JPS6218464B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a jam processing method for a collator device for collating or sorting sheets sequentially and continuously fed from a copying machine or a printing machine as an input device.

Collators typically include a sheet transport path, multiple sheet storage bins, and a movable deflection device for distributing sheets to these bins, and can be used in either collation or sorting modes. It has a unique structure. That is, there is a collation mode in which sheets of the same page are stored one by one in separate bins, or a sorting mode in which sheets are stored consecutively in one bin and when that bin is full, the sheets are stored in the next bin. It can also be operated in mode. However, the number of sheet storage bins is limited, and it may be desired to collate or sort a large number of sheets that exceeds the total number of bins. In this case, it is desirable that the input device of the collator, that is, the copying machine, produce all the sheets one at a time as one cycle of paper feeding, without stopping operation midway. For this reason, conventionally, several collator units are connected in series, and when the first unit cannot process the collator unit, the second unit is used, and when the second unit cannot process the collator unit, the third unit is used, and so on. things are being done. In this case, when the second unit is used, the sheet is relayed on the conveyance path in the first unit, and when the third unit is used, the sheet is relayed on the conveyance path in the first unit.
Then, it is relayed on a conveyance path in the second unit and transported to the target collator unit. Therefore,
There are many ways to jam the seat.

The processing speed of recent copying machines has become faster and faster, and collator devices are also operated at higher speeds. Therefore, if the sheet jams in the collator device,
How to minimize the number of jammed sheets is an important matter.

This problem is usually solved by stopping both the collator device and the copier in the shortest possible time. However, stopping not only the collator device but also the copying machine wastes several sheets during the copying process. The number of sheets that are wasted increases as the copying machine becomes larger. Therefore, it is also known to provide a temporary tray in each collator unit, to stop only the collator unit that generated the jam at the same time as the jam occurs, and to discharge all the sheets that are carried into the collator unit after the jam occurs to this temporary tray. It is being However, providing a temporary tray for each collator unit not only costs money, but also prevents the main unit from jamming if a jam occurs in the slave unit after the first collator unit (base unit). Even the sheets interposed in the conveyance path from the entrance to the entrance of the collator unit where the jam occurred are discharged to the temporary tray. Furthermore, if a jam occurs in a unit located at the rear of the driven units, the location where sheets are temporarily ejected will be far away.

The invention consists in obviating the above-mentioned drawbacks.

Basically, the present invention provides a temporary tray only for the first collator unit (master unit), so that even if a jam occurs in the second or subsequent collator units (follower unit), the jam will not occur. All the remaining sheets sent out from the copying machine per one post-feeding cycle are discharged to the temporary tray of this parent machine. All the conveyance systems of each collator unit are stopped, so that the sheets existing in the conveyance path of the unit before the jammed unit remain as valid sheets. In other words, only the number of sheets that is smaller than the number of sheets that are treated as valid are discharged to the temporary tray. This means that the effort required to later distribute the sheets discharged onto the temporary tray to predetermined bins using manual feed or a feeder section is reduced.

By the way, when restarting the copying machine and the collator device, damaged or jammed sheets are removed, so that the number of removed sheets is insufficient for one paper feeding cycle. However, since the collation or sorting program of the collator device is associated with one paper feeding cycle of the copying machine, the program will be disrupted from now on if the program is simply restarted. Therefore, in the present invention, when jam occurs,
To compensate for the number of jammed sheets that would be lost due to jamming by delaying the stop timing of one paper feeding cycle of a copying machine.

The method of the present invention will be explained below with reference to the illustrated embodiments.

In FIG. 1, 100 is the main body of the copying machine;
A static eliminating charger 1 is installed around the photosensitive drum 101.
02, electrification charger 103, static elimination lamp 10
4, an exposure device 105, a developing device 106, a transfer/separation charger 107, a separation claw 108, and a cleaning device 109. Normal charging/exposure/
A toner image is formed on the photoreceptor drum 101 through a developing process, and the toner image is transferred onto a sheet fed out from a sheet feeding section 110 by a feeding roller 111 . The transferred sheet is separated from the drum 101 by a separation claw 108, sent to a fixing device 114 by a transport tank 113, and after being fixed, is ejected through an ejection roller 115. The paper feeding section 110 is provided with a paper feeding section sheet detector 1, which monitors the feeding of sheets from the paper feeding section. This copying machine body continuously sends out the number of sheets corresponding to the designated number N of the same page in the collation mode, and the total number of sheets to be sorted in the sorting mode.

The copying machine main body 100 includes a plurality of collator units, namely a first collator unit (master unit) 200 and second and third collator units (follower units) 30.
0,400 are sequentially connected in cascade, and the base unit 20
Only 0 has a temporary tray 14. Except for the configuration related to this temporary tray 14, the driven machine 30
Since the configuration of the base unit 200 is the same as that of the base unit 200, the configuration of the base unit will be explained first.

The first collator unit 200 includes a paper arrangement section 4, a feeder section 5 located below it, a vertically movable deflection device 6 for feeding copies into a required bin, and a first collator unit 200 that supports this deflection device and arranges the above-mentioned paper arrangement section. A transport unit 7 for transporting copies from the unit 4 or the feeder unit 5 to the deflection device, a bin row 8 in which a large number of bins are arranged in parallel for storing copies sent from the deflection device 6, and a drive unit for driving each part of the collator. It is equipped with a motor 9.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, the copying machine main body 100
The copy ejected from above enters the first collator 200 in the direction of arrow A, and is gripped by a pair of receiving rollers 10, 10 while being monitored by a sheet receiving detector 23, and then the position of the receiving guide plate 12 is controlled by a solenoid 11. Accordingly, the paper is discharged to the temporary tray 14 via a pair of discharge rollers 13, 13, or when collating or sorting is performed, it is directly advanced horizontally and sent to the diagonal roller section 15 (FIG. 3).

Two sets of four diagonal rollers 17a, 17b, 17c, and 17d are arranged in the diagonal roller section 15, and these diagonal rollers are rotated by a common belt 20 at a higher speed than the receiving roller pair 10, 10. . Due to this action, the copy P is brought to the reference plate 16, arranged in a fixed position and posture by the reference plate, and sent to the pair of intermediate rollers 18, 19. Reference plate 1
6, the copy advances along the intermediate roller pair 1.
8 and 19, and then the feeder section 5
(Fig. 4) When the recorder branch plate 21 is at the solid line position in Fig. 4, the recorder branch plate 21
When roller 1 is at the dotted line position, feed roller pair 2
2 and 22, and sent to the second collator unit 30. An intermediate roller sheet detector 24 is arranged behind the intermediate roller pair 18, 19.

