JPH11268865A - Paper sorting device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To change the duty value of the drive voltage of a solenoid, to decrease the speed at the full-stroke position of a plunger and to reduce noise by providing a driving means changing the pulse duty value of the drive signal and driving a paper path switching means. SOLUTION: A paper sorting device 1 connected to the paper discharge side of an image processing device is provided with a tray/bin path switching mechanism 11 which is a path switching means switching a paper path and conveyance rollers 16-1 through 16-N. When a PWM drive section 101 is controlled by a controller 61, the pulse duty value of the drive signal is changed to drive the path switching mechanism 11. A relay/bin path switching mechanism 12 and bin path switching mechanisms 13-1 through 13-9 are driven by the output of the PWM drive section 101. The PWM drive section 101 changes the duty value of the output (ratio of the output time To against clock period Tc ) to control the driving force of a solenoid.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a paper sorting apparatus and method, and more particularly to a paper sorting apparatus and method for controlling path switching by changing the duty value of a pulse of a drive signal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A paper sorting apparatus is installed on the paper discharge side of an image processing apparatus, and prepares a plurality of trays, takes in the paper discharged from the image processing apparatus, and changes the tray to discharge for each document. Sorting. here,
The image processing apparatus has a function of continuously discharging printed paper, paper serving as a read original, and the like. Specifically, an image processing apparatus includes an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a facsimile, a copier, and a printing machine having a function of printing an image on paper and outputting the image, a scanner,
There are image reading apparatuses having a function of reading an original, such as a CR, a copying machine, and a facsimile.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional paper sorting apparatus. The paper sorting apparatus 1 is configured to take in a paper discharged from an image processing apparatus (not shown) in a direction indicated by an arrow 31. The transport roller 16-1, which is rotationally driven, sandwiches the paper supplied to the paper sorting device 1 and takes it into the paper sorting device 1. The tray / bin path switching mechanism 11 includes a transport path for the sheet taken in by the transport roller 16-1, a transport path on which the transport roller 16-3 is installed, and a relay / bin path switching mechanism 12 on the left side in the figure. Is switched to one of the transport routes.

FIG. 12 shows a tray / bin path switching mechanism 11.
It is a figure which shows operation | movement. Tray / bin path switching mechanism 11
Is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise about an axis 52. Flapper 5
When 1 is at the position indicated by the solid line in the figure (when it is turned counterclockwise), the sheet sent by the transport roller 16-1 from the direction of the arrow 31 goes straight to the left in the figure, and 4
It is sent to the transport path indicated by 2. When the flapper 51 is at the position indicated by the dotted line in the figure (when it is rotated clockwise), the sheet fed by the transport roller 16-1 in the direction of the arrow 31 is indicated by the arrow 41 in the upper part of the figure. It is sent to the transport route. In this way, by changing the position of the flapper 51 of the tray / bin path switching mechanism 11, the paper transport path is switched.

FIG. 13 shows a tray / bin path switching mechanism 11.
3 is a diagram mainly showing a switching structure of a flapper 51. FIG. The flapper 51 is rotatably instructed by a shaft 52. The substantially T-shaped link 57 is rotatably supported about the shaft 52 together with the flapper 51, and a pin 57A is implanted in the link 57. The pin 57A is formed in a substantially triangular shape of the flapper 51. The hole 58 is inserted. The plunger 54 of the solenoid 53 is connected to one end of a link 57 via a spring 54. One end of a spring 56 is locked to the other end of the link 57, and the other end of the spring 56 is locked to a frame 59. The springs 55 and 56 are biased to oppose the operating force when the solenoid 53 is on.

FIG. 14A is a diagram showing a state where the applied voltage to the solenoid 53 is 0 volt, that is, the solenoid 53 is off (non-excitation state). In this state, the flapper 51 rotates clockwise around the shaft 52 by the urging force of the spring 56, and the plunger 54 projects outward (to the right in FIG. 13) by the flapper 57 via the spring 55. Take position. At this time, since the pin 57A pushes up the upper side of the hole 58 in FIG. 13, the flapper 51 rotates clockwise.

