JPS5822258A - Sorter device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent damage to the motor in the sorter transfer part and generation of noises by sensing off the changing-over of rotational direction of the motor and furnishing a means to stop the motor temporarily prior to the changing-over. CONSTITUTION:The moving part 306 of a sorter 300 is formed with a reversible motor 307 and a transfer mechanism 308 and is connected to a sorter control part (not illustrated) composed of a sorter control circuit 418 having a control circuit (not illustrated) equipped with a means to stop the motor 307, a drive circuit 419, a BUSY signal generator circuit 420 and a one-turn sensing circuit 421. When the control circuit 418 gives the drive circuit 419 a regularly rotational signal for the motor 307, it will rotate in the regular direction and a cam 312 turns to sink a bin 302 for classification work. Even though a subsequent reverse rotational signal is given to the motor 307, the stop means in the control circuit allows the motor 307 to make reverse rotation upon once stopping. Accordingly, shocks owing to the inertia of the motor 307 can be avoided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a sorter device capable of sorting and storing supports on which images have been formed by an image forming device such as an electrophotographic copying machine, an electronic printer, or an image retrieval device. (abbreviated as F1 copier) is an optical image of a document.

Alternatively, this document may be optically scanned and converted into an electrical signal, and the image formed according to the converted electrical signal (hereinafter referred to as
An image is formed on a support (for example, a sheet), and this sheet is discharged as a copy sheet to a discharge section. In addition to creating a different copy sheet for each original, it is also possible to create multiple copies of the same copy sheet for the same original. This is generally called multi-copying. In a copying machine capable of making such multiple copies, it is desirable to be able to separate and store a plurality of produced copy sheets. Such a need is particularly important, for example, when multiple copy sheets have been produced in succession for each of several different originals and the multiple copy sheets thus produced are to be collated. 0 Therefore, a means for sequentially sorting the produced copy sheets and storing them in a plurality of storage units, such as a device generally called a sorter, is connected to the copying machine. Such a sorter has multiple storage compartments (hereinafter referred to as bins).
There is a structure in which a copy sheet is fixedly distributed, a copy sheet discharged from a copying machine is conveyed to this bin by an appropriate conveyance means, and the copy sheet is deflected to a bin to be stored. .

However, “C” in a sorter with such a configuration is
The conveying means for connecting the copying machine and the bins of the sorter becomes relatively large, and many deflecting means are required to deflect the copy sheets toward each bin, resulting in an overall large size. , it was not suitable for use in offices, for example.

Therefore, in order to eliminate such drawbacks of the conventional sorter, the present invention has a sorter structure in which a bin directly receives copy sheets discharged from a copying machine, and for this purpose, the bin directly receives copy sheets discharged from a copying machine. The robot now moves towards the receiving position to receive it. in this case,
In order to sequentially move a plurality of bottles toward one discharge section provided in a copying machine, it is necessary to move the bottles by an appropriate moving means.

To this end, in the present invention, the bin is engaged with a rotating cam so that the bin moves up and down across the direction in which copy sheets are discharged from the copying machine, and the bin is moved by the rotation of the cam. I'm letting you do it.

As a driving means for driving such a rotating cam, since it is necessary to move the bin up and down, it is necessary to rotate the cam forward and backward, and for this purpose, a reversible motor that can rotate forward and backward is used. are doing.

By the way, when such a purge-pull motor is used, the motor is frequently rotated in forward and reverse directions as the bin moves. However, with this type of motor, when switching from forward rotation to reverse rotation, or vice versa, the motor has been rotating forward or backward, so inertia causes a large amount of damage to the rotation axis of the motor. There will be a shock.

If a large impact is applied to the rotating shaft of the motor, it not only damages the motor but also generates noise.

Furthermore, there is a risk that the cam and the bottle may become disengaged due to the impact applied to the motor, and normal classification may not be possible.

This invention has been devised in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a sorter device that can prevent damage to drive means such as motors and the generation of noise, and can perform normal sorting operations. It is an object.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to embodiments. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entire copying machine 100 as an image forming apparatus.
It is composed of a main body 200 as a single-layer forming means and a sorter 300 as a storage means. The main body 20 includes an operating section 101 serving as an operating means constituting a part of an input means for manually inputting necessary operation commands to the main body 20, an original table 102 on which an original, such as a document, is placed;
A force that can be opened and closed to press the original placed on the original platen 102 (-103, a sheet that is a support on which the image is formed is stored, and a sheet is supplied one by one when the image is formed. The paper feeding section 104 has a paper feeding section 104, and cassettes 105 and 106 forming a part of this paper feeding section 104.

Note that 107 is a document stand for storing the originals that have been copied or that are to be copied, 10B is a container for accessories such as paper clips, and 109 is a power switch for turning on and off the power of the entire apparatus. On the other hand, the sorter 300 is It is connected to the ejection section (not shown in FIG. 1) of the main body 200, and specifies a non-sort mode in which the copy sheets ejected from the main body 20 are sorted or partially stored without being sorted. a non-sort bin 302 as a specific storage section for partially storing copy sheets ejected from the main body 200 when
Non-sort bins 302 are fixedly installed sort bins 303, which are arranged in multiple stages above and serve as sorting bins 303 that sequentially store copy sheets ejected from the main body 200 when a sort mode is specified.
The notebook bin 303 is a movable 10-sheet bin, and the non-sort bin 302 is designed to accommodate a larger number of copy sheets than the sort bin 303.

