JPS63262372A - Sheet material distributing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable high speed distribution of sheet materials, by a method wherein a first sheet material nipping conveying means being movable to each bin and a second sheet material nipping conveying means to receive discharged sheets are actuated in linkage with each other by mounting their respective detecting means to the means. CONSTITUTION:A second sheet material nipping conveying means 4 waiting at a discharge port part 70 being a home position nips a sheet material, discharged from a roller pair 83, by means of its nip part through rotation of roller pairs 44 and 45. When the forward end of the sheet material is detected by a sensor 49, rotation of the roller pair is stopped, and the second means is immediately raised approximately at the same speed as a sheet discharge speed. When it is detected by a sensor 50 that the second means positioned facing a first sheet material nipping conveying means 2 waiting at a bin 1c being a home position, the raising of the second means is stopped. The sheet material is delivered through rotation of the roller pairs 44, 45 and 24, 25, and when the forward end of the sheet material is detected by a sensor 29, the second means 4 is lowered back to its original position. The first means 2 is raised, and when it is detected by a sensor 30 that the first means is positioned facing a bin 1a, the first means is stopped. The nipped sheet material is discharged, and a next and following sheet materials are distributed to bins 1b... in a manner described above.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A1.Objective of the invention [Industrial application field] The present invention aims to store sheet materials sequentially discharged one by one from a sheet material output device into a plurality of sheet material storage units called bins. The present invention relates to a sheet material distributing device (generally referred to as a sorter, collating machine, sorting machine, sorting machine, etc.) that distributes and accumulates sheet materials.

Specifically, sheet material output devices include various image forming devices such as copying machines, printers, printing machines, and other sheet materials (sheet materials such as cut sheet paper, cards, thin plates, etc.) that eject one sheet at a time ( These are devices that perform (output).

[Conventional technology]

Conventional sheet material distribution devices (hereinafter referred to as sorters) can be broadly classified into bin moving type sorters and bin fixed type sorters.

The bin moving type sorter controls the movement of the entire bin array relative to the sheet material discharge port of the sheet material output device AI (hereinafter referred to as this machine), and sequentially positions the sheet material inlets of individual bins in corresponding positions. This system distributes sheet material to individual bins by going through the bins.

A bin fixed type sorter has a sheet path mechanism in which the bin array is immovable, and the sheet material discharge port of the machine is selectively connected to the sheet material inlet of each bin in the bin array using guide plates, deflection plates, etc. This is a system in which the sheet material discharged from the sheet material discharge port of the machine is sequentially conveyed and distributed to individual bins via the sheet path mechanism.

As a type of fixed-bin sorter, the sheet material discharge port of this machine is controlled to move back and forth sequentially between the sheet material inlets of individual bins in the bin array, and the sheet material is discharged from the sheet material discharge port of the machine. It is envisaged that a configuration would be provided with movable sheet material delivery means for receiving the sheet material and sequentially conveying it to the sheet material inlet of the individual bins and introducing it into the bins.

In FIG. 0, an example of which is shown in FIG. 6, A is a part of a sheet material output device as the main machine, and in this example, it is an electrophotographic copying machine. 70 is a sheet material discharge port of the machine. C
is a sorter installed on the sheet material discharge port side of machine A. The sorter C is configured as an attachment device that is attached to the tree IIA in use, or as a built-in device to the book &'lA.

In the sorter C, la to 1j are a plurality of bins fixedly arranged in multiple vertical stages. Reference numeral 60 denotes a sheet material holding and conveying means (as a movable sheet material delivery means) whose vertical movement is controlled between the sheet material discharge port side of this aA and the sheet material inlet side of the vertically multistage bin arrays la to 1j. (hereinafter referred to as delivery unit), which is a pair of rollers 61 and 62 that clamps and conveys sheet materials. It has a rotation drive motor (not shown), a sensor 63 for detecting the presence of the sheet material, and the like. The delivery unit) 60 is connected to the lower drive pulley 64 and the E
The attachment is supported by a belt 66 suspended between driven pulleys 65 on the side, and vertical movement is controlled as the belt 66 rotates forward and backward by forward and reverse rotation control of the drive pulley 64.

■ When the start key (not shown) of this machine A (copy al) is pressed, the copying operation of this machine starts. In the sorter C, the delivery unit 60 is normally on standby at a position corresponding to the sheet material discharge port 70 on the side of the machine A as shown in the figure, with its home position set as a standby position. When the drive pulley 64 is not located at the home position, the drive pulley 64 is rotated forward or backward to return to the home position (initial setting).

