JPH0725468B2 - Sorter - Google Patents

Description

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

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a sorter, a plurality of bins arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction, a belt arranged near these bins and conveying the recording paper upward or downward, A recording sheet conveying means such as a suction fan for sucking the recording sheet; an elevating member arranged so as to be able to ascend and descend between the recording sheet conveying means and a bin; and an elevating drive means for elevating the elevating member. A direction switching member, which is arranged on the elevating member and directs the moving direction of the recording paper being moved by the recording paper conveying means to the bin direction, and a recording which is arranged on the elevating member and whose direction is switched by the direction switching member. It is known to include a pair of paper discharge rollers for discharging paper into a bin.

However, in this sorter, it is necessary to change the conveyance direction of the recording paper of the recording paper conveying means according to the height of the recording paper discharge position of the image recording apparatus, and to change the configuration of the direction switching member correspondingly. Moreover, there is a drawback that the configuration is complicated.

Object An object of the present invention is to provide a sorter that can easily cope with a change in the discharge position of the recording paper of the image recording apparatus, has a simple configuration, and can speed up the recording paper sorting operation. Especially.

Configuration The present invention, a plurality of bins arranged at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction, an elevating member arranged to be able to ascend and descend in the vicinity of these bins, an elevating drive means for elevating the elevating member.
The recording medium is provided with a recording paper pinching unit that is disposed on the elevating member and that temporarily clamps the recording paper that is sent, and a pair of paper ejection rollers that is disposed on the elevating member and ejects the recording paper to the bin. The raising / lowering member has a home position at a position corresponding to the vicinity of the center of the upper and lower bins, and the raising / lowering member standing by at the home position clamps the recording paper by the recording paper pinching means, and then the bins are arranged in the order closer to the home position. It is characterized in that the elevating member moves back to the home position after the recording paper is moved forward to be classified, and the recording paper is discharged to the bin by the discharge roller.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 indicates a sorter. An electronic copying machine 2 is arranged adjacent to the exterior plate 1a of the sorter 1. The sorter 1 is mounted on the exterior plate 2a of the electronic copying machine 2.
A paper discharge port 3 for discharging the recording paper P is formed on the side of.
Inside the exterior plate 2a near the paper discharge port 3, a pair of paper discharge rollers 4 is arranged.

A paper receiving port 5 is formed in the exterior plate 1a of the sorter 1 so as to face the paper discharge port 3 of the exterior plate 2a of the electronic copying machine 2. Inside the exterior plate 1a near the paper receiving port 5, a pair of receiving rollers 6 and 7 are arranged. These receiving rollers 6 and 7 are in pressure contact with each other, and one receiving roller 7 is rotated by the receiving roller driving means 8. The receiving roller driving means 8 includes a motor 8a fixed to the exterior plate 1a, a pulley 8c fixed to a drive shaft 8b of the motor 8a, and a rotating shaft of the receiving roller 7.
It is composed of a pulley 8d fixed to 7a and a belt 8e mounted on these pulleys 8c and 8d.

A plurality of bins 9 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the up-down direction on the side of the receiving rollers 6 and 7 in the feeding direction of the recording paper P. These bins 9 are supported by the exterior plate 1a, and most of the bins 9 extend outward from the opening of the exterior plate 1a.

Between the receiving rollers 6, 7 and the bin 9, an elevating member 10 is arranged near the bin 9 so as to be able to ascend and descend. A paper guide member 11 for guiding the recording paper P is arranged between the receiving rollers 6 and 7 and the elevating member 10. The elevating member 10 is moved up and down by the elevating drive means 12. This lifting drive means 12
Is a pair of upper and lower pulleys 12a and 12b, a forward and reverse rotatable step motor 12d arranged near the rotating shaft 12c of the upper pulley 12a, and the step motor 1
The worm gear 12f fixed to the drive shaft 12e of 2d and the rotation shaft of the pulley 12a are engaged with the worm gear 12f.
It comprises a gear 12g fixed to 12c, and a pair of wires 12h fixed to both pulleys 12a and 12b and to which both side plates 10a of the lifting member 10 are fixed.

