit 4 which holds the sheet material while sandwiching the sheet material, transfers the sheet material to the second delivery unit 4, and then again the delivery roller corresponding position. Return to 2 ₍₁₎ or 2 _(j) . Second
After delivering the sheet material to the bin B _(i) , the delivery unit 4 _(i) moves to the position 4 _{(i + 1)} corresponding to the bin B _{(i + 1)} to receive the sheet material and waits.

By repeating the above operation, the sheet material is distributed to the bins B _{1 to} B _n .

[0008]

However, in the above example, as shown in FIG. 16, the sheet material output device 10 is used.
Conveyance path 11 when transferring from 0 to the first delivery unit 2
Since the lengths of 12 and 12 are different, there were the following drawbacks.

As an example, when the sheet material discharged from the upper discharge roller 13 is distributed to the bins B _{1 to} B _i and the sheet material discharged from the lower discharge roller 15 is distributed to the bins B _{i + 1 to} B _n . To do. First, _let us consider an operation in which the sheet material is sequentially conveyed from the bin B ₁ to B _n , and then from B _n to B ₁ . The first delivery unit 2 is 2 ₍₁₎ → 2 ₍₂₎ → 2 ₍₁₎ → 2 ₍₃₎ → 2 ₍₁₎ →… → for bins B _{1 to} B _i
The position of 2 _(i-1) → 2 ₍₁₎ → 2 _(i) is sequentially moved, and then bins B _{i + 1 to} B _n → 2 _(j) → 2 _{(i + 1)} → 2 _(j) → 2
_{(i + 2)} →… → 2 _(n-1) → 2 _(j) → 2 _(n) Therefore, when the discharge roller is switched from 13 to 15, that is, when the sheet material receiving position of the first delivery unit 2 is switched from 2 _{( 1)} to 2 _(j) , the first delivery unit 2 is
_(i) → It is only necessary to move between 2 _(j) , and the conveyance path is switched from 11 to 12 to the longer one, and there is a margin in the time until the sheet material reaches the lower discharge roller 15, so the above distribution By adjusting the position of the branch point B _i , it is possible to sufficiently cope with the switching. However, conversely, when sequentially carrying from B _n to B ₁ , the first delivery unit 2 is 2 _(n) → 2 _(j) → 2 _(n-1)
→ 2 _(j) →… → 2 _{(i + 2)} → 2 _(j) → 2 _{(i + 1)} move in order, then → 2 ₍₁₎ → 2 _(i) → 2 ₍₁₎ → 2 _{(i + 1)} →
… → 2 ₍₁₎ → 2 ₍₂₎ → 2 ₍₁₎ , so the discharge roller switches from 15 to 13, that is, the sheet material receiving position of the first delivery unit 2 is from 2 _(j) to 2 ₍ When switching to ₁₎ , the first delivery unit 2 can be moved between 2 _{(i + 1) and} 2 ₍₁₎ , but the transport path is switched from 12 to 11 to the shorter _one. There was a risk that I would not be able to receive it at ( ₎ .

[0010]

According to the present invention, a plurality of sheet trays for accommodating sheet materials and the discharged sheet material from the sheet material output device are received and transferred to the sheet material inlet of each bin. In a sheet material post-processing apparatus having at least one sheet material sandwiching and conveying means (hereinafter referred to as a carriage) capable of providing a plurality of conveying paths from the sheet material output apparatus to the carriage, and the carriage at a bin position as a conveying target. The sheet material output device is configured to continuously convey sheets output from the sheet material output device by switching the sheet material conveying path and deliver the sheets to the carriage. The sheet material before the material transport path is switched is transported from one transport path outlet to a predetermined position, and the next sheet is received from the other transport path outlet. The operation time to move to the picking position is the time from when the leading edge of the previous sheet before switching the transport path reaches the exit of one transport path to when the leading edge of the next sheet after switching the transport path reaches the exit of the other transport path. Since it is characterized in that it is also shortened, high-speed processing is possible.

[0011]

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

In FIG. 1, an electrophotographic copying machine main body 100 is shown as a sheet material output device, and this copying machine has an automatic document feeder 102 and a copying machine main body 101 arranged at the upper part.
The folding device 103 is disposed on the side for discharging the sheet S and the sorter 1 is disposed further downstream thereof.

The originals 106 placed on the original placing table 105 of the automatic original feeding device 102 are sequentially separated from the lower side, and are fed onto the platen glass 107 of the copying machine main body 101 via the path 109, and then the copying machine. Optical system 1 of main body 101
The platen glass 10 is read by
7 through the path 111, and is discharged to the uppermost surface on the document table 105. The sheet S is fed from the deck 112,
An image is formed by the image forming unit 113, fixed by the fixing unit 115, generally passed through the folding device 103, and conveyed to the sheet carry-in port 10 of the sorter 1.