(2) The pair of rollers 61 and 62 of the arrangement unit 60 are rotated in the forward direction by energizing their drive motors.

■ Copied sheet material enters the sorter C side from the tree 11A side through the discharge port 70.

■ The sheet material entering the sorter C side enters between the pair of rollers 61 and 62 that are rotating in the forward direction of the delivery unit 60 that is waiting opposite the discharge port 70, and the tip end is inserted between the pair of rollers. pass through.

(2) When the leading edge of the sheet material passes between the roller/roller pair 61, 62 for a predetermined length, the presence of the sheet material is detected by the sensor 63, and the rotation of the roller/roller pair 61, 62 is stopped in response to the detection signal. As a result, the leading end of the sheet material is firmly held between the pair of rollers. Further, the drive pulley 64 starts to rotate normally in response to the above detection signal, and the delivery unit 60 moves upward at approximately the same speed as the speed at which the sheet material is discharged from the sheet material discharge port 70.

(2) When the delivery unit 60 reaches a position facing the sheet material inlet of a predetermined bin, here the uppermost bin la, further upward movement of the delivery unit 60 is stopped at that point. At the same time, the rotational drive of the roller/roller pair 61/62 is restarted, and as a result, the roller/roller pair 61/62
The sheet material held with its leading end sandwiched therebetween is discharged (distributed) into the corresponding bin la.

■ When it is detected that the sheet material has been discharged into the bin la, the delivery unit ) 60 is moved downward by the reverse drive of the drive pulley 64 and the sheet material is discharged again. It is returned to the home position facing the discharge port 70 and waits to receive the next sheet material.

(Φ From then on, in the same way as in ■ to ■, the delivery unit 60 transfers the sheet material from the sheet material discharge port 70 to the sheet material inlet of the bin, and the delivery unit 6 after discharging the sheet material into the bin
0 to the sheet material discharge port 70, each bin lb
By sequentially repeating 1c..., a predetermined sheet material distribution to each bin is achieved.

Note that sheet materials are delivered to the bins on the lower side than the home position of the delivery unit 60 by controlling the delivery unit 60 to move downward, and return by controlling the movement upward.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

In the sorter having the configuration shown in the above-mentioned example in FIG. 6, the return operation of the delivery unit 60 from the sheet material inlet of each bin to the home position is such that the sheet material transferred to a predetermined bin in the delivery operation is moved by the rollers. The sheet material is introduced into the bin by the rotation of the pair of rollers 61 and 62, and cannot be inserted until the rear end of the sheet material completely passes through the gap between the pair of rollers 61 and 62.

Therefore, for example, in a high-speed copying machine, etc., the distance between sheet materials that are sequentially ejected or the ejection time interval is short.
When using the sorter C in conjunction with the delivery unit 60, the return operation of the delivery unit 60 must be performed at an ultra-high speed in time for the short sheet material interval or discharge interval time, but due to the ultra-high speed movement. It is necessary to use a drive motor with high electric power and high power, and since a large load is placed on the sorter mechanism, it is necessary to make the mechanism more robust, which ultimately increases the size of the sorter C - which increases the cost. It will invite higher education.

By designing the distance between the home position of the delivery unit 60 and the sheet material inlet of the bins 1a and 1j that are farthest from there to be short, the maximum return operation time of the delivery unit 60 is shortened, and this makes it shorter than the high-speed type machine A. It may be possible to keep up with sheet materials that are sequentially discharged at intervals or discharge time intervals, but in this case, the total number of bins (total number of stages) to be arranged must be reduced, or the arrangement of each bin must be changed. The spacing will have to be designed to be narrower. A reduction in the number of bins will reduce the number of parts that can be combined, and if the intervals between the bins are narrow, the usable sheet material loading capacity of each bin will decrease.

The present invention also relates to a fixed type sorter equipped with a sheet material delivery means, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sorter that solves the above-mentioned problems.

Summary: Structure of the Invention [Means for Solving Problems] The present invention comprises: a plurality of bins for storing sheet materials; and a first sheet material holding and conveying means movable to the sheet material inlet of each of the bins. and.

a movable second sheet material clamping and conveying means for receiving the discharged sheet material from the sheet material output device and delivering the sheet material to the first sheet material clamping and conveying means; and a first sheet material clamping and conveying means. The bin position detection means included in the means, and means for detecting the position of the first sheet material holding and conveying means provided in the second sheet material holding and conveying means. The gist of the present invention is a sheet material distributing device characterized by the following.

