JPH11268837A - Separating/feeding device for mail - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the feeding accuracy of one piece of mail by controlling the attitude of the mail conveyed in an erected state to a vertical state, and adsorbing and separating the mail one by one from the downstream side in the conveying direction. SOLUTION: When mail 2 is conveyed in an inclined state, the side end of the mail 2 is detected by a reflection type photoelectric sensor 13, and a spiral roller 8 is stopped (a). A reflection type sensor 14 does not detect the mail 2 yet at this time, a fork feed mechanism 5 continues conveyance, and the mail 2 is set to an upright state (c). The reflection type photoelectric sensor 14 then detects the mail 2, the reflection type photoelectric sensor 13 is also kept at a detecting state at this time, the spiral roller 8 is rotated, and the mail 2 is transferred to a one-piece extraction section 6 by spiral rollers 7, 8. When the mail 2 is fed in sequence, the mail 2 in the one-piece extraction section 6 is decreased. When the gap between the mail 2 is widened, the mail 2 having unaligned terminals is dropped by gravitational force, and the terminals are aligned.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for separating and feeding postal matter in which postal matters piled up and stacked in a standing state are taken out one by one.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this kind of separation and supply device, one having a structure shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is known.

[0003] In this conventional separating and feeding apparatus, one mail take-out section is formed by a plurality of flat belts 20 and a plurality of timing belts 21 driven by a motor (not shown). It is transported in 22 directions. A plurality of spiral rollers 23 and 24 are disposed between the end of the timing belt 21 and the one-takeout unit 22, and transfer the mail conveyed by the timing belt 21 to the one-takeout unit 22. The spiral rollers 23 and 24 are driven by a motor 25 via a clutch / brake (not shown), and a reflection type photoelectric sensor 2 for detecting a side edge of a mail is provided near the end of the timing belt 21.
6, 27 are arranged. Reflection type photoelectric sensor 26, 2
The output of 7 is taken by an AND gate, and the flat belt 20 and the timing belt 21 are stopped only when a mail is detected. The reflection type photoelectric sensors 28 and 29 are arranged near the ends of the spiral rollers 23 and 24. The outputs of the reflection type photoelectric sensors 28 and 29 are taken by an AND gate. OF clutch
F, The brakes are turned on to stop the spiral rollers 23, 24.

When the reflection type photoelectric sensors 28 and 29 detect the presence of the mail placed in the upright position, the spiral rollers 23 and 24 stop rotating. Therefore, the mail cannot be pressed against the suction belt 30. Absent. When the mail is taken out by the suction belt 30, the gap between the mails existing in the one-pass take-out section 22 is widened and the reflection type photoelectric sensors 28 and 29 cannot detect the mail, so that the spiral rollers 23 and 24 rotate. , One mail take-out part 2
When the paper is transported in two directions and the degree of close contact between the mails increases again, the spiral rollers 23 and 24 stop.

[0005] As described above, since the postal matter in the one-pass take-out section 22 is always kept at a fixed degree of contact, the postal matter whose ends are not aligned falls by gravity and the ends are easily aligned. Is improved.

Further, since the inertia of the spiral rollers 23 and 24 is small, a high-speed response is possible, and the mail is not pressed against the suction belt 30.

[0007]

In the above-mentioned prior art, the reflection-type photoelectric sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a mail item detects only the side edge of the mail item. Since the driving sources of the spiral rollers 23 and 24 for transporting the ends are the same, when the postal matter loaded on the flat belt 20 is transported with its tip inclined back and forth, one mail is kept in the same posture. It is transferred to the take-out unit 22. In such a case, the degree of cohesion between postal items is high, and postal items with non-uniform ends are supplied with non-uniform ends, so double feed is likely to occur, and if the degree of cohesion between postal items is high. Due to the frictional force, double-feeding is likely to occur even for mail items with uniform ends.

An object of the present invention is to detect the attitude of a mail even when the mail is conveyed with the front and back inclined by the conveying means, to make the mail stand upright at a single take-out part, and to set a gap between the mails. Is to keep the mail at an appropriate level to easily drop the mail with uneven ends by gravity and align the ends, and to minimize the frictional force acting between the mails to improve the accuracy of one-passing. .