In FIG. 4, the feeder section 5 is an assembly separate from the paper arrangement section 4, and can be attached to and detached from the collator main body frame. The feeder section 5 and the paper arrangement section 4 are hinged to each other on the rear side, and the paper arrangement section 4 can be lifted upward from the front. Thereby, paper jammed on the conveyance path can be easily removed and a copy stack can be easily set on the paper feed table 25 provided with the pivoting portion 26. When it is desired to reverse the copy sheet and send it to the conveying section 7, a solenoid (not shown) is energized, so that the reversing branch plate 28 rotates around the shaft 29 and assumes the position shown by the solid line. The copy is this reversal branch plate 28
Then, it is sent out onto the reversing table 32 via the first reversing unit roller pair 30, 31. A rotating return roller 33 is arranged in the middle of the reversing table to return the copy, and the copy that has come off the first reversing unit roller pair 30, 31 is rotated by the return roller 33 and tilted by the reversing table 32. As a result, the paper is sent again to the second pair of reversing rollers 31 and 34, and is returned to the conveying section 7 with the paper turned upside down as when it was received by the feeder section 5.

Next, when collating or sorting the copies stored in the temporary tray 14 or the copies made with another copying machine, you can set the copies on the paper feed table 25 and issue a paper feed start command. The paper roller clutch is connected and the paper feed roller 35 begins to rotate, feeding out one copy of the copy stack 36 starting from the topmost copy. When the leading edge of the copy reaches the pair of intermediate rollers 18 and 19 and is detected by the intermediate roller sheet detector 24, the paper feed roller clutch is disconnected and the paper feed roller 3
The rotation of 5 is interrupted, and the copy is then sent out by the pair of intermediate rollers 18, 19. In this case, the paper feed roller 35 is brought into contact with the paper feed roller 35 with an appropriate pressing force.
A separating roller 3, which rotates in the opposite direction or is fixed, is provided, which ensures single sheet feeding of the copies by the feed roller 35. A pressure lever 39 pivotably mounted on a shaft 38 is disposed below the paper feed tray 25, and when a paper feed command is issued, the pressure lever 39 is activated via an arm fixed to the shaft 38 by the urging of a solenoid (not shown). 39 Rotate clockwise and feed tray 25
The uppermost copy is brought into contact with the paper feed roller 35 with appropriate pressure.

In FIG. 5, the copies sent to the deflection device 6 by the conveyor belt 41 are deflected by the deflection cam 42 attached to each bin, which corresponds to the bin in which the discharge section to which the copies should be sent is stopped. Since the cam is located at a position protruding from the conveyor belt 41, the curved surface of this deflection cam separates it from the surface of the conveyor belt 41, and the deflection cam passes through guide plates 43 and 44 carried by the discharge section and is gripped by a pair of discharge rollers 45 and 45. and discharged into the bin. The deflection cam 42 is held at a position protruding from the surface of the conveyor belt 41 by locking a deflection cam drive lever 46 provided on the deflection device 6 at the solid line position. When the deflection device is lowered, this deflection cam drive lever 46 is at the position shown by the solid line, causing the required deflection cam to protrude from the surface of the conveyor belt, but when the deflection device is raised, it moves to the position shown by the broken line, and comes into contact with each deflection cam. be prevented from doing so. This lever 46 is controlled by a lifting solenoid 6, which will be described later.
3. Reference numeral 48 denotes a sheet discharge detector that detects copies discharged from the deflection device into a bin, and confirms the discharge timing, discharge position, quantity, etc. Next, a mechanism for raising and lowering the discharge section 6 will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 6, the conveyor belt 41 is wound around a drive roller 49 and a driven roller 50, and a sprocket 51 is fixed to the shaft of the drive roller 49 and a sprocket 5 is loosely attached to the shaft of the driven roller 50.
The first chain 53 is attached to the second chain. in this case,
Since the diameter of sprocket 51 is smaller than the diameter of drive roller 49, the speed of chain 53 is slower than that of the conveyor belt. Furthermore chain 53
are each sprocket 54, 5 provided in the conveying section 7.
5, 56, and 57, and on sprockets 58, 59, 60, and 61 provided on the deflection device 6.

The deflection device 6 is designed to rise when fixing the ascending chain 53 and the sprocket of the deflection device, and to descend when fixing the descending chain and deflection device. For this reason, the spring clutch 6 is attached to the sprocket 58 attached to the fixed shaft of the discharge section.
2 is attached. This clutch 62 is controlled by a lifting solenoid 63 via a lever 64. By energizing the solenoid 63, the clutch 62 is released and the sprocket 58 becomes free, so that only the chain 53 rotates and the deflection device 6 does not move. When the lifting solenoid 63 is deenergized, the lever 64 is spring-backed and the sprocket 58 is locked onto its fixed shaft via the clutch 62, so that the sprocket 58 and therefore the deflection device 6 are entrained in the lifting chain 53. Ru. When the deflection device rises to the highest position where it should stop, it operates the home position switch 77 (FIG. 9), which energizes the lifting solenoid 63, and when the clutch 62 is released, the deflection device 6 moves to the chain 53. The connection is severed and the ascent stops.

The downward movement of the deflection device 6 is basically the same as the upward movement described above, but the important point is that it must descend by a precisely determined amount. For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 7, a sprocket 61 that meshes with the chain 53, a spring clutch 65 attached to this sprocket, and an electromagnetic clutch 4 provided between this spring clutch 65 and a shaft 66 are used.
7. A lowering solenoid 67 for connecting and disconnecting the spring clutch, a lever 68 connected to the plunger of the lowering solenoid, and a notch 69a for engaging and disengaging with one end of the lever. Cam sleeve 6 that controls the connection and disconnection of
9 is provided. A further sprocket 70 is fixed to the shaft 66, as shown in FIG. 8, and this sprocket 70 is fixed to the conveyor 7 and is therefore meshed with a stationary second chain 71.