Note that 304 is an air port A for discharging warm air inside the main body 200 to the outside by an exhaust fan (not shown) provided at the exhaust part (described later) of the main body 200. Next, @2 The internal configuration will be explained with reference to a diagram showing the inside of the copying machine 100 shown in the figure.The main body 200 includes an optical system 201, a developing section 202, a charging section 203, a photoreceptor 204, a transfer section 205, and a peeling section 206.
, the fixing section 207, and the cleaning section 208, as well as the paper feeding section 1 described above.
04 are provided, and these constitute a copying mechanism 209.

The optical system 201 includes a lamp 210 that illuminates the original,
When an original is illuminated by this lamp 210, the reflected light is used as an image of the original, and the mirror Ml e M2 * M
3 and an in-mirror lens 211 to form an image on the photoreceptor 204.

The mirror M1 moves to the left in the figure together with the lens 210,
Mirror M2 also moves to the left, each moving at a speed ratio of 1 knee 2-. This performs optical scanning of the document. Note that the mirror M is fixed.

The photoreceptor 204 is made of aluminum, for example, and has a photosensitive layer containing a photoconductive substance such as selenium on the surface thereof, and is uniformly charged with a charging unit 203 such as a corona charger. The photoreceptor 204 is rotatably supported and sequentially rotates in the direction of the arrow.

The developing section 202 has, for example, a fixedly supported magnet E2-2 and a rotatable aluminum sleeve surrounding this magnetic roller, and allows the developer, which is a mixture of toner and carrier, to adhere onto the sleeve. This is a well-known magnetic brush dispensing device.

The transfer unit 205 has: 112 naturators, and the photoreceptor 2
The peeling section 206 peels off the sheet from the photoreceptor 204 and transfers it to the fixing section 207. have,
It heats and fixes the toner formed on the sheet.

The cleaning section 208 erases the charges remaining on the photoconductor 204 and also removes the toner stuck to the KJII deposit, thereby making it possible to reuse the photoconductor 204.

In addition to the above-mentioned cassettes 105 and 106, the paper feed section 104 also includes paper sheets stored in cassettes 105 and 106.
paper feed rollers 110, 111 that feed the sheets one by one, and the sheets (P) fed by the paper feed rollers
and a guide section 112 that sends the image to the transfer 205.

Note that behind the fixing unit 207, there is a paper ejection roller 213;
A paper ejection switch 21 as a first detector that detects that the sheet P on which a copy has been made is ejected from the main body 200.
To explain the operation of the main body 200 configured in this way, the first step is to open the main body 200 and open the original platen 10.
2, set a document (not shown) on the cover 103, and then close the cover 103.
Close. The operator then operates the operation unit 101 to input copy creation conditions. This causes the copying mechanism 209 to start operating.

First, the photoreceptor 204 is uniformly charged by the charging unit 203, and then an original image is formed on the photoreceptor 204 by the optical system 201, so that a latent image corresponding to the original image is formed on the photoreceptor 204. will be formed. Photoreceptor 204
By rotating in the direction of the arrow, the latent image forming portion faces the developing portion 202, so that toner is deposited on this portion and development is performed.

The photoconductor 204 further rotates and reaches the transfer section 205, but
On the other hand, the paper feed roller 110 or 111 of the paper feed section 104 operates to feed the sheet P from the cassette 105 or 106. This fed sheet P reaches the transfer section 205 via the guide section 112. As a result, the current portion of the photoreceptor 204 and the sheet P are polymerized, and the developed image on the photoreceptor 204 is transferred to the sheet P.

The photoconductor 204 and the sheet P rotate for 11 times to reach the peeling section 2.
06, at which only the sheet) P is peeled off and the fixing part 2 is removed.
Sent to 07. The photoreceptor 204 is further rotated to face a cleaning section 208, where the above-described cleaning action is performed, and the photoreceptor 204 is subjected to the next one-layer forming process.

On the other hand, the sheet P sent to the fixing section 207 has an image fixed thereon, and is discharged from the discharge section 215 to the outside of the main body 200 . Discharge from the discharge section 215 is detected by the switch 214.

On the other hand, the sorter 300 is constructed as shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the sorter 300, which as a whole includes a mounting portion 3o4, a frame 3°5, a moving portion 306, and the bins 301 described above. The mounting part 304 is attached to the main body 2
The sorter 300 is mounted and supported facing the discharge section 215 of the 00. The 7-ray A305 supports the sorter 300 as a whole and is erected on the mounting portion 304. The moving unit 306 includes a motor 307 that can be rotated in forward and reverse directions as a driving means, and a moving mechanism 308 as a moving means. A drive gear 309 is pivotally attached to the motor 307, and a gear 31 is also attached to the rotating wheel 310 of the moving mechanism 308.
1 is attached to the shaft. And these gears 309.3
11 are connected by a chain 312.

Note that 313 is an idle gear that tensions the chain 312 appropriately.

Further, the bottle 301 is a plate made of a spring steel plate or FRP (reinforced plastic), and the rear end portion 314 is once bent upward and then bent again to have a U-shaped cross section. This maintains the distance between the pins 301.

Note that the rear end portions 314 of the bins 301 are simply stacked on top of each other, and their movement in the left-right direction is restricted by the frame 305 as a whole.

The configuration of this bin 301 is shown in FIG. That is, the central portion of the bottle 301 is largely cut out to make it easier to take out the stored item P. At both ends 316 of the front end 315 of the bin 301, sliders 317 made of plastic or the like are provided.