The image forming process of the copying machine 100, which is the main body of the present invention, is well known and will not be described here.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sorter 1 has B ₁ to B _1
n has a large number of bins that are fixedly arranged in a multi-tiered manner, and is provided with a carry-in entrance 10 for carrying in the sheets S discharged from the copying machine main body 100. 1 sheet conveying path 11 is configured, and
A second sheet transport path 12 is formed by branching from the first sheet transport path 11, and an upper discharge roller pair 13 is provided in the first sheet transport path 11 and a second sheet transport path 1 is also provided.
A lower discharge roller pair 15 is arranged on the downstream side of 2. A pair of sheet relay rollers 18 and 19 for conveying the smallest size sheet is provided in each of the sheet conveying paths 11 and 12.

Further, a pair of carry-in rollers 16 and a deflector 17 are arranged at the branch portions of the first and second sheet conveying paths 11 and 12, and the sheet S is moved to the first sheet by the displacement of the deflector 17. The sheet is selectively guided to the transport path 11 or the second sheet transport path 12.

FIG. 3 shows a first and a second delivery unit 2.4.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the vertical movement mechanism of FIG.

The vertical movement mechanism of the first delivery unit 2 is
A pair of main shafts 31 and 32 supported by bearings on the lower side and the upper side of the sorter in parallel with each other, and the respective main shafts 31 and 32.
33.3 attached to the back end and the front end of the
3, 34, 34 and their pulleys 33, 34, 33.
A pair of up-down belts 35, 35 on the back side and the front side, which are respectively suspended around 34, a power take-up pulley 36 attached to the back side end of the lower main shaft 31, and a forward / reverse rotation motor M ₁ for vertical movement.
And a drive pulley 37 attached to the output shaft of the motor M _1.
And a belt 38 suspended between the drive pulley 37 and the power take-up pulley 36. The first delivery unit 2 has the unit side plates 20 and 20 'at both ends fixed to the pair of vertical belts 35 and 35 and supported substantially horizontally.

When the vertical movement motor M ₁ is driven in the normal direction, the pair of belts 35 rotate in the normal direction, and the first delivery unit 2 moves upward accordingly. Conversely, the motor M ₁
When the belt is driven in the reverse direction, the belt pair 35 rotates in the reverse direction, and the unit 2 descends accordingly.

The belt pairs 35, 35 are pulleys 33, 33 fixed to the drive-side main shaft 31, and the driven-side main shaft 32, respectively.
Since the pulleys 34 fixed to the above are suspended and stretched, the rotational phase difference between the belts 35, 35 is unlikely to occur, and the unit 2 keeps horizontal and moves up and down.

Vertical rails 39, 39 in the vertical direction are attached to the mounting portions on the rear side and the front side of the sorter 1, respectively, which are not shown, and the vertical sides of the vertical rails 39, 39 are used for the rear side of the unit 2. And the rail fitting members 21 and 21 ′ attached to the outer surfaces of the unit side plates 20 and 20 ′ on the front side are fitted to each other, whereby the rattling in the front-back and left-right directions accompanying the vertical movement of the unit 2 can be suppressed. To be

Next, the moving mechanism of the second delivery unit 4 will be described.

In this moving mechanism, a pair of main shafts 51, 52 are provided on the lower side and the upper side of the sorter in parallel with each other so as to support the bearings, and a pulley 5 attached to each of the main shafts.
3, 54 and a vertical belt 5 suspended between the pulleys
5, a power take-off pulley 56 attached to the rear end of the lower main shaft 51, a forward / reverse rotation motor M ₂ for vertical movement, a drive pulley 57 attached to the output shaft of the motor M ₂ , the drive pulley 57, and the power take-up. It consists of a belt 58 suspended between pulleys 56.

The second delivery unit 4 has unit side plates 40, 40 'and is fixed to the vertical belt 55.

Two vertical rails 59, 59 'are vertically mounted and supported on a mounting portion (not shown) on the rear side of the sorter 1, and the vertical rails 59, 59' are provided on the rear side of the unit 4, respectively. A rail fitting member 41 attached to the outer surface of the unit side plate 40 is fitted.

The rail fitting member 41 has a hole 41a and an elongated hole 41b which are substantially the same as the rail outer diameter (FIG. 6), and are fitted with the rails 59 and 59 ', respectively.

As a result, backlash in the front-back and left-right directions accompanying the vertical movement of the unit 4 is suppressed, and the unit 4 moves up and down while maintaining the horizontal state.

In this way, when the vertical movement motor M ₂ is driven to rotate in the normal direction, the belt 55 rotates in the normal direction, and the second delivery unit 4 accordingly moves the sheet material inlet of each of the upper and lower multi-stage bins B _{1 to} B _n. When the motor M ₂ is driven in the reverse direction, the belt 55 rotates in the reverse direction, and the unit 4 moves upward accordingly.

FIGS. 4 (a), (b), and (c) show a partially cutaway front view, left side view, and transverse sectional view of the first delivery unit 2, respectively.

