JPS62161672A - Sorter - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To shorten the operating time required, by having a lifting member going up and down along plural bins opposed to a reference pin at the central part in advance and, when paper reaches the lifting member, holding the paper in between temporarily and discharging the paper in a way of reciprocating up to the desinated position. CONSTITUTION:A lifting member 10, moving up and down, is made to assume a posture of standing by at a reference bin 9 at the central part of plural bins 9 vertically disposed, in advance. An inlet paper port 5 of a softer 1 is installed in a paper discharge port 3 of a copying machine 2 so as to be opposed. When the copied paper P is conveyed by feed rollers 6 and 7 and a tip of the paper reaches the lifting member 10, a sensor 23 detects it, and discharge rollers 15 and 21 inside the lifting member 10 are rotated for a short time, holding the paper P in between temporarily. A lift driving device 12 makes the lifting member 10 reciprocate up to the designated bin 9 according to a select signal out of the copying machine 2. Then, the paper P is discharged to the designated bin 9 by these discharge rollers 15 and 21, while the lifting member 10 is returned to the stand-by position. With this constitution, the sorter is simplified in structure, thus sorting time is shortened.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a sorter that sorts recording sheets discharged from an image recording apparatus such as an electronic copying machine or a printer into a plurality of bins.

Prior Art Conventionally, a sorter has been constructed using a plurality of bins arranged vertically at predetermined intervals, a belt arranged near these bins to convey recording paper upward or downward, and this belt. A recording paper conveying means including a suction fan that sucks the recording paper, an elevating member disposed so as to be movable up and down between the recording paper conveying means and the bin, and an elevating and driving means for raising and lowering the elevating member; a direction switching member disposed on the elevating member and directing the moving direction of the recording paper being moved by the recording paper transport means toward the bin; and a direction switching member disposed on the elevating member and capable of switching the direction. There is a known device that includes a pair of paper ejection rollers that eject recording paper into a bin.

However, with this sorter, it is necessary to feed the recording paper of the image recording device to the recording paper conveying means near the top or bottom of the bin, so it is necessary to feed the recording paper to the recording paper conveying means in the vicinity of the top or bottom bin of the image recording device. Since the amount of paper movement is large, the recording paper sorting operation is slow and the configuration is complicated.

OBJECT An object of the present invention is to provide a sorter that can speed up the sorting operation of recording paper and has a simple configuration.

Structure The present invention provides a plurality of bins arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction, an elevating member disposed near these bins so as to be movable up and down, and an elevating drive means for raising and lowering all of the elevating members. The recording paper holding means is arranged on the elevating member and temporarily holds the fed recording paper, and a pair of paper ejection rollers are arranged on the elevating member and ejects the recording paper into a bin. Then, the elevating member is sent to a standby position corresponding to the reference bin in the center, and the recording paper is held by the recording paper holding means, and after all the elevating members have moved back to the predetermined position, recording It is characterized in that the paper is discharged into a bin by a paper discharge roller, and then the elevating member is moved back to a standby position corresponding to a reference bin in the center.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on four aspects.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 indicates a sorter.

A Seiko copying machine 2 is arranged adjacent to the exterior plate 1a of the sorter 1. On the exterior plate 2a of this electronic copying machine 2,
A paper discharge port 3 for discharging recording paper P is formed on the sorter 1 side. A pair of paper ejection rollers 4 are arranged inside the exterior plate 2a near the paper ejection port 30.

A paper receiving port 5 is formed in the exterior plate 1a of the sorter 1, facing the paper discharge port 3 of the exterior plate 2a of the electronic copying machine 2. A pair of receiving rollers 6.7 are arranged inside the exterior plate 1a near the paper receiving opening 5. These receiving rollers 6 , 7 are pressed together, and one receiving roller 7 is rotated by receiving roller drive means 8 . This receiving roller driving means 8 includes a motor 8a fixed to the exterior plate 1a,
It consists of a pulley 8C fixed to the drive shaft 8b of the motor 8a, a pulley 8d fixed to the rotating shaft 7a of the receiving roller 7, and a bell 8e attached to these pulleys 8c and 8d.