When the lowering solenoid 67 is deenergized, the engaging end of the lever 68 engages with the notch 69a of the cam sleeve 69 and disconnects the spring clutch 65. Therefore, even if the sprocket 61 is rotated by the chain 53, the shaft remains unchanged. 66 does not rotate, and the deflection device 6 is stopped. When the lowering solenoid 67 is energized, the engaging end of the lever 68 is disengaged from the notch 69a of the cam sleeve, the spring clutch 65 is brought into contact, and the rotation of the sprocket 61 by the chain 53 turns on the electromagnetic clutch 47, which is normally ON. is transmitted to the shaft 66 through the sprocket 70, so that another sprocket 70 rotates together with the shaft 66;
0 rolls along the stationary second chain 71, and the deflection device 6 eventually descends. The lowering solenoid 67 is deenergized again immediately after the engaging end of the lever 68 comes out of the notch 69a of the cam sleeve, so the engaging end of the lever 68 moves around the cam sleeve 69 while maintaining the engaged state. sliding along the surface,
After half a turn, the cam sleeve 69 is stopped by engaging with another notch 69a. Therefore, the spring clutch 65 is disengaged again, and the shaft 66 and the sprocket 70 fixed thereto, as well as the deflection device 6, are stopped. In this way, when the discharge part 6 is lowered, it is accurately lowered by a distance corresponding to half the circumference of the cam sleeve 69, and this distance corresponds to the distance between adjacent bins.

Instead of chains 53, 71 it is also possible to use belts, in particular timing belts.

In FIG. 9, the driving roller 49 and the driven roller 5
A vacuum chamber 72 is disposed between both running sides of the conveyor belt 41, which is stretched over the conveyor belt 41, and is constantly maintained at a negative pressure by a blower 73. A large number of suction holes are provided in a row in a wall portion of the vacuum chamber 72 that faces the bottle row 8 and is in contact with the conveyor belt, and the conveyor belt 41 is also provided with suction holes. When the copy comes to the point where the suction hole of the vacuum chamber and the suction hole of the conveyor belt match, the copy is attracted by the conveyor belt and is carried along with its movement to reach the discharge section 6, where it is removed by the deflection cam 42. It is deflected and fed into a predetermined bin. Drive roller 49
is rotationally driven by the motor 9 via a belt 74, a pulley 75 and an electromagnetic clutch 76.

Note that 79a and 79b shown in FIG. 1 are a pair of light emitting/receiving elements as the bin sheet detector 79, and when there is a sheet in one of the bins, it optically detects this and outputs an output. Occur.

Second and third collator units 30 as driven units
0,400 also has the same configuration as the base unit 200 except for the configuration related to the temporary tray 14.

Hereinafter, components of the slave units 300 and 400 that are the same as the base unit will be represented by three-digit numbers by adding the same initial number 3 or 4 as the base unit. Thus, for example, in FIG. 1, 323 and 423 indicate sheet acceptance detectors of the second and third collator units, respectively.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the control circuit of the collator. CPU is the central processing unit, 80 is the I/0 port, timer, and random access memory
It is a device consisting of RAM. ROM is a read-only memory, and 81 is a timer circuit that is controlled by the CPU and monitors the sheet conveyance time in each bin. The timer circuit 81 functions as a jam detection time generation circuit that generates a jam detection signal when the end of the sheet is not detected within a predetermined conveyance time. 1' is I/of the sheet detector 1 of the paper feed section.
0 device. The dotted line block 200' indicates the I/O device group related to the first collator unit, and 23', 24', and 48' indicate the sheet reception detector 23, the intermediate roller section sheet detector 24, and the deflection section sheet discharge detector 48. I/0 device, respectively.
And 77' is an I/0 device of the home position detector 77. 12' is the receiving guide plate 1
2, a drive circuit for the solenoid 2; 67' is a deflection device moving circuit that includes a cow movement control circuit for the raising solenoid 63 and the lowering solenoid 67; and 76'
is a conveyor belt control circuit for driving and controlling the movement of the conveyor belt, that is, the electromagnetic clutch 76.

Dotted blocks 300' and 400' represent I/O devices for the second and third collator units, respectively. These are the receiving guide plate drive circuit 1
All contents except 2' are the same as the I/0 device group of the base unit.

The operation of this control circuit will be explained below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the total number of bins in each collator unit is 20, and the maximum number of sheets stored in each bin is 100. In other words, the maximum sheet storage capacity of each collator unit is 2000 sheets.

In FIG. 11a, the operator first inputs collation information or sorting information into the CPU using a suitable input device, such as a keyboard. The CPU reads this information into an internal register or RAM of the device 80 (step). In this embodiment, internal registers of the CPU are used. The CPU determines whether the input specified number of copies N exceeds the total number of bins (20 bins) (step). If the specified number of copies N is 20 or less, the number of bins in the first collator unit is sufficient, so only the use flag of the first collator unit is set, and the number of copies N is set in the C register (step).

If the specified number of copies N is 21 or more, it cannot be processed by the first unit alone, so first, 20 bins are subtracted from the specified number of copies N and the result is set in the CA register (step). Then, it is determined whether the subtraction result is less than 20, that is, whether it can be processed up to the second unit (step). If it is less than 20, the use flags of the first and second units are set (step). If the number is 21 or more, it cannot be processed even up to the second unit, so 20 is further subtracted from the above result and the result is set in the CB register (step). Then, it is determined whether the value of the CB register is within 20 bins (step). If the number is within 20 bins, use flags for the first, second, and third units are set (step).
If necessary, the number of collator units can be increased and the number of units to be used can be determined in the same manner as described above.

Once the number of units to be used has been determined, next
If the input information is in collation mode, the CPU calculates the number of sorted sheets S (S = 1) that should be stored in one bin.
set in the register and also in the sorting mode, that is, S≧
In the case of 2, the designated number S is set in the S register (step).

Next, the CPU determines which collator unit should perform collation or sorting.

The first, second, and third flags are reset each time the collation in each of the first, second, and third units is completed, as described later, so it is important to determine which unit should be operated. All you have to do is look at the flags in order (steps,...).
That is, if the first flag is "1", the first unit enters the collate operation, and if it is "0", the second flag is checked. If the second flag is "1", the second unit enters collate operation and if it becomes "0", the third flag is checked. If the third flag is "1", the collating operation of the third unit begins, and if it becomes "0", collation or sorting ends in this embodiment (step).