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for separating and supplying postal matter, wherein a plurality of postal matters are transported in an upright position to achieve the above-mentioned object. A method for separating and supplying postal matter in which a postal matter located in front of the postal direction in the transport direction is vacuum-adsorbed and separated one by one. The present invention is characterized in that the attitude is detected, and based on the detection result, the postal matter is controlled to be in a vertical state, and the postal matter located on the downstream side in the transport direction is separated by vacuum suction.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mail separating / supplying apparatus, wherein a main conveying means for conveying a plurality of mails in an upright position, and a mail conveyed by the main conveying means are conveyed. Vacuum suction means for suctioning and separating one by one from the downstream side in the direction, and attitude control means provided between the vacuum suction means and the main transport means for controlling the attitude of the mail in a vertical state. It is characterized by having.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mail separating / supplying apparatus, wherein the attitude control means according to the second aspect is arranged such that an edge of the mail is brought into contact with the edge of the mail. Edge transport means for moving the edge toward the vacuum suction means, and side edge transport means for moving the side edge of the mail piece toward the vacuum suction means, with the side edges of the mail being abutted, An edge detection sensor provided on the downstream side of the edge transporting means and detecting an edge of the postal matter, a side edge detection sensor for detecting a side edge of the postal matter, and a postal matter by the edge detection sensor Edge driving means for stopping the edge transport means when the edge of the mail is detected, and stopping the side edge transport means when the side edge of the mail is detected by the edge detection sensor. And a side edge driving means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for separating and supplying postal matter, wherein the attitude control means according to the third aspect is provided in the middle of a transport path of the edge transport means. A second edge detection sensor that detects an edge, and a second edge detection sensor that is provided in the middle of the transport path of the side edge transport unit and detects a side edge of the mail. When the edge and the side edge of the postal matter are detected by the edge sensor and the second side edge detection sensor, the main transport unit is stopped.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mail separating / supplying apparatus, wherein the attitude control means according to the fourth aspect is configured such that:
When the edge of the postal matter is detected only by the edge detection sensor of the above, the edge transport means is stopped, and when the side edge of the postal matter is detected only by the second side edge detection sensor. Stopping the edge conveying means, and further, when a second edge sensor and a second side edge detecting sensor detect an edge and a side edge of the mail, the edge conveying means and the side edge The present invention is characterized in that the conveying means is driven.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the mail separating / supplying apparatus, the edge detection sensor and the side edge detection sensor according to any one of the third to fifth aspects are reflection type photoelectric sensors. It is characterized by the following.

According to the method for separating and supplying postal matter according to the first aspect of the present invention, at the end of the transport route of the postal matter,
By detecting the posture of the postal matter and controlling the posture of the postal matter in the vertical state based on the detection result, the postal matter located on the downstream side in the transport direction is vacuum-sucked and separated, thereby forming a gap between the postal matter. By always keeping the mail at an appropriate level, it is possible to easily drop the mail with uneven ends by gravity and align the ends, and to minimize the frictional force acting between the mails, thereby improving the accuracy of single feed. .

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the mail conveyed in the upright position by the main conveying means is moved vertically by the attitude control means disposed downstream thereof. Then, the postal matter can be suctioned and separated one by one from the downstream side in the transport direction by the vacuum suction means. Therefore, the method for separating and supplying postal matter according to claim 1 can be reliably performed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mail separating apparatus, comprising: an edge detecting sensor for detecting an edge of the mail; and a side detecting sensor for detecting a side edge of the mail. Detecting the edge and the side edge of the mail, and when the edge of the mail is detected by the edge detection sensor, the edge driving means stops the edge conveyance means, and the edge detection sensor When the side edge of the postal matter is detected by the above, by stopping the side edge conveying means by the side edge driving means, the part to be moved ahead of the postal matter conveyed at an angle is stopped. In this state, other parts can be moved, so that the posture of the mail can be surely adjusted to the vertical state.

According to the mail separating apparatus of the fourth aspect, the second edge detecting sensor provided in the middle of the conveying path of the edge conveying means for detecting the edge of the mail, A second side edge detection sensor that is provided in the middle of the conveyance path of the side edge conveyance means and detects a side edge of the postal matter, and the second side edge sensor and the second side edge detection sensor By stopping the main transporting means when the edge and side edge of the mail are detected, the attitude of the mail can be controlled in the vertical direction in the upstream part of the attitude control means.