A plurality of bins 9 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction on the side of the receiving roller 6.7 in the feeding direction of the recording paper P. These bottles 9 are supported by the exterior plate 1a, and most of the bottles 9 extend outward from the opening of the exterior plate 1a.

Between the receiving roller 6.7 and the bin 9, an elevating member 10 is arranged near the bin 9 so as to be movable up and down. A paper guide member 11 for guiding the recording paper Pi is arranged between the receiving roller 6.7 and the elevating member 1o. The elevating member 10 is raised and lowered by an elevating drive means 12. This elevating drive means 12 includes two pairs of pulleys 12a and I2b arranged above and below, and a rotating shaft 12C of the upper pulley 12a.
A step motor 12d that can rotate in forward and reverse directions is placed near the
The worm gear 12f is fixed to the worm gear 12f, and the gear 12g fixed to the rotating shaft 12C of the
2a and 12b, and the lifting member 1
00 A pair of wires 12h to which both side plates 10a are fixed
It consists of.

Both ends of the rotating shafts 12C2121 of the pulleys 12a and 12b are supported by bearings fixed to the exterior plate 1a. The step motor 12d is fixed to the exterior plate 1a.

The elevating member 10 includes both side plates 10a and a holding plate 10b integrally fixed to these plates.

Two guide members 10C and 10d for guiding the recording paper Pi sent from the receiving roller 6.7 are disposed on the side plates 10a and the holding plate 10b.

As shown in the fourth factor, two support members 13 are provided protruding from the guide member 10d. Bearings 14 are disposed in the long holes of these supporting members 13 so as to be movable up and down by a small distance, and a rotating shaft 15a of a paper discharge roller 15 is supported by these bearings 14. A holding member 16 is provided to protrude from the guide member 10d, and a spring 17 is held in the holding member 16 for pressing the rotating shaft 15a of the paper discharge slot 15 downward.

The guide member 10d is also provided with two supporting members 18 protruding from the one-way clutch 1.
9 and a bearing 20 are provided, and a rotating shaft 21a of the paper ejection roller 2 is supported by the one-way clutch 19 and the bearing 20. This paper ejection roller 21 is rotated by a paper ejection roller driving means 22. This paper discharge roller driving means 22 includes a motor 22a fixed to the holding plate 10b of the elevating member 10, and a drive @22 of this motor 22a.
A pulley 22C fixed to b, a pulley 22d fixed to rotation of the paper ejection roller 21 @21a so as to face this pulley 22C, and these 7'-1722c, 22d.
The belt 22e is attached to the belt 22e. The one-way clutch 19 does not prevent the paper ejection roller 21 from rotating in the direction in which the recording paper mP is sent to the bin 9, and the direction opposite to the direction in which the ejection roller 21 sends the recording paper pl to the bin 9. prevent it from rotating.

A paper sensor 23 for detecting the recording paper PQ is arranged between the paper ejection rollers 15, 21 and the receiving roller 6.7 and near the paper ejection rollers 15, 21. This paper sensor 2
3 is a photosensor, which is fixed to the guide member 10d. The paper ejection rollers 15 and 21 are the receiving rollers 6.
A roller standby position sensor 24 is disposed at a predetermined position to detect that the standby position button corresponding to the central reference bin 9 for receiving the recording paper P sent by 7 is placed. This roller standby position sensor 24 is composed of a photosensor, and detects that a detection piece 24a provided on the side plate 1a of the elevating member 10 is placed at a predetermined position. It is detected that the container is placed at a standby position corresponding to the reference bin 9 of the section.