FIG. 14B is a diagram showing a state where the solenoid 53 is turned on (excitation state). The voltage applied to the solenoid 53, when the solenoid drive voltage V _1, within a predetermined state switching time Delta] t, the solenoid 53 is spring 55,
The plunger 54 against the urging force of the solenoid 56
3, the plunger 54 moves to a position where the plunger washer 54 </ b> A contacts the case of the solenoid 53. At this time, since the pin 57A pushes down the lower side of the hole 58 in FIG. 13, the flapper 51 takes a position rotated in the counterclockwise direction.

Next, assuming that the applied voltage to the solenoid 53 is a solenoid drive voltage V ₂ (V ₂ <V ₁ ), the solenoid 53 resists the urging force of the springs 55 and 56, and the plunger washer 54A is Hold the state of contact with. Therefore, the flapper 51 holds the position rotated in the counterclockwise direction.

The transport roller 16-3 shown in FIG.
The paper transported by switching the paper transport path by the bin path switching mechanism 11 is transported, and is sent to a transport roller provided behind the transport path. The transport path of the tray 21 is switched by the tray / bin path switching mechanism 11 and
-3 is received from the direction indicated by the arrow 32 and stacked.

The relay / bin path switching mechanism 12 is provided with a tray / bin
The paper path is switched by the bin path switching mechanism 11, and the transport path of the sheet transported by the transport roller 16-2 is switched. The transport roller 16-4 switches the transport path of the sheet by the relay / bin path switching mechanism 12, transports the transported sheet, and sends the transported sheet to a transport roller provided behind the transport path. I have. The sheet transported by the transport rollers 16-4 is discharged from the sheet sorting apparatus 1 in the direction indicated by the arrow 33, and is sent to the next apparatus.

The transport roller 16-5 switches the paper transport path by the relay / bin path switching mechanism 12, and transports the transported paper. The paper transported by the transport rollers 16-5 is transported by transport rollers provided behind the transport path, and reaches the bin path switching mechanism 13-1.

The bin path switching mechanism 13-1 has an arrow 34-
1 and a bin path switching mechanism 13- illustrated below the bin path switching mechanism 13-1.
The transport path is switched to the transport path for sending the paper to the second sheet. The sheets fed in the direction shown by the arrow 34-1 are stacked on the bin 22-1 by the switching of the transport path by the bin path switching mechanism 13-1. Similarly, the transported paper is switched by the bin path switching mechanisms 13-2 to 13-9 so that the transported sheets are bins 22-1 to 22-9.
Are laminated.

As described above, the paper taken in the paper sorting apparatus 1 is switched to the tray 21 by switching the transport path.
The sheets are stacked on any of the bins 22-1 to 22-9 or discharged outside the apparatus.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional paper sorting apparatus. A signal for instructing sorting is supplied from the image forming apparatus 2 to the sheet sorting apparatus 1. The signal for instructing sorting supplied to the paper sorting apparatus 1 is supplied to the control unit 61. The control unit 61 sends a drive signal based on a signal instructing sorting to the tray / bin path switching mechanism 11, the relay / bin path switching mechanism 12, the bin path switching mechanisms 13-1 to 13-9, and the transport roller 16-1. To 16-N.

Next, the operation of the solenoid 53 of the tray / bin path switching mechanism 11 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
In step S11, the timer time T ₁ is set to be incorporated in the control unit 61. In step S12,
Control unit 61 sets the solenoid drive voltage V _1. Here, the solenoid drive voltage V ₁ is the drive voltage required to rotate the flapper 51 counterclockwise in FIG. 12 within a predetermined state switching time Δt against the action of the springs 55 and 56. It is. Control unit 61, in step S13, the solenoid driving voltages V ₁ set in step S12, and outputs to the solenoid 53 of the tray / bin path switching mechanism 11. The control unit 61 determines in step S14
At time T after the solenoid drive voltage is output
_It is determined whether ₁ has elapsed. In step S14, when it is determined that no over time T _1, the process returns to step S14, the determination process is repeated.