[For production]

That is, by providing two sheet material holding and conveying means, the first and second sheet material as described above, as sheet material delivery means for each bin.

(1) The sheet material discharged from the sheet material output device is clamped by the second sheet material clamping and conveying means at a predetermined position, and the second sheet material clamping and conveying means is placed on standby at the sheet material inlet of a predetermined bin. The sheet material is moved to the position of the first sheet material clamping and conveying means, and the amount of sheet material transferred from the second sheet material clamping and conveying means side to the first sheet material clamping and conveying means side is transferred. (2) The second sheet is moved to the position of the first sheet material clamping and transporting means waiting at the sheet material entrance of the predetermined bin. The sheet material is transferred from the material clamping and conveying means side, and after the leading end of the sheet material is transferred to and clamped by the first sheet material clamping and conveying means side, the second sheet material clamping and conveying means is moved to a predetermined position. The sequential distribution of sheet material to each bin can be effected in a backward movement manner.

According to this sheet material distribution mode, the sheet material is transferred from the second sheet material clamping and conveying means side to the first sheet material clamping and conveying means side, and the leading end side of the sheet material is transferred to the first sheet material gripping and conveying means side. After the sheet material is transferred to the sheet material clamping and conveying side of Move back to the predetermined position to receive the next sheet material from the sheet material output device! It becomes possible to perform @ (return operation).

Therefore, it is necessary to particularly increase the return operation speed of the second sheet material clamping and conveying means or to reduce the total number of each bin in order to respond sufficiently in time to the short sheet material output interval or interval time of the sheet material output device. It becomes possible.

As mentioned above, even if the second sheet material clamping and conveying means is immediately shifted to the return operation, the leading edge of the sheet material transferred from the second sheet material clamping and conveying means side to the second sheet material clamping and conveying means side will not be firmly attached to the second sheet material clamping and conveying means side. Since the sheet material is transferred and held, no conveyance failure occurs, and the transferred sheet material is subsequently discharged into a predetermined bin by the first sheet material holding and conveying means.

Further, the first sheet material clamping and conveying means is equipped with a bin position detection means, and the second sheet material clamping and conveying means is equipped with a means for detecting the position of the first sheet material clamping and conveying means. To perform highly accurate and reliable positioning of a sheet material clamping and conveying means with respect to each bin position and corresponding positioning of a second sheet material clamping and conveying means with respect to the first sheet material clamping and conveying means with a small number of parts and a simple configuration. be able to.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic diagram of a sheet material output device gtA, such as an electrophotographic copying machine, and a sorter, which is a sheet material distribution device B according to the present invention, mounted on the sheet material discharge port side of the electrophotographic copying machine.

Since the configuration and image forming process of the copying machine A itself are well known, only the reference numerals of the main components will be explained here. 71 is a fixed platen glass (original table glass), 72 is an original pressure bonding plate, and 73 is an original illumination lamp.
74 is a rotating photosensitive drum; 75 is a moving type document scanning mechanism with an optical system consisting of a moving mirror, an imaging lens, a fixed mirror, etc.;
is a charger, 76 is a developer, 77 is a transfer/separation charger, 7
8 is a cleaning device, 79 and 80 are first and second transfer sheet material storage cassettes, 81 is a sheet material conveying device, 8
2 is an image fixing device, 83 is a pair of sheet material discharge rollers, and 70 is a discharge port for the copied sheet material.

In the sorter B, reference numeral 1a-15 indicates a plurality of bins fixedly arranged in multiple stages, and 2 indicates a first sheet material holding and conveying means (hereinafter referred to as a first 4 is a vertically movable second delivery unit for receiving the discharge sheet material from the sheet material discharge port 70 on the book 4ilA side and delivering the sheet material to the first delivery unit 2. Sheet material clamping and conveying means (hereinafter referred to as the second
delivery unit).

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vertical movement mechanism of the first and second delivery units 2-4.