Next, details of the moving mechanism 308 will be explained with reference to FIG. 5. Bearings 318 are provided on the frame 305 facing each other,
A rotating shaft 310 is supported by this bearing 318 . A movable ring 319 is embedded in this rotating shaft 31o, and one end of a movable plate 320 is fixed to this ring 319.

The other end of the movable plate 320 is fitted into the lower side of the rotating shaft 310. A cam 321 is fixed to the rotating shaft 310, and a helical groove 322 is cut in the cam 321 so that the slider 317 engages with the cam 321.

The slider 317 is provided on the movable plate 320 and protrudes from the nine slits 323 toward the front in FIG. 5.

Further, a ring 324 is mounted on the shaft 310 to press the uppermost bin 301At downwardly, and a movable ring 319 is attached to the shaft 310.
A coil spring 325 provided between the bottle 301A and the ring 324 forces the bottle 301A downward.

In addition, a safety stopper 326 is provided at the front end of the non-sorting bin 303.
is provided, and this stopper 326 and the upper frame 305
A spring 327 is tensioned between. This forces the bottle 303 upward.

Note that the slider 317 protrudes from a slit 329 provided in the side plate 328 of the mounting portion 304, and further extends from the stopper 3.
26 protrudes from a slit 330 provided in the side plate 328.

Further, a timing disk 331 with a slit (not shown) is fixed to a part of the shaft 310, and this disk 331
The rotation of is detected by a detector 332 such as a photointerrupter.

Further, a detector 333 is fixed to the movable plate 320,
The movable plate 3200 moves as the movable plate 3200 moves in the vertical direction. Then, the movement of the detector 333 is as follows:
Detected by 36. The detector 334 detects the 1 detector 333 when the slider 317 of the lowermost sorting bin 302 is in contact with the upper end surface of the cam 312, and the sorter 3
This detects that 00 is at the non-sort home position. In the detector 335, the slider 317 of the lowermost sorting bin 302 is in contact with the lower end surface of the cam 312. ,
At times, detectors 3 and 3 are detected to detect that the sorter 300 is at the sort home position and that the lower limit position of the bottom row of the bins 302 has been selected and positioned.

The detector 336 detects that the topmost bin 301A has been selected and the upper limit position has been positioned.

Next, the operation of the sorter 300 having nine configurations described above will be explained. First, it is assumed that the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3 is the forward rotation direction of the motor 307. When the motor 307 rotates forward, this rotation is transmitted to the gear 311 by the chain 312, and the rotation shaft 3
Rotate 10. As the rotating shaft 310 rotates, the cam 312 also rotates in the same direction (rotates).
22 and is pressed down by this groove 322. When the cam 312 rotates exactly once (this is the detector 3
22), the depressed bin 30
The first slider 317 contacts the lower surface of the cam 312. As a result, the bin 30 corresponding to the slider 317 in contact with the upper surface of the cam 312 and the bin 301 corresponding to the slider 317 in contact with the lower surface of the cam 312 are separated by the cam 312. Then, the part separated by this cam 312 is the paper ejecting roller 21.
The copy sheet P is stored in the slider 317 that is in contact with the lower surface of the cam 312.

Note that here, a suitable surface conveying means, such as rollers that roll into contact with each other, is provided between the paper discharge μm 213 and the bin 301, and this roller assists in feeding the copy sheets into the bin 301. You can also do this. In this case, the driving side of the paper ejection roller 213 and the above-mentioned auxiliary p-2 are
0 bins 301 connected by gears or chains
are urged upward and downward by springs 325 and 327, respectively, so when the groove 322 is positioned on the slider 317 by the rotation of the cam 3120, the slider 317 easily fits mK. Note that the moving mechanism 308
are provided on both sides of the mounting portion 3040 in FIG. 3, and are designed to move the bottle 301 up and down while holding the respective sliders 317 provided at both ends 316 of the bottle 3010. A control means for controlling each operation of the main body 200 and the sorter 300 will be described. First, the main body 200 includes the operation section 1 as described above.
01 is popular, and the details of this operation section 101 are shown in the sixth section.
As shown in the figure. The faG diagram shows various manually operable keys and display means that constitute part of the input means.

That is, 113 is a copy button, and this copy button 11
By pressing down 3, the copying mechanism 209 starts the 1st printing operation. Further, 114 is a clear key, which is used to clear the contents entered with the numeric keypad 115. The 0 numeric keypad 115 is used to specify the number of copies P to be created, and is used as a second selection means. The main body 200 operates in the multi-copy mode by instructing the creation of a plurality of copy pages (o') and 115 using the numeric keypad 115. 116 and 117 are indicators for displaying the number of copies, respectively.The display 116 displays the number of copies made using the numeric keypad 115, and the display 117 displays the number of copies made by the copying mechanism 209. Displays the number of copies (9 copy sheets P) created by the user. Therefore, the content of the display 116 remains unchanged until one copy operation is completed, but the display content of the display 117 indicates that only one copy sheet P has been created. is incremented each time.

118 is an interrupt key for specifying an interrupt copy mode, and 119 is a sort key for specifying a sort mode. Each of these keys 118 and 119Fi is a self-illuminated button switch, and by pressing each of them - times, a signal specifying interrupt copy mode and sort mode is output, and by pressing it again, these specifications are canceled. It is now possible to do so.

Reference numerals 120 and 121 indicate self-illuminated cassettes for specifying which cassette 105 or 106 from which to feed the sheet P. For example, when the key 120 is pressed, the cassette 105 containing B5 size sheets P is displayed. is selected and when the key 121 is pressed, nine cassettes 106 containing A4 size sheets P are selected.