[0016] In step S14, when it is determined that T ₁ is the time elapsed, the procedure proceeds to step S15.
In step S15, the control unit 61, solenoid drive voltage V ₂ is set. Here, the solenoid drive voltage V ₂
Is a drive voltage required for the solenoid 53 to hold the flapper 51 at a position rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 12 against the urging force of the springs 56 and 57. Therefore, thereafter, the flapper 51 keeps the state located above.

The relay / bin path switching mechanism 12 and the solenoid 53 of the bin path switching mechanisms 13-1 to 13-9
Are operated in the same steps when the state is changed from off to on.

FIG. 17 shows a tray / bin path switching mechanism 11.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between the solenoid drive voltage V and time t when the state of the solenoid 53 is changed from off to on as an example. If driven at time t ₀ is instructed, between time t ₀ of time T _1, the solenoid 53, the solenoid driving voltages V ₁ is applied. After the time t ₀ the time T ₁ is passed, the drive voltage is changed to the solenoid drive voltage V _2. Here, the time T ₁ is shorter than the predetermined state switching time Δt.

FIG. 18 shows a tray / bin path switching mechanism 11.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between the movement amount L of the plunger 54 and the time t when the state of the solenoid 53 is changed from off to on as an example. For convenience of explanation, the sliding of the mechanism in which the input resistance is constant with respect to the driving voltage during the operation of the solenoid 53 and the moving speed v of the plunger 54 is substantially constant (v ₁ ) with respect to the driving force of the solenoid 53 Assume that it has resistance. Movement amount L of the plunger 54 increases substantially linearly from time t _0. When the plunger 54 has reached the set amount of movement L _1, the plunger washer 54A solenoid 5
Abuts the third case, the moving speed v changes abruptly from v ₁ to 0, the kinetic energy tray / bin path switching mechanism 11 has changes the energy of the sound or heat. At this time, the sound of contact between the plunger washer 54A and the case of the solenoid 53 is particularly loud.

[0020]

As described above, in the conventional paper sorting apparatus, since the generated noise becomes large, it is necessary to add a cushioning material and the like, and the cost is increased, the number of parts is increased, and the durability quality due to consumption is reduced. There was a problem of decline.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and it is an object of the present invention to change the duty value of the drive voltage of the solenoid to reduce the speed at the position where the plunger has reached a full stroke, thereby reducing noise. Aim.

[0022]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet sorting apparatus comprising: a path switching unit configured to switch a path of a sheet;
The image forming apparatus further includes a conveying unit that conveys the sheet, and a driving unit that changes the duty value of the pulse of the driving signal to drive the path switching unit.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sheet sorting method, wherein a path switching step for switching a path of a sheet, a conveying step for conveying the sheet, and a duty value of a pulse of a drive signal are changed to perform the sheet switching in the path switching step. And controlling the switching of the path.

In the sheet sorting apparatus according to the first aspect and the sheet sorting method according to the third aspect, control is performed by changing a duty value of a pulse of a drive signal for driving path switching.

[0025]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In order to clarify the correspondence between each means of the invention described in the claims and the following embodiments, each means is described. When the features of the present invention are described by adding the corresponding embodiment (however, an example) in parentheses after the parentheses, the result is as follows. However, of course, this description does not mean that each means is limited to those described.

The paper sorting apparatus according to the first aspect includes a path switching unit (for example, a tray / bin path switching mechanism in FIG. 1) for switching a paper path, and a transportation unit (for example, the transportation in FIG. 1) for transporting the paper. Roller 16-1) and a drive unit (for example, the control unit 61 and the control unit 61 shown in FIG.
WM driving section 101).