The first delivery unit 2 includes a pair of sheet material guide plates 22 and 22, which are provided between the unit side plates 20 and 20 'on the rear side and the labor side so as to face each other vertically with the side plates integrally.
A roller shaft 23 supported by bearings between the side plates 20 and 20 ',
A plurality of (four in this example) rollers 24 made of rubber or the like are attached at intervals along the length of the roller shaft 23, and a leaf spring 26 constantly exerts an appropriate force on the upper surface of each roller 24. The pressure roller 25 pressed against each other and the side plate 20 'on one side
The sheet material conveying motor m ₁ attached to the drive shaft, the drive gear 27 attached to the rotation shaft of the motor, and the power take-up gear 28 attached to the shaft end of the roller shaft 23 in mesh with the drive gear.
And sheet material presence detection sensors 29a and 29b (for example, a photocoupler including a light receiving element and a light source) provided on the sheet material exit side of the sheet material guide plate 22.

The contact nip portion between each roller 24 and the pressure roller 25 is located in the sheet material passage between the upper and lower sheet material guide plates 22 and 23.

FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C are a partially cutaway front view, a left side view and a transverse sectional view of the second delivery unit 4, respectively.

The second delivery unit 4 includes a pair of sheet material guide plates 42, 42 'which are provided between the unit side plates 40, 40' on the rear side and the labor side so as to be vertically opposed to the side plates integrally.
, Two roller shafts 43, 43 'supported by bearings between the side plates 40, 40', and a plurality of roller shafts 43, 43 'mounted at intervals along the length of the roller shafts 43, 43' (in this example, one roller shaft 43, 43 '). (4 on the shaft) rollers 44, 44 ′ made of rubber or the like, a pressure roller 45 constantly pressed against the upper surface of each roller 44 by a leaf spring 46, 46 ′ with an appropriate force, and one roller on one side. Side plate 4
The sheet material conveying motor m ₂ attached to the 0 ′ side, the drive gear 47 attached to the rotation shaft of the motor, and the drive gear 47 meshed with the drive gear 47 to attach the power take-up gear 4 to the shaft end of the roller shaft 43.
8 and a pulley 49 are mounted, and the pulley shaft 49 'and the sheet material guide plates 42, 42' on the front side of the roller shaft 43 'are provided on the sheet material outlet side of the pulley 49' which is driven by the belt 51. Sheet material presence detection sensor 49
(A) and 49 (b) (for example, a photocoupler including a light receiving element and a light source).

Further, each of the second delivery unit 4 has a bin,

[0035]

[Outer 1] The bin position detection sensor 50 (for example, a photo coupler) is provided.

Each roller 44, pressure roller 45, each roller 4
The contact nip portion between the 4'and the pressure roller 45 'is located in the sheet material passage between the upper and lower sheet material guide plates 42, 42'.

In FIGS. 6 and 7, the second delivery unit 4 has a predetermined bin.

[0038]

[Outside 2] 2 is a partially cutaway plan view showing a state in which the first delivery unit 2 is located corresponding to the second delivery unit 4 and a cross-sectional view at a partial position of the sensor 50. .

The second delivery unit 2 detects the position of each bin by detecting and counting the flag m projecting on the sheet material inlet side of each bin by the sensor 50 during the upward or downward movement process of the bin, thereby detecting each bin position. Highly precise movement / positioning stop control is performed at a position corresponding to the sheet material inlet.

The first delivery unit 2 and the second delivery unit 4 are respectively provided with position detection sensors 30a and 30b (for example, a photocoupler including a light receiving element and a light source) for detecting the respective positions. Therefore, the first delivery unit is highly accurately moved / positioned and stopped to a position corresponding to the second delivery unit 4 in the process of moving up or down.

The present embodiment is constructed as described above, and its operation will be described below.

I The original is set on the original placing table 105 of the automatic original feeder 102 of the copying machine main body 101 (FIG. 1),
A console unit (not shown) inputs a predetermined sort mode condition into the control circuit and presses the start key.

Ii When the start key is pressed, the standby process on the sorter 1 side is started. That is, it is the home position 2 (A) for the first delivery unit 2.
As a result, it is confirmed whether or not it is located at a position corresponding to the upper discharge roller pair 13 of the sorter 1. Also, the second delivery unit 4
About Home Position 4
The control circuit confirms the bin position as (A), for example, the position corresponding to the sheet material inlet of the highest non-sort bin B _A here.

These confirmations are made by a signal from a detection means (not shown) such as a switch to a microphone which is turned on when each of the units 2 and 4 is in the home position.

Iii First and second delivery units 2.4
When one or both of them are not located at their home positions, one or both of the vertical movement motors M ₁ and M ₂ (FIG. 3) are rotated in the normal direction or the reverse direction, and each unit 2 or 4 is rotated.
A return operation (initial setting operation) to each of the home positions is performed (FIG. 8A).