According to the mail separating apparatus of the fifth aspect, when the edge of the postal matter is detected only by the second edge detecting sensor, the edge conveying means is stopped, Further, when the side edge of the postal matter is detected only by the second side edge detection sensor, the edge conveying means is stopped, and
When the edge and the side edge of the postal matter are detected by the second edge sensor and the second side edge detection sensor, by driving the edge transporting means and the side edge transporting means, the postal matter is positioned. After the posture is controlled in the vertical direction in the upstream part of the control means, it can be sent to the vacuum suction means in a state where the posture is controlled, thereby improving the separation accuracy of the mail.

Further, according to the mail separating / supplying device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the edge detecting sensor and the side edge detecting sensor are constituted by reflection type photoelectric sensors, so that the edge of the mail is controlled. In addition, the detection of the side edge is performed in a non-contact manner, so that the movement of the mail is prevented from being hindered by these sensors, the damage can be prevented, and the posture control can be smoothly performed.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. Referring to FIG. 1, postal matter 2 piled up on a supply guide 1 is kept in an upright state by a fork feed mechanism 5 composed of forks 4 attached to a chain 3 at equal intervals, and a single take-out unit It is transported in six directions. This fork feed mechanism 5
Is driven by a motor 17, and in the present embodiment, the supply guide 1, the fork feed mechanism 5, and
The main transporting means is constituted by the motor 17.

Between the end of the fork feeding mechanism 5 and the one-pass take-out section 6, a helical roller 7 constituting an attitude control means,
8 is arranged to transfer one mail 2 to the take-out unit 6. One of the spiral rollers 7 is an edge transporting means which comes into contact with the edge of the postal matter 2 and transports the edge, and as shown in FIG. , And can be rotated clockwise by a motor 10 with a clutch / brake.

The spiral roller 8 constitutes a side edge transfer means for contacting the side edge of the mail 2 and transferring the side edge.
It is designed to be rotated counterclockwise by a timing belt 11 constituting a side edge driving means and a motor 12 with a clutch and a brake.

The reflection type photoelectric sensors 13, 14, 15, 16 are arranged near the spiral rollers 7, 8, and the reflection type photoelectric sensors 14, 16 detect the edge of the mail 2. And a reflection type photoelectric sensor 13, 1
Reference numeral 5 denotes a side edge detection sensor for detecting the side edge of the mail 2.

Then, the fork feed mechanism 5 outputs a stop signal to the motor 17 and stops only when both the reflection type photoelectric sensors 13 and 14 detect mail. The helical roller 7 turns off the clutch of the motor 10 with the clutch / brake, turns on the brake, and stops its rotation when the reflective sensor 16 detects a postal matter or when only the reflective photoelectric sensor 14 detects a postal matter. . Similarly, when the reflection type photoelectric sensor 15 detects a postal matter, or when only the reflection type photoelectric sensor 13 detects a postal matter, the spiral roller 8 disengages the clutch of the motor 12 with the clutch / brake.
FF, brake is turned ON and its rotation stops.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIGS. Mail 2 transferred by fork feed mechanism 5
When the reflective photoelectric sensors 13 and 14 both detect mail, the fork feed mechanism 5 temporarily stops. At this time, since the reflection type photoelectric sensors 15 and 16 have not yet detected the postal matter 2, the spiral roller continues to rotate and sequentially transports one postal matter 2 to the take-out part.

When the mail 2 is transported at an angle as shown in FIG. 3 (a), the side edge of the mail 2 is first placed on the reflection type photoelectric sensor 13
And the spiral roller 8 stops.

At this time, since the reflection type photoelectric sensor 14 has not yet detected the postal matter 2, the fork feed mechanism 5 continues to be transported, and the postal matter 2 is in an upright state as shown in FIG.

Then, the reflection type photoelectric sensor 14 detects the postal matter 2. At this time, since the reflection type photoelectric sensor 13 is also in the detection state, the spiral roller 8 is rotated, and the postal matter 2 is transmitted by the spiral rollers 7, 8. It is transferred to the take-out part.

Similarly, when the mail 2 is transported at an angle as shown in FIG.
4, the spiral roller 7 stops, but at this time, the fork feed mechanism 5 continues to transfer the postal matter 2 because the reflective photoelectric sensor 13 has not detected the postal matter 2 yet.
Is in an upright state as shown in FIG.