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

The elevating member 10 is composed of both side plates 10a and a holding plate 10b integrally fixed thereto. Two guide members 10c, 10d for guiding the recording paper P sent from the receiving rollers 6, 7 are arranged on the side plates 10a and the holding plate 10b.

As shown in FIG. 4, the guide member 10d is provided with two support members 13 protruding therefrom. Bearings 14 are arranged in the elongated holes of these support members 13 so as to be movable up and down by a small distance, and a rotating shaft 15a of a paper discharge roller 15 is supported by these bearings 14. A holding member 16 is projectingly provided on the guide member 10d, and a rotation shaft of the paper discharge roller 15 is provided on the support member 16.
A spring 17 for holding 15a downward is held.

The guide member 10d is also provided with two supporting members 18 projecting therefrom. These supporting members 18 are provided with a one-way clutch 19 and a bearing 20, and these one-way clutch 19 and bearing 20 are provided. The rotation shaft 21a of the paper discharge roller 21 is supported. The paper discharge roller 21 is rotated by the paper discharge roller driving means 22. The discharge roller driving means 22 includes a motor 22a fixed to the holding plate 10b of the elevating member 10 and the motor 22a.
The pulley 22c fixed to the drive shaft 22b of 22a and this pulley 2c
The pulley 22d is fixed to the rotary shaft 21a of the paper discharge roller 21 so as to face 2c, and the belt 22e is attached to these pulleys 22c and 22d. The one-way clutch 19 is
The paper discharge roller 21 does not prevent the recording paper P from rotating in the direction of sending the recording paper P to the bin 9, and the paper discharge roller 21 holds the recording paper P in the bin 9
Prevents rotation in the direction opposite to the feeding direction.

A paper sensor 23 for detecting the recording paper P is arranged between the paper discharge rollers 15 and 21 and the receiving rollers 6 and 7 and near the paper discharge rollers 15 and 21. The paper sensor 23 includes a photo sensor and is fixed to the guide member 10d. A roller standby position sensor 24 is arranged at a predetermined position to detect that the discharge rollers 15 and 21 are arranged at a standby position for receiving the recording paper P sent by the receiving rollers 6 and 7. The roller standby position sensor 24 is composed of a photo sensor, and detects that the side plates 10a of the elevating member 10 are arranged at predetermined positions to detect that the paper discharge rollers 15 and 21 are arranged at standby positions.

The paper discharge roller 4 of the electronic copying machine 2 is interposed between the receiving rollers 6 and 7.
When the recording paper P is sent from the receiving rollers 6 and 7, the receiving rollers 6 and 7 send the recording paper P toward the discharge rollers 15 and 21. In this case, the discharge rollers 15 and 21 are in the standby position for receiving the recording paper P (the position corresponding to the lowest bin 9 in the illustrated embodiment).
It is waiting without rotating. When the paper sensor 23 detects the front end of the recording paper P, the paper discharge rollers 15 and 21 are rotated in a direction for feeding the recording paper P to the bin 9 for a short predetermined time from this time point to hold the front end of the recording paper P. Stop.

When the paper discharge rollers 15 and 21 hold the recording paper P, the elevating member 10 and the paper discharge rollers 15 and 21 move in the direction of the selected bin 9 to be used, and the position corresponding to the selected bin 9 is reached. Stop at. When the elevating member 10 and the discharge rollers 15 and 21 move forward, the discharge roller 21 is prevented from rotating in the direction opposite to the direction in which the recording paper P is sent to the bin 9 by the one-way clutch 19, The recording paper P is never detached from the paper ejection rollers 15 and 21. The forward speed of the discharge rollers 15 and 21 when the discharge rollers 15 and 21 are moved to the selected bin 9 is the same as the discharge speed of the recording paper P of the discharge roller 4 of the electronic copying machine 2. The settings are almost the same. This is the discharge roller
This is to prevent the recording paper P from being detached from the paper discharge rollers 15 and 21 due to unnecessary resistance acting on the recording paper P when the papers 15 and 21 move forward.