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an embodiment of a paper sorting apparatus according to the present invention, in which parts corresponding to those in FIG. 15 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. . The control unit 61 in the paper sorting apparatus 1 has two output systems, one of which is supplied to the PWM drive unit 101. Other outputs of the control section 61 are supplied to the transport rollers 16-1 to 16-N. PW corresponding to input from control unit 61
The output of the M drive unit 101 is the tray / bin path switching mechanism 1
1, the relay / bin path switching mechanism 12, and the bin path switching mechanisms 13-1 to 13-9.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a change in the output voltage of the PWM drive unit 101 with respect to time. PWM drive unit 1
No. 01 sets the output voltage to a predetermined voltage V _O only during a predetermined time T _O (output time) within a predetermined time T _C (clock cycle). In clock period T _C, the output time T
_During times other than _O , the output voltage is set to zero. The PWM drive unit 101 keeps the clock cycle T _C constant and sets the output time T _O
, The effective value of the output voltage is controlled. That is, the PWM driving unit 101 controls the driving force of the solenoid 53 by changing the output duty value (the ratio of the output time T _{O to} the clock cycle T _C ). As the duty value of the output voltage of the PWM drive unit 101 increases, the driving force of the solenoid 53 increases.

The operation of the sheet sorting apparatus 1 when the solenoid 53 of the tray / bin path switching mechanism 11 is changed from OFF to ON will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The control unit 61 sets the timer value T to 5 ms in step S31. Step S32
In, the control unit 61 sets the duty value of the output of the PWM drive unit 101 to 100%. Step S33
, The PWM drive unit 101 outputs a solenoid drive voltage. The PWM driving unit 101 excites the solenoid 53 so as to obtain the maximum driving force. Control unit 61
Determines in step S34 whether 5 ms has elapsed since the solenoid drive voltage of the PWM drive unit 101 was output. If it is determined in step S34 that the time of 5 ms has not yet elapsed, the process returns to step S34, and the determination process is repeated.

If it is determined in step S34 that the time of 5 ms has elapsed, the procedure proceeds to step S35. In step S35, the control unit 61 sets the timer value T to 50 ms. In step S36,
The control section 61 sets the duty value of the output of the PWM drive section 101 to 50%. In this step, the driving force of the solenoid is halved. In step S37, the control unit 61 determines whether 50 ms has elapsed since the solenoid drive voltage of the PWM drive unit 101 was output. If it is determined in step S37 that the time of 50 ms has not elapsed, the process returns to step S37, and the determination process is repeated.

If it is determined in step S37 that the time of 50 ms has elapsed, the procedure proceeds to step S38. In step S38, the control unit 61 sets the PWM
The duty value of the output of the driving unit 101 is set to 30%. This 30% is a duty value that applies a driving force corresponding to a driving voltage necessary to hold the flapper 51 in the counterclockwise position in FIG.

The relay / bin path switching mechanism 12 and the solenoids 53 of the bin path switching mechanisms 13-1 to 13-9
Are operated in the same steps when the state is changed from off to on.

FIG. 4 shows a PW when the solenoid 53 of the tray / bin path switching mechanism 11 is changed from off to on.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a change in a duty value of an output of an M drive unit. Assuming that the start time of the operation is time t ₀ , the maximum duty value D ₁ is set immediately after the start, and thereafter, D ₂ , D ₃ , D within a predetermined state switching time Δt.
₄ , the duty value is lowered. Finally, to maintain the state of the solenoid 53, the duty value is maintained at _DH . In the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, D ₁ and D ₂
An example of the operation of only two stages corresponding to the above is shown.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing changes in the output signal voltage to the solenoid 53 when controlled according to the flowchart of FIG. Time T ₁ from the operation start time t ₀
(5 ms), the duty value is set to 100%,
The PWM drive unit 101 continuously outputs the output voltage V _O. After that, the duty value is set to 50% and the PWM
The drive unit 101 supplies the output voltage V _O to the solenoid 53 only for half the clock period T _C. In this example,
A clock cycle T _C, was 2ms. Time T ₂ (50m
After s) has elapsed, the duty value is set to 30%,
The PWM drive unit 101 is 0.6% which is 30% of 2 ms.
The output voltage V _O is changed every 2 ms by the solenoid 53 for the time of s.
To supply.