At the same time as or when the standby processing of the above i to iii on the iv sorter 1 side is completed, the document 206 is fed by the document feeder to the platen glass 107 of the copying machine body 101.
The main body 101 of the copying machine is fed to the upper part and starts the copying operation.

V At the same time, the sheet material conveying motors m ₁ and m _{2 of} the first and second delivery units 2 and 4 are respectively driven to rotate normally, and the cola roller pair 24.2 of each unit 2 and 4 is driven.
5 and 44, 45, 44 ', 45' are in the forward rotation state to receive the sheet material (FIG. 8 (b)), and the second delivery unit 4 is driven by the vertical movement motor M ₂ . It moves to the position of the uppermost bin B ₁ for sorting (the position corresponding to the sheet material inlet) 4 (1). The arrival of the second delivery unit 4 is detected by the flag m and the sensor 50 (FIG. 7), and the motor M ₂ is stopped.

Vi The first sheet S _{1 that} has undergone image formation processing in the copier 101 and is discharged from the carry-in port 10 is
It is guided by the deflector 17 displaced during the sorter standby process, introduced into the first transport path 11, and introduced into the first delivery unit 2 via the upper discharge roller pair 13.

Vii The introduction sheet material S ₁ is the upper and lower guide plates 22 and 22 of the first delivery unit 2 which is on standby with the position of the discharge roller pair 13 as the home position.
The leading end is guided by the guide plates 22 and 22 and enters the nip portion of the roller / roller pair 24 and 25.

Viii Since the roller / roller pair 24/25 is in the normal rotation state, the sheet material S ₁ is conveyed as it is forward between the guide plates 22/22 (FIG. 8 (c)).

When the sensors 29a and 29b detect the leading end of the sheet material S ₁ that has passed between the ix roller / roller pair 24 and 25 (FIG. 4 (c)), the first delivery unit 2 is driven at a predetermined timing. The rotation of the sheet material conveying motor m ₁ is stopped. Therefore, the leading end of the sheet material S ₁ is held in a state of being stably and firmly sandwiched between the roller rollers 24 and 25 whose rotation has stopped.

X At the same time, the vertical movement motor M ₁ of the first delivery unit 2 is driven in reverse rotation, and the unit 2 holds the leading end of the sheet material S ₁ between the pair of roller rollers 24 and 25. It moves down. That is, the sheet material S
₁ will be transferred downwards, the same as the discharging speed of the sheet material S ₁ discharged downward movement speed of the unit 2 from the upper discharge rollers 13 of the sorter 1, downward movement speed that is slightly slower than the discharge rate With the setting of, the sheet material portion between the roller / roller pair 24/25 and the upper discharge roller pair 13 is not pulled by an excessive load such as being pulled or broken, and an appropriate loop is formed. Is transferred to the lower part while it is maintained.

Xi first delivery unit 2 moved down
Has reached the position corresponding to the second delivery unit 4 waiting at the position corresponding to the sheet material inlet of the uppermost bin B ₁ by the position detection sensors 30a and 30b (FIG. 7) described above. When detected, the signal immediately stops the reverse rotation of the vertical movement motor M ₁ of the first delivery unit 4. That is, the descending movement of the first delivery unit 2 is stopped (FIG. 8 (d)).

Xii At the same time, the normal rotation drive of the sheet material conveying motor m ₁ of the _first delivery unit 2 is restarted, and the sheet material S ₁ sandwiched between the roller roller pairs 24 and 25 is rotated. Is conveyed between the sheet material guide plates 42, 42 on the second delivery unit 4 side (FIG. 8).
(E)).

The leading end of the sheet material S ₁ is guided by the guide plates 42, 42 and enters the nip portion of the roller / roller pair 44, 45, 44 ', 45' of the second delivery unit 4. The roller pressure of the roller / roller pair 44.45, 44 '/ 45' is equal to that of the roller / roller pair 24.
The roller pressure is set to be equal to or higher than the roller pressure of 25, and the leading end of the sheet material S ₁ is a roller roller pair 44.4.
It is securely held between 5, 44 'and 45' and conveyed.

Xiv roller roller pair 44, 45, 4
Since 4'and 45 'are already in the normal rotation state, the introduced sheet material S ₁ is continuously conveyed forward in the second delivery unit 4 (FIG. 8 (f)).

Xv The leading end of the sheet material S ₁ introduced into the second delivery unit 4 and conveyed forward through between the roller / roller pairs 44, 45, 44 ', 45' is the sheet material presence detection sensor 49a.・ When detected at 49b (Fig. 5)
(C)), the vertical drive motor M ₁ on the first delivery unit 2 side is driven in the normal direction by the signal, and the upward movement of the unit 4 is started. At this point, the leading end of the sheet material S ₁ is the roller roller pair 44 on the second delivery unit 4 side.
The sheet material S ₁ is reliably sandwiched between 45, 44 ′ and 45 ′ to ensure delivery of the sheet material S ₁ from the first delivery unit 2 side to the second delivery unit 4 side.

