JP3919352B2 - Sheet material conveying apparatus and sorter provided with conveying path switching means - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sheet material conveying apparatus and a sorter including a conveyance path switching unit, and more specifically, for example, a sheet processing apparatus (sorter) having a function of arbitrarily sorting and conveying a sheet material to a plurality of trays and an image forming including the same It relates to the device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, in image forming apparatuses represented by copying machines, printers, facsimiles, etc., sheet materials are supplied to the image forming apparatus, and sheet materials on which images are recorded are arbitrarily sorted and carried out to a plurality of trays, or A sheet material processing apparatus that performs stapling is used.
[0003]
This is because, in an image forming apparatus such as a network printer used by a plurality of people, when a large amount of recorded sheet material is carried out to one tray, each of the sheet material bundles stacked on the tray Since there is a possibility that one of the outputted documents may not be understood, it is possible to arbitrarily sort the output documents into a plurality of trays and carry them out to be separated into documents.
[0004]
As this conventional sheet processing apparatus, for example, a sheet material conveyed from the image forming apparatus main body is received, and the sheet material is conveyed to a plurality of discharge trays while being conveyed in a common sheet material conveyance path (common conveyance path). There is a sorter device that sorts and stacks each. As is well known, the sorter apparatus is mainly used by being mounted on a medium-speed to high-speed copying machine that copies a plurality of copies of the same document or a large-sized printer that prints a large amount of sheet materials.
[0005]
Specifically, for example, there is a sheet material distribution device (sorter) of a type in which a discharge tray is fixed. In this sorter, a plurality of discharge trays and a plurality of discharge roller pairs for discharging a sheet material onto each discharge tray are fixed to the apparatus main body, further forming the common conveyance path and from the common conveyance path A conveyance guide for forming a branch path for guiding the sheet material to the arrangement position of each discharge roller pair, a switching means (switching flapper) for arbitrarily switching the conveyance direction of the sheet material at the branch portion of the common conveyance path, A solenoid is provided to drive the switching flapper. One operation means sorts and guides it to an arbitrary tray by one of the plurality of flappers operating simultaneously via the connecting means and the elastic member. When the flapper that sorts the sheet material is a downstream one of the flappers that operate at the same time, the upstream flapper does not block the common conveyance path because it contacts the sheet material being conveyed.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, there are many instability factors such as operating a plurality of flappers, operating via an elastic member, and sometimes not contacting the flapper with the sheet material, In order to reliably complete the swinging motion of the flapper, it is necessary to guarantee the operation with a sufficiently large operating force, and as a result, a loud operating sound is emitted.
[0007]
In addition, if the flapper that does not directly participate in sorting is also operated, the operation load varies depending on the tray position to discharge paper. In some cases, depending on the designated tray position, a very loud operation sound is generated.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the object of the present invention is to ensure a sufficient operating force for reliably discharging the sheet material to a predetermined tray, and to operate the sound. Is to provide a small sheet material conveying apparatus and sorter.
[0009]
In order to achieve the above object, a typical configuration of the present invention includes a common conveyance path for conveying a sheet, a branch path that branches from the common conveyance path and conveys a sheet, and the branch from the common conveyance path A switching means that can swing from a common transport path forming position to a switching position for switching the transport path to the path, an operating means that swings the switching means, and a swing stopper that stops the switching means at the switching position; And control means for controlling the operating means so as to decelerate the operating speed of the switching means before hitting the swing stopper.
[0010]
A common conveyance path for conveying the sheet; a plurality of branch paths branched from the common conveyance path; a switching position for guiding the sheet from the common conveyance path to the branch path; and the common conveyance path. A plurality of switching means that can swing to select a common transport path forming position, a single operating means that swings the plurality of switching means, and a plurality of elasticity that connects the operating means and the switching means. When the operation means is operated to swing the switching means to send the sheet to the branch path on the downstream side and branch, compared to when the sheet is branched on the upstream branch path. And control means for controlling to increase the operating force.