The operating section 1.1 thus configured is connected to a control device 400 shown in FIG. That is, the control device 400 is roughly divided into a main body 200 and a sorter 30.
0, and a sorter control unit 404 that controls the operation of the sorter 300. The main control unit 401 includes each key 11 of the operation unit 101 described above.
3,114,115,118,119゜120.121
In addition to these keys 113゜114, 115, 118
, 117, 120, and 121 are connected to an input unit 402 having registers (described later) for storing each instruction inputted by being operated. And this input section 402
is an input means for inputting various commands for causing the main body 200 to perform a single-layer forming operation. Furthermore, a display section 4( ) 3 is connected to the main control section 401 and displays various types of information to present necessary information to the user. This display section 403 includes the above-mentioned display devices 116 and 1.
In addition to 17, various abnormalities (for example, copying mechanism 2 of sheet P
Jam in 09, lack of toner, power 105,10
6, etc.)).
(not shown) 1- has. Furthermore, this display section 40
3 also includes means for controlling the illumination of the keys 118 to 121 described above. That is, when the interrupt copy mode is designated, an illumination lamp (not shown) inside the key 118 is turned on, and when this key 118 is reset, this lamp is turned off. Then, when the other keys 119, 120, 121 are designated with the sort mode and the cassette 105 or 106 is designated, the K is turned on by the lamps (not shown) built into the respective keys 119, 120, 121. (No) lights up to indicate that each designation has been made. Of course, if these specifications are canceled, each key 119, 12
The built-in lamp of 0.121 is turned off.

Now, three signals 5ORT, C0RY, and R8T are sent from the main control unit 401 to the sorter control unit 404. The 08ORT signal is output when the sort mode is selected by the key 119.
When 9 is canceled and the non-sort mode is set, no output is made (this state is expressed as 5ORT). C0R
The Y signal includes two types of signals, the first C0RY signal is a signal that is output when the copy sheet) P is detected from the ejection unit 215 by the paper ejection switch 214, and the second C0RY signal is the signal that is output when the copy sheet This signal is output when the set number of copy sheets P have been created. In the following explanation, the former signal will be expressed as C0PY1, and the latter signal will be expressed as copy2. Further, the R8T signal is output when the copying machine 100 is set and initialized, and the details will be described later.

On the other hand, the sorter control unit 404 includes the aforementioned moving unit 306.
is connected to it and is configured to control this moving unit 306. Furthermore, the sorter control unit 404 includes a detector 3.
32, 334, 335, and 336 are connected, and each detection signal is received from these detectors: 332, 334, 335, and 336. Also, one signal BUSY is output from the sorter control unit 404 to the main control unit 401. The oBUSY signal indicates that the moving unit 306 is in operation and cannot accept the copy sheet P ejected from the main body 200. On the other hand, when the copy sheet Pt- can be accepted, this BUSY signal is reset (this state is set to BUSY).
).

Now, FIG. 8 shows the main parts of the control device 400 shown in FIG. 7 in detail. That is, the control circuit 405
is, for example, a microcomputer, and the control circuit 4
05 and each means connected thereto, an input/output controller 406 that controls the exchange of information, and a controller C that performs various calculation controls.
PU407, RAM4 which is a memory that can be written continuously
09, includes a ROM 408 which is a read-only memory. The ROM 408 stores programs necessary for controlling as described below.
Control is performed by the CPU 407 according to a program stored in the CPU 407. RAM409 is CPU407
This is to temporarily store various data while the control is being performed.

A timer 415 and an addition/subtraction counter 416 are connected to this control circuit 405 . The timer 415 is a zero-retriggerable timer that starts timer operation in response to a start command from the control circuit 405 and outputs a timeout signal after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. The addition/subtraction counter 416 is a counter that temporarily sets the contents entered using the numeric keypad 115 and performs subtraction in response to a signal from the paper ejection switch 214, and stores the number of copies to be made. 7.It is something to keep. The above-mentioned control circuit 405, timer 415, addition/subtraction counter 416
constitutes the main control section 401 in FIG.

On the other hand, the control circuit 405 includes each of the aforementioned keys 114.1.
1-5, 118, 119, 120, 121 to which flip-flops 410 or registers 411, 413, and 414 are connected.
Note that the numeric data input from the numeric keypad 115 is temporarily stored in the register 411, but this is not possible with the clear key 1.
Copy button 113 is cleared by inputting a clear signal from 14 through OR gate 412. Copy button 113 is directly connected to control circuit 405. Further, each register 411, 413, 414 and counter 416 are reset and initialized by a reset signal R8T output from the control circuit 405. Registers 411, 413, 414 and various keys 113, 114, 115, 118, shown in FIG.
119, 120° 121 constitute the input section 402 shown in the fs7 diagram.

On the other hand, the sorter control circuit 418 controls the drive of the moving section 306, and a drive circuit 419, a BUSY signal generation circuit 420, and a one-rotation detection circuit 421 are connected to this control circuit 418. The drive circuit 419 stops the motor 307 from rotating forward or backward in response to a command from the control circuit 418 (the former state is referred to as motor ON, and the latter state is referred to as motor OFF). B.U.
The SY signal generation circuit 420 outputs the above-mentioned signal BUSY when the motor 307 is ON, and outputs the above-mentioned signal BUSY when the motor 307 is OFF, in response to a signal from the drive circuit 419. The one-rotation detection circuit 421 detects when the cam 312 rotates once in response to a detection signal output when the detector 332 detects the slit in the disk 332 described above.
It outputs a signal indicating that the bin 301 has rotated, so that it can be determined that the bin 301 has moved one position upward or downward.