Xvi At the same time, the sheet material conveying motor m ₁ on the side of the first delivery unit 2 is controlled to be switched to the high-speed forward rotation state, that is, the roller 24 is rotated at an increased speed (FIG. 8).
(G)).

[0059] the sheet material conveying speed V _R in the high-speed rotational speed or the first return transfer process delivering unit 2 of the roller 24, the roller-roller pairs of the second delivery unit 4 side 4
Sheet material conveying speed V ₁ by 4.45 and 44 '/ 45'
And the ascending movement speed (return speed) of the first delivery unit 2
It is substantially equal rate to the sum V ₁ + V ₂ of V _2.

Therefore, even if the sheet material S ₁ is still passing through the first delivery unit 2 and has not been completely exhausted, the sheet material portion between the units 2 and 4 is moved even if the unit 2 is moved upward. A load such as a pulling force, a rubbing force, a bending force or the like is substantially not applied or is significantly reduced.

When the first delivery unit 2 reaches the home position, that is, the position corresponding to the upper sheet material discharge roller pair 13, the vertical movement of the vertical movement motor M ₁ is stopped and the sheet material conveyance motor is moved. The rotation speed of m ₁ is switched to the normal rotation speed state before being switched to the high speed, and the sheet material to be discharged next is waited from the upper discharge roller pair 13 (FIG. 8 (h)).

By the time the first delivery unit 2 returns to the home position as described above, the rear end of the sheet material S ₁ delivered to the second delivery unit 4 side is the first delivery unit 2 It has fallen out of the inside.

If the speed V _{2 at which} the first delivery unit 2 returns to the home position is set as high as possible, the next sheet material can be received with a margin and the transportation can be ensured. Is preferable.

Xviii On the other hand, the sheet material S ₁ delivered to the second delivery unit 4 side is the roller of the unit side.
By the forward rotation of the roller pairs 44, 45 and 44 ', 45', the unit 4 is introduced into the bin B _{1 of the} uppermost stage corresponding thereto.

[0065] xix sensor 49a · 4 things sheet rear end thereof the sheet S ₁ is introduced discharged into the bin 1a
The second delivery unit 4 is detected when passing through position 9b.
The vertical movement motor M ₂ is normally rotated, and the downward movement of the unit 4 is started in the same manner as described above (FIG. 9A). It is advantageous that the downward movement of the unit 4 is performed at a speed as high as possible.

Xx When it is detected by the flag m and the sensor 50 (FIG. 7) that the second delivery unit 4 which has moved downward has reached the position corresponding to the sheet material inlet of the bin B ₂ of the next stage. Immediately, the normal rotation drive of the vertical movement motor M ₂ is stopped, and the unit 4 stands by at the position corresponding to the sheet material inlet of the bin B ₂ of the next stage (FIG. 9B).

The second sheet material S ₂ is discharged and introduced from the upper discharge roller pair 13 through the sheet path of the copying machine main body 101.

Xxii The same operation as the above vii to xvii is performed (FIGS. 9C to 9E).

Xxiii The second sheet material S ₂ is the second
Since the delivery unit 4 of No. ₂ is located corresponding to the _second sorting bin B _{2 from the top} , it is introduced into and discharged from the second sorting bin B ₂ .

Xxiv When the sensors 49a and 49b detect that the _second sheet material has been introduced and discharged into the bin B ₂ , the second delivery unit 4 is moved downward as in the case of ixix. .

Xxv Then, as in the case of xx, the second delivery unit 4 stops and waits at a position corresponding to the sheet material inlet of the bin B _{3 at} the third stage from the next bin. Then, by performing the same operation as described above, the sheet distribution up to the bin B ₃ is performed (FIG. 10A).

Then, when the second delivery unit 4 stands by at the position corresponding to the sheet material inlet portion of the bin B ₄ (or before) by the above operation, the deflector 17 is displaced and the sheet material S ₃ is moved to the first position. It is introduced into the second conveyance path 12 and is introduced into the first delivery unit 2 through the lower discharge roller pair 15. At this time, the first delivery unit 2 moves to the position of the lower home position 2 (B) at the position 2 corresponding to the above-mentioned bin B _3.
It has moved from (3) (FIG. 10 (a)). Then, the sheet S ₄ is conveyed from the first delivery unit 2 to the second delivery unit 4 by the same operation as described above (from now on, the sheet receiving from the lower discharge roller pair 15), and the bin B is conveyed.
The sheet is discharged to ₄ (FIG. 10B).

The above operation (operation using the second transport path 12) is sequentially executed from B _{4 to} B _n (FIG. 10).
(D)).

Here, the switching of the conveying path by the deflector 17 is configured to be performed when the maximum moving distance of the first delivery unit 2 from the discharge roller pair 13 or 15 becomes almost the same distance. (Fig. 2).