When the recording paper P force is sent from the paper ejection roller 4 of the electronic copying machine 2 between the receiving rollers 6.7, the receiving roller 6.
7 feeds the recording paper P in the direction of paper ejection rollers 15 and 21. In this case, the paper ejection rollers 15 and 21 are in a standby position corresponding to the reference bin 9 at the center of the recording paper P receiving chamber in a non-rotated state. The paper sensor 23 detects the recording paper P.
When the leading edge of the recording paper P is detected, the paper discharge rollers 15 and 21 are rotated in the direction of feeding the recording paper P to the recording paper pl via 9 for a short predetermined time from this point, and stop while holding the leading edge of the recording paper P.

When the paper ejection rollers 15 and 21 grip the recording paper P, the elevating member 10 and the paper ejection roller 15°2 move toward the selected bin 9 to be used to correspond to the selected bin 9. Stop in position.

When the elevating member 10 and the paper ejection rollers 15 and 21 move forward, the one-way clutch 19 prevents the paper ejection roller 21 from rotating in the direction opposite to the direction in which the recording paper P is sent to the bin 9. The recording paper P is ejected from the paper ejection rollers 15 and 21.
There will be no separation from it.

The forward movement speed of the paper ejection rollers 15, 21 when the paper ejection rollers 15, 21i move forward to the selected bin 9 is as follows:
The speed is set to be approximately the same as the speed at which the recording paper P is discharged by the paper discharge roller 4 of the electronic copying machine 2. This is the paper ejection roller 15, 21
This is to prevent the recording paper P from being detached from the paper ejection roller 15.degree. 21 due to unnecessary resistance acting on the recording paper P when the recording paper P moves forward.

When the paper ejection rollers 15, 21 are arranged at the position corresponding to the selected bin 9, the paper ejection rollers 15, 21 are rotated to eject the recording paper Pfr to the bin 9, and the paper sensor 23 is activated to record the paper. Is the paper ejection roller 15 or 21 rotated after a short predetermined period of time has elapsed since the trailing edge of the paper P was detected? At the same time, the elevating member 10 and the paper discharge rollers 15 and 21 are moved back to the standby position. This elevating member 10 and paper ejection roller 15°2
1, the elevating member 10 and the paper ejection roller 1
The backward movement speed of 5.21 is because the paper ejection roller 15.21 is not holding the recording paper P, so the paper ejection roller 4 of the Naruko copying machine 2 is
The feeding speed of the recording paper P may be greater than the feeding speed of the recording paper P.

FIG. 5 shows the operation display panel 25 disposed on the upper surface of the exterior plate 2a of the four-child copying machine 2, which will be explained next.

The operation display panel 25 has information for turning the power ON or OFF.
'Yakugen key 26.4 Power indicator 27 to display whether the source is ON or OFF, Start key 28 to start all copies, Number of originals set key 29 to set all number of originals, This number of originals set key 29 is ON
a document number set indicator 30 that displays whether or not the number of original sheets has been set;
A copy number set key 31 for setting the number of copies, a copy number set indicator 32 for displaying whether or not the copy number set key 31 has been turned on, a numeric keypad 33 for inputting the number of originals or copies; A clear stop key 34 that clears the input value using the numeric keypad 33 and stops copying; a set number display 35 that displays the number of set originals; a number display 36 that displays the number of originals that have been copied; A copy set number display 37 displays the set number of copies, a copy execution number display 38 displays the number of sheets of recording paper P that has been copied, a number mode key 39 is used to set the number mode, and a number mode key 39 is used to set the number mode. A stack mode indicator 40 for displaying whether the stack mode is set, a stack mode key 41 for setting the stack mode, a stack mode display 42 for displaying whether the stack mode is set, etc. are provided.

The above original number set key 29i0J, then numeric keypad 3
If you input with 3, the number of originals set will be input, and the number of copies set key 31 'eONL' will be entered, followed by the number key 33.
If you enter, the number of copy cents will be entered. The above-mentioned print mode means that each sheet of recording paper Pe is
This refers to the mode in which the fuel is discharged. The above-mentioned stack mode refers to a mode in which a plurality of recording sheets P are sequentially discharged by the maximum number of sheets that can be accommodated in each of the plurality of bins 9.