FIG. 6 shows a plunger 54 of the solenoid 53.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a relationship between a movement amount L and time. Since the PWM drive unit 101 supplies the output voltage to the solenoid 53 at a duty value of 100% from the operation start time t ₀ to the time T ₁ , the driving force of the plunger 54 becomes maximum, and the plunger 54 moves immediately after the start of driving. Speed is at its maximum. Thereafter, the PWM drive unit 101 supplies the output voltage to the solenoid 53 at a duty value of 50%.
Generates less driving force than the sliding resistance of the mechanism, and the speed of the plunger 54 decreases. Therefore, the position P _{1 in the} figure
Therefore, the speeds of the positions P ₂ and P ₃ and the plunger 54 gradually decrease, and when the plunger 54 reaches the set movement amount L1, the speed becomes minimum.

Therefore, the plunger 54 is set to the set movement amount L1.
Is reached, the kinetic energy of the mechanisms such as the plunger 54 and the flapper 51 is minimized, and the generated noise can be reduced.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining another operation example in the case where the state of the solenoid 53 of the tray / bin path switching mechanism 11 is changed from off to on in the paper sorting apparatus 1. Step S61 to step S
Step 67 is a process for temporarily reducing the duty value corresponding to steps S31 to S37 in FIG. 3, and a description thereof will be omitted.

In step S68, the timer value T becomes 6
It is set to 0 ms. Next, in step S69,
The duty value of the output of the PWM drive unit 101 is set to 100%. In this step S69, the driving force of the solenoid becomes maximum. In step S70, 60
It is determined whether the time of ms has elapsed. Step 7
At 0, if it is determined that the time of 60 ms has not elapsed, the procedure returns to step S70, and the determination processing is repeated. In steps S68 to S70, the mechanism is driven by the maximum driving force of the solenoid 53. When the time of 60 ms has elapsed, in step S71, the duty value of the output of the PWM
Set to 0%. This step corresponds to step S38 in FIG. 3, and the driving force for holding the flapper 51 is given to the solenoid 53 by the PWM driving unit 101.

After the plunger 54 has reached the set movement amount L1, the driving force of the solenoid 53 is maximized. Ends. For this reason, the occurrence of jam due to the jam of the conveyed sheet is prevented.

FIG. 8 shows the solenoid 5 of the tray / bin path switching mechanism 11 according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG.
PWM drive unit 10 when changing 3 from off to on
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a change in a duty value of an output of No. 1; Assuming that the operation start time is time t ₀ , the maximum duty value D ₁ is set immediately after the start, and then the duty values are sequentially reduced to D ₂ , D ₃ , D ₄ within a predetermined state switching time Δt. Can be After reducing the duty value for a predetermined time, Δ
time just before t is completed, the solenoid 53 is driven at a maximum duty value D _P. Finally, to maintain the state of the solenoid 53, the duty value is continuously set to _DH .

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a change in the output signal voltage to the solenoid 53 when controlled according to the flowchart of FIG. Time T ₁ from the operation start time t ₀
(5 ms), the duty value is set to 100%,
The PWM drive unit 101 continuously outputs the output voltage V _O. After that, the duty value is set to 50% and the PWM
The drive unit 101 supplies the output voltage V _O to the solenoid 53 only for half the clock period T _C. In this example,
The clock cycle T _C was set to 2 ms. After the time T _2, is set to the duty value 100%, PWM driver 101 during the time T _3, continues to output the output voltage V _O. After the T ₃ has elapsed, the duty value is set to 30%, PWM driver 101, the length of 0.6ms 30% of 2ms, and supplies the output voltage V _O to the solenoid 53 for each 2ms .