(1) When the first flag is “1” When collation information or sorting information is input to the CPU and the copy start key (not shown) is pressed,
Paper feeding in the copying machine main body 100 starts,
A series of copying processes are performed. Therefore, the copy sheet on which the toner image has been transferred and fixed is discharged from the discharge roller 115 of the main body of the copying machine. A series of sheets to be discharged first enters the first collator unit 200 and is gripped by a pair of receiving rollers 10 thereof, and sheet acceptance in the first unit is monitored by a sheet acceptance detector 23.

Paper feeding operation In Fig. 12, when the copying machine starts feeding paper, the CPU first determines whether the information input by the operator is in collation mode or sorting mode (step).Collation mode In this case, the CPU first specifies the I/0 port of the sheet detector 1 of the paper feed section to detect the presence or absence of a sheet (step). When the leading edge of the sheet is detected, that is, when the output of the detector 1 changes from "0" to "1", the CPU adds 1 to the paper feed total counter CNT (step). Next, the CPU checks a jam detection flag (described later) (step). The jam detection flag is zero unless a sheet jam occurs on the collator side. When it is confirmed that the jam detection flag is zero, the CPU compares the paper feed total counter CNT with the contents of the C register (specified number of copies N) to check whether the predetermined number of sheets N has been fed. (step). If the feeding of the predetermined number N of sheets has not been completed, the process returns to the step and repeats the above series of operations. Then, when a predetermined number N of sheets are fed and the contents of the paper feed total counter CNT match the contents of the C register, paper feeding is temporarily stopped and the paper feed total counter CNT is reset (step). .

The operator replaces the original with the next page and then presses the copy start key.
The above paper feeding operation is repeated for each new document, and the paper feeding is completed when there are no more documents to be copied.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the mode is the sorting mode, the CPU first performs a sheet check in the paper feed section (step), as in the case of the collation mode. When the paper feed section sheet detector 1 detects a sheet, the CPU sets the paper feed total counter CNT to 1.
, and then increment the paper feed counter CN1 by 1 (step). This paper feed counter CN
1 counts the number of sheets to be stacked in the same bin of the collator (number of sheets to be sorted) from the copying machine main body side. Next, the CPU checks the jam detection flag (step). When the jam detection flag is zero, that is, when normal sorting is being performed, the CPU next checks the paper feed to determine whether the predetermined number of sheets S has been stored in the current bin. counter
The contents of CN1 are compared with the contents S of the distribution number register (step). If the contents of the two sheets are not equal, the process returns to the step and checks the next sheet. Paper feeding therefore continues.

S sheets are fed and the paper feed counter
When the content of CN1 equals S sheets, the CPU starts the paper feed counter in preparation for feeding sheets to the next bin.
Reset CN1 (step). Then C
Subtract 1 from the contents of the register (number of copies N) and check whether the subtraction result is zero, that is, whether paper feeding has been completed for all bins corresponding to the total number N (step ). If the subtraction result is not zero, the process returns to the step and performs the above series of operations to continue feeding paper. When the subtraction result becomes zero, paper feeding is stopped (step). At this time, the paper feed total counter
CNT is reset. In this way, the feeding of the total number of sheets to be sorted is completed.

Operation of the first collator unit The series of sheets thus discharged first enters the first collator unit 200 and is gripped by the pair of receiving rollers 10 thereof. Sheet acceptance in this first unit is monitored by a sheet acceptance detector 23. The sheet that has passed through the sheet acceptance detector 23 is transported by a conveyor belt 41, is deflected by a deflection plate 42 unless jammed on the way, and is discharged to a predetermined bin via a pair of discharge rollers 45 of the deflection device 6. The deflection device 6 is initially in the home position, that is, the first bin at the top, and after descending step by step to the final bin corresponding to the specified number of copies N,
It is returned to the topmost first bin again. Therefore, the sheets are sequentially stored starting from the first bin. Storage in each bin is confirmed by the sheet discharge detector 48 of the deflection section.

The above operation is performed as follows.

First, when the output of the paper feed sheet detector 1 on the copying machine main body side changes from "1" to "0", the paper feed flow shown in FIG. After confirming that this is the case, the step shown in FIG. 11a is entered as indicated by the number 201.

If the first flag is “1”, the CPU will first
The first sheet acceptance counter PC ₁ inside the CPU is 2000.
It is determined whether the number of sheets has been counted, that is, whether the maximum capacity of the first collator unit has been exceeded (step). The first sheet acceptance counter is a counter that counts the number of sheets detected by the sheet acceptance detector 23 of the first unit, as will be described later, and its content is initially zero. The content of this first sheet acceptance counter is 2000.
If the number of cards is not reached, proceed to step and CPU
designates the first sheet receiving detector port 23' to detect the sheet. When the sheet acceptance detector 23 detects a sheet and its output changes from "0" to "1", the CPU selects the number 207.
Proceed to the step in Figure 11b as shown in
The timer circuit 81 is designated to start measuring the time T _N from when the sheet acceptance detector 23 detects the leading edge of the sheet until the deflecting section sheet discharge detector 48 detects the leading edge of the sheet. The timer time of this timer circuit 81, that is, the scheduled sheet conveyance time T
_N is expanded or contracted depending on the rest position of the deflection device, that is, the position of the bin into which the sheet is fed. next
After the CPU confirms the detection of the trailing edge of the sheet by the acceptance detector 23, the CPU increments the content of the first sheet acceptance counter PCI in the CPU by +1 (step). Next, the CPU specifies the I/0 port of the deflection unit sheet discharge detector 48 and
8 detects a sheet (step). If the sheet is not detected even after the scheduled time T _N created by the timer circuit 81 has elapsed (step 〓), the CPU enters the jam processing operation (FIG. 11d) as indicated by number 204, and detects the jam. Set flag.