The sorter control circuit 418, drive circuit 419, and BU described above
The SY signal generation circuit 42o1 and the one-rotation detection circuit 421 constitute a sorter control section 404.

First, the overall operation of the copying machine 100 configured as described above will be described below with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 9 and 1θ.

(1) When multi-copy mode and non-sort mode is specified.

First, the user turns on the power switch 1 provided on the main body 200.
Operate 09. Normally, a copying machine with 1°O
The image is in a standby state for approximately 0 seconds to 60 seconds until the constant 'i1f device 207 reaches a fixable temperature. When the standby state eases, the display unit 303 displays a message indicating that the device is in a ready state. This allows the user to use the copier 1°0.
Recognize that you can use

Then, the cover 103 is opened and the document to be copied is placed on the document table 102. Next, the number of copies to be made is entered using the numeric keypad 115. This input number is displayed on the display 116. Furthermore, the user operates the desired cassette key 120 or 121, and then presses the copy button 113. Note that since the mode is non-sort mode at this time, the sheet key 119 is not operated.

In this state, the image forming operation is started. That is, an initial reset is performed when the power is turned on. This initial reset is performed when the CPU 407 determines that the power is turned on.
This is done by outputting the R8T signal. In the initial reset state, "1" is displayed on the display 116, rOJ is displayed on the display 117, and interrupt key 1 is displayed.
The built-in lamps of both the sheet keys 18 and 119 are turned off, the cassette key 121 is selected with priority, and the timer 415 is also reset. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10, the sorter 300 is also initialized. This is started when the control unit 404 determines whether or not the detection signal output when the detector 334 detects the detector 333 is input to the sorter control unit 404. If a detection signal is output from the bin 334, the sorter 300 is considered to be at the non-sort home position, and if not, the movement to the non-sort home position is controlled. comes into contact with the lower surface of the cam 312, and the slider 31 of the lowest row of the sorting bins 302
7 is in contact with the upper surface of the cam 312, and all the copy sheets P discharged from the main body 200 are placed in the non-sort bin 303.
It is stored.

Therefore, when the sorter 300 is not at the non-sort home position, the CPU 407 first outputs a signal to reset the register 413, and the sorting state is canceled (this is due to the above-mentioned initial reset operation). Furthermore, a set signal is output from the control circuit 418 to the BUSY signal generation circuit 420, and at the same time, the BUSY signal is output to the control circuit 405.
A signal is output. Drive circuit 419 is then still operative to motor 307 in response to commands from control circuit 418.
Reverse it. Note that the control circuit 418 includes the motor 3
A register (described later) for storing the rotational direction of the motor 307 is provided, and this register always stores the rotational direction of the motor 307 before it is stopped. Then, when the motor 307 is rotated in the reverse direction, the cam 312 is also rotated in the reverse direction, so the slider 317 provided on each sorting pin 302 is fitted into the groove 322 of the cam 312 one after another, and the spring 327 is moved upwardly. It is raised by the biasing action.

In this way, all the sorting bins 302 are raised, and the slider 317 of the lowest sorting bin 302 comes into contact with the upper surface of the cam 312. No more cam 3
12 rotates, no upward movement of the bin 302 occurs anymore.

At this time, as the sort bin 302 rises, the slider 3
17 rises to the top surface of the cam one after another by 1gI and pushes up the slider above it, so the movable plate 320 also rises, so the detector 333 is eventually detected by the detector 334◇
The movement to the non-note home position described above is performed by the detector 33.
This continues until there is a detection signal from 3.

When the movement to the non-sort home position is completed by pressing in this way, the control circuit 418 instructs the drive circuit 419 to stop the motor drive, and along with this, the BUSY
The generation circuit 402 outputs a BUOY signal.

In this way, the sorter 300 is initialized.

Now, returning to the 70-chart in FIG. 9, each key 115.
Each instruction input by 120 or 121 is stored in 7 lip-flops 410' or l/J: register 411, which is the next step and is stored in the main controller 4.
01 and the RAM via the controller 406.
409.

In the next step, it is determined in the control circuit 405 whether the sort mode is specified or not by reading the data stored in the RAM 409. In this case, it is the non-sort mode, so 70 in FIG. - In the chart, the judgment as to whether or not it is in sort mode proceeds to "No".

In the next step, a determination is made as to whether or not it is in interrupt mode. In this case, the process proceeds by 1 NO"K. Next, a determination is made as to whether or not the state is ready.

Here, since it is already in the ready state, “YF3
'Proceed to '.

Furthermore, a judgment is made as to whether the sorter is BUSY or not.
As mentioned above, since the BUSY signal is output from the sorter control circuit 418, the process proceeds to @NO''◇Furthermore, it is also determined whether the copy button 113 has been pressed,
Next, proceed to terminal H in FIG.

Note that it is not in the ready state, but in sorter BUSY),
Alternatively, if the copy button 113 is not pressed, the process returns to terminal A in FIG.

Now, proceeding to terminal H in FIG. 10, it is determined whether the sorter 300 is at the non-sort home position. Since the initial reset has already been performed here, "YE8
” and then the presence or absence of the R8T signal is checked.

Since it has not been reset here, proceed to "NO".
A determination is then made as to whether the mode is sort mode. Since this is a non-sort mode, the process returns to terminal G in FIG.