When the paper discharge rollers 15 and 21 are arranged at positions corresponding to the selected bin 9, the paper discharge rollers 15 and 21 are rotated to discharge the recording paper P to the bin 9, and the paper sensor 23 records. Paper P
After a short time elapses from the time when the trailing edge is detected, the rotation of the paper discharge rollers 15 and 21 is stopped, and the elevating member 10 and the paper discharge rollers 15 and 21 are returned to the standby position. This lifting member 10
And when moving the discharge rollers 15 and 21 back, the lifting member 10
And the speed of the return movement of the paper ejection rollers 15 and 21 is
Since 21 does not hold the recording paper P, the feeding speed of the recording paper P of the paper discharge roller 4 of the electronic copying machine 2 may be made higher.

FIG. 5 shows the operation display panel 25 provided on the upper surface of the exterior plate 2a of the electronic copying machine 2, which will be described below.

On the operation display panel 25, a power key 26 for turning the power on or off, a power indicator 27 for indicating that the power is on or off, a start key 2 for starting copying
8, original number set key 29 to set the number of originals,
The number of originals set indicator 30 that indicates whether or not this number of originals set key 29 has been turned on, the number of copies set key 31 that sets the number of copies, and this number of copies set key 31
Copy number set indicator 32, which indicates whether or not it is turned on
Numeric keypad 33 for inputting the number of originals or the number of copies, clear stop key 34 for clearing the input value with this numeric keypad 33 and for stopping copying, original set number indicator 35 for displaying the number of originals set, originals for which copying has been performed Number of originals display 36 for displaying the number of copies, number of copies set display 37 for displaying the number of copies set, number of copies execution display 38 for displaying the number of recording sheets P that have been copied, and the sort mode is set. Sort mode key 39 for displaying, sort mode indicator 40 for displaying whether or not the sort mode is set, stack mode key 41 for setting the stack mode, and stack mode for displaying whether or not the stack mode is set A display 42 and the like are provided.

When the ten-key 33 is pressed after the manuscript number set key 29 is turned on, the number of manuscript sets is input, and when the ten-key 33 is pressed after the copy number set key 31 is turned on, the number of copy sets is entered. The sort mode is a mode in which a plurality of recording papers P are discharged one by one to different bins 9. In the stack mode, a plurality of recording papers P are
A mode in which the maximum number of sheets that can be stored in each bin 9 is sequentially discharged into a plurality of bins 9.

The controller of the sorter 1 described above is shown in FIG. 6, which will be described below.

Paper sensor 23, roller standby position sensor 24, power key 2
Information such as 6, a start key 28, a document number set key 29, a copy number set key 31, a ten key 33, a sort mode key 39 and a stack mode key 41 is given to the input port of the microcomputer 43.

The RAM of the microcomputer 43 is provided with an original document number set counter, a copy set number counter, a total copy set number counter, a discharged sheet number counter, a sort mode flag, a used bin number counter, a lift flag and the like. The sort mode flag becomes "1" when the sort mode key 39 is turned on, and becomes "0" when the stack mode key 41 is turned on. The used bin number counter counts the number of bins used in the sort mode, and has the same value as the copy set number counter. The lifting flag is set to "1" when the lifting member 10 is raised, and is set to "0" when the lifting member 10 is lowered.

To the output port of the microcomputer 43, the receiving roller driving means 8, the elevating driving means 12, the discharge roller driving means 22 and the like are connected.

An example of the operation of the above sorter 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. The flow shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is for the case where the standby position (home position) for receiving the recording paper P of the paper discharge rollers 15 and 21 is the position corresponding to the lowest bin 9.

When the ON signal of the power key 26 is given to the microcomputer 43, the operation is executed according to the programs shown in the flows of FIGS. 7 and 8 stored in the ROM of the microcomputer 43. FIG. 7 shows the main routine of the flow, and FIG. 8 shows the subroutine of the flow.

First, initialization is performed in steps. In this initial setting, the RAM and the input / output port of the microcomputer 43 are cleared.