Then, the reflection type photoelectric sensor 13 detects the mail 2. At this time, since the reflection type photoelectric sensor 14 is also in the detection state, the spiral roller 7 rotates, and the mail 2 is
8 transfers it to the take-out unit.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the mail 2 is tilted near the one-sheet take-out part, the spiral rollers 7, 8 are as follows.
Control. When the mail 2 is transported at an angle as shown in FIG. 4A, the side end of the mail 2 is first placed on the reflection type photoelectric sensor 15.
, The spiral roller 8 stops, but at this time, since the reflection type photoelectric sensor 16 has not yet detected the mail 2, the spiral roller 7 continues to rotate, and the mail 2 is
When the reflection type photoelectric sensor 16 detects the mail 2, the spiral roller 7 stops.

Similarly, when the mail 2 is transported at an angle as shown in FIG. 4B, the end of the mail 2 is first detected by the reflection type photoelectric sensor 16 and the spiral roller 7 stops.
At this time, since the reflective photoelectric sensor 15 has not yet detected the postal matter 2, the spiral roller 8 continues to rotate, and the postal matter 2 is in an upright state as shown in FIG.
When 5 detects the postal matter 2, the spiral roller 8 stops.

When the mails are sequentially supplied, the number of the mails 2 in the one-pass take-out unit 6 is reduced, and the gap between the mails is widened. At the same time, the reflection type photoelectric sensors 15 and 16 cannot detect the mail 2 and the spiral rollers 7 and 8 rotate to transfer the mail 2 to the take-out unit.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the attitude of the mail 2 is adjusted in the vertical direction at both the entrance and the exit of the attitude control means. The contact pressure between the objects 2 is adjusted appropriately and the separation is performed smoothly, and a synergistic action of these enables a highly accurate separation operation to be obtained.

[0036]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By arranging a sensor for detecting the side edge and the end of the postal matter to detect the posture of the postal matter, and independently controlling the edge conveying means and the side edge conveying means having different driving sources according to the detected information, 1 By keeping the mail upright at the passing-out section and always keeping the gap between the mails at an appropriate level, it is possible to align the edges of non-aligned mails by dropping their own weight, and between the mails. The working frictional force can be minimized, and as a result, the accuracy of one mail delivery can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view and a front view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of the present invention, and is a view as seen from the direction of arrow A in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a front view for explaining the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view for explaining the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

5A and 5B are a plan view and a front view showing one example of a conventional structure.

6 is a view showing an example of a conventional structure, and is a view as seen from the direction of arrow A in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 supply guide (main transport means) 2 mail 3 chain (main transport means) 4 fork (main transport means) 5 fork feed mechanism (main transport means) 7 spiral roller (edge transport means) 8 spiral roller (side edge transport) Means) 10 Motor (edge driving means) 12 Motor (side edge driving means) 13 Reflection type photoelectric sensor (side edge detection sensor) 14 Reflection type photoelectric sensor (edge detection sensor) 15 Reflection type photoelectric sensor (side edge detection sensor) 16) Reflection type photoelectric sensor (edge detection sensor) 17 Motor 20 Flat belt 21 Timing belt 22 One take-out portion 23, 24 Spiral roller 25 Motor 26, 27, 28, 29 Reflection type photoelectric sensor 30 Suction belt

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] February 5, 1999

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0009

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has the following arrangement to solve the above-mentioned problems. The gist of the invention according to claim 1 is that the attitude control means is configured such that an edge of the mail is brought into contact with the edge and the edge of the mail is moved toward the vacuum suction means; A side edge of the postal matter is abutted, and a side edge conveying means for moving the side edge of the postal matter toward the vacuum suction means, and provided on the downstream side of the edge conveying means, An edge detection sensor that detects an edge, a side edge detection sensor that detects a side edge of the postal matter, and the edge conveyance unit when the edge of the postal matter is detected by the edge detection sensor. A postal matter comprising: an edge driving means for stopping; and a side edge driving means for stopping the side edge conveying means when a side edge of the mail is detected by the edge detection sensor. In the separation and supply device.

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0010

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

The gist of the present invention is that the attitude control means is provided in the middle of a transport path of the edge transport means, and detects a second edge detection sensor for detecting an edge of the postal matter. A second side edge detection sensor that is provided in the middle of the conveyance path of the side edge conveyance means and detects a side edge of the postal matter. The second side edge sensor and the second side edge detection sensor 2. The mail separating / supplying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main transport means is stopped when an edge and a side edge of the mail are detected.

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0011

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

The gist of the present invention is that the attitude control means stops the edge transport means when the edge of the mail is detected only by the second edge detection sensor,
Further, when the side edge of the postal matter is detected only by the second side edge detection sensor, the edge conveying means is stopped, and the mail is further postulated by the second side edge sensor and the second side edge detection sensor. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the edge and the side edge of the article are detected, the edge transport means and the side edge transport means are driven. Exist.