The vertical movement mechanism of the first delivery unit 2 consists of a pair of main shafts 31 and 32 supported by bearings parallel to each other on the lower and upper sides of the sorter, and the rear end and front end of each of the main shafts 31 and 32. Pulleys 33, 33, and 34-34 attached to the side ends
and a pair of vertical belts 35, 3 on the back side and the front side, which are stretched around the pulleys 33-34, 33, and 34, respectively.
5, a power pulley 36 attached to the back end of the lower main shaft 31, a forward/reverse motor M1 for vertical movement, and the motor M
A drive pulley 37 attached to the output shaft of the drive pulley 37, and a belt 3 suspended between the drive pulley 37 and the power take-up pulley 36.
Consists of B. The first delivery unit 2 is supported substantially horizontally by fixing unit side plates 20, 20 on both ends of the pair of vertical belts 35, 35, respectively.

Then, when the vertical movement motor Ml is driven in the forward direction, the belt pair 3
5-35 rotates in the forward direction, and the first delivery unit 2 accordingly moves upward on the sheet material inlet side of each of the vertically stacked bins 1a-1j. Conversely, when the motor Ml is driven in the reverse direction, the belt The pair 35-35 rotates in the opposite direction, and the unit 2 moves downward accordingly.

The above-mentioned belt pair 35, 35 is suspended from a pulley 33φ33 fixed to the main shaft 31 on the driving side, and boops 934, 34 fixed to the main shaft 32 on the driven side, respectively.
5. A mutual rotational phase difference is unlikely to occur, and the unit 2 moves up and down while maintaining its horizontal position.

Further, vertical rail strips 39, 39 are attached and supported in the vertical direction on the rear and front side plates 11, 11 of the sorter C, respectively. Rail fitting pieces 21, 21 attached to the outer surfaces of the unit side plates 20, 20 on the front side are fitted, respectively, and this prevents rattling in the front-rear and left-right directions as the unit 2 moves up and down. It will be done.

Movement mechanisms 51 to 59 of second delivery unit 4, M2.4
In the case of the sorter of this embodiment, reference numeral 0.41 has substantially the same configuration as the first delivery unit 2, and the vertical movement motor M2
When is driven to rotate in the normal direction, the belt pair 55, 55 rotates in the normal direction, and the second delivery unit 4 moves upward accordingly.
Conversely, when motor M2 is driven in reverse, the belt pairs 55 and 55
rotates in the opposite direction, and the unit 4 moves downward accordingly.

FIGS. 3(b) and 3(c) show a partially cutaway front view, left side view, and cross-sectional view of the first delivery unit 2, respectively. In the case of the sorter of this embodiment, the second delivery unit 4 has substantially the same structure as the first delivery unit 2, so the second delivery unit 4 is shown next to the reference numeral of each component of the first delivery unit 2 in the drawing. Corresponding configuration of delivery unit 4 'Tatebayashi code is written as 0, and description of the configuration of the second delivery unit 4 will be omitted.

The first delivery unit 2 includes a pair of sheet material guide plates 22 provided vertically opposed to each other between unit side plates 20020 on the back side and the front side, and side plates 20 and 20.
A roller shaft 23 supported by a bearing in between, and the roller shaft 23
Multiple units (in this example, 4 units are installed at intervals along the length of the unit)
rollers 24 made of rubber or the like; pressure rollers 25 that are constantly pressed against the upper surface of each roller 24 with a moderate force by leaf springs 26; A motor m1, a drive gear 27 attached to the rotating shaft of the motor, and a roller shaft 23 that meshes with the drive gear.
A power acquisition gear 28 attached to the shaft end of the sheet material presence detection sensors 29a and 29b (for example, a photocoupler consisting of a light receiving element and a light source) provided on the sheet material exit side of the sheet material guide plates 22 and 22, It consists of a bin position detection sensor 30 (for example, a photocoupler) and the like. Note that the sensor 30 is the second
In the delivery unit 4, a sensor 50 detects the position of the first delivery unit 2.

The contact nip between each roller 24 and the pressure roller 25 is located within the sheet material passageway between the upper and lower sheet material guide plates 22-2.2.

In FIG. 4 (translation) 6), the first delivery unit 2 is located corresponding to the sheet material inlet of the predetermined bin 1 (a-j), and the second delivery unit 4 is located at the sheet material inlet of the predetermined bin 1 (a-j). Partially cutaway plan view of Senna 30 and 50 in position corresponding to 2.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view at a partial position.

During its upward or downward movement, the first delivery unit 2 detects a flag m protruding from the sheet material inlet side of each bin using a sensor 3.
By detecting and counting from 0, the position of each bin is detected and controlled to move, position and stop with high precision to a position corresponding to the sheet material entrance of a predetermined bin.