The sixth factor is the control device for the sorter 1, which will be explained next.

The paper sensor 23, roller standby position sensor 24, power key 26, start key 28, original number set key 29,
Information such as the copy number set key 31, numeric keypad 33, stack mode key 39 and stack mode key 41 is provided to the input board of the microcomputer 43.

Microcomputer 943r7) 13. AMK is
Original sheet number set counter, copy set number counter,
A total copy set number counter, a discharged sheet number counter, a print mode flag, a used bin number counter, a lift flag, and the like are provided. The root mode flag becomes 1 when the root mode key 39 is turned ON, and becomes O when the stack mode key 41'1 is turned on. The used bin number counter counts the number of pins used in the print mode, and has the same value as the copy set number counter. The above lift flag is
When the elevating member 10 is raised, it is set to 1, and the elevating member io'! It is set to 0 when i7 falls.

- The output boat of the microcomputer 43 is connected to the receiving roller driving means 8, the elevating and lowering driving means 12, the paper discharge roller purging means 22, and the like.

An example of the operation of the sorter 1 described above will be explained in detail based on FIGS. 7 and 8. The flowcharts shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 are for a case where the standby position (home position) of the paper ejection rollers 15 and 21 for receiving the recording paper Pi is a position corresponding to the lowest bin 9.

The ON signal of the power key 26 is activated by the microcomputer 4.
3, the microcomputer 430ROM
The operations are executed according to the stored programs shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 to 9. Figures 7 and 8
The figure shows the main routine of the flow, and the ninth part shows the subroutine of the flow.

First, perform initial settings in step ①. In this initial setting, the RAM and input/output ports of the microcomputer 43 are cleared.

Next, in step (2), it is checked whether the start key 28 is ON. Start key 28 is turned on in step ■
If it is determined that this is the case, the receiving roller driving means 8i is turned ON in step (2), and then the bin 9 selected in this usage bin selection routine is passed through the usage bin selection routine in step (2).
In response to this, the ON time of the lifting/lowering driving means 12 is set in step (3).

Next, in step (2), it is checked whether the paper sensor 23 is ON. If it is determined that the paper sensor 23 is ON in this step (2), that is, if the paper sensor 23 detects the leading edge of the recording paper P, the paper ejection roller driving means 2
2 is turned on, it is checked in step (2) whether tx≧11. This tx is the elapsed time from the time when the paper sensor 23 was turned on, and tl is the time when the paper sensor 23 was turned on (the ejection roller driving means 22k
From the moment it is turned on), the paper ejection roller 15°21 moves the recording paper P.
This is the predetermined time required to clamp the tip of the

If it is determined that tx≧t1 in step (2) above, the paper ejection roller driving means 22 is turned off in step (2), and it is checked in step [phase] whether or not the lift flag is -1. If it is determined that the lift flag = 1 in step [phase], the lift driving means 12 is turned on in step ◎, the paper ejection rollers 15 and 21 are raised, and the process proceeds to step 0. Step O
If it is determined that the lift flag is not 1, the lift drive means 12t is turned on in step @, and the paper ejection rollers 15 + 21 are turned on.
FE go up and down and go to step ◎.

In step ◎, it is checked whether the paper ejection rollers 15 and 21 have reached the bin 9 selected in the bin selection routine of step Lifting drive means 12
Check whether it is turned on.

When it is determined that the paper ejection rollers 15 and 21 have reached the selected bin in step @, the elevating drive means 1
2 is turned OFF, and then in step ◎ it is checked whether the lift flag is 1 or not.

If it is determined that the elevation flag = 1 in step [phase], the elevation flag is set to Io in step [YES], and the elevation flag is set to Io in step [YES].
If it is determined that the lift flag is not -1 in step [phase], the lift flag is set to 1 in step [phase], and then in step [phase], the paper ejection roller driving means 22 is turned on and the paper ejection roller 15.21
The recording paper P is discharged into the bin 9.