Next, in step, it is checked whether or not the start key 28 is ON. If it is determined that the start key 28 is ON in step, the receiving roller driving means 8 is turned ON in step, and then the used bin selection routine of step is executed,
The ON time of the lifting drive means 12 is set in steps corresponding to the bin 9 selected in this used bin selection routine.

Next, in step, it is checked whether or not the paper sensor 23 is ON. When it is determined in this step that the paper sensor 23 is ON, that is, when the paper sensor 23 detects the leading edge of the recording paper P, the paper discharge roller driving means 22 is turned ON in step, and t _x ≧ t ₁ in step Check if there is. This t _x is the elapsed time from the time when the paper sensor 23 is turned on, and t ₁ is the paper output from the time when the paper sensor 23 is turned on (the time when the paper discharge roller driving means 22 is turned on). Laura 1
5,21 is a predetermined time required to hold the leading edge of the recording paper P.

If it is determined that t _x ≧ t ₁ in the above step, the paper discharge roller driving means 22 is turned off in the step, the lifting flag is set to “1” in the step, and the lifting drive means 12 is turned on in the step. Ascend 15,21 (forward).
Next, in step, it is checked whether or not the discharge rollers 15 and 21 have reached the bin 9 selected in the use bin selection routine of step, that is, the lifting drive means 12 is set to the ON time of the lifting drive means 12 set in step. Check whether 12 is turned on.

When it is determined in the above step that the discharge rollers 15 and 21 have not reached the selected bin 9, the process returns to the step and the lifting drive means 12 is held ON. Paper ejection rollers 15,2 in steps
When it is determined that 1 has reached the selected bin 9, whether or not the elevating and lowering drive means 12 is turned off in step, the paper discharge roller drive means 22 is turned on in step, and then the paper sensor 23 is turned off in step. Check.

When it is determined that the paper sensor 23 is OFF in the above step, that is, when the paper sensor 23 detects the trailing edge of the recording paper P, the [paper discharge number counter] is set to +1 in step and t _y ≧ t ₂ in step. Check if there is. this
t _y is the elapsed time from the time when it is determined that the paper sensor 23 is OFF in step, and t ₂ is the discharge time by the discharge rollers 15 and 21 after it is determined that the paper sensor 23 is OFF in step It is a predetermined time required for the recording paper P to be detached from the discharge rollers 15 and 21.

If it is determined that t _y ≧ t ₂ in the above step, the discharge roller driving means 22 is turned off in the step, the elevating flag is set to “0” in the step, and the elevating driving means 12 is turned on in the step. Moves down 15 and 21 (backward).
Next, in step, it is checked whether or not the roller standby position sensor 24 is ON. If it is determined in step that the roller standby position sensor 24 is not ON, the process returns to step and the lifting drive means 12 is held ON.

If it is determined that the roller standby position sensor 24 is ON in the above step, the elevating and lowering drive means 12 is turned OFF and the discharge rollers 15 and 21 are arranged in the standby position in the step, and then in the step [total copy set number counter] = It is checked whether or not it is a [sheet discharge number counter]. If it is determined in this step that [total copy set number counter] = [sheet discharge number counter], the process returns to step. If it is judged in the step that [total copy set number counter] = [sheet discharge number counter], the operation is stopped.

Next, the used bin selection routine shown in FIG. 8 will be described.

First, in step, it is checked whether or not [sort mode flag] = 1. If [sort mode flag] = 1 is determined in this step, that is, if sort mode is determined, A-BC = D
C and D in (where 0 ≦ D <B) are obtained. Here, A is the value of the paper discharge counter, B is the value of the used bin counter, and C and D are 0 or a positive integer. Based on D obtained in the step, the (D + 1) th bin 9 from the bottom is selected as the bin 9 to be used in the step, and then the process returns to the main routine.

When it is determined in the above step that [sort mode flag] = 1 is not satisfied, A-EF = G (where 0 ≦ G ≦
Find F and G in E). Here, E is the maximum number of sheets of the recording paper P that can be stored in one bin 9, and F and G are 0 or a positive integer.
Based on F obtained in the step, the (F + 1) th bin 9 from the bottom is selected as the bin 9 to be used in the step, and then the process returns to the main routine.