During its upward or downward movement, the second delivery unit 4 detects a flag n protruding from the first delivery unit 2 using a sensor 50.
By detecting this, movement and positioning stop control is performed with high precision to a position corresponding to the first delivery unit 2.

(A) Operation steps in sort mode (Fig. 5) ■ Set the original on the platen glass 71 of the copier A, enter the predetermined sort mode conditions into the control circuit at the console, and press the start key. push.

■ Standby processing on the sorter B side is started by a press signal of the start key. That is, whether the first delivery unit 2 is at a bin position as a predetermined home position, here at an order corresponding to the sheet material inlet of the uppermost bin 1a, or whether it is at the predetermined home position of the first delivery unit 2, -1 is checked by the control circuit to see if it is at a position corresponding to the sheet material discharge port 70 on the FIA side as the home position. These confirmations are made using signals from detection means (not shown) such as microswitches that are turned on when each unit 2, 4 is located at its home position.

■ When one or both of the first and second delivery units 2 and 4 are not located at their respective home positions,
One or both of the vertical movement motors Ml@M2 (Fig. 2) are rotated forward or reverse, and each unit 2 and 4 is returned to its respective home position (initial setting operation) (Fig. 5). (a)).

■ When the standby processing of the above ■ to ■ on the sorter B side is completed, the machine A starts the copying operation.

At the same time, the sheet material conveyance motors m1 and m2 (Fig. 3) of the first and second delivery units 2 and 4 are respectively driven in normal rotation, and the roller pairs 24 and 25 of each unit,) 2-4 are driven in the normal direction.
．． The same 44 and 45 are in a normal rotation state and are ready to receive the sheet material (FIG. 5 (6)).

(Φ The first sheet material P that has been image-formed on the book 41A side is introduced into the sorter B through the discharge port 70 by the discharge roller pair 83.

■ The introduced sheet material PI enters between the upper and lower guide plates 42, 42 of the second delivery unit 4, which is waiting with the discharge port 70 position as its home position, and its leading end is guided by the guide plates 42, 42. It enters the nip between roller pairs 44 and 45.

(Φ Since the pair of rollers 44 and 45 are in a forward rotation state, the sheet material P1 is conveyed forward between the guide plates 42 and 42 as it is (FIG. 5(C)).

■ When the tip of the sheet Pt that has passed between the roller pairs 44 and 45 is detected by the sensors 49a and 49b, the rotation of the sheet material conveying motor m2 of the second delivery unit 4 is stopped at that point. Ru.

Therefore, the leading end of the sheet material PR is stably and firmly held between the pair of rollers 44 and -45, which have stopped rotating.

[Phase] At the same time, the vertical motor M2 of the second delivery unit 4 is driven to rotate in the forward direction, and the unit 4 moves upward while holding the leading end of the sheet material P8 between the pair of rollers 44 and 45. (Fig. 5 ω)), that is, the sheet material P is transported upward. The upward movement speed of this unit 4 is equal to the discharge speed of the sheet material P1 discharged from the discharge port 70 on the side of the machine A. By setting the upward movement speed to be the same or slightly slower than the discharge speed, the roller
The sheet material between the pair of rollers 44 and 45 and the pair of discharge rollers 83 is transported upward while maintaining an appropriate loop without being subjected to excessive loads such as being pulled or bent. go.

■ The above-mentioned flag n indicates that the second delivery unit 4 that has moved upward has reached the position corresponding to the first delivery unit 2 that is waiting in a position corresponding to the sheet material inlet of the topmost bin la. When this is detected by the sensor 50 (FIG. 4), the normal rotation of the vertical movement motor M2 of the second delivery unit 2 is immediately stopped in response to the signal. That is, the upward movement of the second delivery unit 4 is stopped.

At the same time, normal rotation of the sheet material conveying motor m2 of the second delivery unit 4 is restarted, and the roller pair 4 is restarted.
The sheet material P was held between them by 4.45 rotations! is the sheet material guide plate 22 on the first delivery unit 2 side.
・Transferred to 22 (Fig. 5(e)).

0 The leading end of the sheet material PI is guided by the guide plates 22, 22 and passes through the roller pair 24, 2 of the first delivery unit 2.
Enter the nip section of 5. The roller pressure of this roller pair 24-25 is equal to the roller pressure of the roller pair 44-25 of the second delivery unit 4.
The pressure is set to be the same as or higher than the roller pressure of the sheet material P1, and the leading end of the sheet material P1 is reliably held between the pair of rollers 24 and 25 and conveyed.