Next, in step [phase], it is checked whether the paper sensor 23 is OFF. The paper sensor 23 is O in step [phase].
If it is determined that it is FF, the [discharged sheet number counter] is incremented by 1 in step [phase], and then all checks are made in step ◎ to see if ty≧t2. This ty is a step [phase]
t2 is the elapsed time from the time when the paper sensor 23 was determined to be OFF in step [phase], and t2 is the time elapsed since the paper sensor 23 was determined to be OFF in step [phase].
This is the predetermined time required until the recording paper P discharged by 1 is detached from the paper discharge rollers 15 and 21.

If it is determined that ty≧t2 in the above step (2), the paper ejection roller and the drive means 22e are turned off in step [phase], and then, in step O, it is checked whether the lift flag is 1 or not. If it is determined in step ◎ that the lift flag is 1, then in step ◎ the lift driving means 12'kON is turned on and the paper is raised to the discharge rollers 15 and 21, and then the process proceeds to step [phase]. If it is determined in step (c) that the elevation flag is not 1, the process moves up and down in step [phase], turns on the driving means x2, lowers the paper discharge rollers 15 and 21, and then proceeds to step [phase].

In step [phase], it is checked whether the roller standby position sensor 24 is ON. If it is determined that the roller standby position sensor 24 is ON in step [phase], the elevating drive means 12 is turned off in step O to make the paper ejection rollers 15, 21'r wait at the standby position, and then in step [
Check whether [total copy cents counter]=[discharged sheets counter]. step [phase]
If it is determined that the [total copy set number counter] is not equal to the [ejected sheet number counter], the process returns to step (2). Step [
If it is determined that [total copy set sheet number counter] = [ejected sheet number counter] in phase], the operation is stopped.

Next, the usage bin selection routine in step (2) shown in FIG. 9 will be explained.

First, in step [phase], it is checked whether or not [tone mode flag]=1. If it is determined that the [tone mode flag) = 1 in step [phase], that is, if it is determined that the mode is in the tone mode, step @)7'A-
BC=L) (0≦L)<B) C and D2 in K
demand. Here, the above A is the value of the paper discharge counter, and B
is the value of the used pin number counter, and C and D are O or positive integers. Next, in step 0, it is checked whether D=0 or not, and if it is determined that D=0 is not in step ■, D=2m+1 (however, 9
22m). Here, m is O or a positive integer.

If it is determined that D=0 in step 0, the reference bin 9 in the center is selected as the bin 9 to be used in step [phase], and then the process returns to the main routine. If it is determined that D=2m+, 1 (however, 922m) in the above step [phase], the (m+1)th bin 9 from the standard bin 9 in the center upwards is selected as the bin 9 to be used in step [yes]. Then, in step [phase], the lift flag is set to 1, and then the process returns to the main routine. D=2m in the above step [phase]
+1 (However, if it is determined that it is not 922 m), in step [phase], the m-th bin 9 from the reference bin 9 in the center downwards is selected as the bin 9 to be used, and in step ■, the elevation flag is set to 0, and then the main routine is started. Return to.

If it is determined that the [NT mode flag] is not 1 in the above step [phase], that is, if it is determined that it is the stack mode, then in the step [phase], A-EF=G (however, O≦
Find F and Ge at G≦E).

Here, E is the maximum number of recording sheets P that can be stored in one bin 9, and F and G are O or positive integers. Next, it is checked in step [phase] whether F=0 or not, and if it is determined that F=0 is not in step [phase], F=2n+1 (however, F
≧2n). Here n is O or a positive integer.

If it is determined that F=O in the above step [phase], the reference bin 9 in the center is selected as the bin 9 to be used in step @, and then the process returns to the main routine. If it is determined that F=2n+1 (however, F≧2n) in step @ above, step
1) Select the bin 9 to be used, set the lift flag to 1 in step @, and then return to the main routine. In step @ above, F=2n+1 (however, F≧2
n), the n-th bin 9 downward from the reference bin 9 in the center is selected as the bin 9 to be used in step @, and the lift flag is set to O in step @ before returning to the main routine.