Next, an example of the operation of the sorter 1 when the standby position (home position) for receiving the recording paper P of the discharge rollers 15 and 21 is the position corresponding to the uppermost bin 9 is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. It will be described with reference to the drawings.

When the ON signal of the power key 26 is given to the microcomputer 43, the operation is executed according to the programs shown in the flows of FIGS. 9 and 10 stored in the ROM of the microcomputer 43. FIG. 9 shows the main routine of the flow, and FIG. 10 shows the subroutine of the flow.

First, initialization is performed in steps. In this initial setting, the RAM and the input / output port of the microcomputer 43 are cleared.

Next, in step, it is checked whether or not the start key 28 is ON. If it is determined that the start key 28 is ON in step, the receiving roller driving means 8 is turned ON in step, and then the used bin selection routine of step is executed,
The ON time of the lifting drive means 12 is set in steps corresponding to the bin 9 selected in this used bin selection routine.

Next, in step, it is checked whether or not the paper sensor 23 is ON. When it is determined in this step that the paper sensor 23 is ON, that is, when the paper sensor 23 detects the leading edge of the recording paper P, the paper discharge roller driving means 22 is turned ON in step, and t _x ≧ t ₁ in step Check if there is. This t _x is the elapsed time from the time when the paper sensor 23 is turned on, and t ₁ is the paper output from the time when the paper sensor 23 is turned on (the time when the paper discharge roller driving means 22 is turned on). Laura 1
5,21 is a predetermined time required to hold the leading edge of the recording paper P.

If it is determined that t _x ≧ t ₁ in the above step, the discharge roller driving means 22 is turned off in the step, the elevating flag is set to “0” in the step, and the elevating driving means 12 is turned on in the step. Go down 15 and 21 (forward).
Next, in step, it is checked whether or not the discharge rollers 15 and 21 have reached the bin 9 selected in the use bin selection routine of step, that is, the lifting drive means 12 is set to the ON time of the lifting drive means 12 set in step. Check whether 12 is turned on.

When it is determined in the above step that the discharge rollers 15 and 21 have not reached the selected bin 9, the process returns to the step and the lifting drive means 12 is held ON. Paper ejection rollers 15,2 in steps
When it is determined that 1 has reached the selected bin 9, whether or not the elevating and lowering drive means 12 is turned off in step, the paper discharge roller drive means 22 is turned on in step, and then the paper sensor 23 is turned off in step. Check.

When it is determined that the paper sensor 23 is OFF in the above step, that is, when the paper sensor 23 detects the trailing edge of the recording paper P, the [paper discharge number counter] is set to +1 in step and t _y ≧ t ₂ in step. Check if there is. this
t _y is the elapsed time from the time when it is determined that the paper sensor 23 is OFF in step, and t ₂ is the discharge time by the discharge rollers 15 and 21 after it is determined that the paper sensor 23 is OFF in step It is a predetermined time required for the recording paper P to be detached from the discharge rollers 15 and 21.

If it is determined that t _y ≧ t ₂ in the above step, the discharge roller driving means 22 is turned off in the step, the elevating flag is set to “1” in the step, and the elevating driving means 12 is turned on in the step. Increases (returns) 15,21.
Next, in step, it is checked whether or not the roller standby position sensor 24 is ON. If it is determined in step that the roller standby position sensor 24 is not ON, the process returns to step and the lifting drive means 12 is held ON.

If it is determined that the roller standby position sensor 24 is ON in the above step, the elevating and lowering drive means 12 is turned OFF and the discharge rollers 15 and 21 are arranged in the standby position in the step, and then in the step [total copy set number counter] = It is checked whether or not it is a [sheet discharge number counter]. If it is determined in this step that [total copy set number counter] = [sheet discharge number counter], the process returns to step. If it is judged in the step that [total copy set number counter] = [sheet discharge number counter], the operation is stopped.

Next, the used bin selection routine shown in FIG. 10 will be described.