[Co., Ltd.] Since the roller/roller pair 24-25 is already in the normal rotation state, the introduced sheet material P1 continues to be conveyed forward within the first delivery unit 2 (Fig. 5(f)).
).

[Phase] Introduced into the first delivery unit 2, the roller
When the leading edge of the sheet material P conveyed forward through the pair of rollers 24 and 25 is detected by the sheet material presence detection sensors 29a and 29b, the signal sends the second delivery unit 2 to 4.
The vertical movement motor M2 on the side is driven in reverse, and the unit 4 starts to move downward. At this point, the sheet material P
1 is sufficiently held between the pair of rollers 24 and 25 on the delivery unit 2 side of IT, and is transferred to the second delivery unit 4.
Sheet material P from the side to the first delivery unit 2 side.

The delivery of information is ensured.

0 At the same time, the sheet material conveyance motor m2 on the second delivery unit 4 side is switched to a high-speed forward rotation state, that is, the roller 44 is rotated at an increased speed (FIG. 5@).

The high rotational speed of the roller 44, that is, the sheet material conveyance speed VR in the return movement process of the second delivery unit 4 is the sheet material conveyance speed vI by the roller/roller pair 24 and 25 on the first delivery unit 2 side, and The downward movement speed (return speed) of the second delivery unit 4 is approximately equal to the sum v, +V2 of the second delivery unit 4, so the sheet material Pl is still passing through the second delivery unit 4 and has not been cut. Nevertheless, even if the unit 4 is moved downward, loads such as tensile force, rubbing force, bending force, etc. on the sheet material portion between the units 2 and 4 are not substantially applied or are significantly reduced.

- The second delivery unit 4 moves downward to the home position, that is, a position corresponding to the sheet material discharge port 70 of the machine A.
When the rotational speed of the sheet material conveying motor m2 is changed to the normal rotational speed state before being switched to high speed, the reverse rotation of the vertical movement motor M2 is stopped and the rotational speed of the sheet material conveyance motor m2 is changed to the normal rotational speed state before being changed to a high speed. 'l
It waits to receive the next sheet material to be discharged from the A side (Fig. m5 (h)).

Until the second delivery unit 4 returns to the home position as described above, the rear end of the sheet material P1 delivered to the first delivery unit 2 is transferred to the second delivery unit 4.
The nuki is cut from the inside.

It is preferable to make the speed v2 at which the second delivery unit 4 returns to the home position as high as possible, since this allows the next sheet material to be received with ample time and ensures reliable conveyance.

[Phase] On the other hand, the sheet material PL delivered to the first delivery unit 2 side is transferred to the roller pair 24 and 25 of the unit side.
By the forward rotation of the unit 2, the unit 2 is introduced into the corresponding top stage bin la.

[Phase] When it is detected that the sheet material P1 has been introduced and discharged into the bin la by passing the sensors 29a and 29b at the rear end of the sheet material, the vertical movement motor Ml of the first delivery unit 2 is reversed. and the downward movement of the unit 2 is started (FIG. 5(i)).

It is advantageous to move the unit 2 downward at as high a speed as possible.

[Phase] When the flag m and the sensor 30 (FIG. 4) detect that the first delivery unit 2 that has moved downward has reached the position corresponding to the sheet material inlet of the next bin 1b, Immediately, the reverse rotation of the vertical movement motor Ml is stopped, and the unit 4 stands by at a position corresponding to the sheet material entrance of the next stage bin 1b (FIG. 5U)).

O The second sheet material P2 is discharged and introduced from the machine A side to the sorter B side.

@ The same operation as above ■~O is performed (Fig. 5 (G))
〜罎.

Since the first delivery unit 2 is located corresponding to the second bin lb from the top, the second sheet material P2 is introduced and discharged into the second bin ib.

[Phase] When the sensors 29a and 29b detect that the second sheet material is introduced and discharged into the bin lb, the [phase]
The downward movement of the first delivery unit 2 is performed in the same manner as in the phase] (FIG. 5(b)).

[Phase] Then, similarly to the above-mentioned [Phase], the first delivery unit 2 stops and waits at a position corresponding to the sheet material entrance of the next bin, the third bin IC from the top.

By repeating the above-described operations, the sheet materials are sequentially distributed (collected) into a plurality of predetermined bins.