[Procedure amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0012

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

The gist of the invention described in claim 4 is that the edge detection sensor and the side edge detection sensor are reflection type photoelectric sensors, and the mail according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is characterized in that: Exists in the separation and supply device for the product.

[Procedure amendment 6]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0013

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure amendment 7]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0014

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure amendment 8]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0015

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure amendment 9]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0016

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure amendment 10]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0017

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

According to the mail separating apparatus of the first aspect, the postal matter is detected by the edge detecting sensor for detecting the edge of the mail and the side detecting sensor for detecting the side of the mail. Detecting the edge and the side edge of the mail, and when the edge of the mail is detected by the edge detection sensor, the edge driving means stops the edge conveyance means, and the edge detection sensor When the side edge of the postal matter is detected by the above, by stopping the side edge conveying means by the side edge driving means, the part to be moved ahead of the postal matter conveyed at an angle is stopped. In this state, other parts can be moved, so that the posture of the mail can be surely adjusted to the vertical state.

[Procedure amendment 11]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0018

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

According to the mail separating apparatus of the second aspect, the second edge detecting sensor provided in the middle of the conveying path of the edge conveying means for detecting the edge of the mail, A second side edge detection sensor that is provided in the middle of the conveyance path of the side edge conveyance means and detects a side edge of the postal matter, and the second side edge sensor and the second side edge detection sensor By stopping the main transporting means when the edge and side edge of the mail are detected, the attitude of the mail can be controlled in the vertical direction in the upstream part of the attitude control means.

[Procedure amendment 12]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0019

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

According to the mail separating apparatus of the third aspect, when the edge of the mail is detected only by the second edge detecting sensor, the edge conveying means is stopped, Further, when the side edge of the postal matter is detected only by the second side edge detection sensor, the edge conveying means is stopped, and
When the edge and the side edge of the postal matter are detected by the second edge sensor and the second side edge detection sensor, by driving the edge transporting means and the side edge transporting means, the postal matter is positioned. After the posture is controlled in the vertical direction in the upstream part of the control means, it can be sent to the vacuum suction means in a state where the posture is controlled, thereby improving the separation accuracy of the mail.

[Procedure amendment 13]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0020

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

Further, according to the mail separating / supplying device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the edge detecting sensor and the side edge detecting sensor are constituted by reflection type photoelectric sensors, so that the edge of the mail can be improved. In addition, the detection of the side edge is performed in a non-contact manner, so that the movement of the mail is prevented from being hindered by these sensors, the damage can be prevented, and the posture control can be smoothly performed.

[Procedure amendment 14]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Name of invention

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Title of the Invention] Separation supply device for mail

[Procedure amendment 15]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0001

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for separating and feeding postal matter in which postal matters piled up and stacked in a standing state are taken out one by one. ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ───

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] June 21, 1999

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Full text

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Document Name] Statement

Patent application title: Method and apparatus for separating and supplying mail

[Claims]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for separating and feeding postal matter in which postal matters piled up and stacked in a standing state are taken out one by one.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this kind of separation and supply device, one having a structure shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is known.

[0003] In this conventional separating and feeding apparatus, one mail take-out section is formed by a plurality of flat belts 20 and a plurality of timing belts 21 driven by a motor (not shown). It is transported in 22 directions. A plurality of spiral rollers 23 and 24 are disposed between the end of the timing belt 21 and the one-takeout unit 22, and transfer the mail conveyed by the timing belt 21 to the one-takeout unit 22. The spiral rollers 23 and 24 are driven by a motor 25 via a clutch / brake (not shown), and a reflection type photoelectric sensor 2 for detecting a side edge of a mail is provided near the end of the timing belt 21.
6, 27 are arranged. Reflection type photoelectric sensor 26, 2
The output of 7 is taken by an AND gate, and the flat belt 20 and the timing belt 21 are stopped only when a mail is detected. The reflection type photoelectric sensors 28 and 29 are arranged near the ends of the spiral rollers 23 and 24. The outputs of the reflection type photoelectric sensors 28 and 29 are taken by an AND gate. OF clutch
F, The brakes are turned on to stop the spiral rollers 23, 24.