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the movement amount L of the plunger 54 of the solenoid 53 and time when the control is performed according to the flowchart of FIG. Since the PWM drive unit 101 supplies the output voltage to the solenoid 53 at a duty value of 100% from the operation start time t ₀ to the time T ₁ , the driving force of the plunger 54 becomes maximum, and the plunger 54 moves immediately after the start of driving. Speed is at its maximum. Thereafter, the PWM drive unit 101 supplies the output voltage to the solenoid 53 at a duty value of 50%.
Generates less driving force than the sliding resistance of the mechanism, and the speed of the plunger 54 decreases. Therefore, the position P in the figure
_{From 1} , the speeds of the positions P ₂ and P ₃ and the plunger 54 gradually decrease, and when the plunger 54 reaches the set movement amount L1, the speed becomes the lowest. Then, after time T ₂ has elapsed, due to variations in the production environment and equipment, even if you do not reach the set amount of movement L _1, since the plunger 54 is driven at a maximum driving force of the solenoid 53, the Δt time securely set by the amount of movement L ₁ moves in.

Therefore, the influence of the environment such as the temperature and humidity and the variation in the production of the equipment is removed, and the path switching is reliably and quietly completed.

[0044]

As described above, according to the paper sorting apparatus of the first aspect and the paper sorting method of the third aspect, the duty value of the pulse of the drive signal for driving the path switching is changed. Since the control is performed, sorting can be performed quietly and reliably.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an embodiment of a paper sorting apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an output of a PWM drive unit.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a path switching operation of the paper sorting apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a change over time of a duty value of a PWM drive unit.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a P in the case of the procedure in the flowchart of FIG. 3;
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an output of a WM driving unit.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the amount of movement of the plunger in the case of the procedure in the flowchart of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a path switching operation of the paper sorting apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a change over time of a duty value of a PWM drive unit.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a P in the case of the procedure in the flowchart of FIG. 7;
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an output of a WM driving unit.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the movement amount of the plunger in the case of the procedure in the flowchart of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a paper sorting apparatus.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the path switching mechanism.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a path switching mechanism.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a solenoid.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an example of a conventional paper sorting apparatus.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the paper sorting apparatus of FIG. 15;

17 is a diagram illustrating an output of a control unit of the paper sorting apparatus of FIG.

18 is a diagram illustrating movement of a plunger of the paper sorting apparatus of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 paper sorting device 11 tray / bin path switching mechanism 12 relay / bin path switching mechanism 13-1 to 13-9 bin path switching mechanism 16-1 to 16 -N transport roller 101 PWM drive unit

Claims (4)

[Claims] An image processing apparatus is provided on a paper discharge side of the image processing apparatus,
In a paper sorting apparatus that classifies paper discharged from the image processing apparatus for each predetermined paper type, a path switching unit that switches a path of the paper, a transportation unit that transports the paper, and a duty value of a pulse of a drive signal And a driving means for driving the path switching means by changing the number of sheets. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the driving unit temporarily reduces the duty value of the pulse of the driving signal at predetermined time intervals after the start of driving, and then drives at a maximum duty value for a predetermined time. The paper sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 3. A paper sorting method for classifying paper discharged from the image processing apparatus for each predetermined paper type on a paper discharge side of the image processing apparatus, wherein: a path switching step of switching a path of the paper; And a control step of changing a duty value of a pulse of a drive signal to control switching of the paper path in the path switching step. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the controlling step, the duty value of the pulse of the drive signal is temporarily reduced every predetermined time after the start of driving, and then is set to a maximum duty value for a predetermined time. The paper sorting method according to claim 3.