First, in step, it is checked whether or not [sort mode flag] = 1. If [sort mode flag] = 1 is determined in this step, that is, if sort mode is determined, A-BC = D
C and D in (where 0 ≦ D <B) are obtained. Here, A is the value of the paper discharge counter, B is the value of the used bin counter, and C and D are 0 or a positive integer. Based on D obtained in the step, the (D + 1) th bin 9 from the top is selected as the bin 9 to be used in the step, and the process returns to the main routine.

When it is determined in the above step that [sort mode flag] = 1 is not satisfied, A-EF = G (where 0 ≦ G ≦
Find F and G in E). Here, E is the maximum number of sheets of the recording paper P that can be stored in one bin 9, and F and G are 0 or a positive integer.
Based on F obtained in the step, the (F + 1) th bin 9 from the bottom is selected as the bin 9 to be used in the step, and then the process returns to the main routine.

Next, an example of the operation of the above sorter 1 when the standby position (home position) for receiving the recording paper P of the paper discharge rollers 15 and 21 is the position corresponding to the reference bin 9 in the central portion is shown in FIG. It will be described with reference to FIG.

When the ON signal of the power key 26 is given to the microcomputer 43, the operation is executed according to the program shown in the flow of FIGS. 11 to 13 stored in the ROM of the microcomputer 43. 11 and 12 show the main routine of the flow, and FIG. 13 shows the subroutine of the flow.

First, initialization is performed in steps. In this initial setting, the RAM and the input / output port of the microcomputer 43 are cleared.

Next, in step, it is checked whether or not the start key 28 is ON. If it is determined that the start key 28 is ON in step, the receiving roller driving means 8 is turned ON in step, and then the used bin selection routine of step is executed,
The ON time of the lifting drive means 12 is set in steps corresponding to the bin 9 selected in this used bin selection routine.

Next, in step, it is checked whether or not the paper sensor 23 is ON. When it is determined in this step that the paper sensor 23 is ON, that is, when the paper sensor 23 detects the leading edge of the recording paper P, the paper discharge roller driving means 22 is turned ON in step, and t _x ≧ t ₁ in step Check if there is. This t _x is the elapsed time from the time when the paper sensor 23 is turned on, and t ₁ is the paper output from the time when the paper sensor 23 is turned on (the time when the paper discharge roller driving means 22 is turned on). Laura 1
5,21 is a predetermined time required to hold the leading edge of the recording paper P.

If it is determined that t _x ≧ t ₁ in the above step, the discharge roller driving means 22 is turned off in the step, and it is checked in the step whether or not the elevating flag = 1. If it is determined in step S1 that the elevating flag = 1, the elevating drive unit 12 is turned ON and the sheet discharge rollers 15 and 21 are moved up in step S4. If it is determined that the lift flag is not 1 in step, the lift drive means 12 is turned on in step and the discharge rollers 15 and 21 are lowered to proceed to step.

In the step, it is checked whether or not the discharge rollers 15 and 21 have reached the bin 9 selected in the use bin selection routine of the step, that is, the ascending / descending driving means for the ON time of the ascending / descending driving means 12 set in the step. Check whether 12 is turned on.

When it is determined in the above step that the discharge rollers 15 and 21 have reached the selected bin, the lifting drive means 12 is OF
After setting F, it is checked in step whether or not the lift flag = 1. If it is determined that the lift flag = 1 in the step, the lift flag is set to 0 in the step, and
If it is determined that the lift flag is not 1 in step, the lift flag is set to 1 in step, and then the discharge roller drive means 22 is turned on in step to discharge the recording paper P with the discharge rollers 15 and 21.
Is discharged to the bottle 9.

Next, in step, it is checked whether the paper sensor 23 is OFF. If it is determined that the paper sensor 23 is OFF in the step, the [sheet discharge counter] +1 is set in the step, and then it is checked whether or not t _y ≧ t ₂ in the step. This t _y is the elapsed time from the time when it is determined that the paper sensor 23 is OFF in step, and t ₂ is the discharge roller 1 after it is determined that the paper sensor 23 is OFF in step.
It is a predetermined time required for the recording paper P discharged by 5, 21 to be separated from the paper discharge rollers 15, 21.