That is, for B _{1 to} B _3, the sheet from the upper discharge roller pair 13 is distributed by the first delivery unit 2 (2 _(A) to 2 ₍₃₎ ), and the maximum moving distance is 1 ₁ . is there. From B _{(4) to} B _n, the sheet from the lower discharge roller pair 15 is distributed by the first delivery unit 2 (2 ₍₄₎ to 2
_(n) ), the maximum moving distances from the discharge roller pair 15 are 1 ₂ and 1 ₃ , respectively, and the sheets S are binned by distributing them so that 1 ₁ and 1 ₂ and 1 ₃ are almost the same distance.

[0076]

[Outside 3] Are sorted into. This is because, for example, when the main body of the copying machine is a high-speed machine, the first delivery unit 2 must be reciprocally moved between the sheets of the sheet S, so that the sheets S from one discharge roller pair are stored in all the bins B. It is necessary to move at a considerably high speed in order to distribute to. Therefore, it is divided into two paths and the moving distance is shortened.
By making the maximum moving distances from 3 and 15 substantially equal, it is possible to reduce the maximum moving speed of the first delivery unit 2. In addition, here, a pair of discharge rollers 1 from the deflector 17 of the first transport path 11 and the second transport path 12 is provided.
The distances to 3 and 15 are almost equal. This means that when the paper path is switched, one side (11 or 12) is very short and the other side is long side 12 or 11 while the first delivery unit is receiving and processing the second delivery unit. ,
Or, the next paper reaches the outlet of the short path before being received by the first delivery unit, and the operation of the copying machine body must be stopped because the processing cannot be completed in time or the first delivery unit. This is because the speed of will have to operate even higher.

By the above operation, the sheet material is sequentially distributed to the predetermined plurality of bins. For example, in the case of collating n sets of copy sheet materials for one set of three sheets, the above-described distribution operation is performed on the copy sheets of the first original by using the bins B _{1 to} B _n.
(Bin B ₁ to bin B _n ), and then for the copy sheets of the second original, bins B _{n to} B ₁ (n bin to 1
Performed in reverse order to the bottle), gathering work if such is performed again in order to bin B ₁ .about.B _n for copy sheet of the third original is performed efficiently.

Next, the relationship between the operation speed of the delivery unit, the total number of bins, and the distribution branch point to the bins when the lengths of the transport paths of the present invention are made equal will be described (FIG. 11). Set the following conditions to simplify the calculation.

(1) The uppermost bin B ₁ is set to the first bin (no non-sort bin is provided), and at the same time, the upper bin B ₁ is located opposite to the upper discharge roller pair 13.

(2) 1st to i-th bins (B _{1 to} B)
_i ) to bins corresponding to the sheet material from the upper discharge roller pair 13, and i + 1 to _nth bins (B _{i + 1 to} B _n ) to bins corresponding to the sheet material from the lower discharge roller pair 15.

(3) The j-th bin (B _j ) is located opposite to the lower discharge roller pair 15.

(4) Let a be the distance between the bins, which is common to all bins.

Consider the case where the first delivery unit 2 sequentially feeds the sheet materials to the bins B _{1 to} B _n under the above conditions and subsequently distributes them to the bins B _{n to} B ₁ .

In the operation in which the delivery unit 2 moves from the position corresponding to the pair of upper or lower discharge rollers to the position corresponding to the bin and then returns to the position facing any one of the pair of discharge rollers, the movement distance is considered to be long. There are the following five cases.

A. Maximum time in upper roller pair distribution (1 bin → (i-1) bin → 1 bin) B. When switching from top to bottom (1 bin → i bin → j bin) C. When the uppermost direction of the lower roller pair is distributed (j bin → (i
+1) bin → j bin) D. At the longest time in the downward direction in the lower roller pair distribution (j bin → n bin → j bin) E. When switching from the lower part to the upper part (j bin → (i + 1) bin → 1 bin) When the moving distance of the first delivery unit 2 in the above five cases is calculated, A = 2 _{(i-2) a} and B = _{( j-1) a} , C = 2
_{(j + 1-1) a} , D = 2 _{(nj) a} , E = _{(j-1) a} , and B and E are the same.

Since the total number of bins n is a parameter for D, first consider three cases of A, B, and C. Ideally, if all four moving distances including A, B, C and D are the same distance, it can be said that efficient bin distribution. First, consider a case where two of A, B, and C are equal.

I) In the case of A = B From 2 _{(i-2) a} = _{(j-1) a} , 2 _{i = j + 3} where i = 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Then,
As shown in the table of FIG. 12, j = 7, 9, 11, 13, 1
Determined as 5, 17 The value of A or B is also A or B = 6.
a, 8a, 10a, 12a, 14a, 16a. If 2 _{(ji-1) a} , which is the value of C, is _calculated here, C = 2a, 4
a, 6a, 8a, 10a, 12a, the value of A or B is always greater than the value of C in any case. That is, in this case, the maximum movement distance of the delivery unit 2 is predominantly A or B (E). Therefore, the remaining value of D may be less than this value. Where D = 2
_{(nj) a} , so j is fixed, and if n is large, D
Also grows. To obtain the maximum n, D may be the same as the values of A and B. When n is calculated with D = A or B,
n = 10, 13, 16, 19, 22, 25 These results are summarized in the table in FIG.