For example, when collating 10 copies of a set of 3 sheets, the above-mentioned distribution operation is performed for the copy sheets of the first original into bins 1a to 1j (bins 1 to 10) in order. Next, for the copy sheet of the second original, bin li~1
The collation work can be efficiently performed by performing the process in reverse order to a (bins 1G to 1), and again sequentially to bins la to 1j for the copy sheets of the third original.

(B) Operation steps (2) in group (collate) mode Standby processing is performed in the same way as in A- (2) to A- (2) in the sort mode.

(2) The first sheet material to be discharged from the A side of the machine is introduced and discharged to the topmost bin la by the same operation as A-2 to A-[phase] in the sorting mode.

■ Even after the introduction of the first sheet material to the bin 1a is completed, the first delivery unit 2 remains in the position of the bin la, and the second and subsequent sheet materials to be discharged from the machine A are introduced. wait for.

■ A predetermined number of sheets from the second sheet onward discharged from machine A are sequentially introduced and discharged into the topmost bin la by repeating the operations of A-■ to A-[phase]. be done.

■ When the predetermined number of copies have been completed, all of those copy sheets are introduced and discharged into the topmost bin la, and the start key on the A side of the machine is pressed again, the first delivery unit 2 moves up and down. The motor Ml is driven in reverse to move the first delivery unit 2 downward.

■ The first delivery unit 2, which has moved downward, reaches the A-[
Similarly to [Phase], it stops at a position corresponding to the sheet material inlet of the second bin lb from the top and waits.

■ All the copy sheet materials of the predetermined number that are sequentially discharged from this machine A to this second bin ib are
By repeating the operation steps of ~A-6 and A-[phases], all are introduced and discharged.

■ When the start key on the machine A side is pressed again, the first delivery unit 2 is controlled to move downward to the sheet material inlet of the third bin IC from the top, and delivers the same predetermined number of sheets to the bin IC as described above. The sheet material is introduced and discharged.

In this way, each time one start key on the A side of the machine is pressed, the first
The delivery unit 2 is controlled to move downward one bin at a time,
Sheet materials can be distributed in collate mode to each bin up to the lowest bin lj.

(C) Operation steps in non-sort mode (2) Standby processing is performed in the same way as in A-2 to A-2 in the sort mode.

■ The operations of A-■ to A-[phase] in the sort mode and B-■ and B-■ in the collate mode are repeated until all the sheet materials sequentially discharged from one machine A are reached. It is introduced into and discharged from the upper stage bin 1a.

Here, it is preferable that the sheet material conveyance speed of the first and second delivery units 2 and 4 be close to the sheet material discharge speed from the machine A in order to avoid applying a load to the sheet material.

Also, when the sensors 49a and 49b detect that the sheet material has passed through the second delivery unit 4, the first delivery unit 2
The conveyance speed of the sheet material on the side of the machine may be increased, and the rear end of the sheet material on the side of the machine A may be
3 may be detected by a sensor on the machine A side, and the sheet material conveyance speed of the first and second delivery units 2 and 4 on the sorter B side may be increased based on the detection signal.

(D) Operation Steps in Random Access Mode (2) At the same time as 8-2 to A-2 in the sort mode, standby processing is performed.

■ For example, when the machine A side instructs that the first sheet material be placed in the topmost bin 1a, the operations A-■ to A-[phase] in the sorting mode are performed and the first sheet material is The sheet material is discharged to the topmost bin la.

■ Suppose that the JaA side has instructed that the next second sheet material be placed in the lowest bin lj (the bin is la
It may be any bin of ~lj; here, assume that the lowest bin lj is specified as an example).

■ The sensors 29a and 29b of the first delivery unit 2 detect that the first sheet material has been discharged to the topmost bin la.
When the bin lj is detected and the bin lj is specified, the vertical motor Ml of the first delivery unit 2 is driven in the reverse direction, and the unit 2 immediately moves downward toward the bin lj.

■ When the flag n and the sensor 30 detect that the first delivery unit 2 that has moved downward has reached the position corresponding to the sheet material inlet of the specified bin lj, the motor M is activated.
1 stops, and the second knee 2 stops at the position of the bin lj and waits to receive the next second sheet material.

- The delivery unit 4 of younger brother 2 is moved back to the position corresponding to the home position, that is, the sheet material discharge port 70 of book aA, by the operation of A-O during the sort mode.
It waits to receive the introduction of the th ejected sheet material.