When the reflection type photoelectric sensors 28 and 29 detect the presence of the mail placed in the upright position, the spiral rollers 23 and 24 stop rotating. Therefore, the mail cannot be pressed against the suction belt 30. Absent. When the mail is taken out by the suction belt 30, the gap between the mails existing in the one-pass take-out section 22 is widened and the reflection type photoelectric sensors 28 and 29 cannot detect the mail, so that the spiral rollers 23 and 24 rotate. , One mail take-out part 2
When the paper is transported in two directions and the degree of close contact between the mails increases again, the spiral rollers 23 and 24 stop.

[0005] As described above, since the postal matter in the one-pass take-out section 22 is always kept at a fixed degree of contact, the postal matter whose ends are not aligned falls by gravity and the ends are easily aligned. Is improved.

Further, since the inertia of the spiral rollers 23 and 24 is small, a high-speed response is possible, and the mail is not pressed against the suction belt 30.

[0007]

In the above-mentioned prior art, the reflection-type photoelectric sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a mail item detects only the side edge of the mail item. Since the driving sources of the spiral rollers 23 and 24 for transporting the ends are the same, when the postal matter loaded on the flat belt 20 is transported with its tip inclined back and forth, one mail is kept in the same posture. It is transferred to the take-out unit 22. In such a case, the degree of cohesion between postal items is high, and postal items with non-uniform ends are supplied with non-uniform ends, so double feed is likely to occur, and if the degree of cohesion between postal items is high. Due to the frictional force, double-feeding is likely to occur even for mail items with uniform ends.

An object of the present invention is to detect the attitude of a mail even when the mail is conveyed with the front and back inclined by the conveying means, to make the mail stand upright at a single take-out part, and to set a gap between the mails. Is to keep the mail at an appropriate level to easily drop the mail with uneven ends by gravity and align the ends, and to minimize the frictional force acting between the mails to improve the accuracy of one-passing. .

[0009]

The gist of the present invention is that a main transport means for transporting a plurality of mails in a standing position.
And the mail conveyed by this main carrier
Vacuum suction for suction and separation one by one from the downstream side in the transport direction
Means between the vacuum suction means and the main transport means.
Attitude control for attitude control of the postal matter in a vertical state.
Edge transport means for moving the edge of the mail toward the vacuum suction means, wherein the edge of the mail is brought into contact with the attitude control means, side edges are brought into contact, and side edges conveying means for moving the side edges of the mailpiece toward the vacuum suction means, which we provided on the downstream side of the edge transport means, the edges of the mailpiece and edge detection sensor for detecting, provided downstream of the side edge conveying means
Further , a side edge detection sensor that detects a side edge of the postal matter, an edge driving unit that stops the edge conveying unit when the edge of the postal matter is detected by the edge detection sensor, And a side edge driving unit for stopping the side edge conveying unit when a side edge of the mail is detected by a side edge detection sensor. The gist of the invention according to claim 2 is that the attitude control means is provided in the middle of a transport path of the edge transport means, and detects a second edge detection sensor for detecting an edge of the postal matter. A second side edge detection sensor that is provided in the middle of the conveyance path of the edge conveyance means and detects a side edge of the postal matter, and the second side edge sensor and the second side edge detection sensor detect the postal matter. 2. The mail separating / supplying device according to claim 1, wherein the main transport means is stopped when an edge and a side edge are detected. The gist of the invention according to claim 3 is that the attitude control means stops the edge transporting means when the edge of the mail is detected only by the second edge detection sensor, When the side edge of the postal matter is detected only by the side edge detection sensor of the above, the side edge conveying means is stopped, and the edge of the postal matter is further detected by the second edge sensor and the second side edge detection sensor. 3. The mail separating / supplying device according to claim 2, wherein the edge transporting means and the side edge transporting means are driven when a side edge is detected. The gist of the invention described in claim 4 is that the edge detection sensor and the side edge detection sensor are reflection-type photoelectric sensors, and the separated supply of postal matter according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is performed. Exists in the device.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. Referring to FIG. 1, postal matter 2 piled up on a supply guide 1 is kept in an upright state by a fork feed mechanism 5 composed of forks 4 attached to a chain 3 at equal intervals, and a single take-out unit It is transported in six directions. This fork feed mechanism 5
Is driven by a motor 17, and in the present embodiment, the supply guide 1, the fork feed mechanism 5, and
The main transporting means is constituted by the motor 17.