Thus, the above-mentioned bee operation is executed.

In this way, when a copy is made, the control circuit 40
5 enters a loop waiting for a passing signal of the copy paper (copy seat) P from the paper ejection switch 214. 0 If a passing signal is output from the paper ejection switch 214, the control circuit 405 outputs a C00Y□ signal to the sorter control unit 404. do. However, in this case, since it is a non-sort mode, it does not respond to the copy1 signal.

The above-described copying operation is repeated and the C0PY1 number is input to the counter 416. As a result, the counter 416 subtracts one by one from the contents set by the numeric keypad 115, and when the count reaches rOJ, this fact is sent to the control circuit 405. Note that the counter 41
The contents of 6 are displayed one after another on the display 117 as the number of copies completed. All the copy sheets P discharged from the discharge section 215 are stored in the non-sort bin 303.

In this way, the required number of copies (number of sheets set)
If only one sheet is created, the judgment as to whether it is the final sheet or not is "YES".
Proceed to “S”.

Next, the control circuit 405 outputs “0” from the counter 416.
” signal, the timer 415 is instructed to start its timer operation. After that, it enters a waiting loop to see if there is a timeout. When a timeout signal is output from the timer 415, this loop returns to terminal F in FIG. 9, and an initial reset is performed. This initial reset is as described above.

(3) When sort mode is specified in multi-copy mode.

In this case as well, the steps up to the step where it is determined whether or not it is the sort mode in the flowchart of FIG. 9 are the same as in the above case.
19 is operated, and this fact is stored in the register 413, and this data is also read into the control circuit 405 to control the sort mode.

First, in the step of determining whether it is in sort mode, “Y
ES” and from the control circuit 405 to the control circuit 418.
The ORT signal is output at 0. Then, it is determined whether or not it is the interrupt copy mode. Here, NO"K: Advance and jump to terminal B in FIG. 10.

At this time, a determination is made as to whether the sorter 300 is at the sort home position. Whether it is the sort home position or not depends on whether a signal is output from the detector 335 that detects the detector 333.
4.

If it is not at the sort home position, the sorter control circuit 418 instructs the drive circuit 419 to reverse the page 307. BUSY generated from the simultaneous KBUSY signal generation circuit 420
A signal is output to main control section 401. Then, the process proceeds to a judgment loop to determine whether or not it is the sort home position, and waits for a detection signal from the detector 335.

At the sort home position, the slider 317 of the lowest sorting bin 30217) comes into contact with the lower surface of the cam 312, and the slider 317 of the next uppermost sorting bin 302 comes into contact with the upper surface of the cam 312. The first copy paper ejected from the ejecting section 215)P
is stored in the bottom sort bin 302. However, the detector 335 detects that it is at the sort home position.
When the control circuit 418 instructs the drive circuit 419 to stop the rotation of the motor 3.7, the control circuit 418 simultaneously outputs a BUSY signal to the main control section 4.1. When this operation is completed, the terminal returns to terminal J in FIG. Then, the copy operation is performed and the copy operation waits for the signal input.
When the COPY signal is output from the main control unit 401, the control circuit 418 instructs the drive circuit 419 to rotate the motor 307 in the normal direction. At the same time, a BUSY signal is output to the main control section 401.

Next, a loop is entered to detect whether the cam 312 has rotated once. This loop ensures that the cam 312 is properly aligned.
When it rotates, a signal indicating this is output from the detector 332 to the control circuit 418. This allows the cam 312
It is determined that the 01 rotation is completed and immediately commands the drive circuit 419 to turn off the motor. At the same time, the main control unit 401
SY signal is output. In this state, the sort bin 302
Of these, the slider 317 in the second row from the bottom is the cam 3.
12, the third sorting bin 30 from the bottom
2 is formed, and the preparation for storing the second copy sheet in the sorting bin 302 at the second stage from the bottom is completed.

The main control unit 401 then counts and displays the number of copy sheets that have been created.

This part is the same as in the previous case.

Then, a determination is made as to whether or not it is the final sheet.

As mentioned above, the counter 416 outputs a "0" signal to determine whether it is the last sheet, and in response, the main control unit 401 sends the sorter control unit 404: C0PY
The determination is made based on the output of two signals. That is, when the C0PY2 signal is output from the main control unit 401, the sorter control unit 404 knows that the collation of the copy sheets created for the first original has ended. If the final sheet has not been reached, the sorter control unit 404 The control flow of the control unit 4040 returns to the terminal J, and the operation of storing the copy sheet P in the sort bin 302 described above is repeated.
02 is a cam 31 that descends one step at a time every 201 rotations (forward rotation) and sequentially transfers the discharge section 21 to the descending sorting bin 302.
The copy sheet P discharged from 5 is stored.

When the last sheet has been stored in the sorting bin 302, a timer 415 is set. When a timeout signal is output from the timer 415 to the control circuit 405 after a predetermined period of time, the terminal FK in FIG. 9 is returned and the above-mentioned initial reset is performed. When some command is input from the input unit 402, the control circuit 405 starts the timer 4.
151 - Retrigger 0 This delays the output of the timeout signal 0 Then, when the user sets another original on the document table 102 and starts the copying operation described above, the A copy is made.