When it is determined that t _y ≧ t ₂ in the above step, the discharge roller driving means 22 is turned off in the step, and then it is checked in the step whether or not the elevating flag = 1. If it is determined in step S1 that the elevating flag is 1, the elevating drive unit 12 is turned ON to elevate the paper discharge rollers 15 and 21, and then the process proceeds. Lift flag in step = 1
If it is determined that it is not, the elevating and lowering drive means 12 is turned on in step S1, and the paper discharge rollers 15 and 21 are descended before proceeding to step S.

In the step, it is checked whether or not the roller standby position sensor 24 is ON. If it is determined that the roller standby position sensor 24 is ON at step, the elevating drive means 12 is turned off at step and the discharge rollers 15 and 21 are made to wait at the standby position, and then at step [total copy set number counter] = [ The number of discharged sheets counter] is checked. In step [Total copy set number counter] =
If it is determined that it is not the [sheet count counter], the process returns to step. In step [Total copy set number counter] =
If it is determined that the [sheet discharge counter], the operation is stopped.

Next, the used bin selection routine of the step shown in FIG. 13 will be described.

First, in step, it is checked whether or not [sort mode flag] = 1. When it is determined that [sort mode flag] = 1 in the step, that is, when the sort mode is determined, C and D in A-BC = D (where 0 ≦ D <B) are obtained in the step. Where A
Is the value of the paper discharge counter, B is the counter value of the number of bins used in the sorting process, C is the number of original documents for which the sorting process is completed (0 or a positive integer), and D is 0 or the positive It is an integer. Next, it is checked in step S whether D = 0. If it is determined in step S that D = 0 is not satisfied, it is checked in step S whether D = 2m + 1 (where D ≧ 2m). Here, m is the maximum integer (0 or a positive integer) that can take D ≧ 2m.

If it is determined in the above step that D = 0, the central reference bin 9 is selected as the bin 9 to be used in the step, and then the process returns to the main routine. If it is determined that D = 2m + 1 (where D ≧ 2m) in the above step, the (m + 1) th bin 9 above the central reference bin 9 is selected as the bin 9 to be used in the step, and the up / down flag is set in the step. Is set to 1, and the process returns to the main routine.
If it is determined in the above step that D = 2m + 1 (however, D ≧ 2m) is not satisfied, then in step the bin 9 that uses the mth bin 9 downward from the reference bin 9 in the central portion is selected, and in the step the up / down flag is set to 0. To return to the main routine.

If [sort mode flag] = 1 is not determined in the above step, that is, if the stack mode is determined, F and G in A−EF = G (where 0 ≦ G <E) are determined in step. Here, E is the maximum number of sheets of the recording paper P that can be stored in one bin 9,
And F and G are 0 or a positive integer. Next, in step, it is checked whether or not F = 0, and when it is determined that F = 0 is not satisfied in step, F = 2n + 1 in step.
It is checked whether (F ≧ 2n) or not. Here, n is 0 or a positive integer.

When it is determined that F = 0 in the above step, the reference bin 9 in the central portion is selected as the bin 9 to be used in the step, and then the process returns to the main routine. When it is determined that F = 2n + 1 (where F ≧ 2n) in the above step, the (n + 1) th bin 9 is selected from the central reference bin 9 in the upper part as the bin 9 to be used, and the up / down flag is selected in the step. Is set to 1, and the process returns to the main routine.
If it is determined in the above step that F = 2n + 1 (however, F ≧ 2n), Select the nth bin 9 from the reference bin 9 in the center as the bin 9 to be used, Then, the up / down flag is set to 0, and then the process returns to the main routine.

In the embodiment in which the standby position of the paper discharge rollers 15 and 21 corresponds to the reference bin 9 in the center, the side plate 10a of the elevating member 10 is provided with a detection piece, and The detection piece may be detected by the roller standby position sensor 24 arranged at a predetermined position.