Between the end of the fork feed mechanism 5 and the one take-out portion 6, a spiral roller 7 constituting an attitude control means,
8 is arranged to transfer one mail 2 to the take-out unit 6. One of the spiral rollers 7 is an edge transporting means which comes into contact with the edge of the postal matter 2 and transports the edge, and as shown in FIG. , And can be rotated clockwise by a motor 10 with a clutch / brake.

The spiral roller 8 constitutes a side edge transfer means for contacting the side edge of the mail 2 and transferring the side edge.
It is designed to be rotated counterclockwise by a timing belt 11 constituting a side edge driving means and a motor 12 with a clutch and a brake.

In the vicinity of the helical rollers 7, 8, there are disposed reflection type photoelectric sensors 13, 14, 15, 16 and the reflection type photoelectric sensors 14, 16 detect the edge of the mail 2. A reflection sensor 13;
Reference numeral 15 denotes a side edge detection sensor that detects the side edge of the mail 2. In the figure, reference numeral 13 denotes a second side edge detection sensor,
Reference numeral 14 denotes a second edge detection sensor.

Then, the fork feed mechanism 5 outputs a stop signal to the motor 17 and stops only when both the reflection type photoelectric sensors 13 and 14 detect a mail. The helical roller 7 turns off the clutch of the motor 10 with the clutch / brake, turns on the brake, and stops its rotation when the reflective sensor 16 detects a postal matter or when only the reflective photoelectric sensor 14 detects a postal matter. . Similarly, when the reflection type photoelectric sensor 15 detects a postal matter, or when only the reflection type photoelectric sensor 13 detects a postal matter, the spiral roller 8 disengages the clutch of the motor 12 with the clutch / brake.
FF, brake is turned ON and its rotation stops.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIGS. Mail 2 transferred by fork feed mechanism 5
When the reflective photoelectric sensors 13 and 14 both detect mail, the fork feed mechanism 5 temporarily stops. At this time, since the reflection type photoelectric sensors 15 and 16 have not yet detected the postal matter 2, the spiral roller continues to rotate and sequentially transports one postal matter 2 to the take-out part.

When the mail 2 is transported at an angle as shown in FIG. 3A, the side end of the mail 2 is first placed on the reflective photoelectric sensor 13.
And the spiral roller 8 stops.

At this time, since the reflection type photoelectric sensor 14 has not yet detected the postal matter 2, the fork feed mechanism 5 continues the transfer, and the postal matter 2 is in an upright state as shown in FIG.

Then, the reflection type photoelectric sensor 14 detects the postal matter 2. At this time, since the reflection type photoelectric sensor 13 is also in the detection state, the spiral roller 8 is rotated, and the postal matter 2 is rotated by the spiral rollers 7, 8. It is transferred to the take-out part.

Similarly, when the mail 2 is transported at an angle as shown in FIG.
4, the spiral roller 7 stops, but at this time, the fork feed mechanism 5 continues to transfer the postal matter 2 because the reflective photoelectric sensor 13 has not detected the postal matter 2 yet.
Is in an upright state as shown in FIG.

Then, the reflection type photoelectric sensor 13 detects the mail 2. At this time, since the reflection type photoelectric sensor 14 is also in the detection state, the spiral roller 7 rotates, and the mail 2 is
8 transfers it to the take-out unit.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the postal matter 2 is inclined near the take-out part, the spiral rollers 7, 8 are as follows.
Control. When the mail 2 is transported at an angle as shown in FIG. 4A, the side end of the mail 2 is first placed on the reflection type photoelectric sensor 15.
, The spiral roller 8 stops, but at this time, since the reflection type photoelectric sensor 16 has not yet detected the mail 2, the spiral roller 7 continues to rotate, and the mail 2 is
When the reflection type photoelectric sensor 16 detects the mail 2, the spiral roller 7 stops.

Similarly, when the mail 2 is transported at an angle as shown in FIG. 4B, the end of the mail 2 is first detected by the reflective photoelectric sensor 16 and the spiral roller 7 stops.
At this time, since the reflective photoelectric sensor 15 has not yet detected the postal matter 2, the spiral roller 8 continues to rotate, and the postal matter 2 is in an upright state as shown in FIG.
When 5 detects the postal matter 2, the spiral roller 8 stops.