Then, the above-mentioned operation will be repeated, but at this time, since the copy sheet collation for the first document has been completed, for example, if all the sort bins 302 are used, the topmost bin 301 people cam 312
It is located at the bottom of the . Next, by sequentially rotating the motor 307 in reverse, the sorting bin 30
The copies (copy paper) P will be stored sequentially from the top row of 2. In this case, the reason why the motor 307 is reversed is that the control circuit checks the contents of the register that stores the rotational state of the motor 307, and then instructs the control circuit to rotate in the opposite direction to the contents. The signal is output from 418 to the drive circuit 419 .

Such rotation direction determination is performed in the sort mode.

(3) When interrupt copy mode is specified, first assume that interrupt copy mode is specified in non-sort mode. This is specified by operating interrupt key 118.

Then, the control circuit 405 immediately starts the addition/subtraction counter 41.
6 is stored in the t-RAM 409, and the displays 116 and 117 are reset to display the display 11.
6 is displayed as "1" and rOJ is displayed on the display 117. At this time, the built-in lamp of the interrupt key 118 is lit.

Part 1. After such an operation, interrupt processing 70- is entered. In this flow, based on the data input using the numeric keypad 115 along with the operation of the interrupt key 118,
A copy sheet corresponding to that number is created. The processing in this part is the same as the flow starting from terminal G in FIG.
It is stored in 3. Now, when the required number of copy sheets has been created, the control circuit 405 transfers the data in the RAM 409 to the counter 416, and returns the display section 403 to the state before the interruption. At the same time, a start signal is given to the timer 415. If the user before the interruption
If the user leaves the timer 415, the timer 415 will not be re-triggered, since there is no possibility that the human power section 402 will be operated before the timeout signal is output from the timer 415, and the initial reset will be performed in response to the timeout signal. will be carried out. If it continues to be used before this timeout signal is output, copying starts from the state before the interrupt. This is started by operating the copy button 113.

Next, if the interrupt key 118 is operated in the sort mode, the process proceeds to a display that interrupts are not allowed in FIG. 9. In this process, the control circuit 405 always
14 (interrupt key 118)
built-in lamp is turned off), or display section 4 to that effect
03 may be displayed.

That is, "1 interrupt not allowed" is displayed on the display unit 403, and then the control circuit 405 resets the register 414, and the built-in lamp of the interrupt key 118 goes out. mode, so we know that it cannot be in interrupt mode.

Here, use the copy key 113 in sort mode.
When pressed down, the button reaches the terminal, a copy operation is performed as a sort mode, and the sort mode is maintained until the copy operation for the remaining number of sheets is completed. For example, to make 8 copies, enter 18'' with *-115, specify the sort mode with sorter key 119, and press copy key 1.
13f: When operated, copy sheets are created one by one and sorted one by one. Here, if the interrupt key 118 is operated when the sixth copy sheet is stored in the sixth sort bin 302, interrupt copying is prohibited as described above. Here, copy key 113 again
If is operated, the remaining 7th and subsequent copy sheets are created and sorted.

As shown in FIG. 9, after resetting the interrupt register 414, the control circuit 405 sets the timer 415, and if the copy key 113 is not operated within the time set by the timer 415, it will reach the terminal F and perform the operation as described above. Initial reset is performed.

The reason why interrupt copying is prohibited in sort mode is as follows.

That is, as described above, the sorter 300 sequentially lowers or ascends the sorting bins 302,
Since copy sheets Pt are stored in the sort bin 302 for collation, if interrupt copying is allowed during the sort mode, the copy sheets Pt created in this mode cannot be stored. Suppose that the copy sheet P created by the imprint copy is stored in the sort bin 3020 next to the sort bin 302 in which the last copy sheet before the interruption was stored, then after the interruption copy is finished, the created copy sheet will be stored in the above interruption copy. Sort bin 3020 containing next sort bin 302
As a result, the order of collation will be shifted.

This is particularly a problem when copying multiple originals in sort mode at the same time.

The present invention prevents such problems from occurring by the above-described means. - In the above explanation, the sheet P was explained as a support, but
This may be a card or the like. Sara K11l
ii@ Although the main body 200 of the copying machine 11) 0 is shown as a forming means, it is also possible to form an image by other methods.

Next, the sorter control circuit 418 will be explained in more detail with reference to FIG.

The sorter control circuit 41B sends various signals to the main control section 401.
and a control circuit 500 for receiving from the detectors 332, 334, 335, 336 and outputting necessary control signals.The control circuit 500 outputs six types of signals,
In other words, SORT-HOME (! issue, SORT-Mo
De+,! signal, OPT signal, LIMIT signal, CLK signal, and RUNa! This is the number.

The SORT-HOME signal is a signal output when it is detected that the sorter 300 is at the sort home position in response to the output signal from the detector 335. 5OR from main control unit 401
It is a @0'' level signal that is output in response to the T signal and indicates that the sort mode is selected.

The OPT signal is output in response to the output signal from the one-rotation detection circuit 421, and indicates that the cam 312 has made exactly one rotation and the bin 302 has finished moving to the predetermined position.
The OLIMIT signal, which is a level signal, is output in response to the output signal from the detector 336, and is ``11 level'' indicating that the movement position of the bin 302 is at the upper limit position. .

The CLK signal is generated when the above-mentioned c p y2 signal is output, when the R8T signal is output, or when the 5ORT signal is output.
This signal is output when the signal is switched from SORT to 5ORT or from 5ORT to 5ORT, and is a signal instructing the motor 307 to reverse rotation.