If there is no jam in the conveyance path between the sheet acceptance detector 23 and the deflection section sheet discharge detector 48, and therefore the leading edge of the sheet is detected by the deflection section sheet discharge detector 48,
Next, the CPU detects whether or not there is a jam around the deflection section, so that the sheet in question is detected by the deflection section sheet ejection detector 4.
The timer circuit 81 is started in order to generate the time _T0 required to complete passing through the timer circuit 8 (step). CPU is deflection section sheet discharge detector 4
8 detects the trailing edge of the sheet, confirming that the sheet has been completely discharged into the bin (step 〓). If the trailing edge of the sheet is still not detected by the deflection section sheet ejection detector 48 even after this timer time _T0 has elapsed (steps 〓, 〓), the CPU
As in the previous case, as shown by number 204,
A jam processing operation (FIG. 11d) is entered, and a jam detection flag is set. The timer time T ₀ for jam detection around the deflection section is changed to a corresponding time length if the size of the sheet to be conveyed changes.

When the CPU confirms that the sheets have been completely ejected, it increases the content of the ejected sheet counter P _p inside the CPU by +1, and then also increases the content of the ejected sheet total counter POT by +1 (steps 〓, 〓). .

Next, the CPU compares the content S of the distributed sheet number register with the content of the ejected sheet counter P _p in order to check whether or not the number S of sheets set in the S register has been ejected into the same bin ( Step〓). Since S=1 in the case of collation mode, this comparison result immediately indicates S
= P _p . When the CPU obtains this result,
The I/0 port of the deflection device moving circuit 67' is designated and a signal for driving the lowering solenoid 67 is output. As a result, the lowering solenoid 67 is turned ON, the lever 64 is disengaged from the notch 67a of the cam sleeve, the cam sleeve 64 rotates by half a revolution, and the deflection device 6 is lowered by one bin (step 〓).

Next, in preparation for feeding the sheet into the bin,
The CPU resets the discharge sheet counter Po (step 31). Next, the CPU subtracts 1 from the contents C of the C register, that is, the specified number of copies N (step), and checks whether the contents of the register become zero as a result (step). If it is not zero, that is, if the sheet distribution for all the bins corresponding to the predetermined number of copies as the contents of the C register has not yet been completed, the paper feed unit sheet check (12th The process returns to the step after passing through the step shown in Fig.) and repeats the above series of operations (step ~). Therefore, the deflection device sequentially descends to the lower bins while discharging S sheets (S=1 sheet in collation mode) to each bin. Finally, in the step, the contents of the C register become zero. In this case, as shown by number 209,
Proceed to step c in Figure 11.

In FIG. 11c, the CPU determines whether the mode is collation mode or sorting mode (step 〓). In the collation mode, the content of the C register is zero, which means that the copying and collation of the first page of the document have been completed, so the deflection device 6 is activated in preparation for the collation operation for the next page. The player is returned to the first pin, which is the home position (Step 〓). The operator replaces the original with a new page and presses the copy start key again. When copy sheets of this new original document are continuously sent in the number corresponding to the specified number of copies N, the first collator unit repeats the above operation (steps to 〓) again and transfers them to each bin. Sort it out. The same applies to copy sheets for subsequent pages, and when the operator finishes copying all the pages of the original that he or she is attempting to copy, this means that collation is complete. Therefore, in this embodiment, no particular consideration is given to the number of pages of the original to be copied.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the mode is the sorting mode in step <<>, the CPU checks whether the first flag is "1" (step <<>).
The example currently being described is a case where the specified number of copies N is N20, and therefore only the first flag is "1". Since the sorting mode means the completion of sorting the contents of the C register to zero, the CPU resets the first flag at this point (step 〓).

The above completes collation or sorting in the case of N20, but in order to provide versatility with processing when the fixed number of paper copies exceeds the maximum capacity of the first collator unit, we next prepare for use of the second collator unit, mainly Switch the collator branch plate 21 (Fig. 4) of the first unit to open the passage of the sheet to the second unit side (step 〓), and set CA as the result of subtracting 20 from the specified number of copies N in the CA register. Then, as indicated by the number 201, the process returns to the step.
Therefore, if the other second and third flags are "0", the sorting is completed (step).

Even in the above operation process, if the sheet receiving counter PC reaches 2000 sheets, which is the maximum capacity of the first collator unit, proceed from step 1 and specify the I/0 port of the receiving guide plate drive circuit 12'. An operation signal is outputted to switch the receiving guide plate 12 from the dotted line position in FIG. 2 to the solid line position. Therefore, when collating or sorting is performed only with the first collator unit, even if the number of sheets exceeding the maximum capacity is carried into the first collator unit, all the sheets that cannot be processed are transferred to the temporary tray 14. be discharged.

The sheets stacked in each of the N bins by the above collation or sorting are taken out by the operator.

Jam handling operation As already mentioned, there are two jam detection locations in the first unit. One is to detect a jam in the middle of the conveyance path between the sheet acceptance detector 23 and the deflection section sheet discharge detector 48, and the other is to detect a jam in the deflection device while passing through the pair of discharge rollers 45, 45 of the deflection device. This is peripheral jam detection.
The fact that the sheet is jammed in the middle of the sheet conveyance path in the former case or around the deflection device in the latter case is detected at step 〓 or 〓, respectively.

If a jam is detected, the process proceeds to step ○a in FIG. 11d, as indicated by numeral 204, and the CPU sets a jam detection flag. Next, in order to stop the conveyor belt, the conveyor belt control circuit 7
6' and outputs a signal to turn off the electromagnetic clutch 76 (FIG. 9) (step ◯). As a result, the conveyor belt 41 is stopped, and therefore the conveyance of the sheet is also stopped.

Next, the CPU transfers the sheets sent after the jam occurs to the temporary tray 14 (Figures 1 and 2).
In order to perform emergency ejection, the I/0 port of the drive circuit 12' of the receiving guide plate 12 is designated and the receiving guide plate solenoid 11 is turned on (step ○). The solenoid 11 is energized and the receiving guide plate 12 is switched to open the passage toward the temporary tray 14, that is, moved from the dotted line position to the solid line position in FIG. Therefore, all the sheets that enter the collator after the jam occurs are discharged to the temporary tray 14, and these sheets are later transferred to the feeder section 5.
It will be sent to the conveyance section 7 using.