Ii) In the case of B = C From _{(j-1) a} = 2 _{(ji-1) a} , j = 2 _{i + 1} i) is obtained in the same manner as in FIG.

Iii) In the case of C = A From 2 _{(ji-1) a} = 2 _{(i-2) a} , i = 2 _i-1 i) and ii) are obtained in the same manner as in FIG.

However, in this case, since the value of B is dominant, n is determined as D = B.

The results obtained by dividing the above three cases into
Focusing on the maximum movement distance L, the table is summarized in FIG.
As shown in.

This is because by determining the maximum moving distance L of the delivery unit, the ideal total number of bins n and the bin NO. It is understood that j is determined, and the selection range of the bin branch points corresponding to the upper and lower roller pairs is also clear.
For example, when L = 12a, 1 to 6 or 7 or 8 bins correspond to the upper roller pair, and 19 bins thereafter correspond to the lower roller pair. Further, the thirteenth bin may be set at a position facing the lower roller pair.

At this time, when selecting the moving motor of the first delivery unit 2, the sum of the time for moving the distance L = 12a, the time for holding the leading edge of the sheet material and the time for delivering to the second delivery unit 4 is It suffices if it can be set to be shorter than the sheet interval time of the sheet material output device.

Next, the case of changing the moving speed of the sheet holding and conveying means of the present invention will be described.

In this case, the construction may be different in the conveying path length as in the conventional example, so that the description will be made with reference to FIG.

The conventional problem in FIG. 16 is that when the long transport path 12 is switched to the short transport path 11, that is, when the discharge roller pair is switched from 15 to 13, 2 _{(i + 1)} of the first delivery unit. ₎ → 2 It means that the movement of ₍₁₎ cannot be done in time. Therefore, if the movement of 2 _{(j + 1)} → 2 ₍₁₎ is performed at the speed V ₁ faster than the normal movement speed V _{0 of} the first delivery unit, it is possible to make it in time. When the first delivery unit 2 moves the sheet material in the nip, the normal slow speed V
If you move it at ₀ , no extra load is applied to the sheet material.

In order to obtain the condition of V ₁ , the sheet interval (time) of the sheet material output device 100 is T, the transport speed is V ₀ , the difference between the transport paths 11 and 12 is l, the bin interval a, and the first delivery unit 2
There time t ₁ passes the sheet material leading end from the discharge roller pair 13 or 15 of the conveying path, the first delivery unit 2 is to time t ₂ to pass the sheet material to a second delivery unit 4, 2
_After the first delivery unit located at _(j) receives the sheet material and passes it to the second delivery unit located at 4 _{(j + 1)} ,
Time to move to 2 ₍₁₎

[0098]

[Outside 4] In order for this to receive the sheet material coming out of the discharge roller pair 13,

[0099]

[Outside 5] In the above formula, when l → large, the lower limit of V ₁ becomes large, so V ₁
If there is an upper limit on, then l is also limited to a certain value.

Next, the case of changing the carrying speed in the carrying path of the present invention will be described.

This is also the case where the transport path length is different as in the conventional example, and will be described with reference to FIG.

In this case, the timing at which the leading edge of the sheet material reaches the discharge roller pair 13 or 15 is different by changing the conveying speed and keeping the timing constant at all times. The lengths l ₁₁ and 12 of the conveying path 11 are l _12, and the length S of the sheet material is S. The sheet material conveyance speed is V _a in the output device and the conveyance path 11 in common, and v (> v) in the conveyance path 12.
₀ ).

First, when passing through the conveying path 11, the time from when the leading edge of the sheet material reaches the carry-in roller pair 16 to when it reaches the discharge roller pair 13 is

[0104]

[Outside 6] Next, when passing through the conveying path 12, the sheet material is conveyed at a slow speed V ₀ for the length S of the sheet material, and the sheet is assumed to be accelerated to the speed V after entering the entire conveying path 12. Discharge roller pair 1 after the material tip reaches the carry-in roller pair 16
Time to arrive at 5

[0105]

[Outside 7] Therefore, it takes equal time to arrive at the pair of discharge rollers regardless of which conveyance path.

[0106]

[Outside 8] If Also in this case, if l ₁₁ is a value close to S, V will be infinitely large.
₁₁ is limited, and l ₁₂ → is large, but V becomes large, so l ₁₂
There are also restrictions.

Next, the case of changing the supply timing on the output device side of the present invention will be described.

This will also be described with reference to FIG.