When the mails are sequentially supplied, the number of mails 2 in the one-takeout unit 6 is reduced, and the gap between the mails is widened. At the same time, the reflection type photoelectric sensors 15 and 16 cannot detect the mail 2 and the spiral rollers 7 and 8 rotate to transfer the mail 2 to the take-out unit.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the posture of the mail 2 is adjusted in the vertical direction at both the entrance and the exit of the posture control means. The contact pressure between the objects 2 is adjusted appropriately and the separation is performed smoothly, and a synergistic action of these enables a highly accurate separation operation to be obtained.

[0025]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By arranging a sensor for detecting the side edge and the end of the postal matter to detect the posture of the postal matter, and independently controlling the edge conveying means and the side edge conveying means having different driving sources according to the detected information, 1 By keeping the mail upright at the passing-out section and always keeping the gap between the mails at an appropriate level, it is possible to align the edges of non-aligned mails by dropping their own weight, and between the mails. The working frictional force can be minimized, and as a result, the accuracy of one mail delivery can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view and a front view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of the present invention, and is a view as seen from the direction of arrow A in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a front view for explaining the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view for explaining the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

5A and 5B are a plan view and a front view showing one example of a conventional structure.

6 is a view showing an example of a conventional structure, and is a view as seen from the direction of arrow A in FIG.

[Description of Signs] 1 supply guide (main transport means) 2 mail 3 chain (main transport means) 4 fork (main transport means) 5 fork feed mechanism (main transport means) 7 spiral roller (edge transport means) 8 spiral Roller (side edge conveying means) 10 Motor (edge driving means) 12 Motor (side edge driving means) 13 Reflection type photoelectric sensor ( second side edge detection sensor) 14 Reflection type photoelectric sensor ( second edge detection sensor) 15) Reflection type photoelectric sensor (side edge detection sensor) 16 Reflection type photoelectric sensor (edge detection sensor) 17 Motor 20 Flat belt 21 Timing belt 22 One take-out portion 23, 24 Spiral roller 25 Motor 26, 27, 28, 29 Reflective photoelectric sensor 30 Suction belt

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Isamu Nakabayashi 25-1, 1-1-1, Shinurashima-cho, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside of NEC Robotics Corporation

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. Separation and supply of postal matter in which a plurality of postal matters are transported in an upright state, and the plurality of postal matters located in front of the transport direction are vacuum-sucked and separated one by one. A method for detecting the attitude of the postal matter at the terminal end of the postal conveyance path, controlling the postal matter in a vertical state based on the detection result, and controlling the position of the postal mail located downstream in the conveying direction. A method for separating and supplying postal matter, wherein a substance is separated by vacuum suction. 2. A main transport means for transporting a plurality of mails in an upright position, and a vacuum suction means for sucking and separating the mails transported by the main transport means one by one from a downstream side in the transport direction. And an attitude control means provided between the vacuum suction means and the main transport means for controlling the attitude of the postal matter in a vertical state. 3. The attitude control means includes: edge transport means for moving an edge of the postal matter toward the vacuum suction means with an edge of the postal matter abutted; and a side of the postal matter. An edge is brought into contact, and a side edge transporting means for moving a side edge of the postal matter toward the vacuum suction means, and a downstream side of the edge transporting means for detecting an edge of the postal matter An edge detection sensor, a side edge detection sensor for detecting a side edge of the postal matter, and an edge drive for stopping the edge conveyance means when the edge of the postal matter is detected by the edge detection sensor. 3. The mail according to claim 2, further comprising: means and side edge driving means for stopping the side edge conveying means when the side edge of the mail is detected by the edge detection sensor. Separation and supply device for goods. 4. The edge control means is provided in the middle of a transport path of the edge transport means, detects a second edge of the postal matter, and transports the edge transport means. A second side edge detection sensor provided in the middle of the path to detect a side edge of the postal matter, wherein the second side edge sensor and the second side edge detection sensor use the edge and side edge of the postal matter. 4. The mail separating / supplying apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the main transporting means is stopped when is detected. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the attitude control means stops the edge transport means when the edge of the mail is detected only by the second edge detection sensor, and further comprises a second side edge detection sensor. Only when the side edge of the postal matter is detected, the edge conveying means is stopped, and the second edge sensor and the second edge sensor are stopped.
5. When the edge and the side edge of the postal matter are detected by the side edge detection sensor, the edge transport means and the side edge transport means are driven.
The separation and supply device for mail items described in the above item. 6. The sensor according to claim 3, wherein the edge detection sensor and the side edge detection sensor are reflection type photoelectric sensors.
6. An apparatus for separating and supplying postal matter according to claim 5.