In this embodiment, the number n of sheets to be discarded due to jamming (number of jammed sheets) is determined as follows. That is, regarding one cycle of sheet feeding of the copying machine main body 10 during normal operation without jamming, it is confirmed that the total number of sheets passed to the collator device from the beginning until the time when a jam occurs and that they are actually stored in the bin. The difference between the total number of sheets and the number of jammed sheets is determined as the number of jammed sheets. In addition, one cycle of paper feeding is defined as the interval in which sheets of the number corresponding to the specified number of copies N are fed in the case of collation mode.
Further, in the case of the sorting mode, it means a section in which sheets of the number corresponding to the product N×S of the specified number of copies and the number of distributed sheets are fed.

In order to know the number of jammed sheets n, the CPU subtracts the contents of the ejected sheet total counter PoT from the contents of the sheet receiving counter PC (step E). The subtraction result (that is, the number of jammed sheets n) and the jammed location are displayed externally (step O). Furthermore, it is determined whether the mode is collation mode (step ○), and if it is in collation mode, this number of jams n and the contents of the C register (number of copies N) are added (step ○), and sorting mode is started. In this case, the number of jams n and the number of distributed sheets S are added (step ◯). That is, here, the designated number of copies N in the collation mode and the number of distributed sheets S in the sorting mode are determined as a new designated number of copies N+n and a new number of distributed sheets S+n, respectively, which compensate for the number n of sheets lost due to jamming.

The copying machine normally feeds N sheets (when collating mode) or N×S sheets (when sorting mode) and then stops, but if a jam occurs and the jam detection flag becomes 1. In this case, the n sheets that would be insufficient due to the jam are fed in the following manner, and then the paper is stopped.

First, since the jam detection flag is "1", in either collation or sorting mode, the process proceeds from step ○ke in FIG. 11, as indicated by number 205, in FIG. ,
The sheet acceptance check in the first collator unit continues. That is, until a sheet is detected, as indicated by the number 200, the process returns to the step in FIG. 12 and circulates between steps ○ and .

On the other hand, on the paper feed side, if the collation mode is selected, the jam detection flag is "1", so the process proceeds from step 1, and here the paper feed total counter CNT is calculated for the new specified number of copies N+n.
Determine whether the contents match. If they do not match, return to the step and continue feeding paper.
When N+n sheets have been fed, the feeding is stopped, the total feeding counter CNT is reset, and the jam detection flag is reset (step). In the case of sorting mode, the process proceeds from step 1 to determine whether the number of sheets stacked in the same bin, that is, the content of the paper feed counter CN1, is equal to the new number of sorted sheets S+n. If they are not equal, the process returns to step and the CPU performs the next sheet check. When paper feeding continues and S+n sheets, which are supplemented by the number of jammed sheets n, are fed into the bin, the CPU
subtracts 1 from the C register and sets the paper feed counter in preparation for normal paper feeding for the next bin.
Reset CN1 and reset the jam detection flag (step , ). If the jam occurs during the paper feeding operation to the final bin, then the feeding of the sheets to be sorted is now complete. Then, the CPU checks whether the contents of the C register have become zero (step). If it is zero, the sheet feeding in the sorting mode is complete (step. If it is not zero, the sheet feeding is temporarily stopped, and after the feeder unit 5 actually feeds S sheets to the bin, It is expected that the copy start key will be pressed again (step).Therefore, as indicated by number 201, the step of FIG. 11a is entered.

Even after a jam occurs, the sheet remains at the specified 1
As long as the paper feeding operation of the copying machine main body for a cycle is not completed, the paper continues to be sent to the collator. The CPU checks the acceptance of these sheets by specifying the I/0 port of the sheet acceptance detector 23 (step ○ke). Every time one sheet passes through the sheet acceptance detector 23, the content of the sheet acceptance counter PC1 is incremented by +1 by detecting the leading edge of the sheet (step ○). Therefore, even when a jam occurs, the sheet receiving counter CP1 counts the number of received sheets in the same way as during normal operation, and all sheets that have entered the first unit after the jam occurs are discharged to the temporary tray 14. The CPU compares the contents of the sheet reception counter CP1 with the contents of the paper feed total counter CNT (step XX), and if the two are not equal, the process returns to step XX, and if the two are equal, that is, the paper is fed from the copying machine main body. When the number of sheets that is equal to the number of jam sheets n that has been received has been received, a temporary ejection end signal indicating that ejection to the temporary tray 14 has been completed is outputted to the outside (step ○).

The CPU operation described above compensates for the number of sheets lost due to jamming. The operator removes the jammed sheet.

When the operator receives an external indication that the sheets have been discharged to the temporary discharge tray 14, he or she sets the sheet bundle on the discharge tray on the paper feed table 25 of the feeder section 5 and collates or sorts the sheets.

In FIG. 13, paper feeding in the feeder section is started. The CPU specifies the I/0 port of the intermediate roller section sheet detector 24 to check the sheet feeding (step). When a sheet is detected, the timer circuit 81 is designated to start measuring the scheduled conveyance time T from the intermediate roller section sheet detector 24 to the deflection section sheet discharge detector 48 (step). When the leading edge of the sheet is detected by the discharge detector 48, a timer time T ₀ around the deflection section is started. Step〓、
The method of detecting a jam in the detectors 24 to 48 by 〓 and the jam detection around the deflection section by steps 〓 to 〓 is shown in the previous Fig. 11b.
This is similar to the steps 〓 and 〓. If no jam occurs, the ejected sheet counter
Po and output sheet total counter PoT is 1
Increased (step〓,〓). The initial values of both counters indicate the number of sheets stored in the bottle at the time of jamming. Next, the value of the ejected sheet counter Po is compared with the number of sorted sheets S (1 in collation mode) (step 〓), and the above operation is repeated until the two become equal. If they are equal, the ejected sheet counter
Reset Po (step 〓) and set the deflection device to 1.
Lower the bottle (step〓). Next, it is determined whether the value obtained by subtracting the number of jams n from the contents of the sheet receiving counter is equal to that of the discharged sheet total counter PoT (step). Now, if the number of sheets delivered to the temporary tray 14 is 5, in collation mode, the deflection device needs to distribute the remaining 4 sheets into separate bins, and therefore returns from step 14 to the above-mentioned step. Repeat the action. However, in the sorting mode, since all the sheets discharged to the temporary tray 14 are stored in the same bin, the distribution has already been completed in step 〓, and the judgment in step 1 immediately yields an equal result, and the feeder The paper feed section of the copy is stopped (step). Therefore, in the collation mode, the jammed page has been distributed to the N bins, and in the sorting mode, the jammed page has finished being stored in the jammed bin and the next bin position is reached. The operation ends when the deflection device moves to .