[0011]
Further, a common conveyance path for conveying the sheet, a plurality of branch paths branched from the common conveyance path, a switching position for guiding the sheet from the common conveyance path to the branch path, and a common conveyance path for passing the sheet are formed. A plurality of switching means capable of swinging to select a position, one operating means for swinging the plurality of switching means, a plurality of elastic means for connecting the operating means and the switching means, A swing stopper for stopping the switching means at the switching position, and a control means for controlling the operating means so as to decelerate the operating speed of the switching means before hitting the swing stopper, and the control means When operating the operating means to swing the switching means to feed and branch the sheet to the downstream branch path, when branching the sheet on the upstream branch path And compare, and controls so as to reduce the deceleration rate.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a sheet material dispensing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0013]
In the image forming apparatus A, if the sheet material that has completed image formation on the surface is sequentially stacked with the image surface facing upward, the order in which the images were formed is reversed. In order to align with the order in which the images are formed, the sheet material is discharged and stacked so that the front and back sides of the sheet material are reversed and the image surface is faced down via a switchback path (having forward and reverse rollers 10).
[0014]
A flapper 29 guides the switched back sheet to the path 30.
[0015]
When the series of reversing operations is completed, the image is directed to one of a plurality of downstream face down discharge ports 61 to 65 (discharge rollers), and the image surface is lowered from the discharge ports 61 to 65 onto the trays 51 to 55. It is discharged and loaded in the state (face down) (FIG. 6).
[0016]
Next, the operation of the flapper during sheet material sorting will be described. 36 and 37 are solenoids as operation means for selectively swinging the flapper.
[0017]
Among them, the solenoid 36 swings the flappers 81 and 83, the solenoid 37 swings the flappers 82 and 84, 38 and 39 are links as connection means, and the movable parts of the solenoids 36 and 37 are movable. And are arranged so as to be movable only in the vertical direction of FIG. Reference numerals 40 and 41 denote tension springs, one end of which is locked to the hook portions of the links 38 and 39, and the other end is locked to a hook portion formed by the frame of the apparatus. Reference numerals 42 to 45 denote tension springs as elastic members. Among these, the tension springs 42 and 43 connect the hook portions of the link 38 connected to the solenoid 36 and the hook portions of the flappers 81 and 83, respectively. The springs 44 and 45 connect the hook portions of the link 39 connected to the solenoid 37 and the hook portions of the flappers 82 and 84.
[0018]
FIG. 1 shows a state where the solenoid is OFF. In a state where the solenoids 36 and 37 are OFF, the links 38 and 39 are positioned below due to the tension of the tension springs 40 and 41. At this time, each of the flappers 81 to 84 (first, second, third, and fourth in order from the top) has the projections 81b, 82b, 83b, and 84b formed in the non-sheet passing area of the links 38 and 39. Since it is pushed downward by the end near the hook portion, it is at a position (solid line position in the figure) that does not block the common conveyance path 30 that swings counterclockwise about the shafts 81a, 82a, 83a, 84a. is there. Here, for example, when the solenoid 36 (or solenoid 37) is turned ON, the link 38 (or 39) is pulled upward (in the direction of arrow a), and the flappers 81 and 83 (or the flappers 82 and 84) are tension springs 42, It swings clockwise by the tension of 43 (or the tension springs 44 and 45), and moves to a position (a broken line position in the figure) that blocks the common conveyance path 30.
[0019]
At this time, a detecting means 90 (or 91) is provided on the trajectory of the link 38 (or 39), and a photosensor which is a detecting means for detecting the movement of the light shielding portion 38a (or 39a) of the link 38 (or 39). 90 (or 91) is detected and it is recognized whether the operation has been correctly completed.
[0020]
Further, as described above, a configuration in which a plurality of (two) flappers are operated by one solenoid, and when the sheet material is guided to the discharge roller side by the third or fourth flapper, The flapper 2 and the sheet material rub against each other, but each of the conveying roller pairs 31 to 34 is set to have a sufficiently large conveying force than this resistance.
[0021]
The flappers 81 to 84 and the links 38 and 39 connected to the solenoids 36 and 37 are connected by an elastic member, and a plurality of flappers are operated by one solenoid. If opening and closing is not completed within a specified time, the tray specified by the user will be ejected to the wrong tray, so that the flapper will start to swing rather than to swing one flapper until it is completed Is subject to new restrictions.