In the embodiment described above, the recording paper holding means 44, which temporarily clamps the recording paper P when the paper ejection roller 15. , 21 themselves, but as shown in FIG. A recording paper clamping means 44 may be provided to clamp the recording paper.

This recording paper clamping means 44 includes two elastic clamping pieces 44a that are fixed to the lower surface of the guide member 10d and can be easily elastically deformed, and two elastic clamping pieces 44a that are fixed to the upper surface of the guide member 10d and formed in a hole in the guide member 10d. It consists of two lenses 44c that are moved downward by an elastic clamping piece 44ai by an actuator 44b. The elastic clamping piece 44a is attached to the guide member 10c when the renoid 44c is OFF.
It is arranged so as to be sufficiently separated from the recording paper P so as not to become an obstacle to the movement of the recording paper P. The above paper ejection rollers 15, 21
When the recording paper P is clamped between them and the leading end of the recording paper P reaches between the elastic clamping piece 44a and the guide member 10d, when the lenoid 44ci is turned ON, the actuator 44b of the lenoid 44c moves to the elastic clamping plate 44a'i. When displaced downward, this elastic clamping piece 44a presses the recording paper P against the guide member 10d and clamps the recording paper PI between the guide member and the recording paper P.

Note that the printer 1 of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be configured to eject all of the recording sheets P sequentially from the top or the bottom into a plurality of trays 79, for example.

Further, the present invention can be applied to the case where recording sheets of an image recording apparatus such as a printer are classified into two types.

Effect The monitor of the present invention is arranged vertically! 3. Because the paper ejection roller is placed in the center of the multiple bins,
Since the amount of elevation of the paper ejection roller for sorting the recording paper is approximately 1 of the distance from the top bin to the bottom bin, the number of movements of the recording paper can be reduced. It can operate quickly and has a simple configuration.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The first factor is a schematic diagram showing the computer of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the main parts of the same computer, FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway front view showing the main parts of the same computer, and FIG. 4 5 is a partially cutaway side view showing the main parts of the above-mentioned computer, FIG. 5 is a top view showing the operation display panel of the electronic copying machine that discharges recording paper into the above-mentioned computer, and FIG. 6 is a view showing the control device of the above-mentioned computer. 7 to 9 are flowcharts illustrating an example of the operation of the above printer, and FIG. 10 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing another embodiment of the recording paper holding means of the above printer. It is. 9... Bin, 10... Lifting member, 12... Lifting,
Drive means, 15. 21... Paper discharge roller, 22... Paper discharge roller drive means, 44... Recording paper holding means, P...
・Record paper %d Procedural amendment (voluntary) January 27, 1988 Patent Application No. 298337 3, Relationship with the case of the person making the amendment Patent applicant address 1-3 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo No. 6 positive vtt
H6i) (674) Ricoh Co., Ltd. - Representative Hama 1) Hiro 4, Agent 5.1. Number of inventions increased by amendment None "This is an example of the operation of the sorter 1 described above in the case of..." from page 13, line 18 to page 14, line 3 of the specification.
An example of the operation of the sorter 1 described above will be explained in detail based on FIGS. 7 to 9.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A plurality of bins arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction, an elevating member disposed near the bins so as to be movable up and down, and an elevating drive means for elevating the elevating member.
The recording paper holding means is arranged on the elevating member and temporarily holds the fed recording paper, and a pair of paper ejection rollers are arranged on the elevating member and ejects the recording paper into a bin. Then, the elevating member waits at a standby position corresponding to the reference bin in the center, and the elevating member is moved forward to a predetermined position while the recording paper being fed is held by the recording paper holding means, and then the recording paper is is ejected into the bin using the paper ejection roller, and
A sorter characterized in that the elevating member is then returned to a standby position corresponding to a reference bin in the center.