If a jam is detected at intermediate steps 〓 and 〓, the 11th step is
Proceeding to step ○a in FIG. d, the missing sheets are additionally fed from the copying machine main body as described above and are discharged to the temporary tray. The jam detection flag is reset, and the sheets are distributed to predetermined bins by the feeder section or by manual feeding.

This means that all errors in the number of distributed sheets for one sheet feeding cycle in which the jam occurred have been corrected. Therefore, if the operator is in the middle of collating or sorting and has not completed it, by pressing the copy start key,
Normal collation or sorting may continue.

(2) When the second flag is also "1" The first and second flags are "1" when the specified number of copies N is less than 40, the total number of bins for two units. First, through the above steps ~~, the collation or sorting of the total number of 20 bins is completed in the first collator unit. As a result, the first flag becomes "0" and the second flag becomes "1", so step 14
After that, the process enters the flow shown in FIG. 11e as indicated by symbol F2.

First, it is determined whether the first sheet receiving counter PC1 has counted the maximum capacity of 4,000 sheets for two units (step 〓). When 4000 sheets have been counted, the receiving guide plate 12 is switched to open the passage to the temporary tray 14 (step 〓), and the flow indicated by number 205 (FIG. 11d) is entered. 4000
Until the sheets are counted, the I/0 port of the sheet acceptance detector (hereinafter referred to as the first sheet acceptance detector) 23 of the first unit is designated to detect the sheets (Step 1). Then, when the output of this detector 23 changes from "0" to "1", the CPU transmits the information from the first sheet acceptance detector 23 to the sheet acceptance detector (hereinafter referred to as the second sheet acceptance detector) 323 of the second unit. The timer TA is started to generate the sheet conveyance time TA (step 〓). Next, when the output of the first sheet acceptance detector 23 changes from "1" to "0", the content of the first sheet acceptance counter _PC1 is incremented by 1 (step 〓). At this point, the sheet has passed through the first sheet acceptance detector 23. Next, the CPU specifies the I/0 port of the second sheet acceptance detector 323 and similarly performs sheet detection (step ≦). Once a sheet is detected, as indicated by numeral 207, the step of FIG. 11b described above for the first unit is entered. However, FIG. 11b representatively shows three flows for each unit. Therefore, when collating or sorting in the second or third unit, the timer time T _N , sheet receiving counter, ejected sheet detector and other elements shown in FIG. 11b are all considered for the unit in use. However, a detailed explanation of each unit will be omitted here.

When the sheet is not detected by the second sheet acceptance detector 323, the timer time TA is counted and number 2 is detected.
As shown in step 06, sheet discharge into the bin is monitored, but if the second sheet acceptance detector 323 does not detect a sheet even after the timer time TA has elapsed, both the first and second sheet acceptance detectors 323 Between the detectors 23 and 323 (hereinafter referred to as the first transport path)
It is determined that a jam has occurred (Step 〓). In this case, the process advances to first conveyance path jam detection processing step _J1 (FIG. 11f), and a jam detection flag is set.

The first and second sheet acceptance detectors 23, 32
3, the second sheet receiving detector 323 and the sheet discharging detector 348 of the second unit.
The predetermined number of copies can be safely delivered without jamming in the transport section between the two and before and after the sheet discharge detector 348.
When the CA sheet distribution is completed, in the case of the sorting mode, the process proceeds from step ≦ to step ① in FIG. 11c, and the second flag is reset. And if it is necessary to also use the third collator unit (the third
In preparation for the case where the flag is also "1", the collator branch plate 321 of the second unit is switched to the third unit side, and the number of copies CB to be processed by the third unit is set.
It is set in the CB register (steps 〓, 〓), and then returns to step 13 as indicated by number 201.
Since the first and second flags have all been reset, sorting is now complete. (step).

The number of locations where jams occur during use of the second collator unit is increased by the number of locations related to the first conveyance path compared to the case where the first unit is used, for a total of three locations. Second sheet acceptance detector 32
The jam detection process between the sheet discharge detector 348 and the sheet discharge detector 348 and before and after the detector 348 is the same as that described with reference to FIG. 11d, so a description thereof will be omitted. However, since FIG. 11d also representatively shows the processing flow for each collator unit, it is necessary to consider the corresponding elements in terms of the second unit.

If a jam occurs on the first conveyance path, the step
The process then proceeds to step ○ of FIG. 11f, where a jam detection flag is set. Next, the I/0 port of the conveyance belt control circuit 76' of the first unit is designated to turn off the conveyance control motor. This allows the first
The unit's conveyor belt (first conveyor belt) stops (step ◯). Also, the CPU displays the jam part externally (step○so). In order to output the sheets after the jam to the temporary tray 14 of the parent machine, the first
I/0 of unit receiving guide plate drive circuit 12'
Specify the port and output the operation signal of the solenoid 11 (step ○ta). Next, the CPU subtracts the contents of the second sheet acceptance counter (sheet acceptance counter of the second unit) PC2 from the first sheet acceptance counter PC1 in order to calculate the number of sheets jammed in the first conveyance path. ). and number 208
As shown in Figure 11d, step ○ is entered.
Therefore, in the same way as the number of jams calculated in step ○E, the new number of copies and the number of distributed sheets are determined in step ○ki or ○k, and the paper feed and first sheet reception detector 23 of the copying machine body are accordingly determined. monitoring will be carried out. Distribution using the feeder section is also the same as before.

(3) When the third flag is also “1” This is the case when the specified number of copies N is 41 or more and less than 60. In the same manner as described in (1) and (2) above, collation or sorting is performed in the first unit and the second unit. When the collation or sorting of a total of 40 bins is completed up to the second unit, the third flag is determined to be "1" in step so that the flow shown in FIG. 11e is entered as indicated by symbol F3. The CPU first determines whether the first sheet receiving counter has counted the maximum capacity of 6,000 sheets for three units (step 〓). 6000
If the sheets are being counted, switch the receiving guide plate 12 to the temporary tray and go to step 205.
If the number of sheets does not reach 6,000, the CPU checks whether the first sheet acceptance detector 23 has detected a sheet (steps 〓 and 〓).