[0022]
This will be specifically described. When the third tray 53 is designated from the upstream, even if the solenoid 36 as the operation means is driven and the sheet material is guided by the flapper 83, the swinging operation is too early than the timing at which the sheet material is conveyed. In this case, since the flapper 81 disposed on the upstream side opens, the transport direction of the conveyed sheet material can be changed by the flapper 81, and the tray specified by the user is not the other upstream tray. Will be discharged. Therefore, since the operation of the solenoid 36 needs to be performed before the leading end of the sheet material passes through the flapper 81 and reaches the flapper 83, the control is very difficult.
[0023]
However, in this embodiment, the detecting means 90 and 91 are provided on the trajectory of the connecting member that controls the swinging operation of the plurality of flappers. Since the drive control to the operation means can be changed based on the detection signal, the control can be easily performed.
[0024]
First, since the accuracy of the flapper opening / closing timing is improved, the flapper is not discharged out of the designated tray, and the reliability can be improved.
[0025]
Next, the flapper, the connecting member, and the operating means are in the first position (conveyance path switching (branching) position (dashed line position in FIG. 1)) or the second position (common path forming position (solid line position in FIG. 1)). It is possible to mitigate the impact sound on the abutting stopper when stopping.
[0026]
The chart shown in (a) of FIG. 2 shows the control of the conventional operation means, and (b) of FIG. 2 is the chart showing the control to which the present invention is applied. In this embodiment, the driving of the solenoid as the operation means starts, and the detection means 90 (or 91) receives the detection signal of the link 38 (or 39) and the solenoid 36 (or 37) as the operation means. As shown in FIG. 2 (b), the collision control is temporarily (collision is ended) before colliding with the first position abutment (P ₁ , P ₃ or P ₂ , P ₄ ). Until the solenoid operating force is changed from P to P1. In other words, the operation speed of the flapper and the link is reduced before colliding with the abutting stopper, and the collision noise can be mitigated.
[0027]
Next, when the guide of the sheet material to the designated tray is finished and the drive of the solenoid as the operation means is turned off, the link 38 is again detected by the detection means 90 (or 91) while the connecting member returns to the home position. The passage of (or 39) is detected. Then, the drive control of the solenoid 36 is an operation means receives the signal (or 37), before impinging on the P ₁₀ or P ₁₁ abuts in turn, the solenoid operation force such that P → P2 It has been changed, the operating speed when returning to the home position is reduced, and the collision sound can be mitigated.
[0028]
In addition, the detection means is provided separately for each of the links 38 and 39, but it can also be used as a single photosensor by being arranged at the portion where the links 38 and 39 overlap (the hatched portion in FIG. 1). In addition, it is cost effective.
[0029]
6 is a front sectional view of the image forming apparatus A provided with the sorter according to the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a cassette, 2 is a half-moon-shaped paper feed roller, 3 is a registration roller, 4 Is a photosensitive drum, 5 is a fixing roller, 6 is a discharge roller, 7 is a flapper, and 8 is a discharge tray. C is a document feeder. The image forming apparatus including the sorter may be called an image forming apparatus with a sorter.
[0030]
FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are diagrams for explaining the variation of the load due to the difference in the distribution tray.
[0031]
FIG. 3 is a view when discharging to the most upstream tray, and FIG. 4 is a view when discharging to the downstream tray. In either case, the solenoid 36, which is an operation means, starts to operate at a predetermined timing, the link 38 moves in the direction of arrow a, and the flappers 81 and 83 swing through the elastic members 42 and 43.
[0032]
Thus, in either case, the flapper that does not participate in sorting to the designated tray also swings. Here, when the elastic length of the elastic member 42, which is a tension spring, is compared in FIGS. 3 and 4, the length when the sheet is discharged to the downstream tray in FIG. 4 is extended, and the reaction force applied to the solenoid is increased. You can see that it is getting bigger. That is, when discharging to the downstream tray, the solenoid 36 must be operated against the reaction force of the elastic member 42. Therefore, the solenoid 36 must be operated against the reaction force. Is required.
[0033]
In the embodiment shown in the figure, two flappers are connected, but the present invention is not limited to this. Rather, the above tendency becomes more pronounced as the number of connected flappers increases. FIG. 5 shows the result of measuring the attractive force required for the solenoid when three flappers are connected.