In the above-described embodiment, the recording paper gripping means 44 for temporarily holding the recording paper P when the paper discharge rollers 15 and 21 move forward to the selected bin 9, the discharging roller is provided at the leading end of the recording paper P. 1
Although it is configured to be held by 5, 21, itself, as shown in FIG. 14, the front end portion of the recording paper P that is inserted into the paper discharge rollers 15, 21 separately from the paper discharge rollers 15, 21 is temporarily held. A recording paper holding means 44 for holding the recording paper may be provided. This recording paper holding means 44 is
Two elastic holding pieces 44a which are fixed to the lower surface of the guide member 10d and can be easily elastically deformed, and this guide member 1
It is fixed to the upper surface of 0d, and the elastic holding piece 44a is displaced downward by the actuator 44b through the hole of the guide member 10d. 2
It consists of two solenoids 44c. When the solenoid 44c is OFF, the elastic holding piece 44a is sufficiently separated from the guide member 10c so as not to obstruct the movement of the recording paper P. When the recording paper P is clamped between the discharge rollers 15 and 21 and the leading end of the recording paper P reaches between the elastic clamping piece 44a and the guide member 10d, the solenoid 44c is turned on.
When turned on, the actuator 44b of the solenoid 44c displaces the elastic holding piece 44a downward, and this elastic holding piece 44a presses the recording paper P against the guide member 10d and the recording paper P together with the guide member.
Hold in.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the standby positions of the discharge rollers 15 and 21 (that is, the lifting member 10).
When the recording paper P is discharged to the plurality of bins 9 closest to the standby positions of the discharge rollers 15 and 21, the standby position) may be set to a position corresponding to an arbitrary bin 9 of the plurality of bins 9. ,
The recording paper P is sequentially discharged from the upper bin 9, the recording paper P is sequentially discharged from the lower bin 9, and the recording paper P is sequentially discharged from the bin 9 far from the standby position of the paper discharge rollers 15 and 21. Alternatively, after the recording paper P is sequentially ejected from the bin 9 corresponding to the standby position of the ejection rollers 15 and 21 to the upper bin 9,
You may discharge to the lower bin 9 sequentially from the bin 9 corresponding to the standby positions of 15,21.

The present invention can also be applied to the case of classifying recording paper of an image recording device such as a printer.

Effects Since the sorter of the present invention can wait the elevating member at a position corresponding to an arbitrary one of a plurality of bins, it is easy to cope with a change in the discharge position of the recording paper of the image recording apparatus, and the configuration is Since it is simple and the recording paper is discharged to the plurality of bins closest to the standby position of the elevating member, the recording paper sorting operation can be speeded up.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a sorter of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing an essential part of the same sorter, and FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway front view showing an essential part of the same sorter, FIG. Is a partially cutaway side view showing a main part of the same sorter, FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an operation display panel of an electronic copying machine for discharging recording paper to the same sorter, and FIG. 6 is a block showing a control device of the same sorter. FIG. 7, FIG. 7 to FIG. 13 are flowcharts showing the flow for explaining the operation of the same sorter, and FIG. 14 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing another embodiment of the recording paper holding means of the same sorter. 9 ... bottle, 10 ... lifting member, 12 ... lifting driving means, 1
5, 21 ... Paper ejection roller, 22 ... Paper ejection roller driving means, 44 ...
... Recording paper holding means, P ... Recording paper

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of bins arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction, an elevating member arranged to be able to ascend and descend in the vicinity of these bins, an elevating drive means for elevating the elevating member, and an elevating member. The recording paper holding means is provided and temporarily holds the sent recording paper, and a pair of paper discharge rollers arranged on the elevating member for discharging the recording paper to the bin. The member has a home position at a position corresponding to the vicinity of the center of a plurality of upper and lower bins, and an elevating member standing by at the home position nips the recording paper by the recording paper nipping means, and then records to the bins in the order closer to the home position. A sorter that moves forward to sort paper, ejects recording paper to a bin with paper ejection rollers, and then moves the lifting member back to the home position.