When the output of the first sheet acceptance detector 23 changes from "0" to "1", the timer TA is started (step 〓). Then the CPU is the first
When the output of the sheet acceptance detector 23 changes from "1" to "0", 1 is added to the first sheet acceptance counter (step 〓). At this point, the sheet has passed through the first sheet acceptance detector 23. Next, the CPU specifies the I/0 port of the second sheet acceptance detector 323 and performs sheet detection (step <<). If the timer time TA elapses without a sheet being detected, the first sheet conveyance path jam detection processing step J ₁ (Fig. 11 f)
Enter (step). Unless a jam occurs, the second sheet acceptance detector 323 detects the sheet, and its output changes from "0" to "1". As a result, the CPU starts a timer T _B for generating the sheet conveyance time T _B from the second sheet acceptance detector 323 to the third unit sheet acceptance detector (hereinafter referred to as the third sheet acceptance detector) 423 ( Step〓). Next, the CPU receives the second sheet because the output of the second sheet acceptance detector 323 changes from “1” to “0”.
Increment the sheet acceptance counter by 1 (step 〓). At this point, the sheet has passed through the second sheet acceptance detector 323. next
The CPU is I/0 of the third sheet acceptance detector 423
Specify the port and perform sheet detection (Step 〓). If a sheet is detected, the process goes to step 207 in FIG. 11b; if no sheet is detected, the process goes to step 206, and if no sheet is detected even after the timer time T _B elapses. Then, the process enters the second sheet conveyance path jam detection process step _J2 in FIG. 11f (steps 〓, 〓).

When collation or sorting of the predetermined number of copies CB is completed in the third collator unit according to the flow shown in FIG. Return to step as shown. Since the first, second, and third flags have all been reset, the sorting ends (step).

If a jam occurs in the second conveyance path from the second sheet acceptance detector 323 to the third sheet acceptance detector 423, the jam processing step _J2 of FIG. A jam detection flag is set (step ○). Next, the CPU stops the conveyor belt of the second unit (second conveyor belt) together with the first conveyor belt, and displays the jam section to the outside (step ○ text). Next, the receiving guide plate 12 of the first unit is switched, and the sheets after the jam are discharged onto the temporary tray 14 of the parent machine (Step N). Next, the CPU uses the second sheet receiving counter to calculate the number of sheets jammed in the second conveyance path.
The contents of the third sheet acceptance counter (sheet acceptance counter of _the third unit) _PC3 are subtracted from PC2 (Step ○D). Then, as indicated by numeral 208, step ◯ of FIG. 11d is entered.

As described above, even if a jam occurs in any collator unit that is a slave unit after the parent machine, the sheet receiving guide plate 12 of the parent machine is immediately switched after the jam occurs, and then the sheets are sent out from the copying machine. All the sheets that come are delivered to the temporary tray 14 of the nearest parent machine. Therefore, the feeder section only needs to be provided in the base unit. Of course, the feeder section may not be provided and the temporarily ejected sheets can be redistributed by the operator manually, but even in this case, the number of sheets ejected to the temporary tray 14 is such that no jam occurs. Since the number of sheets existing in the conveyance path is reduced, the effort of manual feeding can be saved. This is more advantageous as the number of collator units that are slave units increases.

Furthermore, if a jam occurs in the driven machine, the number of sheets that is the number of sheets that are jammed is automatically fed out from the paper feed section. If a sheet receiving detector is provided at the entrance of each unit and the section between the detectors is used as the conveyance path up to the slave unit currently in use, the number of sheets to be jammed is Even if a jam occurs at any location, only the number of sheets existing in one conveyance path section to which the jam occurs is determined as the number of jammed sheets. Therefore, the number of sheets existing in the remaining conveyance path section where no jam exists is treated as valid, and the number of sheets fed from the copying machine side is also relatively small. Furthermore, since the number of jammed sheets in this section is automatically compensated for in one paper feeding cycle, there is no problem of program disturbance for subsequent interleaving cycles.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an overall view showing the collator device according to the present invention connected to a copying machine, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the paper arrangement section, FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the diagonal roller section, and FIG. The figure is a sectional view of the feeder section, Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the cooperation between the deflection device and the deflection cam, and Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the cooperation between the deflection device and the deflection cam.
The figure is an explanatory diagram showing the cooperation between the conveying section and the deflection device, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the clutch control mechanism, FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the stepwise feeding of the deflection device, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the conveying section. , FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the control device, FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an embodiment showing the control method of the present invention to compensate for the number of jams, FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation on the paper feeding side, and FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the feeder unit. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Paper feed section sheet detector, 5... Feeder part, 6... Deflection device, 8... Bin row, 12... Receiving guide plate, 14... Temporary tray, 21... Collator branch plate, 323, 423, 23... Sheet acceptance detector, 24... Intermediate roller section sheet detector,
25...Paper feed table, 48...Deflection section sheet discharge detector, 63...Solenoid for raising, 67...Solenoid for lowering, 76...Electromagnetic clutch, 77...Home position detector, 79...Bin sheet Detector, 200... Collator unit (base unit), 30
0,400... Collator unit (driven unit).

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A sheet receiving detector 2 at the entrance of the sheet conveyance path.
3,323,423, in which a plurality of collator units 200, 300, 400 are connected in cascade for collating or sorting sheets output from the input device 100, the collator unit 200, 323, 423 is provided with One collator unit 200 is provided with a temporary tray and a switchable receiving guide plate 12 for guiding sheets to the temporary tray 14.
00, if a jam occurs in either the sheet conveyance path up to the driven unit or inside the driven unit,
Stopping the collator unit up to the slave unit, and switching the receiving guide plate 12,
Even after a jam has occurred, a series of sheets sent from the input device 100 are discharged onto the temporary tray 14 of the first collator unit 200, and adjacent sheet receiving detectors 23, 323, 423 including the location where the above jam has occurred are ejected. A collator control method characterized in that the number of sheets existing only in the sheet conveyance path section between is treated as the number of jammed sheets, and the number of sheets sent out in a series on the input device 100 side is increased by the number of jammed sheets.