The RUN signal is a signal that instructs the motor to turn off when the motor is on.When the motor is on, it is at the ``1'' level, and when the motor is off.
◇ Also, in Fig. 11, 501 to 507 will eventually become ;, i
508 is a monostable Maruna vibrator, and 509 is a D type flip-flop element.

That is, the monostaple i multivibrator 508
(hereinafter abbreviated as MM) delays the input signal for a certain period of time and outputs the "''1#1# level, and the flip-flop element 509 (hereinafter abbreviated as FF) outputs the input signal C L Each time K471 is input, a "1" level signal is alternately output to output terminals Q and Q.

Now, the control circuit 418 configured as described above performs the following control.

In the following description, it is assumed that the sorter 300 is at the sort home position and the sort mode is selected.

When the copy sheet P is ejected from the main body 200, the main control section 401 outputs a copy y1 signal. In response, the control circuit 500 outputs RUN1d. This RUN signal is input to elements 506 and 507. At this time, the element 505jsIM508 and FF509
It is assumed that @1'' level signals are output from the output terminals.

Therefore, the logical product is established in the element 507, and the element 50
7 outputs a @0'' level signal, and the drive circuit 41
0 motor 3 in which forward rotation of motor 307 is instructed relative to 9
07 rotates in the normal direction, the cam 312 also rotates, one of the bins 302 is lowered, and the second bin of the sorting bins faces the paper ejection roller 213.

By repeating such operations, necessary classifications are performed one after another. Then, when all the bins 302 are lowered and the detector 333 is detected by the detector 336, the LIMIT signal is output from the control circuit 500. Moreover,
When the rotation of the motor 30701 is completed, the control circuit 5
An OPT signal is also output from 00.

Therefore, the logical product of the element 502 is established and is 0, and the logical sum of the element 504 is valid, so a signal of 11" level is output from the element 504. This @1" level signal is 0.
It is sent as a LOCK signal to the main control unit 401 to perform necessary display and to prevent the logical product from forming in elements 506 and 507.

This is an effective safety measure if, for example, the number of copies set using the numeric keypad 115 exceeds the number of bins.

That is, the sorter 300 performs sorting when the bins 302 are moved both upwards and downwards, but even if copying within the number of bins 302 is specified when the bins 302 are raised, when the bins 302 are then lowered, the bins are sorted. 30
This is effective for prohibiting the creation of more than 2 copies when the number of copies exceeds 2.

The INTERLOCK signal mentioned above is then
Even when it is fully raised and positioned at the lower limit position,
Since the AND of element 501 is established, it is output in the same way.

Normally, however, the PUN1d signal is deactivated by the C0PY2 signal, so the INTERLOCK signal is not output.

Now, normally, an instruction is given to create copies within the number of bins 302 for one original, so as described above, the necessary copy sheets are first created for the first original, and then the number of copies stored in the bin 302 is When the classification is performed sequentially according to the descending number, the main control section 401 outputs a copy signal. In response to this copy signal, CLK (No. 11) is output from the control circuit 500. This CLK signal is input to MM 508 and FF 509. First, in FF 509, the output is inverted by the CLK signal and output A @1'' level signal is output from the terminal Q. On the other hand, a signal is output from the MM 508 after a predetermined period of time has elapsed from the timing at which the CLK signal was input.

Therefore, until the signal is output from MM508,
The logical AND of the element 506 is not established, and even if the RUN signal is output, the motor 307 does not reverse rotation and remains stopped. , motor 30
A signal instructing the reverse rotation of 7 is given to the drive circuit 419.

Then, classification is performed in the same manner as described above.

At this time, since the motor 307 is rotating in reverse, the bin 3
02 rises.

Of course, in this case, a second original gold sheet is set and the copying operation is performed, but since the copying operation has already been described, it will not be explained here.

In the above explanation, MM508 and elements 506 and 507
constitutes the stopping means.

Note that the above CLK signal is also generated at the time of initial reset when the V soldering power is turned on as described above, and at the time of switching between the non-sort mode and the sort mode. i The rotation direction is temporarily stopped before switching the rotation direction.

As described above, the present invention has the following effects.

That is, when the driving means 0 rotation direction is switched,
Since the rotation of the drive means is temporarily stopped, it is prevented from receiving a large impact due to the inertia of the drive means, and damage to the drive means and generation of noise can be prevented, and moreover, reliable sorting can be performed.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a front view of the same example, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a sorter, which is the main part of the same example. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the bin of the example; Figure 5 is a partial sectional view of the sorter of the example; Figure 6 is a plan view of the operating section of the example; Figure 7 is an overall block diagram of the example; Figure 8 1) is a block diagram of the main part of the same example, FIG. 9 and M2O diagram are 70-charts for explaining the operation of the same example, and FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the main part of the same example. 100...copying machine, 200...main unit, 300...
- Sorter, 400...Control device, 101...Operation unit, 209...Copying mechanism, 214...#Paper switch,
215...Discharge d, 301...Bin, 302...
Non-sort bin, 303... Sort bin, 306...
・Movement part, 405... Main control circuit, 418... Sorter control circuit, 508... Monostable Maru 1 vibrator 〇 Agent Patent attorney Kensuke Chika (1 person from T) Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8f5ii)

Claims (1)

[Claims] In the device in which the support on which an image is formed is divided and stored in a plurality of storage sections, a moving means for moving the storage section toward a receiving position of the support, and forward and reverse rotation for driving the moving means. 1. A sorter apparatus comprising: a drive means capable of driving the drive means; and a stop means for detecting a change in the rotation direction of the drive means and temporarily stopping the drive means prior to the change in rotation direction.