[0034]
Thus, there is actually a difference in the required operating force between upstream discharge <intermediate discharge <downstream discharge.
[0035]
In this embodiment, the operating force is changed depending on the designated position of the paper discharge tray.
[0036]
Specifically, the control is performed so that the operating force is increased (the current is increased) when the sheet is discharged downstream.
[0037]
In the above embodiment, the operating force is changed, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the reduction rate of the operating force changed after detection by the detection means is reduced and the relationship between the operating force and the load is optimized, the impact noise will be further reduced and minimized. Can do.
[0038]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the operating sound while ensuring a sufficient operating force that can ensure the operation reliably. Further, it is possible to achieve both improvement in the reliability of the sheet material sorting operation and reduction in collision noise. Furthermore, although the operating load varies depending on the position of the paper discharge tray, the operating force is changed for each designated paper discharge tray, so that the above effect can be further improved.
[0039]
In addition, the detection time during the operation can be fed back, and the accuracy of the flapper opening / closing timing can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram when a sheet material processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied are connected in parallel.
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining drive control of an operation unit.
FIG. 3 is a view for explaining discharge to an upstream tray.
FIG. 4 is a view for explaining discharge to a downstream tray.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a required operating force when three flappers are connected.
FIG. 6 is a front sectional view of an image forming apparatus including a sorter according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
30 Common conveyance path 36, 37 Solenoid 38, 39 Link as a connecting member 50 Face down tray 90, 91 Detection means 81-84 Flapper

Claims (24)

A common conveyance path for conveying the sheet;
A branch path branched from the common transport path to transport the sheet;
Switching means swingable from a common conveyance path forming position to a switching position for switching the conveyance path from the common conveyance path to the branch path;
Operating means for swinging the switching means;
A swing stopper for stopping the switching means at the switching position;
And a control means for controlling the operating means so as to decelerate the operating speed of the switching means before hitting the swing stopper.   2. The seat according to claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of the branch paths and the switching means, and the switching means is arranged at an entrance of each branch path and is swung by one operating means. Conveying device. The operating means is provided with a restoring force for restoring to a position before the operation by the first elastic means, and transmits the operating force to the switching means via the second elastic means,
The control means reduces the operating speed when the operating means operates, and reduces the operating speed when the operating means restores by the first elastic means. The sheet conveying apparatus according to 1. The operating means includes a solenoid and a link that transmits the movement of the solenoid to the switching means, the first elastic means acts on the solenoid via the link, and the second elastic means Interposed between the link and the switching means,
Furthermore,
The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a link stopper that stops the link against a restoring force by the first elastic means. A sensor for detecting the movement of the link;
5. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control unit controls the operation unit to reduce an operation speed of the switching unit based on detection of the sensor. A sheet conveying device according to claim 2;
A sorter comprising: a plurality of trays on which sheets conveyed by switching the conveyance path by the switching unit are stacked. A sheet conveying device according to claim 2;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a plurality of trays on which sheets conveyed by switching a conveyance path by the switching unit are stacked. A sheet conveying device according to claim 3;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a plurality of trays on which sheets conveyed by switching a conveyance path by the switching unit are stacked. A common conveyance path for conveying the sheet;
A plurality of branch paths branched from the common transport path;
A plurality of switching means swingable to select a switching position for guiding the sheet from the common conveyance path to the branch path and a common conveyance path forming position for passing the common conveyance path;
One operating means for swinging the plurality of switching means;
A plurality of elastic means for connecting the operating means and the switching means;
When operating the operating means to swing the switching means to feed and branch the sheet to the downstream branch path, the operating force is compared to when the sheet is branched on the upstream branch path. And a control means for controlling to strengthen the sheet. A swing stopper for stopping the switching means at the switching position;
The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the control unit controls the operation unit so as to reduce an operation speed of the switching unit before hitting the swing stopper. The operating means is provided with a restoring force for restoring to a position before the operation by the first elastic means, and transmits the operating force to the switching means via the second elastic means,