A normal sheet material supply timing is T. Now, after the first delivery unit 2 located at 2 _(j) receives the sheet material and hands it to the second delivery unit 4 waiting at 4 _{(i + 1)} , the time to move to 2 ₍₁₎ is

[0110]

[Outside 9] The time from when the previous paper reaches the discharge roller pair 15 to when the next paper reaches the discharge roller pair 13 is

[0111]

[Outside 10] If you are not in time,

[0112]

[Outside 11] If + α is added to T ₁ , it will be in time,

[0113]

[Outside 12] Only when the pair of discharge rollers is switched from 15 to 13, it is sufficient to delay the sheet material output device side by α and supply the sheet.

(Embodiment 2) In the above embodiment, the number of the transport paths is limited to two, and the lengths of the two are equidistant, but there may be three or more transport paths. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the upper path is used for discharging to the non-sort bin, but a non-sort bin dedicated path may be provided at the top so that the other two bins correspond to all non-sort bins.

(Embodiment 3) In the above embodiment, the conveying path is constituted by the roller pair and the guide plate, but the conveying means may be other than this. For example, both sides may be sandwiched by long belts for conveyance, or one side may be a belt and the other side may be a pressing means such as a pressing roller.

[0116]

As described above, a plurality of conveyance paths from the sheet material output device to the sheet material carriage means are provided,
Make the lengths of the two transport paths equal. Alternatively, the moving speed of the sheet material carriage means is changed according to the switching direction of the transport path. Alternatively, the transport speed in the transport path is changed according to the transport path length. Or, by changing the sheet material supply timing on the sheet material output device side in accordance with the switching direction of the conveyance path, It is possible to set the moving speed of the sheet carriage means by pressing it to a necessary minimum, and the damage to the sheet material is reduced.

2. Similarly, by pressing the speed, the stopping accuracy of the sheet material carriage means can be improved.

3. It is possible to maximize the capabilities of the seat output device and the entire system. And so on.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic front sectional view of an image forming apparatus including a sheet sorting apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front sectional view of the classification device.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the classification device.

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway left side view (a), rear view (b), and front sectional view (c) of the first delivery unit.

FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway left side view (a), rear view (b), and front sectional view (c) of the second delivery unit.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the classification device.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the first and second delivery units at a predetermined position.

FIG. 8 is a series of operation explanatory diagrams of the classification device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a series of operations of the classification device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a series of operations of the classification device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a series of operations of the classification device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a relationship between a series of bin configurations and delivery unit movement distances of the sorting apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a relationship between a series of bin configurations and delivery unit movement distances of the sorting apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a relationship between a series of bin configurations and delivery unit movement distances of the sorting apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a relationship between a series of bin configurations and delivery unit movement distances of the sorting apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a classification device representing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 B sheet tray (bin) 2 first delivery unit 4 second delivery unit 11, 12 transport path 13 upper discharge roller pair 15 lower discharge roller pair

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of bin trays for accommodating sheet materials, and at least one movable sheet material carriage that receives discharged sheet materials from a sheet material output device and transfers the discharged sheet materials to a sheet material inlet of each bin tray. In the sheet distributing apparatus having the sheet material output device, a plurality of sheet material conveying paths from the sheet material outputting device to the carriage are provided, and the sheets are continuously output from the sheet material outputting device according to the position of the bin which is the conveyance target of the carriage. Is configured to be conveyed by switching the sheet material conveyance path and delivered to the carriage, and during the switching operation of the sheet material conveyance path, the carriage transfers the sheet material before the sheet material conveyance path is switched to one of the conveyance path exits. From the exit of the other transport path to the position where it receives the next sheet from the exit of the other transport path. It is characterized in that it is shorter than the time from the arrival of the leading edge of the preceding sheet before the change to the exit of one transport path to the arrival of the leading edge of the next sheet after the transfer path reaches the exit of the other transport path. A sheet material distribution device having a sheet material carriage. 2. At least two of the plurality of sheet material conveying paths from the sheet material output device to the carriage are set to have substantially the same length, and when the conveying paths are switched, the two conveying paths having substantially the same length are used. 2. The sheet material distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the carriage is controlled so as to move between the two conveyance path outlets while the sheet material is conveyed to the vicinity of the center of the passage exit. . 3. A return speed from a predetermined position of the carriage to the exit of the other conveying path at the time of switching the sheet material conveying path is changed according to a direction in which the conveying path is switched. The seam distributing device according to item 1. 4. The sheet material distributing device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet material conveying speed in the conveying path is changed according to the switching of the sheet material conveying path. 5. The sheet material output device is configured so that the time interval of the sheet material continuously output from the sheet material output device is made longer than a normal time at least once in the switching of the sheet material conveying path. The sheet material distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet material distribution device is controlled. 6. The sheet material output device continuously sets the time interval of the sheet material when switching between the two sheet conveyance paths having different lengths among the plurality of sheet conveyance paths. 6. The sheet material output device according to claim 5, wherein the sheet material output device is controlled so that the sheet material output device is made longer than a normal time when the conveyance path length is switched from the longer one to the shorter one. 7. An image forming apparatus comprising the sheet material distribution device according to claim 1.