(2) When the second sheet material is discharged from the tree 411A, the same operations as A--2 to A-O in the sorting mode are performed.

Since the first delivery unit 2 is waiting at a position corresponding to the lowest bin 1j, this second sheet material is discharged into the bin lj by the unit 2.

■ When the sensor 29a and 29b of the first delivery unit 2 detects that the second sheet material has been discharged into the bin lj, the first delivery unit 2 moves to the next designated bin. Start moving to position (arbitrary bin position 21 of la-11).

By repeating the above-described operations, sheet material distribution in a random mode is executed in which sheet materials sequentially discharged from the machine A are discharged one by one into an arbitrarily designated bin. Even in this mode, the second delivery unit 4
Since the time from 1 to 2 to transfer the sheet material to the first delivery unit 2 can be reduced to the travel time from the first delivery to the next bin of 2, the amount of movement of the delivery unit can be reduced. '', thereby making it possible to increase the interval between the bins to increase the sheet material a loading capacity of each bin, and to increase the total number of bins arranged.

C. Effects of the Invention As described above, the sorter of the present invention is equipped with two sheet material clamping and conveying means, the first and second, and the sheet materials are distributed to each bin by the linked operation of both of the means. Therefore, regarding the second sheet material clamping and conveying means, the sheet material is transferred from the second sheet material clamping and conveying means side to the first sheet material clamping and conveying means side, and the leading end side of the sheet material is transferred to the first sheet material clamping and conveying means side. After the sheet material is transferred to the conveyance side and held, the first and second sheet material holding and conveying means are sequentially removed and the sheet material is completely discharged into the bin. It becomes possible to return to a predetermined position (return operation) in order to receive the next sheet material from the material output device.

Therefore, it is possible to shorten the sheet material output interval of the high-speed sheet material output device without particularly increasing the return operation speed of the second sheet material clamping and conveying means, reducing the total number of each bin, or narrowing the arrangement interval. Alternatively, it becomes possible to respond in sufficient time to the interval time.

As mentioned above, even if the second sheet material clamping and conveying means is immediately shifted to the return operation, the leading edge of the sheet material transferred from the second sheet material clamping and conveying means side to the second sheet material clamping and conveying means side will not be firmly attached to the second sheet material clamping and conveying means side. Since the sheet material is transferred and held, no conveyance failure occurs, and the transferred sheet material is subsequently discharged into a predetermined bin by the first sheet material holding and conveying means.

Further, the first sheet material clamping and conveying means is equipped with a bin position detection means, and the second sheet material clamping and conveying means is equipped with a means for detecting the position of the first sheet material clamping and conveying means. To perform highly accurate and reliable positioning of a sheet material clamping and conveying means with respect to each bin position and corresponding positioning of a second sheet material clamping and conveying means with respect to the first sheet material clamping and conveying means with a small number of parts and a simple configuration. be able to.

Therefore, the intended purpose is well achieved and the device is suitable for use as a sheet material dispensing device for use in, for example, high-speed copying machines.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a sorter according to the present invention and an electrophotographic copying machine equipped with the sorter, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vertical movement mechanism of the first and second delivery units, and FIG. b)・
(C) is a partially cutaway front view, left side view, and cross-sectional view of the delivery unit, respectively.
FIG. 5(c) is a partially cutaway plan view and cross-sectional view of a state in which a delivery unit is located corresponding to a predetermined bin position, and a second delivery unit is located corresponding to the first delivery unit.
) to (b) are operation process diagrams of the sorter, and FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an example of a sorter having only one delivery unit. °A is a copying machine as a sheet material output device, 7o is a sheet material discharge port, B-C is a sorter, 1a-1j are bins, 2.
4 is the first and second movable sheet material clamping and conveying means, m is each bin position detection means provided in the first sheet material clamping and conveying means, and n is provided in the second sheet material clamping and conveying means. Means for detecting the position of the first sheet material holding and conveying means.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A plurality of bins for accommodating sheet materials, a first sheet material clamping and conveying means movable to the sheet material inlet of each of the bins, and receiving the discharged sheet material from the sheet material output device, and receiving the sheet material from the sheet material output device. a movable second sheet material clamping and conveying means for delivering the material to the first sheet material clamping and conveying means; a bin position detection means provided in the first sheet material clamping and conveying means; A sheet material distributing device comprising means for detecting the position of a first sheet material holding and conveying means provided in the sheet material holding and conveying means.