The control means reduces the operating speed when the operating means operates, and reduces the operating speed when the operating means restores to the position before the operation by the first elastic means. The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 10. The operating means includes a solenoid and a link that transmits the movement of the solenoid to the switching means, the first elastic means acts on the solenoid via the link, and the second elastic means Interposed between the link and the switching means,
Furthermore,
The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a link stopper that stops the link against a restoring force by the first elastic means. A sensor for detecting the movement of the link;
The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the control unit controls the operation unit to decelerate an operation speed of the switching unit based on detection of the sensor. A sheet conveying device according to claim 10;
A sorter comprising: a plurality of trays on which sheets conveyed by switching the conveyance path by the switching unit are stacked. A sheet conveying device according to claim 10;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a plurality of trays on which sheets conveyed by switching a conveyance path by the switching unit are stacked. A common conveyance path for conveying the sheet;
A plurality of branch paths branched from the common transport path;
A plurality of switching means capable of swinging to select a switching position for guiding the sheet from the common conveying path to the branch path and a common conveying path forming position for passing the sheet;
One operating means for swinging the plurality of switching means;
A plurality of elastic means for connecting the operating means and the switching means;
A swing stopper for stopping the switching means at the switching position;
Control means for controlling the operating means to decelerate the operating speed of the switching means before hitting the swing stopper,
And when the control means operates the operating means to swing the switching means so as to send the sheet to the downstream branch path and branch it, when the sheet is branched at the upstream branch path. A sheet conveying apparatus that controls to reduce a deceleration rate in comparison. The control means includes
When operating the operating means to swing the switching means to feed and branch the sheet to the downstream branch path, the operating force is compared to when the sheet is branched on the upstream branch path. The sheet conveying device according to claim 16, wherein the sheet conveying device is controlled so as to strengthen. The operating means is provided with a restoring force for restoring to a position before the operation by the first elastic means, and transmits the operating force to the switching means via the second elastic means,
17. The control unit according to claim 16, wherein the control unit decelerates the operation speed when the operation unit operates, and decelerates the operation speed when the operation unit is restored by the first elastic unit. Sheet transport device. The operating means includes a solenoid and a link that transmits the movement of the solenoid to the switching means, the first elastic means acts on the solenoid via the link, and the second elastic means Interposed between the link and the switching means,
Furthermore,
The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising a link stopper that stops the link against a restoring force of the first elastic means. A sensor for the movement of the link;
The sheet conveying apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the control unit controls the operation unit to reduce an operation speed of the switching unit based on detection of the sensor. The sheet conveying device of claim 17,
A sorter, comprising: a plurality of trays for distributing a plurality of sheets whose transport paths are switched by the switching means. A common conveyance path for conveying the sheet;
A branch path branched from the common transport path to transport the sheet;
Switching means swingable from a common conveyance path forming position to a switching position for switching the conveyance path from the common conveyance path to the branch path;
Operating means for swinging the switching means;
A swing stopper for stopping the switching means at the switching position;
An image forming apparatus comprising: control means for controlling the operating means so as to decelerate the operating speed of the switching means before hitting the swing stopper. A common conveyance path for conveying the sheet;
A plurality of branch paths branched from the common transport path;
A plurality of switching means swingable to select a switching position for guiding the sheet from the common conveying path to the branch path and a common conveying path forming position for passing the sheet;
One operating means for swinging the plurality of switching means;
A plurality of elastic means for connecting the operating means and the switching means;
When operating the operating means to swing the switching means to feed and branch the sheet to the downstream branch path, the operating force is compared to when the sheet is branched on the upstream branch path. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to control the strength of the image. A common conveyance path for conveying the sheet;
A plurality of branch paths branched from the common transport path;
A plurality of switching means swingable to select a switching position for guiding the sheet from the common conveying path to the branch path and a common conveying path forming position for passing the sheet;
One operating means for swinging the plurality of switching means;
A plurality of elastic means for connecting the operating means and the switching means;
A swing stopper for stopping the switching means at the switching position;
Control means for controlling the operating means so as to decelerate the operating speed of the switching means before hitting the swing stopper;
With
And when the control means operates the operating means to swing the switching means so as to send the sheet to the downstream branch path and branch it, when the sheet is branched at the upstream branch path. An image forming apparatus that controls to reduce a deceleration rate as compared with the image forming apparatus.

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